trade Luke Walton please !!! Luke plus Slava and the first round pick we got from Miami, for Artest. Can you belive Kobe got 81!

WELL, BEING UP HERE IN WASHINGTON I DIDNT THINK ANYTHING COULD OVERCOME THE SEAHAWK'S HUGE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY! GUESS WHAT? KOBE DID...............THANKS FOR ALL THE EXCITEMENT YOU'VE GIVEN US AND KEEP GIVING US EVERY YEAR! HATERS SILENCED AND GOOD! SILENCE THE HATE, SILENCE THE HATE! NEVER FORGET THE NIGHT BRYANT WENT FOR 81. LAST STOP, THE TITLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALL MY FELLOW LAKER FAITHFUL.............ENJOY THIS MAGIC NIGHT WE ALSO DESERVE THIS.......

There is NO DOUBT that Kobe Bryant should at the very least be named this season's MVP. What an exciting game... 81 POINTS!

Following Sundays game, and Kobe's INDIVIDUAL performance, One Word;

W O W!!!!

Kobe Bryant OR his people definately must read this blog. Since the postings of the possibility of Kobe being traded for LeBron James and the two-game suspension following 'elbow-gate', Kobe Bryant has been on fire! Kobe has been on a scoring binge, with a 'whole lot of luck', that has not been seen in a long time. Kobe is shooting a better percentage even with some of the WILD three-point SHOTS he takes.

However, to be honest, I still don't see any top-rated future free agents that would WANT to come to the Laker organization due to management of Mitch Kupchak and the often selfish play of Kobe Bryant.

OUT!!!
The truth

I LOVE KOBE
I LOVE LAKERS
I LOVE L.A.
I LOVE THIS GAME
I LOVE THIS CONTRY
81... ...
Impossible IS Nothing, Just Do It

oh i definitely know i wasn't the only one hyperventilating, screaming, and jumping up and down as the fourth quarter ended and #8 got 81 points.

Kobe Bryant is the man, hands down.

That's the reason why he needs to shoot more than anybody else in the NBA. His team overall is inconsistent and that's the bottom line. Peace.

So UNREAL, INCREDIBLE, MIND-BOGGLING, EXQUISITE, ONE-OF-A-KIND, PERFECT, AMAZING!

Kobe, 81 points? What the?!?!?!?

We were losing in the first half! Then all of a sudden...BANG, BANG, BANG! 91-85 after 3! All these made possible by no other than Kobe Bryant. Kobe is the GREATEST PLAYER EVER TO PLAY THE GAME! Magic is second to Kobe, Michael is only third. HANDS DOWN!

*MABUHAY KA MANNY PACQUIAO!

*KOBE FOR MVP!

*GO LAKERS!

AK, whats the league rules on changing a team's name (like the Bullets did to the Wizards)? How about the L.A. Mambas....frig it, lets just change it to the L.A. Kobes, cuz lets face it, he is the entire team.

ohohohohohoho
Look guys I am dissapointed with lakers fans, you cant compare Jordan to KOBE any more and stop mentioning his name, from now on should be KOBE era..i just loved that game,, he is incredible player..i would like to hear those hater to talk about kobe..waiting..love you KOBE..

Go lakers

lol my bad guys I was a little depressed about the lakers lately but this one from kobe really fired me up. I still can't believe it, 81 POINTS. Words can't describe it. It's amazing. I've never witnessed something like this in my life. I doubt anyone can get pass 81. By tomorrow, all around the world, this fact better sink into people, that Kobe is this year's MVP.

Back on the trade thread... the triangle is not going to run by dumping Odom for Artest. You lose the guy you've put energy into teaching the initiator spot, and ask someone who knows jack about the offense to come in and quick study it. While that is happening Kobe becomes the initiator and who does he throw it to? Often, the number two scoring option, who hasn't learned the offense and says "damn, what do I do with the rock now? Oh, shoot I don't know... how about shoot?" You can see how productive that is going to be from a team standpoint.

Besides, there goes 5 (precious) weeks of educating a new guy.

While we are being rational, look at the consequences involved in dumping Odom -- the money invested in bringing Pippen in for special coaching. A wasted investment not recoupable. That argument is even more forceful when you think of Kareem being brought in to work with Bynum. Sure, Mim and Kwame are still on board, but the economies of scale and the basic logic of having brought Kareem in are negated (if Bynum is cut loose).

I like the comments Kevin McK wrote concerning AB's progress. We tend to be looking for major, gross-level changes, but the coaching staff is trying to correct a large number of aspects of his game -- little things like ball placement and the mental aspect of constant up and down the court. That is going to take time (by design). Give it time, fans.

How about we loyal folk ride with it as if it was actually a plan. Have some faith in where it is going. Yes, a core of Kobe/Odom/Artest would likely go deep into the playoffs. But there are too many intangibles and unknowns that a sound manager would not like in that equation. Phil seems not to be troubled by the nuttiness of Ron-Ron, but we really don't know how he would affect team chemistry at mid-year. Besides, Artest, himself, has said he likely wouldn't stay beyond the year. Not a very shrewd business move for the Lakers if Ron-Ron proves good to his word. Finally, you are never going to be able to give up the right (unnecessary) parts to keep the team moving forward if you are able to land Artest.

Over all, then, as nice as it is to dream... we are stuck with our reality.

Kobe and his 81... until other guys learn to step forward and be consistent. Not a horrible prospect. And one that we can grow on.

Hi,

Am I the only one not surprised by what Kobe did on Sunday 1/22/2006? That's not to say I expected it on this particular day--although I did think he might have a big game, but not this big! However, I also wouldn't have been surprised if he scored 100 pts. which he might very well do in the future. Way to go Kobe!

As to the other Lakers, don't forget the fact that they aren't stars--and aren't insistent about becoming stars--allows Kobe to really show his stuff. When you win with all-stars on your team it's much less satisfying than when you win with less talent, don't you agree? I want to give props to Chris Mihm as well. He allows Andrew Bynum to take his time to develop rather than rushing him on the floor for consistent minutes before he's ready--and he's obviously not ready yet at the age of 18. To Andrew Bynum doubters, you discount the improvement all players have between 18 and 21. Kevin Garnett was an exception and Andrew has not been played as long as Kevin Garnet. Also, posters who like to see themselves as a GM need to realize that you can't think just about this year but about 5 years from now and 10 years from now. With some other franchises, it may make sense to sacrifice the future for a championship now because they haven't had them (like Miami, for instance). But the Lakers aren't expected to just win one one year and take the next ten off, their expectations for themselves (and from others) is to be a championship contender most every year.
Kwame Brown needs a year to learn the triangle before he should be expected to star. This year they are just looking to Kwame to be a defensive presence, grab boards and score opportunity points so he has met my (and I think the team's) expectations. Look for Kwame to really look more comfortable in the next couple of seasons. Chris does almost everything--he rebounds, he scores in the post, blocks shots, and doesn't demand the ball the way Shaq did. Not that I blamed Shaq (if I was Shaq--or Kobe--or any guy who could dominate my opponent I would want the ball, too!) I am not against trading for Ron Artest but I would not include Lamar Odom or Andrew Bynum in the trade. However, as others have pointed out unless Indiana gets desperate, they wouldn't trade him to the Lakers without getting at least one of those players in return.

As to Lamar, as some other posters have mentioned, he facilitates the Lakers offense. He would be a much better scorer in a different offense (for instance if he was allowed to post his man up down low--where he'd either score a lot of points or set up others for open shots by getting double teamed because of his size advantage and ability to score down low with a variety of moves. However that isn't a part of this offense so he's not going to get the points he could get. I don't mind! Don't forget, for every point a Laker other than Kobe gets, that's one less point for Kobe!

To sum up, I love the Lakers win or lose but I do think they have a fine team and will make a run come playoff time, if they can at least finish in the 6th seed. I also think think they have a chance if they finish lower, but it will be a lot tougher having to go up against either Phoenix or San Antonio but it's still possible--provided Kobe is healthy! Let's all root for the team and be patient with them--Phil and Mitch knows what he's doing more than we do. I do know it's fun to provide our own input, just like I'm doing now, but it's also important not to take ourselves too seriously!

I love Georgie and Bynum. George is on the bend and doing perfectly on his position. He has experience in triangle offense. Bynum is the only guy can replace Shaq. I hope he will be taller in a few year. To me, Medvedenko, Luke, and Von are subjects to be traded. If we can get Ron A. is still better than Paul P. The healthy roster must have Bynum and Odom. I have seen Odom was up and down, but he has a good attitude to stay behind Kobe, and it's may be the key for Kobe to be successful. If you bring in a guy to replace Odom, but he wants the ball like K8 (but no killer instinct) the Lakers will be struggled with the ball.

Wow.

Man, it was awesome listening to James Worthy after the game say (paraphrase), "I've seen them all. I've seen Magic. I've seen Bird. I've seen Kareem. I've seen David Thompson. I've seen Alex English. I've seen Michael Jordan... and I've never seen anything like what I saw tonight. He didn't even break a sweat."

Kobe-Haterism is Dead.

It's also sad folks that Kobe appears to be in his prime and the rest of the team cannot produce. I hope Kobe will still have something left 2 years from now.

I cant believe that people still find the room to critisize Kobe right now. He was having a very average (by Kobe standards) game in the first half. I will remind evryone that the Raptors were kicking our butts up and down the floor. He did what he had to do for us to win. In the process he showed all who had an eye open that he is the most dominant player (sorry big fella)in the NBA today. He is the most dominant player that I have ever seen play the game. Kobe is one of the all time greats. What he can do with a basketball is beyond description. I am very lucky to have seen this. Screw the haters!!!!

Kobe!!!!

You are hands down the best player in the NBA and no one can ever question this again. You are the most complete player in the NBA because you can handle the ball, shoot and score from anywhere on the floor, drive the ball to the basket, score and get to the free throw line, play defense when you want to, get your own shot no matter how defenders try to cover you, and get shots for your teamates when you want to. There is no one that comes close to comparing thier game to yours but, you are not and will never be the MVP until you do the easiest of things. Kobe, you don't need anymore 40, 51, 62, or 80 point games. All you need to do is simply score 8 points per quarter, dishout 3 assist per quarter no matter how many shots your teamamtes may need to get it, and get 3 rebounds per quarter. The numbers would add up to 32 points 12 assist and 12 rebounds per game which would easily make you surpass jordan as the greatest to play the game. If you play with these goals in mind, your teamates would be more comfortable with you, know where to be on the floor, know when to shoot, and know when to get the ball to you. This type of play would equal a lot of Laker victories and you leading the Lakers to winning the championship.

What the hell is Barkley going to say? Probably something like, "Yeah, that was quite a game, but Kobe should have passed the ball more. Only two assists? P-LEASE!"

jason, I agree with you. this offense is definitly not a way to fully benefit from odom's ability to score. they never post him up down low or any isolation plays for him. But like you said, the most important thing is that he is comfortable passing the ball to kobe or anyone else. if you bring in a guy who loves to score... there most likely will be some conflict if he refuses to defer to kobe.
like i said, kobe's at his prime right now and if we dont take advantage of this time and try to win a championship, it might be too late in 3 4 years. i say we sign Big Ben next year and trade bynum for Artest. Definitly can win a championship with that team.

Kobe 4 MVP!

"Uncitizen,
I didn't criticize Kobe. I just feel that no one should be scoring 81 points by themselves. His teammates need to produce more."

Ah. Good point, that one. My apologies for misunderstanding you then.

And yes, they do need to step up and score a lot more. Last night, thought brilliant and certainly very entertaining to watch, is likely to be an exception and not a regular occurance for the Lakers (and for Mr Bryant as well), and for those games when we can't get 60+ points out of our leding scorer, we still need to find some way to win. Personally I am hoping that Lamar, Smush, and Kwame, get things together mentally and figure out how to work well together defensively first though. We can probably ride into the playoffs on Kobe's scoring streak, but we need to be able to rely on the rest of the team for scoring and defensive stops if we are going to survive from then on.

Inspite of us being Lakers/Kobe fan, lets not get too ahead of the times. Kobe is a great clutch performer like MJ. He definitely is a better shooter, may not be as good as MJ as far as getting to the basket etc or maybe he doesn't want to since his jump shot is doing just fine. But, we shouldn't compare the defense in 80-90s to the defense at this time. Positive -- Perimeter players have a easy day these days - see how many 30-40-50 point games we see these days. Negative --- People can double team players like Phoenix did on Friday. But still, shooting 62% is not easy. So all the Kobe haters can shut up, including Chuck.

Kobe just needs to win a few championships to be hailed the greatest ever. So, Mitch instead of wasting u'r time and our time, go get him the needed help. You get him help, we are going to the NBA finals next year. How great would that be :-)

I have to disagree with the argument that says defense in the 80's and 90's was better than today. I think players today are just more gifted than players in the past, building on the past players' greatness.

In Kobe's case, I think if you put him in a time machine back to the 80's or 90's, he would dominate like he does today. Especially with all the illegal d's he'd be drawing. I could just imagine Craig Ehlo, or Dan Majerle trying to contain Kobe. Pippen? Nope. The only thing that would come close to him would be Jordan. What a match-up that would be!

Kobe is on a level nobody has ever seen before. And we've got at least 5 years of this left? I'm a happy Lakerfan.

Kobe Bryant,

what else can we say about the guy...he is the best player in the game today..TODAY!!! He can be compared to Air Jordan, but the truth is that he'll fall short, and trust me it hurts to say that as I'm a huge Kobe fan.

But talking about the now, he is the most competitive player in the game which is why he can score 81 points and will his team to victory or score 62 in 3 quaters. If KG ever came to the lakers it would pair up two of today's most competitive players and create a dynamic tag team, the likes of kobe-shaq.

KG and Kobe>>>outside scoring, defending, inside scoring and defense, a player that can play all five positions, a player that is the greatest all-around player in the game today---frig, even in NBA live they are usually rated #1 -3. Imagine the goodness that would happen. The only thing that sucks is that it wouild also mean that they (the lakers) would probably have to give up a player lke Odom and/or Bynum....I can live with that!!