Pat Riley vs. Kobe Bryant

HBA · Star Player Joined: 26 Oct 2006 Posts: 5317

Somewhat off topic, but I wanted to ask the board a question that I have been pondering in light of this whole episode with Shaq versus Pat Riley earlier this decade and also Riley and his practices getting to Wade.

Some of the opinions are that if he replaces Spoelstra and brings that same ideal back to the Heat, Wade, Bosh and especially LBJ, will not take kindly to it.

So, the question, what if Riley coached Kobe, what would Kobe's reaction be to Riley's practice and workaholic methods? Someone who's work ethic and dedication is, by most accounts, unmatched in NBA history. Wouldn't Riley and Kobe be the ultimate match made in heaven? OR would Riley and his practices break even the most ardent worker in Kobe? OR would Kobe blow the socks off Riley to the point even Riley was shocked to what lenghts and just how hard Kobe worked that there was no amount of work he could bestow on this legend, that he would ever break?

And finally, what type of team would we see in that case?

Makave7iThaDon · Starting Rotation Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 780

Kobe didnt even practice last year. Prolly wouldn't of gone over too well.

32 · Retired Number Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Posts: 73345

Magic Johnson had a tremendous work ethic and dedication to the game similar to Kobe. Magic and Riley got along just fine and they won 4 rings together. I am sure Kobe would get along just fine with Riley.
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Hector the Pup · Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 8:07 pm Post subject:

I doubt there would be a problem.

Kobe didn't practice much to preserve him for games.

Considering the common comment from anyone who first deals with Kobe up close when it comes to basketball is how hard he works, I doubt he would make a different impression on Riley.

non-player zealot · Franchise Player Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 21366

Otoh, Riley's taskmaster style even got worn out here. I don't think Kobe would have had a problem with the 3 hr practice marathons, but I don't think he'd be geeked about them either. Scott is a friend of Riles and is like him (in style) as a coach, but he himself grew weary of the 24/7 intensity, especially after he blew his hammy in that June minicamp. Pat ground down the starters in 89 when they were getting choppy in terms of intensity and defense. I wonder if Kobe resting that knee would have even been an option last year.

Another thing to chew: there was a point at which Jackson and Kobe got stale on each other and Phil is supposed to be laid back compared to Riles vis a vis players running things the coach's way. Trust me, if Kobe did the "yap, yap, yap" hand motion at Riles, it wouldn't have been ignored. Same goes for Horry and every other Laker who told Phil to buzz off when he went at them as they were walking towards the bench. Mason had problems of that nature with Riley and he was gone.

In terms of their mental approach to the sport, Kobe may have been a better match for Riley than with Jackson. There wouldn't be any of the "all-my-eggs-in-one-superstar's-basket" stuff that soured his relationship w/ Phil by 2004. But would Kobe and Riley walk off in the sunset after 15 years together? Possible, but not definite. Magic may have been his guy for 11 years, but Riley was implicitly approved by Magic in 81. They had ties on a -personal- level.
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moonriver24 · Franchise Player Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 15266

Kobe would have just sent Pat Riley this report from the medical lab:

ZERO % of FAT.

Any problem?
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Kobetide · Star Player Joined: 28 Oct 2009 Posts: 3354

Pat will respect Kobe because Kobe outworks Riley. With those people, it's all about respect and work ethic. The harder your work with proved success, the more authority you get.

If that does not work out, then Kobe stays and anyone who challenges him is out, just like Shaq.

20,000 · Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 9:59 pm Post subject:

This makes me wonder, what sorts of things has Pat Riley said about Kobe? Is he a fan? Is he a detractor?
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magic_bryant · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 18179

Pat loves Kobe. Loves him. Was on the verge of calling Kobe an equal to Michael in an interview before a game with the Heat in '06, IIRC. This at a time when the "in-thing" was to bash Kobe, paraphrasing of course, "In my eyes, he's the same as Michael. *pauses while I realizes what he just said and how much flak he may catch for it* Well, Michael will always be the best of the best of the best, but you have to put Kobe right there beside of Michael." He then went on to talk about how where Kobe was is where D-Wade and Bron and Carmelo were all trying to reach.
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Stephon Marbury on Kobe: "He's the only person on 'dis earth that can do 'dat. He guards people, like shuts 'em down. Then, to do 'dat on 'da offensive end. It's like 'Damn, I can't score on him AND he about to bust my ass."

magic_bryant · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 18179

Riley wouldn't break Kobe, but he'd most certainly have lost Shaq in the first 8 years of Kobe's career, resulting in Riley being fired on the spot. Assuming Riley comes after Shaq leaves, and Pau never makes it through 2 practices.

Riley would have fit Kobe, but Kobe's had some of the least self-motivating teammates the game has ever seen. Shaq, Horry, Pau, LO, (Kobe's best individually skilled teammates to date) etc - none have been hard workers or guys that went all out every night. Riles' style would have grown thin on those guys. Riley gets 3-5 more wins out of LA teams per regular season, but loses more in the playoffs due to his stringent coaching style.

Hell, you seen what a month of hard work did to Pau's game. Before that, it was an extra 2 rounds that killed Pau's game and heart for the '08 Finals.
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Stephon Marbury on Kobe: "He's the only person on 'dis earth that can do 'dat. He guards people, like shuts 'em down. Then, to do 'dat on 'da offensive end. It's like 'Damn, I can't score on him AND he about to bust my ass."

Wino · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 1:34 am Post subject:

B_P · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:29 am Post subject:

showboatcornbreadtruth · Sixth Man Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 65

I remember when I was young hearing Buck talk about holding practice at the hieght of Showtime. He said the team was so coheisive that sometimes Riles would let them run practice and Riles would not participate. That would NEVER happen with todays average players. B_P has a great question. Zo and Kobe? I know Shaq is more dominate than Zo, but they are not in the same conversation when it comes to defense. I have loved Zo even at G-Town.

KBH · Franchise Player Joined: 13 Sep 2008 Posts: 12171

KBH · Franchise Player Joined: 13 Sep 2008 Posts: 12171

Moses · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:58 am Post subject:

magic_bryant · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 18179

Zo plus another couple pieces, sure. Zo innplace of Shaq on THAT (bleep) ass merry minimum team? Hell no they ain't winning. I live Fish, Fox, Shaw, Gump, and all those guys, but they didn't deserve to start on a championship team or be key contributors. They were, however, thanks to playin alongside the game's greatest combination ever.
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Stephon Marbury on Kobe: "He's the only person on 'dis earth that can do 'dat. He guards people, like shuts 'em down. Then, to do 'dat on 'da offensive end. It's like 'Damn, I can't score on him AND he about to bust my ass."

madsen35 · Star Player Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 8611