Extra! Extra! (12.21)
Well, Kobe had himself a solid little outing. Or, more accurately, you could say he went absolutely goony bird on the Mavericks, scoring 62 points (not a typo) in only 3 quarters (also not a typo) to lead a 112-90 blowout victory. Of course, when you put up 30 in the 3rd quarter, is it really necessary to step on the court for the fourth? Nope, not even with Elgin Baylor's all-time Laker scoring effort (71 points) in striking distance. And Kobe was cool with it, just happy to have made his mark in history.
ESPN.com's Daily Dime spent more or less its entire ten cents on the Kobe Show.
And here are a few tidbits on the evening from Elias, one of the leaders in research:
Kobe Bryant scored 62 points Tuesday night, all in the first three quarters. Heading into the fourth quarter, Kobe had outscored the Mavericks 62-61. No player in NBA history has ever outscored the opposing team over the course of an entire game.
• Bryant played only 33 minutes. Since 1960, only three other NBA players scored 60-plus points in fewer than 40 minutes: Jerry West (63 points in 39 minutes on Jan. 17, 1962), George Gervin (63 points in 33 minutes on April 9, 1978) and Karl Malone (61 points in 33 minutes on Jan. 27, 1990).
• Kobe scored 43 points against Dallas on Dec. 12. The last NBA player to score 105-plus points against one team over two games was David Robinson, who put up 112 against the Clippers in March-April 1994.
Your box score, one of the oddest looking you'll ever see.
(photo by Matt Brown/AP)
Kobe's historic night wasn't all sunshine and smiles. Laron Profit may be out for the season after rupturing his Achilles' tendon. And just when fans were beginning to tell him and Kobe apart from a distance (#8's tights were the key).
While it's always nice when Phil Jackson mentions Shaq and Kwame in the same breath, this probably ain't the comparison the young forward would prefer. Naturally, the Big Fella's on everyone's brain, with the showdown against Miami on the horizon. Just don't look for LO to talk smack about Pat Riley.
Ronny Turiaf's next step towards (hopefully) donning purple and gold? A stint with the CBA's Yakama Sun Kings.
A 62 point effort against a D-Less Dallas Mavericks in three quarters wasn't just impressive, but a message sent to the South Beach Boys. But whether or not Shaq is shaking in his shoes quite yet is probably pushing the envelope, but it must got him thinking on his toes. Lets face it, Kobe had a terrible year in 2004-05, Shaq got his way on every aspect however; this year "Kobe Bryant is coming to town". But it isn't only Shaq, that Kobe has his mind on. Because if I can recall last year, D-Wade believed that Kobe was overrated! Shaq has this Miami team believing that all fingers point towards Kobe's direction when it comes to the destruction of the L.A. Lakers. You know what I mean, it was Kobe's fault for running Shaq out of town. So shaq pumps up his teamates and Miami bites as they defeated the Lakers not once, but twice last season.
But that was the past, and this coming Sunday is approaching quite quickly. So far up to this point, Shaq has found motivation to destroy the Lakers once again this year due to Dr. Buss's comments earlier last week. Shaq is finding his way to bait in his teamates to make this encounter personnal once again, but this year will be different. The Lakers have a real coach and I know it must break O'Neal's heart to see his old pal Phil sitting back on the Laker bench. The Lakers as a team have been getting this Triangle Offense down to a "T" and Kobe will be coming in with more determination than ever before. Basically, Kobe's 62 points in three quarters against Dallas was his warm up call. This coming Sunday, look for Kobe to explode by possibly breaking another record before it all comes to an end.
Overall, look for the stars to have big nights this coming Christmas holiday, but don't be surprised if Kobe rises above them all with another scoring surge and package it with a win before it's all said and done.
Posted by: Razmataz | December 21, 2005 at 10:04 AM
DESPITE THEY CRITICIZED HIM FOR TAKING MANY SHOTS, HE PROVED THAT HE CAN MAKE HISTORY IN THE GAME ANYTIME HE WANTS. I KNOW KOBE WAS VERY ANGRY FOR THE LOSS ON SUNDAY, AND I WAS EXPECTING THAT KIND OF EFFORT TO MAKE IT UP WITH HIS FANS AND TO LET PEOPLE TALK BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS'REVENGE. GO, GO KOBE, I AM SO PROOD OF YOU.
Posted by: shirley | December 21, 2005 at 10:13 AM
"It was amazing," Tex Winter said Wednesday morning as he prepared to go over the game tapes with Phil Jackson at the Lakers' practice facility in El Segundo. "I've seen Michael have big games before, but nothing quite like that. It seemed like the only one who could score for us in that first half was Kobe. No one else could hit anything."
The coaching staff was worried that his teammates were deferring to Kobe way too much, Winter said. "I've never seen a game like that in my life. He was ready, I'll tell you that. He announced it early, told us he was going for 50. He was really upset about that loss to Houston Sunday. We all were. That was ridiculous.
"But Kobe, the way he is, was not gonna back down, wasn't gonna let us lose another one. He and Michael are a lot alike in that respect. They're unyielding."
Phil Jackson was extremely pleased to see Kobe break out, Winter said. "Our concern now is these other players. They're getting shots. They've got to step up. They can't rely on Kobe to go out and get 62 points every night. They do know they've got to step up."
Roland Lazenby
author of The Show
Posted by: Roland Lazenby | December 21, 2005 at 10:13 AM
The Jeddi Council (Lebron, Iverson, Wade, Tmac, Kobe, Vince) has a new leader. Young master Kobe stand up and take a bow.
Posted by: Laker Fan # 8 | December 21, 2005 at 10:15 AM
WOOOWOOOOWOOWOOWOWO!!!!!!!! Oh My Fricken GOD! YES!
I am fricken happy right now!
Death to Kobe-Haters!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | December 21, 2005 at 10:19 AM
I wasn't so surprised that Kobe scored 62 points last night because he is the best player in the league, what surprised me was the ease the Lakers beat the Mavs (second best team in the west) on defense and offense. To put out there, Kobe's team defense is the best out there. When he's on the court, teams do not seem to score on the Lakers. The last game Kobe played bad in was the game Shaq showed his egotistic disrespectful face, and Kobe's best game will come on christmas day, the Mavs were just warm up. I had the Lakers been the fourth best team in the west, and the wins they've been putting together is proving how good this team will be.
Posted by: Shola | December 21, 2005 at 10:26 AM
What terrible news about Profit, he's been playing pretty good off the bench. He's in the last year of a deal too, having to miss the rest of this season is pretty much going to kill his long-term contract chances. We'll miss you Laron, but if you need any inspiration on how to return from injury, just have a little talk with the big man Ronny T. Glad to see Ronny taking the next step, hopefully he'll work himself into shape quickly. Isn't there some sort of "Injury Exception" in the NBA, where if you lose a player for the rest of the season you are allowed to sign someone else? Maybe that can be the Lakers way around having to waive Waver or Green when they pick up Ronny.
Posted by: DJ Cobb Salad | December 21, 2005 at 10:31 AM
I could not believe the energy at Staples Center last night. I happen to get a couple of suite tickets dropped on my desk night and was there to witness the "gospel" of KB8. He is the man. I would like to add that this is the same team that Kobe "willed" a victory against a few Decembers back when we were down by 28 points. I was in a suite at that game as well and have to admit it was a great to see the Mavericks fall apart. I can hear Chick screaming "...and the wheels just came off the wagon!!"
Kobe haters and Clipper fans beware...GO LAKERS!
Posted by: J. Anaya | December 21, 2005 at 10:46 AM
I was overjoyed to see Kobe hit 62, not just because it was a thing of beauty, but because I know that Shaq's career-high game is 61, dropped on the Clips on the Big Toe's 28th birthday. As I watched Kobe--still in his 59-point incarnation, still mortal--hustle to launch that last trey with 4.4 seconds left, I was sure that Kobe also knew that factoid, and many others like it, and that that was part of why he was rushing to launch the three: to get over the 60-point hump, and to get over Shaq. Wasn't Jordan's game-high 61 as well? The mind boggles.
So what I wonder is: How does Kobe's career night stack up against other great players? I know Kobe knows, but I don't have the stats at hand.
Everyone knows about Robinson's 71, but what about some of the other greats? Magic, Bird, Barkley, 'Nique . . . those guys. What were their career high games?
Man, in baseball all this stuff is at your fingertips. Basketball needs better stats.
Posted by: Clay Stockton | December 21, 2005 at 10:46 AM
BIG WIN INDEED!!!
Dallas came in the Staples Center ready for the big payback. Little did they know Kobe had a different story. Unbelievable night!!!
Losing Laron for the season was a blow...I don't think it will hold us back, but that guy was becoming solid.
KOBE was the man tonight...the other players contribution, offensively, were not there...understandably (give Kobe the rock and stand back). Just as fast as you get over a dissapointing loss (Houston) they have to get over this historic win and get back to the game plan. I hope they don't start giving Kobe the ball and start spectating instead of getting involved. That's my only concern...but man...what a performance.
On a sidenote: I would have loved to see someone retaliate for that shot Kobe took on the head. I think the Lakers are a little soft right now with the exception of Kobe of course. Kwame or Cook should have hit one of their guards hard to send that message out that we look after our teammates. Drop it on them Old School style...you know what I'm saying.
KOBE IS MY HERO!!!!!!
VIVALOSLAKERS!!!
Posted by: VIVALOSLAKERS | December 21, 2005 at 11:17 AM
Amazing game last night. Still can't believe that he's had 56pt games and a 62pt game in three quarters!! I mean, that's just crazy. Most of the other players who get their career highs usually get them in losses or by playing the fourth quarter. Lebron's 52pts came in a loss. At least when Kobe gets a career high, it's a blow-out win.
Kobe can't seem to win though. He has an amazing game where he shoots 58% from the field and there's still people finding something to criticize. One ESPN guy even faults Kobe for not playing the fourth quarter. Just when you think he'd be praised for sitting the fourth, there's always the one hater who has to find something wrong. No assists? When you score 62pts, it should be understandable that you won't get much or any. If you're hot, how can you not shoot the ball?
Clay Stockton asks how the other great scorers career highs matched up to Kobe...
Jordan: 69pts in OT game vs Cavs, 64 pts in loss to Magic
Barkley: 47 pts vs Hawks (2/9/88)
Larry Bird: 60pts vs Hawks (3/25/85)
Allen Iverson: 60pts vs Magic (2/12/05)
David Robinson: 72pts
Can't be bothered to find out more than those players...
Posted by: Joits | December 21, 2005 at 11:26 AM
OMG! I hate espn ,I hate hollinger. This is truely unfair.
Posted by: lala | December 21, 2005 at 11:28 AM
Major props to Kobe for last night's offensive explosion. While I respect the class and dignity he had displayed by sitting out the entire fourth quarter, I would have liked it better for him to continue his offensive output well past the 62-point mark. Given another six to eight minutes more in Q4, he could have well eclipsed Elgin's 71-point all-time club scoring record. What's most impressive was that this incredible feat was accomplished against a title-contending team in the Mavs rather than years past versus lower-caliber team, i.e. Shaq and D-Rob of Spurs both against lowly Clips.
Other observations: Lakers emerging as a defensive-minded team, particularly last night's suffocating defense against the Mavs last night.
I also found it interestingly odd to notice a glimpse of Rambis looking disenchanted last night, folding his arm and slouching on the bench amidst the roaring crowd celebration of Kobe's 62-point outburst. I could be wrong but it just didn't sit well with me to see him so disturbed. But overall, it was a history-making night for Kobe and all of us Laker fans. Stay the course and keep the momentum going.
Posted by: 12th Night | December 21, 2005 at 11:33 AM
I saw history at the Staples when Kobe beat the whole Mavericks team in 3 quarters, the score was 62-61. I think that is the only record that may stand in NBA for so many years that one player outscoring the whole team at the end of 3rd. Not only that, if his teamates were only efficient in handling the ball and committed less turnovers, Kobe could have scored more than 70 in thre quarters. Sometimes we blamed Kobe for taking too many shots, but if you watched them closely how they(teamates) play, they make a lot of turnovers on simple plays like passing the ball inside the paint or careless in 3 seconds or offensive fouls, so in the end let just rely on the hot player do the shooting and playmaking. Realistically, it is not a good basketball if you just depend on one player whether he is Kobe, Jordan or Shaq. You need teamwork and a scoring depth to advance in the playoffs. Kobe showed the way, now it is the turn of Lamar, Smush, Cookie, Mimh, Kwame, Luke, Devean, Vujacic, Profit and also Bynum to follow and shine as well. If these guys don't show up in every game then it will always be Kobe, which is not good on the overall objective of the team. Lastly, Mitch, please do not mess up the future of the Lakers by entertaining Ron Artest's desire to be traded. Let him rot with the Pacers. Eventually, if he does not change his course, he'll meet his fate of loosing his status as a professional player.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 21, 2005 at 11:37 AM
Yeah, its terrible about LaRon, man, he was looking great. The upside is that with Ronny T. coming back, we don't have to choose between McKie, Green, or VonWafer as most desirable exit Lakers.
I hope LaRon's alright.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | December 21, 2005 at 11:44 AM
I was at the game last night... what a thrill to see this guy step up and make SURE we won last night.
Can you believe the cover of ESPN.com says, "HOG WILD" and a picture of Kobe? What does Kobe need to do to get some love? I feel like he can do nothing right... he shoots too much... he passes too much... he needs to shoot more... don't talk... he doesn't say enough... it's his fault...
If I were Kobe, I'd probably lose my mind.
Posted by: MarkyMark | December 21, 2005 at 12:01 PM
KOBE! KOBE! KOBE! KOBE!
That was amazing! I think the media should stick with the nickname "8th Wonder" for Kobe. It's much better than Black Mamba or whatever he tried to name himself. But "8th Wonder" fits. Hopefully he can keep the team winning and they can get back to the output from the rest of the team that they had during the road trip. Then I can start practicing my next chant. Ehem...
MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP!
Posted by: Jabari | December 21, 2005 at 12:02 PM
The day after: LA Times' columinists where are you?
I have to wonder why the LA Times' coulmnists have such an obvious aversion to writing anything good about the Lakers. Lakers go 5-1 on a road trip --something not done in five seasons-- and not a peep from any of this paper's esteemed "journalists". A horrible loss against Houston and JA Adande is so giddy he can barely pull up one of the many negative articles that he had written in the offseason for this very occasion. Last night Kobe Bryant has one of the most amazing performances in Laker history --which is the same thing as saying he had one of the most amazing performances in NBA history-- and we all get treated to an article about a washed up has been outfielder who at his apex no one cared about. Bill Plashke chimes in with another article on the hapless Dodgers and their overmatched GM. Two articles on the Dodgers? TWO?!?! In the month of December?!?!? A night after Kobe Bryant goes for 62 points in THREE quarters? A night when the Lakers destroy the second best team in the Western Conference? All Laker fans are treated too is Mike Breshnahan's game report. I love reading Mike, but it would have been nice to read other opinions on such a historic night. But please tell me more about Kenny Lofton. I am so excited to hear about how a 38 year old outfielder will be playing for a mediocre baseball team still 4 months away from taking the baseball field.
If 62 points in three quarters isnt enough for one of this paper's columinists to get off of their collective arses and write something glowing--you know reflecting the mood of most angelenos this morning, having the pulse of the city in which you write on the tips of your fingers--then God help you. And God help your readers. Does this mean if the improbable of all improbabilities happens and the Lakers win the title I can look foward to picking up the paper the next morning and reading all about how San Diego is thinking about bringing back Junior Seau? Maybe a story on how Shaq will be losing weight going into the next season...
Posted by: DarthMamba | December 21, 2005 at 12:06 PM
Remember how Shaq used to say Kobe is the greatest player of all time? I wonder what he would say if you asked him that today. K-Bros if u get a chance u should ask him.
Posted by: steve | December 21, 2005 at 12:08 PM
Who cares that it says 'Hog Wild' It also says that kobe is surpassing Jordan in the stat. Just like hes going to surpase him in everything else. Go KOBE!
Posted by: steve | December 21, 2005 at 12:12 PM
here is what hollinger says
Quote:
One always can wonder whether sharing the ball more was something Kobe took on himself to do, or whether Phil Jackson whispered something into his ear about it while reminding him that he could be traded someplace with a much less forgiving climate. Regardless, the results speak for themselves. With Bryant trying to go it alone, the Lakers were a fairly easy team to defend. Since he's started spreading the wealth a little, L.A. is back on track. Now, if he could just bring Shaq back ...
the day after kobe scored 62 points .I agree with markmark. If I were Kobe, I'd probably lose my mind.
Posted by: lala | December 21, 2005 at 12:15 PM
ESPN is not into sports journalism but into entertainment journalism. The driving ambition behind ESPN is not so much to provide accurate and fair copy but to generate "buzz" and create situations that will drive traffic to their websites, magazines and TV stations. They consistently hire mediocre talent with over arching opinions and encourage them to be as opinionated as possible. ESPN has in its employment 60% of the top sports columnists in the country and they all sing the company tunes (Isn’t that right Mr. Adande?)
ESPN moved over from reporting sports news to creating sports news a while back and it should come as no surprise to you if they choose to break, instead of build up Kobe. Kobe as Satan has been a very profitable enterprise for ESPN these past three years, why give up the golden goose now?. Only God knows how many "wait until we tell you what else Kobe did wrong after the commercial break" headlines they have ran in the past three years on ESPN TV. ESPN is like a parasite, it will inhabit the host until the host either grows immune and overcomes or it kill’s the host.
P.S.
AK,
Any hope of hosting a chat with Tim Legler, I have some questions for him.
Posted by: Laker Fan # 8 | December 21, 2005 at 12:28 PM
Do you get the sense that the tide has turned a bit this month? I think we all sense that something special is underway again in Lakerland, following last year's chaos. Its really neat to see the Lakers slowly emerge as the young team with a promising future, much like they started to do in the mid-90's.
I can tell you this: writers will be calling the Lakers a young team on the rise by the end of the season.
Posted by: Biff Tannen | December 21, 2005 at 12:35 PM
It was an incredibly historic moment...
for the press to gloss over.
I really cannot believe all these Kobe haters.
What we all saw last night was one of the most incredible performances in league history. If the league today was in need of a "hero," as they did when the media placed MJ on a pedestal, Kobe would be up there too. Instead, the media is hateful and critical to him.
Kobe will retire as one of the most skilled and successful men to ever have stepped onto the court.
Will anyone besides LA remember?
Since no one else is going to say it, I will. Why didn't anyone make a fuss about MJ's gambling problems, his questionable activities?
I hope the media gets over this phase of "Celebrity Destruction" and gets back to honoring people like Kobe, who do their thing for the fans.
"Take it all in all, he's a man, and we shall never see the likes of him again."
Kobe Bryant, Hero.
Posted by: Longtime Laker Fan | December 21, 2005 at 12:55 PM
AMAZING!
The likes of Kobe is very hard to find. Can't wait til Sunday.
KOBE FOR MVP!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: shaq_hater | December 21, 2005 at 01:44 PM
Random thoughts:
1. Most disappointing/distasteful behavior by ESPN. Instead of celebrating one of the all-time great individual performances across ANY sport [THREE quarters?] they put up some BS on the front-page and worse some KB-specific insulting stuff on the NBA main page. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I can't help believe that there's a very large anti-Kobe sentiment out there. Regardless of what people believe of him as a person [and there aren't many great players who were also great people], they should applaud his performance on the court. I would rank this up right up there with Wilt's 100 points in a game - it's easier for a big setting up under the basket to thrown in dunks and lay-ups than a guard to get this many points, and in this little time, on drives and jumpers.
2. I wish it had come ON Xmas day rather than a couple of days earlier - if only to see what Big Diesel would have to say about it. Hopefully, this was just a precursor to better, more ominous things to come.
3. I think Laron's injury may make our already thin bench starve even more - but now hopefully, we can sign him up for the next couple of years for a reasonable amount of money. Yes, that's cruel.
4. I've been one of the proponents of the Kobe-must-pass-more theory and his last couple of games have showed us all that he's maturing. Like Phil said, you should only be taking 30+ shots if you can make atleast 50% of them. So no complaints about yesterday's zero dimes.
5. I really think it was KB8's call, and not Phil's, to sit out the 4th quarter. I don't think *any* coach would be able to shoot down a request to enter the game from a player who has just blown up for 62.
Thanks Kobe!
Posted by: hariyahu | December 21, 2005 at 02:09 PM
DarthMamba I totally agree with your Blog.
J.A. totally hates Kobe. Plaske is a pogo stick and cant decide what he likes on any given day. And the rest???....I cant say anything nice so I wont say anything at all. ONE stinking stupid article. Thats it. Unbelievable! I have to come to this Blog and others like it to get any positive feedback. Its just crazy.
Posted by: GMac | December 21, 2005 at 02:17 PM
Well put, Laker Fan #8. In ESPNWorld, LeBron, Wade and Shaq = good guys. Kobe = wrestling-style heel. None of those stiffs on their NBA coverage implicated Shaq in the firing of Van Gundy, even though his fingerprints are all over the knife in VG's back. Can you imagine the praise they would heap on LeBron or Wade if they dropped 62 in 3 Q's? Think they would be implying they shot too much? That was a lot better network before they started making their own reality. Of course, Red Sox-Yankees trumps everything in their universe. Last night, ESPN News ran a 10-minute piece at the start of their newscast on Johnny Damon going to the Yankees before going to one of the greatest NBA performances ever. Unreal.
Posted by: Jman449 | December 21, 2005 at 04:13 PM
Here's another round of diatribe directed toward Kobe's 62-point blowout.
Check out today's excerpt from Eric Pincus of Hoopsworld.com entitled "LA HOOPS: Kobe Bryant Shoots a Lot."
"Surely, the sport of basketball was birthed as a team sport. The common effort of five players working in unison can be poetry on the hardwood. Arguably the greatest player of all time, Magic Johnson, best exemplifies the credo of "making your teammates better." Even Michael Jordan, also considered the best, always averaged over five assists per game.
As it is in this day and age, some of the best players in the game don't seem to recognize the beauty of the team game.
Take for instance Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. On Tuesday night against the Dallas Mavericks he played a total of 33 minutes and didn't average a single assist. He managed to find the time to shoot 31 field goals which is almost a shot a minute, but couldn't find a single teammate open in all that time?
If he can get the line 25 times, clearly dominating the ball, why does he tie a career low in assists?
Really, 31 field goal attempts! In total, Bryant missed 13 shots while no other Laker took more than seven. Bryant alone missed six three pointers, nearly equaling that total.
Even though the Lakers won the game, it's shameful how selfish the modern NBA game has become . . ."
Folks, this incessant Kobe-bashing is getting so ridiculous to the extent that sports media hounds like Pincus, ESPN and their cronies find it fashionable to understate one of the greatest B-Ball exhibition by KB. Just deplorable and a no-win situation for Kobe.
Posted by: 12th Night | December 21, 2005 at 05:02 PM
I believe everyone is starting to realize what I've known for awile now, that Kobe Bryant, in the media's eyes is the NBA's version of George W. Bush. Nothing ever positive to say, only negative words, despite facts to the contrary.
Anyone who thinks Kobe should have been in the 4th, need only look at what happened to the guy who subbed in for him, Laron Profit. What would the media hacks be saying if it was Kobe who ruptured his achilles going for the record? It was the right choice to sitout the 4th. Blame the Mavs for giving up on the game.
Posted by: dymandave | December 21, 2005 at 05:14 PM
Shaq was scheduled to have an interview with Radio show 'Loose Canon' on AM 570. After the 62 points last night, Shaq's agent called up to cancelled the interview. I wonder why. LoL
Posted by: crazylife123 | December 21, 2005 at 05:42 PM
HI THERE L.A!!!
IM FROM THE PHILIPPINES, AND MAN.... I LOVE KOBE!!
I am a laker fan since I was 12 years old... from Magic's era down to KOBE.
KOBE is just amazing..... let's support him all the way. I JUST HOPE HE WILL DO THIS PERFORMANCE AGAIN ON CHRISTMAS DAY AND ON THE ALLSTAR GAME.
Posted by: NONI | December 21, 2005 at 06:15 PM
Dude why are you reading "Eric Pincus"? from "HOOPSWORLD"? .com what and who is that?
Posted by: Laker Fan # 8 | December 21, 2005 at 06:17 PM
Pacers - 97
Clippers -75
Looks like the clippers are gonna have to turn it around very quickly if they still plan on having that parade in June..Oh, wait a minute, they'll be on vacation somewhere around the begining of May.
They'll PROBABLY make the playoffs, but I see a first round exit..clipper fan, stay off of the blog. This blog is for REAL fans..Laker fans.
Posted by: larry | December 21, 2005 at 06:37 PM
Still thinks my conspiracy theory about Lebron James and Kobe is non sense??
Check out the media reaction to Kobe's Greatness!!
Dee Brown was on ESPN today to state that despite Kobe's 62, Lebron james was still a far better basketball player!
My point is not that he thinks that .... it's the timing! Everytime kobe does something great they never let it sink in before rehashing the same old thing!!!: " Think of what Lebron MIGHT accomplish"
It seems that dreams are more powerful than facts in the eyes of ESPN!
When KB wins a championship...a lot of people be out of work! mark my words!!
Posted by: choosen#23 | December 21, 2005 at 07:25 PM
LeBron is a good player. Kobe is a GREAT player.
LeBron = Offense
Kobe = Offense/Defense
Until LeBron could play defense then he'll be consider on par with Kobe.
Posted by: crazylife123 | December 21, 2005 at 07:55 PM
Read the first letters of the paragraphs from the Pincus' Hoopsworld article down vertically. It's called SATIRE.
Posted by: SATIRE | December 21, 2005 at 08:06 PM
I've got a few words for the Hoopsworld author. The Lakers did play as a team against Dallas...IT WAS ON THE DEFENSIVE END!
The Lakers won against Dallas because they played team defense and Dallas didn't. As long teams like Dallas are going to let 1 player score more than they can through 3 quarters they are going to lose...Period!
The Lakers are still struggling to understand the triangle, so they are pretty much depending on their defense and Kobe to win games when their offense isn't clicking. Thats how they won against Dallas. Kobe will not need to score 62 points a game any longer once the Lakers start figuring out how to run their offense.
Posted by: Revgen | December 21, 2005 at 08:39 PM
Word up, Laker Fan #8... and dap to Longtime Laker Fan. you're both fans after my own heart.
i mean, yeah. i couldn't wait for the trifecta to get around to the NBA Shootaround (or whatever it's called) and the first-run ESPN highlights. i wanted the sports world to recognize this awesome game.
i am, as we all seemingly are, very sensitive to the general sports media reax to kobe and pick up the slightest voice inflexion, eye roll or word choice from these anchors. we're too darn sensitive.
altho ESPN has certainly shown apparent bias against kobe, i was happy to see the scroll they had across the screen announcing the 62! points. this was when the game was still in progress. also, steve levy and the other dude led SportsCenter with the kobe story (albeit, it probably killed them to do so) they hyped the man and the game, as well they should have.
so basically, i say all that to say: espn wasn't all bad last night. i personally don't find "Hog Wild" negative, it's like saying "goony bird on the Mavericks" ... i didn't interpret that headline as "Ballhog."
besides, let's not allow some history revisionists to destroy a ONCE in a lifetime game we enjoyed as fans. tuesday was so sweet, truly an early Christmas present. screw the haters, their words will never outlive Kobe's greatness.
Posted by: CBuck | December 21, 2005 at 08:45 PM
You know what else was cool about the 62? The 8 boards and 3 steals. He was just so zoned-in on his game that he was making plays left and right on both ends of the floor and ending them all in basket after basket... Just stellar. Truly remarkable.
Posted by: Brendan | December 21, 2005 at 11:02 PM
I definitely agree with everybody about ESPN, it doesn't care about sports journalism, they simply care about trying to drive up their ratings. And once they were bought out by Disney, they lost all credibility. I'm surprised the sportscenter anchors don't do highlights wearing mickey mouse ears, they spend so much time promoting ABC sports events.
As for the La Times sports writers, you don't actually think they watch the Lakers anymore? Maybe they'll start again if the Lakers make the playoffs.
As much as I was enthralled by Kobe's performance last night (loved seeing Cuban's face on the sidelines), I don't think people should go overboard here. The Lakers still have serious problems, they're improving rapidly and Phil Jackson is proving what he shouldn't have had to prove, that he can actually coach, but I can't get that Houston game out of my mind. It reminded me of a game against Washington a couple of years ago where George let Stackhouse score a game winning layup. Friday's game should show whether the Lakers are going to be a consistent team and handle their biz against teams they should beat.
Posted by: jtrincad | December 22, 2005 at 01:42 AM
Kobe is the best player. BSPN wants to hype James by dishing Kobe. What a crap!
Posted by: gdchild | December 22, 2005 at 03:44 AM
Roland Lazenby, please post more. It's always good to hear directly from people who are from the inside. I'm tired of hearing media thinking for our men, especially Kobe, such as Kobe thinks he can do it all alone, Kobe cares more about stats, etc.
Posted by: gdchild | December 22, 2005 at 04:10 AM
Laker fan #8 - It was satire. Brilliant.
"Re-read the article - pay special attention to the bold letters. They spell out something:
S
A
T
I
R
E
This article is a criticism of those who criticize Kobe no matter what he does.
If you need additional explanation of the nature of satire, I'm happy to explain further.
Thanks for the e-mail."
Eventually it dawned on me that not everyone knows satire is. I even sent out this link (Wikipedia - Satire) to a few readers to try and help spread the knowledge.
To further elaborate . . . the article was intended to mimic the voices that constantly denigrate Kobe Bryant regardless of how he plays. If he passes too much he's trying to prove a point . . . if he shoots too much he's a ball hog. He traded Shaq . . . he forced out Phil Jackson, etc. (despite protestations to the contrary of Dr. Jerry Buss, Mitch Kupchak and Jackson himself).
Tuesday night's performance was brilliant and yet Slam Online still calls him out, without tongue firmly planted in cheek (Note: I have great respect for the publication and enjoy their Dime Smack daily).
I also purposely used Michael Jordan's assist number as an example of how the numbers are often neglected or misused to paint Bryant in an unflattering light. The best example would be all the hubub that Bryant's jersey sales were plummeting . . . when ultimately he finished among the top among stars in the league. Apparently there were more Bryant jerseys on the market (including the alternate white and black numbers), that diluted the sales of specific Kobe jerseys but in total Bryant was a top seller. This inaccuracy was used to paint a picture of Bryant's flagging popularity when it truth it just reflected a lack of responsible journalism.
Posted by: kris | December 22, 2005 at 05:40 AM
Crazylife123, the actual formula between Kobe and Labron is actually:
LeBron is a good player. Kobe is a GREAT player.
LeBron = Offense
Kobe = Offense/Defense/Championships
Until LeBron could play defense then he'll be consider on par with Kobe.
Thought I'd add on to that list. Yes, I did see that segment with Dee Brown's reaction to who is the better player between Kobe and Labron. All I could do was stand their in disbelief and laugh. I guess everyone has their own opionion however, when someone doesn't account for winning championships as part of the equation, it's downright ridiculous.
No disrespect to Labron-bron but, lets not go over the edge right now and not account for the championships Kobe has won. This brings me to another player, who I think Kobe is better than because he hasn't won any championships as well however has made a big impact in the NBA; AI (Allen Iverson)who to which I'm a big fan of as well, but isn't an overall better player than Kobe because he lacks championship rings. Back to Labron, his skills don't even match up to Kobe's quite yet, if ever.
Ron
Posted by: Ron | December 22, 2005 at 07:30 AM
I'm proud to be a die-hard Lakers fan. It started in 1996 when I began to watch basketball and I was fortunate enough to see how Kobe has grown and become one of the greatest player in NBA history. I just love this guy and still amazed by what he can do and capable of doing. I can see why a 62 points, in just three quaters, has sickened those who hate Kobe. They hate it when the Lakers come to their town because they can't stand this fearfull feeling that their team were going to get stomped on. Finally, let's just kick back and enjoy the show that Kobe and the Lakers are gonna put on and let those haters do nothing but keep on hating and hating in bitterness.
Posted by: 4EverLakerFan | December 22, 2005 at 06:03 PM
i live in east los angeles i recently moved out here to texas nothing but san antonio fans booooooooooo i love kobe ever since he joined the lakers kobe all i could say forget everyone who thinks your a bad person because i L.A you will always be loved this will always be home sweet home for you
Posted by: abraham andrade | December 23, 2005 at 10:50 AM
well where do i start? i a die hard laker fan and a kobe fan as well.kobe haters fear what they dont understand.they cant understand that a person with jordans persona and skill and mental edge on the game has came after his airness has left us and the beloved game.62 points are just one of his great attributes to the game.kobe can do that when he basically wants to and will do it again in in the near future.d wade called kobe overrated but we all know thats a lie that shaq brain washed him with and i think its a phycological thing cause it seems as if shag wants wade to be a kobe like figure on the team.kobe u are the best of the best and keep doing your thing.shaq is washed up he has 2 or 3 good years left and he is envious of kobe because he knows what kobe is capable of.go for 80 next time kobe!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: JASON | December 23, 2005 at 01:02 PM