Mom on: Kobe, awards and Martin Scorsese

AK,

Agreed. On every count.

Martin was robbed. Kobe's time has come.

--FearlessWhackJob

wahooo

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?

videoId=3274189&categoryId=2378529&n8pe6c=2

PJ sat down with Michelle Tafoya after the game. Great stuff.

Here I am about to turn in for the night, still reveling in the excitement of the Lakers' OT win, and I have the misfortune of stumbling upon Mark Heisler's column on LAT.com:

"Just to show I can jump on a bandwagon with anyone, I not only think they'll win the title, I think they may be the greatest team ever. Kobe Bryant is not only a lock for most valuable player, he's up for Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year, Time's Person of the Year and People's Sexiest Man Alive."

It gets worse from here. Mark Heisler is to sports writers what cancer is to the human body. Considering how the Times is cutting staff and costs like every other newspaper in America, how does this scourge survive? Webster's doesn't need to waste words defining "jerk." All they need next to it is Heisler's photo.

No wonder his column is listed by a headline instead of a byline. Readers would know to skip it, otherwise. The Times would do well to publish the equivalent of the surgeon general's warning on a pack of cigarettes atop anything Heisler writes.

Good night Laker fans, and sleep well.

props for that interview link, Mel...
that was dope. Phil is one deep cat.

very insightful...

*

I TOTALLY disagree with BK's thoughts when a team is down 3 with the ball and it being the last posession of the game. When teams intentionally foul so a team cant get off a 3 that takes away all the excitment drama and what makes basketball great.

Pau (Peace/Paul) Gasol was him at 1st quarter and Lakers ruled.

I cannot understand why he did not touch the ball until last quarter and OT.

It doesn't matter if he scores, but if he touches the ball game is more fluid and everyone scores more and with better %.

And if he was well D, better, more passes lines if the ball reaches to him.

Rick,
Forget Heisler's lame sarcasm. I think he's in a contest with Simers to define by practice a new category of human endeavor called "ridiculously condescending journalism" whose method is to start from one's ego and then casually look down from that immense height at what others may, in their pitiable naivety, consider to be news. By so doing, these new journalists appear to belong to a non-naive elite whose vocation is to lord it over the inferior masses.

The Jackson interview on ESPN contains a very interesting take on the beginning of the season. It appears that Kobe's resistance is what motivated Phil to commit to the season. The weird chemistry of last summer contains more mysteries than we imagined as we suffered through it. If Kobe had Shaq's ego he'd now be calling himself "the Big Motivator" We shouldn't forget that a year ago we were still hoping that Smush would lead us deep into the playoffs and that Kwame was the solid anchor-point of the team. Phil still attributes to him the one compliment he deserves: "strong post-up defender", as if a single skill (and some size) justifies being a starter on a mythical team like the Lakers.

Phil also reveals that Kobe's pinkie was reinjured in the Portland loss, which pretty much means that the only two losses in February were both pinkie related. And he said the effect carried over into the first half of yesterday's game, as seemed apparent to some observers (such as myself) who had never seen that kind of free throw shooting from Kobe. I imagine it got number as the game went on, making it easier not to be distracted by the pain. It's interesting that Kobe didn't mention the pinkie and only talked about working on his concentration at half-time. That sounded to me a bit disingenuous in that he also missed his first two free throws of the third quarter. On the other hand, given his brilliant finish, it wouldn't have made much sense to blame the free throws on a pinkie that certainly hadn't miraculously healed in the third quarter.

The Lakers are for real, though they're definitely hurting in a lot of different places. That makes them even more real.

And to think that Kobe's going to have to keep putting in a full day's work right up through at least the middle of June!

Two other points:
1.) Dances With Wolves was a great movie. As much as Kevin Costner's career has tanked ever since, it still shouldn't take away from the fact that "Dances" was a masterpiece and groundbreaking as a movie about Native Americans. But I do agree Goodfellas is Scorsese best work; it just wasn't as groundbreaking as Dances because the gangster-mafia-mob genre had already been established by films like the Godfather series.

2.) Is there anyway we could guarantee Kobe's' family shows up at halftime? HE even admitted that was the turning point in the game for him.

I don't know...

We have defensive holes that become more apparant with each game. We're allowing too many career rebounding games by opposing centers and power forwards.

And we won yesterday despite poor shooting from most of the team.

Wes

AK ...really interesting to get your insight into the changes you see in Kobe etc...
I think you are right it is Kobe's year.Basically over the course of the season it becomes clear who will be considered and often deserving guys are overlooked becasue things havent gone their way or their team hasnt been a 'spotlight team' for that season

What you mean by Kobes year is that he is in the small group with a genuine chance due to a combination of circumstances - he is now the default setting victor.hes being lined up to win and journalists have already got their stories written but surely if New orleans finishes witha better record then Chris paul has to win??? surely!

What I wouldnt like to see is Lebron finish with 50 wins and his great stats and take out the award - it would be a bit harsh after Kobes miraculous '06 season...having said that,those laker fans that feel kobe was robbed that year could spare some sympathy for Lebron?

Kobe combines all the right things this season and I dont know if hes so much grown as he is reacting to his positive environment...if he was to go through the experience of playing on average teams for an extended period again then chances are he would eventually react the same way..I think its probably a combination of things but Kobe 'changing' will be given more weight by the media becasue its basically more interesting than saying 'oh yeah Kobe won the MVP cos his teams better!'

Kobe deserves the MVP, no doubt, but I think there is a bias in the NBA against Kobe ever since that rape case in Colorado. I think the MVP will probably end up to Chris Paul or Labron James even though it belongs to #24.

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March 3, 2008 The FORCE is in Balance The Lakers are Number 1 and all is right with Laker Nation
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Good Morning CHARLES - Good Morning A.K. & B.K’S MOM – Good Morning LAKER NATION!
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WOE UNTO ANYONE NOT NAMED KOBE BEAN BRYANT WHO WINS THE MVP THIS YEAR
IF KOBE IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR A.K & B.K.’S MOM THEN GODD@MNIT HE SHOULD BE GOOD
ENOUGH FOR EVERYBODY ELSE!!!
NO MVP NO PEACE! NO MVP NO PEACE NO MVP NO PEACE NO MVP NO PEACE
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AND NOW YOUR STARTING LINEUP FOR THE 14 TIME WORLD CHAMPION LA LAKERS:
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At center number 17 ANDREW BYNUMMMMMMMMM
At forward number 16 PAU GASOLLLLLLLLL
At forward number 7 LAMAR ODOMMMMMMMMMM
At guard number 2 DEREK FISHERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
At guard number 24 KOOOBEEEEE BRYYYANTTTTTT

LAKERS OF THE WORLD BOTH FAR AND NEAR RESPOND TO YOUR NAME
ROLLLLLLLLL CALLLLLLLLLLLLL IS HERE :

(1) FAITH, (2) BOB, MIKE T. TALIQ, EDWIN GUECO, KEIFO, WOLF, CLEON,
COMPTONS_FINEST, VMAN, TIM-4-SHOW, LAKERTOM, RICK FRIEDMAN,
JON KAVULIC, WEAVE MAN, SIXONEZERO, FEARLESSWHACKJOB, DICE8UP
tha_SHOW, JCOOL, WOW, THE_D., FKILLAH, CHARLES, GENERIC_ONE
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER, EXHELODRVR, ) JANAYA, JESTERGURU,
Mamba24Fan4Life, FanofMamba, WhiteMamba24 HMRHED, VI LAKERFAN, JUSTIN
TellITLikeItIs PSLAKERLOVER, EASTCOASTJESSIE, The DROPPER, NEMIA_FALETOGO
BlackMamba24, AfroJoe, LakerTRUTH, Kiwi, Peace, DAVID WHANG, ELLE, J.J., FLOYD
805LAKERLOVER, JEFFGROTKE,KOBESBAD,CHUCK23, LAKERS4REALZ, SEAD94
HOBBITMAGE, idiot, LAKERDAWG, GINO . YOU EVER NOTICE?, PsychedLakerGirl
AdamKiley, LakersryDeordie, ANGRYLAKER, The CAT, TSIRY, Darkhangelsk, GUY
TheLakeShow, WESsJoeNixon, BAYWOOD, SBPIMP, CaliKing, Thirty2, DaxMDD, DOC
CBUCK, GDChild, ZEN, DION, Centralk, FATTY, Greek Dude, Staples24, FRANKY J.K.
TWOODY, Ajax, MITCHELL, BZAR, PJ_DOUBTER, Occupant-Cell-186, hmmmm
NEVER, LakaLover, Bynumite, LakerDogerDieHardInUpStateNY, Chucky.L.Ohnio,
Sead94, LeftField, JOREMA, Korey, Xtro, MCGarnagle, Gugy, Laker4Life, LAKERFAZE
BLKTHGHT06, WONDAHBAB, WhatsthesoundofKwameClapping? JANDRO, GABE
PhxLkrFAN, Pince Akrasian, TexasLaker, EagleBoy, JR., KOBES T., KobeRocks
Purple & Gold, TSPHERE, t_Sensei, Tully Moxness, Zakee, David Peterson, ALLANSY8
CYRUS(Ventrilquist), Swettual, Andrew Z, LAL Fan, Brandon C., DC, SMOOTH D
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LAKERGURL, LEELO, CriticalBeatDown, BLAZE1BX, SIMONE, Paul Lee, MAXXIMO
Tajluck, , Caesar, BerkleyLaker,CRAIG, B4Hoops, RYAN, CALIPHILOSOPHER
JustAnotherMambaFan, 40YEARFAN, HAPPYDAZE, DREWPAULKOBE, SAMLL
JR, Dascilla, tellitlikeitis, Nik Kannan, Sean P. HollywoodJack, Rico Tico, NestrossBistro,
LAKERAHOLIC, SocalSpider,AA LOS, LAKOBER, SLO GAL, Linda Pineda, TaosHum,
ChiTownLaker, RealityCheckTime, CORNER J., WiZo, MagicShaq, HugoBoss, RDLEE,
RealityBites, LakerLarry, Jay Jay, LakerLifer, Tripgame3, Houstion Laker, Todd Battles, ,
JoninJAPAN(INCANADA), LT Laker Fan, Mainor, East Nyboer, Long Live Chick,
JEFF, Andy B. SwanWorld, Purple&Gold_4EVA, Benny Blanca, HAL9000, THE OUTLAW
Tim in Sydney, LakerBake, JMan, AnyOneMouse, 10milliondollarZen, SHIVA, Troy,
PHIL JACKSON, , Sun Yue, Ronny Turiaf,
V. RADMANOVIC, Jordan Farmar, LUKE WALTON, ANDREW BYNUM, COBY KARL,
Trevor Ariza, Chris MihmJ, Larry Fulcher, Sasha Vujacic, TEX WINTER

ALL TOGETHER NOW:
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS THE WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES
THE TEAM WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN NBA HISTORY
THE HOME OF WILT, KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, KOBE,
ELGIN BAYLOR, THE LOGO(JERRY WEST), PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY,
COACHED BY THE 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON
AND NO ONE WILL EVER DIVIDE OR CONQUER US

Exhelodrvr,

No, we don't get to vote for the Oscars, either. However, each year, without fail, we manage to score votes for The People's Choice Awards. I guess we have a little clout.

AK

Godd morning Mamba 24! Welcome home!

Morning Mamba!

WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS THE WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES
THE TEAM WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN NBA HISTORY
THE HOME OF WILT, KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, KOBE,
ELGIN BAYLOR, THE LOGO(JERRY WEST), PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY,
COACHED BY THE 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON
AND NO ONE WILL EVER DIVIDE OR CONQUER US

Mamba24,

Good to have you back in action.

Put me down for the GIVE A.K & B.K AND MOM A VOTE ON MVP BANDWAGON. Thanks.

Go Lakers!

Anybody notice that Pau seems to have lost his mid range jumpshot?

I think the issue with Fish lately is the lack of shooting on the other side of the floor, Vlad draws attention as a shooter so when they swing the ball around Fish has better looks at the basket, most of his looks lately have been contested, he seems to be forcing some tough shots. Also the lane for the Kobe to Pau pick and rolls are also effected by not having the additional shooter on the floor. This should be the case with Sasha also but the reason it's not as effective is the person who would be guarding Sasha is a guard not a forward so that larger body is drawn away from the lane clearing up some driving space to either run the pick and roll or drive and kick. Hopefully Vlad will be back tomorrow and you'll see the difference between the different sets.

Hey peeps!

I am facinated with reading the AZCENTRAL and the SUNS BLOG. You know how it is, everyone loves to read about disasters and that's whats going on there now.

I may just claim that the "rivalry" is over. They have to make the playoffs to keep that alive and things are not looking so good for them. SCORING IS UP AGAINST THE SUNS. Go figure, Shaq can't defend. Also, Shaq is now suggesting that the SUNS CHANGE to HIS GAME!!

It's over Phoenix. Thank you Kerr. Thanks Diesel!

I am calling that they are out of the playoffs by next week. If they can climb back into the mix is anyones guess. Man, do I love disasters....and we here at the Lakers Blog KNEW ths was a disaster in the making.

Adios Pheonix! I hope you get a good draft pick! Ooops 4got that you traded them all away!! whahahahahahaaha!

janaya

GOOOOOOOOO LAAKKEEESSSSS!!!!!!

Island_gamer,
"Am I the only Laker fan that thinks that this team has a loooooong way to go before winning a championship???"

It's hard to say - as a group this roster is untested in the playoffs.

REPOST FROM PREVIOUS THREAD
Because the Funs fan probably won't find it, and I really wnat him to.

It's interesting that a Funs fan would have the nerve to come on Lakers blog and deliver "unbiased" analysis and talent evaluations.

Hey Fire32,

Here's some "unbiased" analysis of the Suns. Shaq is old and a bum at this point in his career. Steve Kerr made possibly the worst trade in franchise and possibly NBA history when they acquired an overpriced aging formerly great center. Amare Stoudemire is the only true young talent the Suns have left. Leandro Barbosa is the most overrated, one-dimensional player in the NBA. Steve Nash was once good, but is clearly showing his age with an abundance of turnovers. Raja Bell is no longer the defensive stopper he once was. Grant Hill is sporadic and old. Finally, there isn't one guy on the team that gives a crud about playing defense. Not one, which is why that were blown out by the Pistons, and lost at home to the Sixers, who are 10 games under .500. I hope you've read this and seen it as "unbiased" just like you expect us to believe that any analysis you give is unbiased.

Pig

EDWIN GUECO: "In yesterdays game, we have no choice but to play Kobe for long minutes,
without his leadership, Lakers lose. Before I get misinterpreted again, I would address my appeal
to the abled bodies, help and support the starters, this is a team objective, not bystanders for the MVP in the making."

I couldn't have said it better myself Edwin. Good post. We need to keep our eyes on the prize.

A total war is won by winning the small battes and the big battles. The next four games are considered small battles with lots of rest in between. This will test Lakers maturity in taking care of business. Last year some of our players took it easy, go night clubbing, overconfident and they were beaten by Clippers and Raftors. This season they have a motivation on hand, besides MVP for Kobe, home court advantage and Championship. Let us take care of the Kings on Tuesday....Lo, Walton, Farmar, Turiaf and Sasha should be the forefront on these games while Kobe and Pau deliver the killer finish. We have to beat Kings 2x, the Clippers and the Raftors before going on a testy roadtrip of confronting big battles.

In order to win the small battles, review the past games' shortcomings: Free throws, defensive rebounds, boxouts, stopping those pick and rolls and sharpen those specialty shots from Lo, Fisher, Walton and Sasha. There are just too many missed shots and those missed shots allowed Mavericks or Blazers to be competitive. To win battles, you have to demoralize an opponent until he gets frustrated, lose the spirit to compete that ends up in voluntary submission, instead of resuming the fight.

Yes Fish might not be hitting right now. But I am convinced PJ is resting Fish because LO and KB24 are getting a bunch of minutes and he knows he needs veteran leadership during playoffs. Fish is the oldest on the team and has a lot of wear/tear on his body. So, PJ might as well play Farmar now and give him confidence/minutes against the likely playoff teams so he has confidence in June. Fish is steady and reliable - he will be there when it counts.....remember .4!!