No, KOBE didn’t QUIT

A dive into the narrative that Kobe Bryant quit in Game 7 of the 2006 Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns, and an explanation as to why I believe he didn't actually quit.
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The game of Basketball has been my passion since I was 5 years old. I grew up as a kid watching my dad's recorded VHS tapes of playoff games through the 70s and 80s, and collected all the Basketball cards. Something about the game and what it represents just hooked me from a very young age.
My love for the game only continues to grow as time goes on. I love studying and analyzing the game, with an unbiased perspective. Feel free to subscribe, follow me on social media, and celebrate this amazing game and it's rich history with me!
I post videos every week on NBA history, predictions, hypothetical scenarios and current NBA topics.
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#nba #basketball #kobebryant

[@jonnyarnett]

Do you think he quit on his team?

[@jnp6]

yes

[@von5679]

I think he didn’t quit, I think he was trying to prove a point to the world

[@randomperson2540]

Thank you for bring light to this

[@2kmillion]

thank u for putting some respect on his name finally someone who respects him bro people hate him caz its popular to hate on him

[@randomperson2540]

Do you think if kobe stayed agreesive, they could've won the game? The way kobe was scoring, it felt he was gonna get 60

[@nbarealtalker]

Kobe is remembered as a scorer but there were lots of games where he starred as a passer, defender etc. Lots of people don’t understand scoring is simply what he excelled at. But things like the Olympics showcased his ability to lock in on a task, whatever it was. Kobe wanted to win his way. But make no mistake, he wanted to win. And he was always willing to do what it takes.

[@MrE_]

I remember the term "ballhog" was a prominent term used in the 2000s regarding Kobe. Nowadays, we don't really have that ballhog narrative on any players. Maybe Luka is the closest thing to that, and he is one of the best passers in the league

[@arsenhorvat6951]

Well, not always as even Jonny admitted his ego to win Finals MVP over Shaq got the best of him. Still, one of the best.

[@nikosofidemporas]

​@@MrE_ It is funny that they only used it against Kobe despite their beloved Lebron averages MORE FGA/game than Kobe all while also being more ball dominant playing the "Lebron system" trying to get the assist in any play he can not finish alone.

[@garrettshort7920]

Should have done a little more passing in the 04 finals

[@davis2k1234]

Lead 5 championship teams in Assists role call who’s done that in NBA history??

[@Jeff.fl0w]

Kobe could be called all things but nobody can question his heart and his desire to win

[@woke49]

to a fault

[@fpalillero7304]

we can question that rape case tho

[@dbzfan4evermj233]

@@fpalillero7304 so him and karl Malone can be in the same boat lmao 😂

[@fpalillero7304]

@@dbzfan4evermj233 honestly

[@tmoney1106]

It’s already been established she did it on purpose. She had loads from a dozen other guys inside her and had planned to do the same thing to Eminem around the same time.

[@InceptionMusicGrp]

I watched 90% of those games myself. & from what I witnessed, when Kobe scored 27-34 & the team would dominate, but it was because the team would play good enough that Kobe didn't have to try & take over. Some times Kobe would take to many shots, but most of those games he would only play that wy to avoid us from falling into big wholes

[@rpesik]

Agree to that

[@ajatathemu]

That's how I remember it

[@shack2800]

Kobe was an all time player and his greatest asset was still his mind. Goes to show how much of a killer he was

[@jdigitalseven7]

He had the killer mentality of Jordan and Bird, just was never near as efficient as they were.

[@eyeconqueror1185]

@@jdigitalseven7he really was diet jordan

[@MrE_]

I still say Kobe had the highest IQ of any basketball player ever. Not just basketball IQ either, just a genius level brain in general. The way he speaks, the way he handles himself... I truly believe he was a genius who happened to play basketball

[@phillipcummings3518]

@@eyeconqueror1185 Imagine if Jordan didn't retire 2 times on top...

[@jrbudoybudoy]

@@jdigitalseven7 He lacked Jordan's atlethic prowess.

[@into_play3226]

A Kobe fan who’s honest, reasonable and objective? Jonny Arnett, you are a rare breed.

[@jankfoots]

He’s none of those and this video proves it

[@thisismychannel4174]

@@jankfoots how

[@bassheadchilled1344]

blind kobe fans are usually those who liked him after 2010

[@DakBetterThanYourFavoriteQB444]

@@jankfoots Stop being so sensitive and soft. Your hurt feelings make you look like a complete pssy

[@DakBetterThanYourFavoriteQB444]

@@thisismychannel4174 he isn’t going to be able to articulate his point. He doesn’t have the correct color crayons or vocabulary to have a valid opinion

[@Lilpeteythegoat]

It’s crazy how when he does not pass he is selfish but when he does he gave up it’s wild to me

[@dero2430]

Hahaha you just can't win with some people I swear. Damned if you do, damned if you don't 😅😅

[@nikosofidemporas]

It is crazy how the so called "selfish ballhog" shooting guard is averaging only 2 less assists/game and also less FGA/game for his career than the so called "all around player", "great decision maker", "GOAT passer" small forward.

[@sheekennmove]

@@nikosofidemporasIts just narratives, also don’t discredit LeBron , even with more FGA LeBron’s efficiency is higher, and LeBron is a great passer, Kobe is solid, but has never averaged more than 6.

[@tropicmix8765]

​@@sheekennmove that's not a very good argument to make because LeBron is a forward, he's taken FAR more of his shots in the paint and closer to the basket, perimeter guards shoot more jumpers and longer ones. That'd be like me pointing out all time great centers who were 55+% from the field, by your logic does that make LeBron inefficient? No. Because he's a forward. Just because he can play the point doesn't mean he's not a slasher first.

[@davis2k1234]

Kobe could never win with the media they hated on him from day one he was compared to MJ as 18 year old and compared to Lebron post retirement he never got a fair

[@anastasiskanidis1925]

THANK YOU MAN THANK YOU! I'm tired of these people disrespecting kobe with no context saying that he quit. That's pure bs, I always knew kobe is no quitter!

[@F76CC]

He took 3 shots in two quarters. This video is just a bunch of fake context and mental gymnastics to use as an excuse.

[@dxtremecaliber]

@@F76CC like your reply? lol because he was the reason why they lead 3-1 in the first place because that team is trash and ppl are saying hes a ball hog and when he tried to pass the ball to his teammate to prove that hes not a ballhog they lost? you know why? BECAUSE HIS TEAMMATES ARE TRASH thats why they lost if he didnt ballhog the Lakers would not be leading 3-1 in the first place so stop the cap mr. no basketball knowledge

[@shorewall]

@@jxmmykriminallive There is a difference between passing to create and passing to get rid of the ball. How many assists did Kobe have in that second half?

[@VincentVincent_89]

Thank you for finally bringing truth to this, I literally start fuming when people say Kobe quit on his team even though he’s a player that never quits.

[@naggar127]

your intro is the only one I never skip, it is just so satisfying to watch

[@wallacemusic160]

Bro this might be the greatest Kobe Bean video I've ever seen . Congrats bro.

[@paulturner8550]

I wouldn’t say Kobe “quit” on his team. I think he was attempting to send a message to the media, to the front office, and to coach Phil - this team isn’t it. I remember rushing home after track practice to catch this game and seeing the lack of investment on the offensive end from Kobe. Not once that season did I see Kobe so uninterested. But you make a valid point - Phil was big on getting Kwame and the gang involved throughout the season and he beat that drum till the end of the season.

[@Watchingvideoslikeu]

I remember thinking to myself when the media kept saying he quit. Let’s say the Lakers win. Where did the media think this Lakers team was headed?

[@paulturner8550]

@@Watchingvideoslikeu I agree. I remember being so livid after the loss, but when reality settled in I realized we never truly had a chance in the west to begin with. I will say that it definitely felt good seeing the Suns get bounced out in the later rounds, though.

[@kingmatt3144]

A fancy way of saying he quit.

[@brandonhensley4335]

I'll push back on this. I think the Lakers could have went to the finals. They played well against both the Ciippers and Mavs in the regular season, and Kobe was unstoppable in those games. They might have lost to the Mavs, but it would have been a great series. (Yes, they would have lost to the Heat, and that wouldn't have been good for the narrative, since it was against Shaq).

[@davidschmidt1793]

Honestly, my insight on that 2nd half was that he was way too passive. I wouldn't even say he became a playmaker, he pretty much passed the ball to the closest guy and laid back in the perimeter. He didn't set screens, he didn't rebound, it looked like he didn't wanna get involved at all,it didn't surprise me he had 0 assists in the 2nd half, he was almost a spectator. I get it,they called him selfish after he scored 50 points and they lost, so he decided to prove a point that his team mates were simply not good enough,couldn't win without him and something had to change. That roster was just atrocious.

[@F76CC]

Yes. He quit to prove a point. But he still quit.

[@propre6033]

​@@F76CC why did he wait til the 2nd half then?

[@F76CC]

@@propre6033 to prove a point….are you okay? Because you seem to be having trouble reading my comments..

[@propre6033]

@@F76CC okay let me ask it a different way. Why do you think he didn't he prove his point to start the game?

[@accuritelytrys95]

@@F76CC bro exactly, he QUIT, no matter how you slice it, he sat & was completely detached from the game, & that’s quitting. Let that be LeBron, they said he quit in 08 when he had 45 in Game7😂 but Kobe was “proving a point”, nah gang, he QUIT

[@cainmarko584]

Kobe also said that his volume scoring didn't demoralize that suns team like it did to other teams and that his supporting cast basically played over their heads the first 4 games while PHX was not playing up to their reg season dominance. He knew they had another offensive gear that they didn't hit till games 5-7 while his supporting cast regressed back to their mediocre norm.

[@kingmutumbo]

This is all facts

[@YoMrRice]

If he continues to score and drops 50 and they lose, he's a shot chucker. If he tries to get his teammates involved, he's giving up. The media just hates Kobe. If this were MJ or LeBron they would have Blamed Phil for Mike or the entire team for LeBron. Also let's talk about 2004. You watched every LA game and I watched every Pistons game. Kobe didn't shoot them out of that series. Shaq was unplayable at the end of games and our defense smothered everyone else. Chauncey and Rip hit big shot after big shot. It's crazy how disrespectful that Pistons chip is viewed. If Kobe were efficient, yall still lose. Only way Lakers win that title is if Tayshawn misses that Reggie Miller block

[@F76CC]

He wasn’t trying to get them involved. He was just passing them the ball and standing out in the perimeter doing nothing.

[@accuritelytrys95]

Kobe shot 38/17% splits, missed 70 shots, shot 40 more than Shaq & got outscored by him STILL, you gotta stop, he shot them out that series

[@accountant3847]

Regardless of whether Pistons would still win regardless of how well Kobe was playing... Kobe still shot Lakers out that series Let's say if Kobe played well, and since u believe Pistons would still win, then, the reason Lakers lost would be something else, not on Kobe Sadly, not for the real one, it's a fact that Kobe shot them out that series

[@facelessandnameless]

@@accountant3847 The lakers didn’t lose in 2004 because of Kobe. They lost because the team imploded. Everyone hated each other on that team and on top of that they had injuries. It’s a marvel they even made it to the finals.

[@vigneshsubramanian2511]

I don't think the Lakers win even if the Pacers came in again tbh.

[@ChibiMalzahar]

I am of the belief that there are diminishing returns on individual scoring, even efficiently, after 29-32 ish ppg. If your player is averaging much more than that, the teams offense stops getting better and can even get worse in extreme examples like mid 2000s Kobe or Wilt Chamberlain

[@shorewall]

When you look at basketball scores, and it's 100-105, how much can one player contribute to a win? You need much more than just one player, unless they are scoring 100 point games every time, and even then.

[@29Rezons]

The way you described what happened. I can definitely agree that Kobe didn’t quit on his team in that game 7 of that 2006 series vs the Suns.

[@jacksonjarvis9885]

I like how Jonny makes it clear he’s a Kobe fan

[@elvisp116]

I was a full blown Kobe guy. He was bugging out this whole year. Just hit a buzzer beater earlier in the series vs the suns. N he go out like that. I was tight

[@igorscheffer1312]

Glad you're talking about this narrative, it certantly annoyed me over the years, thanks for the great video man! 🔥

[@docallentv]

I'm convinced it's no need to talk basketball with people who never played and react on emotion. The fact that he was willing to deal with the criticism knowing if they lost while never throwing his team under the bus shows what type of player and man he is... He never said anything bad about his teammates at the podium after the game. We back in the gym. That Game 6 game was tough as he had them. They did not secure the rebound and J. Rich hit a lucky shot off the backboard to send it to overtime. That changed the series as they never recovered. But to have that team 1 shot away from beating Phoenix was attest to his greatness.

[@propre6033]

Everyone reacts on emotion, even you.

[@QuestionEverything562]

Nigga, that was the 2010 NBA Western Conference Finals lol. Johnny was talking about the first round of the 2006 playoffs in this video. Wtf you on? Lol you react off of misreading video titles.

[@stephordless8876]

@@propre6033 Naw just your emotional ass lmao

[@Joe_KR]

When he said he rejected his crushes invitation to her place for Lakers game... I knew he was serious. 🔥 banger vid. You've Unlocked "New Sub" 👍 R.I.P Kobe & GiGi.

[@sleepysnooze9587]

I think the Mamba Mentality that he carried with him was such a hit and miss part of him. Some times he would knock down shot after shot and would drag the team to the finish line regardless of his teammates play. However, incidents like 2004 and 2008 show the other side of the coin. The suns series is very complex though, from the 3-1 comeback to the possible statement he was tryna make in game 7. Regardless, hes a special player

[@clarissawestbrook2203]

Kobe Bryant is my all time favorite NBA player too. His drive, work ethic and Mamba Mentality was incredible and inspiration. This was another insightful video. ❤❤❤❤

[@soulofamerica]

Excellent insight & context up to, including & after that Playoffs Game 7.

[@ArmandoKozomara]

Good to hear from a fellow Kobe die hard who also watched every game. When he shoots, he gets criticism. When he doesn't shoot, he gets criticism.

[@frankrocchio5927]

I had always just assumed he had quit based on the narrative of the media, but considering how competitive Kobe was your explanation makes a lot more sense.

[@billny33]

Hey Jonny, I'm a big fan of your work. You stay impartial as best as you can and use sound logic to make your arguments. This video was tremendous. I was one of those people who believed Kobe quit in this game. I didn't see how it could be any other way. And you laid out the logic behind what Kobe was trying to do and you convinced me. Great job!

[@versatillion15]

If anybody else did this we would all acknowledge that they quit. Not everybody is perfect just because Kobe is usually competitive doesn’t mean he can’t slip up

[@KeyTez]

This is one of the Greatest Videos I’ve ever seen. THANK YOU Kobe never quitted that game. And coming from Jonny who knows basketball, this is amazing 🖤💜💛🦍💯💯

[@hardwoodthought1213]

In the 3 wins v Phoenix, Kobe wasn’t even his own teams scoring two times. No one asked him to not shoot at all, they asked him to involve others. Shooting 40 times a game wasn’t going to win. What he did in the 2nd half was a quit. You act like he was looking to score and involving others off the attention he drew. The man was passing to others from half court and standing still. He did it to show that the team couldn’t win if he wasn’t dominating, which was a lie, they won 3 games with him averaging 22 a game.

[@bbvestieofthemagbloodaltar7665]

I somehow stuck thinking that he did quit, but when you put it simply like that, it does make sense that he didn't. Great video once again Jonny! I wonder, will you make a video talking about comparing MJ's and Bron's defensive games, since it suddenly became a huge topic on Twitter recently- unless you have already... Anyway, once again, great video!!

[@kingthlaroonth]

Can you put a link on where this was a big topic or summarize what was being said on Twitter

[@F76CC]

@@kingthlaroonth smh

[@dero2430]

What is there to compare between MJ and Lebron on defense lmao. Everybody knows Lebron is an inconsistent defender whereas MJ was a pain in the ass even when he was a shell of his former self with the Wizards. He lead the league in steals three times and finished in the top 5 nine times, he won DPOY and is tied with Kobe for the record with 9 NBA first-team all-defense. Once again, the people arguing are probably kids who never watched a single game of Jordan.

[@rex6830]

@@dero2430 I think its pretty unfair to point to lebron being inconsistent defensively when he is in a highly scruntized era where his defensive laspe can be spotlighted much more the mj's. And to list being a steals leaders as a sign of a player defensive ability is dumb because allen iverson led the league in steal several times and steph has led the league in steals as well.

[@d3va383]

@@dero2430Comparing PRIME Lebron and PRIME Jordan on defense is different. Prime Lebron could guard positions 1-4, even 1-5. Lebron stopped trying on defense to increase his longevity, much like how he shoots 3s late in games to conserve his body. Nobody’s comparing DPOY Jordan and 38 year old Lebron James. They’re comparing DPOY Jordan and 2013 robbed of DPOY Lebron

[@TheKingkenry]

That game 7, second half, was the antithesis of Kobe’s play. Even in a facilitator role, he is still a threat to score. No argument can be made that he tried to win because he was detached from playing. Furthermore, Kobe’s ego got in the way, so they lost. His work ethic is second to none, but he wasn’t the best teammate because of that ego. Albeit, Mitch Kupchak and management did an awful job of comprising that team.

[@TheKingkenry]

@MestizoMarquez I watched the video, I also watched the game, and I vividly remember that season. Kobe, in the second half, was highly passive; when Kobe was the facilitator, he was still aggressive and a threat. Kobe removed himself from the game. Yes, the Suns were good but extremely beatable, even by those Lakers.

[@captainprivate3768]

@MestizoMarquez The "passing" looked a lot more like dumping the ball off to a teammate and then watching than being involved in creating.

[@shorewall]

@@captainprivate3768 Bingo. He just got rid of the ball.

[@AridGems]

Great video. Also if you remember that the Lakers were winning game 6 in that series until Tim Thomas hit that desperate 3 to send it to ot.

[@cashmoneysniper4166]

Hey Jonny love your videos, as a video suggestion could you ever do a 2003/04 Lakers video!

[@phillipschuman4307]

Good presentation. You convinced me to change my former opinion on it.

[@anthonytomb8857]

kobe in that series was making a point to the fans and lakers office. That kobe made the team good, and the players by him at the time wernt good. Good thing is that in the few years the lakers got kobe what he needed to win rings.

[@randomperson2540]

If phil told kobe to stay agreesive kobe couldve had and 60 and won the game, but he didnt phil told him to be more of a playmaker and kobe said he just followed the game plan.

[@dominicharris5489]

lol stop being an apologist. You can find a line to walk with being aggressive and still lookin for your teammates. This is what made MJ great. Kobe wanted to prove a point by being ultra passive to show the reason why he barely passes the ball to his teammates. that is weak. Its no way around that

[@melvinhhcp3615]

This is correct.

[@GDUniverse]

@@dominicharris5489 you don’t know basketball my guy, nice try though 😂🤡

[@dominicharris5489]

@@GDUniverse how sassy of you with the typical u dont kno basketball to go with the clown and laugh emoji lol. goofy ass smh

[@tj5180]

That series would’ve been in 6 games if odom had boxed out. Tim Thomas 3pt shot happened and forced a game 7.

[@joshuachang5210]

The moral of the story is that adjustments just don’t always work out. Anyone remember how Blatt nailed Mozgov to the bench after a 28-10 game in the 2015 finals?

[@fattony9227]

I agree. I don't think Kobe quit on his team. He did what he was told by his coach by getting other players invloved so his team would have a better chance of winning.

[@yshrha10]

At the start of this vid I was thinking... God not another one of these vids. But after watching it through to the end, I really appreciate this upload! I missed most of the NBA in the 2000s and didn't learn to appreciate just how great Kobe was until very late in his career. So I always thought he did the pass first thing to prove a point. Like "you can't win if I don't score ." But you are so right!! There is no way Kobe would do that. Maybe in his earlier years? Just maybe in a regular season game. But not with so much on the line in a crucial playoff series. No freakin way! Excellent vid. Please take time to delve into more common narratives that are actually wrong!

[@infiniteuniverse9528]

I don't think Kobe is even aware how to spell the word "Quit". Here's a guy who would rent out the local gym when arriving into town to get his 500 jump shots up for his 1st or 3 daily work outs. This while other players were still sleeping from chasing skirt down at the club all night. Mamba Mentality Forever! RIP Kobe

[@BlockbusterJon]

I think, truly, that Kobe was making a point that he didn't have the personnel with the skill set to compete. He was told to get his teammates involved but what happens when his teammates aren't consistent? I think Kobe was sending a message to the FO.

[@jackcityy718]

Kobe bryant is my favorite player ever 🐐

[@MusicLover-my6fo]

I was born the same year Kobe Bryant won his first championship in 2000, so I've always been a Lakers fan too. And I agree with your opinions about the Lakers-Suns playoff matchup and how that wasn't a quit game. But, man, you're way more of a hardcore Lakers fan than I am. If the woman who I had a crush on in high school invited me over to her home, it wouldn't matter if the Lakers were playing game 7 of the finals; nothing would've stopped me from being at her house. So, all the points in the world to you, Jonny. You are a true DIE-HARD Lakers fan. 💜💛

[@kirkotl6220]

best video yet

[@Killakarl824]

Respect to you Johnny I am also a Kobe mega fan but I am also realistic and acknowledge some faults about him

[@ColdJelly19]

I remember watching this game and the 1st five minutes or so I was so frustrated with the defensive effort and lack of boxing out from everyone except Kobe. They were playing like it wasn’t a game 7 🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️

[@74205gb]

Thank You, Jonny Arnett. You are a GOAT for this. I have been saying this for years. People think I am just a Kobe excuse maker. Kobe does not quit, ever. This was the pivotal evolution of Kobe as a player. Although this series did not work out for the Lakers, the growth by Kobe was the most important of his career. This is when he started to really learn how to lead. Soon he found the proper balance. He changed his number to 24 and THE GOAT was born. #MambaMentality

[@SlanditTheBandit]

really changed the way i view that second half

[@williamvanator8921]

It’s crazy how differently the post-game interview feels knowing the context. I used to look at it as a jab at his team. It turns out he was literally just trying to be a good teammate.

[@GeneralMayeki]

I think it's a bit of both

[@boydriceisawesome2520]

I completely agree with you

[@barackobama9958]

WOW. As one of the biggest Black Mamba fans out there, I didn't even know this. The media really pushed this narrative, to the point that I actually believed it, that Kobe simply just quit on his team to prove that the Lakers were nothing without him. I am so glad you made this video that completely disproves that by showing how much better the Lakers did when Kobe didn't go ALL out with his scoring and got his teammates involved. He was simply trying ANYTHING and EVERYTHING in his power to will his team to victory. The media then mistook this as him being passive and quitting. It's truly mind boggling how the ignorant media loves slamming the Mamba's reputation. Makes me wonder what other negative things about his playing career that have been said are completely false like this one.

[@penggu.gaming]

National Media needs more of people like this that is objective and not bias. Media now is full of bias people left and right.

[@thejadurant6682]

You should do one on Wilt's somewhat questionable Game 7 performance against Boston in 1968

[@accountant3847]

The difference with this one is, he actually was there when Kobe played, but not when Wilt played So it's hard for him to make up a conclusion as accurate as this one for that Wilt's game

[@John6-40]

​@Accountant Eh. We're still just watching the games and making judgements off of what we see. Just because you watched on TV back then doesn't somehow make you more of an expert than watching the same footage now.

[@MrSquaky]

Wilt won the title the previous year which helped ppl overlook that

[@BiggzPackinThaHeat]

As a Kobe fan. He quit in fact if u listen to what Stephen A Smith said. He essentially admitted to quitting

[@Alien_DNA_]

“The girl i had a crush on, invited me to her place “ “sorry there’s a Laker game tonight” 😂💀 Chad Moment

[@michaelpetrovich5353]

Exactly.

[@True-Believer616]

Thank you for this video! I've NEVER believed the nonsense. The sports media hated Kobe and blasted that narrative to any simple mind that would accept it. It was so clear during that game that Kobe was clearly trying to get the win with the all around team scoring tactic. Problem is, the teammates have to shoot well also. And the didn't!.

[@nicksamp515]

He didn't quit. He wanted to win that bad and he tried to trust his teammates as a last resort to win. It's crazy how they throw the word "quit" on superstars that easy, especially on winners

[@djhasta5031]

You took 4 min to tell everyone you're an unbiased Lakers super fan

[@Fernando-vg4ym]

Excellent video. As usual. Maybe, just maybe, Kobe wanted to include his team to a detriment to his style of play. A more balanced Kobe instead of going to the other extreme would've been better. Of course, we'll never know.

[@iAintSayDat]

I'm glad someone is countering the revisionist history that popped up after Kobe's death. In his life his legacy was constantly knocked around.

[@ghostflame9211]

It’s still being knocked around tbh. People like to bring up the Matt Barnes ball fake being nowhere close to his face, despite all camera angles proving it was mere inches away AND Barnes himself illustrating just how close it was. And the worst now is people dismissing mamba mentality as a joke, something that isn’t real just because it’s not a stat that can be measured. Which is interesting considering this year alone, everyone started calling him “HIMmy butler” despite him clearly not being the best player in the nba. He has the mamba mentality in him, yet no one seems to acknowledge it for what it is.

[@F76CC]

@@ghostflame9211 lol calling it mamba mentality is a corny way of trying to give Kobe credit for someone else’s accomplishments when he had nothing to do with it. Kobe didn’t invent hardwork, drive, and being super competitive.

[@286mic]

​@@F76CC well that's what everyone calls it now, so suck it.

[@japinise]

@@F76CC he didn’t invent it yet he arguably embodies those values better than anyone in NBA history

[@QuestionEverything562]

@@japinise No, he doesn't. Kobe embodies the ultimate high jacking copycat of another person's character and aura in human history.

[@RVered]

So Lebron can literally quit on teams the moment things get tough to form yet another superteam, but Kobe not shooting in one playoff game makes him a quitter?

[@biggiesmall2706]

IT WASN'T THE ONLY PLAYOFF GAME HE QUIT.

[@Nuthinnull]

@@biggiesmall2706 name the other ones…

[@silasbaby96]

Lebron have nothing to do with the video

[@RVered]

@@biggiesmall2706 Name one or don't spread your bs.

[@RVered]

@@silasbaby96 I'm pointing out the double standards

[@showtimenick824]

I would say you made some really good points here. You are older than me so you obviously have a better memory of this season than I do. However, I did just watch Kobe's 62 points in 3 quarters game last night and thought man they really wanted him to pass the ball to these bums? I know one game can't tell the whole story but I was amazed at how awful the team around him was. Maybe I should watch some of those games where he didn't go absolutely nuclear and see the difference.

[@F76CC]

The more I think about it, the more I honestly think this video was made more to generate engagement and comments than something Jonny actually whole heartedly believes lol. I’m not going to say it for sure but going back looking at some of his more recent video titles and topics, and his own pinned comment/question. I think Jonny knows exactly what he’s doing. He went from straight fact and statistics videos to stuff like this. If he makes more “hot take” or “unpopular opinion” videos then I’ll know for sure. But for now…..well played. Well played. 😂😂😂😂

[@jonnyarnett]

Lol. Yes and no. This is a video I’ve been meaning to make for over a year now, and it does reflect my actual opinion…. BUT I TOTALLY ask questions with the intent of starting debates and raising engagement 😂 If you look at all my pinned comments, every one of them has that angle. So yeah, I’ll be up front about that, but I don’t lie about my basketball opinions just for the sake of videos. If I did, I honestly think it would only be a matter of time before that backfired. I also just hate being dishonest

[@markjackson6431]

@@jonnyarnett a video on Dream Team 2 (94 FIBA Team). i know you see me.

[@arvinloremia5812]

Can't believe I'm saying this cause I've been a subscriber since this channel is way smaller. I'm also a huge kobe fan. He didn't quit. He was trying to prove a point that the Lakers will lose if he don't shoot. He wasnt even trying to make plays for others. He was the opposit of aggresive and he made sure everyone watching notice it but it looks like he failed because you didn't.

[@shorewall]

That is quitting. He had no assists, and only 3 shots. He did nothing. He tried to prove a point, by quitting on his team.

[@futureDreamer4]

Kobe gets his teammates involved. The media vilify him smdh.

[@cadecrusader3940]

I felt that he was trying to prove a point.

[@jankfoots]

I think you’re a bit biased. He was completely removed from the offense. There was no sense of urgency even when he had a good chance to score

[@ManWhoKnewTooLittle]

As a life long Laker fan and Kobe fan, who tried to watch every Laker game possible that season (but Croatian TV was not broadcasting every) I thought the same thing. But then again, I maybe am biased because Kobe is my fav player.

[@Hendrix.Robinson]

I miss you Bean 🙏🏾💜💛

[@MrReese]

He maybe should have changed course after losing two straight games and not only in the second half of the seventh game when they were already losing pretty hard. Demanded by Phil or not, his ego was sometimes too big and you even acknowledged that yourself in the video.

[@clu4075]

When you drive a car and make a wrong turn and you realize while making the turn, what do you do? Make the complete turn or Swerve the opposite direction hoping not to get hit by any cars. If they wanted to get there teammates involved more they should of done it from the start .

[@wc4201]

Spurs fan here… Kobe didn’t quit in his team. He was sending a message to the organization that was rightfully criticizing his selfish play. In short Kobe was saying, “I’m the reason we’re even in the playoffs… u want me to pass first then look at the scrubs I carried to the playoffs. Get me help or I’m out.”

[@facelessandnameless]

Exactly

[@joshuaharris53]

He still quit he couldn't wait to prove that during the offseason and he was up 3-1 with the same team

[@smokeyjoe795]

He is the one who drove Shaq out of town. Kobe was in heaven because he had an excuse to gun. Sure Bryant wanted to win but only if he played hero ball. Thank God for the great Pau Gasol and Bynum propped him up. Helol they might have won more than 2 without Kobe. Addition by subtraction.

[@WSY_Slowmoe716]

He literally gave up.. The undertone of lebron hate is crazy smh not taking a single shot in the 4th quarter of a game 7 in a playoff game is ridiculous smfh

[@jakebishop7822]

Similar theme to Wilts entire career. Most of his monster scoring seasons didn't lead to good team offenses, but when he dialed back his scoring and got his team involved more it led to the most efficient ever offense at the time. A lot of monster scorers have gotten more team success when they score less, and sometimes that is because they have better teammates, but it is also that oeeping everyone constantly involved makes them play better.

[@PLAYMAKERMAINE]

Kobe is my goat 🐐

[@boston_jorge]

Lakers won back to back championships with only one top 75 player all time in Kobe Bryant. This GOAT achievement might never happen again.

[@phinpanay5566]

I know it was prior to the lakers rings but the Rockets did it in 94 and so did the Pistons in 04

[@melvinhhcp3615]

Keep in mind, he had multiple injured fingers on his shooting hand & a knee that had to constantly be drained & eventually required surgery.

[@melvinhhcp3615]

​@@phinpanay5566The 04 Pistons played an injured Laker team in The Finals.

[@boston_jorge]

@@phinpanay5566 04 Pistons didn’t win back to back and Rockets had Dream and Drexler on the top 75 all time list.

[@phinpanay5566]

@@melvinhhcp3615 They still beat a team who were favoured to beat them.

[@matthewalanrain5839]

Kobe NEVER quit!

[@alecboulton3537]

Even us bronsexuals watch Johnny videos through and through 🤝

[@emjay1249]

As a kobe fan I also thought he quit but more so because he was frustrated with this garbage team and was making a point that it literally doesn't matter if he passes or scores. They will lose because he's playing with the players like smush in the starting 5

[@QuestionEverything562]

Bruh, it went to 7 games, the Lakers were up 3-1. You act as if Kobe was putting up 50 a game in this series and his teammates were doing nothing. Lamar Odom played well for the most part, Luke Walton made key plays to get the ball from Nash in OT in G4 that setup Kobe's GW. The Lakers were up 3-1 not just because of Kobe, but also because they were dominating the glass since no Amare was in the series. Kobe avg 27 ppg for the series, he definitely had enough support to beat the Suns. They wouldn't have been up 3-1 in the first place then.

[@facelessandnameless]

@@QuestionEverything562 They absolutely were up 3-1 because of Kobe. The team was garbage and they had no business being up on that Suns team in the first place.

[@QuestionEverything562]

@@facelessandnameless Did you not read anything I just said? Did you even watch the video? Johnny pointed out when Kobe got 50 in Game 6, they still lost. When Kobe wasn't their overwhelming leading scorer, they actually played well as a team and moved the ball collectively. Lamar Odom was their leading scorer in G4, they won that game. Lamar put up 19/11 in that series. You just proved you don't even read or watch videos about Kobe. You are just another revisionist Kobe stan who remembers the good moments only.

[@aswanwilliam]

Im so old i remember the lakers playing home games on prime ticket channel 15

[@elvisp116]

He did. Ain't no doubt about it.

[@markjackson6431]

Kobe didn’t quit and i’m not gonna quit asking for a video on Dream Team 2 (94 FIBA Team). stop ignoring me. you see me comment all the time. like seriously….

[@prestonasher2291]

You made your point. Now I see it as a selfish opening to a game that he tried to save too late. You said it yourself, the media and coaches knew they won more with a team approach that year.

[@lilpenny1982]

I agree with the intro of Kobe

[@naagnant9939]

His high scoring game W/L can be used argument that can be used vs the Steve Nash MVP Case

[@shorewall]

For real, Kobe was the epitome of egotistical scorer. He wanted to win, but he wanted to win HIS way, and it made his team LOSE. Whereas Nash made his team better, Kobe arguably made his team worse. If Nash was on those Lakers teams, we'd probably think better of those players. Just like when MJ was on the Wizards he ruined some young players, by being too hard on them. Kobe probably crushed his teammates.

[@Grzelsonable]

I watched Bryant since his first season. I saw him as a kid going against MJ, winning the Slam Dunk contest, air balling shots against Utah, Lakers 3peating, 2 chips without Shaq, dislocated finger game and his countless other great ups and memorable downs. I saw him do historic things, but I never saw Kobe Bryant quit. Words “quit” and “Kobe Bryant” contradict themselves.

[@justinle8787]

Kobe is what Kyrie wants to be, a sidekick turns into a superstar lol

[@DylanMadd]

It’s Kobe. I already know what J’s gonna say. But I’ll watch anyway b/c Kobe is so amazing. 04 was a rough year.

[@gotwobag7876]

152!!!🎉🎉

[@masmirage]

There is a difference from being biased and being subjective. In spite of the fact that Kobe is his favorite player, its fair for him to have his personal take using valid contexts without people calling him a biased Kobe lover.

[@alexandrossimitzis146]

There's actually one guy who quit on his team! Scottie Maurice Pippen who's still trippin and flippin over his teammate Toni Kukoc hitting that buzzer beater against the Knicks!

[@acunamatata1628]

I’m a suns fan and I always looked at it that way that Kobe gave up but seeing this it opened my eyes but maybe going into the 4th quarter seeing getting his team involved wasn’t working he probably should have just taken over himself most likely it still wouldn’t have worked but you’re right

[@geremy4]

I notice how little game footage was used. Tons of plays where Kobe "got others involved" by passing at half court and standing still 40ft away for the entire shot clock. Sure, it was a message, and he quit. It's OK, he's still all time.

[@randomperson2540]

Kobe had 23 points in the first and was still down double digit. Yall constantly complained that he was being selfish and was taking too many shots. So when Kobe changed his game plan and became more of a playmaker, apparently, he quit. Just admit you don't like Kobe...

[@melvynsngltn27]

Kobe was a quitter

[@randomperson2540]

@@melvynsngltn27 lol sure buddy

[@melvinhhcp3615]

Facts

[@rapgodreloaded9259]

I believe he didn't want to be labeled selfish when it's not in his character at all.

[@KobeBryantfa]

@@melvynsngltn27no he wasn’t

[@marcosmartinez8088]

Great explanation. But as i see the things, a regular low pace team agaisnt one of the best fast pace teams (at the moment), it was just clear who was going to win. I don't know the defensive personel that Lakers had back in that playoff, but it seems they couldnt stop that fast offense. Correct if i wrong Jonny, but control the pace of a game is key to become a dynasty, and the Lakers didnt have the enough talent to create and control the pace.

[@pigs6486]

The intro always gets me cuz Kobe had him beat on the very first cross

[@kevinjohnson4498]

Maybe not "quit" but he was definitely trying to make a point that his teammates weren't good enough and if he had to lose this game to get closer to a title in the future then so be it. Even if the plan coming out of halftime was to get the team more involved, a locked in Kobe isn't taking the plan to the max degree and sticking with it even though the lead went from 10 to 20. If he wasn't making a point he would have went out shooting, bc hes Kobe Bryant.

[@QuestionEverything562]

Agreed, it's like whether you believe he quit, sabotaged, stopped trying, choked, or whatever other reason.... just know that you can't defend him for this performance. He played bad in the second half, whatever the specific motivation or reason may be. Kobe fans should not have any excuse for this performance, and it's why most of them never bring it up. So respect to Johnny to at least give his pov on it in retrospect and real time.

[@RascalButa]

Sigma arnett no time for crushes basketball first🗿🗿

[@Miamisbestalltimeshooterrayray]

😂😂

[@user-jw5qj8kv2y]

Kobe Bryant is a very strong scorer.