Extra! Extra! (1.6)
Phil Jackson has never endured a six game losing streak, and he'd like to keep it that way as the Lakers face the Sixers tonight at Staples Center. While the marquee matchup is Kobe vs. Allen, the most important for the Lakers might be Kobe vs. Andre. Iguodala, that is. The Sixers guard held Bryant to 7-27 from the field in their last matchup on November 11. This time, Kobe expects a better result.
As for Iverson, 10 seasons into a Hall of Fame career he remains one of basketball's most compelling figures. While Kobe gets hammered by fans every time he returns to Philly, Iverson doesn't get that kind of treatment on the road (not anymore, at least). Still, while Kobe may not get much affection in the City of Brotherly Love, his image elsewhere is beginning to come around.
Ronny Turiaf has received lucrative offers from Spanish clubs, and has set a Wednesday deadline for the Lakers to sign him, or say adios! for the season. To bring on Turiaf, the Lakers would need to either cut a player, or shrink the size of the roster through a trade. Speaking of which, the Indiana Pacers Traveling Ron Artest Sweepstakes Roadshow comes to town on Monday. Hold on to your beers.
I expect Kobe to go off tonight, if only to make a point.
Phil's not going to lose six games in a row. He'll suit up himself before that happens.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 06, 2006 at 08:57 AM
LeBron praises Kobe . . .
In the latest edition of ESPN the Magazine, Lebron James praises Kobe, saying that of all the great players in the NBA, Kobe's game impresses him the most.
Here's a link to the story, with his comments about Kobe about six paragraphs from the beginning . . .
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=broussard_chris&id=2278847
Posted by: G Dzuik | January 06, 2006 at 09:02 AM
Kobe is going to have to prove that Igoudala can't stop him.
Posted by: KB8 Fan | January 06, 2006 at 09:13 AM
Seriously, guys,
I have family in the Akron area. Friends of the family told me that they knew LeBron growing up and that he was a lifetime Lakers fan.
How long until he goes into free agency?
In the article quoted by G Dzuik he does speak quite highly of Kobe, describing him as the best in the league... almost as if he would like to play with him.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 06, 2006 at 09:33 AM
"Kobe is going to have to prove that Igoudala can't stop him."
You're thinking too much like Kobe. I think a better statement would be:
"Kobe is going to have to prove that they can win the ballgame with Igoudala guarding him."
Posted by: Kevin | January 06, 2006 at 09:41 AM
But LeBron James also says . . .
In the same article, just one paragraph below his praise for Kobe, LBJ says:
"I DON'T WANT TO GO RING-CHASING. I WANT TO STAY WITH THE CAVS AND BUILD A CHAMPION."
LBJ was also quoted recently saying that he was looking forward next season to signing a long-term exension with the Cavs.
So LeBron may not be joining the Lakers or any other team for some time to come.
Oh, well.
-- Pirate Tim
Posted by: Pirate Tim | January 06, 2006 at 09:45 AM
Interestingly, Andre Igoudala shut Kobe down during their last meeting, really frustrating him, just as Tayshaun Prince did during the NBA finals a few years ago.
But neither Igoudala nor Prince can handle LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, both of whom have torched Igoudala and Prince.
LeBron is too big and strong for them, Dwyane Wade too quick. Kobe's neither. He can be "handled."
Posted by: Deep Fried 1 | January 06, 2006 at 09:51 AM
Damn.
But then again, a friend in Akron once told me, "Man, if he left the Cavs for another team, he could never set foot in Ohio again. People would try to assassinate him or something."
I'm serious. People in Ohio start to honestly lose perspective when it comes to sports. Every year people DIE over the Browns/Steelers rivalry. Its not a rational subject among Ohioans.
So... even if he was going to leave, he wouldn't tell anyone. They'd make his life miserable out there.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 06, 2006 at 09:56 AM
it's one thing to admire Kid Kobe from afar, as Lebron James no doubt does ... but it's quite another thing to want to play with Kobe, who might be the most selfish player of our time and space ... come to think of it, Ocho might be the closest thing to a "piraha" in the league
Posted by: Red Bear | January 06, 2006 at 10:05 AM
LEBRON WILL SIGN A MAX DEAL AND STAY IN CLEVELAND. I MEAN, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME A STAR PLAYER REJECTED A MAX EXTENSION UNDER THE CURRENT COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT AND SIGNED FOR LESS ELSEWHERE? UH, NEVER.
NOTE: AND DON'T BRING UP ANY GARBAGE ABOUT LEBRON INCREASING HIS ENDORSEMENT DOLLARS BY SIGNING IN A BIGGER MARKET. HE'LL TAKE THE SURE THING -- THE MAX CONTRACT IN CLEVELAND -- AND STAY WHERE HE IS.
THEY ALWAYS DO.
Posted by: Dollar Bill LeBron | January 06, 2006 at 10:11 AM
STOP IT ALREADY!!
Igoudala stop Kobe... ha!
Prince stop Kobe ... ha!
it's so funny to read this basketball ignorance. When will people realize that players like Kobe cant be stopped and it's team defense always that frustrates a player like Kobe.
Kobe can always get by the 1st man. THAT'S WHY WEST GOT HIM TO THE LAKERS. THATS WHY HE WAS A LOTTERY PICK.
the real problem is when you have guys like Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace waiting in help defense. If you go to the whole then it takes a hard shot and the defender such as Prince knows that so he can play chest to chest defense on Kobe because WHEN NOT IF he gets beat he knows the help is coming.
WHY DONT YOU PEOPLE REALIZE THAT???
Thats why Prince never says he stops kobe because he knows the gameplan. Get close contest every shot and if you get beat trail the play because there is help coming.
So it comes down to if Kobe's jumper on and if the offense is properly spaced so WHEN he beats his man, he can finish without being crowded.
THATS THE CHESS MATCH OF BASKETBALL FOLKS. and thats why the triangle is so lovely when spaced and properly ran ...
go ahead, and return to your normally foolish talking mr. kobe hater and basketball bozos ... lol
Posted by: Korey | January 06, 2006 at 10:35 AM
Further proving my point, here's what Kobe says:
"I was playing in a closet," Bryant added. "If they want to use the same defensive principles (tonight), we should be able to get some good looks, some open looks because our spacing is much better now than it was then."
can someone else who knows hoop please step up and talk some sense?
Posted by: Korey | January 06, 2006 at 10:37 AM
Is he saying he wants to come out of the closet, then?
Posted by: KB8 Fan | January 06, 2006 at 10:51 AM
Kobe is going to come out firing tonight to make up the two games that he did not play. He will take a NBA record 50+ shots. He will probably make 15 of them.
Posted by: The Truth | January 06, 2006 at 10:55 AM
Look for Kobe to go for 100 points tonight. Send a message to the league Kobe. We're with you man.
Posted by: AB | January 06, 2006 at 11:11 AM
We either need to win tonight or Kobe needs to score 101 points. 100 points won't do. Then he'd just be copying Wilt Chamberlein and 40% of the people on this blog would be saying, "Oh, he's just trying to be like Wilt! Who does he think he is? Trade him for Dwayne Wade!"
Nope, nothing less that 101 points will do.
Go Kobe!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 06, 2006 at 11:20 AM
random thoughts...
1)although technically #12 may be a lottery pick, i don't know if you can use that position to further your argument on the fact that Kobe can get by his 1st man. #12 is NOT considered a lead pipe lock player.
2) it seems LJ has more respect for Kobe's game than some "Lakers fans".
3) whether LJ would play alongside KB is moot as it would be idiotic for either to do it. you don't need 2 $20+ mil/yr shooter/slashers to win a championship. it would be much more logical to get a good post and an outside specialist. the Lakers proved 2 years ago (and the USA bball team proves seemingly every 2 years) that you don't need an all-star team to be great! actually, it would be a detriment to have 2 guys who need to handle the ball onthe floor at the same time. that's part of LO's problem and was GP's problem when he was here.
4) why is it that Kobe has to justify his talent to some people. you think there are people in Miami who are asking D-wade if he can shut AI down? people in philly asking if AI can shut T-Mac down. It seems as though some people believe #8 is just some fledgling, fringe player who doesn't share the ball (5 apg--and BTW, in order to get an assist, the person you pass the ball to has to make the shot) and on his off days, beats up kids and kicks puppies. yet he's tricked the NBA into allowing him to have 3 rings, get invited to several all-star games, gone toe-to-toe w/ MJ as a youth (and i could go on). what exactly does the kid have to prove to you "trade kobe" people?
5) some speak of the fact that kobe can't get people to play alongside him so he should be traded, etc. etc. what superstar would want to come to a notoriously "front-running city" (i hear those Clips games are selling out now) who is willing to cast aside one of the best bballers playing currently? after reading LJ throw verbal bouquets Kobe's way and still read the insistence to get rid of this guy, i wonder why any sane superstar would want to risk going though this.
Posted by: iluvbrokli | January 06, 2006 at 11:31 AM
It is too bad that the Lakers cant acquire another scorer to help Kobe. The rest of Lakers team members(except Kobe) are playing with no talent and inconsistency. I hope if Smush will learn to play D and Luke can fire an open jump shot... it's hard...
Posted by: laxfactor | January 06, 2006 at 11:39 AM
to Jon Kavulic,
I disagreed with one of your posts yesterday, but the Wilt thing you just wrote was both FUNNY and TRUE. It made me think of the time when Kobe hurt his ribs in a playoff game and Scottie Pippen said something to the effect of, "oh, he's just trying to be like MJ when he had the flu in that Utah series."
it won't matter though if Kobe does go for 101...you can almost write now what the detractors will say. "kobe didn't get his teammates involved." "ya he scored 101, but 33 of them were from the free throw line." "but how many assists did he have." "LJ would have scored 102 and then washed your car after the game." "just b/c he scored 101 points, shut down his guy on defense and won the game single-handedly does not make him a great player." "i wonder if we can trade him for dwight howard (ok AK, that was a hidden dig)."
but here's hoping we are entertained tonight!!
Posted by: iluvbrokli | January 06, 2006 at 11:43 AM
Korey,
Kobe wasn't a lottery pick. He was chosen 13th and the lottery ended with the 11th pick, I'm just sayin.
Needless to say, I'm excited to watch the game tonight, Kobe should be bringing it with a little extra, which always makes for good entertainment.
Posted by: Andrew Z | January 06, 2006 at 11:46 AM
Brokli,
First of all, that wasn't a "hidden" dig at me. You'd have to bother hiding it for that to be the case. Haha. But seriously, no worries. I'm certainly not above being made fun of. I don't take it personally.
And do remember, I never said I would trade Kobe for Howard, just that I'd think about it. The kid will be a sick big man in the very near future. That being said, I still don't know if I'd make the swap. But I certainly wouldn't laugh at it, either.
Thanks for the comments.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | January 06, 2006 at 11:50 AM
Yes, please get Howard in LA, but not at the expense of KB8. Lamar ? Sure !
Posted by: hariyahu | January 06, 2006 at 11:52 AM
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/kobe_bryant/index.html
These are Kobe Career Stats. Please someone tell me how Kobe Bryant is a selfish player. His points and assists rose every year until Shaq Left. 2004 he averaged 6 assists on top of 28 points a game. How is that selfish? His assists totals have dropped the last 2 seasons because he no longer has the team talent he had when Shaq was here. Kobe has carried this team the last 2 seasons and has had to score a hell of a lot more to keep this team competitive. If they were keeping track of "could have been an assist" Kobe would lead the league right now.
NOW ENOUGH WITH THE KOBE BASHING AND LET THE MAN PLAY...
Posted by: GMac | January 06, 2006 at 11:54 AM
I agree - we should petition the league to keep track of FGFs - Field Goal F***ups, with additional info on whose assist was robbed.
I'm pretty sure that KB8 would have atleast 3+ assists per game if people weren't messing up layups and wide-open Js.
Posted by: hariyahu | January 06, 2006 at 12:00 PM
Haven't posted for a minute so Happy New Year Blob Brothers!!! I've been reading the posts & it caused me to wonder if I stroll onto the Spurs blog would I find a bunch of fans discussing the probability of trading Tim Duncan? Or if (dare I say it) checked out the Heat blog if I'd find fans discussing getting rid of ball hoggin D-Wade?!?!?! I know its cool to dream & its all hypothetical but I've never in my life seen or heard such open disgust for an All Star ever!!!
I've never heard an All Star's every move dissected in a negative the way a lot of you cats have been talking! If Kobe saved kids from a burning building you fans would be mad he didn't put the fire out too!!! CHILL OUT PEOPLE!!! ILUVBROKLI, you're dead on!! Kudo's to you big homey!!! And Red Bear, Kobe's a grown ass man, I don't know how old you are but he's no KID! We live in Hollywood so I shouldn't be surprised we're in a consatnt dream state but we've got stop getting on the blog & just bashing Kobe!! He hasn't played in two games & he's still the reason why the team lost?! Maybe if any of the other Lakers had heart they would have protected their best player by retaliating against Mike Miller & Kobe wouldn't have been in that position!!! Instead we're breaking down whether his elbow was "bush league or not"!!! I LOVED Kobe's elbow & his statement after the game!! He's trying to instill some fire into a sometime lifeless bunch of supporting players. And I know what you guys will say, "He asked for it when he got Shaq traded!!!" AND THAT is the problem Laker Fans, we're all still in mourning over the Shaq thing & I'd rather you guys just come out & say it!!! Then once you get over it & realize he's not coming back MAYBE we can all honor the effort, class, and work ethic of a great ball player!! The guy all of you are coveting just payed him the ultimate compliment by saying he lacked the fire of Kobe Bryant! If Lebron can see Kobe's brilliance (and he ACTUALLY plays in the NBA unlike any of us!!!) then why can't the people who get to watch it everynight?
P.S. Roll the dice on Turiaf!!! If Kwame was capable of putting up those kind of numbers we may have won some of those close games. We need that hustle on the boards & it may inspire (if it doesn't let's break out the cattle prod :-) Kwame to see a rookie out there banging!!!
Posted by: Mitch | January 06, 2006 at 12:20 PM
The Kobe digs go through their cycles. At first they're humorous, then their tedious, then they go on so long that they start to get humorous again.
Guys, we've got Kobe on our team! Be thankful.
Unfortunately, the moaning, crying and screaming from the Haters Section of the arena won't calm down until we start winning and will settle down to a mumur only once we've won a couple of championships.
There's nothing we can do about it. Haters always need something to complain about.
The question is, "What are all the real fans going to talk about in the meantime?" Do we have to waste all our time trying to convince the unconvinceable to the fact that Kobe is an amazing player and the envy of the rest of the league (Shaq being the exception)?
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 06, 2006 at 12:49 PM
Jon,
Did you watch the last samurai? I don't want Kobe to be the "last samurai". I meant human being needs to have colleagues. I will be snoring on my couche if Kobe by himself running the floor. I luv Kobe, but I luv the Lakers, too. Go Lakers!
Posted by: laxfactor | January 06, 2006 at 01:03 PM
Let's discuss something positive about the Lakers... I think they will win tonite not because of their ability but due to law of probability. Go Lakers, let's start the winning habit.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | January 06, 2006 at 01:03 PM
A lot of you assume that the people posting negative stuff are Lakers fan, IF THEY ARE then SOCAL is the front running capital of the world. Who in Gods name wants to post stuff about Duncan or the Spurs? A One Horse Town like San Antonio is just glad that he wants to stay there and not relocate.
The only athlete in a major city (city with more than one nationally recognized Newspaper) getting any love is Derek Jeter. Arod gets killed in the papers for every action or inaction, it always his fault.
I will say this about us KOBE fans we are a fanatical sensitive lot, we notice everything, slights, perceived slights, implied slights, and potential slights, all are given equal attention.
Sometimes you just let these comments go, the author is anonymous and so is their intention.
I know one thing, I did not vote 1.5 million times for Kobe so the man is doing something right and those that recognize it are plentiful.
Posted by: The In-House Crowd | January 06, 2006 at 01:04 PM
Man, I hope Kobe scores 120 points off of 70 shots tonight AND flagrantly fouls every member of the opposite team without somehow getting thrown out of the game!
What Kobe needs to do is go for a 100 SHOT game! That'll shut the Haters up!
Kobe, Wilt scored 100! You can do better! Go for 200! Come on, bro! Are you saying that Wilt's better than you? Are you? Huh?
(That's ought to do it.)
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 06, 2006 at 01:18 PM
philly, statistically, seems to be better than us all around. so for the lakers to win tonight, the X-factors will be:
1. offensive glass
2. the four spot
with webber all hobbled and stuff, we need a strong game from our bigs...cook, kwame and i'm even going to throw in lamar. No. 7 needs to aggressively drive to the hole if give the opportunity.
Go LAKE SHOW!
and that david aldridge article; howbeit nice but i promise i read the exact same column about two weeks ago from another philly writer. whatever. it's much better than those 'kill kobe kolumns'
Posted by: CBuck | January 06, 2006 at 01:19 PM
Everybody needs to take a step back when comparing KOBE and the rest of the league. All the players these basketball Geniuses are comparing to KOBE have more or... way more help than KOBE does. What KOBE is doing right now taking a team as talented or maybe less talented as The mighty Portland TrailBlazers and making them a 5 to 8 place team in the TOUGH WEST so Deepfrye and corn bread and all you KOBE haters Shut it and enjoy the show. If a Lekers fan you have the NBA's best player for the next 4 to 5 years in your team. He just does not have a Rodman and Pipen yet
Posted by: RayRay | January 06, 2006 at 01:28 PM
Kwame need to prove he's a REAL Laker tonight by visciously elbowing Chris Webber in the face as he shouts out "Here's one from the Laker Nation, baby!"
I'm expecting a bloody spectacle tonight with injured players on the other team, fist fights, and Kobe scoring A MINIMUM of 101 points, though I think 120 is a more reasonable goal.
If I don't get all one of these things tonight in my dose of sports entertainment, I will be on this blog in a fury DEMANDING that each and every member of the Lakers franchise (AND THAT INCLUDES JERRY BUSS) be traded to Atlanta and Toronto.
I've made my demands known.
Go Lakers.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 06, 2006 at 01:30 PM
laxfactor,
Kobe TOTALLY needs to be the Last Samurai!
One game, just one game, Phil needs to declare his starting line up as the following: At Center, Kobe Bryant! At Small Forward, Kobe Bryant! At Shooting Guard, Kobe Bryant! At Power Forward, Kobe Bryant! At Point Guard, Kobe Bryant!
It could be against the Knicks or something and for the whole game, all 48 minutes, Kobe Bryant solo against the Knicks!
It would be great!
I predict the final score: Lakers (Kobe Bryants) 86; Knicks 79.
Just to get it out of Kobe's system. Just one game. Then we could go back to a good old fashioned five Lakers on the court at a time.
I think it would be enough for Kobe to make his point and chill out. I honestly think Phil should consider it.
You know Kobe would do it. You know he would.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 06, 2006 at 01:37 PM
Kobe will be hyped up for the game tonight after missing two games due to suspension.
The main question for tonights game will be: how many shots will Kobe take tonight? And will Kobe again be so hyper that he will just SETTLE for 'bad' shots in the 4th quarter, killing any Laker rallies?
Posted by: Steven | January 06, 2006 at 01:38 PM
i'll go you one better jon...
if Kobe doesn't have 46 points by the end of the 1st quarter, i want him and LO traded immediately after the game for Brian Scalabrinie, Harold Minor, a pitcher to be named, Freddie Adu and the Minnesota Wild's second round pick in 2009!
Posted by: iluvbrokli | January 06, 2006 at 01:41 PM
iluvbrokli,
I think your demands are entirely reasonable. The problem is as Lakers fans we've been asking TOO LITTLE of Kobe Bryant. It's time for the kid to step up!
46 points for the first quarter? He should be AVERAGING 46 points a quarter, each and every quarter!
If Kobe doesn't finish this year with an AVERAGE of 118 points a game, I say we trade him for a second round draft pick from Kazakhstan and $120 in food stamps.
I'm tired of this crap! When's this kid going to earn his keep! Who's with me!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 06, 2006 at 01:52 PM
Yep,
Here is my take, 110 points, 35 Assists, 40 rebounds and 25 blocked shots....Or we trade Kobe for a bucket of hot wings and a player to be named later.
Posted by: The In-house Crowd | January 06, 2006 at 02:01 PM
I can honestly say I think the Lakers win by double digits tonight. My first inclination was to think Kobe would jack up 40 shots but I think we’re more apt to see him get closer to a triple double. I also just realized that we are currently the 10th seed in the West. That could be a little frightening but we should also realize that we are only 3 games out of the 6th spot. I think this makes it important to note that every game is something to have a sense of urgency about. I know they’re a young team, and they need time to learn the triangle and yada, yada, yada, but at the end of the year it looks like there will be 5-6 team vying for 2-3 playoff spots and when the dust settles, one game in the loss column could mean the difference between the playoffs and sitting at home. I think the Lakers need to have a little desperation in the way they play and get this ship righted. Let’s hope we see that tonight.
And my last point for now. If Mitch Kupchak doesn’t sign Turiaf and he spends the year in Spain, I will no longer support him. He’s made it difficult enough to this point, but I have tried my best to rationalize and defend some of his moves, but if he drops this ball all bets are off and the gloves are coming out. I think all of us on this blog agree that what the Lakers need most right now (other than a #2 option) is someone to play with a little fire (besides Kobe). If there is a more perfect guy than Turiaf to fill that void, I’d like to meet him. This guy was a ball of energy at Gonzaga and now that he’s lucky to be alive he’s going to play with reckless abandon. The only reason that I could see that he hasn’t been signed yet is that there is a trade in the works and we need the spot(s) on the roster. We do have his rights so if he goes to Spain and just gets conditioning, maybe that would be okay, IF we have a trade lined up. Let’s hope Mitch doesn’t eff this thing up.
I heard Kazakhstan is beautiful this time of year.
Posted by: Andrew Z | January 06, 2006 at 02:05 PM
Steven,
As Lakers fans, we need to accept that there are NO BAD SHOTS for Kobe Bryant. He takes a shot, he's expected to make it, EVERY TIME!
This is why Iluvbrokli and I have come to the reasonable conclusion that Kobe should take every damn shot he wants whenever he wants to take it, okay? This is the only way Kobe is going to get up to the reasonable expectation of averaging over 100 points a game.
For God's sake, they should inbound the ball to him, and he should just turn around and huck it at the basket. SWOOSH!
Over and over. That's our new game plan. In bound the ball to Kobe, Kobe shoots, Kobe scores, Lakers win.
It's so simple. I don't why no one's thought of this in the past.
ONWARDS TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 06, 2006 at 02:13 PM
Maybe it's because Turiaf is not upto full conditioning yet? Meaning that the Lakers don't think he'll be productive in the NBA at his present conditioning level? I hate Kupchak just as much as anyone else on this roster [okay, maybe a little lesser :)], but what sane reason can he have not to sign Turiaf? Why would he not do it? The only reason I can think of is health.
Posted by: hariyahu | January 06, 2006 at 02:15 PM
jon,
118 points? if we are gonna have him averaging 46 a period (and you're right, he should be the damn slacker), he would be averaging 184 points a game. that would be respectable, i guess. would that be ok steven?
i hear the KBA is a great league with many prospects. i hope it's a high 2nd round pick though b/c i hear after the first 35 prospects, the rest are "iffy".
do you think we could negotiate for $150 in food stamps? the Lakers can use it to go to the corner store and buy their own ground beef, some cheese, a pack of bacon and some hamburger buns for the team when they go to Sacto!
Posted by: iluvbrokli | January 06, 2006 at 02:18 PM
the in-crowd,
Jon and i concur--very reasonable projections. that reminds me of the LeBron commercial though...
Pops: that's a quadruple double...
Cool-ass 1970's LeBron: dat don't make no sense!
the bucket of wings has to be extra-hot and the player to be named must be a freshman 12th man from Dartmouth! that is the only way we can consider this an equal trade. after all, we aren't just gonna give Kobe away!!
Posted by: iluvbrokli | January 06, 2006 at 02:29 PM
Well, it would be 118 points FOR THE YEAR, so we'd have to calculate in his slacker 30ish points that he's been barely churning out so far.
I mean, the nerve of that kid. 30 points a game? He better step up, man, or I hope he likes Kazakhstan.
Also, I think the $120 in food stamps would be the equivalent of the salaries of the remaining players in the KBA, so asking for $150 would probably be too much.
The players in the KBA have been taught to forage for food. I hope you're a quick learner Kobe! I hear its no easy feat digging through the tundra for edible roots. I hope you like the cold!
46 POINTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER, KOBE! 46 POINTS! OTHERWISE YOUR GETTING THE FIRST BUS TICKET TO KAZAKHSTAN AFTER THE GAME! DO YOU HEAR ME KOBE! LAKER NATION HAS HAD ENOUGH! TIME TO PRODUCE! THIS IS BASKETBALL!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 06, 2006 at 02:35 PM
I expect Lakers to Win this game and get the no 8 spot in playoff race. To win this game we need to play team defense and Team Basketball. Even if Kobe scores 30 of 35 wont help. at least 3 starters should be in double scores. I believe we will just do that.
Lakers will kick AI and Igudala's ass all the way to Phily.
Posted by: Laker Fan | January 06, 2006 at 02:36 PM
Kobe and AI are going to combine tonight for 229 points!
Now THAT'S quality basketball!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 06, 2006 at 02:39 PM
LakerFan,
you're right, Kobe going for 30-35 won't help...but 118 will! jump on board w/ us. there is no way Kobe should be constrained by any earthly things such as physics, probabilities and statistics, defenses, the fact that there is only 48 minutes in a game and by rule the other team must possess the ball after each made shot!!!
Jon,
Kobe needs to defend too, don't forget. but the twist is, he has to defend not only every player on the other team, but he also must defend the best player on his team. so what i am saying is he needs to check...himself. and i expect him to shut himself down on defense, but i also expect him to go off on offense! if he doesn't score 118 points while simultaneously holding himself to under 12 points on defense, that greyhound ticket to Kazakhstan will be in his locker when he goes in to shower!!
Posted by: iluvbrokli | January 06, 2006 at 02:55 PM
Iluvbrokli,
You're right! If that bastard doesn't hold himself to 12 points while scoring 118 points on himself, its going to be a long cold winter in Kazakhstan foraging for wild turnips in the snow!
All I'm saying is that he better show up tonight or the KBA is going to get its newest American punching bag!
This is basketball, Kobe! This is basketball!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 06, 2006 at 03:06 PM
Deep fried, and others please. Nobody can stop kobe consistently. He had an off night, he is human. Kobe is better than Wade and almost everyone else out there at his position. 62 in three quarters, outscoring an offensive minded team by himself, enough said.
Posted by: ramon | January 06, 2006 at 04:20 PM
GUY'S I SEEN ALOST OF YOU'LL E-MAIL AN IT MAKE ME SICK JUST LIKE YOU'LL HOME-BOY ROMME YOU KNOW THE GUY WITH THE RADIO & TV SHOW THE JUNGLE GUY HE NEED TO BE RAN OUT OF LA ON RAIL NOW YOU TALKEN ABOUT A KOBE HATER LOOK NO FOUTHER THEN ROMME GO LAKER MOST OF ALL GO KOLBE 30+ POINT 8ASSIT 2 BLOCK 3STIL 8BORD YA! THAT WILLDO IT.
Posted by: ONEMANGAME | January 06, 2006 at 04:46 PM