Ric Bucher Should Be Fired Off The Strength Of This Article

[William Bassington]

Someone who knows Kobe Bryant well suggests that he has turned his attention from making his case as the NBA's all-time greatest player by surpassing Michael Jordan in championships to finishing his career as the NBA's all-time leading scorer. The reason? He has a better shot at success. It's not that Kobe won't, or can't, win another ring, but the odds are tilting heavily against him, particularly when it comes to using it as a testament to his all-time greatness. He currently has five titles to his name while Jordan has six, but Bryant can say he made it to the Finals seven times. Passing Jordan on the all-time scoring list, at his current rate, should be a snap; Bryant (30,252) is only 2,040 points behind him. If he maintains his current league-leading scoring average of 29.5, he'll start next season needing roughly 400 more points, or 14 more games at that pace, to rise above his Airness. That alone would put him in the conversation. Imagine, though, if he solidifies himself as both the greatest Laker and scorer of all time by vaulting the last two names on the scroll, Karl Malone (36,928) and Kareem (38,387). It's not the stretch it once seemed. At his current pace, he'll finish this season with nearly 32,000 points (31,903, to be exact). He'd then need to average a little over 26 points for three more seasons to match Kareem. Let's account for age -- even though this season he's defying it -- and say his average drops a couple of points every season for the next three. Let's also allow for a handful of missed games each season. Even with all that, it would take him no more than four more seasons to start sniffing 40,000 points. Knowing Kobe's mindset, this shift makes all the sense in the world because he's always been most comfortable betting on himself. He can't control what kind of team the Lakers put around him, but keeping himself and his scoring average purring along until he's 38? That IS within his control. Retiring as a Laker also makes far more sense for his legacy than chasing a ring elsewhere -- and rest assured, everything Kobe is doing now, whether it's his public compliments to the young stars coming up behind him or his measured tone as a leader or his graciousness to the media, is about polishing that legacy. I'm also told the Lakers realize that finding another box-office attraction on Kobe's level, no matter how few games they win, would be extremely difficult. And just imagine him becoming the all-time scoring leader in someone else's uniform? The Lakers would rather not. Nor would Kobe.

 

[ThugLife]

He's probably right

 

[THE MACHINE]

Doesn't seem like that far of a stretch although I hate anonymity in sources. He could get close to 40k but I don't think he has given up on winning rings. If he gets 6 rings no one would say he's better than Jordan but to have 5 rings and be the all-time leading scorer would be one hell of a resume.

 

[HHR]

...and why should this lead to a firing exactly?

 

[William Bassington]

...and why should this lead to a firing exactly?

cause he making up shyt, im sure ESPN can find journalist with actual sources

 

[HHR]

cause he making up shyt, im sure ESPN can find journalist with actual sources

I don't think you know how "sources" work.

If you don't grant them anonymity, then they won't tell you shyt.

You expected someone to dish some dirt on someone AND let you use their name?

 

[Slystallion]

Kobe had 4 more seasons under his belt before those ahead of him even started their careers. Also Jordan did it in less seasons than Kobe. Its like emmits all time rushing record.

 

[FlyRy]

completely believable.

 

[muzikfrk75]

cause he making up shyt, im sure ESPN can find journalist with actual sources

He's no longer with ESPN

 

[Morethan1]

He's no longer with ESPN

What?

Let me jump on Google

 

[muzikfrk75]

Ric Bucher Has Left ESPN, and to Replace Him, ESPN Tried to Hire Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski | The Big Lead

 

[Clem]

I have a hard time imagining Kobe relaying these thoughts to another person. Is Vanessa Bryant the source in all of these Kobe stories?

 

[GreatestLaker]

How do you know he is making up shyt?

Bucher is one of Kobe's closest friends in the media. Bucher has always supported Kobe even when it was not the popular thing to do.

 

[Clem]

I wasn't aware that Kobe and Bucher were close like that.

Even the phrasing of this is kind of odd. "Suggests" kind of implies that the source hasn't even heard it from Kobe himself but instead has made that observation.

 

[William Bassington]

I don't think you know how "sources" work.

If you don't grant them anonymity, then they won't tell you shyt.

You expected someone to dish some dirt on someone AND let you use their name?

I dont think you know how "responsible journalism" works,

Journalist are expected to reveal as much about their sources they can....

this "someone who knows Kobe well" bullshyt just doesnt fly, especially when you consider the credibility of the journalist Bucher...this is the same guy that GUARANTEED Kobe wouldnt be a Laker passed 08..the same guy whose sources told him to tell us Kobe would be willing to sit out season if not traded
Ric Bucher say Kobe is willing to sit out the season........ • Lakers Forum

Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.

from the SPJ Code Of Ethics

these idiot keep relying on "sources close to the situation" and "a friend of so-n-so"...it would be cool if these idiots were not wrong 75% of time

ESPN"S lack of integrity its no mystery around the journalism world

ESPN has fallen under heavy, heavy fire for their favored use of mysterious "sources" and accusations that the network blatantly steals and reworks scoops and reports from other networks without giving credit. The above quote from Josh Elliott at last year's Blogs With Balls confirmed this growing sense that ESPN, the WorldWide Leader in sports, wasn't above something as low and contemptible as stealing the work of others and promoting it as their own. Others in the media have openly mocked ESPN for their perceived using of others' material as a "source" or "sources." This phenomenon may be the single most embarrassing and rightfully criticized characteristic of modern day ESPN. Yes, even more than Skip Bayless. Why ESPN feels the need to sourcify everything is beyond me, it's not like anyone would think any less of ESPN were they to credit Yahoo or CBS or others. But, it's a practice that doesn't look like stopping anytime soon.