Extra! Extra (5.10)
Never let it be said Kobe Bryant can't type with the best of them. After getting word that Charles Barkley criticized his "selfish play" in game 7's loss to Phoenix, Kobe text messaged Chuck to relay his dissatisfaction. The two exchanged about 20 messages, most of which were reportedly unprintable on this blog. When it was all said and done, Sir Charles didn't change his opinion (good luck making that happen), but admired Kobe's up front response and emphasized that this isn't personal. Having gotten things off his chest with Barkley, Kobe may decide to text this guy in Charlotte next. But before addressing all these people, he's gonna have to ice down his thumbs for a while. That's enough texting to tear a ligament.
Sure, the Lakers could have eliminated the Suns, played the Clippers in a historic round 2 for the ages and perhaps advanced to the Western Conference Finals. But don't you feel better knowing the city of Phoenix is better off the way things are now? Probably not, but Lakersblog is always trying to help its readers find silver linings.
This cat was a beast at Cal.
Darth Kobe, Studio Gangsta?.... One man's opinion, interesting read.
http://www.blacksportsonline.com/rldarth.html
Posted by: will | May 10, 2006 at 09:13 AM
I hate this deification of MJ. It's almost like WWMJ do? If MJ was here, he'd consume the English with fireballs from his eyes and bolts of lightning from his arse! HOGWASH! If Kobe played against Kelly Tripucka, he'd be dunking all over him, too!
Posted by: Blind Worshipper | May 10, 2006 at 09:13 AM
Yeah, the city of Phoenix needs all the help it can get now that their games have been dropped by ABC :) They may have the Most Valuable player, but apparently that's far from the Most Viewable...
Is anybody still actually still watching these playoffs? I'd imagine the Neilsen ratings went right into the toilet once the Lakers were eliminated.
Posted by: Kevin McK | May 10, 2006 at 09:15 AM
...but Barkley is an idiot. why does anyone care what he has to say. I'd pick him on my basketball team anyday, but not on my debate team.
Posted by: jq | May 10, 2006 at 09:21 AM
The Kobe in Game 7 issue is just making news that people can argue about. It wouldn't have mattered if Kobe took 50 shots in the second quarter - nobody, from the coaches on down, showed up to win that game. Nobody.
The attention doesn't have anything to do with Game 7 - that was over in the first 5 minutes when Phoenix shot 120% from the field (sure seemed like it). It has everything to do with the national media creating controversy around Kobe so they have something to shout about on Cold Pizza/PTI/etc.
Posted by: Slim Eddy | May 10, 2006 at 09:25 AM
I’m already waiting impatiently for next season to start. This season was so much fun. Thanks to the K bros. and LA Times for this blog. I’ve been waiting for something like this to express my Laker thoughts for a long time. Most of the time, what I’m thinking is already said, but sometimes I have to set things straight whether it’s with a hater or just another Laker fan who I believe is on the wrong track with their points. But overall, this blog is the sheezy. If only we had this during the glory days.
I like the fact that the Lakers are going to pretty much stay as they are for next year. If we could get a guy like Mike James or Speedy Claxton, it would be nice. But I think that Aaron Mckie is going to comeback next year and take control of the point whether we pick up another guy or even if we keep Smush. Mckie didn’t have much of a chance this year to work his way into the rotation. But when he came back at the end of the season, I thought he showed good poise and a good grasp of the offense. I remember he was even telling Sasha what to do out there and Sasha had been playing the whole year. His leadership and experience would be a huge lift for this young squad. He can shoot, play good fundamental defense, and he has a year of observing and working with the triangle. I sure hope he’s healthy for next year, he would provide a huge lift for us.
The situation regarding Mihm and Kwame is going to be complicated. I like Mihm, I like Kwame. They both do things that help the team. They both do things that hurt the team. In my opinion, Kupchak needs to choose which one to keep. Personally I’d keep Kwame if given the choice between the two. But I would explore trades for both if we could get a player who can convert easy lay-ups and play strong defense. When you think about it though, there’s not much out there in the big man department. Kwame is only 23-24 and has a lot of upside still. I’d take Kwame over 75% of the bigs in the NBA today based only on his presence in the middle. But, on the other hand, to have a guy like Mihm as a back-up center is a luxury. We’ll have the option of throwing a twin-tower-like line up on the floor, which could come in handy.
If you think that Phil did a bad job this year as coach, you have no credibility. Anyone with even only a little basketball IQ can see what a great job Phil has done with this team. As a teacher myself, I learn strategies of how to motivate and teach from Phil. I learn how to articulate ideas and concepts to my students from Phil. It’s all about results, and you cannot argue with the results Phil has been able to achieve.
Finally, everyone needs to get off Kobe’s jock strap on this “quitting” thing. He did not quit people! He had 23 points in the 1st half and the Lakers were still down by 15. I cannot believe I’m even acknowledging this nonsense. I can’t understand why Kobe did either. It’s total BS.
Posted by: Rocky | May 10, 2006 at 09:27 AM
I know why Kobe responded. The guy rightfully had had enough of the trash talking from guys in the media without ever really getting the chance to respond back especially Charles 'Gripes' Barkley. I would've blown my fuse too if everything I did was never good enough. You shoot too much you're selfish, you shoot too little your selfish because your team needed you. When it comes to Kobe people just have this hypocritical attitude about him that switches from game to game only true Lakers fans can appreciate a guy like Kobe who does what he has to do to make his team.
Whether it be recognizing that he has to score alot to win or being able to pass to his confident and hot shooting teammates. Like his commercial says....
Hate me or Love me
Posted by: BahamaLakerDude | May 10, 2006 at 09:50 AM
Don't blame Kobe on game 7, Charles Barkey is a big man with a small brain. In game 4 at LA, we could see Lakers almost lost that game, from game 4 to game 7, i can see Lakers players were not ready to fight, in game 6 you can tell Lakers try to score when Phoenix score, that is a sign of looser. Next season, Kobe should learn not to take many difficult shots, and don't rush to shoot, save your energy for the playoffs. If Lakers make playoff next season, and still fail to next second round, Laker should find a new coach with strong will, defensive-mind. This season, Lakers can make any excuse from coach to player, next year no more, and don't tell Lakers fan, we still learning triangle.
Posted by: bluesky | May 10, 2006 at 10:12 AM
I don't think Kwame Brown is a wise decision as one of the "core" for this Laker team. I absolutely believe Lamar Odom is ready to make the leap into perennial All-Star, but there is something missing in the mind and heart of Kwame Brown that I believe is dangerous to hang future hopes on. The fact that Bynum is still at least two years from doing anything, and Kwame's contract would basically get us someone else's overpaid garbage in return, we're probably stuck with him. I'm glad he made strides in the last 20 games, but what does it say that he needed someone else's season ending injury to finally get him going? Michael T might say he just needed playing time, but the kind of player I want as part of the foundation of my team would be one that would out work everyone else and earn those minutes.
Anyway, at least LO looks like he's a good fit.
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 10, 2006 at 10:37 AM
PHIL JACKSON A MICHAEL JORDAN LOYALIST!
by: Michael Teniente
PJ might be a great coach. With 9 NBA Championships it's hard to argue against that. But over the past year, on this blog, there has been one reoccuring theme. Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Steve Kerr, and Doug Collins. What do they have in common? They are all Michael Jordan loyalist. And as MJ loyalist they have been very critical of Kobe Bryant. I really didn't get into those discussions when they were happening because I, personally, thought it was obvious and I thought: Why waste my time with that?
Well, now I'm going to throw my 2 cents in that conversation with an added twist. Phil Jackson, too, is a Michael Jordan loyalist.
I'll try to keep this short as possible, not because I care what anyone will say about a possible long post, but because I'm lazy. Here it goes.
When PJ came aboard in 2000 he had a Shaq and Kobe combination. He was very well please to try to get that group of Lakers to as many Championships as possilbe. Why? Because it only enhanced his reputation and solidified HIS "greatness" as a basketball coach. He had no worries about preserving MJ greatness because:
1. It wasn't an issue because Bryant wasn't there yet as threat to MJ's greatness.
2. As long as Shaq was around Bryant would never get to Jordan or greater status.
It was all about Phil Jackson! Shaq and Kobe cancelled each other out.
Now that Kobe's greatness is being seen by all the world and he is becoming a threat, we see the likes of Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Kerr, and Collins coming to the rescue of MJ's legacy. They do it with there so-called "expert" opinions. I really don't worry about those guys because Kobe is going make them eat there words. I do, however, worry about PJ because he is in position to do the little subtle things to make Kobe look bad. As coach of the Lakers he is in control of game plans and what not. Like when he refused to make adjustments in the Phoenix series. Why would he do that? In his mind it was justified because no one expected the Lakers to beat the Suns anyway. If the Suns had beaten the Suns, which they should have, then Bryant's greatness would have been on the rise instead of being questioned. All these MJ loyalist, you see, are also PJ loyalist, too. MJ and PJ go together hand in hand. That's why they don't question PJ coaching during the Phoenix series, but everyone on this blog knows that PJ had 3 games to make the proper and easy adjustments but he didn't. Leave it to the MJ/PJ loyalist to blame Bryant.
Bryant is on the verge of even greater greatness than Jordan. The only one in any position to stop that from happening is PJ. For example: The '96 Bulls won 72 games. They beat the old record of 69 wins set by our 1972 Lakers. With Bryant, Lamar, Kwame and Bynum as a core we could easily challenge for that 72 win record. That is MJ and PJ's prize possession as a couple. I say as long as PJ is at the helm of the Lakers he will never coach with the intention of threatening that record or for that matter, he will never coach with the intention of letting Bryant's greatness challenge MJ legacy. Because PHIL JACKSON IS A MICHAEL JORDAN LOYALIST before Barkley, Pippen, Kerr. He is and will always be "their" coach.
Phil Jackson is in postition to be subtle in handling of the "Bryant" situation. But as a Bryant loyalist I encourage you all to be more critical of PJ coaching in the coming season. Watch of the subtle things, like playing a back up like Mihm big minutes, or Brian Cook and Smush Parker. Defensive liabilities! You can bet your last dollar I'm going to be watching and writing about it. Why? Because I'm a Bryant loyalist. And as such, I truely want PJ out!
As for some of the people on this blog calling for Bryant to publically endorse PJ. I say NEVER! Don't do it Kobe! Make PJ prove he is in your corner before you endorse such a MJ loyalist.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | May 10, 2006 at 10:43 AM
CORRECTION:
Barkley wasn't part of the Bulls Championship years. But we all know he is a MJ loyalist.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | May 10, 2006 at 10:48 AM
Ouch. Nasty emails.
I gotta feel sorry for Kobe. With the way the rest of the team was playing, there was no way that the Lakers were going to win. If he shoots 25 times in the second half trying to keep them from losing, then he's a selfish gunner who thinks of his stats before everything else. If he doesn't shoot enough times, then he's a selfish egomaniac willing to throw a Game 7 to prove a point.
Posted by: Jimbo | May 10, 2006 at 10:59 AM
Michael T,
You're joking right? You wrote that post just to get everyone worked up, I know you did. You had to because no one in their right mind would actually believe that stuff.
I read the post a couple times and this is my favorite line:
"With Bryant, Lamar, Kwame and Bynum as a core we could easily challenge for that 72 win record."
I love that one, but it was a bit down the post, so all I have to say is, you had me at "I do, however, worry about PJ because he is in position to do the little subtle things to make Kobe look bad."
I think I just fell for your joke and responded, my bad.
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 10, 2006 at 11:09 AM
walking home from school,and its a bit of a long walk i started thinking about our beloved lakers and my hate to some of the experts and i smiled.
why did i smile?
becaus i knew,what did i know?
i knew that when kwame becomes the second coming of jermain oneil and mitch looks like a genius and the experts are eating theur words i would be there smiling.
when kobe wins the forth title and shows that he is better than shaq,i will be there smilling.
when he wins back to back to back mvp(greater than any acheivment coz of players like bron and flash) i will be there smilling.
when he gets the seventeenth title and the lakers are tyhe most titeld franchis i will be there smilling.
when bynum kobe lamar kwame dynasti rules the NBA like the days of showtime and the early celtics.i will be there smilling
and when they retire the N 8 and it will be N 8 and hail kobe as the greatest player ever and discuss lebron being his heir and bynum beeing russel s .
u can beleive i will be there smilling.
Posted by: purple and gold | May 10, 2006 at 11:22 AM
Believe me....If Kobe would have shot the lights out to get tham back in the game, most of the critics would have been more defiant of selfishness. Against the Suns, I can easitly say that "They won as a team and then lost as a team." Can you Imagine the Headlines, if Kobe would have taken over and stil loss?
Posted by: willn2win | May 10, 2006 at 11:25 AM
Mike-
While Andrew Z already addressed the point about next year's team "easily" being able to challenge the 72 win mark- a completely ludicrous notion, frankly)- I wanted to address the other point. And unlike Andrew Z, I'm working under the possible assumption that you're not actually joking. If you are, my bad.
You seem to imply that PJ tanked the Phoenix series to protect his legacy with MJ. Because if they won, Kobe's star would have been brighter than his. There are a few things wrong with that premise, but I'll mention one in particular. Do you not think that PJ would have been called a freakin' genius for getting this bunch of guys into the second round of the playoffs? I do. Rather than hurt his legacy as a coach, beating Phoenix would have helped him immensely. The notion that he doesn't want Kobe to go farther in the playoffs b/c he is concerned about MJ's status is, frankly, off base. By a lot. I realize you're not a fan of the guy, but in this case, I think you're way off.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 10, 2006 at 11:25 AM
Magic Johnson is the best.
Posted by: Blind Worshipper | May 10, 2006 at 11:27 AM
Can we put Jon/Kon in there?
That moron, as much as his statistics are, just keeps on bringup that Lebron bs just show off his man.
Heck can someone call him Brokeback?
I'd say a Broken Back Brokeback Cavalier loving pinhead trying as much as he can trying to convince us LeBron is the next Michael Jordan. Fact is, just like Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NO ONE IS GONNA REPLACE MJ. And yet that pinhead keeps on rattling how great LeBron is.
Posted by: arthas (Tom Brady) | May 10, 2006 at 11:28 AM
Mike T,
Seriously give this PJ thing a rest. Your posts while I didn't always agree with them were still based in logic. Now you're so blinded by this PJ thing you think he's sabatoging Kobe, the Lakers and his own legacy just to keep Kobe from reaching MJ status.
You think PJ cares more about his loyalty to MJ than passing Red Auerbach? That's insane as is your post. Seriously, you need to pull yourself together because the logic behind your posts have declined as swiftly as the Lakers lost their 3-1 lead.
Posted by: Xodus | May 10, 2006 at 11:29 AM
BTW, I fotgot to mention how you think this team has the talent to challenge the 72 win mark....WHAT?! Are you insane this is just another example of the decline of the quality of your posts.
Posted by: Xodus | May 10, 2006 at 11:33 AM
Okay, I had to say something else even though my arm is getting sore from beating this horse, but I don't think anyone should think that the only thing that kept us from winning the Phoenix series, notably the 7th game, were "easy" adjustments that were obvious. We just didn't have the players to stop that Suns team, especially when they got rolling. I think Game 1 of the Clippers series proved that this Suns team is on a serious offensive roll. Stopping their pick and roll was a bit more difficult than Michael Teniente makes it out to be. It just wasn't our day, what can you say?
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 10, 2006 at 11:47 AM
mike t. ur crazy phoenix beat us because we could not step up to the challange, and we crawled into our hole and didnt fight back. plain and simple, we played well enough to sweep phoenix but then we could not throw a rock in the ocean in gms.5-7 the game plan was pefect we didnt step up peroid. it upsets me too, but there is no one to blame no one can run with them. just ask the clippers with their ball hog elton brand that no one says anything about his ass all hes done all season is be a ball hog dammit maybe the league will see how much phoenixs flopping hurt their ratings because thats the only answer they had coupled with our own turnovers we basically gave them this series...but looking into next season maybe we can get that armstrong kid from uconn in the draft to play four he has good d or make a trade of mimh for melvin ely, or what about wally in a laker uni he would be a big plus,can we get back d-fish? or what about jason rich he wants out great defensive player,maybe work out a deal for gearld wallace,brevin knight.what about peja if he can stay healthy.im so exicted i wish these playoffs ended b/c outside of me loving lebron getting blown out there it really sucks.
Posted by: smooth d | May 10, 2006 at 11:50 AM
How many of you read Michael T's post and thought of Phil Jackson sitting around doing his best Dr. Evil impersonation, plotting a way to sabotage Kobe?
Kobe: Hey coach, I have a game plan for Game 7.
Phil: Is it an eevvill game plan?
Kobe: Um, no. It's just an easy and obvious adjustment to stop the Suns offense.
Phil: Is it an eevvill adjustment.
Kobe: You're such an MJ loyalist!!
Phil: An eevvill loyalist?
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 10, 2006 at 11:57 AM
I'll write my full report by tomorrow. Right now I have a lot of things to do.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | May 10, 2006 at 12:03 PM
man, it's been 4 days since the lakers were eliminated and we've still got media folks bashing Kobe. What obsession!
Kobe has become bigger than the sport. Talking about him in a good way or a bad way brings in ratings/readership.
Kobe is probably thinking about going back to his "shell" now (something Mark Heisler has wrote about many times on LA Times). Too bad.. because he was just starting to open up, joke around, etc.
Media is using and abusing him right now. I just hope that the lakers' mangement do their part. Kobe trusted this organization because of their past and re-signed with the team. Now it's their job to not waste his prime years and build a contender. Only winning can "cure" things or at least shut people/media up.
Posted by: Lakerfan | May 10, 2006 at 12:04 PM
Mike T. is STILL in his pajamas everybody!!!! He believes if he rants enough about Phil that Mitch Kupchak (who according to him reads the blog & makes decisions based on what us fans think) will give him a call & ask him to take over as coach!!!
Mike T is now officially the Raja Bell of the Blog!!! He needs a hug!!!
Faith, I'm sorry I'm married cause I'd snatch you up from this obvious nut case!!!
Mike, smoke a joint or something!! Cause God forbid if I here about some man in pajamas running around PJ'S Montana ranch, I'll know who it is!!!
Posted by: Mitch | May 10, 2006 at 12:06 PM
Andrew Z, umm yeah such an adjustment existed. In fact either one of the following in game 6 would have been enough
i. Put kobe on nash, it would have prevented us from getting killed on those pick and rolls.
ii. Bench smush or tell him if he's gonna have another field goal attempt it'd better be driving to the loan.
Posted by: Taliq | May 10, 2006 at 12:14 PM
I just want to say I've been getting on Mike T a lot lately & I don't want anybody to think I'm out to destroy his points or anything BUT it's just too much fun not to mention anything at all!!
In a way, I think he does this to get our responces & if that's his plan, its working!!! I mean what I say in fun & I hope you guys see the humor.
But with that said...THIS IS FROM HIM...
I'll write my full report by tomorrow. Right now I have a lot of things to do.
mike
DO YOU THINK WE'RE ALL WAITING AROUND FOR YOUR NEXT "BRILLIANT" POINT?!?! GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOU A$$!!! YOU NEED A TIMEOUT FROM THE BLOG, PAL!! TAKE OFF THE PAJAMAS & GET FITTED FOR THAT STRAIGHT JACKET!!!!
Posted by: Mitch | May 10, 2006 at 12:16 PM
By tomorrow I will address the responses to my post. But I'm going to channel all of your responses through BK's. Sometime tomorrow I'll write my theories down. You can bet it's going to be a long one. I'm going to explain it thoroughly.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | May 10, 2006 at 12:17 PM
Will,
Loved the Darth Kobe article. I think Kobe is a rare breed that is either loved or hated, there seems to be no middle ground. Mark my words even when he wins a championship the critics will say umm oh he had a great team around him, or imagine how many championships he could have already if he hadn't been selfish his entire career, or oh he's second fiddle again look how few shots he took, or wow he almost lost them the championship with the number of difficult shots he took.
So Kobe, embrace the dark side, say fcuk to the critics. We your fans who blindly love ya will follow.
Posted by: Taliq | May 10, 2006 at 12:20 PM
I read the TJ Simers bit on Kobe and it was trash. I've always reluctantly respected his columns because of I thought he had a good, dry sense of humor. Sort of self-deprecating and usually a decent read. However, he crossed over into idot-land when he claimed that Kobe quit. I've lost complete respect for the writing hack.
I know it's been beaten to death but if Kobe shoots too much, he's selfish. If he passes too much, he's tanking. One on one, he would have gone for 60. But when you're double teamed, you're supposed to pass. He does, but the rest of the team doesn't come through. Kobe gets the ball to the open man and HE'S not a team player? If he plays aggressively, the refs call the charge, even if it's painfully obvious to basketball fans that the whole Phoenix team spent the off-season in acting class. He was handcuffed from the start. So to think that he did what he did on purpose is to be watching the game with blinders on.
Posted by: Jimmy | May 10, 2006 at 12:20 PM
Man Kobe is awesome!
Why? The Lakers lost on Saturday night to the Phoenix Suns. The fans in Phoenix didn't cheer their team instead they shouted Kobe Sucks! Kobe Sucks! They didn't cheer on their own. No Steve Nash MVP chant, No we love Raja Bell, all of their energy was focused on Kobe not the accomplishment of their team coming back from 3-1 down in spectular and decisive fashion in games 6 and 7.
It's Wednesday and the hot topic is still Kobe Bryant did he tank game 7. Yes he did and why, No he didn't and why not. The Suns won the game but the Lakers and Kobe Bryant get all the media attention. Win or Lose.
On this blog you have folks coming from all over to talk about Kobe? The Lakers aren't playing anymore, but the hottest topic in the basketball world is not Lebron, Shaq, Dwayne Wade, the Detroit Pistons or the comeback of the Phoenix Suns. It's all Kobe all the time.
Why because the young man is awesome! If he wasn't you wouldn't have people always trying to pontificate why he isn't. Folks don't talk about folks who don't matter. Kobe Bryant matters, the constant criticism and praise validates just how much he matters.
Kobe Bryant is still the man and his team has already been eliminated for days. No one's talking about the Wizards, Bulls, Bucks, etc., etc. anymore. But the Lakers are and more importantly Kobe Bryant is the hottest topic in the NBA. Love him or Hate him folks pay to see him, they pay to cheer him, they pay to boo him, they write column after column and blog after blog about him because he's awesome!
Only the great ones can affect people in this manner. So for all of those who hate him, thank you! For all of those who love him, thank you. It only solidifies his greatest.
I've been a Laker's Fan for over 25 years and this was one of the most exciting non-championship seasons in Laker history, all thanks to one Kobe Bean Bryant!
Lakers-4-Life
Posted by: Fan of the Mamba | May 10, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Mike T,
You must be a copy cat serial critic. Just as Barkley and the rest of the media constantly seeks a way to blindly assault kobe's character, you're doing the same only now Phil's the one that's the subject of a raving loony tune.
Damn homie, a few weeks ago you were the man on this board, what the fcuk happened to you yo?
Posted by: Taliq | May 10, 2006 at 12:26 PM
In hindsight, the Lakers simply didn't have the horses to compete. Think about it. In the years since Magic retired, teams who have eliminated them have had one central weapon. A PG with quicks who picks and rolls them to death. The old Suns did it with KJ. The Jazz did it with Stockton. The Spurs did it with AJ and Parker. And the Suns did it again with Nash.
They simply let the Suns back into the series. Kobe can't do it all, but not at the same time. The young role players were just that in the end.
For all of my problems with Bryant, they have little to do with his play in this series. He mostly did what he could.
But if indeed he quit (which is a questionable allegation), it's a bad omen for the future.
Posted by: William Haynes | May 10, 2006 at 12:32 PM
Imagine if Barkley the player had to deal with Barkley the analyst? Fight, Fight, Fight
Posted by: Taliq | May 10, 2006 at 12:32 PM
This is totally unrelated but...
Am I the only one worried about Kobe playing this summer? Not just him, LO too...I mean they need their rests, need training kind of practices (not games). I don't know. I appreciate the patriotism and all that...but man!
P.S. lol Mitch...you guys need to lay off Mike T...he's not going to change his opinion, and you aren't going to change yours...right or wrong ;-) (However I get that ur making fun of him, cause it's kinda like a family, like when we ragged on BK FOREVER lol...if not I stand corrected ;-)
P.P.S. Question? If Kobe wins more than Michael...basically eclipses him, does that make him better for the simple fact that he accomplished it with more hate and more criticism than (I'm guessing) Michael ever did? (Did I just talk about comparing...oh no stampede lol jk) No seriously, yes? no?
Posted by: Faith | May 10, 2006 at 12:32 PM
Now about the Kobe-Barkley thing, I posted yesterday how proud I was of Kobe for standing up to No Rings Barkley!!! Anybody that losses 10 million gambling & thinks he doesn't have a gambling problem shouldn't be taken seriously anyway.
I think Charles has a great tv personality & normaly I like what he has to say cause it's funny (the joke about Kobe's hairline being close to Ernie territory was classic) but ever since Shaq left, Barkley has been ON Kobe!!!
I think down deep he resents Kobe for getting so much so young! (I think a lot of the NBA feels that way about Kobe) Barkley comes from that old school, southern boy you've got to work for what you get mentality & he may feel like Kobe didn't earn what he had.
Now that kind of thinking is absolutely crazy cause I believe like no other Baller ever, Kobe had to earn every little crumb he's got in this league. My hope is that beginning next season, Barkley will treat Kobe with a little more respect in his comments. I think Barkley cheapens himself & destroys the memory of his own greatness by playing the Hater on TNT!!!
Posted by: Mitch | May 10, 2006 at 12:34 PM
72 wins? Hmm, that might be overshooting. I would shoot for a more modest 68-70 next season.
Hey, did you guys catch Barkley when he was responding to Kobe's texting him? He was in a classic defensive posture, where you suspected that everything he denied was in fact the exact truth.
"I don't bring an agenda." Yeah right...
"I think Kobe Bryant is the best basketball player in the world." Translation: I think it's a farce that someone so selfish should have that much talent.
I forgave Charles after game 2 Cavs-Pistons when he continued the trend of scoring off Lebron: "We're witnesses all right: WITNESSES TO AN ASS-WHUPPING!"
Posted by: McGarnagle | May 10, 2006 at 12:34 PM
Will,
Thanks for the link to that great article!!! Great read!!!
Posted by: Mitch | May 10, 2006 at 12:41 PM
Faith,
We know he's not going to change his mind but what he's saying is so outrageous that you can't help but post. lol
Posted by: Xodus | May 10, 2006 at 12:45 PM
Mike T,
Try sending your stuff to Jay Leno. He might pay you for the jokes.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 10, 2006 at 12:49 PM
lol
Thanks for the article Will...good stuff
"Once again I repeat 22 writers thought that Kobe Byrant was not one of
the top 5 players in the NBA this year (by the way their voting privileges should be revoked)."----H E L L YEAH! ;-)
Posted by: Faith | May 10, 2006 at 12:52 PM
Faith,
God you're in my mind!!! I was thinking yesterday how I'm not a real big fan of Kobe or LO on the National team!!! Not becasue I'm a card carrying Commi or anything but I just think it's going to have an adverse affect on Kobe's knees!!
Although Kobe is only 27, he's been in the playoffs every year except last year, four years he went all the way to the Finals!!! That's a lot of pounding on the body!! I look beyond his actual age & see him closer to 30 in basketball years!!
My only hope is that the roster is so full of studs, that Coach K will distibute the minutes accordingly! I think it helps to have a college coach heading USA Basketball cause you don't have to deal with pro coaches & their agenda's, great post Ms. Faith!!!
Posted by: Mitch | May 10, 2006 at 12:54 PM
With regards to Kobe, I just don't understand any logical motivation to "quitting" in the second half. The Laker brass already knows it can't win a championship with this group, so no need for that message from Kobe. He's executing the coach's plan, so doesn't that make him a team player? Something lots of folks have said he isn't? At some point, the psychoanalysis has to stop.
And as for Jordan, seems to me lots of folks are forgetting an awful lot of history, to include the same kinds of criticism now aimed at Kobe. Without excellent teammates and coaching, Jordan wins nothing, period. He was given the opportunity to develop into what everyone now mythologizes as the greatest, baddest, most willful player ever.
I guess I can only conclude that Kobe really is a better story than anything left in the playoffs, since so many jackasses refuse to leave it alone.
Posted by: teamn | May 10, 2006 at 12:56 PM
Quite Frankly, I don't care anymore, Kobe has always been the center of Attention from Day One and the media has never been fair to him.
"Kobe just can't win with the media"
Posted by: Dedicated | May 10, 2006 at 01:30 PM
I feel you Taliq, I'm totally prepared for all the credit to be diverted away from Kobe when the Lakers win the championship!!!
The haters ALWAYS find a way.
I'm no hater. I respect Steve Nash, damn he's good for his size and position. Lebron is unstoppable going to the rack. But only Kobe shows me the whole array of basketball skills, the whole package. Yeah, his defense could be more intense and consistent, and he could cut more without the ball, but can you imagine him on a TEAM? A TEAM that is consistent, a TEAM that can make layups and gimmes, a TEAM that understands how to play?
Posted by: Blind Worshipper | May 10, 2006 at 01:36 PM
Enough about Barkley. Is anyone else sick of Doug Collins?
Posted by: lakersin08 | May 10, 2006 at 01:47 PM
Mike T., I know you're not serious about all your posts against PJ, no doubt about it, you're disappointed with his coaching performance in the end. Of course, you have a strong opinion on the matter and we respect that thinking, but don't you think it comes to a point where we have to move on? Everybody has spoken about PJ and all the points raised, have been taken, so my take is let it rest from there.
Guys, who have doubts or raves about Kobe, we should rest that subject-matter too. From time to time, we get annoyance from the outside, don't respond, just let it go. do you think you can change them with your reply? A cockroach's opinion is always a cockroach.
Now that the game is over, of course AK/BK would love to touch on hot buttons to keep the blog alive and well. However, there are many other topics to cover than to devote a long running soap opera about Phil or Kobe.
I remember there was a time when we covered "Physics" on Laker blogs. oh-oh,joke only ok, I might start another melodrama.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 10, 2006 at 01:56 PM
FAN OF THE MAMBA, I AM 100% AGREE WITH YOUR COMMENTS. KOBE IS BRILLANT, GENIUS, INCREDIBLE, LOVE HIM AND HATE HIM, YOU'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT HIM.
THE LAKERS ARE THE MUST-SEE TV FOR THE NBA BECAUSE OF KOBE BRYANT.
KOBE WAS BORN RICH. HE'S NOT HIS FAULT, IF EVERYBODY THINKS HE IS ARROGANT. SIMPLY BORN DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS PLAYERS IN THE NBA. MAYBE MAGIC JOHNSON'SON COULD UNDERSTAND HIM IF HE'S A PLAYER THE SAME CALIBER. I DO, EVEN MY FATHER WAS NOT A BASKETBALL PLAYER.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, LEAVE MY BOY ALONE. HE DID EVERYTHING FOR OUR ORGANIZATION AND FOR US. GIVE HIM THE AWARD HE DESERVES. BY THE WAY, CAN YOU TELL ME WHY DAVID BLAINE WENT TO SEE HIM INSTEAD MJ.GUESS!!!! HE IS THE BEST EVER.
BISOUS GUYS
Posted by: shekobe | May 10, 2006 at 02:25 PM
NO ONE EVER SAID IT WOULD BE EASY
By Ahlayn
"There comes a time in every man's life when he's gotta handle S**T up on his own..." - Slim Kid Tre of the Pharcyde
Words to live by - And for Bryant, a song to strive by. I'm almost positive most of you are stunned at the reoccurring theme of the recent articles, Barkleyesque hypocrisy, and the "I hate Kobe because..." statements that have surrounded this Laker organization since the end of the series.
I find it interesting that most of the articles that I have read regarding Game 7 all point the blame on Kobe. Kobe should have shot more. Kobe should have gotten his team to rally with him. Kobe should have … I think you get the point. Now, I'm not saying he gets a reprieve for the loss – the game and the series as a whole. He is, after all, the "leader" of this gang of "pussycats.” What I am saying is that this team failed as a whole. It wasn’t just Kobe. If you read these articles, there is barely any mention of Smush, Sasha, Kwame, or any of these players as part of the blame.
“… Can’t depend on friends to help you in a squeeze, please they got problems of their own…”
I just find it both irritating and amusing to hear these pundits give credit to the Lakers when they came out with a surprising 3-1 lead over the Suns. And then place the blame entirely on Kobe’s shoulders when they lose. I don’t get it. If you can give credit to the team for winning, give them blame for losing.
Whether or not Kobe blew the game on purpose, or if he was trying to send a message to someone during the second half of Game 7, I wouldn’t be able to tell you. But can we please just give this kid a break. He’s in an impossibly hard and awkward position. You’ve all heard it before “damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” But there is also the deified specter of Jordan running alongside him. He’s always being compared and ridiculed for not living up to Jordan’s fading silhouette. But who can? Kobe will NEVER be another Jordan. There never will be.
No one said it would be easy – for the Lakers to once again be mentioned amongst today’s championship elites. Or for Phil to get Kobe to surrender whatever selfish tendencies he has left for the greater good of the team. Or for Kobe to reclaim what was once a promising idea of being the greatest ever and making it come fruition. Nothing comes on a silver platter. You have to work hard for it. So we need not overly criticize or punctuate this teams faults. Just sit back, kick your feet up and enjoy the journey. They’ll be back. And more importantly, Kobe will be back.
“… So I stood up and let my free form form free. Said I’m gonna get some before they knockin out me. I don’t sweat it. I let the bulls**t blow in the breeze. In other words just freeze.”
Posted by: Ahlayn | May 10, 2006 at 02:41 PM