 |
 |
|
| | Thursday, June 15 User comments: Classifying a classic | |||||
| ESPN.com Kobe Bryant's performance in Game 4 of the NBA Finals was truly remarkable.
Kobe really showed me something in that game. Kobe gave me glimpses of Michael Jordan, how he took the game into his hands and dropped some awfully big baskets. He has shown that all the hype is well deserved. Kobe has shown the country, as well as the league, that he is ready to carry the torch that Jordan left to be picked up. Gary Jones Baltimore Kobe's bum ankle, in my opinion, settled down his performance. He wasn't trying to deke out the defense and make spectacular plays. He only got to the free-throw line once since he wasn't driving the lane. It was most evident in the overtime period. With Shaq fouled out and the ball clearly in hands, he didn't go running around the court trying to create or force a play. He simply made some great jump shots. That performance was dare I say it ... "Jordanesque." Joe Los Angeles Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals was a classic game. I can't really say if it was the best in Finals history. You see I'm a diehard Laker fan, I remember those great Finals games between the Lakers and the Celtics of the 1980s. There were some great games played in those Finals, also. So I can at least say it was one of the greatest games in Lakers' Finals history. Manuel Rodriquez Firebaugh, Calif. Game 4 of the Finals was a great game indeed. This battle will go down in history as the defining moment for this new Lakers championship dynasty. Also it will mark the end of Indiana's run at the top of the Eastern Conference. The poise under pressure both teams displayed was amazing. Game 4 was also one of the best strategic games in recent history. A chess match which involved Reggie vs. Harper, Shaq vs. Smits/Davis, Horry vs. Croshere and even Best vs. Fisher. This game was refreshing to see and gives hope to the NBA in this post-Michael era. Eric Wright Atlanta What a game! Unbelievable! Game 4 of the NBA Finals was one of the most incredible playoff games that I have seen in quite a while. As I sat in my seat at the Staples Center watching the game on the giant screen, I was amazed at the performances of both teams. The Lakers and Pacers went at each other like an old-fashioned prize fight. Shaq was awesome! Reggie was awesome! The benches were awesome! However, the one player who stood out, the one player who played with the heart of a champion, was Kobe Bryant. Kobe was in the zone. He willed the Lakers to victory. He willed the Lakers toward their first championship in 12 years. And as the streamers shot down from the rafters of the Staples Center, and the crowd around me went wild, I stood smiling knowing that some things in life just do not get any better than this. A new Laker dynasty had begun, and the "Big Combo" was in full effect. Chris Whittier, Calif. Kobe played a magnificent game. And it was not necessary to compare him with Michael Jordan. The media is always attempting to play talented, young black men against each other. Why couldn't Kobe be complimented on his own personal efforts and not that of another great player? If they compared him to the talents and efforts of Michael Jordan at 21 years of age that would be a different story. But the bottom line is what sells. I am so proud of the way he responded to the stupid questions. It was not just about Michael Jordan, but it was about the combination of talent that we've had the privilege to experience in the history of the NBA. Machell Denson Euless, Texas That was the second-best game the Pacers have ever been in, with Game 7 in Chicago in 1998 as the best. Too bad they lost both of them because if they had won them they might be considered the next dynasty team right now, instead of just another Utah Jazz. I still love 'em though, what a great three years it's been with Bird as coach. In fact, the '90s were very good to the Pacers. Seth Paxton Indianapolis I thought that was one of the best performances by both teams. My heart skipped a few beats in the fourth quarter with all the lead changes. I sat in front of my television in awe! It was so exciting to see Kobe step up, as well as the other Lakers. I thought for sure that Shaq was just going to put it away with that hook shot at the end of the fourth quarter, but as we all know that didn't happen and neither did Reggie Miller's shot at the end of overtime. Good job, Lakers! Get ready for a championship. Roshawnda Palatine, Ill. Awesome game. L.A. and Indiana battled valiantly. If Reggie hits that shot, it doesn't take anything away from that game. But Kobe was the man. He might yet be the best basketball player of all-time, when it is all said and done. He has showed flashes before, but last night he was out of his mind. Michael Rose San Francisco This has to be one of the best championship games in the modern era of basketball. Each team basically played perfect games, matching one another shot for shot, defensive play for play, and most of all it was exciting! The overwhelming factor of the game is when Shaq fouled out. You could feel the energy in the air as we all knew this would be the time when Kobe would shine or come crashing to earth. Shine he did. He took down the Pacers with the calmness of a silent assassin. As he looked over to his bench, he gave them the impression as if he was saying, "Don't worry, I got this one. I won't let us lose." He was definitely right about that one. Horatio Hill Union City, Calif. Riveting. I have been watching the Finals since the '70s. I would have to say that this is the No. 2 all-time best game behind the triple OT game between Boston and Phoenix. Samuel Wood San Antonio This was truly the second-greatest Finals game I have ever seen. In fact, the only other game in which I feel the intensity and effort may have been slightly better was the 1991 Finals between the Lakers and Bulls, in Game 3 at the Forum when the series was tied 1-1. In that game, there were some similarities. It also went overtime, and the two-guard for the winners (Bulls) took over that game also. Chris Morrell White House, Tenn. Although I'm a huge Pacer fan, I must admit that was one of the best NBA Finals games I can remember. The drama, lead change after lead change, big shot after big shot, answer after answer. I was literally rolling on the floor watching the fourth quarter and overtime. My heart sank when Reggie missed the 3-point shot in overtime that would have tied the series. But at the same time, watching Kobe Bryant dominate the floor after Shaq fouled out reminded me of one Michael Jordan. He singlehandedly disposed of the Pacers just a few years ago by taking over at the end of Game 7 of the Eastern Finals in Chicago. Congratulations are in order to the Lakers, who got over the hump after the big man fouled out. This truly was a game for the ages, albeit a bit tough for Pacers fans like myself to swallow just yet. Terry Angel Indianapolis To me, this game had everything you could imagine: A superstar in Kobe Bryant coming of age, Shaq hitting clutch shots and free throws, Reggie hitting all of the big shots to keep his team in the game until the final seconds. Everyone who should have stepped up in this game did so, with the exception of Jalen Rose. This was a classic battle between two very good teams. I grew up watching the Lakers and Celtics matchups. This was the closest thing I've seen to the type of intensity and hatred for one another since then. It was great! The NBA is back on track with the fun and excitement it was desperately needing. This series is full of scoring and drama. What more could you ask for? Chad Scott Bloomington, Ind. This is one of the best Finals games I have seen, period. It put some faith back into watching pro basketball. Both teams actually shot the ball well, with the lead seesawing back and fourth, with each team's big-time players, making big-time shots. Shaq has been awesome all series long, and he continued his dominance, and when Shaq fouled out, Kobe took over. Kobe's performance reminded me of ... dare I say ... Mr. Jordan. Reggie Miller answered time and time again, but just was a few inches short at the final buzzer. It did not surprise me that he went for the win, as that is exactly what his coach would have done in that situation. The only difference is that I believe if Larry Bird took the shot he would have drained it, and Pacers fans would be home smiling and tied two games apiece. Oh well, this is the year 2000, but at least for one night the clock was turned back to the 1980s when pro basketball was an art form, and not a bunch of bricklayers. Mike Sandler Richmond, Va. | ALSO SEE Complete coverage of NBA Finals Stein: The new term is Kobe-esque Experts' question: Kobe's accomplishment Kobe takes over, Lakers take 3-1 lead Frozen moment: Kobe makes Finals lore X factor: Shaq leaves, Lakers get started | |||||
