Eyes focused and straight ahead
I'd love to report that practice featured the funny anecdotes, quirky asides and generally random nonsense BK and I eat up with a spoon while asking for fifths. Unfortunately, that would be a lie. Today was pretty "just the facts, ma'am" all around. Then again, this Laker team is on a six-game winning streak and appears in little danger of slowing down, so if that's an occasional by-product, I guess it's a small price to pay for fewer happenings that tickle my odd sense of humor. After all, few things tickle me as much as a Laker win. Besides, as long as DJ Mbenga remains on the team and provides an excuse to link this clip whenever the hell I feel like it, I'm generally amused enough to get through the day while waiting for somebody to do something weird tomorrow.
Anyhoo...
Phil Jackson was asked about Lamar Odom's outstanding productivity and play (six double-doubles in eight games) since the arrival of Pau Gasol. After joking that he's simply been playing LO so many minutes that the stats were bound to pile up, The Zen Master acknowledged the way Lamar has stepped it up, particularly against Phoenix. "He's doing a fine job. That was a tough load for him with (Amare) Stoudemire." Kobe also had kind words for #7. "He's been playing extremely well. Obviously, I think the addition (of Pau) has helped him a lot, but he'd been playing well prior to that. He's kind been picking it up as of late." Phil was quick to note that it's not simply Gasol's presence, but defense stretchers Derek Fisher and Vlad Radmanovic opening up opportunities for Odom. But that being said, he agreed that Gasol providing a decreased need for Lamar to shoot has ironically resulted in Lamar's offense turning more aggressive and comfortable.
For that matter, the Lakers from top to bottom seem pretty confident at the moment, a great quality assuming folks don't go all haywire patting themselves on the back. For the time being, though, Jackson isn't worried about his boys growing fat, happy and relaxed. "I haven't had to talk about that. I haven't felt that. Last year, we'd win a couple and relax. This team has not given that sense of satisfaction with what they've accomplished. I think that's been a real vital sign for them. They're still hungry to keep playing well."
Kobe Bryant would concur with his coach's assessment. "We're worried about playing well every single night and getting better every single night. That's what our focus is." That agenda remains the same, regardless of the particular opponent, which is why maintaining focus while facing a string of .500-ish or below opponents (Clippers on Saturday, then Seattle, Portland, Miami, Portland) doesn't strike Bryant as the recipe for a slack ass purple and gold. "We've been doing a good job of that all year, in terms of just coming in and playing our game. Not worried about who we're playing against, but just coming in and doing the things we're taught to do." (That mindset more or less describes why Kobe wasn't all that concerned about trade deadline action. To some degree, the Laker objective remains the same no matter what the other 29 teams do.)
Of course, there is something to be said for notching a big win against a quality team like Wednesday in Phoenix. Kobe considered that victory testing ground for what this Laker squad could be made of, given the atmosphere, rivalry and hype surrounding this game. I asked Kobe if he thought the desert triumph could also prepare the team a bit come playoff time. The Mamba didn't hesitate with his affirmation. "It's a good tune up, kind of. Everybody on this team, though, has had playoff experience. Seven game series, six game series, playing a lot minutes. We're all pretty playoff tested." When I noted that most of those guys haven't tasted what it's like to get over the early rounds hump, Kobe agreed, but didn't think it was that big of a deal. "To do that, you have to have the game experience somewhere. Even when we won championships, we had a bunch of guys that not necessarily got over the hump, but were in a lot of heated playoff battles. Rick Fox, Brian Shaw, Derek (Fisher), myself, Shaq. We still had that playoff experience, which was very valuable." And in Kobe's mind, this team is ready to take a similar step to those three-peat squads in the making. "We know we're a good team. We know what we're capable of doing. I think we've gotten over that hump."
One of the fellas previously stranded on the bad side of postseason humps would be Pau Gasol, who still can't refrain from pinching himself over the good fortune of ending up in L.A. When talking about his new situation, the word "opportunity" kept popping up. "Being here is a great opportunity and a great chance and I've been excited since day one. I asked Gasol if he was concerned a legit title-contending opportunity might never arrive in Memphis, or even during his entire career. "I was a little concerned, yes," admitted the Spaniard. "I was concerned and worried that we'd have to get to my last year of my contract to be able to have a chance. I'd be 30 years old at the time. I was wishing that one day I'd have that opportunity. I just didn't know that it would come now. That kind of makes me feel even better about it and more fortunate about it. I'm working hard to do well and accomplish our goals."
Not that Pau's gratitude is a one-way street. Everyone appreciates what he's bringing to the table, including The New Jack Bauer. When asked how Gasol's presence changes his role, Kobe's answer was simultaneously matter of fact honesty and warm tribute. "It hasn't," smiled Bryant. "I just do the things that I do. It's just now when I pass it, I've got somebody who can catch it and finish it. It's no different."
Since Kobe wasn't totally specific as to whether Andrew Bynum or Kwame Brown was the previous man in the middle struggling to keep mitts on the rock and throw down, I'll leave it open to interpretation and debate. Feel free to discuss amongst yourselves.
Download phil_2.22.08-practice.mp3 (Phil Jackson interview)
Download pau_2.22.08 - practice.mp3 (Pau Gasol interview)
AK
I think it's clear Kobe was talking about Javaris with that comment...
Posted by: J. Walter Weatherman | February 22, 2008 at 06:58 PM
woah!
Posted by: Grady | February 22, 2008 at 07:11 PM
Ex,
I actually caught it right after I posted it (I've been having trouble with the spell checker function on the software). But thanks for the heads up.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | February 22, 2008 at 07:13 PM
AK:
Terrific job and greast interviews!
I nominate this comment by Kobe as the Comment of the Day and I'll bet the entire blog would agree with me.
"I just do the things that I do. It's just now when I pass it, I've got somebody who can catch it and finish it. It's no different."
LMAO. Feb 1st, the day that Kwame left.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 22, 2008 at 07:28 PM
Its a tragedy that us Laker fans couldn't get LO into the all star game. Next year everyone on this board better vote 10 times for him. That guy is a big time baller, and deserves it.
Posted by: joey numbers | February 22, 2008 at 07:29 PM
AK,
That last paragraph was cold, LOL. Talk about kickin someone when they're down. Poor Andrew Bynum can't catch any passes or lobs thrown by Kobe, LOL. Can't understand why Kobe can't wait for him to return,LOL. Good stuff AK, but that last paragraph was a low blow.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | February 22, 2008 at 07:31 PM
A.K
Thanx for the reply
Heres where I think alot of teams are gonna make a mistake about SHAQ .
SHAQ will change the rotation of the teams their facing b/c (heres the mistake) there gonna double him down on the block, but if [IF] they would just let whoever is taking him go one on one, they would find out that SHAQ usually (if not a dunk) throws up turn around bricks
I have always said this, unless he's(SHAQ)
catches the rock right under the rim, theres no need to double him he usually throws up shots, that have the same chances as lamars 3 point shots do.
s=SHAQ will be ready for the playoffs.
Posted by: Fire32 | February 22, 2008 at 07:35 PM
AK:
I think Kobe’s comment was the first time he said out loud what all of us but one guy were saying on the blog. Surrounding Kobe with Smush and Kwame was the real reason why he went ballistic during the summer, even though as teammates he wouldn’t throw those guys under the bus.
And as much as I love Phil Jackson as a coach and tactician and appreciate what he has done for the Lakers and for Kobe, his idiotic fascination with trying to make quality NBA players out of Smush and Kwame almost cost us Kobe Bryant.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 22, 2008 at 07:35 PM
Nemaia,
I'm just having a little fun. Like I've said many times in the past, as a person, Kwame's one of the nicest guys in the league. I genuinely like him and wish him well.
By the way, I caught the second half of the Dallas-Memphis game and Kwame actually played very well. For those interested.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | February 22, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Of course he was talking about Kwame, he has rock solid hands and couldn't catch anything that was thrown to him. Andrew Bynum on the other hand has soft hands and certainly catches the ball with more ease, specially the alley oopss.
Posted by: dcerros | February 22, 2008 at 07:50 PM
The Celtics are taking the WRONG approach offensively against the Suns. They're trying to play one on one instead of moving the ball on offense to take advantage of the defensive weaknesses of Amare, Shaq and Nash.
Posted by: Xodus | February 22, 2008 at 07:50 PM
joey numbers
Why just LO, let's go for four.
Kobe - Pau - LO - AB
You are also looking at in maybe two years, 3 possible MVP candidates on one team.
Posted by: AN 1 | February 22, 2008 at 07:53 PM
I knowwwwww
you guys are watchin the SUNS game right now.
SUNS or lakers are champs this year and I'm not scared to admit that.
Posted by: Fire32 | February 22, 2008 at 07:53 PM
fire guy
That's if the Suns make the playoffs.
Posted by: AN 1 | February 22, 2008 at 07:55 PM
I knowwwwww
you guys are watchin the SUNS game right now.
SUNS or lakers are champs this year and I'm not scared to admit that.
Posted by: Fire32 | February 22, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Fire32-
I'll be turning into a Phoenix fan for the night. How sweet the song of an 0-fer road trip for the GreenieWeenies.
So far so good. 19-4 midway through the first.
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | February 22, 2008 at 07:57 PM
AK,
It sounded as if that was you and BK asking all of the questions to both Phil and Pau. Were these exclusive interviews?
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 22, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Nemaia,
I'm just having a little fun. Like I've said many times in the past, as a person, Kwame's one of the nicest guys in the league. I genuinely like him and wish him well.
By the way, I caught the second half of the Dallas-Memphis game and Kwame actually played very well. For those interested.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | February 22, 2008 at 07:38 PM
AK,
I got you AK. Your last paragraph was just hilarious. Like many bloggers on here, I was just scratching my head to no end wondering how Kwame Brown was our starting center for two years, unbelievable. Thanks for the laughs AK.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | February 22, 2008 at 08:03 PM
REPOST
Guys,
I was watching my DVR recording (yeah I know I recorded them but I stopped recording for brief periods during the game) and noticed a very wily veteran play from Derek Fisher. At the 1:22 mark of the 4th quarter and the Lakers ahead by 4 points, Fisher gave a back-hand tap to Nash's buttocks as Nash was in the air shooting the ball. Fisher got the rebound, made an outlet pass to Kobe and Gasol finished with the dunk. I'm sure Fisher tapped that A$$ purposely...Did anyone else notice this?
Posted by: never | February 22, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Watching the Celtics/Suns game on ESPN. Suns had a 15 point lead cut down to 1 in the second quarter with the Celtics holding the Suns scoreless for over 12 minutes and causing 15 turnovers by the Suns. Shaq hasn't scored yet in the first half. Hornets lose at home by 20 tonight to the Rockets and Denver loses big in Chicago. Now PHX goes on a 9-0 run to go up by 10 again. Clips are playing Utah tough right now in the first half.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | February 22, 2008 at 08:40 PM
for those of you who are watchin the SUNS game, see what I mean you dont have to double down on SHAQ, but teams will continue to make that mistake
especially in the playoffs
I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU HATE US
Posted by: Fire32 | February 22, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Watching the Celtics/Suns tonight makes you appreciate Kobe even more. You would think that Pierce would have an easy time going to the hoop against the defensively challenged Suns, but he's having a very difficult time right now. I mean it seems so easy for Kobe to score against the Suns whether he's driving the lane or pulling up for jumpers. Shaq looks okay tonight on the boards, but I really don't see how he'll outplay Gasol or Bynum if we meet in the playoffs. Even if he plays Gasol or Bynum even, I think it still falls in our favor overall.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | February 22, 2008 at 08:52 PM
LakerTom,
"his idiotic fascination with trying to make quality NBA players out of Smush and Kwame almost cost us Kobe Bryant."
There was no other option for Kwame; the only other option to Parker was Farmar, and he wasn't ready. And he had plenty of opportunities to earn more time. Putting him in that position too soon would be as likely to hinder his development as help it, and it almost certainly would have cost the Lakers the playoffs last season. Parker was a better player than Farmar last year. And the way Farmar has played this year, compared to his play last year, shows the wisdom of that approach.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | February 22, 2008 at 09:01 PM
AN1
Don't be a IGNORAMOUS, take your goggles off
SUNS will be there
Posted by: Fire32 | February 22, 2008 at 09:05 PM
How can the Jazz be contenders if they lose to the Clippers? There's no way the Lakers lose to the Clippers unless they take Kobe out of the game or something.
Posted by: Ben Goldberg | February 22, 2008 at 09:11 PM
MiloRambaldi
I assume your a laker fan, so you say you want the celts to lose, why b/c there a good team
see this is where I'm different from you laker fans.
I want the best of the best team to go up against us. I'm not scared of what I'm facing, I have trust on what my team can do.
so I hope yuor team is playing their best B ball come playoff time b/c I want no excuses when ... well you when.
I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU HATE US
BTW Jon.K, charles (the coolest kid in class) was right, I guess I did steal your style, but I like it so I don't care.
I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU HATE US
Posted by: Fire32 | February 22, 2008 at 09:22 PM
I can't believe that i am here gettin upset because boston is losing lol...in better news the hornets lost so all is well with me rite now lol
Posted by: bonez | February 22, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Fire guy you really sound like a SUNS fan so what are u doing here? You were not here last year when we were bad but we still supported the team. Where were u then?
Posted by: RIZZO | February 22, 2008 at 09:39 PM
AK or BK,
What's the deal with the Lakers-Clippers broadcast tommorow?
According to Dishnetwork's channel guide it's on KTLA, according to the schedule at http://www.nba.com/lakers/schedule/index.html it's on KCAL HD.
It used to show up as an NBA league pass game, but then it vanished from the dishnetwork channel guide. I don't get the LA locals, being out of the area, but I do have NBA League pass just to catch all the Lakers games. According to http://www.indemand.com/sports/nba/schedule/schedule.jsp it's supposed to be on NBA League pass, but as I said, it's vanished from the Dishnetwork LP schedule.
Any idea what's actually going on here and what channel it's really being broadcast on? I'd like to see if I can figure it out in time to find a way to see the game on TV.
Thanks.
Posted by: Sharper | February 22, 2008 at 09:40 PM
Celtics have no offense at all. Get it going Boston, give us the half game advantage over the Suns.
Posted by: Ben Goldberg | February 22, 2008 at 09:45 PM
OHH LORD!
The celtics are getting spanked in this West trip!
Perhaps it will shake their confidence now!
Posted by: Maxximo | February 22, 2008 at 09:55 PM
never,
Good observation. No, I didn't notice this during the game, but now that you point it out I see exactly what your talking about. It does look intentional, I agree.
I bet Fish knew that it wasn't enough contact to draw a last minute whistle (difficult to get) but still enough to throw off someones shot/concentration.
You can see the contact at 0:22 in this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nyc7EbLrISg
Great stuff.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: BynumBeliever | February 22, 2008 at 09:56 PM
I think the game tomorrow is on both KTLA channel 5 and KCAL channel 9.
Posted by: Ben Goldberg | February 22, 2008 at 09:56 PM
Fire32,
I don't hate the Suns. Hate takes a lot of work, which I am not willing to exert on a group of underachievers...ho hum. What I beginning to hate is how pathetic your Suns blog is that you have to come here to look for validation.
Almost everyone here respects and appreciates how mild-mannered you've been so far. You put Clark Kent to shame. I for one, am not convinced. I have this nagging feeling that you'd be singing an entirely different tune if your beloved sunflower seeds beat the Lakers last Wednesday.
Oh, and by the way, I'll take my blinders off after you take yours off.
Sorry, bloggers...I just couldn't resist anymore.
Go, Lakers!
Posted by: hoping | February 22, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Pierce and Allen both decided to have their worst shooting games of their careers. Still, I can't believe you can't score 80 points against the Suns. That's pathetic.
Posted by: Ben Goldberg | February 22, 2008 at 10:00 PM
RIZZO
What am I doing here?
I wasn't hip to the blog game, but now that I am I found this one to be the best and it just so happens to be a lakers blog.
So sorry I'm here to stay.
Posted by: Fire32 | February 22, 2008 at 10:01 PM
BYNUM WATCH
Bynum said his knee responded well from running in a pool.
"No extra swelling," he said. "I was able to do everything."
Bynum will continue pool exercises for about a week and then run on a treadmill.
Posted by: BD | February 22, 2008 at 10:04 PM
"There's no way the Lakers lose to the Clippers unless they take Kobe out of the game or something."
Ben Goldberg,
I hope your right, cause I want to keep this winning streak rolling. I know we face some weaker competition coming up, let take care of buisness, starting tommorow night against the Clips at Staples!
Posted by: BynumBeliever | February 22, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Clips bombed the Jazz tonight, GS loses to the Hawks. I'll give credit to the Suns tonight on a good win against the Celtics, although Pierce and Allen were really off tonight. Good win for the Suns. Looking forward to the Lakers/Clippers game tomorrow night. With a win, we'll be top of the WC because the Hornets lost tonight and we own the tiebreaker with the Suns. Truly this is the wild, wild west. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | February 22, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Wow we are not playing but games being played affect us tonight. I hope Celts win so we get 1/2 game pick up on Funs.
I think we can take either one of those teams and when Bynum gets back I don't fear anyone including SA.
Hornets lost ...yesssss.
On another thought I thought the Funs game was exciting to watch but some came down to hard on Mbenga imo.
He did his job but admittedly could have done better. He did not make Shaq work hard enough but he came in w/Lakers leading and left game w/Lakers maintaining that lead. So he was able to give Pau a breather.
Next time he plays Shjaq he has to body up outside the arc and force Shaq to bowl over home to create the charge and tire him out supporting his 300+ pounds and Mbengas 265 lbs.
If Shaq does get by Mbenga then he has to bear hug Shaq to prevent dunk and force Shaq to earn points at FT line.
Just my opinion and I stick by it.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | February 22, 2008 at 10:22 PM
RELAXED ODOM HELPS REVITALIZE LAKERS
by Mike Bresnahan for the L.A. Times
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers23feb23,1,4866883.story
A couple of highlights from an excellent article:
---------------
“"I feel refreshed and my body feels good," Lamar Odom said. "I'm 28. I want to win a championship."
If the Lakers do that, Odom's future with the team is secure.
---------------
Bynum did not experience pain or swelling in his left knee the day after jogging in a swimming pool, a positive sign in the recovery process of the 20-year-old center.
"It responded great from the pool. No extra swelling, and I was able to do everything I needed to do today," he said Friday. "I think we've got about a week and a half of the pool and if I keep doing well and don't get any more swelling, then I'll actually be able to get on the treadmill. Once I'm on there, I should be able to get on the court."
The earliest Bynum would return is March 11 against Toronto, although the Lakers will take their time working him back into game action. Accordingly, he is not expected to return until an unspecified date later in March, although he seemed eager Friday.
---------------
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 22, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Fire32,
"I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU HATE US"
LOL. We don't hate you guys, you just WISH we did. We hate our real rivals, the Boston Celtics. You guys are just pretenders. Our hatred for them comes from so many battles in the Finals... You know what the Finals are, right? Oh yeah, thats right! As a Suns fan, you don't.
Yesterday you asked,
"A.K
As a laker fan, Do you hate the SUNS?
looking for a purple gold answer."
and then after getting only utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER's wonderful response, you go out and begin saying:
"I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU HATE THE SUNS"
over and over, like a damn broken record. You've got it twisted, YOUR the one that hates the Lakers, spending so much time on our blog and all. Either you FEAR us, or you ADORE us. Either way your a pretty WEAK Suns fan.
As utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER so eloquently put it,
"Fire, I'll answer for all of us. As a Laker fan, we don't give a SUCK about the FUNS!
Count all 9 of them banners next time you're in Staples, homie! There's your answer!"
Posted by: BynumBeliever | February 22, 2008 at 10:37 PM
as much as I hate to admit it, I think the addition of shaq is improving suns at both ends of the floor significantly. Even though shaq doesnt move much, just by standing in the lane, he clogs up the lane. Boston was having a rough night, which can also be attributed to suns playing a solid defense. Ray Allan missed some open looks that he usually makes (he usually make something out of nothing from the three point line, tonight he would be all by himself, and he still couldnt sink the threes).
Suns looks really scary. Although, I think they flop quite a bit tho (especially Amare at the early of the game where he got Garnett in foul trouble). We really need Bynum back and to play like he was, before we got to playoff, or we'll be in trouble when we meet this team (unless Kobe was having a night like Tuesday). Gasol is a force, a huge force offensively, but defensively, while he is a decent shot blocker, but he just doesnt have the build to hold his position.
Trying to outscore the opponent every night is generally not a good idea. If we can play above average defense, along with solid offense, then we might have a chance.
On other notes, Utah, GSW, NO and Denver all lost today. Phoenix still have to play Detroit on Sunday and NO have to play spurs on the next game. Houston and Tmac is smoking right now. They are playing really well.
Just hope that Lakers will show up and play hard tomorrow, it's winnable, but it wont be as easy as one thinks. At the same time, I hope Suns lost on Sunday and NO also lost on Sunday (although this one doesnt really matter that much, a loss to either Spurs or NO will benefit us anyway.)
Good thing that the Clippers won tonight, it's a wake up call for the team so they dont underestimate Clippers tomorrow. PJ better come up with a decent match up against Kaman or he'll torture us at the pain.
Posted by: moko | February 22, 2008 at 10:43 PM
See what I mean fellas, we just handled a team that handled you. (TWICE)
Regular season means nothing
So you guys got the season series, but you guys gots to come through us if you want a championship, not the other way around
LIKE I SAID, the facts still remains you guys are still the team that got knocked out of the playoffs by us.( for the past 2 years)
pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaase believe!!!!!!!!!!
I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU HATE US
Posted by: Fire32 | February 22, 2008 at 10:44 PM
that suns celts game was....well it seemed kinda slow, not phx bball. im glad that they won. they played better and deserved it. the celts all stars had a ba shooting night and a lot of their short comings have been exposed the last few games, and i think thats great!
reasons:
1) they are the team that stomped us twice this year. one time with kwame as a starter the other i believe with drew. this game should give the lakers a lot o confidence if they were to face them in the finals. maybe im looking into it too much, but something can be learned from every game.
2) we will pound on phxwen drew comes back. shaq had 14 boards, not happenning with drew and gasol and odom.
3) if we maintain our TO ratio to assist ratio as of late, we are damn near unbeatable.
andand
ps maybe i was dreaming but i swear i was watching espn and i think it was PTI or the half time show of something, and the commentators clearly said that once big bynum comes back and returns to form there isnt a team in the league that can beat them.
pps. we are head and shoulders above the competition at full strength.
ppps. damn it feels good to be rolling with the lakers!
Posted by: andand | February 22, 2008 at 10:44 PM
I think it's the funniest thing to see Fire32 on this blog. I nominate you an honorary Lakers fan. You blog here more than other real Lakers fans. If you stop by my house, I might just let you wear my Smush Parker jersey when we watch a game.
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | February 22, 2008 at 10:46 PM
What a crazy night in the league. Hornets lose. Good.
Phoenix wins as Boston rolls over like a dead dog. KG the only one of the big 3 to produce. The other two go 5 of 25.
(What's with Stat? What a ballhog now. 10 of 23? How come only Kobe's a ballhog? What about Durant?)
A Boston loss isn't too bad. Would like to have home court advantage in the event ...Well you know.
Posted by: mel | February 22, 2008 at 10:46 PM
It's obvious kobe is talking about kwame. If anybody paid any attention to kwame's last days as a laker you would've noticed he had a serious case of the butterfingers.
Posted by: shaugn b | February 22, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Suns won tonite so they just grab back the Western Division leader by half a point. Hornets lost so Lakers are only half a point behind on these two teams. If Lakers win against the Clippers tomorrow while Hornets loses to Spurs, then we will share the Conference leadership with the Suns. If Suns loses to Pistons on Sunday afternoon while Lakers win against Sonics on the road. As a betting man, we have the best probability of getting the No.1 in the West by Monday. Just keep on winning baby this is like watching a horse race in the Western Derby.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 22, 2008 at 11:13 PM
It's obvious Kobe was talking about Luke Walton.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | February 22, 2008 at 11:39 PM