Actually, when we get into the season, I would like to visit the Clipper fans, all 20 of them, on their blog. If someone can post a link to the blog in question, I'd much appreciate it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpHUoMLhEGU

just something i found funny...

Go Lakers

Eric Pincus,

This trade must happen! What can we do as a group to support the trade for Harrington so that the Lakers will do this trade?! :) Listen guys, inserting Al into the line-up does not necessarily mean that Vlad won't start. If this happens, Odom can go to the point guard spot. He likes to play an all around game and he has the ability to run the break at times. No he is not as quick as the quickest guards like Chris Paul, but he would have the size advantage over everyone. Come on guys, think outside of the box.
Guards; Forwards/center;
Odom/Kobe Harrington/Vlad/Kwame

This line-up could be dominant! we have to support this. With this line-up, we would be elite again.

Ken

Fearless,

I got it from:

http://www.hoopshype.com/rumors.htm

You have to scroll down to find the article.

mike

Speaking of youtube (I hope you're okay purpleandgold ;-), this thing (Kobe's game winner in game4) still give me goosebumps. I know it didn't exactly turn out great...but for that moment it was great! I think we'll find that that whole experience, the playoffs in general and game 4 in particular was the most valuable learning experience of the whole season. Go Lakers!

watch it with these in mind: http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/Kobersquos_Shot_Different_P.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXFRC0crqu8

This is the link to the article:

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2006/08/20/moving_without_the_ball

Fearless,

I agree with you, I think it's a shame that the local media doesn't write articles like this one, or like other papers have written about Kobe.

When the latimes reported Kobe's visit to the boys and girls club and his deal with sony, the article was negative, it mentions things that are out of place. It seems that it hurts them that Kobe is getting deals, etc. That's why I posted another article about his visit instead of the latimes.

Is not that they only have to write or say good things about Kobe or the Lakers, but if it's something positive, keep it positive. But I guess that's how the latimes and the local media like to handle their newspapers.

Joninjapan
I would rather see Vlad as the 6th man since all he can do is shoot. Not only that but LO is a decent 3pt shooter with more to offer.

Guity
Clippers dont have any bloggers and I also checked their current threads and didnt see more than 20 comments on any of them. On the other hand we sometimes hit 100-200 in one day.

Mike T.
PART I
Ive said before I wouldnt mine having MIles IF he can come in here and play ball. No attitude and no outside problems to distract the team. To be honest thats pretty much why I dont want him. On the other hand AH doenst have none of those problems and its only about $1mil difference with better production and like I said is overall a better player.
PART II
If we get Al then Kwame wouldnt have to produce as much on the offense and he could concentrate on improving his defense (mostly help defense).
Faith
Couldnt have said it better myself. With Al its not much of a gamble since its obvious to see so many teams want him. Its not like Miles (not trying to take a shot at him) were teams dont want to take. There would be so many teams out there that would take him off our hands and we could demand someone pretty good. The only thing lost is one season (which we aint gonna win a ring) and thats about it. If he works we have another YOUNG AND TALENTED player and if he dont he has enough value to get someone back of great value.

Greek Dude
Kwame is only a dominant force when it comes down to playing one-on-one against true C which by the way there arent many in the NBA. If he improves other areas of his defense like his help defense (which would raise his blocks) then I wouldnt mine him being a type of player like Ben Wallace whose only job is to play defense and dunk the ball whenever he gets it tossed to him to hammer it down.

Fearless
We alreayd heard about the Indy trade being dead. This thread has actually reignited the Al harrington discussion again.

We'll unless you're into metaphysics and the power of prayer - I don't think there's anything the Laker fans can really do to foster a Harrington to the Lakers trade.

Through metaphysics and the power of prayer?

Why didn't you say so???

Hey Lakeshow, we can really do it!

SHADY and EVERYBODY else

in the FACT that if we get AL we'll have a great TRADE BAIT even if he doesn't WORK OUT, there is no question and I AGREE with you 100%

but I wanna TALK about something that I see in this blog and there is a GREAT POINT reagrding leadership to be made:

there is a LEVEL of healthy and respectful ARGUMENT going on in this BLOG that is PLEASANTELY SURPRISING. Considering the amount of DISAGREEMENT between the members, I think all the BLOGEES, being right or wrong, agreeing or disagreeing, put an ENORMEOUS amount of effort to not to PERSONALLY DISRESPECT one another. we are VERY consistant in TRYING to argue our POINTS without CLOSED MINDEDLY avoid our manners. I think this is the direct effect of the WAY K-BROS lead the WAY. and its AMAZING how GREAT LEADERSHIP always leads to SUCCESS (over 300 POSTS in a ONE or TWO day span, and ESPNIES reffering to this BLOG in thier NOTES). With all the QUESTIONS about KOBE's leadership with the LAKERS and how ESSENTIAL it is, I think we have a GREAT example in this BLOG. the HIGH LEVEL of success this COMMUNITY ENJOYS is a DIRECT EFFECT of the high level of its LEADERSHIP. and I think GREAT LEADERSHIP is the SINGLE most important ESSENCE of SUCCESS in a team and/or a community. How Kobe will LEAD this roster is going to effect how FAR this TEAM will REACH.

Sonny,

Yeah, now your queens have hope; metaphysics. Go get em'. :)

Lakofan,

Apparently, you missed the part when I said that Kobe absolutely DIDN'T need to be a 24/7 quote machine (like, say, Shaq). I never asked him to put on a show for the media. It's not Kobe's job to entertain me. And for that matter, I take no pleasure in any personal problems Kobe's had, which should be clear from the way I've talked about him on the blog.

I'm definitely not saying he should become an open book. But a happy medium exists between being a private person (while in the public) and insulating yourself to a point where just about everybody, including teammates, has had trouble relating to you (and you to them). And there's been a lot of drama in Kobe's life that's been directly caused by him keeping teammates, coaches, and even those reportedly close to him at a distance. That's been a problem, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not. People aren't just making this up. Even if you've personally found it to be an issue, enough people in Kobe's life have, so perhaps it's worth a little more consideration than you're giving it.

You sarcastically bring up "teammates that were not behind him" as a faction he kept at a distance. Well, maybe if he hadn't worked so hard to separate himself from them, they might have had his back a little more from the outset. It's a two-way street.

Same thing with a relationship with the media. If you (and legions of Kobe fans) want the media to be less suspicious of Kobe (and they've sometimes been unfair in the past/present) and give him more of a clean slate, it would help if he were less guarded around them. Trust breeds more trust and it takes effort from both parties.

It's also funny how I can present a wish that would tremendously help and benefit Kobe and you automatically take it as "hating." Are you that sensitive towards anything involving Kobe? I had nothing but positive wishes/results for the guy and you're taking it like an insult. Why is that?

Again, I'm echoing Kareem's thoughts, who experienced all this himself during his career, regrets it and knows it could have been avoided. And Kareem thought it was applicable to Kobe as well. I'd love to see Kobe shake this at some point in his career. But if you'd rather see him keep experiencing it than say anything that might be construed as "hating," so be it. That just, as you put it, "baffles" me.

AK

there was a piece on 60 minutes tonight about michael jordan and at one point he was asked about the crticism he has received throughout his career as well as after about his hesitance in speaking up about politics. they wanted to know why he didn't express himself and use his clout as the greatest bball player of all time to spread his views much like muhammed ali or jackie robinson. he basically said that it was his job to play basketball and to worry about being the best there ever was and nothing else. i think its similar to what kobe and many great athletes go through. it's their number one priority (as it relates to their professional career) to be the best performer they can be and at the same time be respectful to the media and fans. kobe fulfills his first priority better than anyone else and is respectful to the media and unlike other athletes that are painted as media friendly yet don't talk to them for long stretches (ahem SHAQ!), kobe does the interviews but shields himself as well. just because he doesn't expose everything about himself doesn't make him a bad guy... the media is just pissed cause he doesn't want to be their best friends and who can blame the guy after some of the stuff they write about him.

Marcus,

While I'm still skeptical about them getting Harrington (which you should take as a good sign, since I'm often wrong about everything... haha), if they did get him, I'd predict a starting lineup of:

Smush, Kobe, Harrington, LO, Kwame.

Main bench rotation: (not the exact order, obviously): Vlad, Walton, Evans, Shammond, Turiaf (or whoever is the vet big I have to guess they'll add in Mihm's absence).

I could see them maybe starting Vlad and playing Harrington off the bench (gives the 2nd unit a little more scoring versatility), but Harrington's the better player, so I imagine he'll get the nod. But I do think we'd also see a fair amount of a big lineup with LO, Kobe, Harrington, Vlad and Kwame. They may experience some defensive glitches at times. But on the flip side, a unit where a 6'6" Kobe's the shortest guy would be a nightmare for the other team to guard, too.

AK

OK Alright - RAY RAY whoever you are I guess I should be more respectful, but darn it can you stop trying so hard to irritate my eyes on those pOsTs!
Mike T – Unbelievable, when Tiger is on he is magical. He sure does dominate the Golf world, I feel sorry for the rest of the PGA. We are watching the Michael Jordan of Golf.

AK great stuff on Kareem, that guy was a stone wall when I tried to talk at him a few times in his playing days. Michael Cooper and Magic made up for him though. Rambis was the most friendly and open guy of all and never acted to good for us- just one of the guys.

Anyway...Never mind my sly remarks Zakee, Steven and whoever else comes in here just wasting space and babbling garbage. I suppose my rants and scribble can be just as bad at times and even though I hate almost all of SonnyBelfasts posts, he is funny and doesn't truly embarrass himself near as bad as Steven. I think mainly because he loves the Queens/Kings and probably listens to Grant Napier- that is enough for me to not want any news about the Kings here. (Sactown hates the Lakers, although when the Lakers come to town there is a nice mix of Laker Support in ARCO ARENA) Sonny is fun to pick on because we own the Kings and we have basically destroyed them as a franchise with Shaq's quotes just killing the press and the whole town while we stole their chances to be a contender for several years running. Tough to say how much money I made on the Sacramento faithful while I lived there. Sonny I am no more important than anyone anywhere except where I am the Boss and Checkwriter. Have fun, be happy, sorry about the Kings again, and good luck Niners.
The Kings do have great fans though, and maybe the mini-me (Mussleman) coach can get the engine running. Good luck with Ron Artest, (he’s about to blow) and Musselman and add Bonzi - who had Musselman as an assistant in Memphis - ouch. Musselman alienated a lot of players at Golden State, hope he doesn’t repeat that there.
I think if you are here and contributing then you must like this blog as much as I do, I can’t change your opinions but sometimes I wish I could make a few of you read a few more books and play about 12 years of basketball along with coaching and refereeing just to give you a little insight of what I see on the floor and in the changes of the game. I am old guys - just a little bit of knowledge and respect for the game.
You guys are great and good for the blog, have fun and go ahead and bash away, I can take it and if we ever meet good luck on diplomacy.
Just kidding, no hard feelings, hahahaha!
The Blog has a lot of great postings and as ridiculous as it gets, my posts included, I enjoy it- thanks for all the awesome Laker news and gossip.

Kobe seems to be gathering himself into maturity and becoming a leader. The press is working for him if he knows how to work it and I think we might see a new wrinkle in his game this year. The move to go to Japan was smart, very much a good PR move and just having opposing teams see him in the audience knowing he is another factor to add into the US team – that has to put a lot of fear into the opposition. It would have been nice to see him play alongside these other all-stars. I really thought he might have done a lot more passing and helping others get better if he had been able to play with them. Then of course it would have also been nice to see who was given the ball at the end of a tight game- Kobe, Carmelo, Wade or LeBron…nice problem to have.

GO USA, more importantly go Lakers! Mitch it seems like you should be on the phone a lot this weekend, good luck. Spend the Bosses money and make it up to him in the playoffs. We have to get back to winning.

too long I know- sorry

I love the big lineup.

Lakofan,

When someone is on a team it is like he is part of a family. Anyone who has played a sport knows this. This is especially true when this player is playing professionally. The best player on the team (or in the world) is going to be looked up to and turned to for leadership, on and off the court. If that member of the family is aloof or doesn't interact well with others then it will cause huge waves. I think that this is Kobe's team now (since Shaq left) and he is taking all the right steps to fix the problems which existed on the last dynasty.

Regardless of what Kobe does now he is going to have an uphill battle. The guy feuded with Shaq and Malone, Phil called him uncoachable, the old team called him out on being too aloof, he cheated on his wife and was almost charged with rape. I am a huge Kobe fan, but those are the facts. In spite of the cons listed previously his gameplay, the success of the Lakers, and his new role as the primary leader of the Lakers can make the media shine more favorably towards him. Most people will always love him or hate him, though.

Lakofan,

I can't speak for all journalists, but this issue mattters to be an a writer because it affects him and his teammates, his coaches, etc. Kobe's isolating himself affects the team dynamic. If you're writing about the team (and the NBA in general), you can't ignore that. It's pretty simple. And yes, the "drama" of it all is also interesting. Some of it may be tabloidy crap, but some of it is also legit insight into the team.

Also, just to clarify my position, I don't consider this a matter of Kobe socializing constantly with his teammates. He's absolutely not obligated to do that. He simply shouldn't isolate himself from them. It's about letting your guard down and being more approachable. That's not a question of revealing your most personal secrets. It's a question of not actively putting up a wall, which has often been an issue with Kobe.

Are there some media members who don't like Kobe's personality and their writing reflects that? Absolutely. Is that fair? In most cases, probably not. But the flip side of that is that Kobe's still-guarded nature has also made it so people don't always trust his motives or believe when he's doing "the right things." Which I think is unfortunate for Kobe and I'd love to see change. And it seems like most Kobe fans would, too, since they're sick of him getting bad coverage. But like I said, that will only come after an effort from both ends.

Also, I'm gonna go out on a limb that the media darling you're referring to is Shaq (if I'm wrong, my apologies). And yeah, Shaq can be moody with the media. But when he doesn't talk to them, he absolutely gets called out. A lot. When Shaq didn't speak to the media after that 5 point playoff game, it was all over SportsCenter and discussed heavily in a lot of papers. And there have been a couple times when he was boycotting the media and a thing was made of it. So that's not entirely accurate.

If "hate" was too strong on my part, sorry about that. I'm used to the way the general blogging nation reacts to most things involving Kobe (often "hating" accusations). But if that was overanalysis on my part, my apologies. I should probably know by now that you often sound more annoyed in type-format than you actually are in real life. haha

AK

Pfunk,

In my mind, I'm "qualified" to "judge" (if you even want to call it that) certain things regarding Kobe because I've spent the last 6 years around the team. And have interacted some with Kobe. And watched him interact with other people. And talked with people ranging from teammates to other NBA players to writers who've spent a ton of time around Kobe. And frankly, I do this for a living. I do my homework. Do I know Kobe well? No. Am I the ultimate source of insight into Kobe's soul? No. But I also haven't ripped particularly deep into his soul, either. So I think that's a pretty reasonable trade off.

As for examining my feelings towards Kobe, I haven't, because I don't need to. I don't have a problem with Kobe. Period. I just don't think he's beyond criticism. But I try to balance it with the positive things I've written about him, of which there's been many. And for that matter, I've never been terribly harsh on him. I've never gotten into big-time character issues. This blog is not in the "Kobe burying" business. I'm just not simply 100% positive with Kobe. And I don't feel I have to be in order to be fair (or to attempt fairnes, if nothing else).

And as I said before, it's funny to me how I originally brought this up as a means of making Kobe's life simpler and easier, because that's something I wouldn't mind seeing. I don't know why that would spark accusations of somehow being against Kobe. That seems strange to me.

And to answer your last question, I agree that the media has sometimes blown up certain things with Kobe bigger than they are. But I also Kobe fans are also often a little quick to dismiss some legit negatives as "hating." The truth lies somewhere in the middle.

We've been posting links throughout the summer about Kobe's charity work. As for the Sony Playstation deal, I personally didn't put up a link about it because people were already discussing it a bit in some threads. It felt redundant to me giving a separate post to something I didn't think was that big a story. How much can you discuss a video game? If I erred, I erred. Won't be the last time, I'm guessing.

AK

71 days and a wake-up.

We'll be seeing you at your place before then in the pre-season. Don't take it to heart when the Kings dismantle you. It's only pre-season.

AK -

That "big lineup" -recipe for disaster.

Remember a couple of years back in the All Star game when the West startred a frontcourt of Shaq, Duncan, and KG? Everyone said they were unbeatable but a way smaller East frontline with Vince Carter ran circles around them. Which is what Nash and Barbosa or Parker and Genobli will do if Lamar had to guard one of them. And that West team had two guards to offset the smaller faster East.
Kobe is a defensive 3 as much as a 2 (look how well he guards LeBron or T-Mac), and Lamar is a 3 or 4. We need at least one true guard in the lineup or defensively we won't have a chance against the Suns, Spurs, or Mavs. And if we use Kobe against Nash, Terry etc, all that chasing around will hurt his offensive production, which is the core of our scoring.

All of which is why I DON'T want Harrington and DO want an upgrade at point guard.

AK,

You are so right on the money. Though, I never asked any questions that dealt with Kareem's relationship with the press since I'm not with the press, I could instantly see the dichotomy of the whole situation. Though, I don't remember ever feeling like what I was reading about him was ever true. But, that was probably because I thought I "knew" him. Though, I probably feel more like I "know" him than he does. He may not even remember me. I think that's the dynamic of being a fan. You shake a star's hand, and all of a sudden you feel like you're an expert on the person. I realize that, so you guys should probably take these things I say with a grain of salt.

But, one thing that shocked me was to learn that he was a fan of mine. When in High School I was one of the top prep sprinters and had won a few big meets and set a couple or records and wound up on scholarship at UCLA. He had actually seen some of my meets and was effusive with the praise.

Can you imagine that for a 16-year-old? He's a BIG Jazz guy and interested in all sorts of things. Amazing dude. If you want to know, we talked mostly about Bruce Lee, one of my all-time idols. Fascinating talks.

You know, now that I think of it, it was probably kinda rude to talk to one star about another star. But, he didn't make me feel like that at all. He didn't seem to need or want the usual ego bolstering, "you're the greatest person ever -- tell me everything about yourself" talk. He was happy to talk about the petty teenage stuff I wanted to talk about.

My private, inner, deep-down hope is The Captain becomes the head coach of the Lakers at some point. But, that is an opinion that I share with very few people, because I know it makes me look crazy.

--Fearless

AK,

I log in monday morning only to find you've been causing havoc. Your comments:

[
You sarcastically bring up "teammates that were not behind him" as a faction he kept at a distance. Well, maybe if he hadn't worked so hard to separate himself from them, they might have had his back a little more from the outset. It's a two-way street.
]

Emphasis on the two-way street. You've often talked about blind love kobe fans often reveal. Well I've said this before, and repeating it now. It's the one sided view the media often takes when it comes to Kobe that is the root of that love. And before you jump into a "oh i wrote a positive article when he scored 81" mode, yes we concede there are articles out there that are positive. But just as I'd have a problem with an article that says "wow, kobe's 81 point performance proves he's better than jordan" (i.e. it's too biased in favor of kobe ) irrespective of how many negative articles the author has written in the past, i have a problem with one sided negative articles irrespective of how many so called positive articles the author has written on other topics.

Point being, before you go I've written other positive articles on Kobe, what's the subject matter. If it's on his ability to put the ball in the hole, well no matter how biased you are you can't write it because his game speaks for itself, the best you can do is say maybe Lebron is better, and that doesn't really count as negative. So AK, point us to the +ve articles you've written about Kobe's follies with his teammates. Sure no matter how socially inept this dude is, he most have had good moments with his teammates, have you ever captured any of this, to try and balance the whole Kobe teammate issue. And no mentioning in passing that he's getting along better with Smush and Co, doesn't count since it doesn't balance the whole article dedicated to how kobe's never gotten along with his teammates.

So before I'm labeled as having blind love for Kobe ( which is true, but i doesnt cloud my view, i'm ok with saying my man kobe shouldn't have discussed Shaq's affairs with the cops but i still love him ), here are some angles that might help balance your story the next time you write the millionth story on how kobe doesnt get along with teammates:

i. He came into the league at 17 speaking of 2way streets, how much effort did his teammates make to reach out to him. Was there resentment of the hotshot kid...ala shaq's slapping kobe in practice and then putting it into his book

ii. Were his teammates at times fake...ala shaq carrying kobe on his back and it being all love...did they truly get along then and how did it go sour

iii. Why do his current teammates say they're ok with him. What's could he do better that you see but his teammates don't.

iv. Can you post quotes of teammates saying they have problems with him. Or about how his so called aloofness affects play on the court. Are these players credible?

v. What about folks he had a good relationship with, ala Ron Harper, Brian Shaw...what are their takes.

vi. What kind of character does it show for a man to be willing to put aside "uncoachable" comment in a book. Is it just his desire to win or is there an element of for the good of the team that he should be given credit to.

vii. The famous game 7...kobe quiting...kobe showing up his teammates...did you try to seek out his teammates and ask for their take on it...kobe's i stuck to the plan was waived off by the media...phil jackson backing it up was waived off....was their any due diligence done on your part to try and get the story from his teammates, what was their take. Do you see how a fan can get upset when you disreagard the story from the horses mouth and you say you give an opinion on what was going on in their head without corraborating it with much more than your interpretation of the game tape.

viii. the sacremento fiascao as well as the sun game 7...any due diligence on your part to run some stats...e.g. kobe in his career has never taken less than 3 shots in a half...this year no other go to guy took less than 3 shots in a half...in mj's career he never took less than...did your stats guy crunch the numbers to give you the ammo you need to back your opinions.

I could go on and on. But my point is, when you do write that negative post about kobe it'd be nice if it wasn't based on just your subjective opionions ( irrespecive of how long you've known kobe ) but backed with something credible. And wouldn't it be great if there was some balance such as wow he didn't get along with 7 of the guys but 5 of them had no issues...and come to think of it t-mac had issues in toronto but when he moved to blah it was a breath of fresh air. You know a little due diligence on your part would make it seem less like a personal attack on kobe, and once again that positive article he loves chocolate ice-cream has no bearing on a one sided attack on how he hates tex winter, i.e. it doesn't make it any less one sided

Kapish

In Kobe we Trust,
Go Lakers

You know,

Part of Kobe's problem is that he's a star in the town that Magic built. When you list the players that were the "greatest of all time" while they played, most had a very contentious relationship with the press.

Bird
Bonds (even before steroids)
Tiger
Kareem
Jordan (yes, even he)
Babe
Bogs
McInroe

Some of these negative personas are more deserved than others, but it must not be ignored that being a GOAT almost necessarily means getting boatloads of negative press. Regardless of who you are, who you let in, or who you shun. Too many athletes have had their lives turned upside-down because they were too accommodating to the press. I think much more so than the damage created by shunning the press. Why else do you think that the prevailing advice given to up and coming stars in to keep the press at a distance.

That is a cold, hard fact that the press often ignores when they set about to bash someone. That is something I did learn from my Kareem encounters. And, I didn't have to ask him about it, I just figured it out for myself. And I was only 16 at the time.

In LA, we were blessed with the only two true shining examples that I am completely wrong: Magic and Gretzky. They, however, actually are the exceptions that sort of prove the rule.

Magic to the degree that his extra-marital transgressions are so overwhelmingly worse than Kobe's that it really shows the bias against Kobe. Magic risked the lives of both his wife and his daughter. It was only dumb luck that neither contracted AIDS from his mis-deeds. Can you imagine the level of utter catastrophe that would have befallen his family, the Laker Family, the city, everyone, if he had lost that very stupid gamble?

Yet, just because he's personable, Magic got always almost Scott-free. Well, Malone and his stupid public remarks sure did help deflect some of the spotlight away. So, we should remember to give him a nice assist to Magic (for a change).

BTW, I find that it isn't a coincidence that Malone got into another public tiff with another Laker GOAT when he flirted with Kobe's wife. Which I totally believe from a person who has already publicly shown his bigotry.

Well, I could be completely wrong. But, that's the impressions I get.

--Fearless

Nobody should ever trust the media for whatever reason. Everybody is always in it for themsleves first, so is the media, the atletes, and a carpenter.. Nobody trust the media anyways, really the media has to work to gain the trust of the people again because they've lost it with the crab they write, wheather is to create a perception about someone, or make a story out of nothing.

I like that Kobe doesnt open up and it kills the media people cuz he is doing it his way. Kobe will always be remembered more than Kareem will, cuz he has something nobody can explain, and he occupies a unique spot in the 21st century as far as sport history. I don't think LAtimes jornalist will ever embrace Kobe, but Kobe is LA and he doesnt need the times or espn. Notice how both have lost their honesty and interigity when it comes to Lakers fan, we plain dont trust them anymore. Sportscenter is now a joke compared to what it used to be.

As laker fans we should not care anymore if the media embraces or writes positive feedback about Kobe, because when he retires they will miss him more than he will miss them. Downplaying kobes' 81 point game is one of the greatest injustices in sport history in the 21st century. The night when I saw 81 points scrolling down ESPN ticker, my roommate and I where actually calling God's name cuz we could not believe it. Our reaction was priceless. I kept telling him one of these games Kobe will blow up that we wont even imagine and he did, and I was even blow away cuz I was expecting like 65 points when he would blow up and he did with Dallas but we never saw 81 coming. I thought we would never hear a media criticms once about Kobe about what he did that night and 50% of the media had something negative to say, 25% wrote a positive piece but did not really want to acknowlege it. 25% wrote a honest piece and wrote what that game really meant. It was the best game a bball player ever played at the highest level.

From there I can careless what the media has to write about or say about Kobe, there are certain writers I will read that will tell it like it is about Kobe and athletes in general and thats Scoop Jackson.

That's my word