Birthday Wishes
It's a candle-heavy time in Lakerland. We're just two days past what would have been Wilt Chamberlain's 70th (check out Roland Lazenby's blog for some Stilt-related material), and today, folks are singing "Happy Birthday" to Kobe Bean Bryant, who turns 28. It feels like the guy has been around way too long to still be two years short of 30, but as more players start their careers at 18, we're going to have to get used to it. (Maybe we should start thinking of hoopsters like hockey players, who fairly routinely start their careers before 20 and seem to play until they're 108.)
So what do you get a guy who makes more in a year — hell, maybe a month — than all of us put together? The idea of running down to Macy's to pick out a lil' somthin' seems a kind of silly, unless you can buy veteran point guards off the rack. So assuming Kobe would even accept a gift from me after last season's MVPgate, what exactly can I offer? Material goods aren't looking like a good option. That leaves birthday wishes, and this would be mine for the former Ocho:
I wish for him one year of not being at the center of every basketball argument on the planet. A year of not being the guy compared to every other guy in the league, in terms of dominance. Of not being compared to a certain player-turned-baseballer-turned-player-turned-GM-turned-Hanes pitchman-turned-part-owner. A season where everyone focuses their attention somewhere else — 365 days of Kobe-free hoops chatter. It would be interesting to see how people would perceive the guy after 12 months of a Kobe embargo. Would old prejudices die? Would beliefs become more crystallized? Would Kobe be able to connect more effectively with fans, peers and the media?
What would happen if we could all go a year without having to declare seemingly on a daily basis where we stand on Kobe?
Of course, none of this will ever happen. We'll be debating him again tomorrow, likely today in this thread. But it would be interesting to see how that reality would play out. To become perhaps the most polarizing figure in sports takes a group effort. Kobe has done his part, so has the media. It doesn't take long to create perceptions, but changing them is often a Herculean task.
So that's what I'd like to give the guy. A crappy gift to be sure, in the sense it can't actually be delivered, but like they say — it's the thought that counts.
Right?
—BK
AK,
I know it is a debate but people don't really question your integrity as a writer, perhaps they misinterpreted your message and does not mean to attack the messenger. However, your response is always swift which you consider just a debate, a challenge to protect your integrity. Perhaps, if you think people stated your opinion incorrectly, all you have to do, is to restate it and end it from there. Sometimes your response gets testy too, speaks the tone as if you are always under attack and need to counter attack. Do you know why you get misinterpreted? As a writer of this blog, people think you have an inside information that is factual while in your case, you're just stating an opinion based on the situations. Therefore, AK when you post you have to state it clearly in delineating which are facts and which are fictions or hearsay?
AK, I think Danilo has brains to know the risks of being picked in the 2nd round especially at late 57th pick. He has a common sense too, to notice that the Lakers have a lot of guards and there are no movements from the Front Office after the SPL games. Yes, he can go to Europe to earn more i.e. if there is a European team that will get him and that's also no guarantee. Here is what I'm questioning: if you (AK) and Eric Pincus are aware from the inside chit-chat that the Lakers will not pick him up during the preseason, why don't Mitch K. make the move of releasing him now so that the fellow has the opportunity to seek employment elsewhere? If they want to retain his rights, why not tell him now also so that the fellow can decide whether to go to Europe w/ a chance play w/ Laker next year or go to another team NOW. However, if our thoughts are also conjectures, assumptions, then why can we not let PJ make the final selection rather than pre-empt him in determining the final roster?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 25, 2006 at 02:19 PM
Faith,
Assuming my understanding of how everything works is right (and granted, it might not be), if the Lakers bring Pinnock into preseason camp and cut him, they lose his rights. Therefore, unless the front office is fairly confident that space will be emerge, if they're as concerned as you about Pinnock potentially being part of the future, they're better off not bringing him in at all, letting him play in Europe and maintaining those rights. The way the roster is set up now, it's gonna be hard to find a spot for him this season.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 25, 2006 at 02:24 PM
marcus:
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
You should immediately check your hard drive for the "Infinite Love" computer virus and try to quarantine it before it affects all of your future posts to the Lakers Blog with sappy quasi-religious insights.
I would also check to make sure that you were not infected with the "Infinite Love Chat-Worm," which opens your computer so Jackie can send you silent signals confirming her love for Doug and checking to make sure he is not up to some hanky-panky.
I had actually forgotten that Doug was a Laker for a couple of years early in his career. Seriously, Mitch should probably check Doug out. He was a serious defender in his day. But Jackie? I just don't see how it would work unless he did get a divorce.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 25, 2006 at 02:41 PM
Edwin,
Again, I wasn't responding to you in testy fashion (at least not in my mind). But as I said, you misrepresented my thoughts on Pinnock and I wanted to clarify them. It's really that simple and nothing more. I didn't take it personally. As for my integrity (having biases against certain players, etc.), some readers actually have questioned it in the past and we've discussed it. But like I said, I didn't mean you.
Also, I've never claimed I know for a fact what will happen with Pinnock (or any roster hopeful, for that matter). I can't imagine any decisions have actually been made. It's not even September. I'm just speculating what I think may happen, as are the rest of the readers.
As far as "letting" PJ to make the final roster decisions, I'm not even sure what that means. Of course he will.
But in terms of letting Pinnock go to gain better employment opportunities, why would Kupchak do that? The Lakers don't owe him anything. Having your rights sometimes held as a second round pick while not having the opportunity to play in the NBA is part of this business. And if they think Pinnock may be useful down the road, but not now, there's nothing wrong with maintaining his rights without bringing him into camp. Pinnock doesn't and shouldn't get a choice in the matter. Again, it's a business. And Pinnock knew that going into this.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 25, 2006 at 02:43 PM
Marcus:
Just read this in Wikipedia if you really want to know more than you want about Jackie and Doug.
"At this time, a VH-1 reality TV show entitled The Christies is in the works, and will chronicle the everyday life of Christie and his wife, Jackie."
You also have to wonder what Doug did that made his wife turn into such a fanatical watchdog. Let us know if you find out during your "research."
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 25, 2006 at 02:46 PM
AK,
I found the source of misunderstanding. Please explain your statement to Faith "The way the roster is set up now, it's gonna hard to find a spot for him this season." Frankly, this is what I don't understand.
This scenario did not only take place now. After trading for the rights of Evans who is also a guard, why did Mitch K. make another trade to get Pinnock? At the back of his mind, there will be a lot of guards since he is considering the F/A Shammond Williams, plus Mckie, Sasha, Smush, Farmar, Von Wafer don't you think that situation you just stated also EXISTED at that time? Don't you find this late 2nd rd. trading a waste? If not, tell us how Pinnock at that time can get in with the intentions of not moving at all these existing guards.
Is it us AK or it's just crazy to analyze the moves of Mitch Kupcake? This is what I mean if Mitch K does not COMMUNICATE with fans they'll continue to second guessing him or critical to his moves.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 25, 2006 at 03:02 PM
Edwin,
In no way, shape, or form does Mitch Kupchak have an obligation to communicate with the fans, especially about the reason for his moves. As for trading for the rights to Pinnock, he obviously saw something he liked, even if it couldn't be used this year. Maybe we'll keep his rights, let him make some money for his family in Europe and develop as a PROFESSIONAL, and when McKie's contract expires we bring him in next year. Maybe Mitch wants McKie's veteran presence in the locker room, maybe he thinks another young player (we have two 19 year olds) would be more harmful than good on a team looking to make a some noise this year. It should be noted that you can't expect (or hope) for the Lakers to compete for a Western Conference Finals spot (or a ring or 55 wins) and have two rookies and Andrew Bynum on the roster, who is basically a rookie. Teams that have that kind of success have veterans and people who know how to win. Pinnock, as promising as he is, doesn't fit that role.
So I say take one or the other, we're developing young talent or looking for seasoned veteran play to win a bunch of games and do some damage in the playoffs. The two very rarely, if ever, go hand in hand.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 25, 2006 at 03:15 PM
Edwin,
No, I don't think Kupchak wasted a 2007 second round pick on Pinnock at all. They have plenty of second round picks next season (at least 3 more, I think), so trading one away to pick up Pinnock doesn't hurt them. It's not like all their 2007 2nd round picks will make the team anyway. Even if they think Pinnock might not make the 2006 team, if he might help down the road, why not take a flyer on him now and tuck him away? And even if Pinnock never ends up on the team, he represents a draft pick that might have been cut anyway. The odds of the Lakers missing out on a second round stud by trading that pick are pretty small. There's no harm at all, in my opinion.
Honestly, I have no idea why you're questioning Kupchak so hard on this one. It's a pretty minor swap that has no real impact on the team's future whatsoever. And there's really nothing for Kupchak to communicate to the fans, because it's not that big a deal. In my humble opinion, you're overthinking this one way too much.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 25, 2006 at 03:16 PM
LakerTom,
If Doug plays with the Lakers second time around, is it possible she would interfere with PJ coaching or get the risk of being attacked? If Kobe does not pass the ball to Doug, he will see again a woman in rampage? If the Doug misses a critical shot and get booed and you happen to sit next to Jackie, booing, oh my, that's the end of you, goodbye earth.
C'mon, let's invite them.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 25, 2006 at 03:16 PM
GOT THE SAME BDAY WITH KOBE SO NEVER FORGET HIS BDAY.. WELL BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOBE..
Posted by: ERIC | August 25, 2006 at 03:50 PM
N - N - NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
I just couldn't resist clicking on the "READ" link. The only thing missing from Jackie's website is a background soundtrack of her saying "No you di-n't!" playing over and over again.
Posted by: RespectMyAuthoritah | August 25, 2006 at 04:46 PM
I am also late because I just found out about this site. I love Kobe to death. I wish him another year of criticism, hatred, underestimation, and booing. Why you ask? Because that's what drives him. That's what makes him such a strong and amazing player. We love you Kobe. LetsGoLakers.com
Posted by: Shakobe4life | August 25, 2006 at 09:19 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOBE!
I LOVE YOU.
I still remember the day you won your first championship and to see yo come this far and just makes me so happy I have followed ever sense I can remeber and just have a wonderful Birthday and I Wish you a wonderfull life to come and I wish you many championships to come.
Posted by: B | August 26, 2006 at 02:38 PM
Roland,
Thank you so much for teaching me so much about a sport I love and a team I love.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | August 26, 2006 at 04:27 PM
Taliq... i read your post from well up above so if your reading this, if my memory serves me correct, Jordan was 29 when he won his first.
Posted by: Rejekt | August 27, 2006 at 12:56 AM
Steven.....
Kobe hater, people like you don't understand what really life is, Have you ever been married and how old are you. Don't you ever make mistakes in your life, don't you think everybody deserve a second chance and guess what you grow from your mistakes that's how you get better not unless you are a total idiot. Do you think that you would never make a mistake in your life, even the Pastor and the Priest make mistake s, Dude this is a crazy world we live in, what He did is unacceptable but grow up man, ask yourself and be honest, tell the truth that you haven't thought of cheating to your girlfriend or to your wife, everybody think like that even a woman and If you let your desires control you then you should know the consequence, that time He let his desired dictate his action...but dude the guy is a good looking man and a very popular guy unlike you....woman are all over him...unlike you.....maybe that's why you are so jealous...
Posted by: KERSFORLIFE | August 28, 2006 at 10:59 AM
Happy Birthday Kobe.....
10 reasons why I like Kobe....
1, I could never play like Him, he is too darn good...
2, The guy is tough, He just don't care who you are, home or away game it doesn't matter, he plays the same unlike some other players.
3, gutsy....no problem taking the last shots
4, arrogant, cocky, confident.....why not, If you can do it as long as you can walk the talk, something inside of us want to be like that but we just can't do that....
5, smart and versatile....He knows the game and capable of doing things that is just so unbelievable.
6, His Will.....I think this is the one that I like the best on one of His traits...amazing will to win...
7, competetive.....don't you think?
8, Loves the Game.....can't you tell..
9, His ability to handle stress...during the duration of games and courts, amazing how he could still get those points.
10,dedications.... the way he find ways to be better than anybody, the way He take care of His body and the way He Prepares for the game, waking up very early to get better, what a man........
to practise,
Posted by: KERSFORLIFE | August 28, 2006 at 12:12 PM
happy birthday ...
wish u
all the best
Posted by: athena | August 30, 2006 at 10:49 AM
kobe is 29 not 28
Posted by: hillix | September 02, 2006 at 08:19 PM
kobe is 29 not 28
Posted by: hillix | September 02, 2006 at 08:20 PM
hillix
Bean was born on 8-23-78.
Do the math. He's 28.
>_<
Posted by: dan the man >_< aka smushcalade | September 03, 2006 at 12:14 AM
please be nice
KOBEIS THE BEST....
Posted by: tifanny | September 03, 2006 at 06:17 PM
Andrew Z,
"In no way shape or form does MK have an obligation to communicate with the fans, especially about the reasons for his moves."
Your earlier post regarding Mitch was very thought-provoking. While your statement may be factually true, MK has often been criticized for his lack of personality, as well as some questionable drafting. He certainly isn't Mr. Excitement and that may be part of his problem communicating. If he were to warm up and be more forthcoming with his plans and goals etc, we might see him in a different light.
I wish MK would elaborate on his plans for rebuilding the Lakers, if he has one. While I am convinced that he thinks he is doing what's best, for the team, I wish he would approach it from a different direction. My reasons why, will be discussed in more detail in a later post.
Posted by: LakerAl | September 07, 2006 at 10:39 PM