Kobe says he'll be good to go
I figure I'd just put that out there in the header, since it's the most important piece of information learned today at practice. No surprise, given that even if he'd been wheeled into the building on a gurney and encased in a body cast, Kobe would say he'd be ready by Wednesday. That's how he rolls. Fortunately, he was fully vertical in his media session today, though he admitted to being pretty damn uncomfortable. Now it's a matter of getting himself through some round the clock treatment and back on the floor for Wednesday, with the added benefit of an extra day off. Every bit of recovery time will help, hopefully getting him just a little more whole. If not, he could again be limited in what is a ludicrously important Game 5. But feel comfortable hitting the pillow tonight in the belief that Bryant will be in uniform two nights from now. "I'll play. I can't imagine it being worse than it was last night," Bryant said.
Sunday, the back clearly affected his play, especially late. "I just couldn't elevate," he said, "and get enough space to knock down a jump shot here and there. What I tried to do is not re-injure it, so I tried to play and make drives to the basket where I could withstand the pain without the back completely spasming, which put the next game really in jeopardy."
Kobe has suffered through a few big injuries, but his back has been relatively clean, so to speak, over the course of his career. "I really don't hurt my back too much. I remember having (trouble) when I was 21 or something like that. I rarely hurt my back." He must be getting old. The good news is the problem appears to be muscular, rather than something disc or nerve related. No x-rays necessary.
Regarding TooManyShotsInOvertimeGate, Kobe had the following to say: "I got some pretty good looks that didn't fall down for me. Some nights they go, some nights they don't. The pull-up jumpers that I had in front of Andrei (Kirilenko), I should have knocked those down."
The consensus seemed to be that execution got away from the Lakers, whether it was shot selection by Kobe or the things his teammates needed to do in an effort to make themselves more available. As he's often able to do, Derek Fisher broke it down in a way that very diplomatically suggested everyone had a role to play in what went wrong. "During the game, things are happening so fast you're not always able to calculate everything that you want to do, and then even when you think about it it's not always easy to get to it. There are times where you're trying your best to win, and sometimes you get caught up in the moment, and may try to make a play yourself, or somebody else on the time might feel comfortable trying to make a play, as opposed to just settling in and executing our offense. Those are things that you live with on a team, and you just hope that guys are able to recognize it so that going into the next game, when you find yourself in that same spot, instead of getting so full of fire and competitive juices, you're able to step back and say, "Okay, let's just rely on what got us here."
"We worked ourselves back into that game real easily just doing simple things, and that's what we're going to have to try and do Wednesday night."
I talked to Ronny Turiaf, who again expressed regret both that Ronnie Price went down hard, and that he put his team in a position to be short-handed. He was, though, adamant there was no intent to harm. "I was trying to block his shot," he said. He's received no word from the league as to if he'll be suspended (I'd be shocked if the NBA came down on him), which is a good thing. "I don't want to hear from them," he said. The officials may have punished Turiaf for hitting Price hard on a play that came after the whistle, but on the other hand, Price went to finish the play, too. "To be honest with you, I was caught by surprise when I saw him come to me. So when he did, I thought there was no whistle. That's why I went for the blocked shot. I was like, so you're going to keep playing, then I'm going to keep playing."
Back to the back...
Pau Gasol seemed confident that the supporting cast can step up in support of 24 on Wednesday. "We're all talented enough to play good games," he said. "It's a game that we need to win no matter what." Gasol knows what it's like to play with back pain. "It's limiting, and it's tough because you don't feel as quick and explosive. But you play through it." It'll be interesting to see how Game 5 opens. Will Kobe come out and try to show he's okay from the get go? Will he be more deferential? Will Utah attack him to try and assess his condition? I'd be shocked if they didn't try to play a very physical brand of ball with him from the tip. What will L.A. do to try to protect him, if he needs it?
Just one of the issues we can kick around over the next two days.
AUDIO (with video coming shortly):
- Kobe Bryant: Download kobe_bryant_5.12.mp3
- Ronny Turiaf: Download ronny_turiaf_5.12.mp3
- Derek Fisher: Download derek_fisher_5.12.mp3
BK
Seriously.
Gunner, you're an idiot. Only come out when the Lakers lose? How about not coming out at all?
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | May 12, 2008 at 11:25 PM
jhnlannery---
"Does Lebron James get put under the magnifying glass like this when he ballhogs at the end of a game and the Cavs lose?
Did Michael Jordan or Larry Bird or Isiah Thomas or Dominique Wilkins or Patrick Ewing or Olajuwan? Does Gilbert Arenas?"
---Believe me, Michel got grief. I called him the biggest ball hog in the league until he beat Magic. Until he won a championship, nothing was unmentionable. After his 1st Championship, there were the Jordan rules and he was untouchable.
----Yeah Lebron has taken some grief for his horrible performance,but none of it commensurate with his struggles. 20-78 from the field...6 or 7 TOs per game. Regounds down. Assist to Ratio Horrible,..but no one saying that the Cavs are winning despite Lebron (like they would Kobe)..
The rest of these gys aren't worth commenting on except for Larry and he was always willing to defer or take it on his own. That is what made he and Magaic so similar.
As far as Kobe's shots in the final OT,...it's not Like Fish and Sasha were in the corners providing the proper spacing so Kobe could drive and kick, much like we were during that 4 minute run at the end of the 4th.
Had this happened, I believe we get 4 less shots from Kobe and a couple of 3 balls from our studs and a victory.
Kobesbad
Posted by: Kobesbad | May 12, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Pig - "Ariza recently saw a doctor in Utah who postulated that the bone has indeed healed and that the line may never fully disappear."
A doctor in Utah???! I dunno... he might be messing with TA... better be safe than sorry. Although since he got a third opinion that concurred the foot has indeed healed, I'd welcome him as soon as he can play.
Posted by: SamLL | May 12, 2008 at 11:56 PM
First of All Lakers in 6.
Next I wonder if the team really respects Kobe as much as they say they do. I'm not sure if Lamar really means all the nice things he has to say about him. I think that he jsut says some things to keep the media quiet and not produce more drama. I know I'm being vague about what Odom says but I think you guys know what I'm talking about. As much as I love Kobe's drive to win, I question his thought process. Why in the heck would you try to take OT over when you're in pain. Didn't the rest of team prove that they were getting the Job done? I don't think the teamates had a chance to help in OT. I think that they had gone like 7 for 10 in the final quarter and OT while not count on them? WHy not run you're offense? I Know that Kobe's the best in Iso but not when you're that hurt.
I hate that PJ doen't hold Kobe accountable because he's affraid he'll bruise his ego.
I agree that KOBE is the best player in the league but he is also the most vain. Just think back to 81 phenomenal performance...individually. but i can only chuckle when I hear him say that the team needed him to score that many to win... I don't buy it.
Tell me he didn't try to add to his legacy in game 4. He wanted this game to be about him playing through pain and carrying the lakers to victory even with a bad back. He knows he had options he himself said it's like christmas time out there for him with so many options.
I sign Kobe for president sarcastically because he reminds me of someone running for president. They never really admit their wrong or apollogize for what they say or do. Just think back to the summer has he appoligized for anything that happened? ANy sorrys to Bynum? Nope instead he wants to think he helped bynum develop BS!
Posted by: kobe4president | May 13, 2008 at 12:04 AM
Amen
Kobesbad
Posted by: Kobesbad | May 13, 2008 at 12:12 AM
thehammer --
Checked out Ozomatli on YouTube and y'all have some great stuff.
I'm a little old for rap/hip hop, but a lot of the other stuff ('Can't Stop' and 'After Party') was outstanding.
I also saw the Dodger pregame video.
If the LakeShow does end up winning this year, are you going to do a Laker song?
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | May 13, 2008 at 12:28 AM
I sense that there is currently a negative vibes pervading in the Lakers team... and this is because of one man - Kobe. He seems to exude some ruthless anger towards his teammates everytime they commit mistakes - not a very good sign which often lead to bad energy and vibrations among team members. Kobe must change this blantant display of behavior otherwise nobody would really want to play alongside him. Committing mistakes is normal and even himself does committ. He is truly excellent as a player but as a teammates or leader, that is a big question??? Unless they truly convert their negative energy into positive one, it might be difficult for them to become champions or at the very least to win this series. This can be done and at of this should be driven by their "annointed leader" - Kobe. He must be supportive with his teammate and not just blast them with the slightest sign of mistake. Undeniably hes' the leader of the Lakers. But he must change in order that he can truly get the support of his teammates before its too late.
Posted by: ConcernedLakersfanz | May 13, 2008 at 12:57 AM
miller,
The doctor that cleared Ariza was from UTAH...that can be suspicous.
"Ariza recently saw a doctor in Utah who postulated that the bone has indeed healed and that the line may never fully disappear."
Posted by: never | May 13, 2008 at 01:15 AM
silverback.
heeheehee
Posted by: man | May 13, 2008 at 02:44 AM
So, Benjamin, what's the verdict?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 12, 2008 at 07:47 PM
On what? I've been playing poker all day. I don't see any questions directed toward me on this thread. It would be tremendously helpful if you were to repeat the question here so I don't have to go look for it.
The answers below for this full hashed out issues are for people that haven't previously encountered them. The answers below reflect my opinion and the opinion of many people on this blog. The angle Kobe chose how to be criticized is mine. The blog tends to feel that Kobe didn't quit. People in the know have seen the strong correlation between the quality of Luke's play and his injury status.
The whispers of him "giving up in Phoenix" in that fateful game two years ago during the first round of the playoffs probably echo louder than the ever-present criticisms of him being a ball hog.
Posted by: Chris | May 12, 2008 at 05:51 PM
This is strangely recycled nonsense from Charles Barkley. He has confused Kobe's role on the 05-06 Lakers team with MJ's role on the Bulls. Kobe didn't quit. Kobe realized there was no way his team could win the game because he had no help. He took risky shots and really asserted himself and he was behind 10 at halftime.
So, Kobe had a choice. Should I be criticized for being a ballhog or criticized for not being assertive enough. He chose to be original and be criticized for not being assertive enough.
After Barkley used his speculation to slander Kobe on air, Kobe and Barkley exchanged dozens of texts. Kobe seemed to feel very strongly that he hadn't given up.
Do you think the term "Fools Gold" is appropriate for Luke? After a terrible season, I am/was very leery of the "Turnaround" Luke made over the course of 5 or 6 games where he played fair to very good. When he has played 60 bad games, and 20 good ones, I sure hate to depend on Luke coming through in the clutch.
Posted by: Eric M. | May 12, 2008 at 06:24 PM
Luke's turnaround comes at the best time, to close a season and into the postseason. You can't knock that. Luke was hurt until recently and he plays poorly hurt. He's not fool's gold. He's a serviceable fairly large SF that can run the offense. He still makes mistakes that he shouldn't (like the fumble in game 3 and the missed layup in game 4), but he's improving.
Were you watching a completely different game? Did you not see Kobe orchestrate the quick comeback by drawing two defenders and getting the rock to Fisher who had by far been his most dependable teammate in this series? Or when he told Lamar that he will look to get it to him to tie the game with the 3?
From what I gather, smells like bandwagon frontrunners right there. Now quit the hate and show some support, this team did win 54 games for a reason *cough REFS cough*. I bet all of a sudden to peoples like you, the Gasol deal doesn't look so great after all.
Posted by: eevee | May 12, 2008 at 07:12 PM
eevee,
Word.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 13, 2008 at 02:47 AM
Sup Laker Nation? Your boy (who arguably has been one of the best players in the NBA in recent years) finally won the MVP Award and probably deserved it. I would argue however, that Lamar is the MVP of your team. Speaking of which; the Lakers are playing like contenders and Laker fans should be proud that they have made it as far as they have. But you know how it is. The curtain must fall. Harpring and crew will be all over Kobe at Staples. Don't take it too hard.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | May 12, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Thank you! My, how you've grown!
Posted by: Benjamin | May 13, 2008 at 02:55 AM
Korey,
I really appreciate you pushing this meme of yours. There's an analogy in poker that's extremely important.
It's all about making the play that in the long run (say if you made the same play 10 million times) will net you the most money.
If you make the wrong play and still win, that may feel good, but it's problematic. If you feel good about it and say because you made a winning play (that would normally lose), you're guilty of RESULTS-ORIENTED THINKING.
The same concept can be applied to basketball and the analysis of basketball.
If you only laud players when they win and they tend to play the same way win or lose, you're being inconsistent and intellectually dishonest. You're guilty of results-oriented thinking.
I applaud you for sticking it to analysts for making mistakes in critiquing Kobe's play.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 13, 2008 at 03:00 AM
Speaking of muscles, did you see the Mbenga's muscles during half time show about him? He could be Mr. Universe out there, however in the 3rd Q, he played like a big muscular mouse crying among the men on the court. I still dream of Mbenga slamming Okur without a foul. Lmao
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 12, 2008 at 06:17 PM
Mbenga's quite powerful, but I think we all know he's got nothing on Kwame's CALVES OF STEEL!
Posted by: Benjamin | May 13, 2008 at 03:02 AM
PS. After the trade happened, I was wondering how long it would take before people began complaining about Pau. I guess it wasn't that long, and that sad because he's played really well.
Posted by: laker hopeful | May 12, 2008 at 08:17 PM
I agree with you here, to a point. Pau has had a lot of trouble with physical play (which at times seems way beyond the officiating of even playoff basketball) and that was troublesome. It's a weakness that's caused us some troubles so it's fair to give him a hard time about it. He's still played very well for the most part and has excelled as a member of this team. I for one am very happy that we have him.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 13, 2008 at 03:05 AM
I think the grabbing, pushing, and shoving got to the boys in game 4. There's a reason why a team wins at home and does nothing on the road....homer calls!!! The y are allowed to play their style at home and it fuels their game. Players like Farmar, Vlad, and Luke need to man up on the road. I think we need to take advantage of the slower footed team in utah and push the ball. Also, Pau can't allow himself to be guarded by okur. He has got to attack the basket and be a factor.
Posted by: Doc4DaLakeShow | May 13, 2008 at 05:28 AM
Gunner,
I agree that Kobe should've had more points for his 33 attempts.
But you know what? He got, in average, one point for each attempt he made.
I wish that Vlad, Luke and Farmar could just have done the same, instead of going 7 points for 14 attempts.
You know, we could really have used those extra 7 points...
Posted by: Allan - Brazil | May 13, 2008 at 06:01 AM
Jermaine:
I think you're right about John Saunders. Mitch Albom was taking his digs, too, and he was the one with the "superstar" comment.
Another thing that bugs me is the "Kobe quit in Game 7 against Phoenix" complaint. At halftime, Phil told him to stay within the offense, which meant passing the ball and getting everyone involved. Even Jackson defended Kobe's Game 7. If Kobe had tried to take over and do everything himself, they still would've lost. It would've looked like the overtime in the Utah game, but the complaint would've been "ballhog" instead of "quitter."
The guy just can't win. Which is why it would really be nice to go to the Finals this year. The only way Kobe wins with the media is to win on the court, one of the only things I agreed with the Sports Reporters.
Posted by: Marty | May 13, 2008 at 06:51 AM
Wow, two day of Mass Hysteria. As much as any fan, I not only want the Lakers to sweep every opponent, I want complete domination. But that's insane. The playoffs are about reality and reality is usually two very good teams fighting it out, night after night. The Lakers almost won both games in Utah -- that's a great sign. My only two criticisms of Sunday: the Lakers must hit their free throws and must rotate out on Okur faster. He hit two or three pretty open looks in OT -- can't let that happen.
As for Kobe, I think if Gasol had made that driving baseline dunk in OT, things go differently. Kobe had pretty good looks on most shots and probably believed he needed to lead the team at that point. I have no problem with that. I'm not sure what more some people expect from him -- 20 assists? Perfect from the field and 30 points? 10 boards? World peace? And, if he does all that, will folks still accuse him of planning it all for media consumption?
Posted by: teamn | May 13, 2008 at 06:52 AM
Good morning LAL friends!
Countdown - one more day.
Today, I am hoping we hear something about what Laker mgmt will do with Ariza's 2nd/3rd opinions that were positive. Will they allow him contact practice, scrimmage? Let's get him game ready!!!
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | May 13, 2008 at 07:16 AM
Granted that Kobe missed his shots at the most inopportune time, in OT when the team needed makes the most. Why is everybody all over Kobe for the 13-33 shooting? He's only 4 makes off 50%, which is a decent percentage for a guard. Against a normal defensive team, 17 makes would have him scoring around or a little more than 34pts. Why is less than 50pts considered a "poor shooting" night, Gunner? You're right Outlaw, Gunner IS an idiot.
Posted by: batman | May 13, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Amen.
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: Happy Camper | May 13, 2008 at 07:52 AM
Korey,
"I'm glad one journalist (ahem AK/BK?!) has finally seen the light on Kobe. Thank you Mark Heisler. "If Lamar Odom had made his three-pointer to put them ahead with :13 left and they'd gone on to win, people would have talked about this game as long as there was an NBA."
Instead, the Lakers lost in overtime . . . and Bryant was critiqued for all the shots he took in overtime? Calling Kobe selfish last game is assanine. He's trying to win , bottom line. He makes the shots or if Odom makes that last 3 and that's one of the greatest performances in NBA history. If you call Kobe selfish or your opinion changes of Kobe make or miss you are a sublemenal hater. Get out of denial. Realize the folly of your ways."
Well, for starters, I never referred to Kobe as "selfish" to begin with. I questioned his judgement during OT, but I never questioned his motives. So to boil all this down to the knee jerk "hater" explanation is pretty simplistic.
As far as the article you're citing, I think Heisler's "had Kobe made those OT shots, this would become a game of legend" premise is irrelevant. You can't evaluate a game by what didn't happen. You have to go by the actual outcome. I also think that in a game where Kobe missed so many shots in OT and the fourth (where it became really clear his back was hindering him), that premise is a pretty big stretch.
Beyond that, I wasn't viewing the game through the prism of Kobe's "legend." I'm treating it as a one game case where I didn't like his approach. Given the circumstances (his back robbing him of speed, lift and explosion, teammates making shots, moving the ball around getting them back into it to begin with), I don't think take over mode was the right call. I'm not "condemning" Kobe and my original remarks noted his role in the fourth quarter rally, praised his willingness to play hurt and specifically stated that you can't lay the loss on his doorstep. The "blame" isn't solely Kobe's by any stretch. I stand by that assessment as fair.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 13, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Kobe is stubborn, but he ain't stupid. He will learn from his mistakes. All he's wanted to do for the last four years is win a title, and he's going to do what it takes to get there.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 13, 2008 at 08:55 AM
It's a good thing the players don't read these blogs. But then it's a good thing bloggers don't play for the Lakers.
When we lose, there is so much more negative stuff in here and it really is hard to read. A lot of the bloggers have great input to the game of basketball, and I learn a lot from you and enjoy it a lot. Thanks so much. .....But this Monday morning quarterbacking and player bashing after a loss is ridiculous. Nbody goes undefeated in a seasons much less the playoffs, so get used to it. If you question the best coaching staff in the league, the best player on the planet, great surrounding players in LO, Pau, Sasha, Fish, etc. and believe that Kobe doesn't want the TEAM to win, then you don't really know what sports is all about. .....It is about winning and only winning. Yeah sure, there may be a few players out there who put themselves first, but not on this team. This group has the best chemistry I have seen since the Showtime era. What they have accomplished this season is fantastic.I suppose that the Kobe haters and Laker bashers are only on this blog because their team is on vacation right now.
So talk basketball, share your Laker enthusiasm, but if you want to bash players, coaches, trainers, the front office, their motives or faults, get a life or go to another blog.
Posted by: spokanlakerfan | May 13, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Hm. Lebron jacks up clanker after clanker, then dunks on Garnett, and that jack-ball on TNT yells, "Lebron James - with no regard for human life!!!"
Meanwhile, Kobe puts us in OT, injured, mind you, and and it's "Did Kobe lose the game?"
These people have scrambled eggs for brains. I'm glad that Jim Rome, at least, had the cajones to ponder (after the first Celtics/Cavaliers game), "Lebron shot his team out of the game." FINALLY! Oh, and Pop-gunner and Belfast - you guys can kiss dirt. I don't buy into the view that they are somehow part of the accepted Laker blog community.
Sorry man. I'm pissed.
Posted by: cscoot | May 13, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Why are Kobe's motives STILL so widely questioned, reviewed, judged, scrutinized etc.. like no other NBA Superstars before him or currently in the NBA?
-posted by eevee
I think Kobe is scrutinized more than any superstar because he was the first of the "Next Jordan" prototypes (H. Minor,G.Hill, Stackhouse,V. Carter) to achieve that level of success (3peat). He also did it at a time when the "Information Age" was booming, so on top of cable tv, the internet was flooded with Kobe info. So you have a generation of people who put him on a pedestal.
Then comes the downfall in Colorado, 2004 season, etc., which is covered to death by every type of media outlet. I think he has the more people watching him than any NBA Star ever. You have as many fans that love him (for his game on the court) as fans that hate him (for both on and off court reasons). Jordan had fans that loved him and few that hated him, but 99% of it was based on his game. His game was not tarnished as much because he retired before the internet boom. I think if there was as much media in the 80's and early 90's as there is today, our "legends" would be scrutinized for their downfalls (gambling, adultery, child abandonment, etc.). I think if Lebron was to do a "Colorado-type F-Up" he would be just as scrutinized.
I remember the days both Nique and MJ had "ball hog" images, (Nique more so than MJ), but that's what they had to deal with, same with Kobe. Kobe took those shots for a number of reasons, but mainly because he thought he could knock them down. Why didn't he just penetrate and dish like he did in regulation? He had an aching back and wasn't physically able to penetrate and dish every play!! He had to make a decision, pass it to his teammates who are just standing around the perimeter waiting for Kobe to do his thing or take the shot. If he made half of those shots, he'd be praised for his greatness, but he didn't so now he's selfish? I think if Lamar or Pau post up and CALL FOR THE BALL instead of defering to Kobe, they would have gotten the opportunity to make the plays. In my opinion, Kobe, and any Superstar, plays the same way, to win!! They go about it differently based on the resources they have. Magic was blessed with more reliable scorers around him, so he passes more than MJ, who scores more, as does Kobe. So everyone talking about 06 Kobe, passing Kobe, scoring Kobe, really only cares about Kobe when he wins... I know I'm kind of all over the place here but Kobe will do whatever he can for his team to win. Remember when he played with a dead right arm, and shot left handed? He'll endure anything to win which is what makes him great.
Posted by: JSNV | May 13, 2008 at 09:15 AM
"I just couldn't elevate, get enough space to knock down a jump shot," he said. "When you have a back injury, you try not to re-injure it. I rarely hurt my back, I remember one time when I was 21."
When asked if perhaps he shouldn't have taken so many shots in overtime, what with the sore back, Bryant replied: "I got some pretty good looks, they didn't fall for me."
Hmmmm. The plot thickens. Here's what Fisher (who nobody as ever accused of being a selfish basketball player, one of the truly great veterans in the league, universally liked except for Utah fans) had to say. A subtle hint hint hint to mister high basketball IQ.
"He did a great job of creating opportunities for other people down the stretch," Fisher said. "That's what we got away from in overtime."
Since nobody wants to bruise Kobe's ego, Fisher takes a subtle approach. Phil scolds the team for bailing on Kobe in OT. Genius. Phil knows Bryant is thin-skinned and can't be confronted or manipulated via media anymore so he chides the team instead. Brilliant at getting point across without hurting Bryant's ego. Phil was telling the team to be aggressive and not let Bryant jack up unwarranted poor-selection shots.
Back to Bryant's high basketball IQ for a moment. Actually, it's beginning to seem he lacks common sense. Not basketball IQ. For starters, Bryant said, "I got some pretty good looks, they didn't fall for me". Really? You don't say? LOL. 33 shots to score 33 points and yet he proceeds to jack them up like there's no tomorrow even though his shots weren't falling? No common sense? Hello?!?!?
It's either stubborness or just plain idiocy. When Bryant's ways don't get him what he wants, he insists on doing it even though it won't work.
Simple analogy. Bryant just keeps on trying to hammer a square peg into a circle mold. Hammers away even though it's not working. Brain circuitry won't allow the processing of alternative solution.
Bryant's brain functions like this. Shot not falling. Shoot more. Common sense chimes in with, "But Kobe, team ball erased a 12pt deficit within 4 minutes, and Odom, Gasol, and Fisher are all shooting well, create some open looks, they aren't Kwame, Smush, or Chris Mihm. No excuses, pass to them."
Bryant's mind responds, "Ball in hand. Must shoot. Team ball. No compute. Shutting down. Fizzle fizzle. Meltdown....."
Bryant's basketball IQ shouldn't be questioned anymore. Nor should his decision making ability.
Because it's apparent that he just lacks common sense.
-Jeffs Aho
Posted by: Jeffs Aho | May 13, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Trolls,
Please stop coming here with only negative nonsense after losses. You did it all season long, and continue to do it. There are many who come here with both praise and criticism. Some are here simply to talk about positivity.
It's you trolls, GUNNER is the best example, who use this blog to try and rile up people who are here to actually have a conversation. Trolls are like the guy who comes to a party just to get drunk and start a fight. The point isn't even to have fun at the party like everyone else, you're just here to get people fired up and pick a fight.
Please see the people like Jeffs Ahso, neil, GUNNER, Forrest, et al for what they are and just don't respond to them. There isn't any merit to their opinions because they won't acknowledge the other side of the coin. I enjoyh dissenting opinions and spirited debate, but not with people who only come to pick a fight when they know that people are already upset.
AK/BK
Give us logins and spam filters so we can rid the blog of this scourge of nonsense.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 13, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Thank you Pig for the link on Ariza.
It just confirms what I've felt all along. The Lakers' organization is too conservative with injuries. You know Kobe wouldn't be playing since early February and the Lakers would have missed the playoffs all together if he would have followed the advice of the Lakers' physicians.
Sometimes you have to take some risks. It also makes you wonder about Bynum.
Posted by: Long Live Chick | May 13, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Trolls...yeah I like that.
Cease to acknowledge their existence and they will cease to exist.
Posted by: spokanlakerfan | May 13, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Wound the Troll, Starve the Troll!
Posted by: toad | May 13, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Kobe is not hurt. At least not to the point he should be rolling around the floor in pain. Back Spasms, are you for real? That reminds me of when I was a kid we used to have these guys on our sports teams every now and then that would get knocked down and make it seem a lot worse than it was so they could get the cheers from crowd. That's what this seems like. His shot wasn't falling, things weren't going his way, make a little more out of the injury so he has an excuse. The imagnary gun twirling of the Denver series was gone, replaced by the sprawled out, invalid. Suffereing from the momentary incapacitation of the dreaded Back Spasm....only to score 33. It's unthinkable to imagine what he would have scored had he been at full strength...Maybe 100.
Like his wife has been doing for years, he's faking it.
Posted by: Rick Real | May 13, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Has anyone seen the picture of the Utah fan covering his eye in mocking Derek Fisher"s daughter while he shoots free throws?
This needs to be blown up and put in the Laker locker room so this team knows what must be done. They should have already had the incentive to whip the Jazz ass but this is over the top and needs to inspire the Lakers NOW!
I've always hated the Jazz since Karl Malone dissed on Magic Johnson after he announced his HIV.
Their In-bred fans are classless idiots.
COME ON LAKERS. Wake up and blow this team back to where they came from!
Kobe, I love you, but pass the damn ball to your teamates in crunch time if your hurting.
We can taste the championship this year. When Bynum comes back and if everyone stays healthy you will win so many championships you'll be bored.
Do it this year and it's gonna be the sweetest one because of how far this team has come.
Posted by: RASTARO65 | May 13, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Benjamin,
Duh!! "Muskrat Love" vs "It's Hip"
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 13, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Rick Real,
"His shot wasn't falling, things weren't going his way, make a little more out of the injury so he has an excuse"
And the real beauty of it all was that he knew, at the start of the game, that he was not going to hit his shots in overtime. So on the second play of the game, he pro-actively exaggerated his injury!!
You are one of the few people with the type of insight to see that!
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 13, 2008 at 11:19 AM
The site for the pic of the in-bred Utah fan covering his eye while Derek Fisher is shooting free throws is at lakersground.net
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v461/eureca323/fishfancopy.jpg
This needs to be blown up for all the Lakers to see and inspire them to end this series in the next 2 games.
Posted by: RASTARO65 | May 13, 2008 at 11:33 AM
"That reminds me of when I was a kid we used to have these guys on our sports teams every now and then that would get knocked down and make it seem a lot worse than it was so they could get the cheers from crowd. "
You know, all the great basketball minds start their analysis with "that reminds me of when I was a kid..." Rick Real needs to stick to NJB or YMCA 10 and under league blogs. I'm sure all of your basketball knowledge will be more applicable there. That reminds me of when I was a kid, there was this other kid who just kept saying a bunch of random stuff that made no sense. The others would just laugh at him or shake their heads and walk away. He had no friends....
Posted by: JSNV | May 13, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Okay, I watched the Captain and Tennille video.
Hip to be Square is way worse.
As for Muskrat Love...
The video was so bad that my consciousness transcended, probably to escape the lame dancing crappy special effects dancing muskrats. The song was alright, lamely anthropomorphic, but it at least it had a legitimate thought even if it was a lame one. A sweet Karen Carpenter like voice with a 2 chord keyboard track with lame muskrat keyboard sounds and even still I would prefer the muskrats fatally attacked Huey Lewis like the killer rabbit or rodent from Holy Grail.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 13, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Good points both of you EVEEE and KOBESBAD. I just get a little weary of reading and hearing the same old criticisms like "Kobe can only appreciate winning if he hits the winning shot" accusations that Kobe haters AND (disapointingly so) EVEN some Laker fans keep perpetuating. The guy wants to win, bottom line. I just hope his back's gettting better b/c he's going to be treated roughly by the Jazz should he go to the basket as often as he usually does. More than ever our bench and someone other than Fisher needs to come through so Kobe doesn't have to resort to his high risk offensive moves to keep us in or to win the game. The man's got my respect no matter what happens though. He's tough and earned the MVP this year. I know he's not the "perfect citizen" or the humblest dude out there, but he's also NOT the hugely overegomaniacal "crybaby" he gets hated on for much of the time. Somewhere in between I beleive.
Posted by: jhnlannery | May 13, 2008 at 09:27 PM
To JSHV:
Hilarious and perfect response to Last Troll of the moment on this blog "Rick-not-very-REAL-istic's idiotic and baseless comical take on Kobe's gameplay before and after the back injury. Although I'm very new to this blogging site, I've been a true Laker fan over 29 years. I know the rule is "No response to Trolls" here, but if one true member like yourself of LakerNation chooses to I have no problem with the way you torpedoed that "hater's" silly post. Kudos!
To "Pig" Miller:
I apologize in advance for the 3rd part of this posting because I'm addressing the JeffsAho posting regarding Kobe having NO basketball IQ OR COMMON SENSE. Fyi, I DO criticize Kobe when it's warranted but this is so stupid I have to vent. Besides, shaming the troll can be useful too, lol!
JeffsAho:
So let me get this straight a 3 time NBA Champion who's the current MVP of the league who's been an All Star 10 times has "No basketball IQ and no common sense?"
And you base this expert observation on what? Your many years coaching NBA superstars to an NBA Championship? Or was it when you were playing in the NBA as a league MVP and team member of some NBA World Champions? Give me a break. To write that a player of Kobe's talent has "no basketball IQ or even common sense just shows YOUR lack of common sense! Guys like you probably question Tiger Woods "Golf IQ and common sense" or Wayne Gretzky's "NHL IQ and common sense"
Posted by: jhnlannery | May 14, 2008 at 01:27 AM