Were you saying the same thing about Michael Jordan??
Or was it perfectly in his right to be a cocky asshole who closed his eyes during free throws, punched teammates during practice, called out teammates publicly, publicly made fun of Jerry Krause and campaigned for his firing, refused to talk to Bill Cartwright after the Bulls traded his friend Oakley, called his team "his supporting case", talked shit throughout the game to whomever was guarding him, when he blew up in games and in practice at Doug Collins and campaigned for his firing, his refusal to pass the ball to certain players in certain situations or his want to be informed of any future transactions and be involved in the decision making process?
All non-asshole traits right?
Or did we just forget all of that shit because he was winning us titles?
1. Someone challenged him to do that, and we all know he refused to back off any challenge.
2. That his fire to win
3. Kobe did the same thing after Shaq. He wanted Bynum out, traded for Jason Kidd
4. He should have. Krause was trying to destroy that team for no good reason
5. He had a dam good reason to be pissed. Oak was not only his best friend, but he was the only one who wasn't a pussy vs. Detroit.
6. Trash talk was rampant throughout games in his era. BFD
7. Again, his fire to win. And I don't believe that, he wanted Collins coaching in DC, and they are on good terms today I believe
8. He should be informed of transactions and be part of the process. He is the franchise player. I remember the 1986 draft, Jordan and the coaches wanted Johnny Dawkins, Krause wanted Brad Sellers. Jordan wanted Dawkins because he was a hard-nosed very physical player who would help them beat Detroit. Krause wanted Dawkins because he was a big man who could shoot outside, but he was soft. Dawkins was available, and Krause said he'd take him, but when the pick was made he took Sellers. Dawkins turned out to be what Jordan predicted, while Sellers was a pussy and out in a few years. Jordan may have refused to pass to certain teammates in certain situations to prove he was right, Krause was wrong. Kobe sort of was like this before Bynum emerged and he got Gasol.
We don't forget this shit because they got titles. We remember it because this was the fuel behind their fire to win. You just gave me some more stuff to discuss tonight when I roast LeBron
