Would you like Kobe Bryant if he were a Celtic?

[Finkelskyhook]

There were people in this blog, who as late as preseason, wanted to see the most overrated, coach killing, teammate alienating, tanking player in NBA history, Allen Iverson in a Celtics uniform.

So it's hard for me to fathom that people would be puking at having one of the biggest winners in NBA history...And the league's best player in green.

[wdleehi]

I am just happy that this "what if" can and will never come to pass.

[LarBrd33]

Everyone would love him.   People loved that punk Sheed and those who didn't only disliked him, because of his lack of production.  Kobe would be adored.  Our team is filled with a bunch of nationally unlikeable players.  Outside of Boston people hate KG and Pierce.  We'd hate them too if they weren't Celtics.  It goes both ways.

[cman88]

I just dont really like Kobe or his demeaner either way...however, I respect his work ethic. Things like going to the court adn shooting jumpers for 2 hours after losing to the heat or playing with a sprained ankle say alot about the guys competitiveness...

if theres anyone close to Jordan in the modern nba(and IMO there isnt) it would be kobe and not lebron...lebron may have the skill set but he doesnt have the competitive drive or motivation to improve himself which is why he will continue to be overhyped but come up short in the playoffs time and time again.

[Assassin70]

No, and this topic offends me to be honest.

Kobe is just as bad as (insert the most hated person you can think here) want nothing to do with him.

[Prof. Clutch]

The old 'root for laundry' or 'root for the player' question...

Kobe's one of the best to ever play the game and there is no denying that.  It's his personality that bothers me the most, but maybe he'd be more respectable if he had developed under the historic and esteemed tradition of the Celtics franchise...I doubt it though.

[mgent]

No he would hog the ball from Rondo and the rest of the offense and he would steal minutes from Ray-ray.

[xmuscularghandix]

I'd think he takes too many shots to get his points, that's the same way i feel about him right now.

I strongly believe that if Pierce was as arrogant and selfish as Kobe he'd have more points than him. Look at how many times Kobe has gone out and taken 30 shots... it's obscene.

[LoveTheTrade]

Absolutely

[PaulPierce34G]

To answer my own question, I would say that in all likelihood, I would root for Kobe. 

As others have said, it's the name on the front that matters most, however, at times we do have players we become attached to, or at least favor. 

I think if Kobe was in green, we'd be a little more lenient with him on the way he carries himself, as well as some of his actions on and off the court.

Likewise, there would probably be some of us who would get ticked off at KG for his trash talking, saying that the guy needs to cool it, if he were playing for, say, the Miami Heat or LA Lakers. 

Point being, if Kobe was in Celtics green, he would still be considered a jerk, but as Roy said, he'd be "our jerk." 

[Megatron]

You guys sure are being kind.

A similar question was asked on a couple Laker forums if they would embrace any Celtics if they ended up in a Laker uniform and about 99.9% of the responses were "Hell No. Never. Is this a joke." Followed by profanity.

I dont like Kobe, never have, never will, I dont like his personality, I dont like what he stands for, I hate him. I dont care what team he plays for. Basketball is about the players, the name on the front is nothing but a name.

Players are what make the team, not the franchise.

Celtics dont make Kevin Garnett what he is, Kevin Garnett makes the Celtics what they are.

Name on the back is always more important then the name on the front, the guys that actually play the game is whats important.

Im not trying to disrespect the C's beacuse I know that this is more then just another franchise, im just giving my opinion from a guy that comes from the Bay Area where our teams have NEVER been good in my entire lifetime, I dont know what its like to celebrate a local team. The Giants winning the world series was the biggest accomplishment a bay area team has had during my entire lifetime, but I have never been a huge baseball fan so I didnt enjoy it as much.

Ive always had to latch on to other teams great players because I never had a local team with any great players.

KG, Ray and Pierce just so happen to be the players I grew up watching and I love everything about each one of their games and also personalities. I see pieces of myself in each of these players, the attitude, the intesity of KG. My love for these players goes beyond just basketball and will root for them until they retire.

I have none of those feelings towards Kobe. Everytime I see his face I feel disgusted. He is a terrible person outside of basketball. He ruined Shaqs marriage, kicked him out of LA because he wanted to throw a temper tantrum and was selfish. Hes a disgrace as a human being. Hes a great basketball player, but thats where it stops.

[crownsy]

You guys sure are being kind.

A similar question was asked on a couple Laker forums if they would embrace any Celtics if they ended up in a Laker uniform and about 99.9% of the responses were "Hell No. Never. Is this a joke." Followed by profanity.

I dont like Kobe, never have, never will, I dont like his personality, I dont like what he stands for, I hate him. I dont care what team he plays for. Basketball is about the players, the name on the front is nothing but a name.

Players are what make the team, not the franchise.

Celtics dont make Kevin Garnett what he is, Kevin Garnett makes the Celtics what they are.

Name on the back is always more important then the name on the front, the guys that actually play the game is whats important.

Those lakers fans are lying to themselves.

I tend to figure i'd be like Roy. I would have loved him if he were our draft pick, and if he came here i would apperciate his greatness on the court but not be a fan.

 (because on the basketball court he is great, as a person not even close)

[barefacedmonk]

I dont like Kobe, never have, never will, I dont like his personality, I dont like what he stands for, I hate him. I dont care what team he plays for.

+1

[Assassin70]

Everyone would love him.   People loved that punk Sheed and those who didn't only disliked him, because of his lack of production.  Kobe would be adored.  Our team is filled with a bunch of nationally unlikeable players.  Outside of Boston people hate KG and Pierce.  We'd hate them too if they weren't Celtics.  It goes both ways.

Nope...I did not like KG once and a while.  However I never ever never hated him.  I also don't like other players around the NBA too.  But for many reasons no. 1 being Kobe is "Mr. Laker" I HATE KOBE!

But even If Kobe was still the Kobe we know now just on the Clippers instead of the Lakers...I would still HATE him.  He just rubs me the wrong way.  I

And to be fair I also wasn't that big of a fan of Perk or Sheed and they were on "my" team.  All it meant was when they did something good I would say ok they are not that bad...until they did something to make me mad (Sheed chucking a ill advised 3/Perk dropping a perfect pass) b4 I was cursing them out again. 

[gar]

The whole premise of this thread is offensive and Kobe is from my home town. No, I was born in Philly and am a huge Dr. J and Mo Cheeks fan; but never a Kobe fan.