Kobe's pre-eminent work-ethic & LeBron's God-given gift of natural athleticism....

Ready2Rhyme

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....are two myths I could never really buy in to.

"Kobe won't go to the club with his teammates cuz he knows he needs to be in the weight-room to dominate"

"LeBron was gifted with that body. Look how he came in the league ready. He was a man-child"


So that's the story:ehh:

LeBron's body is self-generating like Captain America and Kobe got his bantamweight definition by tireless sacrifice and dedication to excellence.
 

Lifer11

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I think it's pretty obvious that they are both naturally gifted and also (at least according to the media) put in more work than their peers. It seems to me that the media runs with these themes because at the end of the day even though Kobe is naturally gifted it is commonly accepted that his work ethic is what sets him apart from the competition, while Lebron is the opposite in that even though it seems he outworks his peers, ultimately it is his natural "gifts" (6'8" 260 as fast/strong as almost anyone on the floor) that set him apart from the rest of the league. Just my take, but I definitely understand your frustration, the media tries to make a story out of everything, but that's the world we live in now. I just try to enjoy the show...
 

Ready2Rhyme

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I think it's pretty obvious that they are both naturally gifted and also (at least according to the media) put in more work than their peers. It seems to me that the media runs with these themes because at the end of the day even though Kobe is naturally gifted it is commonly accepted that his work ethic is what sets him apart from the competition, while Lebron is the opposite in that even though it seems he outworks his peers, ultimately it is his natural "gifts" (6'8" 260 as fast/strong as almost anyone on the floor) that set him apart from the rest of the league. Just my take, but I definitely understand your frustration, the media tries to make a story out of everything, but that's the world we live in now. I just try to enjoy the show...

being as fast and as strong as anybody just comes natural?:ohhh:

Nah ... Just looking at LeBron your commonsense should tell you he puts in more work than anybody.
 

killacal

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They both have natural talents, Kobes agility is crazy for his height. And Lebron's vision and timing is awe inspiring. But they're both in the weight room and doing crazy amounts of conditioning. Media tries to paint both of them just being built like they are naturally. It adds a larger then life persona to them both which equals more sales. Its pretty basic
 

Newzz

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Kobe's work ethic a myth?:childplease:

They arent just talking about Kobe being in the weight room when they talk about his work ethic.

They are talking about the countless hours watching game film, studying his opponents, practicing his jumpshot, refining his post game, practicing shots from difficult angles, his footwork, etc.

:comeon:
 

Lifer11

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Thats actually why I had gifts in quotes, because even though he is clearly naturally gifted his work ethic takes these gifts to another level. However without his natural build (height & weight) and athleticism (speed & agility) all the work and exercise in the world couldn't create another Lebron James.
 

Ready2Rhyme

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Kobe's work ethic a myth?:childplease:

They arent just talking about Kobe being in the weight room when they talk about his work ethic.

They are talking about the countless hours watching game film, studying his opponents, practicing his jumpshot, refining his post game, practicing shots from difficult angles, his footwork, etc.

:comeon:

Nah I'm talking about a different movie. I was in theatre 7. You were in theatre 8 where they showed "The Peyton Manning Story". But yea I heard that was a good one too.
 

Ready2Rhyme

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Thats actually why I had gifts in quotes, because even though he is clearly naturally gifted his work ethic takes these gifts to another level. However without his natural build (height & weight) and athleticism (speed & agility) all the work and exercise in the world couldn't create another Lebron James.

Out of the four factors you listed - height, weight, speed, and agility - only 1 is naturally occurring.
 

Lifer11

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I beg to differ..a man can slightly increase his speed and agility but if he isn't already fast, quick, and agile he's not going to make much progress and a person's natural build has a lot to do with weight, again, someone could add or lose some weight but they couldn't drastically change their weight, by either adding too much muscle or fat or by losing too much muscle, and still maintain peak athletic performance.
 

Lifer11

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And ultimately I believe that both Lebron and Kobe are a perfect mixture of "God given" ability and hard work. I just wanted to make the point that it seems the media emphasizes Kobe's work ethic as opposed to Lebron's natural abilities because these are what sets each guy apart, or at least what is commonly accepted as setting them apart from their competition.
 

Newzz

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Kobe was never the fastest SG....but one of em.
Didnt have the highest vertical for a SG....but one of em.
Wasnt the tallest SG....but one of em.
Wasnt the strongest SG....but one of em.

Combine that with the fact that he actually worked on his game and body relentlessly and that's what seperated him from the Tracy McGrady and Vince Carters and Gerald Greens and JR Smith who had more God given natural "athletic" attributes than Kobe ever had.

He just flat out outworks them.
 

Newzz

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Nah I'm talking about a different movie. I was in theatre 7. You were in theatre 8 where they showed "The Peyton Manning Story". But yea I heard that was a good one too.

Did you hear about the plot twist where he actually was let go by INDY of all teams?:ohhh: He ended up in Denver and....I dont wanna tell you what happened at the end and spoil it for you
 

Malta

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Now who else wanna fukk with Hollywood Court?
Kobe was never the fastest SG....but one of em.
Didnt have the highest vertical for a SG....but one of em.
Wasnt the tallest SG....but one of em.
Wasnt the strongest SG....but one of em.

Combine that with the fact that he actually worked on his game and body relentlessly and that's what seperated him from the Tracy McGrady and Vince Carters who had more God given natural "athletic" attributes than Kobe ever had.

He just flat out outworked them.


He had the fastest first step in the league for awhile :manny:
 
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