It'll soon become official
"It" being Kobe's ownership of the MVP trophy, which will be formally pronounced his at a hotel press conference this afternoon. To put this in reality TV speak, Kobe's "journey" to this point has been quite the ride, even within the context of just 2007-2008. But here we are, with Kobe being recognized for being essentially impossible to guard, as his teammates can knowledgeably attest. Those same teammates are also bearing the fruit of Kobe's play this season, specifically the confidence he's created in them by allowing them a little more leeway. But all heralding aside (and warranted), don't expect Kobe to get caught up in hoopla and lose his playoff focus. He, along with the entire roster, remain aware of the tasks still at hand, like getting their hands on more loose balls. The lion's share of step up will have to come from Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol, but a group effort will be needed for the Lakers to iron out a rebounding margin leaving them shortchanged. Rebounding is often a matter of tussle willingness, but whether or not a lack thereof is causing the glass eating woes, matching Utah's physicality is also being labeled a must for game two. The Lakers spent much of the game pushed around in victorious fashion, if that makes sense. The Jazz to-do list is topped by a mission to keep the Mamba from kicking it so often at the line, which will require a team-wide improvement on the defensive end. That would include the man called D-Will.
The Hornets are not only making the Spurs look like a team in trouble, but an old team in trouble.
Chicago, Chicago. That toddlin' (and D'Antoni-in'?) town.
Not sure exactly who's overlooking Tony Parker when it comes to listing top- flight point guards, but apparently, we should stop.
By the way, the citizens of New Orleans are dancing in the streets right now!
Why?
Was it the Hornets' victory over the Spurs?
Nope.
It's the knowledge that their city won't be turned into the "Swamp Formerly Known as New Orleans" by an enraged Jon K., justanothermambafan, and Charles, pressed into action by the injustice of Kobe Bryant being overlooked for the MVP. Let me assure you, those levees would snap easily under the fury of our wrath.
Sleep well, New Orleans for this year you are safe!
[Next year might be a different story.]
MVP FOR THE MAMBA!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 06, 2008 at 01:38 PM
I'm thinking Stranger In The Night might actually being Michael Teniente making fun of himself in an indirect way of apologizing to the blog.
Reveal thy True Self!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 06, 2008 at 01:40 PM
I'm with you too Charles!
MVP! MVP! MVP!
Posted by: Fan of the Mamba | May 06, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Stranger:
"I AM GOING TO POST MY RESULTS LATER THIS WEEK ...."
"... FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLS GOLD TITLES ..."
More like "comic gold"! Thanks for making my day, particularly with the promise to post your results later this week. We never DID see Mike T.'s doctoral-thesis-equivalency of Phil J.'s psychological profile, though it was promised several times. Hey, maybe Mike T. was goofing on us all along...
Posted by: Marty | May 06, 2008 at 01:54 PM
I think it is 40% likely that we will see Kwame Brown back as a Laker next year.
Hey, the guy can play defense AND he's got great calves, you can't fault him for that. (And Phil Jackson and Jerry Buss like him.)
Personally, I think a fully healed Andrew Bynum, a fully healed Chris Mihm, and a strong calved Kwame Brown would be an incredibly deep center roster.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 06, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Geezzz!!!!
The weirdo hour has begun!!! Doo Bee Doo Bee Doo????
Posted by: lakeraholic | May 06, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Fan of the Mamba,
Thanks for the holla!
Posted by: Charles | May 06, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Jon K,
Stranger in the Night was here before Mike T. thankfully left the blog. He celebrated with us when Mike finally left.
He's been doing his Mike T. spoof for months, though it's been a while since he's been back on the board.
Posted by: Xodus | May 06, 2008 at 02:03 PM
http://www.esquire.com/features/the-game/kobebryant1107
Posted by: Who's Your MVP? | May 06, 2008 at 02:09 PM
This may be the very first time that Kobe is getting the MVP, but it won't be the last. Now that these "bozos" had to admit Kobe's value and greatness, I expect that it has opened the door for more MVP awards to come. I won't be surprised if Kobe gets 3 more MVP before the end of his career.
Posted by: Robyn | May 06, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Who's Your MVP?
Thanks for the link.
Posted by: Charles | May 06, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Mike T. would NEVER apologize to the Blog or anything else for that matter. In fact, he probably is solely responsible for Bynum's slow recovery. You know every night before he goes to beddy bye, he gives that AB17 voodoo doll a couple of pokes in that knee.
How else do you explain it?
But that's OK Mikey, we'll still win a championship THIS year without the mighty Bynum.
It really is quite sad for Mike T. He gets his desires and wishes with Bynum going down, only for that to be the reason the Lakers shopped Gasol at the time. And ironically (for Mike) his wish turned into his nightmare losing Kwame altogether!
So Mike can't take it any longer and dissapears with the excuse of his own mysterious blog which apparently takes every waking moment of his time.
But he is still wounded by everything that has happened and instead of routing his once beloved Lakers on for a championship, he goes the other route and continues prodding at his AB doll.
Sad, sad, sad Mike T. Humble yourself and throw away your pride and come back and enjoy this NEW dynasty.
Posted by: Earth Wind & Fire | May 06, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Posted by: Xodus | May 06, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Respectfully,
Posted by: Charles | May 06, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Press conference gonna start soon, listening to details on Loose Cannons right now. Sounds like all the Laker family is there! Wish I was there!
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | May 06, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Jesus,
Thank you Xodus for pointing out the word SARCASM.... Get a clue people. Actually you can find a clue by going back and reading STRANGERS previous posts. S A R C A S M. SERIOUSLY.....Exactly Xodus, "he has been doing MikeT spoofs for months".....
Posted by: pslakerfan | May 06, 2008 at 02:30 PM
Anybody have a link for the press conference?
Posted by: Earth Wind & Fire | May 06, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Has it begun? I wanna be the first ones to catch this life-time moment for Kobe
Posted by: KB8th Wonder | May 06, 2008 at 02:33 PM
AM570 reporting voting tabulations
Kobe 82 1st place votes
CP3 28 1st place votes
KG 15 1st place votes
LJ 1 1st place vote
not as close as people thought
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | May 06, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Hey, guys.
Awards show is on KCAL9. Click on the link Breaking News.
http://cbs2.com/
Posted by: SamLL | May 06, 2008 at 02:36 PM
Xodus,
Okay. It's still fun to imagine that Michael Teniente is out there somewhere.
Love him or hate him, he was a spirited, if sometimes delusional member of this blogmunity.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 06, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Robyn
Agreed, Kobe should win another regular season MVP.......or even another two or three, but I don't think this is the only MVP he wins THIS YEAR............
KOBE FOR FINALS MVP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NO CHAMPOINSHIP, NO MVP, NO PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: toad | May 06, 2008 at 02:39 PM
watching the internet feed,. interesting to see andre iguodala there too. future laker? :P
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | May 06, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Lakers Legacy
Fortune Cookie Say:
"Laker Blog Member must continue brilliance at work. Go to Alhambra later."
Posted by: Charles | May 06, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Hmmmm.... Iguodala at the press con???!
I wonder why...
Posted by: SamLL | May 06, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Do we really have to endure the KIA commercial?
Posted by: SaltLaker | May 06, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Are AK and BK at the press conference?
Posted by: Xodus | May 06, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Jon K,
Mike was spirited, but he did a disservice to the blog as a whole. I can't believe we spent about 2 years arguing about Kwame's calves and whether or not he, of all people, was the key to the Lakers success.
I say, good riddance!
Posted by: Xodus | May 06, 2008 at 02:50 PM
gifts for teammates... yeah!!!
LOL
Posted by: SamLL | May 06, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Kobe - Laker for life. Yeeeeah bbbb
Posted by: Caesar | May 06, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Congrats to Kobe. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
People have accused Kobe of being self-centered. But let me ask you, have you ever seen Kobe not been kind, sincere and generous to reporters? The other day he said the questions were boring, but they were. He was still kind and stayed and answered their questions. He does full press conferences with thoughtful answers AND his child on his lap. I see no evidence that he does not take his job and obligations seriously and graciously.
YOU DESERVE IT MR. BRYANT!!
GO KOBE!!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | May 06, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Wow! That was the best, most fun presser I've ever seen.
Congratulations to Kobe and the Lakers. One day at a time, one game at a time.
Posted by: mel | May 06, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Very very cool press conference.
Loved Tex Winter's comment.
Was that LO asking about gifts, anyone?
Posted by: Earth Wind & Fire | May 06, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Phil is ssuch a hippie............jacket, tie and Birkenstocks!
Posted by: toad | May 06, 2008 at 03:07 PM
It was really funny when Luke took the mike during the Q&A and asked Kobe if he was gonna give some gifts to his teammates... ;-)
Gifts to teammates!!! Yeaaaahhh!!!
LOL
Posted by: SamLL | May 06, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Charles, lol.
I wonder if Kobe will jump over that Kia they gave him??
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | May 06, 2008 at 03:07 PM
SamLL
They share the same agent. But you are right! Hmmm?
Posted by: Charles | May 06, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Iggy's there?
TWoody
Posted by: TWoody | May 06, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Luke Walton and Tex Winter were classic. So many team acknowledgments, Mitch Kupchak and Jerry Buss praise and player improvement references. Great vibe...
Posted by: Charles | May 06, 2008 at 03:13 PM
After i watched the presentation of our MVP, i almost cried in my seat. I can still remember Kobe when he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets and traded to the Lakers. I said to myself, we are going to have another championships and a certified superstar in the person of Kobe. As they say, the rest is history.
Congratulations to Kobe and the Lakers.
Posted by: Botsoy | May 06, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Hehe- listening to the PRess conference- and two of the best quips I’ve heard-
From Luke walton “You will be buying your teammates gifts, right?”
From Tex Winter “So, how do you like the Triangle?”
Kobe’s reaction to the question in Spanish was priceless as well “Where’s pau when I need him…”
Dude’s a funny, funny guy- this’ll go a long way to solidify his image again
Posted by: Jeff | May 06, 2008 at 03:17 PM
KOBE, KOBE, KOBE!!!
Faze =Too chocked up to post! (Tito, pass me some tissue~)
Man can you imagine how Staples is going to errupt tomorrow?
Charles - MVP MVP MVP!
Posted by: LakerFaze | May 06, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Hey wait, wait, wait! Did y'all feel that? HELL JUST FREEZES OVER.
Congratulations Kob: The King of the Mambas, the best of the best.
Congratulations also to all of us faithful.
Mamba24 (Larry) Special congrats for you Bud. I know you're reading, just nod yes it'll be aaaaallright.
Mamba from the east coast
Posted by: Mamba24Fan4Life | May 06, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Earth, Wind & Fire, that was Luke asking about gifts.
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | May 06, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Earth Wind,
That was Luke Walton asking about gifts. Kobe made reference to asking questions like his dad, and then the gifts question came out, and it sounded just like Luke.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 06, 2008 at 03:22 PM
Great press conference. Kobe couldn't take that smile off of his face, its was pretty funny. Loved the questions by Tex and Luke. Liked Kobes attempt to speak spanish too.
The most important questions and answer of the press conference was when Bill Plascke asked if Kobe wanted to be a Laker for life and Kobe said yes. I know he said that in the past but it never gets old to hear it.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | May 06, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Best Parts of The Press Conf.
#1 Kobe FINALLY won a well deserved MVP award
#2 Kobe FINALLY shuts up Bill P (Yes, I would like to be a Laker for Life )
# 3 Tex and Luke getting their clown on.
#4 Phil "dont give a damn" Jackson Suit n Sandals huh? lmao You just gotta believe he has a 7ft Water Bong in his Bedroom too
Posted by: complex brotha | May 06, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Anyone got a link to the conference that actually works?
I'm sure it will be on youtube soon but just wondering.
Thanks.
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 06, 2008 at 03:29 PM
I hate Ric Bucher's face. I want to smash it with a bowling pin like Daniel Plainview did his old friend Eli Sunday.
I really hate that man.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 06, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Everything at that conference sounded pretty genuine. The camraderie was there between teammates, Tex sounded like a good friend and mentor of Kobe's, and Kobe gave props to Mitch, Buss, and the Lakers.
Kobe even spoke Spanish. Who knew!
Posted by: #4 | May 06, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Oh yeah, of course it was Luke, I forgot about the comment about his Dad.
Funny stuff.
You think you could put some shoes on Phil?
Posted by: Earth Wind & Fire | May 06, 2008 at 03:31 PM