When a player like Kobe misses three shots in a row, and even worse, they're all airballs, he naturally becomes a target for widespread criticism, mockery, and sarcastic comments.
The biggest criticism against him, or rather, the biggest crisis Kobe faced wasn't just about these three missed shots, but the trust issues they caused.
Many people began to doubt whether Kobe would achieve anything in the future, believing he might fade into mediocrity because a true superstar shows the qualities of a winner early on.
Jabbar, Johnson, Jordan, and Ah Gan all achieved significant victories when they were very young, whereas Kobe seemed to lack this ability.
The world of basketball judges character early; a winner is a winner from a young age. If one cannot become a winner early on, they might never become one their entire life.
