Kobe's role on Team USA (more Kobe hate by the media)

[GangstaBoogy]

With the Americans butchering opponents and rebranding the tarnished image of USA Basketball, is it possible Kobe's absence advanced the team's cause?

The ownership of this edition of the Dream Team quickly ended up in the hands of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony. The overall attitude is really a product of James and Wade, who have founded an unselfish style that is shocking the international basketball world that long ago tagged American stars as snobbish and self-centered.

It was Wade, owner of an NBA Finals Most Valuable Player trophy and a forthcoming ring, who openly volunteered to come off the bench. It is a move that has proved to be brilliant; his entrance when the opposition is huffing and puffing almost always leads to a swing in the score.

The most recent example came Sunday against Australia. Wade ripped off the warm-ups with the score 12-12 and returned to the bench with the Americans up by 20.

Then there is James, whose willingness to share the ball is converting many new fans. He took a mere five shots in the win over Australia and repeatedly set up his teammates when he could have attempted a driving layup he surely would have finished -- or at least drawn a foul.

Amazingly, it has rubbed off. U.S. players are falling over themselves to share the glory as the ``Ugly American'' label starts to fray at the edges.

TNT analyst Steve Kerr wrote this in a column on Yahoo Sports: ``In many ways, James' play in this tournament epitomizes what looks like a revitalization of American basketball. He is helping establish an egoless chemistry.''

Others are expressing similar views.

``I'm surprised at how unselfishly they play,'' Australian guard C.J. Bruton said. ``Everyone likes to get their shots off; these guys get 17-20 shots a game in the NBA. This group takes the shots when they're open and shares the ball. In that way, you could compare them to Dream Team I and II.''

There is no doubt Bryant is one of the best players in the world. He owns three NBA titles and is coming off one of the most prolific scoring seasons in league history. His ability is unquestioned.

Were Bryant on Team USA, however, he probably would have been named a captain, if not the only captain, as one of the oldest and most experienced players. The team wouldn't necessarily have belonged to the three guns from the class of 2003, and the theme, as Bryant's game often suggests, might not have been to share before all else.

``It starts with me. Being the captain, if I'm out there passing up shots to get a better shot, it kind of rubs off on your teammates, and you can see that,'' James said. ``I'm not sure how having Kobe would've worked out. Kobe would've been a big part of our team.''

Kobe's role probably would have been what he does best: score. Wade and James are doing what they do best: lead unselfishly.

The Los Angeles Lakers and coach Phil Jackson tried to make Bryant a cog rather than the centerpiece in the playoffs against the Phoenix Suns. It almost worked, but the plan -- and Kobe -- fizzled in the end.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

LOL...The media is a joke, USA is currently lacking a clear-cut leader, which Kobe will be when he returns. They should be blowing teams out by 40, like the Dream Team was known for. Lets not forget drastically improved perimeter defense...PeACe

[Citizen-Y]

Ridiculous article and i'm not even a fan of the Lakers.  Kobe would share the rock just as often with these guys. 

He takes so many shots in LA because he has to.

[PLANT]

I think if Kobe was on the team it would be crazy!  Im sure he wouldnt be too selfish.  Dudes gonna wana fit in with everyone.  Hes not going to come in with the attitude that hes the man and has to score 30 per.  In 2008 I think the starters will prolly be Paul. Kobe, LBJ, Bosh and Howard....Or if they go with a smaller lineup they will prolly play Carmelo over Bosh.

[GangstaBoogy]

He takes so many shots in LA because he has to.

Exactly. I guess they forgot to mention how much Kobe was passing Kobe did in the All-Star game (where he almost wont the MVP for McGrady) and in the series against Phoenix (which proved that his teammates aren't consistant, and he has to take a bulk of the shots).

[rik]

Fuck the media no matter what Kobe does the media is always goin to hate on him. I think he's goin to be one of those player that won't be appreciated until his career is over. Fuck man I can't wait till Halloween.

[Nutty]

Is LBJ capt?

I didn't know Kobe wasn't in the team. I've only seen the one US game and that was against Australia. They look good. I was surprised James passed so much........all of them really, only hogger I could see was Carmello, but he was getting shots in

[Citizen-Y]

Is LBJ capt?

I didn't know Kobe wasn't in the team. I've only seen the one US game and that was against Australia. They look good. I was surprised James passed so much........all of them really, only hogger I could see was Carmello, but he was getting shots in

James has great court vision.  The reason he is so highly touted is that people think he can take over the game like Jordan and distribute the rock like Magic.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Is LBJ capt?

I didn't know Kobe wasn't in the team. I've only seen the one US game and that was against Australia. They look good. I was surprised James passed so much........all of them really, only hogger I could see was Carmello, but he was getting shots in

LBJ, Wade, and Melo are all co-captains...

[Don Jacob]

that article is a piece of trash. IF kobe was on that team , i'd make the team THAT much better. First and most importantly the defense would SKYROCKET on that team....Kobe can guard a 1-4 player on any part of the floor. Then they were talking about how wade's presence coming off the bench helped the team when the opposition was loosing steam. Well shit imagine how much deeper the bench would be if you had Kobe on the team either coming off the bench or starting, it's almost comical how ignorant this article is. Then they go on to say that Phil jackson TRIED to use this same philosophy as team USA  in the playoffs but it didn't work, well it WAS working , and if anything kobe proved he didn't have to score 38 a game to win, the lakers lost because the players around him couldn't handle scoring duties effectively , not because of anything kobe did or didn't do.

fuck this shit...WHEN kobe's leading team USA to the GOLD metal in 2008 in bejing, we got to bring this topic back up and LAUGH at it

[wcsoldier]

Lol at this hater.. Kobe would fit the FIBA game perfectly... great defense and a deadly outside shot. Team USA will be more effective with him coz "their gods" Bron and Wade can't hit an outside shot 

[Citizen-Y]

Lol at this hater.. Kobe would fit the FIBA game perfectly... great defense and a deadly outside shot. Team USA will be more effective with him coz "their gods" Bron and Wade can't hit an outside shot 

Are you out of your mind?  Wade is consistantly inside the arc.