Who's the face of the USA team??? Kobe or Lebron??

iLikeBigBUTTS · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 266

What do u guys think??

Chris Dempsey: LeBron James

LeBron presents flawless front NBA needs

The Face cannot have blemishes.

This means no news conferences on other people's time talking about your problems. No instances of bashing teammates, demanding trades, slamming management or otherwise shady behavior.

Thus, Kobe Bryant cannot be the face of USA Basketball. During a critical moment in the tournament, can we really be sure he won't snatch the ball from Carmelo Anthony's hands, call play 2-4 and take over? Will he wave off a Coach K play, clear out the side and "take this inferior player to the rack?"

Anyone think that's out of the realm of possibility? No. That being the case, Bryant can't be The Face.

Expectations of class, humility, on- court excellence, sportsmanship and leadership go into being the face of USA Basketball. By my count it's Le- Bron James 5, Bryant maybe 2 in those categories. Will there be more media present at a Kobe news conference than a LeBron news conference? Absolutely. But media clamoring to hear what you have to say doesn't mean much if the words are, "I'll talk about that later" or "I didn't say that" or "I shouldn't have said that."

When have we heard that from James?

The 22-year-old star is wise beyond his years and arguably the best player on Team USA - and he does it all without toting a bunch of personal baggage. He dances on stage at the ESPYs, will host "Saturday Night Live" and meshes all of it with basketball in a seemingly effortless way. And we like to see him - not in train-wreck Kobe fashion - but because we actually like to see him.

No Clearasil required.
Marc J. Spears: Kobe Bryant

Talent says it all, so Kobe only choice

I asked 10 NBA all-stars last season who they would choose as the league's most talented player. Eight picked Kobe Bryant.

So
KOBE BRYANT: His superstar skills are too much to ignore. (NBAE via Getty Images / Noah Graham)
if Bryant is considered the most talented player in the NBA, the best league in the world, he has to be considered the face of USA Basketball.

Bryant proved his staying power by overcoming a sexual assault accusation and regained his popularity among the most heralded athletes in the world.

When he displayed a distaste this summer for the direction the Lakers were taking, the NBA world stopped and listened.

Bryant led the league in scoring last season. He has three championship rings. LeBron James is just getting started. While "King James" truly is a talented player, he has a long way to go to match Bryant's résumé.

While the Nuggets won a game against NBA champion San Antonio in the playoffs last season, James couldn't lead his Cavaliers to even one victory in the NBA Finals. As great as the Spurs are, Bryant could have willed the pitiful Lakers to at least one victory.

James has yet to show an all-around game that can transfer to international play. He averaged six points fewer than the Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony for Team USA last year in the world championships.

Kobe? At the FIBA Americas Championship tournament next month, expect him to lead Team USA in scoring and get the last shot in clutch situations.

Bryant not only is the most talented basketball player, his jersey is the hottest seller in the NBA. Expect his USA Basketball jersey to be the hottest commodity, too. He simply has greater fan appeal

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_6434175

temp5F · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 538

It's funny how the guy who chose Lebron has to rely on bull to discredit Kobe.

I mean, if you have to rely on such ridiculous scenarios to discredit Kobe, how reliable are you?

Kobe is the face of the team because he's the best and most respected player among his peers. The only people who can't accept that: hate him. It's as simple as that.

The players know what Kobe is all about and respect him. It's funny how it's mostly the "fans" who criticize him, along with some media hacks, but the majority of the players give him his due.

And the idea that Kobe won't co-exist with this team is ridiculous. One thing Kobe won't do is let this team lose if he has any say in it; he won't go away quietly.

hollywood swinger · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:10 am Post subject:

tim donaghy.
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ladam24 · Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 11012 Location: Gold Coast, AUS

for me It's Kobe. When i think of this years squad, Kobe is who pops into my head. The others are, for lack of a better word, an afterthought.
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Abnormal · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:38 am Post subject:

hollywood swinger.
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John3:16 · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:06 am Post subject:

I"d say both. The experienced vet and the young star. Of course, that will all change when the media decides who they want to push forward (probably LeBron).
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Jack13 · Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Posts: 131 Location: Los Angeles

Kobe hands down

polypro127 · Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 1276 Location: Hollywood, CA

Anybody hear Lebrons comment today no being the "Number one leader on this team"

HA
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hollywood swinger · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:14 am Post subject:

melo061 · Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 3043

Holling swinger is overrated West magic kobe was much better.

IMposter!!!
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hollywood swinger · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:21 am Post subject:

nameant · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 16032

It's Kobe. All this hype, is Kobe. The stories & articles, are on Kobe. The hope has come back, b/c Kobe. Pretty obvious.

Orlando Tragic · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 5053 Location: Orlando

Mike Miller.

kobe244life · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 1739 Location: herndon va

Majic · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 72 Location: SoCal

bumrusherer · Joined: 03 Dec 2004 Posts: 8605 Location: Neverland

Does it even matter? Why does there have to be a ''face''?
Why cant the main story be about the team?
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temp5F · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 538

The Maverick · Australia's Lakers Rep Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 7171

Both.
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Questionmark · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:23 am Post subject:

Even though Lebron says he's THE leader of this team, it really doesn't matter because from last year, Coach K said that Kobe is the leader and face of this USA team.

Lakers Showtime24-7 · Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 1019

I wish Gilbert Arenas decided to play. He would have made the leadership proclemation as well, then would give his famous and redundant Me Against the World that Never Gave Me a Chance or Any Credit for Anything speech again. I'm sure the ESPN idiots would eat it up and suggest that a Kobe for Gilbert trade is a good idea.
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Chivalry · Joined: 28 May 2005 Posts: 499

Lebron can be the face of USA basketball. Kobe is the heart.

lilkhmerkid4u · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 2929 Location: Chattanooga,TN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pog6k4onaZQ&mode=related&search"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pog6k4onaZQ&mode=related&search

LOL @ Lebron

"I'm the number 1 leader of this USA Team. I have to lead by example."

-Lebron James

ummmmmmmmm no. Kobe Bryant
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M4mb4 24 · Joined: 06 Nov 2006 Posts: 3784 Location: Inland Empire

Kobe Bryant... hands down no question.
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"We the best! Know that, don’t think it, know it! Its our turn! It's our championship! Our season! Lets go out here and make a statement! Its our turn now! Let's go!"- Kobe Bryant

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BDG · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:38 am Post subject:

hoopschick03 · Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Posts: 1443 Location: South Bay

From a purely anthropolgical standpoint, even in a pack of dogs, the alpha male distinguishes himself in a matter of moments. It is very clear on a team full of big dogs, who the alpha dog is and his name is not LeBron.

Weezy · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 20956 Location: Anaheim, CA

I'd say it's pretty close between them, but when it comes down to the games and the US starts winning it will most likely be Kobe as the face because he is new to the team and if he plays a big part he will get the most written about him. I'm sure these guys don't REALLY care who is though, they just wanna win. One thing I do find funny and notice about LeBron though is that he always tries to keep up with Kobe. In yesterday's game, Kobe started shooting DEEP 3's and then on the next posession LeBron fired a deep 3, trying to get the crowd to cheer him too. And he tries EXTRA hard to race back and block Kobe. The same stuff happens at the all-star game, it's funny. I guess it's understandable because of course you want to go your hardest against he best, just like Kobe tried to take it to Jordan when he was young. (not saying Kobe is Jordan)
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LawSin · Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 417 Location: City of Angels

w/o kobe this is basically the same team that disappointed last time..

ImmortalD24 · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 461 Location: Staples Center

jimbo327 · Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 9815 Location: Where Else?

Seriously, is this even being discussed. I mean, come on, we all know how LeBRONZE got his nick. Let's ride Kobe to the Gold.

Armo Flava · Joined: 04 Dec 2006 Posts: 3188 Location: waltham,ma