Game 2 will feature an official MVP
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Join us for Purple, Gold, and Blue at 11 am. Our guests will be Eric Pincus of Hoopsworld.com and Ross Siler of the Salt Lake Tribune. Click the show widget on the side of the page, or go straight to our show page by clicking here.
And for those confused, it's not Utah's Kyrylo Fesenko (whose outright snubbing by the voters was nothing short of disgraceful). For that matter, it wasn't an international player at all, breaking a three-season trend mirroring the NBA's current path. The award winner in question was Kobe Bean Bryant, who wound up outdistancing Chris Paul of the Hornets by a fairly sizable margin after a season spent seemingly neck and neck with the young point. The afternoon was often loose, with Luke Walton and Tex Winter taking on the role of wise apple reporters, spontaneous acts that clearly amused Bryant. But the degree to which the honor affected Kobe on an emotional level was never lost amid the laughs. He thanked his teammates profusely, stressing that he wouldn't be standing on that stage without their great play. There was also acknowledgment of his off-season displeasure that should have been handled differently, as well as praise for the front office's decisions (albeit in a manner some found perplexing). Plus, the words every Lakers fan never get tired of hearing. Kobe wants to remain in purple and gold until he hangs up his uni for good.
SportsHubLA.com gathers up all their best Kobe-centric articles into a neat, tidy bundle.
And with pomp and circumstance now out of the way, focus shifts toward tonight's second playoff game against the Jazz (7:30 pm PST, TNT). Another contest with Kobe residing in a hammock at the line obviously does the Jazz few favors, meaning they'll be focused on an easier said than done mission of actually slowing the Mamba without fouling. And aside from improving their rebounding index (which would please the fans as well), what can the Lakers do to maintain their current roll? For starters, bend the ear of Derek Fisher. The Lakers' co-captain was a Salt Lake resident last season and shares Devean George's scruples when it comes to alerting teammates to an opponent's schemes. And maintain the season-long chemistry that's gone through the roof since the arrival of El Spaniard.
Similar to Lakersblog regular "Hugo Boss" and Colorado, gamblers love the Lakers.
TWOODY:"peace Mamba24. Missed the roll call man!
Twoody how you doing brother. Missed you! Thanks!
LAKERFAZE:"Charles ~adjust the bass so it feels like a heartbeat in here its GAME DAY"
D@mmmnn Man, I didn't know you was a poet.! LOL!
Thank you my brother and I intend to uphold the noble
tradition of the Mamba. You know you're good man.
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 07, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Laker Faze,
The Cervin Vegas are thumpin'! Bop pap. Bop pap. Boom boom! Boom Boom!
Posted by: Charles | May 07, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Its Roll Call.
It is a great day to be Lakers Fan!
Now, let's go knock those Jazz on their butts!
Let's get physical.!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsxX3ue5vR4
Yeah baby!
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 07, 2008 at 11:10 AM
David in Spain,
Where from Spain? I lived in Cadiz and Pamplona during my early years.
Hace 27 anos que no regreso... Mi madre es una Filipina, and El Jefe es un Chinito de Taiwan. Vive a tu pais por que El Papa estaba vendiendo hojas de cigarillos. Olvide mucho.
Pienso que Paz Vega es una estrella. La cosita buena.
Tu entiendes la idoma de "Chavacano?" Es una mezcla de Filipino y Espanol. Mi gente en el sur del Filipinas casi siempre lo usan. Lo siento si mi mensaje no tiene razon.
Que Tenga-n un buen dia chico!
Posted by: Charles | May 07, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Fatty,
Were you the AZFatty who replied to that OC Register article. If so, nice one.
Posted by: Charles | May 07, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Mamba24 - I second Toad's request - PLEASE MAY WE HAVE A ROLL CALL, SIR! I haven't been posting here as long as others, but was a lurker for awhile, and really came to appreciate the energy & enthusiasm of the blog - especially your roll calls and special posts. As JonK so aptly put it, you have contributed in a large way to the blogmunity that AK/BK have provided, and most everyone agrees. JWW and others don't particularly appreciate that aspect, but they should (and most do), understand that there are a lot of individuals that make up a community and all posts are welcome. If they don't get it, or don't know how to scroll, they can switch to a different blog and still get their fix. However, all this doesn't change the fact that you are welcomed, needed & extremely appreciated, and without a roll on a game day in Round 2 - it just wouldn't be the same......
GO LAKERS!
C'MON MAMBA24 - WE WANT A ROLL CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 07, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Well - now I look like a dork - didn't see the roll call before my post........
Oh well - all is good in love & Lakers!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 07, 2008 at 11:20 AM
I agree with Charles,
Mamba24 for MVB!!
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | May 07, 2008 at 11:21 AM
CHARLES go on with your multilingo bad self.
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 07, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Game day.
Execute or be executed.
GO Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | May 07, 2008 at 11:21 AM
FAIRWEATHER FATTY:"Let's get physical.!!!!!!!"
Why Fatty I never thought you'd ask. LOL
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 07, 2008 at 11:22 AM
AK/BK,
Can one of you ask Vlad Rad where he was yesterday?
Not that I would be mad at him, I just think he has a funny excuse.
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | May 07, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Hi Charles
'Could be?!"
- As Bugs Bunny would say
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 07, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Game day.
Execute or be executed.
GO Lakers!
Posted by: Faith
Faith! Outstanding!
Posted by: toad | May 07, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Lakers Legacy,
Snowboarding.
Fatty,
Silly Wabbit!
Mamba24,
Ole!
Posted by: Charles | May 07, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Mamba24 - you may want to add "home of the reigning and future MVP" to that roll call.
Posted by: htj | May 07, 2008 at 11:32 AM
NBA SHOW ME WHATCHA GOT - revised
That’s right we’re back, like we said we’d be
Not just for 1 title, this gonna be a dynasty
Fake MVP’s, give back what you didn’t earn
Tonight Kobe is MVP so no jail for David Stern
Dirk that MVP trophy was only yours for 1 year
Now get out the freakin way the real MVP is here
Teams laughed & partied when they thought we were down
Now we’re back and on you we’re gonna clown
Revenge they say, is best served cold
So NBA start trembling here come’s Purple & Gold
If you want the title through the Lakers you must go
And that aint happening, Didn’t yo mama tell you so
Smush is gone, Kwame ‘s gone to
Oh yeah, NBA we got something for you.
We got all kinds of depth, we got blazing speed
We got everything, NBA you better take heed
And if our bandwagon begins to stall
What we got for the tank is some Gasol
And if our starters slow down on the job
We got a fresh new crew called the Bench mob.
We got 3 rings with Kobe and 3 rings with Fish
We got 9Rings as Coach, You got nothing but a wish
If you lost count, 15 rings to zero is the score
don't get mad but coach Cleamons got 6 rings more.
We got 14 championship Banners that are hung up high
All you got is bandaids for the @ss kicking we gonna apply
We got a man who outscored an entire team without tryin
Then later dropped 81, that’s right we got Kobe Bryant
What ever you can think of, brother this team has got it.
So whatcha team got, That’s right they aint got sh?
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 07, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Great day:
Done with finals, it feels really good
Came home to a Mamba24 roll call
Lakers going up 2-0 later tonight
For those of you saying we should trade Bynum...
Get over it, can't you just be happy with your team? I know the Suns didn't win but I'm pretty sure they're glad they didn't trade Amare when he was "damaged goods" Bynum is better than anyone in this years draft. He's a center with unlimited upside that he's already started showing it. Beasly will be good but he's no Bynum. Just cheer on your team and get excited for the rest of the playoffs and Bynums return next year.
And as for the betting thing, its been awesome, they cover every time. I've bet on em 4 out of the 5 games and I'm loving life. Took em again today but I was def. aware that they are do to not cover the spread. Gotta get the Lakers and the over tonight as well as a series long bet that pays 2-1 if MVP gets a double double, I like my chances.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | May 07, 2008 at 11:40 AM
HTJ:"Mamba24 - you may want to add "home of the reigning
and future MVP" to that roll call."
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 ONLY TEAM WITH 2 HOF COACHES. THE TEAM WITH THE MOST
PLAYERS ON THE 50 GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME LIST(6). THE
HOME OF THE REIGNING AND FUTURE MVP – KOBE BRYANT
HOME OF WILT KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, KOBE,
ELGIN BAYLOR, THE LOGO(JERRY WEST), PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY,
BOB MCADOO, "BIG SHOT ROB HORRY" GAIL GOODRICH
THE LEGENDARY SPORTSCASTER CHICK HEARN
COACHED BY 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON
& OWNED BY THE BEST D@MN OWNER IN SPORTS DR. JERRY BUSS
AND THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN EVER DEFEAT OR DIVIDE US IS US
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER
Posted by: MAMBA24 | May 07, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Fatty - They oughta get Olivia Newton John to sing the national anthem, and then bust out her gym clothes and sing her trademark song (no, not the one from Grease!)
If the refs aren't calling the fouls, I say HIT EM BACK!
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 07, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Lakers better win tonight..
Is Ariza playing on Friday??
I wanna see him back in uniform.
Posted by: STEVEN V. | May 07, 2008 at 11:45 AM
HTJ:"Mamba24 - you may want to add "home of the reigning
and future MVP" to that roll call."
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 ONLY TEAM WITH 2 HOF COACHES. THE TEAM WITH THE MOST
PLAYERS ON THE 50 GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME LIST(6). THE
HOME OF THE REIGNING AND FUTURE MVP – KOBE BRYANT
HOME OF WILT KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, KOBE,
ELGIN BAYLOR, THE LOGO(JERRY WEST), PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY,
BOB MCADOO, "BIG SHOT ROB HORRY" GAIL GOODRICH
THE LEGENDARY SPORTSCASTER CHICK HEARN
COACHED BY 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON
& OWNED BY THE BEST D@MN OWNER IN SPORTS DR. JERRY BUSS
AND THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN EVER DEFEAT OR DIVIDE US IS US
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER
Posted by: MAMBA24 | May 07, 2008 at 11:47 AM
utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER,
Amen.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 07, 2008 at 11:48 AM
I'm wondering if David Stern spiked LeBron James' Gatorade last night with something toxic.
God, he played an awful game and The Celtics still barely escaped with a victory.
The great David Stern Celtics Conspiracy contines!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 07, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Respek, Mamba24 . Respek.
Posted by: htj | May 07, 2008 at 11:53 AM
JON K." utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER, Amen.
GO LAKERS! "
AMEN. AMEN.
Posted by: MAMBA24 | May 07, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Laker Legacy as the commercial says:
THERE CAN BE BUT ONE. CHARLES MVB!! YESSSS!
But thank you kind sir.
Posted by: mamba24 | May 07, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Mamba- Just a little revision for you.
We got a man who outscored an entire team
Then later dropped 81, that’s right we got the Bean!
TWoody
Posted by: TWoody | May 07, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Ahhhhhhh Mamba's back, nice.
Awesome Kobe MVP tribute over at Lakers.com, check it out. Also a pic of my new jersey should be appearing on the "your scene" pics soon. Check it out, kind of a tribute to one of you bloggers.
Posted by: pslakerfan | May 07, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Adande giving Kobe props?
http://tinyurl.com/6gq57k
Posted by: Charles | May 07, 2008 at 12:12 PM
TWOODY YOU ARE A FREAKIN GENIUS!!!
KUDOS MY BROTHER AND THANK YOU
NBA SHOW ME WHATCHA GOT - revised
That’s right we’re back, like we said we’d be
Not just for 1 title, this gonna be a dynasty
Fake MVP’s, give back what you didn’t earn
Tonight Kobe is MVP so no jail for David Stern
Dirk that MVP trophy was only yours for 1 year
Now get out the freakin way the real MVP is here
Teams laughed & partied when they thought we were down
Now we’re back and on you we’re gonna clown
Revenge they say, is best served cold
So NBA start trembling here come’s Purple & Gold
If you want the title through the Lakers you must go
And that aint happening, Didn’t yo mama tell you so
Smush is gone, Kwame ‘s gone to
Oh yeah, NBA we got something for you.
We got all kinds of depth, we got blazing speed
We got everything, NBA you better take heed
And if our bandwagon begins to stall
What we got for the tank is some Gasol
And if our starters slow down on the job
We got a fresh new crew called the Bench mob.
We got 3 rings with Kobe and 3 rings with Fish
We got 9Rings as Coach, You got nothing but a wish
If you lost count, 15 rings to zero is the score
don't get mad but coach Cleamons got 6 rings more.
We got 14 championship Banners that are hung up high
All you got is bandaids for the @ss kicking we gonna apply
We got a man who outscored an entire team
Then later dropped 81, that’s right we got the Bean!
What ever you can think of, brother this team has got it.
So whatcha team got, That’s right they aint got sh+T
Posted by: mamba24 | May 07, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Amazing,
Olivia Newton-John "sing her trademark song"
You mean 'Have you never been mellow?' I don't think that would send the right message.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 07, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Wes,
"Then use the money we would have given Bynum on Elton Brand. What of it?"
That wouldn't work, because the team is over the cap. That doesn't affect signing their own players, but does affect signing free agents from other teams.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 07, 2008 at 12:24 PM
PSLAKERFAN THAT SITE WAS AMAZIING!! THANK YOU!
Posted by: MAMBA24 | May 07, 2008 at 12:28 PM
pslakerfan
Shout out!
Posted by: Charles | May 07, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Charles - You mentioned that you lived in Pamplona...im going there to study for a year next year and iv never been before. whats it like?? i was pretty disappointed i couldnt go to Barcelona tbh...
Posted by: Caesar | May 07, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Mamba, I just provided the editing room. THe work is all yours.
Lets go kick some Jazz tonight.
TWoody
Posted by: TWoody | May 07, 2008 at 12:34 PM
So, here's why we're going to win the championship...
After watching Kobe's MVP press conference, I recognized that we have another intangible that other teams do not have.
Team Spirit.
This is a surprisingly rare intangible in modern sports considering the distractions of fame, money, and narcissitic competitiveness found in most modern profesional athletes.
This Laker team really cares for one another. That makes a huge difference. It's one thing to play for yourself. It's another thing to play for your teammates.
I've been on plenty of teams in my life, but it's the ones where there was a true sense of team unity born out of mutual struggle and shared respect and admiration that were the best.
You not only played not to let yourself down, but to not let your teammates down. You felt more protective of your teammates and this produced a sense of mean-spirited competitiveness against those players that abused your teammates.
When everyone on the team feels like that, it takes the collective play of the team to an entirely different level. When that team is coached by an excellent coach with discipline and a keen understanding of psychology, it takes it to an entirely different level.
When you are inspired by a positive, instead of a negative, that when athletic genius manifests itself.
This is what is happening with the Lakers.
Kobe is FINALLY at peace. Finally. Leaning on my Bio-Chrono knowledge of Kobe, this is the fulfilment of a life's goal. That sense of peace inspires Kobe creatively to manifest his best.
In addition, emotionally Kobe is all about bonding, friendship, connecting with other people. Emotionally he's been in a pretty dark place for a while now. However, now he's honestly in a very positive place. This combination of emotional energy and personal spiritual peace is literally the strongest combination possible for this man.
We WILL see the best of Kobe Bryant in these playoffs. And his best is going to raise the play of the Lakers through this manifestation of team unity.
I am extremely confident of this.
The intangible of team unity, combined with Kobe Bryant's personal internal evolution as a human being is an unbeatable combination for the Lakers.
No one is going to be able to stop us.
Period.
Prepare for the parade, guys. The Lakers are taking home their rings.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 07, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Xodus,
1st. thanks for the response. I'd agree with you on why he
shot the ball so much.
re: his change of attitude. The reason why I bring this up is
because it demeans the work ethic of his team! Jordan
Farmar worked his butt off this summer. Kobe didn't make
him a better shooter. Fisher is a consumate professional.
Kobe didn't make him better. Kobe certainly hasn't made
Pau Gasol better.
Kobe *DOES* have a different attitude than he has over
the last two years. Why? He's got new teammates and
his old teammates finally started to *PLAY*! This whole
thing about Kobe making his teammates better obscures
what he did with Smush & Kwame as teammates. That's
not really fair is it? Phil told him to shoot more 2 years
ago. Nobody talks about that. He has not been given
credit for carrying this team when we sucked! He has
been vilified unfairly.
Do you remember all the conversations about Shaq and
Kobe and how Kobe broke up the team? Now Shaq has
thrown the Lakers AND the Heat under the bus. Still
Kobe is the bad guy for Shaq being a fat, lazy,
ungrateful pig.
If Kobe is man enough to tip his hat to Mitch and upgrade
him from an F to an A+ then others should be man
enough to acknowledge what Kobe did with ... "those
lacking in talent and work ethic" to be nice about it.
Posted by: hobbitmage | May 07, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Laker MVB: Mamba 24
League MVB:
Andrew Kamenetsky in a close vote over his brother because years ago, although he didn't pick Kobe for MVP, his pick of Elton Brand was more acceptable than BK's choice of DWade. Those of you that were there, remember the outrage.
Posted by: Vman | May 07, 2008 at 12:38 PM
By the way after hearing the story of Lamar Odom bringing his chef to Hawaii and Lamar showing up in full-on historic Lakers ultra-pimp regalia to Kobe's MVP press conference, I'm convinced we should keep him.
LAMAR ODOM. LAKER FOR LIFE!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 07, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Fresh perspective from Lakersfield, CA...
I don't think that PJ shot JFK, although there was an unusually tall dude spotted near the parade stand on the Czebruder film. But that being said, how 'bout a little conspiracy theory?
Bynum is well. Bynum is practicing, mostly with Kareem, but also running "closed door" drills with the second unit.
Because Bynum is the nuclear option.
Right now, the invasion is going forward swimmingly. Win after win, based on the high-IQ triangle in Q1-3, and the Kobe-Gasol pick and roll in the 4th. No need to start dropping nuclear bombs just yet. Don't give B.Scott or Doc or Flip any relevent game-film to study. Especially Doc, and his alpha-dog, Garnett. Because they have home court, you see. To take it away, to steal it, perhaps PJ envisions a Pearl Harbor type raid - a second quarter nod to Bynum, an unstoppable blitzkreig of Bynum-Gasol-Odom-Bryant-Ariza - deflecting every pass, snatching every rebound, intimidating with an incredible blend of length and quickness. Just for a quarter or two, holding the C's to ten-or-less, while scoring with the Gasol-Bryant pick and roll to set up lobs to AB or slashes to Trevor. Think about it.
It is, after all, our national military doctrine: use only proportional force to achieve our objectives, saving our overwhelming strategic arsenal for the fulcrum of national survival.
Think about it...
Posted by: karyanr | May 07, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Mamba24,
I've kind of been out of it for the past few days and was late joining the fray today, but it's damn it's good to have you and the roll call back. Laker win tonight: 107-99
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | May 07, 2008 at 12:44 PM
You know, when Kobe's in this zone where the opposition has no idea if he's going to pass to a cutting big man, take his man off the dribble, set up the shooter in the corner, or drop the killer J himself, I can't help but think of the beat and chorus of that Tupac song, "How Do You Want It?"
I'm not a huge hip-hop guy, but some tracks are just transcendent. And right on point.
Posted by: The D | May 07, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Caesar,
Last time I was there I was 6 1/2 years old. But my fond memories are the students University of Navarre and The San Fermin Festival. It was in the late 70's early 80's and being the only Fat Asian kid was like being the only Japanese restaurant in town. My cheeks were pinched raw like sushi.
Also lots of architecture (civil and military type). Get there by this summer in early July. San Fermin Festival. Oh yeah!
I would say Barcelona would be more happening to party ? Right David?
Got Handball?
Regards,
Posted by: Charles | May 07, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Charles -
Alot of sports writers are eating crow right now!
I love it!
The truth is never far behind and the truth is that Kobe not only makes his team better, he makes the league better.
Peace bro and enjoy game 2!
Posted by: MJCMAN32 | May 07, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Jon K
Great post! And nothing could be truer..........a team united is always much stronger than any one of the individuals on the team for just the reasons you bring up. Everyone's got evryone else's back, and that will bring us a Championship this year and for years to come!
Posted by: toad | May 07, 2008 at 12:55 PM
MAMBA24,
You are the best your post is fab love roll call congrats to Kob on winning MVP, Now he needs to win the one in June. Lets keep our lakers cover in prayer for the rest of the post season. Have a good day (Laker Nation) my brothers,and sisters.
Posted by: LakerFan | May 07, 2008 at 12:55 PM
NO CHAMPIONSHIP? NO PEACE!!!
LAMAR ODOM FOR FINALS MVP!!!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 07, 2008 at 12:57 PM
The MAmba24 is back, now let's get the Lakers brotherhood back together by posting: Yes I'm talking to you "JWW" sir. Guys let bygone be bygone!
By the way, we're winning tonight, losing the next game and it's over when we comeback to "Staples"
Mamba from the east coast
Posted by: Mamba24Fan4Life | May 07, 2008 at 12:57 PM