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.
Tonight's game is 8pm, not 7:30. Just saw the ad on TNT.
Posted by: WWJWWD | May 07, 2008 at 02:54 PM
rayray
Why do you think Kenny Smith is dumb? He just interviewed for the GM position with the Knicks. Some GMs turn out to be incompetents, but I can't think of a single one I would call stupid (being foolish or doing foolish things is not the same as being dumb; smart people do foolish things all the time).
Posted by: giantsquid | May 07, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Jon K,
We have no reason to question Bynum's hunger to come back. Remember when he was supposed to start practicing with the team and then the team told him to get a second opinion? Bynum WANTED to come back but the team told him he wasn't ready.
I know we all want Bynum back, but come on folks. We can't sacrfice several more championship opportunities and the guy's future for a chance at a title this year. Especially, when we may be able to win the title w/o him anyway.
Posted by: Xodus | May 07, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Tom:
Two great posts in a row..........no wonder you are a HOF Blogger!
Folks looking for a "true" point guard don't understand something basic............one of the features of the triangle is you really don't have a need for a "true" point guard. You have Fish, Kobe and LO to bring the ball up court, depending on who's where and what's going on on the court. Remember Pippen as the "point forward" and how Phil wanted LO in that role, which by the way he is fulfilling quite well?
We cannot trade Bynum for anyone. Twin towers next year!
Posted by: toad | May 07, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Welcome back Mamba24 -- hello to all the Laker Fanatics out there -- Toad, Charles, Jon K, LT etc..
Game Day Baby!! I heard a couple of so called experts picking the Jazz tonight -- No chance -- The lakers will NOT lose on the day Kobe gets his trophy.
Trading Bynum!! Them is fighting words. That's it Wes, meet me behind the gym at 3:30. hahaha -- No way, No how --
I hope TNT will show the entire ceremony before the game and not cut into the game late like they do sometimes.
carry on ...
Posted by: HmrHed | May 07, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Wouldn't a healthy AB coming back next year basically be the equivalent to a number 1 pick? He's young, talented (maybe even more so than a number 1 pick immediately) and under contract. The only thing I wonder and dread about is if this injury could be a lingering problem. Still, I say keep him.
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | May 07, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Jon K
I also think your post was great. It seems like you used to do more Bio-Chrono analyses than you do presently. Can you use Bio-Chrono to determine how players on the same team might interact? For instance, I've heard that Pau hangs out with Sasha. Does that make sense from the Bio-Chrono perspective? Kobe and Pau have meshed extremely well on the floor, is there a difference between players might interact on the floor and how they would interact in the "real" world?
Posted by: giantsquid | May 07, 2008 at 03:06 PM
mrbarneydangles,
My feeling that tonight is going to be, by far, the best game we've seen the Lakers play so far in the playoffs.
The connection between the crowd and Kobe will be historic. The team will get swept up in the energy.
It should be a beautiful game.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 07, 2008 at 02:37 PM
You just got me really pumped for this game. I agree, the crowd is going to be jumping off the walls. We're going to show Utah what home court really means.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | May 07, 2008 at 03:07 PM
HoustonLaker,
Awesome cut and paste from Dime. Just great quotes for KB24. Thank you.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 07, 2008 at 03:11 PM
pslakerfan
Great Jersey!
Posted by: Charles | May 07, 2008 at 03:14 PM
This MVP award is fantastic. It makes his coming defeat at the hands of the Jazz all the more perfect. Nothing will be sweeter than to watch the hopes of Faker fans everywhere rise to astronomical heights before tip off this evening... and then crash into a trash heap of historical proportions as Kobe and his team get destroyed over the rest of the series. The total disintegration of the Faker franchise under the weight of their bandwagon fans' recriminations and pain... courtesy of the Jazz.. is close at hand.
Posted by: stock | May 07, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Mamba24,
Nice! Welcome back. The blog is in playoff form.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 07, 2008 at 03:17 PM
" I am curious as to how you arrived at your position? My feeling is if we win big tonight, the momemtum will carry us into the next game in Energy Solutions. So I believe it is easier for us to take game 3. However, to finish and close game 4 in Utah, it will be a tall order!
Posted by: Robyn | May 07, 2008 at 02:16 PM "
No Robyn,
I'm thinking of the human being mindset, we've won 5 in a row now and Utah Jazz make team work for their money and top that with playing at the Delta center it'll be mentally tough. Don't get me wrong I love my Lakers and would like to see them sweeping trough the finals to get the Trophy but you how the psychology of it works embrace the worst and hope for the best. That's how.
PS: Thanks for the reply!
Mamba from the east coast
Posted by: Mamba24Fan4Life | May 07, 2008 at 03:22 PM
Bozz:
Getting a healthy Bynum over the summer will be much better than a #1 because he has already shown flashes of what he can bring at the NBA level, not in college. Any #1 draft pick would still need 2 to 3 years to hit stride, and Bynum's already got those under his belt. Besides, there's no one out there as a #1 who compares with Bynum's size and skill level.
We cannot trade Bynum.
41/2 hours to game time!
11 TO 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LET'S GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: toad | May 07, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Roll call is back.
Kobe is MVP.
Bynum is hurt and we're still kicking ass.
The universe is order.
Enjoy the battle like a great book whose ending you already know.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 07, 2008 at 03:28 PM
PSLakerfan, nice jersey!!
SDLALgirl, thanks for the info, I was wondering myself.
HoustonLaker, thanks for posting!
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | May 07, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Jon,
“We don't need any significant tinkering with this squad. We just need to let them grow and improve together.”
Perfectly said. Some people cannot leave well enough along. I am not worried at all about Drew and I think the Lakers know that they have the next great Lakers center and will not trade him for anybody. The Lakers are set for the next decade. Unlike the Suns, who had several players with career years the past two years who have dropped back into the pack, the Lakers players who are peaking now are only going to get better.
I look for Chris Mihm to come to camp next year fully recovered and ready to be a great backup to Drew. I look for us to re-sign Sasha and Ronny as free agents, give Drew an extension for $80M for 5 years, and begin negotiations for extensions for both Kobe and Lamar, with both sacrificing to help the Lakers keep the team together. I look for Sun Yue to be in camp to become another versatile player and possible point guard defender.
I really don’t see us making any roster changes other than possibly Sun Yue for Ira Newbie. Otherwise, I even like DJ and Coby. That is not to say that the Lakers should not be still looking for opportunities and tracking players that could help. Trades that might happen will be more in the realm of the Trevor Ariza trade such as trying to trade for a perimeter defender like Russell Westbrook out of UCLA.
There was a recent article which described the Lakers versatility as one of the reasons they are the most talented team in the league. Fully healthy, the Lakers roster is richer and deeper than any team in the league. We have great size and length and athleticism. Great backcourt players. Great defenders front and back court. Great passers at every position. Great shooters at every position. Smart players at every position. Great depth at every position. The Lakers will threaten the record for wins next regular season.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 07, 2008 at 03:34 PM
giantsquid,
Yeah, I've looked at the relationship between the players and their Bio-Chrono readings. What we have is a lot of mental and spiritual/creative energy in the individual readings of our players. This is good because these two components (mental and spritual/creative) not only tend to make players more competitive (especially if present on the physical and emotional levels), but it makes them more team-orientated.
Remember Laker Nation icon, Von Wafer? He was all emotional. This makes a player firery, but their play will inherently be selfish and independent of improving their team play.
That's not the case with our players. Lots and lots of mental and spiritual energy.
The good part about the mentally orientated players (such as Lamar, Rad Vlad, Andrew Bynum and Kobe--to a lesser extent) is that when they are focused and confident, they are very difficult to beat. They simply set their mind to something a stubbornly accomplish it.
The bad thing about mental players is that when they are distracted or lack confidence and faith, they commit self-sabatoging acts. (As we've seen from Rad Vlad and Lamar in the past).
Spiritual players (like Luke Walton, Ronny Turiaf, Jordan Farmar, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant--to a lesser extent) really play for the benefit of the group and they work hard to make the players around them better.
We got a nice mix, Bio-Chronologically speaking.
I've done Trevor Ariza, Pau Gasol, and Coby Karl readings and all are strong and support they improved dynamic of the team. I'll have to write those out sometime.
Ira Newble's Bio-Chrono reading wasn't as impressive and doesn't support the dynamic of the team as much.
So, yeah. I took a while for everyone to get on the same page (because of the mental qualities of the team), but not they've synced up, a synergy is forming.
Things should continue to develop a positive momentum as this kind of success breeds further success within the collective mindset of this team.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 07, 2008 at 03:37 PM
I really like that Kobe went from MVP ceremony to talking about today's game in a matter of minutes.
The guy's focus is unbreakable.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 07, 2008 at 03:40 PM
giantsquid,
I agree. Kenny Smith is probably not dumb. I don't think Chuck is dumb either, actually. Chuck is just too into making outrageous comments and doesn't like to back down from his opinions. Oh, and he is biased toward big men's in what has become a littler man's game.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 07, 2008 at 03:44 PM
I know it's still too early to forecast, but I will anyway. I was watching the Boston/Cavs game yesterday and wondering what happened to the Celtics team that I saw beat-up on our guys a few months ago. Then I wondered if I should reconsider how the teams match-up now, position by position:
LO v. KG -- That's not terrible -- LO is athletic enough
Kobe v. Pierce -- I like that
Fish v. Rondo -- I like that
Pau v. Perkins -- I think the Lakers may have a distinct offensive advantage there.
Ariza v. Allen -- I think Ariza can give him fits.
Any thoughts?
Posted by: HmrHed | May 07, 2008 at 03:45 PM
I have been an advocate of trading Bynum in the past because I doubted whether he would realize his potential. I never saw anything that told me he'd be a great player.
Then this year happened.
I think trading Bynum would be incredibly foolish. We can probably get him for cheap now too. I think 80 M for 5 years is definitely overpaying the guy though. He hasn't been healthy enough to deserve that kind of payout. If another team offers Bynum that much I think I would have a serious decision on my hands as the Lakers GM.
I would trade Bynum for Amare Stoudemire or Dwight Howard. Not for anyone else though.
I think this team has gelled extremely well together. I want to keep it intact as much as possible, but we always need to have a way to bring in good players over the next ten years. If we can improve positions a few players at a time, I think we should.
I don't think trading any of our core of Kobe, Fish, Bynum, Gasol, and Odom is a good idea. And I really want to keep Farmar, Turiaf, Vujajic and Ariza.
If the right trade comes along, you have to be willing to make adjustments, however.
I mean, imagine. Sign and trade Bynum, Sasha, and a first round draft pick for D-12?
Posted by: Benjamin | May 07, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Benjamin,
"I would trade Bynum for Amare Stoudemire or Dwight Howard. Not for anyone else though."
The Lakers would not trade Andrew Bynum for even LeBron James or Dwight Howard. Further, the Lakers wouldn't trade anybody for Amare Stoudemire, who would not fit at all on this team, who is a selfish and one dimensional player, and who plays zero defense.
Talk about a chemistry killer.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 07, 2008 at 04:07 PM
What's up Lakerville!
What a great day to be a Laker fan. KB24 finally MVP... great Laker team chemistry... Mamba24 back (welcome back!)... good, fuzzy feeling on the blog.... *sigh* we're all so blessed!
NOW LET'S GO OUT AND DESTROY THE JAZZ!!!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: SamLL | May 07, 2008 at 04:18 PM
My greetings to Kobe comes a little bit late since I have been under the weather lately.
Congatulations Kob, for a job well done. We stood with you during your darkest hours and we are here in the blog to congratulate you for this valued accomplishment. The trophy is just an accoutrement, what will happen next will be financial rewards for your family's peace of mind, get back the honor lost from youth's wanderlust and the unfavorable image bestowed on you by the cruel media. Normally, Stu Jackson uttered the word Kobe only for disciplinary purposes. David Stearns remembers Kobe only for his marketing ventures such as the All Stars in the NBA. Your teammates call your name when they wanted to win a game. Today, the word selfish does not appear in that trophy, it is all about the all-around KOBE BRYANT, a recognition long overdue to the greatest player in NBA today. The next individual honor will be the raising of your jersey on the rafters of Staples or at the arena where Lakers will be playing in the future and in your golden years, the everlasting Hall of Fame.
Thank you Kobe for the entertainment and please win another game for the LAKERS BLOG.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 07, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Yo Kobe' where is your wife in the photo, you rip off poser! I tell you, Kobe is not that great. Chris Paul will take him to town when they met up, Kobe is and will always be a ball hogger. If the lakers had not get Gasol on the roster the Lakers would have never gone this far. MVP goes to GASOL!!!!!!
Posted by: NativeNDNlover | May 07, 2008 at 04:39 PM
Yo Kobe' where is your wife in the photo, you rip off poser! I tell you, Kobe is not that great. Chris Paul will take him to town when they met up, Kobe is and will always be a ball hogger. If the lakers had not get Gasol on the roster the Lakers would have never gone this far. MVP goes to GASOL!!!!!!
Posted by: | May 07, 2008 at 04:39 PM
With regards to the MVP conference yesterday whereby Luke asked Kobe what will he hand to his team as a form of reward? It was witty and timely but he is the wrong person to ask that question. Luke is a late bloomer in this team, that question is very appropriate for Fisher, Andrew and Pau. They really changed the dynamics of the Lakers big time and have contributed to the formation of that tropphy. The others were role players and part of the team. Basically, Drew contributed many winning games prior to his injury and Pau covered the void and resumed the victories. Fisher gave us a new light after the departure of Smush.
Drew should not traded at all. However, Drew's heart and leadership as a Laker stalwart is in question. Wilt, Kareem and Mikan the great Laker Centers never disappeared in moments like this. If he is injured, he should be active with the team, act as spokesman of the team, active observer during the coronation of Kobe rather than hearing again another question from loquacious Luke Walton.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 07, 2008 at 05:11 PM
My letter to Bill Plaschke:
Mr. Plaschke,
Yesterday Kobe celebrated his emergence as a great teammate as well as an amazing player that he's always been. The league celebrated with him, honoring him with the MVP.
And you took your shoe, squashed the celebration of becoming a hero, scraped off the celebration on a sewer grate and deposited it under the sewer.
Something is seriously wrong with you. You've taken leave of your senses in writing your nasty article in which you end it by questioning Kobe's integrity. I've always suspected you of being a hater, but you've proven it.
You took a great celebratory event for a team based in your city and you turned it into a character assassination.
Looks like one little baby misses his Shaq daddy. Why don't you and the non-funny TJ Simers go drown your sorrows until you can't type, lest your inner resentment lead you to do more damage.
You're pathetic. I hope the person that replaces your position is less so, not that it would be in any way difficult.
Benjamin
Posted by: Benjamin | May 07, 2008 at 05:12 PM
SO GLAD TO SEE A MAMBA24 ROLL CALL!!!!
This is like a victory before our victory. Thanks to all who encouraged this glory moment!!
GOoooooOOOOOOOOoooOOOO LAKERS TEAM AND NATION!!!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | May 07, 2008 at 06:04 PM
Mamba24, in case you didn't see it on the other posts, I want to say again, your roll call is like a victory before the victory!! Thank you!!! You are the MVP (most valuable poster) in my book.
Tom, nice post on the secret weapon of team chemistry. As I have written before, I really like each of these Lakers. That means that we have an added added weapon. The fans can really get behind this squad.
GOOOOoooooOOO TEAM!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | May 07, 2008 at 06:24 PM
MVP effect
Who knows what will happen tonight but he last two times a player received the MVP before playing a game (Nash) his team (Phoenix) demolished their opponent (San Antonio and Dallas).
Posted by: giantsquid | May 07, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Charles,
- "A" for effort on your comment in Spanish: the message was clear, spelling was good, grammar was.... did I mention the spelling was good? heh heh ;-)
- I live in the town of Rota, in the Cádiz province... nice to know you're familiar with my part of the country!
- Never been to Pamplona, actually, but I've known people from there and I'm sure it's a decent place to live.
- Chubby cheeks + living in Spain = guaranteed pinching! LOL I feel for you, amigo.
- Barcelona is an excellent city: culture, sports, technology, night-life... you want it? Barna's got it! The "Barceloneses" have a rep for being somewhat snobby, but, similar to the rep for people from Paris, it is highly exaggerated.
- There's a joint US/Spain Navy base in my town and the US Navy has a lot of Filipino members, so I've met lots of people over the years who speak "Chavacano". I catch most of what they're saying, but not all (actually, what I tend to hear is a mix of Chavacano and English... so I end up understanding about 2/3 of what they say).
- Paz Vega: ¡deliciosa! :-D
Thanks for letting me get to know a little of who you are.
Saludos desde España,
Posted by: David in Spain | May 07, 2008 at 09:16 PM
Benjamin,
"I would trade Bynum for Amare Stoudemire or Dwight Howard. Not for anyone else though."
The Lakers would not trade Andrew Bynum for even LeBron James or Dwight Howard. Further, the Lakers wouldn't trade anybody for Amare Stoudemire, who would not fit at all on this team, who is a selfish and one dimensional player, and who plays zero defense.
Talk about a chemistry killer.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 07, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Amare would require an interview before the trigger was pulled. I believe he might have hope as a defensive player.
I applaud you sticking up for Bynum. I'm trying to be a realist and express how I feel frequent injuries and one really bad injury depreciates the value of a player.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 08, 2008 at 03:55 PM