True Grit....

disclaimer: Kobe is a laker, obviously i consider him the enemy. My opionion of his personal life i'll not state out of respect for our laker brothern.

I'm living/job hunting out of a hotel till feb, 23rd and so have had espn on a lot, today the big news has been Kobe vs dwight.

Now i really beleive that physically Howard has the ability to be one of the greatest Centers of all time, if he had the BB IQ of brian scalabrine he'd be able to compete for the best this side of Russel.

However Dwight's mind is weaker than a noodle sitting in water for a month, he's a goof ball who seems to be more worried about what people think of him, then living up to his potential.

Now i dont think he'd give up completely on his team like Lebum did the cavs a few seasons ago, and he has played through some injuries already, and untill last year, raerly missed any games. I dont think he's as soft as Pau Gasol was a few yrs ago, but in comparision to Kobe...

as much as i dont like Kobe, the dood deleivers, we can despise him for the "kome" style we see occasionaly (again sorry laker freinds) but he was quated today as saying somethign along these lines, outside the Celtics we're the team most storied in terms of championships, its when it all our the season is a failure" again not exact words, but right along there- its a very Celtic like attitude.

Moreover Kobe backs up his words, how many times has he played injuried, and not just played, but actauly shined? I think very few players have played as banged up at such a high leval as Kobe in the last 20 years or so- ok, maybe no one else has.

In the book "True Grit" Mattie Ross finds herself questioning the qualifications of Rooster Cogburn, after hiring him to retrieve her fathers killer based on the opionions of others that he was the all around best law officer with "grit" the ability to get it done, regardless of the circumstances he finds himself in, one description of Cogburn was 'fear does not enter into his thinking"

Later on Mattie Ross watches as Rooster alone faces four men, telling them he plans to take them to judge parker to be hung at his conveincince or to kill them right there, whichever they choose was ok with him. Then he attacked all four men. Mattie with a new sense of respect for marshall Cogburn exlaims that indeed Gogburn is a man of "True Grit!"


say what else one may of Kobe, he has "True Grit" his willingness to continue to play through whatever to get the win is with few peers in the league- today or in yesteryear.

Dwight Howard, on the other hand is much more showing he in many ways fits the descrition that Texas Ranger LeBouef made of Cogburn at one point, "It is you who have nothing to offer, Cogburn. A sad picture indeed."

Just as Mattie and Lebouef both eventualy called into question what Cogburn was made of, Howard finds himself in the same situation, the mess he created in Orlando has stained his reputation, and he's been called out and counsled by Kobe all season.

Kobe has told him to play through what he's experincing, Kobe has the freedom to speak in this case, no one beleives that he wouldnt do the same himself- the question is what will Howard do?

Again, it was said of Rooster Cogburn, "fear does not enter his thinking" Will Dwight succomb to fear, or will he play for his team giving all he has?

Tonight, vs his teams arch enemies, Howard, only hours after being called out by Kobe, has a chance to prove what he really is made of, is he a sad picture, or, like Kobe, does the man have true grit?

This thread is an abomination! Bad enuf for you to post praising Kobe, but even worse that I agree with you. Kobe has demonstrated that he can overcome the adversity, some of which he has caused, and still play at an elite level.

Dwight, not so much. He seems to have a lot of talent but he is one dimensional. I question his desire and dedication. Clearly he should be that kind of great center you referenced. They should get rid of him and start rebuilding.

I think that the Celtics are in a much better position moving forward but I'm sure that our resident Laker fans will chime in and share their knowledge.

Did I really just write this? I must be getting olde.
Mulcogi

mulcogiseng wrote:This thread is an abomination! Bad enuf for you to post praising Kobe, but even worse that I agree with you. Kobe has demonstrated that he can overcome the adversity, some of which he has caused, and still play at an elite level....

Did I really just write this? I must be getting olde.
Mulcogi

i feel the same way, disgusted that i have anything positive to say about a laker, much less the one who i know i wouldnt like if i met personally. This is where that old saying, 'the truth hurts" comes into play.

the fact we just whooped the lakers does make this a bit easier to swaLLow however.