Forbes lists Kobe Bryant as the 14th most powerful celebrity worldwide
Should Lakers guard Kobe Bryant receive any plaque or paper commemorating his 14th-place ranking on Forbes' list of the "world's most powerful celebrities," he'll likely lump it in with various Q Score rankings, Harris Interactive Poll findings and Western Conference player of the week awards. You know, the honors that mean absolutely nothing.
Bryant admits he views his legacy solely on how many championship rings he wins, downplays his penchant for wanting to move up on the NBA's all-time scoring list and once expressed indifference on whether he cares about being considered the best player. But that's the criterion Bryant uses to measure himself. The way Forbes determined its findings are pretty caddy.
Forbes created the list based on the athletes' earnings (Bryant was estimated to have made $53 million in the last year), which certainly gives a good sense of how powerful they are. But then the magazine calculates their media visibility based on how often they were mentioned in newspaper clippings, television and radio and how many times they appeared on magazine covers. The magazine also measured how many followers/fans each person had on Facebook and Twitter.
Those criteria perfectly explain why Justin Bieber ranks No. 3, just behind Oprah Winfrey, why Tiger Woods ranks sixth despite his poor golf game and why LeBron James ranks ahead of Bryant at No. 10. Bieber climbed up the ladder because every teeny bopper magazine features him. Woods remained relevant because of the reports involving his marital problems. And James still faces the scrutiny over the Decision. Should Bryant feel compelled to move up in the rankings, it'd probably help for him to create a Twitter account or do something controversial. But he'd probably prefer working on his game instead.
--Mark Medina
Photo: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant reacts after a foul was called on a teammate during Game 4 against the Mavericks in Dallas. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
Magic never won it without Kareem - Kareem won it without Magic - enough said, if Magic has one, Kareem gets one.
Kobe will have one for sure with one more ring. I'm glad that traveling ball salesman from LSU will never get one. But, I'll accept his jersey in the rafters.
Yes the Mavs a re great ... blah .. blah .. It takes a great team to do it when the pressure is on. Many people thought the Mavs would lose to Portland - so there was little pressure on them. Now that the pressure is getting more intense and especially in the finals -- lets' see what they do. I have seen this team flame the f-out every time the pressure was on.
Posted by: HmrHed | May 18, 2011 at 02:37 PM
@LROB ... Here’s a great version of A Perfect Day... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2JXy1Z9ovs&NR=1
The question is can you ID each of the contributors?
If anyone can, I would bet on LROB. LOL.
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TOM
Posted by: LakerTom | May 18, 2011 at 02:39 PM
I thought Power is something spiritual?
Posted by: We Want Tacos | May 18, 2011 at 02:53 PM
Looking at NBADraft.com mock draft, I see they have the Lakers drafting four shooting guards in the first round:
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1. Travis Leslie, 6-4 202# SG from Georgia (http://www.nbadraft.net/players/travis-leslie)
2. David Lightly, 6-6, 220# SG from Ohio State (http://www.nbadraft.net/players/david-lighty)
3. DeAndre Liggins, 6-6, 190# SG, from Kentucky (http://www.nbadraft.net/players/deandre-liggins)
4. Justin Hurtt, 6-4, 195# SG from Tulsa (http://www.nbadraft.net/players/justin-hurtt).
...
They also have a consensus mock draft and here are the Lakers 4 second round selections:
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1. Nikola Mirotic, 6-10, 225# PF from Montenegro (http://www.nbadraft.net/players/nikola-mirotic)
2. Demtri McCamey, 6-3, 203# PG from Illinois (http://www.nbadraft.net/players/demetri-mccamey)
3. Davis Bertans, 6-10, 211# SF from Latvia (http://www.nbadraft.net/players/davis-bertans) Supposedly the best shooter from Europe since Dirk – compared to Korver.
4. Nikola Vucevic, 6-10 240# PF from USC (http://www.nbadraft.net/players/nikola-vucevic)
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TOM
Posted by: LakerTom | May 18, 2011 at 03:30 PM
You know, many years ago as a young man with wife at hand on an empty 2nd floor of an Indy Hotel (Hyatt), I felt slighted when I ask Kareem if I could take a quick pic with him. Did not even acknowledge me. That fact that he didn't take the pic, well, on his way to the bus I understand, but for him not to even recognize me and say that he didn't have time, well I felt very slighted. On the other hand, he deserves a statue along with Elgin, perhaps George Mikan (I know Minn Lakers, but still) as well.
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | May 18, 2011 at 03:36 PM
And, by the way, have met Magic a couple times back in the day, he was Always very kind and I have a couple pics and autos to show for it. Thanks Magic, again!
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | May 18, 2011 at 03:43 PM
I accidentally met Kareem as a kid in the 1980s leaving a beach in Hawaii. I was obviously in awe; he wasn't rude but he basically ignored me and my dad. I loved the Lakers enough that I let that go, but I can certainly see where the reports of his bad attitude towards the press came from.
Defintely should be the next statute, though.
Posted by: Steve | May 18, 2011 at 03:51 PM
(D)erek (J)eter:
The same type of incident (snubbed by Kareem) happened to a close relative on a street in L.A. It's hella rude, but give the man his statue.
Posted by: HoustonLaker | May 18, 2011 at 04:13 PM
Kobe powerfull? He can't even win his war against Darth Stern...
Darth doesn't want Kobe to get more rings than MJ, not even tie...
Only way is to get superstars now and try for next season, maybe 2012...After that, Kobe's old and Stern wins...
Pathetic this Stern guy...
Posted by: Magic Phil | May 18, 2011 at 04:16 PM
mm-Dude do you actually think this is a story? It has no CREDIBILITY, Justin #3, the King #10 and Kobe's #14. Hell Kobe's also the most HATED player ahead of the King.
Posted by: G.Money | May 18, 2011 at 04:17 PM
I accidentally met Kareem as a kid in the 1980s leaving a beach in Hawaii. I was obviously in awe; he wasn't rude but he basically ignored me and my dad. I loved the Lakers enough that I let that go, but I can certainly see where the reports of his bad attitude towards the press came from.
Defintely should be the next statute, though.
Posted by: Steve | May 18, 2011 at 03:51 PM
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So you're saying build a statue for a guy that ignores people?
Build it in Wisconsin maybe...
Posted by: Magic Phil | May 18, 2011 at 04:18 PM
All, if you haven't seen this Kobe post game parody yet, you must. Hilarious.
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/14820e72b5/kobe-byrant-s-post-game-meltdown
F Dallas!
Posted by: Ice | May 18, 2011 at 04:24 PM
Justin Bieber is the third most POWERFUL?
The Apocalypse is nigh. Thank goodness the Rapture is Saturday.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 18, 2011 at 04:35 PM
I don't care where Forbes ranks Kobe. I do care where the history books rank the Lakers in terms of championships won.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 18, 2011 at 04:38 PM
@Message to Kareem – Capt you’re the GOAT in my book. What difference does it make who gets the statue first? Chill…the Lakers got you and even if they don’t the record books don’t lie.
@LT – Now that was cool. I never saw that one before. Name all of them…right! I did catch most of the big names Elton, Bono, Dr. John, Tom Jones, Joan, Emmylou, Robert Cray and a few others like Gabrielle. Thanks for posting it.
Also enjoyed your post on the lost art of shooting. Kobe's not done yet. He's got one more vintage year in him.
Posted by: LRob | May 18, 2011 at 04:53 PM
Now that PJ is officially gone I am really biting at the bit to see who the Lakers hire as Head Cach and to see what players they bring in and draft etc.
Can't wait for start of next season to see The Laker Empire Strikes Back.
Posted by: Justa(formerly JustaLakerfan) | May 18, 2011 at 05:17 PM
I like jobe! He is a good player! I like to see his game!
Posted by: kobe | May 18, 2011 at 06:09 PM
ke up and smell the coffee. Kobe is great and popular in LA, not anywhere else.
Posted by: ke Fan | May 19, 2011 at 07:30 AM
things were more fun when we played Houston and Utah in the second round instead of the big bad Mavericks!
Posted by: Kobe WTF | May 19, 2011 at 08:53 AM
>>>You know, many years ago as a young man with wife at hand on an empty
>>>2nd floor of an Indy Hotel (Hyatt), I felt slighted when I ask Kareem if I
>>>could take a quick pic with him. Did not even acknowledge me.
And I will add that I used to see Magic and Kareem pretty regularly at UCLA games. I used to sit in the front row of the student seats that are right behind the benches where family and team guests sat, so I was usually a couple of rows behind them. When either of them showed, they'd get lots of people going up and trying to get autographs. Magic would sometimes acknowledge them and sign an autograph. Kareem brought a bouncer to keep people from even getting close enough to speak to him, and if someone shouted his name, wouldn't turn around and acknowledge them in any way.
I've seen Kobe and Shaq in public, and both of them spoke to me and shook my hand and acknowledged me as a fan and a human being. Kareem treats fans like they're mosquitos.
If you treat everyone else like they don't exist, or like they're a BOTHER to you, then why should you expect them to worship to deaf ears?
If Kareem was some outgoing friendly guy who embraced his fans, he'd already have a statue. Instead, he was a brusque guy who reportedly didn't get along with his teammates and who clearly doesn't like attention from fans. You reap what you sow.
He'll probably eventually get a statue anyway, and he deserves it for his contributions to the team and the sport. But if he wants to know why it's taking so long, then I think he should ask his bouncer, because I don't hear him.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | May 19, 2011 at 10:08 AM