Extra! Extra! (5.12)
As noted yesterday, Kobe Bryant's D was singled out by those in the NBA who judge, so to speak. And speaking of judging, some feel Sir Charles may have inappropriately dropped a guilty verdict on Kobe. But who knows? Soon Barkley could be too busy ripping on his own players to worry specifically about Bryant. Lakersblog is just excited that Magic may finally enter the world of business. You know, he could just have a head for it.
Today's NBA bizarro world that features the Clippers in the playoffs and the Lakers "gone fishing" has also accentuated the differences between each team's fan base. Need a hint? Two words: Nicholson. Muniz. There's also no "Laker Daryl." (and as we've pointed out during Lakers-Clippers live blogs while nursing a migraine, that may not be a bad thing).
I enjoy having the Clippers in the playoffs and doing well. I've always been a Laker fan but wanted the Clippers to do well at the same time. To be honest, I think it's great for the city. We finally have an city rivalry that looks to be around for a few years since the core of both teams is relatively young and intact (except for Sam Cassell, who'll probably be a coach after the next season or two).
But still, I, like most people, will spend more time the next couple of weeks talking about late first round draft picks and veteran free agent point guards than I will NBA Playoff basketball. As a Laker fan, it's just more interesting.
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 12, 2006 at 09:23 AM
I know a question like this has been asked before. But what do you think it will take for the media and the blind masses to stop hating Kobe? Will time heal all wounds? Because a 35 ppg scoring title, 62 points in 3 vs a contender, 81 points in 4 qtrs, and taking a team of bench players to the playoffs at the 7th seed by himself sure didn't do the trick. I was talking to a co-worker yesterday about the playoffs and she said: "Oh I don't like the Lakers." Calmly I asked why. Her answer: "I don't like Kobe." Once again, restraining myself, I asked why: "Oh because me mom doesn't like Kobe."
Posted by: Romy R. | May 12, 2006 at 09:28 AM
What's the URL for the Clippers Blog anyways?
The Clippers are fortunate that the Lakers lost to the suns because now every Lakers fan who bought tickets to the second round Clippers home games is a Clippers fan.
Posted by: mannie | May 12, 2006 at 09:34 AM
Unfortunately, Kobe will always be one of those people that everyone will hate no matter what. I had a similar conversation with a friend of mine:
-------------------
HIM: I hate the Lakers.
ME: Why?
HIM: I hate Kobe Bryant, he's classless. The Lakers have no class.
ME: Wy is Kobe classless? And what did the rest of the team ever do??
HIM: (no response)
-------------------------
It's just one of them thangs.
Posted by: FrostyFreeze | May 12, 2006 at 09:38 AM
I think Kobe is going to have to either get to the Finals, or win the Championship playing the way he did in the first four games of the Suns series, and have one of those magic Game 4 moments in the process for people to stop all the Kobe bashing. He was really starting to pick up momentum until the collapse, and that strange second half in Game 7 didn't help either. Of course he'll always have his detractors, but winning cures all people, winning cures all.
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 12, 2006 at 09:48 AM
Romy,
Assuming Kobe continues on this season's path (especially the way he played for most of the playoffs), time will heal a lot of this. Kobe fans need to remember, even a guy like ESPN's Greg Anthony, who thinks Kobe endures way too much criticism, also thinks Kobe's brought a lot of this on himself (and said Kobe would admit to making mistakes). Because of that, it will take some people longer to believe his sincerity when he does the "right things." And that shouldn't be surprising. Just as it isn't fair to expect Kobe to change overnight, you can't expect Kobe's critics to do it, either.
People also often forget that when MJ came into the league, he was shredded by the press. They thought he was selfish. Arrogant. Didn't trust his teammates. More concerned with his own achievements (Sound familiar?). Hell, they used to get on him for wearing sweat suits too often, which is as petty as it gets. Then Jordan adjusted his game and attitude, and eventually, critics came around. Things often run in cycles.
I think Kobe may have it a little harder, partially because he's not as inherently fuzzy-likable as Jordan and partially because he's competing against Jordan's legacy. But there will come a point where if Kobe's holding up his end of the deal, I honestly think the majority of media will acknowledge it in positive fashion. Maybe not everyone, but no player ever wins over everyone, anyway.
Obviously, winning will mean a lot in the equation. But that also seems to be progressing nicely at the moment.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 12, 2006 at 09:55 AM
i hate that the faux-tanned celebrity wannabes are the face of laker fans...
there are "real" people who are laker fans, you just have to stop focusing the camera on courtside
to me, choosing to be a clipper fan is like choosing mediocrity... a blech existence. but congrats to you los angeleanos, have fun rooting on your clips.
Posted by: CBuck | May 12, 2006 at 09:59 AM
One thing no one ever mentions is that Jordan started off his NBA career after a great college career, at one of the top college programs. So his career had a huge headstart on Kobe's. To add to that, I think that there is some built-in bias in the minds of many people against players who come straight out of high school.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 12, 2006 at 10:00 AM
Thinking about next season and our need for a point guard, what about the re-habbed Jay Williams? Is he too short (6'2") for Phil's liking? I can't remember if he was a good defender at Duke or on the Bulls the year he played. I'd really like to see a PG on the Lakers that doesn't play Matador defense on Nash, Bibby and TParker.
Posted by: rdlee | May 12, 2006 at 10:03 AM
I also think some of the problem people and media have with Kobe is that he kind of came in the league to a good situation. Unlike Jordan, Kobe came into the league on a good team with the most dominant player around. That helps. If Kobe came in and struggled like Jordan did with scrubs (kind of what Kobe is doing now) I believe things would have been dinner. And as we all know, everything Kobe has done is usually followed with "but he played with Shaq". Ask Dwayne Wade how he feels about that when someone says how great he is and then next guy says "yeah, but he plays with Shaq". Sooner or later anyone would have a problem hearing that.
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 12, 2006 at 10:21 AM
Dinner? I meant to say different in my last post.
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 12, 2006 at 10:32 AM
Kobe's great year has actually helped bring abt a change in the media itself, in that their reviews of him, positive or negative are almost exclusively abt his game.
Infact, Kobe was beginning to joke around at press conf's and all. He may never become the PR genius that Shaq was, but truth prevails in the end. Too much PR will wear on you. See Shaq wearing out, literally now.
Posted by: ravi | May 12, 2006 at 10:34 AM
Andrew Z, you must be hungry!!
Posted by: Blind Worshipper | May 12, 2006 at 10:45 AM
rdlee,
I like Jay Williams in college and thought he was a great pick up for the Lakers. But, I wouldn't like to see him in a Laker uni next season. If they sign a PG it better be a veteran, not a guy who has less experience than Smush (Jay's never played on a winning team much less a playoff team) and is coming off a devastating injury.
I feel for Jay but the Lakers have enough projects to win three middle school science fairs as it is, they don't need another.
As for Jay's defense if I remember correctly he was a pretty good defender though not a defensive stopper by any means. Who knows what his defense is like now though. His speed and lateral movement had to be affected by that injury.
I'd like to see the Lake Show pick up Penny Hardaway. I know he's out of the league and has been more Anfernee than Penny since about 1999, but I also hear he's working his butt off to get back into the league. I wonder if Phil could use him the same way he did Ron Harper. A great defender and team guy who's going to run the triangle beautifully.
Penny besides being incredibly talented also had a great basketball IQ, I don't think it would be that tough for him to pick up the triangle.
Posted by: Xodus | May 12, 2006 at 10:47 AM
You know, I am just sick and tired of people hating on Kobe because of one thing or another.
The first thing you hear is "I don't like that rapist"... well let's see... for one, he was never convicted, all charges were dropped...
2nd, I never hear anyone getting on Magic Johnson's case for cheating on his wife and contracting HIV which could have cost him his life as well as his wife's.
3rd, does anyone talk about what an unfaithful bastard Michael Jordan was to his wife Juanita...not once, but numerous times. And I never hear anyone calling him a ballhog when he took just as many if not more shots than Kobe during the Bulls days.
4th, how about all of the other NBA players that have been charged with rape in the past (i.e. Damond Jones, Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell, Sam Cassell(I don't blame him...nobody wants to give him any voluntarily), Julius Hodge, Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Ron Mercer, Antoine Walker, Ruben Patterson, DeShawn Stevenson, Jahidi White). Most of these cases were settled out of court...never once saw anything on tv.
5th, how about all the NBA losers who've put their hands on their wives even after they put up with their crap (i.e. Rafer Alston, Courtney Alexander, Ron Artest, Eddie Griffin, Darvin Ham, Penny Hardaway, Jason Kidd, Lee Nailon, Michael Olowakandi, Jason Richardson, Glenn Robinson, Kurt Thomas, Rasheed Wallace).
Want to see for yourselves? http://www.shamsports.com/character.htm
Posted by: ECJ | May 12, 2006 at 11:02 AM
This is my take on why the people dont like KOBE...I believe it comes down to the MJ-Factor...MJ is a God is so many peoples eyes...and when KOBE came into the league and everyone started saying he was the next MJ people took offense to that....and since then people have always tried to find ways to rip his game or his personality to prove that he is not close to MJ...I think that KOBE is getting so close to MJ that people are just looking for reasons to talk bad about him....
This has be the only reason for all of the attacks on KOBE....why doesnt Vince Carter or Tracy Magrady receive these attacks....Those two players never play hard..they are slackers...two players who have never one in their career....carter has admitted to tanking games and not playing hard...there teams have never done anything....SO why are they not constantly attacked like KOBE is??
Posted by: KobeBean | May 12, 2006 at 11:02 AM
Blind Worshipper,
Had some pretzels, I'm cool now.
There is going to be a lot of speculation about who the Lakers should sign this year in free agency but we should all realize that they probably won't offer anything over two years to someone and the players who we all think would be a good fit are probably going to ask for more. However, I like Xodus' idea of taking a look at Penny. If the guy is healthy enough to play 25 minutes a night he would be a good asset to the team. I think we need to pick a pure athletic guy in the draft. Guillermo Diaz and Shannon Brown are two guys who can jump out of the building and should be available at that spot. If they don't pan out, who cares, we really don't need anymore projects and most of our big moves in two years are going to be through free agency and trades.
I expect our roster to look extremely similar to this seasons next year. I just hope we get a little faster since we have some pretty slow footed guys on this team.
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 12, 2006 at 11:08 AM
It is beginning to look like there is a certain amount of racial overtone to the whole Kobe Bryant “Saga”. The flippant first line of defense to this statement would be “nonsense, I say nice things about all athletes, black, white or Indigo” or “Dwayne wade is my favorite player”. Yes sure you do, but until when? Where is the second chance everybody else (white) seems to get with the sports press? Where is the free pass that is handed out to white athletes and white sports personalities again and again? Marvin Albert is caught with a paid sex worker wearing female clothes, Jayson Giambe is an admitted drug cheat, Dan Marino was almost insufferable as a player, where is the daily remainder of all these small facts? Sure someone will point this out from time to time, while quickly glossing over the details but not the same way Kobe’s (in fact insert the name of any black athlete that the media is out to get here) “failings” are rehashed with glee time and time again. Where is this venom when the predominately-white press and its handful of “lapdog” black colleagues attack white athletes? Brett Farve has been a jerk all this summer, Payton Manning is every bit as unlikable as you all claim Kobe is and in my opinion, right beside the word manipulative and greed in the dictionary is a picture of Roger Clements but once again all we get from the sporting press is an almost tacit support along the lines of “he has earned the right”. The right to what, exactly? Kobe Bryant is a three-time NBA champion; obviously, he has not earned the right to anything but the right to be question and derided at every turn.
It is amazing that amateur psychologists practice their profession on the deficiencies and/or inadequacies of Kobe’s character as displayed by the amount of shots he takes in a game. Funny thing, after watching that game four times, I challenge anyone to watch the game and show me where he was passing up shots. The lack of outrage from columnists and sports journalists of color on the attack on this man’s integrity is actually very revealing. I have noticed that people like Charles Barkley (edited version); believe that they are the big stick of black correctness in sports. They will set straight the “spoiled and privileged but highly undeserving” African American athletes. But, to me people like him represent a sad joke in the sports world; the image of most sports generally dominated by colored and minority people is being shaped by older white men, helped along by the yes men (most black sports commentators) they have seen fit to invite into the club.
Terrell Owens has behaved boorishly, as did Dirk Nowitzki in last year’s playoffs. After a miserable series, he turned and poured the blame for the losses on Erick Dampier, I did not hear anybody question his motivational skills as a leader or even imply that his character was called into question. There is a sublime racial element to the whole witch-hunt that is stomach turning. While everybody is busy blaming the only prominent black figure involved in the Suns Lakers playoff fiasco, we are conveniently turned away from the fact that the coach that made the decision to play a certain style is white. Even in the case of Shaq’s staying or going back in 2003, the black athlete is labeled as selfish and a team killer, the white owner and the white general manager that shipped Shaq to Miami? Nothing. I guess they were held hostage by the selfish black athlete. Yes, sure Steve Nash makes his team better but Kobe? He makes his team worse whether he passes, shoots or does not play. Why, exactly is that? If it is not racial, then what is it? . My point ctually is that regardless of the occasion, we cannot provide ammunition to the orchestrated character assassination of anyone. Not when all we have to guide us is innuendo and the hidden agenda of an overzealous white media that might still be suffering from malaise, caused by the subconscious thought that “The guilty black millionaire” bought his way out of jail after molesting the “innocent” white maiden.
Joseph C. Nnadi
Posted by: The Troll | May 12, 2006 at 11:23 AM
Whats up the False Advertising by TNT & ESPN?...40 games in 40 days...LIARS!!!!....there were no games on last night!!!!
Posted by: KobeBean | May 12, 2006 at 11:23 AM
KobeBean,
Some nights had more than one game, er go, some nights with no games.
Did I use er go correctly? My Latin is a bit rusty.
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 12, 2006 at 11:30 AM
Joseph C. Nnadi
You are absolutely on the money man! I fully agree.
Posted by: ECJ | May 12, 2006 at 11:31 AM
Hey KobeBean
Don't worry, you're not missing much with the teams left in the playofffs.
Posted by: ECJ | May 12, 2006 at 11:33 AM
Oops there was a typo in my last post. Jay Williams was drafted by the Bulls.
Posted by: Xodus | May 12, 2006 at 11:35 AM
That is cool that Magic wants to own a team. He would be a great owner but he should pick better partners. I also honestly think that Magic not MJ knows the most about basketball. He should control the basketball part and maybe someone else and his son should do the business side. Also Magic and MJ will be very disappointed when they find the Jersey mafia owns part of the team because Barkley gambled it away.
Posted by: lakersin08 | May 12, 2006 at 11:39 AM
call me selfish, lakersblog... but i don't want Magic owning another franchise.
he's a laker through and through. his coffin will be purple and gold, i don't want to share my favorite player of all time w/ any another team. i'm like a little kid with its teddy bear - Magic is Mine! all mine!
on another note, i'm so proud of what magic has become in his post-basketball life.
Posted by: CBuck | May 12, 2006 at 11:58 AM
CBuck,
What Magic has done with his post-NBA life is nothing short of staggering. He's one of the only icons in any sport whose life after the game has arguably been more interesting than his life during it.
Ironically, you know who else falls into that category, too? Magic's teammate, The Captain. Fascinating life since hanging up the goggles.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 12, 2006 at 12:01 PM
I was so glad to see Clippers punched Phoenix in the mouth. Mike Dunleavy outcoached Phil. Chicago made big mistake when they traded E. Brand for Chandler. Magic, if you own NBA team, please don't let Michael Jordan draft, trade players, and don't listen to Barkley, he is just comedian.
Posted by: bluesky | May 12, 2006 at 12:02 PM
Is the playoffs still on? Huh? lol
Just to chime in on the whole Kobe-phenomenon thing...
I think Shaq was a large part of the perception of Kobe. Let's face it Shaq is a better PR person than a basketball player (and in his hey day he was one of the best). I remember when Kobe came into the league (I knew nothing about basketball then, actually I wasn't a fan then ;-) everyone hailed that they don't want kids in the nba. In fact one of the most memorable reactions was PJ's (which is ironic now). But I digress, when Kobe came into the league, he was already being given a free-pass to stardom, a phenom, and veterans in the league neither appreciated that nor jumped into the bandwagon, Shaq in particular. In fact he "supposedly" told teammates not to "play" with him, veterans on the laker team mostly ignored him, and of course Shaq (the great nicknamer) named him several (one?) not so flattering nicknames (imo) like showboat. Years later, even during the championship era, Shaq still used/s the media to convey his (jealousy) dislike of Kobe (one funny "snipe" is when he guest starred in My Wife and Kids and said "you know Kobe don't like to pass") Now I'm not saying that Kobe didn't deserve it, or that he didn't play into his "perception" by being who he is essentially (reserve as a youngun, confident on his game, and typical Alpha-male), it did play some part, but so did Shaq.
I know I'm going to get flack for this...but I kinda like the Penny Hardaway (mostly cause I think we're being buried in projects no offense) but also I'd really like it if the Shaq "rejects" (lol) won and Shaq didn't. (Yes it's true I don't like him lol, I respect what he's done for us though).
Posted by: Faith | May 12, 2006 at 12:04 PM
The Troll,
That was a very nicely written essay, and I pretty much agree with you. My only gripe is that one major black athlete is virtually untouchable: Michael Jordan. He is held to such high regard and all of his indescretions are forgotten and forgiven so quickly that it seems like the public/press use up whatever little bit of sympathy/understanding/mercy/etc that they have for minority athletes on him alone.
I am from San Pedro, CA and now live in Chicago. It's nice to have a place I can go to to talk about the Lakers, the greatness of Kobe, and every now and then, the obsurdity of MJ withough the threat of getting shot!
Posted by: Kiyoshi | May 12, 2006 at 12:06 PM
On the team ownership thing...
nooooo! Magic is a LAKER FOR LIFE! Now that I got that out of my chest lol...I think he'd do great in the business aspect, (Love Jordan, he's great) but did we forget the GM job in the wizards (and his development of players like Kwame---poor the Kwam ;-). Actually I think it might happen...probably the Sonics.
Posted by: Faith | May 12, 2006 at 12:13 PM
Faith,
I'm totally with you that we NEED Penny. We should try to get Brad Miller too and have an entire anti-Shaq team. I can't stand Miller, but I was at the game against Chicago when Shaq almost killed him. I've never seen/heard a player slap a guy going for the 'ball' more then when Miller was guarding Shaq that night.
Posted by: Kiyoshi | May 12, 2006 at 12:13 PM
Nnadi,
Great post! I believe there's a element of truth to it. Race is part of the issue but I also believe there are things that go outside color. I think it comes down to peronality & likability that Kobe just hasn't been able to overcome yet. As aa fan, I can give Kobe a pass on pretty much anything but that's cause he's "my guy" but when I remove my fan glasses I can see some of Kobe's phony ways but I see that in most athletes, black or white.
For Kobe, I think sometimes it's growing up in a man's world before he had the chance to grow up. Sometimes I almost wish he had went to college for a year just to get a feel of life without his parents around. But then again, if that had happened, he wouldn't be who he is.
I think being a fan of Kobe almost makes you by right, a Kobe apologist and for those that love him its a way of life!!! Kobe, like many a black athlete, has made mistakes! He's a human being not a hero & I, as a fan, have allowed him to evolve. But in this Instant Gratification society we live in you're either one thing or the other.
Great post man! I enjoyed reading it!!!
Posted by: Mitch | May 12, 2006 at 12:18 PM
get penny, frankly i'm tired of going into every season, with old rejects. too many injuries around the lakers. first vlade, then mckie, now penny ( what if he get hurts again as usual?). i was thinking, what if slava never got hurt, geroge and walton too, also profit, how good the lakers could have been, we all know slava was capable at the 4 ( another gun for hire). but these are all what if's. we can only focus on the next season. we need two experienced guards/shooters, and save all the money for '07.
Posted by: emman | May 12, 2006 at 12:28 PM
I love Magic Johnson and I agree with AK that his current life is just as interesting as his life as a player, if not more!! I love the idea of him owning a team but I COMPLETELY disagree with Magic that MJ knows more BAKETBALL THAN HIM!!!
Washington was an incredible disaster for M.J. & although we all deserve a second chance, I don't think M.J. knows what he's doing!!! He made trades like he was playing NBA Live "Let's see I'll get some guys from North Carolina, draft an untested youngster out of high school with the first pick, get rid of Rip Hamilton, hire the coach I had fired, & get Charles Oakley to put off retirement for a year!!! He had NO clue!!! I laugh at the fact that Washington IMEDIATELY improved once M.J. got fired!!!
Magic if you do get a team PLEASE, keep M.J. away from your basketball operations!!!
Posted by: Mitch | May 12, 2006 at 12:29 PM
i found a question and its answer on chicagosports.com(very interesting):
A lot has been written and said regarding Kobe's three-shot performance in Game 7 of the Phoenix series. Kobe and Phil Jackson claim that they wanted to win the right way, employing the pass-first mentality that won them three games earlier in the series. While Kobe's tendencies to sabotage have been well documented, I think it's unlikely that Kobe would actively sabotage things at such a key juncture in his career, having come so far this year. What are your thoughts? --A. Arain, Lombard, Ill.
This is what I think happened and it is Jordanesque. I don't buy that sabotage thing. Bryant had 23 by halftime and was on the way to 50 and the Lakers were in trouble, down 15 and going nowhere. So knowing Phil Jackson, he told Bryant the first four games they went inside and distributed the scoring and got up 3-1, that was their only chance. Kobe has been buying in and did so early in the series. So he does in Game 7 and the plan doesn't work and they're down 30 and can't guard the mop kids. It's over, so Kobe packs it in. If he shoots crazy now they lose and he's blamed for being selfish. So he shuts it down. Jordan did something similar in the 1989 conference finals against the Pistons. The Bulls were losing and the Pistons were double and triple-teaming Jordan, so Doug Collins told Jordan to move the ball and not shoot so much. OK, you think those guys can win! Jordan took eight shots in 46 minutes. Michael Jordan could get eight shots off on anyone getting off the bus. The Bulls couldn't recover and Jordan just stopped shooting. It was Game 5 of a six-game series loss. But Kobe is a villain and lightning rod too so much of the blame goes to him. I don't think he was deserving of so much criticism
PS:i already posted this but it is great
Posted by: purple and gold | May 12, 2006 at 12:31 PM
I love the Penny Hardaway idea!! Maybe we can sign Shawn Kemp, Vin Baker, and Anthony Mason, too!!! Ha ha ha!!!
Posted by: Mitch | May 12, 2006 at 12:36 PM
I'm not a big fan of Penny unless he could prove that he is a better defender and still a consistent 11-15 ppg PG. Smush is young and I think he will improve during the summer but if Penny can do better than Smush defensively and offensively and get even more steals than Smush gotten, I would not have a problem then. But I would rather take a PG who is still kinda young and could score and defend as well. Any chance we could get back poor old Derek Fisher? He knows the offense pretty well and is a alright defender. He played very well this last season, and surprassed Smush in almost everything except for steals, rebounds, and blocks. And that was considering most of the time Fisher was coming off the bench. Since his current salary of 5.4 Million is very close to the midlevel exception that we have available, I could foresee a trade involving Smush for Fisher. That way, the Warriors has a descent player in Smush to backup Baron Davis plus more cap space and we have ourselves a still good player back from the championship days. And when Fish does grow old, Sasha will hopefully be much better offensively. I would also resign JJ at the same price, let go Devean, start Walton at the 3, put Odom at the 4 with Cook and Ronny, Kwame at the 5 with Mihm and Bynum. Kobe would still need a backup and I could see either Profit or Rush. I like Profit as Kobe's backup and is a big friend of Kwame and deserved another shot at our roster but I wouldn't object at having Rush shutting the door again against Minnesota. As for the draft, I would take a SF at Round one and then either use the 2nd as trade bait or if it has to be used, on a better rookie SG than Von Wafer.
Posted by: arthas (Tom Brady) | May 12, 2006 at 12:36 PM
Does anybody else feel that if Mitch Kupsnake would have gone for impact player in the 2005 draft instead of Bynum we could have been a better seed in the playoffs....I think we could have used a Francisco Garcia, Hakim Warrick, Rashad McCants, Danny Granger, or Sean May...
Bynum better pan out in the future or Mitch Kuplake really ruined our future...
Posted by: KobeBean | May 12, 2006 at 12:37 PM
The Clipper fans better give Raja hell tonight!!! He should feel like he's at a Laker game!!!
And the Lakers don't need a Laker Daryl!! Up until this year, the Clips needed a side show off court to distract from the product ON the court!! I webt to the close out game vs. Denver and the guy is sorta embarrassing!!! He had people doing the WAVE!!! The Wave in 2006!!!!
They need to get rid of that guy (if they're paying him) if not then don't give him so much camera time at the games! They have a good team now, they don't need Side show Daryl!!!
Posted by: Mitch | May 12, 2006 at 12:48 PM
The Troll-
I, for one, disagree with your premise. For every hated black player, you can point to two that are loved. Kobe Bryant, for as much as I like the Lakers and Bryant as a player, is not a very likable sports figure. Most of his career he has been aloof and arrogant. If you're honest, you have to agree. Add a rape charge to his personality deficit and you have more than enough reason for many people to dislike or hate Kobe. People have mentioned MJ and Magic and other people that have been accused or confirmed of being unfaithful to their spouses, accused of sexual assault, being tough on team mates, etc., but those other guys have personalities that people liked before the other accusations surfaced. People are more likely to give somebody that they like a break or the benifit of the doubt. I don't think race has anything to do with Kobe's situation. He's just not a very likable guy. But he sure is a hell of a basketball player and I just don't understand why people spend so much time caring or wondering why nobody likes him. Why should it matter; why should people who don't even know the guy take it so personnally? Frankly, it's Kobe's problem (if he chooses to make it a problem). And you know what? I didn't like Jordan when he was a Bull. Not because of his cockiness or anything else along those lines. I didn't like Jordan because I was a die hard Lakers fan and Jordan was kicking everybody's ass in the League, including the Lakers. I didn't like him because my team didn't have him. I suspect much dislike for Kobe comes along the same path. As long as he plays in a Lakers uniform, I'm satisfied.
Posted by: blogblowhard | May 12, 2006 at 12:50 PM
Joseph,
Thank you for that post. I agree with what you're saying. I think it speaks to the greater need to work towards the elimination of racism in our society, especially when it's subtle or subconscious. However, it just seems like Kobe gets it even worse than other black players who are known for being arrogant and don't even try to hide it. Think about A.I., Spree, and Starbury just to name a few. They each repeatedly found ways to alienate their teammates and coaches season after season and I don't feel have faced the same ignorant hatred that Kobe has.
AK,
Excellent points. I've talked to friends at length about the Jordan aspect and completely forgot to bring it up. I remember reading the articles bashing Jordan for taking too many shots and for complaining to management about the inadequacies of the team roster. This season Kobe has done nothing but respect his teammates publicly and boost their confidence. When a team is winning, there are no problems. You're right, when the Lakers were winning, Kobe's image was pristine. But the masses are fickle, and I think the rape trial coincided with the loss to Detroit in the finals, and gave people a place to point the blame for the perceived end to the Lakers "good times". I just think it’s unfortunate that people are so easily swayed.
Posted by: Romy R. | May 12, 2006 at 12:55 PM
I asked someone why they don't like Kobe repeatedly and they gave me these reasons:
because (among others):
...he's egotistical maniac...he always has this smug look on his face like he's the greatest...when Raja Bell slung him to the ground he reacted by brushing off his shoulder as if Raja was nothing but an insignificant fly...granted Lakers fan will fall for it but to non-fans it is annoying...it made it even more fun to watch him lose btw...
...he wants to be like Michael Jordan but won't admit it...he wants the status but doesn't have the charisma nor the leadership qualities (see how he blames his teammates...actually i loooove seeing that...especially Odom...Lamar does not hide his annoyance when Kobe does that...he reacts by playing badly...)...this goes to show that when Jordan hogged the ball, it was ok with his teamates because they respected him unlike Kobe
...he throws his weight around (same with Phil Jackson but that's another story)
...he gives referees a nasty look when he misses a shot like he missed it because there's a foul (and the referees blows the whistle)
...and just lately, his actions or rather non-action on game 7 vs suns displays his un-personality
Do you guys agree?
Posted by: observer | May 12, 2006 at 12:56 PM
Faith! You're stealing my thunder with mentioning Penny and making a joke about how we've got enough projects! I demand to be cited! LOL j/k
Posted by: Xodus | May 12, 2006 at 12:58 PM
Troll,
Interesting post. One question to consider re: Kobe/Nash MVP voting. If Nash averaged 35.4 PPG, was 1st team all-Defense, and improved his team by 11 games, would there be any discussion at all as to whom the MVP is? If Kobe averaged 18 PPG w/ 10 APG and presided over his team winning fewer games than they did they year before, would he make the top 20 in MVP voting? Is this because Nash is white and Kobe is black? Maybe.
Posted by: Jman449 | May 12, 2006 at 01:00 PM
emman,
I do agree with you about Penny being risky but I think he's intriguing. No one thought Harper was much of anything and he ended up with a fistful of rings.
The guy's got a laundry list of injuries but I think if Penny is healthy enough to give the team 25 minutes a night he could be very valuable. The Lakers would have arguably the biggest backcourt in the league with Smush/Sasha on the squad as well.
I'm not sayin the Lakers should pounce at this guy and throw Jerry Buss' checkbook at him, but give the guy a workout, see if he's got anything left.
Posted by: Xodus | May 12, 2006 at 01:08 PM
I believe there is a conspiracy behind that Game 7 loss against the Suns. Wouldn't it be odd to give the the MVP award to Steve nash at his house? NBA has to make it look more deserving. Just my thought. I can't believe it took me a week to get over the loss in Game 6. I didn't really care for Game 7. I knew could not win after a devastating loss like that. I was so disappointed that I didn't watch Game 7. I can't imagine how the Lakers players felt after that game. anyways, I hope they get ovet it and work on their game together during the offseason.
Posted by: willn2win | May 12, 2006 at 01:17 PM
Yeah its funny, whenever you ask people why they hate kobe they can't really tell you. Most of it is just influence from the media.
And the Jordan thing is right on. The media has placed jordan on a pedestal (despite his gambling and infedility issues) and are scared when someone challenges that. Kobe has gotten so good, people are scared he might surpass Jordan. So...they hate him. I know kobe's strong but he's human and can only take so much, its really unfair.
Posted by: kobe24 | May 12, 2006 at 01:17 PM
Romy:
Kobe, for all he did this season, didn't "take" the team to the playoffs by himself. Without Phil Jackson there, I don't think they get in at all.
Phil is the only coach with the stature to get Kobe to listen to him, and in many ways, Phil's presence took heat off Kobe, who took a ton of heat last season (whether that criticism was fair is another story).
Kwame Brown's and Lamar Odom's development in the second half of the season had a lot to do with Phil's mentoring.
That's not a knock on Kobe's season. As much as I still dislike him, it's hard to say that his season was anything but brilliant. But having Phil gave him the confidence to focus on basketball, and other players the confidence to do a little more without deferring to Kobe ALL the time.
Now, I'd like to believe that Phil Jackson is the only reason the Lakers made the playoffs (which I've said here).
Others would like to believe that Kobe is the only reason the Lakers made the playoffs.
Neither of those statements are true.
Truth is, the Lakers don't get to the playoffs without Phil AND Kobe. Not either or.
Posted by: William Haynes | May 12, 2006 at 03:07 PM
Mitch,
No one's saying to go out and throw cash at Penny, just give him a look, the Lakers have to be creative this offseason. They won't be able to afford the two top free agent PGs this offseason Jason Terry and Mike James. And I'm also not sure about their ability to play in the triangle.
KobeBean,
I agree with you about thw Bynum thing. I think he seems like a nice enough kid (I love being able to call him kid at 19 there aren't many athletes that I'm older than lol),and it seems like he works hard but I'm not sold on him.
Yeah he's shown some promise, but he's so raw he may be five years from showing us whether or not he's an NBA player. This is why I'm glad there's an age limit to enter the NBA now (And why I think it should be 20). It should not be the job of NBA teams to develop a player, that's what college should be for.
I would have liked to see Danny Granger come in. I think he could have helped the Lakers a whole bunch off the bench. A frontline of Kwame, Lamar and Granger would have been pretty good. The dude could have D-ed up Steve Nash and wouldn't have gotten killed on pick and rolls like Smush did.
Posted by: Xodus | May 12, 2006 at 03:16 PM
my bad Xodus...lol
Actually I probably got the idea from you. Please don't report me to the plaigarism police lol.
Seriously though, I think our core is our best weapon, but weapons always need bullets (veterans) did I just say that lol...I too am not saying pay him big money. ;-)
Posted by: Faith | May 12, 2006 at 03:27 PM