I Love/Hate Kobe

by Casey Jacobsen Kobe Bean Bryant, playing in his 16th year in the NBA, refuses to give up his top-dog status among the elite players. This condensed season is only 12 games old, but Kobe’s recent play is fueling discussions about him still being the best pure scorer in the League despite the younger LeBron James and Kevin Durant nipping at his heels. Following the Lakers’ embarrassing Playoff loss to Dallas last season, many people wondered if his reign over the League might be coming to an end. But it’s not over. Not even close. Kobe is one of the all-time greatest players to ever play this game. He’s the closest thing we have ever seen to Michael Jordan… but I still don’t like him. (Note: I know that Kobe doesn’t care at all if I like him or not…after all, who am I? But this is my blog, so I will assume that some of the readers might care. Let’s move on.) Kobe is one of the most polarizing athletes in the League for a reason; through all of his success that he has earned, he rub...