Mom on: Kobe, awards and Martin Scorsese
This just arrived in the ol' email in-box.
"Great game today. I think Kobe should be MVP this year. It is sort of like Martin Scorsese getting an Oscar. You need to recognize certain exceptional levels of talent. Love MOM."
Interesting analogy on her part. She certainly wouldn't be the first to opine that Kobe has gone too long unrewarded. For that matter, so did Scorsese. But after seeing the Academy fail to award his direction for "Taxi Driver" (John G. Avildsen won instead for "Rocky"), "Raging Bull" (Robert Redford for "Ordinary People") and "Goodfellas" (which in-effin-explicably went to Kevin Costner for "Dances with Wolves"), Scorsese finally broke through with "The Departed." The award was no real surprise, since everyone had a sense that 2006 was kind of "Scorsese's year." And while I do think Kobe's 2008 season is of a better quality than "The Departed" (entertaining, exciting and generally well acted, but wraps up way too neatly and super fan Jack Nicholson needed a leash), I get the same kinda feeling about 2008 and Kobe. Like I've said on many occasions, I have a very strong sense this is Bryant's year. Apparently, Mom would concur.
FYI. For those wondering, Mom, like her kids, does not actually have a vote.
AK
couldn't watch the game yesterday, I was out of town.
Jeeez, where can I watch or download the game or....???
Posted by: O8 | March 03, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Mamba,
Good to see you back in the forum. Good morning to you, Charles, the brothers Kam and Laker Nation.
Nice win despite some continued tough shooting from the bench. The offense seems to be struggling a little right now.
But this Kobe guy, thankfully, he's pretty good.
Posted by: Jesterguru | March 03, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Island_gamer,
I wouldn't say a "loooooong way" but there is work to be done, namely on the defensive side. Also, we have to hope that AB and TA return to some semblance of what we saw earlier in the season. Plus, it wouldn't hurt if we saw one or two upset in the playoffs this year, ala GS and DAL last year, as long as we're not on the losing end. But right now, the future's looking pretty bright with the squad we're fielding out there. There's going to be ups and downs, no doubt about that, but it's the tough times which build the character and intestinal fortitude needed to compete with the big dawgs. Keep hope alive!
Posted by: bozz | March 03, 2008 at 09:48 AM
When Erik Dampier looks like a force, there is some cause for concern.
Meanwhile the solution to that in street clothes has obviously been workin' on his interviews. Very cool on mic presence by AB.
Posted by: Vman | March 03, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Janaya,
Game is not over with the Suns as long as Nash and Amare are still playing. However, they didn't realize that Lakers overpaid Shaq during his Laker years so he's our secret weapon out there. He is not only our Big Mole but also that Big Immovabable in the post. How can a crane compete in a Nascar? lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 03, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Mamba24,
Your active role has diminished last week like D. Fisher slowing down. In your absence, it was DPK and Charles who manned the fort. They moved swiftly like doable duo Farmar and Sasha. LakerTom thinks that Mamba24 is getting overworked, still in mourning and need a little respite. Are you on slump too? lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 03, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Nice to see you MAMBA - Glad to have Roll Call back!
Good morning everyone! Good morning Charles!
Don't worry, the team will not shoot 18-60 again the rest of the season...and after the worst shooting performance of the year, KB24 still swoops in and saves the day.
The difference between this year and last year:
LAST YEAR: Kobe took over games because he couldn't figure out what else to do to win. DEFAULT
THIS YEAR: Kobe takes over games when he has tried everything else and it's not working. NECESSITY
BIG DIFFERENCE!!!
SAY IT LOUD AND SAY IT PROUD!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 03, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Mel,
THanks for the link.
To the rest of Bloggers who used to talk a lot during the summer and were on Kobe's jock:
Phil Jackson mentioned the first Houston game of the season, where the Lakers lost, and Kobe had 45 points on about 40 shots. Now I said that it was a bad performance because he basically ball-hogged his way through the game just like last year, and some people jumped on me saying that I was a Kobe-hater and all that.
I mentioned that Kobe was scoring about 1 point for everyone 1 shot and that it was not a really good ratio. Somebody else said I was crazy, anyone would take that because in essence its like 50% shooting.
But there it is from Phil Jackson's mouth that the 45 points wasnt that great because it took 40 shots it took to get there. It meant that he was taking about half of the team's shots or more, which means there was no fluidity to the offense.
This was clearly my point, and the point of other bloggers over the summer, that while its great if Kobe scores points, it doesnt nothing for the team if hes taking more than half the shots.
Now everybody realizes how great Kobe Bryant can be. And we are measuring this based on how he scores points with few shots, and keeps within the offense, unless like yesterday, he needed to carrythe team.
We never said that Kobe couldnt be or wasnt the best talent in the NBA, it's just that we knew his ceiling was even higher. Clearly, he is a way better player yesterday, than last year.
Kobe may or may not win the MVP, but hands down, the guy is the best all-around player in the league now because of how how he's evolved.
So please Kobe_Apologist, Jorema, or whomever was talking against me--there you go from Phil Jackson's mouth!
Posted by: The Lake Show | March 03, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Adam,
Sorry, but I still have Dunce with Wolves at the top of my "Most Overblown Tripe" list. I fail to see it as in any way groundbreaking, except for the seismic disturbance caused by its bloated, self-indulgent length. Groundbreaking? Seriously, is there really a lack of 'White Warrior Goes Native" stories in the canon? Everyone from Kipling to Conrad to Scott to Clavel to Michener has tapped that vein.
A similar story was told with far less self-involvement and far more credible character development is The Last Samurai. Not a great movie either, but much better. Has great cinematography, which I will admit Dunce did also.
I can only hope Kobe is not robbed by sentimental claptrap the way GoodFellas was that by Dunce that year, or the way Pulp Fiction was by Forrest Gump a few years later.
Posted by: The D | March 03, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Mamba24, good to see you.
Island_Gamer, of course there's a long way! playoffs haven't even started yet!
the extra work everyone's putting in lately to make up for Rad being gone is making the outside shots a little short(or long to make up for fatigue). they're just a little too short on bodies only having one small forward when Vlad is out.
the thing i'm happy about is that they buckled down and played defense yesterday while the shots weren't falling. how many times, early in the season, was Kobe's mantra, "the offense won't be there every night, but the defense can be defense is our focus.". while it's easy to point your finger at a specific play or series of plays and say "what defense?", but this kind of negativity is focused on a single event rather than looking at overall effort. a great team is gonna burn even great defense from time to time and no one is perfect EVERY trip up and down the court and when the shots are falling like rain, defense is not such an issue. the thing is, when your opponent has a shooting percentage down below 40%, you played d. the Lakers played d yesterday. Dallas played d yesterday as well, they're still a good team. but the Lakers percentage was also low because the team couldn't hit the normal open looks, so the game was close. last year, we'd certainly be looking at a loss...
yes, we need Andrew, yes, we need Trevor. it's very tiring playing hard(except for guys like Kobe) EVERY night. we need the depth, and we need the matchup flexibility. we have to eat bad matchups at the moment, but not with the full team. the thing to take confidence from is the fact that the guys are willing to do the hard work with a smile when things are tough. this team can do it, we just need a little more health a just a little luck. luck, fortune whatever, it's always needed. victory is Mine, sayith the Lord! :^)
Posted by: man | March 03, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Kobe is looking pretty good for the media hyped MVP award.
But I say the DPOY award is the one I feel he would be the most proud of.
Last year, Kobe was all Defensive Team, the ONLY award picked by experts, the coaches, who's job is to study film, and gameplan the opponents.
Although they were chided by the media, as to 'what do they know?' We heard silly comments, like 'it was a reputation award. He didn't deserve it.' How did Kobe get the reputation in the first place?
Kobe had room for improvement, as PJ said. For Kobe he was down from previous years, but was still better at his position than anyone else, again according to the real experts, the coaches.
So what did Kobe do, rest on his laurels? No he went and worked on his D. At the Fiba's America in Las Vegas, he clearly showed why he is one of the best defenders in the game.
Kobe has had to balance both his duties, on both sides of the ball, but in my mind he his the DPOY.
This award though will not rest on the media hype, nor bloggers wishes. Again the experts will give out this award, the coaches.
Posted by: AN 1 | March 03, 2008 at 10:19 AM
HEEEEERE'S JOHNNY!!!!!
Welcome back home Mamba24. The blog missed you ingenuity.
By the way I'd like to ride shotgun with " The Lady of the blog": Faith, for the 58 wins bandwagon.
Kobe for MVP
Lakers 2008 NBA champion
Lakers blog for blog of the year.
Baby Drew get well quick, we missed you down there under the board.
Mamba from the east coast
Posted by: Mamba24Fan4Life | March 03, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Amazing Happens,
Great Post. Very inventive and all your nominations make sense.
Justin,
So basically what you're saying is who cares if the Lakers win so long as you're entertained? And who cares if the wrong decisions are made in close (loseable) games, so long as you are entertained?
Are you a Laker fan or just an NBA fan?
Posted by: Benjamin | March 03, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I'll admit fully that I really like Dances With Wolves, despite the "Costner Factor." He's capable of delivering some really, really bad performances, no doubt. (Seriously, go back and watch The Untouchables. I love that movie, but not because of him, or Brian De Palma, really. Both of their work in the film doesn't exactly hold up. Big performances from DeNiro, Connery, and even Andy Garcia/Charles Martin Smith save it). Dances happens to be a very good movie, though. But better than GoodFellas?
C'mon.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 03, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Island_gamer,
"Am I the only Laker fan that thinks that this team has a loooooong way to go before winning a championship???"
You can pretty much say that about any team in the playoffs outside of San Antonio and Detroit. That's why the playoffs will be fun.
Posted by: cj | March 03, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Dances with Wolves was too grouondbreaking. The white guy finally ends up with the Indian girl and she actually lives to tell!
Oh wait, she was actually white too. Nevermind.
Posted by: Jesterguru | March 03, 2008 at 10:34 AM
mamba24,
Now that we have you back, all we need is Drew, too.
Welcome back, Larry. Thanks for the bandwagons.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | March 03, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Good Morning Charles---Good Morning Laker Nation!
Wild game yesterday---and like someone mentioned--I too was scaring the wife and kids screaming at our coach and Lamar down the stretch--all of it was really funny quality stuff (in hindsight anyway)
I still can't figue out why we don't use the pick and roll with Pau (or whoever) more---it usually always reaps rewards....
Our other best option is, of course, penetration and dishing for some very easy baskets---all of our guards are quite capable of this--attack the paint boys!!
Lamar should NEVER have the ball in his hands anytime clock management is a factor or if the game is on the line---with two time outs left on our last possession in regulation--he opts to throw a bad pass---why is Phil having him imbound the ball? Also at the very end he is standing right next to Sasha (who is a 90% free throw shooter or so) but he doesn't pass him the ball, takes the foul and thankfully makes one of two to seal the game--think Lamar think!!!
Positives for Puke: he had another over all good game (at least 70-30 on the positive side--which I would be more than happy with seeing that continue)--but either just shoot shorter shots or practice practice practive your mid range shots dude---I don't like seeing him take a three (or Lamar for that matter)--Puke is more effective closer (even though he frequently gets Spalding embedded backwards on his forehead)--but again--overall Puke contributed toward this win more than he hurt us---draft day trade coming up....
Sasha may have the biggest set of brass gonads in the league---he doesn't care how many he has missed, if he catches the ball he is going to shoot it--and I do like it--it may make me a little nervous sometimes but I think it's a positive aspect of his game---just hope he gets out of this mini slump soon--keep shooting Sasha!!!
Still like to see Ronny play some more minutes....especially alongside of Pau...
I have to agree with another blogger about not feeling completly confident about a title this year---but we do have a great chance and it will be a whole lot of fun watching them go for it etc.---I definitly see at least 3 titles in our near future (5-6 year period)....
YET ANOTHER GREAT DAY TO BE A LAKER FAN!
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Floyd | March 03, 2008 at 10:39 AM
People in Native American studies hated Dances with Wolves.
1. The caricature of white people as being insanely destructive to the environment, as represented by them poisoning their own (and only) well in the vicinity. A weird spin on the "poisoning the well" logical fallacy.
2. The repeat of the lame concept of a White man not only successfully integrating with, but eventually coming to lead a Native American band.
3. A White woman starring as his Native American love interest.
4. The usual cloying idealization of Native American culture and spirituality.
5. Kevin Costner once again starring as Kevin Costner.
6. The whole suicidal character that lives by his own rules (that unrealistic scene in which he opts out of gangrene surgery and lives) and comes to find deeper meaning is just a little played out as well.
Now I appreciate Native American culture, but more than that I appreciate authenticiy, sophistication, and a very unusual, if even unique, message. At best, Dances with Wolves was a deeply flawed masterpiece.
I've also come to accept and enjoy Kevin Costner starring as Kevin Costner so it's not hatred of him that makes me see major flaws with this film. Costner has had his moments. His flat, limiited range performances may detract some from a film, but I don't think it ruins a film unless he's the almost unilateral focus. In JFK he was and it worked out well.
Almost anything Scorsese has ever done is superior to Dances With Wolves. Doesn't hurt that Scorsese has had De Niro in a number of his movies (Raging Bull, The Untouchables, Good Fellas, Casino, etc.).
To bring the analogy and discussion back full circle, let's put it like this.
Kobe is no pretty boy Kevin Costner, he's more like Al Pacino. Let Brandon Roy (who's getting a lot of nice calls lately) be Kevin Costner.
Posted by: Benjamin | March 03, 2008 at 10:49 AM
SONNYBELFAST: “I'm just wondering what having a very strong scent has to do with this being Bryant's year?
Ka-ching Give the man a cigar folks. Good to hear from you Sonny. Hang in there I think your team
Has a good coach.
EDWIN GUECO: “A total war is won by winning the small battes and the big battles. “
Edwin you are now promoted to Field Marshall. LOL!
THE OUTLAW: “All is well in Lakerland. Pau goes for 28/12/6 and the Lakers win by 14!
Go Lakers!”
NOW THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!
PsychedLakerGirL: “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!!”
How could we forget! You know I think you are right about PJ and Fish.
JESTERGURU: “ But this Kobe guy, thankfully, he's pretty good.”
Yeah but is number 24 as good as number 8! How you doing Jesterguru I’m trying to ease back into
Posting gradually. Sort of like rounding into form for the playoffs!
VMAN: "When Erik Dampier looks like a force, there is some cause for concern."
OR ERIKA DAMPIER AS SHAQ WOULD SAY. Good point VMAN.
EDWIN: “Mamba24, Your active role has diminished last week like D. Fisher slowing down.
In your absence, it was DPK and Charles who manned the fort. They moved swiftly like doable duo Farmar and Sasha.
LakerTom thinks that Mamba24 is getting overworked, still in mourning and need a little respite. Are you on slump too? lol!”
EDWIN like the Lakers The Blog has a flexible lineup. LOL! Just pretend I’m coming off injured reserve and let some of our other talent shine!
DREWPAULKOBE : “SAY IT LOUD AND SAY IT PROU D KOBE FOR MVP!
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT – KOBE FOR MVP KOBE FOR MVP KOBE FOR MVP
THE LAKE SHOW:”So please Kobe_Apologist, Jorema, or whomever was talking against me--there you go from Phil Jackson's mouth!”
Lake Show we knew what you meant but just remember those were some crazy days. If I said anything
That offended you I offer my apologies sir. We need everybody on board for this championship ride
.
AN1: “This award though will not rest on the media hype, nor bloggers wishes. Again the experts will give out this award, the coaches. “
GREAT POST AN1
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 03, 2008 at 10:54 AM
*----------------------------------------*
58 WIN BANDWAGON
*----------------------------------------*
01 FAITH - Owner and Driver
02 LAKER TOM - riding Shotgun
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 03, 2008 at 10:59 AM
OOOPS SORRY!
*----------------------------------------*
58 WIN BANDWAGON
*----------------------------------------*
01 FAITH - Owner and Driver
02 MAMBA24FAN4LIFE- riding Shotgun
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 03, 2008 at 11:00 AM
The D,
You left out "Last of the Mohicans"
Posted by: exhelodrvr | March 03, 2008 at 11:06 AM
SONNYBELFAST: “I'm just wondering what having a very strong scent has to do with this being Bryant's year?"
Duh - why do you think he's unguardable? (And before anyone responds, I already ruled out the use of "Right Guard" as being too lame even for me. Just in the context of the response to Sonny, I mean. For the record, I have nothing against the use of deodorant in general.)
Posted by: exhelodrvr | March 03, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Kobe Bryant:
Kidd tested, mother approved.
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | March 03, 2008 at 11:29 AM
LAKER LEGACY: "Kobe Bryant:
Kidd tested, mother approved."
SLOGAN OF THE YEAR
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 03, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Doing well, Larry. Good to se ya back. We need our all-star in the game!
"Kidd tested, mother approved" definitely gets my nomination for Huge Post of the Day or whatever A&B are callin' it.
Posted by: Jesterguru | March 03, 2008 at 11:53 AM
It's not that I think "Dances with Wolves" is a bad movie. But "Goodfellas" has clearly stayed with audiences (and pop culture in general) longer. It's considered a modern day classic. It's been more influential on films that followed. You could make an argument thiat it's the best work of Scorsese, who's arguably the best director of his era.
Did Costner make a good film? Yeah. But his win was as much or more about a young, golden boy actor at the height of his popularity surprising critics by proving capable of directing.
In retrospect, doesn't it seem bizarre that "Goodfellas" didn't beat "Dances?" Let's be honest.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | March 03, 2008 at 11:58 AM
I, on the other hand, regard Dances as a middling to bad movie. I believe it garnered attention for all the wrong reasons.
Lovely sweeping vistas, interesting premise, unexpected casting of bland minor league catcher as the moral conscience of a nation? Sure.
Memorable lines, compelling characters, timeless story, nuanced acting, genuine drama, novel insight into actual events or poignant commentary on the human condition? Not so much.
Posted by: The D | March 03, 2008 at 02:37 PM
The D,
Spot on.
Posted by: Benjamin | March 03, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Mamba24
Please add me to roll call.
thx
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 03, 2008 at 10:57 PM