Only Brad Rock would try to defend Kobe in a Salt Lake newspaper by comparing him to Jordan...Wake up Rock, Jordan was/is the devil in Salt Lake basketball lore!

Brad,
Just when I thought you had something significant going on between your ears you go and prove me wrong. Dead Wrong.

He definitely has a point, but I'm still EXTREMELY frustrated at the lop-sided officiating that has been going on this entire series....

I love how Jazz fans only like hearing certain things. The article agrees that Kobe does some annoying things but that actually he's got a lot of great qualities...including not making excuses and already we get haters who are so biased they can't consider anything objectively.

Everyone on the board says Kobe pretended his back hurt as an excuse or a stategy but what does Kobe say? He says "AK did a great job. Great defensive player. They did a great job"

He didn't blame it on his back - gave credit to the Jazz.

The Jazz fans are once again....lame.

Love for the game should be more important than love for any one team. Why aren't Jazz fans booing when Kyle Korver is put on the court for more than five minutes? He is more responsible for the Jazz losing than Kobe. The Jazz have the talent to potentially beat the Lakers if they play their game and use their best players. Getting to watch exciting players like Kobe, Odom and Gasol should be a bonus-- someday you'll have to explain to your kids how great those guys are now and they won't believe you.

Not that we jazz fans like or dislike Kobe, We just don't like those shooting guards that always seem to kill the jazz, like Kobe and MJ, but I will say that compared to other supposed stars that we have faced, Tracy, Kobe doesn't whine after every single call and I respect him for that. He just needs to give Pau that lesson.

I am not a basketball expert but Kobe is "one" of the best, it is obvious by the special treatment he gets, but like Dave Barry said don't trust people that are not nice to the waiter.
You even in your article pointed out that Kobe wanted to be traded unless the Lakers changed people around him. Would not a class person do this behid closed doors. ANyone can look gracious in good times it is when it gets hard. ANyone can have fidelity in the presence of their spouse but when their gone?

Everyone in LaLa land says how great it is that Kobe credited AK and didn't make excuses.

In reality, he followed up his "No excuses for me" statement with "A back is a little different. You have to make some adjustments. You can't run like you want to, can't cut like you want to. It's a back."

Sounds like an excuse to me.

Jazzies are the most repulsive fans in all of sports.

Rather neutral article, despite the love. Several negative things were brought up. I enjoyed reading the article. As for the lopsided officiating, yes in favor of the home team every time. That's why home court is so important. Maybe that's why when Utah was an top 1-2 seed, they were going to the finals? Its helpful to get that better seed, so more games at home where you get the calls. I'm just hoping LA shows its road strength tonight despite the calls going against them.

I thought this was a well written column making some great points. Love him or hate him, you have to admire Bryant's play this year - he has discovered his teammates and that has sent his game to another level.

I really don't give a rats pituty whether the Lakers or Jazz win this series. I also don't agree with any statements about the refs being one sided ... All NBA refs always stink. Its nothing personal, they simply are unable to call a game by the rules and sometimes your team gets the short end of the stick. However, what caused me to share my opinion in this case was the statement by Rock calling Kobe humble. There is no question that Kobe is among the best all time at putting the ball in the basket. He is even articulate and well educated. But humble is most definitely not a word that I would associate with Kobe in any way, shape, or form.

don't get me wrong kobe's a great player, but I'm tired of hearing the announcers talk about him. Show the game tell us what's going on They brought up Kobe's back more than he did. IF it's too much to ask.. maybe show a highlight of D-Will when he smokes fisher pefore a commercial... please.

I've always kind of liked Kobe as a true Jazz fan he is more than a worthy opponent. Of course I don't know him, but he seems to be an agreeable fairly nice guy off the court.

I was quite dissapointed with the decision he made in Colorado and the circumstances are somewhat sad and disturbing (with his wife actually there). He seemed to certainly be above that type of behavior. I hoped he was

I was never bothered by his confidence what a lot of people thought was arragence, and if he hadn't of made that decision everyone would love him to death. He would be a proven roll model. Some things you cant get back, but he seems to really love his family and for him that's all that really matters.

Simply, beyond his swagger he seems to be a nice guy and if your a nice guy, and you've made a mistake even a serious one it's possible to repair your image. Being a freakishly good player doesn't hurt either

That said I hope his team loses by 25 tonight, Then in Game 7 one of those horrible heart breaker games.

GO JAZZ

I think the officials in this series feel the same way... what a great guy this Kobe Bryant is - let's see if we can get him some more foul shots.

Ahhh. I see what's going on here. Brad's trying to use his literary talents to get our juices flowing. Good tactic. Most excellent newspaper journalist's goals are to write columns that attract attention and elevate emotions, which is exactly what Brad is doing here. He doesn't really respect or like Kobe. Besides, other than seeking literary excellence goals, most journalists don't really know what their true opinion is because they've lost it over the years trying to be impartial. And Brad, don't try to deny it. Remember that time in the college co-ed dorm room....well, never mind.

Consider everything-- no other game in town, and the big one is that only the bottom 50% of fans are usually blogging here. It would be interesting to see what alot of them have accomplished in their lives, that make them so qualified to make the numerous statements they make. Don't get me wrong I'm not talking about all Jazz fans when I say this. I personally think that the Jazz ship is floating quite nicely. Go Jazz and please spread the court, push the ball with alot of effort and things will be fine.

Jazz fans are down right classless. Lopsided officiating, pppppllllllllllllleeeeaaaaaaaaasssssssssseee!!!! Kobe and Co. will eat the Jazz alive tonight.

Gee Rock that's sure original. Imagine, someone from the media actually fawning all over Kobe... Of course it really is easy to love a guy who:

A) Lets his gigantic ego run all of the good players off his team (Shaq, Malone, Payton) and then openly roasts Mitch Kupchak over the coals in the media because he can't get any good players.

B) While getting questioned by the Colorado police openly rolls over on the guy (Shaq) whose back he rode to three titles.

C) Purposely let his legal team hold off a trial for months and let a poor girl recieve multiple death threats, have to change her life and appearance, and have to move several times just so she would eventually break under the constant pressure and not be able to testify...

In case you can't figure it out Rock, you're in Jazz country. We get enough Kobe worship from the national media and we just don't want it here. You just embarrassed yourself and all true Jazz fans with your sycophantic mublings... Anyway, nice puff piece. I guess it saves you from having to do any real journalism.

perfect article, Brad.

I will be at the anti-Brad Rock march today when Jazz fans attempt to tar and feather you--I will be the guy cheering for you even as the skewed Jazz fans are pouring boiling tar over your bald head.

Admit it, Jazz fans: You all hated Jordan once upon a time, but now you use him to bash Kobe: "If Kobe made his teammates better like MJ..." (oops, scratch that criticism). "If Kobe was likeable like Jordan..." (oops, Rock reminded you of some inconvenient truths, didn't he?).

Let's all cut to the chase, eh? The correct comment for Jazz fans would be, "If Kobe played for the Jazz, then we'd knock down Malone's statue to make room for his."

There we go, now that is truth.

I may be wrong here, but he wasn't aquitted. The police drop the charges on him because he wrote a big check after she refused to testify. Nothing like have some extra cash around to buy the woman off. Then have a Rock monster praise you for being this great person. Your moral compass is not working Brad.

I love the Jordan/Kobe comparisons, to try to convince us that Kobe is likeable. Earth to rock: everybody in Utah hated Jordan too!

Kobe is many things, but humble is not one of them.

I respect the Jazz fans for their passion. Anytime we play Utah its always a very competetive game and you have to love Jerry Sloan. He is a fighter. I see that everytime we play the Jazz as he yells on the sideline. He's a great coach! Although I am a true blue Lakers fan and I know Jazz fans hate them with all their heart, I truly respect the Jazz organization and the people of Utah. Each year when I go on vacation there, everyone is so great! I guess its what you call enemies on the court, but friends in the end. Just wanted to say thank you Utah for being great hosts to vistors and great fans overall! See you in the battle tonight.

Great column. Too many people get way to personal with players. Imagine if all of our mistakes were made public, many of those who criticize Kobe have probably done things nearly or as bad as Kobe did.

If certain players on the Jazz had the heart and determination that Kobe has we would've already won this series and wouldn't be thinking about this anymore.

actually the children of the Jazz Fans (sounds like a horror movie...Children of the Corn...) will have no way to relate to children from other backgrounds.

They'll grow up learning that Jordan was the worst player ever followed closely behind Kobe Bryant andc anyone else in a Lakers uniform.

One day, their kids will look up Hall of Fame highlights and wonder why these players their parents hated are in the Hall of Fame and it will destroy their entire belief system.

I'm very worried about how they will react once they find out that these players their parents loathed were actually pretty good players.

Unless of course, the Jazz fans all get together and create a separate NBA.com page which Only includes achievements of the Jazz team and players...Of course that won't be believable either. No kid will believe the authenticity of a 1 link webpage...

Lakers in 6. In Utah tonight the Lakers win by 15. 15!!! We'll talk after to congratulate my prediction but I'm calling a 15 pt spread tonight with Kobe scoring 35 pts, 6 assists and 8 rebounds.

That is exactly why we lost game five. If you look back on the games in Utah Kobe tried to take control in the 4th and couldn't. He decided to pass and we lost period. You know what though if we back off and stop fouling Kobe and make him shoot instead we have a better chance of winning, because Kobe is not going to pass up the opprotunity to shoot when it's available. Go one on one with Kobe with AK guarding him, and I think that is what will win the game. Keep the post crowded, but he is killing us with the double team.

The difference between Kobe and Jordan is what is took to get to the top. Jordan struggled in high school. Worked hard in college and hard in the NBA to get to where he is. No one thought he would be the greatest ever until he was. While Kobe does practice long and hard he walked right into the NBA from high school and was dunking on NBA players when he was in junior high. before he was even in the NBA he was projected to be the next MJ. No one likes the silver spoon kid who has it easier than everyone else. Kobe has never struggled to be a good player he was born with talent and has always been good. So stop looking for any similarities you can and look at the differences. This is just one of many reasons people do not like Kobe and idolize Jordan. Plus if you recall Jazz fans never liked Jordan while he was playing, it was only after that we have learned to respect him.

To be sure, Kobe is an incredible talent. However, there are clearly many reasons for the disdain many hold for him including:
      3 months of the new-found “team religion” does not quickly erase 10+ years of me, me, me…
      Going for 40+ per night while the team loses is a surefire way to bring all the focus on me, me, me.
      Me, me, me is directly responsible for the lack of overall success of the Lakers until now since he forced Shaq out of town.
      Without the gift of Gasol (shame on Memphis, BTW), me, me, me, doesn’t win the league MVP this year rather it’s likely more whining about a trade.
      A Laker is a Laker is a Laker. Can’t cheer for Karl as a Laker, not for Fisher as a Laker and certainly not for me, me, me as a Laker.

I’ll respect Kobe’s talent as a ball player, but I can’t envision a scenario where I hope/wish/cheer for his on-court success.

I'm a huge Jazz fan, but that doesn't keep me from 'having a man crush on Kobe' (thanks VanGundy).

Kobe is one of the only players in the league that can decide to take over a game and nobody can stop him. His ultra-competitiveness is something that the Jazz are missing. Deron is phenomenal, but is not at Kobe's level. Boozer gets too complacent and timid when he faces a tough challenge. If the Jazz could channel a little more of that Kobe attitude on the court, they'd be unstoppable. Give Deron and Boozer a few more years (and hopefully a spot on the Olympic team to play alongside Kobe and other similar players) and they will raise they're game from all-star, to MVP.

From the way Kobe acting by rolling around in agony and slumping over all game I thought he had broken his back or something serious. I am sure his back was sore but cut the acting crap out and be a man and play. Men play through pain in the playoffs and try not to let anyone know they are hurt. Kobe is like a little kid trying to get his Moms attention to his sore back. Okur was in a lot more pain and although he does a little bit of acting with his flops you did not see him rolling on the ground grabbing his foot every ten minutes so that every one would know he was not a 100 percent. Kobe might say the right things in the post game comments but his actions spoke louder than his words.

Are we really praising Kobe. His words after game 4 were definetley condascending. Kobe is arrogant. I just feel anything that is labeled "humble" is never sincere. I could be wrong, but it just seems that way. Kobes a punk.

We'll see if his good manners hold out when he loses. Maybe not in this series, and maybe not this year, but there's going to come a point when he can't do it any more. That's the real test: stay good natured when you can no longer win.

Looks like someone interviewed KB24! He's not the arrogant, selfish punk the media has portrayed him to be - anymore. That was the past.

Why do I see Kobe being like Allen Iverson mummy straps on their arms. Why do I see so many soon to be if going to prison when they had to goto jail first when they attend those courts. Kobe was allow to play ball and he lucked out by not going to jail or prison. And of all of those stupid medias want to see New Birth getting Boston Celtics and LA Lakers in the final? Those Ref are getting paid well for working for David Stern. I am getting so close to not care about any prof sports and NBA are the worse anymore. My dad gave up watching NBA, why - it use to be no body contact and you will be fouled. At first Kobe wasn't getting all the help when he was a rookie and now, he is getting all the help. Go JAZZ

I think you mean Wyoming fans.

No, Patriot fans are the worst. By far Raider and Bronco fans are right up there as well.

Agree with NOT Kobe knows how to play the media game as good as anyone. He's not going to say anything to give the Jazz motivation just like the Jazz aren't going to say anything to give LA motivation either.

Declaring your man crush on the same day as Cali goes gay marriage? In 97 I was cheering for Kobe to keep shooting, because he gave that series to the Jazz. Hope he does it again! I like the Jazz' chances if they can force a game 7, because Kobe will try to show he is the superstar.That's the best thing that could happen. Go Jazz.

The six months i spent in Utah or is it UHat(e) were some of the worse in my life, i understand why you all are so angry.

So what your saying is that Kobe was born with extreme talent and never practiced, and Jordan was born with no talent and lived in the gym. That's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Phil has never said that Kobe was better than Jordan or vise versa, he said they are different players. However, Phil Jackson has been quoted saying that Kobe works harder than any player he has ever coached. You would probably say this about Lebron too, but no one has a free pass to superstardom in the NBA, they all work hard. Maybe after Kobe is done, you will learn to respect him too.

Don't be a sucker Brad. This guy is the ultimate faker. One thing Kobe does have going for him is his political saavy.

This is embarassing. On the day of game 6 this paper runs a column regarding the Kobe love of this colunmnist. Who cares? Why not provide coverage of the Jazz? The National Media pretend Utah does not exist--why would the home town paper do it also? I'm sure the Boston papers are running columns about LeBron love and the Cleveland papers are running columns about Garnett love. GET A CLUE! People read this paper for local news and information about local events and sports. Not to hear about this man's Kobe love. Save it for ESPN.

if you've ever really watched kobe, you know he is the anti-flopper, and he doesn't act. in fact he toughs it up so much that people forget that he's been playing with 9 fingers for the last few months.

You are an idiot. Kobe plays the classy card because that is what is expected of him. He gets super star treatment consistantly in games. Such treatment utterly destroys the game of basketball. Comparing him to MJ to prove your point is also absurd. No true Jazz fan likes MJ so such comparisons only make us hate Kobe more. It doesn't matter how skilled they are. Know your audience and where your paycheck is coming from.

Jazz fans please stop whining about the officiating. has everyone forgotten the stockton/malone era? you guys got calls that was so obviously horrible that it wasnt even funny. Jazz fan you should be excited you have a stud in D-will. Love how he plays and i am a die hard Laker fan. that being said if Kobe layed for the Jazz you guys would be in love with him too. so Just get ready for tonite cuz the "LAKE SHOW" is gonna break your hearts again tonite. we are about championships not having good records and hoping this is our year.....

Love him or hate him, he still makes it fun to watch. Someone worth rooting against. When he fails he fails miserably. Someone worth rooting for...

I saw a clip once when Kobe was young quoting Babe Ruth "He swings big and misses big, same for me"

That is an attitude we all could use in our everyday lives.

For all of his faults, you cannot deny his blind ambition to succeed.
What would you be capable of with that mentality?

nice reference to the line out of the John Wayne movie "The Searchers"

I have been saying this about Kobe for years. If you watch him play and talk instead of reading what the media writes about him, you see a good dude, and one of the greatest talents to ever lace up!

go jazz