All the Kobe love in cyberspace sandwiched together and stacked high like a Dagwood with extra mustard
Some of you may not have realized it, but Tuesday, March 11 was "Kobe Bryant Blog Day," an event organized by Hardwood Paroxysm. A call to arms for bloggers everywhere, whether Mamba worshipers or admittedly not his biggest fan, to give essay-form props to his undeniable hoops greatness. Thought y'all would be interested in seeing the roundup of those scribes who took part. Lotta dudes. Lotta Kobe-centric squawk. And if you go to the right side of the blog and click on our latest "Purple, Gold and Blue" podcast, you'll hear our interview with Matt Moore, organizer of this shindig.
By the way, similar to our advice with "Derek Fisher Day," while Lakersblog is happy to see both get some love, we don't recommend using either day as an excuse to call in sick to work next year. Even the most die-hard of Laker fans can't make a reasonable argument where this merits "religious holiday" status. You're just asking to get written up or fired.
AK
Tim-4-Show, LakerTom, Jon K., Faith..
Isn't it amazing how the Lakersblog Fam grew so fast?!
Man, i remember the days, this blog was starting..
Thanks AK and BK for a great job..
Lakers go 4-0 on the upcoming road trip..
Brylle
Posted by: Brylle | March 14, 2008 at 04:43 AM
AK
Great stuff agree with you on all of it...I thought it was especially interesting what you said about Kobe's actions putting the lakers ina position of weakness as far as improving.I agreed at the time and I agree now.I have often wondered why a team seems to willingly devalue their major asset with the garbage and desperation made public.
Often the player speaks out first or at some stage in the proceedings but I cant see why the teams do not place more emphasis on making players realise that this is the worst thing you can possibly do -by now it should be some kind of golden rule.
Secondly,I guess that often it is clear there have been problems for some time but even so we all still get a shock when one of these guys actually comes out and says it or the news breaks.
I guess other teams can leak reports but it wouldnt appear to be in their interests either as trade rumours even posthumeous ones aren't generally much help.
However,I look at the Marion trade and I think...Steve Kerr has managed to keep the extent of the problems under the radar..Marion was obviously unhappy but the suns didnt focus on it and their record was good...then BAM he gets traded in what is really a lopsided deal all things considered.I mean,even if the team does improve it is still way too much of a gamble for a team in their position purely on paper.
The Suns made a desperation trade but we didnt know how desperate they were.The result? Steve Kerr is going to take the heat for making a dumb trade down the line unless it eventually comes out how badly Marion needed to go....
Part of me says this is the way it should be.It astounds me that these organisations with millions of dollars at their diposal often seem to do things so badly.Not bad signings or trades perse but the way they go about their business seems to be so far off the mark.
However, this Marion thing makes me realise that if the Suns fall into the realms of the average as a result of the Shaq trade... its actually a WORSE public relations disaster,more disheartening to the fans,and instills less faith in the team than had they built Marion up as a bad guy who had to go.
Posted by: Kiwi | March 14, 2008 at 05:20 AM
I will say this about the MVP race though once it gets to the point of breaking down said players defensive abilites etc...
We need to remember that we are not picking the award for the BEST player.It seems mad to me to be comparing LBJ and Kobe's defensive prowess when we dont even know how the teams finish up.If the lakers get the best record in the west it is a major difference from the third best record.If Paul outplays Kobe in their head to head battle and the hornets finish half a game ahead of the lakers? that stuff matters!!!..sure we can pick our frontrunner but we might as well be picking the finals MVP for all the information we have.
Posted by: Kiwi | March 14, 2008 at 05:27 AM
Good morning everyone,
Maybe I wasn't paying attention when this broke, but C-Net.com has the back story on the Mark Cuban blogger ban:
>>> The kerfuffle allegedly began when Tim MacMahon, who blogs for the Dallas Morning News, wrote something to the effect that the Mavs needed a new coach. On the same day the story was published, Cuban bounced MacMahon from the locker room. Days later, the team issued a new policy. No one who writes full-time for the Web is allowed in the Mav's locker room.
Wow! Maybe we all should be giving Jerry Buss kudos. Considering some of the comments I and others have posted here, AK and BK might consider themselves lucky not to have been banned from the Laker locker room. No wonder so many sports writers suck up to the team owners.
The Cuban episode is a harsh reminder that NBA teams are a business, and Constitutional rights about freedom of the press do not apply under these circumstances.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 14, 2008 at 06:19 AM
LakerTruth,
You speak the truth bro, u speak da truth ... the key component of both our arguments is that #24 has been deserving of all the love he's getting now from way back in the day ... but hey let the haters do their thing ... lol
Posted by: Taliq | March 14, 2008 at 06:19 AM
There is such a thing as a "hater".
We've seen our fair share of haters on this board, but I have to stand up and say that neither AK nor BK are "haters"
I know they think the term is ridiculous (probably because they get falsely labeled), but there are literal "haters" out there and on this board.
With the plethora of haters that have emerged on this board starting around a year ago, it has damaged our thought process and caused most of us to be hyper sensitive. The result is that we're defensive, and the defensiveness has began to turn us into LeBron haters. I get it. While I'm definitely a Caron Butler fan, that wasn't the reason I was smiling when the Cavs lost last night. It's because I've become a LeBron hater.
I'm not the only one here that has become a hater. "This isn't really me," I keep telling myself. But it is.
What we need to remember is this stems from fear. We have a fear that our team, our player, may not be the best in the NBA. If our team and our top player isn't the best, it somehow makes the haters out there right. If they're right, we suffer through their attacks. We think that if our guy is #1 and our team wins the title, it will quiet the haters and restore peace to Laker Nation. While that's certainly a valid train of thought, if we do not win the title, it doesn't make us any more or less correct, nor does it make the haters any less correct than they already are (and they are nowhere near the truth).
In other words,
Fear is the path to the darkside. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.
I can't take credit for that. An 800 year old wise teacher taught me that one.
We have nothing to fear, and thus, no need for hate.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | March 14, 2008 at 06:33 AM
*_______________________________*
JON K. BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY &
GET WELL DELILAH BANDWAGON
*_______________________________*
(01) THE ENTIRE FREAKIN LAKER BLOG – Owners & Drivers
(02) CHARLES – Medical Director
(03) JUSTANOTHERLAKERFAN – Riding ShotGun
(04) PSYCHEDLAKERGIRL – Director of Enthusiasm
(05) Caliphilosopher - Director of Philosophy of the Lakers
(06) RICK FRIEDMAN – Director of Class
(07) LAKERLEGACY – Keeper of the Flame
(08) BENJAMIN – Director of parade Route
(09) JUSTALAKERFAN – Director of Laker Fans
(10) TSIRY – Director of Motivation
(11) SAMLL – Chief of Staff
(12) HARIYAHU – Director of Parade Invitations
(13) LAKER DAWG – Director of Animals
(14) ZIN MASTER – Director of One hand Claps
(15) COMPLEXBROTHA – Director of whatever he wants
(16) #4 - Director of Parade totals
(17) VMAN – Director of Mutants
(18) XODUS – Director of crowd parting
(19) HOPING – Director of Wishing
(20) HC – Director of brevity
(21) MAMBA24 – Director of pooper scooper patrol
Posted by: mAMBA24 | March 14, 2008 at 06:44 AM
been away from this blog awhile..what happened to mike t? did he leave with kwame?
Posted by: joon | March 14, 2008 at 06:49 AM
AK,
"As for MVP's who were bad defenders, how about the reigning trophy holder? If Dirk's better than Nash on D, it ain't by much. By his own admission, Barkley wasn't much on D. Magic never had much of a lockdown rep. Mind you, I'm not saying these guys weren't better than Nash. My point was simply that huge defensive ability isn't always a must. "
Wow is there no extent to which a hater will reach to make a reasonable argument? Magic led the league in steals in 81 and 82 with 3.4 and 2.7 spg respectively, Barkley averaged more than 10 rebounds for his career and Dirk is close to 10. I'm sure you don't need to be reminded how cleaning up the boards helps a teams defense. These are the people you are show casing as defensive liabilities. Granted they might not be lock down defenders but there effort on the defensive end is in no way as weak as the garbage nash puts out there on the defensive end on a nightly basis. It's almost like do the press realise that there are two ends to the floor, do they see nash constantly getting beat and yet still find it reasonable to push him through? Nash is a huge defensive liability but the names you threw out there as other examples of huge defensive liabilities is nothing short of a lazy argument.
"Especially when you take into account how effective Nash was on the other side of the ball."
Really, what's he done that no other point guard has ever done? Oh let me guess it was timing, nash was so much better on the offensive end than the rest of da league, that it definately warranted overlooking his huge flaws on the defensive end. Jeez gimme a break
"I also don't know what writers you're referring to who are constantly saying Kobe is a bad leader/ballhog and doesn't deserve consideration. If anyone's saying that, they're in the minorty. Kobe's been acknowledged since about mid-late December as one of the frontrunners."
Maybe you just don't understand us. You brought up a "the word hater is abused by kobe fans" argument, well that abuse didn't start in mid-december. Kobe didn't just improve overnight in mid-december. He's been working on his game since day 1 in the league, he's been constantly improving and that's why he's the best in the game. So if you're wondering why we think he gets hated on so much, it ain't cuz of the post mid-december articles, it's beacuse of articles like game six of the phoenix series where 90% of the coverage was focussed on oh kobe got 50 but they lost, ball hog alert.
"I wasn't also trying to make the Malone/MVP comparison as an apples to oranges thing. Obviously, they're not entirely the same. My point was simply that fate can be a bitch and work in strange ways. As can timing."
Dude they're totally different, stop reaching. It's just a bad analogy plain and simple. A key component of this discussion is that the press is biased, talking about championships has no bearing on that since that's earned on the court. So if fate was a bitch to Malone, it's cuz someone else outworked him on the court. The same can not be said for mvp debates where we're going hey the press outworked our guy.
Anyway I'm done spitting lyrics at you, if y'all can't kiss the ground he walks on now maybe y'all will when it's all said and done.
Posted by: Taliq | March 14, 2008 at 06:50 AM
Big road trip.
B.I.G. road trip.
We'll know when they get back if the Lakers are Championship ready.
--FearlessWhackJob
Posted by: FearlessWhackJob | March 14, 2008 at 06:51 AM
Morning all fellow bloggers.
Game day YEEESSSS
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 14, 2008 at 07:04 AM
*_____________________________*
* FOUR FOR FOUR BANDWAGON
*____________________________*
(01) VMAN – Driver & Owner
(02) MAMBA24 – Riding Shotgun
(03) JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN – Director of Safety
(04) TOAD – 1ST Bandwagon so Bandwagon Inspector
(05) KOBESBAD – Security
(06) LOOK LONELY – Director of matchmaking
Posted by: | March 14, 2008 at 07:12 AM
AK, my post yesterday for Jon K and his pet, Delilah that's OK I just greeted him and narrated that I lost my 17 year old cat named, Solomon also last Christmas and it took us sometime to adjust with it.
Speaking of Kobe, did you notice lately his defense was lagging because he was avoiding his right hand being exposed from accidental bumps. I just observed that in sacto & toronto's games, as much as possible he was giving his teammates a free hand to take over except when his guard approaches the hoop like Ford. By this time, he is in pain but trying to live with it, because if he rests on the bench there goes the team free fall.
So for tonights game, who will guard Chris Paul? I don't know anyone except Kobe who can do the job. Farmar and Fisher will try to slow him down but he's quick for these two and will just toy them around. I remember in our last game, he just toyed on Ariza and J-Critt, well Chris Paul is one of the best PG in the NBA today. We just have to go for platoon guarding to spread the fouls and switching defense to confuse him. If I'm not mistaken Bonzi is now with Hornets together with Peja formerly Kings, so those two can be headaches if they click plus good shooters like West, Peterson and post play in Chandler. Lakers defense is a must today, any of these guys can hurt them.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 14, 2008 at 07:24 AM
AK,
"At worst he's about 40/40/10 with LBJ and Paul,"
OK, who's the other 10?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | March 14, 2008 at 07:35 AM
Exhelodrvr,
The other 10 %, in my opinion, would be KG, T-Mac and anyone else who might pick up scraps. Should have made that more clear.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | March 14, 2008 at 07:56 AM
Joon,
Within perhaps two days of the trade, Michael T announced that his time here was over and that he would no longer post to the board.
He's held to his word. There has not been a single Mike T post since. Some of us have tracked him through his own website which is not basketball related (he writes long "Bible Journals" discussing the ins and outs of scripture).
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | March 14, 2008 at 08:13 AM
Addendum for missing words in my previous post: My post yesterday for Jon K and his pet, Delilah 'was not posted'. That's OK...
Posts get lost due heavy traffic in the Lakers Blog.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 14, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Troll Man,
u r fool. lakers over hornets. lakers over rockets. lakers over mavericks. lakers over jazz. 'nuff said.
Posted by: xtro | March 14, 2008 at 08:23 AM
I think if Houston wins on Sunday and goes on to win the West, T-Mac will be catapulted to the top of the list for MVP (or at least he should).
If things remain as they are, Kobe will get it because he's been shunned so much in the past, that the media has a level of GUILT that needs rectifying.
Taliq, great arguments! Don't get me started on the Nash & Dirk MVPs... they are a black eye to the NBA. The only reason Malone never won a championship was because of two guys named Jordan/Pippen. Malone's best chance was 04, but when he got hurt, it finished us off. There have been plenty of MVPs who never won a title. Up until this decade, there has never been an MVP who has never reached the NBA finals. I think KG will achieve it this season, but I don't see Nash ever getting there with PHX.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | March 14, 2008 at 08:27 AM
Nauseating Headline Alert:
si.com reports, "Colon Solid in Red Sox Debut"
Someone please tell Boston about the importance of dietary fiber.
Then again, I hate the Celtics: may they all have impacted bowels.
Posted by: The D | March 14, 2008 at 08:27 AM
*_______________________________*
JON K BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY &
GET WELL DELILAH BANDWAGON
*_______________________________*
(01) THE ENTIRE FREAKIN LAKER BLOG – Owners & Drivers
(02) CHARLES – Medical Director
(03) JUSTANOTHERLAKERFAN – Riding ShotGun
(04) PSYCHEDLAKERGIRL – Director of Enthusiasm
(05) Caliphilosopher - Director of Philosophy of the Lakers
(06) RICK FRIEDMAN – Director of Class
(07) LAKERLEGACY – Keeper of the Flame
(08) BENJAMIN – Director of parade Route
(09) JUSTALAKERFAN – Director of Laker Fans
(10) TSIRY – Director of Motivation
(11) SAMLL – Chief of Staff
(12) HARIYAHU – Director of Parade Invitations
(13) LAKER DAWG – Director of Animals
(14) ZIN MASTER – Director of One hand Claps
(15) COMPLEXBROTHA – Director of whatever he wants
(16) #4 - Director of Parade totals
(17) VMAN – Director of Mutants
(18) XODUS – Director of crowd parting
(19) HOPING – Director of Wishing
(20) HC – Director of brevity
(21) BRYLLE – Director of Pacific Operations
(22) MAMBA24 – Director of pooper scooper patrol
(23) EDWIN GUECO – Chief Justice and Enforcer
*_____________________________*
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 14, 2008 at 08:27 AM
reading the quotes from Michael Jordan that was posted above, it's AMAZING how much Mike got away with. Winning can do that for you.. revisionist history.. winning because of a deep cast improving made him look like a leader when in fact he wasn't. He was the same throughout his career.. criticism at the beginning of his career was wiped away.. Winning hides a lot of things.. while Mike the player was great, not taking anything away from him from that standpoint.
Kobe's missteps as a leader of the lakers are NOTHING compared to what Mike did and Kobe is DEFINITELY improving as a leader, you can see it with his approach. We'll see if Kobe can wipe away the criticism with winning and stepping up in the playoffs. He has the tools to work with.
Posted by: Lakerfan | March 14, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Mamba24,
Got promoted to Chief Justice for Delilah lol! Delilah is a beautiful pet not a monster like TJ. huh!
Rally the boys, got to win tonight, we have to talk to the witches of New Orleans, our zomby brothers to take care of those Hornets and put them into a nest. Mamba24, I only see you in the morning, you got to post tonight, will you?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 14, 2008 at 08:52 AM
"Neither one is realistic but someones gotta check your pathetic unrealistic homer statements."
My pathetic unrealistic statements?
Come on, we have only a few hours to get this done...
$10,000 is standing by waiting to be wired into the escrow agency of your choice.
The bet is as follows:
-68 pts or worse, you win.
Anything else, I win.
Are you turning down the bet???
Don't come on here and make a post if you're not willing to back it up with some money. Let's make this worth our time, you can double your money really easily... all that has to happen is for your words to come true.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | March 14, 2008 at 08:54 AM
The D
I saw that too.............LMAO
Posted by: toad | March 14, 2008 at 09:01 AM
Mamba
Please put me on the Delilah get well soon bandwagon.
Big game tonight. Couldn' even go to work in anticipation, gotta work out of the home office today, I have too many blogs and articles to read today for the actual office.
No open threes.
If paul penetrates, make him make the hoop. Do not leave peja. Kobe on West?
Pau needs to get his tonight. Knock down that 12-15 footer baby.
GO LAKERS
Kobesbaaaaaaaaaad (and he is)
Posted by: Kobesbad | March 14, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Director of Parade Totals- Hah, I love that! Thanks Mamba24!!
NO to N.O. tonight!!! Its gonna be a pretty good game tonight with no Bynum. Last game, Bynum was a distinct advantage over the less skilled and less lengthy Chandler. This time, we have to use the offense with cuts and good looks. I'm hoping to see a line up that features Lamar, Ronny, and Gasol at times. I like Gasol's high post game, and Ronny is much more active on rebounds and help defense.
That might leave us thin on the bench though, but they could fill in as needed and shift a position or two.
But what's imperative is Derek and Jordan have to make CP3 play some defense tonight. Lots of screen and rolls for our guards tonight, make him work. Turn those midrange jumpers on. And for goodness sakes, if any 2 or 3 forgets that Peja is a deadly shooter, they get to ride the pine.
LET'S GO LAKERS clap clap CLAP CLAP CLAP!!!
NO TO N.O. tonight!!
#4
Posted by: #4 | March 14, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Mamba24,
Please put me on the Delilah get well soon bandwagon also.
I posted a Good Morning on the Dodger Blog too!
Posted by: Charles | March 14, 2008 at 09:23 AM
TIME TO PUT THE GAME FACE ON - LETS GO LAKESHOW!!!!!!
LETS SEE SOME GREAT BASKETBALL.
Posted by: ookboy24 | March 14, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Nice catch AK-Bk on the Dodger Blog
Posted by: Charles | March 14, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Mamba24,
You gotta add me to the Jon K. Belated Birthday and Get Well Delilah bandwagon.
Jon K.: I hope your beloved pup gets better, man. My thoughts are with you.
This blog is about family, community. If one of our members are hurting, we're all hurting. Try finding that on your Suns blog, trolls. Now get on back home, before you lose your way for good and become life-long Lakers fans.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: The Outlaw | March 14, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Taliq,
I know this conversation has nothing to do with me, but why does AK (or anyone else) have to kiss the ground Kobe walks on? And if said person doesn't, why does that make them a hater?
I agree that Kobe should have won the MVP in 2006, but that doesn't mean Kobe was the only legit choice. In my mind, there were 5 guys who had a legit shot at the MVP in 2006: Kobe, Lebron, Wade (I'm sure I'll get blasted for this), Nowitzki (who arguably had a better year in 06 than when he won last season), and Nash (who was better than when he won his first MVP in 05).
While I do think there is some media bias out there, I don't think that's why Kobe hasn't won an MVP yet. It seems like since '04 the MVP has gone to the best story.
'04: KG won because he finally had the pieces around him to be on an elite team, despite the fact that he played no better in 04 than in previous seasons.
'05: Nash joins a team not expected to be much of a contender in the west and they win 62 games playing the most exciting basketball since Run T-M-C
'06: Nash once again leads a surprising team to elite status despite the loss of Amare and Joe Johnson. Boris Diaw has a career year and Nash gets credit for it.
'07: Nowitzki leads the Mavs to 67 wins a year after choking in the finals and appears to be on a championship mission.
This year it appears like Kobe is going to win it because he's now got one of the best stories with the whole trade demand, blasting Andrew Bynum and being on the 1st place team in the West thinigs working in his favor.
Posted by: Xodus | March 14, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Mamba,
Add me to bandwagons Happy B-Day and Get Well Soon.
Also add me to the four-for-four bandwagon. But, in honor of Moses Malone, we should rename it the Fo'-Fo'-Fo' bandwagon.
--FearlessWhackJob
Posted by: FearlessWhackJob | March 14, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Xodus
Excellent post!
Posted by: Charles | March 14, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Tonight:
Sometimes I hate to see and predict certain things...
Tonight will be the night in which the Lakers will lose against the N.O and on Sunday, they will dispute the first place against the Houston Rockets since they'll enter to contest both holding a record of 45-20.
I am hope I am wrong this time... but I doubt it.
Lakers
Maxx
Posted by: Maxximo | March 14, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Look Lonely, Angrry Laker- I didnt realize I was missed on the blog. I have never said Kobe was a ballhog, if you take time to read my posts, and not try to put words in my mouth, I said Kobe is not a great leader and a selfish player at times during games. Shot selection is what I look at not # of shots taken.
As for Lebron, I stand by what I said I think he is a better teammate, leader and over-all player than Kobe this season . Kobe is a great individual player too but I take Lebron over Kobe, and even Duncan and Nash for that matter as more valuable to their teams. I appreciate greatness regardless of what team the player is on.
I am a laker fan, not a kobe fan. Dont confuse the two.
and the laker lover name is the name i picked to describe laker fans who have little or no objectivity - aka laker lovers. AK and Troll Man have described the phenomena- laker and kobe apologists who take anything mildy critical of their team or kobe personally. Some have called those people "haters".
Posted by: Laker Lover | March 14, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Happy Belated B-day Jon K, and I really hope for the best with your pup.
Hey Mamba, please add me to Fire TJ Simers and 4-4 bandwagons. I'm thinking positive this weekend!!! Sadly, I'm off to NoCal this weekend and will miss both games. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Tully Moxness | March 14, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Kiwi,
Yeah, the Lakers' trade position was so weakened that all they could come up with was the steal of the decade. Seriously, where do you come up with this nonsense?
Posted by: McGarnagle | March 14, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Xodus,
"I know this conversation has nothing to do with me, but why does AK (or anyone else) have to kiss the ground Kobe walks on? And if said person doesn't, why does that make them a hater?"
Because that's what sports analysts/writers do. If da ground was kissed for Jordan then why not Kobe? I know it might all seem like a childish crazy argument but I'm dead serious. Maybe kissing the ground is extreme but AK came out with a post that read why do most kobe die hard fans think everyone is hating ( that's a stereotype, we all don't think every criticism is hating but I get the point he's trying to make) and my response is why ain't da press been showing him more love and now that he's got a team around him the same dudes throwing him under the bus for not accomplishing the impossible with kwame/smush/luke want to praise him (now that the team's results are good) and exempt themselves from any apologies by saying oh kobe became a better leader/player overnight ( again some stereotypes against the press here as in some have shown kobe love in the past but hopefully AK gets the point Im trying to make)
On another note, I got no issues with AK, i think he and BK do an excelent job on the blog. On some days he's pro-kobe and on other's he's anti-kobe, when he his anti though I just wish he wouldn't get all emotional and wonder why we're calling him a hater. A lot of the hits on this blog result from da love of kobe's dedication to the game, so y'all need to stop saying a kobe lover is ranting and raving.
Posted by: Taliq | March 14, 2008 at 10:00 AM
HOUSTON vs. LAKERS
It was the 16 th of March in the year 2008
Kobe vs. Tmac man was that great
For Basketball supremacy the game was billed
My money was on Kobe and his unbeatable skill
Now don’t get me wrong Tmac does have game
But a plowhorse and a thoroughbed just aint the same.
The Rockets came in feeling they could not be beat
And 20 wins in a row is indeed an amazing feat.
But I was confident that the Freakin Lakers would win
Why? because of no Kwame and no Smush my friend
Addition by subtraction is a phrase tossed lightly around
But D@mn its true when it comes to Smush and Kwame Brown
So the game began and that Tmac he was blazing
And what did Kobe do, He made some passes that were amazing
The first half ended, TMACS team was ahead and inspired
In the second half Kobe came out and d@mn was he on fire
TMAC came out confident and taunted Kobe now that’s a cardinal sin
Man Kobe shut Tmac down, TMac couldn’t get one shot to go in
Every time the ball went to Kobe there were 2 or 3 defenders around
So Kobe passed to Lamar or Pau who viciously jammed the rock down
The game ended and Tmac said to Kobe, I don’t understand
Kobe said “Tmac that’s what happens when a child plays against a man
While you were concentrating on looking pretty and outdueling me
My eyes were on the prize which is why the Lakers got the Victory”
TMac tried a comeback line but man it was pitiful and weak
Kobe said one more thing the lakers got, We got your winning streak
So the morale of the story is boy better listen to your Mama
If you don’t want your @ss whipped never taunt a wounded Mamba
*_______________________________*
JON K BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY &
GET WELL DELILAH BANDWAGON
*_______________________________*
(01) THE ENTIRE FREAKIN LAKER BLOG – Owners & Drivers
(02) CHARLES – Medical Director
(03) JUSTANOTHERLAKERFAN – Riding ShotGun
(04) PSYCHEDLAKERGIRL – Director of Enthusiasm
(05) Caliphilosopher - Director of Philosophy of the Lakers
(06) RICK FRIEDMAN – Director of Class
(07) LAKERLEGACY – Keeper of the Flame
(08) BENJAMIN – Director of parade Route
(09) JUSTALAKERFAN – Director of Laker Fans
(10) TSIRY – Director of Motivation
(11) SAMLL – Chief of Staff
(12) HARIYAHU – Director of Parade Invitations
(13) LAKER DAWG – Director of Animals
(14) ZIN MASTER – Director of One hand Claps
(15) COMPLEXBROTHA – Director of whatever he wants
(16) #4 - Director of Parade totals
(17) VMAN – Director of Mutants
(18) XODUS – Director of crowd parting
(19) HOPING – Director of Wishing
(20) HC – Director of brevity
(21) BRYLLE – Director of Pacific Operations
(22) MAMBA24 – Director of pooper scooper patrol
(23) EDWIN GUECO – Chief Justice and Enforcer
(24) FEARLESS WHACK JOB - Reports directly to Jerry Buss
(25) THE OUTLAW – Director of Outlaws
(26) TULLY MOXNESS - Director of Directors
*_____________________________*
* FO’ FO’ FO’ BANDWAGON
*____________________________*
(01) VMAN – Driver & Owner
(02) MAMBA24 – Riding Shotgun
(03) JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN – Director of Safety
(04) TOAD – 1ST Bandwagon so Bandwagon Inspector
(05) KOBESBAD – Security
(06) LOOK LONELY – Director of matchmaking
(07) FEARLESS WHACKJOB – Reports directly to Kobe.
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 14, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Taliq,
My point wasn't that Magic was AS big a defensive liability as Nash. I just said he wasn’t really known as a particularly great defender, which I think we can all agree on. You also asked what Nash “has done that no other point guard has ever done,” sarcastically inferring that his offensive stats weren’t all that impressive. In ’04-’05, he was 1st in assists and apg, 6th in 3pt % and Ft%, 8th in true shooting %, plus 15.5 ppg and 3 rebounds (solid for a PG). In ‘05-’06, he led the league in assists, apg, FT% and true shooting percentage, was 6th in 3pt %, plus 19ppg and 4 boards (very good by PG standards). Are they historic numbers? I don’t know, but they also don’t need to be historic to win. The numbers need to be impressive for that particular year, and you can’t tell me those aren’t. They’re certainly impressive enough that I can see why voters would think they offset some defensive issues.
You're also claiming that Dirk Nowitzki can qualify as a decent defender simply because of his rebounds, but accuse me of reaching? C'mon, man. Yes, rebounding is obviously a part of defense, but rebounding only enhances your defensive credentials when you do other things (like, say, actually defend someone). It's the same reason that Kwame isn't really a great defender. He bodies a guy well in the post, but is a bad rebounder, weak side helper (or helper of any kind), and shot blocker. Gasol snags 10 rpg, but he’s not really a good defender. Dirk is a below average defender that just happens to rebound well (in part because he's 7 feet tall). If you’re gonna make the argument that Dirk’s rebounds somehow make him legitimate enough defensively, then I’d say Nash’s efficiency organizing the offense in turn strengthens the defense, since it prevents the Suns from constantly ending up on their heels in transition D and scrambling. I don't see one as more of a stretch than the other.
Finally, if you need an example of why I think "hater" has become an overused cliche by now, your post would qualify. You're accusing me of being a "hater" (of Kobe, I assume) with my explanations regarding Nash, as if I'm somehow making these arguments directly against Kobe. It's got nothing to do with Kobe. Nash beat out players besides him. Beyond that, I'm not saying he deserved it over Kobe. As I keep stressing, I WOULDN'T have voted for Nash. I'm just saying, I consider him a valid candidate. If you honestly think he had no business whatsoever winning, fine. I think that's ridiculous, but we're clearly never gonna find any middle ground, so it's a waste of time to keep talking about it.
By the way, I appreciate you saying the debate is nothing personal. Likewise on this end and thanks for the nice words about the blog. But to answer your question about me getting "emotional" when the "Kobe hater" stuff gets thrown my way, it's not a question of "emotional," really. I honestly don't get upset by it at all. That said, being unable to say anything about Kobe other than "ALL HAIL THE MAMBA" without being told "you have something personal against him" is undeniably frustrating. It makes it feel like an intelligent, reasonable conversation is often impossible (not necessarily with you, but in the grand sense).
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | March 14, 2008 at 10:09 AM
TALIQ:"Because that's what sports analysts/writers do.
If da ground was kissed for Jordan then why not Kobe?"
NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! POST OF THE DECADE!!!
MAD PROPS TALIQ!
SAY IT LOUD AND PROUD:
IF DA GROUND WAS KISSED FOR JORDAN THEN WHY NOT FOR KOBE!
F DA GROUND WAS KISSED FOR JORDAN THEN WHY NOT FOR KOBE!
IF DA GROUND WAS KISSED FOR JORDAN THEN WHY NOT FOR KOBE!
F DA GROUND WAS KISSED FOR JORDAN THEN WHY NOT FOR KOBE!
IF DA GROUND WAS KISSED FOR JORDAN THEN WHY NOT FOR KOBE!
F DA GROUND WAS KISSED FOR JORDAN THEN WHY NOT FOR KOBE!
IF DA GROUND WAS KISSED FOR JORDAN THEN WHY NOT FOR KOBE!
F DA GROUND WAS KISSED FOR JORDAN THEN WHY NOT FOR KOBE!
Posted by: | March 14, 2008 at 10:12 AM
mamba24- keep up the good work.
Posted by: Laker Lover | March 14, 2008 at 10:13 AM
"So the moral to the story is boy better listen to your Mama
If you don't want your @ss whipped never taunt a wounded Mamba"
Classic Mamba24, simply classic!
Posted by: toad | March 14, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Laker Lover,
I'm sure you were not missed.
As far as LeBron being a better leader over Kobe, how so? Especially this year?
LeBron is merely better at recognizing and being aware of the aftermath of comments, quotes, demands, etc. He too has blasted his team. Not to the degree of going from show to show, but by saying his team should get Kidd. Or that it wouldbe that simple to win a Championship with him, or that he wasn;t happy with the trade, that it wasn;t what he wanted, and everyone knows what he wanted. He was only less vocal about it, because he didn't have the rift Kobe had with Jim Buss, he has more leverage than Kobe, and a real threat of leaving in 2010. I see Kobe leading his teammates, encouraging them, and telling them where they should be, and what to do. You drink the kool-aid. Don;t be blinded by the business aspect, and the off-season, because on the court, Kobe is allbusiness. I don't see LeBron doing that in games. I see the faces he makes when his team under performs. I'm not saying he's not a leader, but this myth that he is such a better teammate is a concoction of the "kobe-haters" and you sir, drink the kool-aid.
Think back to when Kwame was getting booed. It was Kobe who fed him the ball the next time down, purposely, to give him a chance to redeem himself, and it was Kobe who immediately blasted the booing fans after the games, and you cannot tell me there was anyone who could've wanted Kwame gone more than Kobe. That is leadership right there.
It's Kobe who LeBron and any other star that was Team USA credits for their new found work ethic and dedication to basketball.
Kobe's problem aren't leadershp or being a teammate. It's failing to see the big picture and aftermath of his actions.
Posted by: wondahbap | March 14, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Stu Lantz impersonator,
Are those true MJ quotes? If they are, wow he was a jerk.
Posted by: laker hopeful | March 14, 2008 at 10:27 AM
MAMBA 24,
LOL @ your Houston vs. LA (really tmac vs. kobe) post.
Thats was... creative? at the least?
GOOOO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: DEREK | March 14, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Interesting stuff on the techincal foul rule
d. A technical foul shall be assessed for unsportsmanlike tactics such as:
(1) Disrespectfully addressing an official
(2) Physically contacting an official
(3) Overt actions indicating resentment to a call
(4) Use of profanity
(5) A coach entering onto the court without permission of an official
(6) A deliberately-thrown elbow or any attempted physical act with no con-tact involved
If these rules were enforced lots of NBA players wouldnt make it to the end of the 1st quarter.
Posted by: Laker Lover | March 14, 2008 at 10:27 AM
wondahbap,
on you resonse to Laker lover about kobe,
you forgot to mention how boring the all star game was without him (kobe).
Seem liked WC all stars were lost without the WC leader.
Posted by: Fire32 | March 14, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Fire32,
I'm really starting to think that either you're tired of the Sun and prefer some smog block, and becoming a Lkaer fan, or you're just a Laker fan having fun playing devil's advocate. Hmmmm?
Posted by: wondahbap | March 14, 2008 at 10:41 AM