Tex on Kobe
BK and I have both been running around today, which has prevented us from posting a lot of new material today. Rest assured, more is coming before game 2, but as something of an appetizer (or at the very least, the sorbet eaten to cleanse palettes before the meal), here's a SportsHubLA item from Roland Lanzenby, who's written for eons about the NBA, basketball and the Lakers. Lazenby got a take from Tex Winter about Kobe Bryant's "tale of two halves" during yesterday's victory. The triangle guru wasn't critical of Kobe's early lack of assertiveness, instead somewhere between "slightly bemused" and "definitely amazed by what Kobe was capable of once turning it on." But he did seem to consider what Kobe was doing yesterday to be something along the lines of freelancing, not taking the shots he should have put up.
See whatcha think.
AK
just posted something at the end of the previous thread about kobe and the sailing ship. i do not have a copy.please post it there or here. thanks
Posted by: Zin Master | May 22, 2008 at 08:18 PM
the pistons?!
Posted by: Zin Master | May 22, 2008 at 08:23 PM
I don't know what it is about Tex. If it's his age or his health problems, but he's always hypercritical about Kobe.
From what I can tell Kobe's been a great student of the game and it's impossible to run the triangle how it was designed 100% of the time. Different personnel, circumstances, and defensive looks will dictate the offense which is supposedly flexible. (He's correct on the freelancing deal and the amazing second half performance of Kobe).
That being said I will always respect Tex. It's just, dang, enjoy the beauty of what's happening. It must be tough being Tex's kids, nothing's ever good enough. : )
Posted by: mel | May 22, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Roland Lazenby is a truly iimpressive sports journalist.
It pisses me off to know end that he's running a blog no on reads while T.J. Simers gets page two of the the Los Angeles Times Sports Section.
It really sickens me.
Not just ridiculous. A travesty.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 22, 2008 at 08:28 PM
I gotta admit that Kobe did have me wondering what the heck he was doing in the first half. Ideally, he strikes a balance between his own scoring and finding his teammates. Kobe kind of overpassed at times and passed up good shots. KB24 always finds a way to keep us guessing!
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | May 22, 2008 at 08:46 PM
For all I care, you guys can post 18 minutes until game time because I trust whatever said material is, it would always as usual be worthwhile and like last night, a sure winner.
The C's just got owned tonight, making our Lakers the only invincible home team thus far.
Sure the Spurs may win a 7 game series... too bad this one is only going five!
Posted by: eevee | May 22, 2008 at 08:46 PM
It's amazing what Kobe can do when he channels what he calls "The Black Mamba." Watching Kobe any moment he's on the floor can make your jaw drop.
But Friday night will require his team mates to be their best, as well. Look what happened to Boston tonight on their home floor. When you're facing a worthy opponent, any lapse can be fatal.
Frankly, I'm in awe of the level of Playoff basketball we're watching, this year. All of these last four teams would make a worthy NBA champion. That the Lakers are among them makes the team's achievements to date worthy of a scrap book, regardless of what happens from here on in. Regardless of what happens from here on in, we are lucky to be Laker fans.
Meanwhile, the rest of the ride will be a cardiologist's delight. I watched Game 1 in a near state of paralysis.
But after a few cups of coffee this morning and coming into consciousness, I knew it was going to be a beautiful day. I'm so psyched. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | May 22, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Regular preview. Same old, same old. But pay extra attention to Fisher's words.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=280523013
Posted by: mel | May 22, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Aha! Our three-guard offense is better than theirs! Lakers in five seems about right.
Posted by: karyanr | May 22, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Just thought you guys wanted to know what kind of smack the SA fans are writing:
I can tell from reading these posts that my annual state of the union address is needed.
First, it was one game. Everybody in the world knew the spurs would wear down by the end of the game. So it was a 20 point game instead of 12 or 13 like we blew twice against New Orleans. Who cares?
Second, there is a good chance we may lose tomorrow as well as there may be a slight hangover. If so, who cares, I really don't see the Lakers winning a game in SA, we are not Utah. However, if we win tomorrow then the series is over, because the lakers won't be able to deal with losing home court.
Third, for all you Laker fans out there, Kobe is a loser and will always be. He can't win a championship without Shaq. He may have a nice supporting cast, but there is not one player besides him that scares me.
Gasol, Soft
Odom, Choker
Vujacic, nuff said
Turiaff, Chearleader
Walton, stiff
Farmar, looks like a hobbit
Radmonovich, see Vujacic
Fisher, old
Ok, Ginobil and Parker had a bad game. It was an abberation. There is no way that our big three will let the Lakers take the series. If you have been watching the spurs through our dynastic run, we have these blown leads and games all the time. It is our freaking staple. See Dallas 03, Denver 05, Det 05, Phoenix 07.
It is not a big deal. This team has more heart then any professional team I have scene sicne the late 90's yankees. You can't kill them, because they refuse to die. This Laker team doesn't have what it takes to grind out a series like this.
Thnk about it, this was our wake up call after playing back to back elimination games. It could be worse, we could have blown a 20 point lead at home in game 1 of the western conf finals. Oh wait, that happenede a few years ago, and still won that series in 6.
Keep the faith.
Posted by: Maneasy | May 22, 2008 at 09:11 PM
Xodus,
When you make a ridiculous proposal that NOT ONE SINGLE OTHER BLOGGER AGREED WITH, I would say that is very much a Mike T. type of post. No disrespect to Andrew, who has a sterling reputation for making excellent posts with a realistic bent but proposing trading Andrew Bynum for the #1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft is the total opposite of realistic – it is concocted fantasy sports, pure dribble that you would expect out of the mouth of drunken fools or Clippers fans. More of a burp than a real idea.
First of all, no general manager would trade a 20-year old phenom center like Andrew, who has already shown that he is among the top 3 centers in the league and has the talent to become one of the greatest centers in NBA history for a point guard not named Magic Johnson. You don’t trade big for small. Count how many premier centers there are in the league versus premier point guards. Premier centers come along once in a generation. Premier point guards come along every few years. Trade Drew and you may never again find another player of his quality to man the center position.
I also disagree with you that Rose is a true point guard rather than a combo guard. One of the big questions about Rose is his ability to put up big assists numbers, which he has never done. He also does not have NBA range on his jump shot, averaging less than one 3-point shot per game at the college level. True that he dominates the ball most of the time ala a point guard but it really is to set up a score for himself rather than a teammate. He is another Dwayne Wade type player who really will end up as a combo guard who scores but doesn’t have the game to produce assists or the shot to keep defenses honest. While he would probably fit well in the Triangle offense as a point guard, chances are that he will end up playing shooting guard in the NBA.
Additionally, even if Derrick Rose were to turn out to be as good as the top two point guards in the league right now – Paul and Williams – how many years would it take him to mature enough to match those guys? You’re talking about two or three more years. In the meantime, Andrew Bynum has put in those three years and is on the verge of being the dominant center the Lakers and Kobe have dreamed of having. Yeah, let’s kill the dream and throw away the sure thing we have for a risky trade that doesn’t make sense.
As I said, I just think Andrew Z. is having problems adjusting psychologically to the Lakers future being so bright. Maybe he hoisted a few too many beers watching the game and thought he had a good idea. I thought Andrew might enjoy the Mike T comparison since he no longer can find enough GHE stuff to post about. LOL.
RULE: YOU DON’T TRADE A FRANCHISE PLAYER except in fantasy sports.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 22, 2008 at 09:21 PM
I have to say, as we move from round to round, I love reading the posts of the Lakers fans from this blog, on the other teams blog. First firegeorgekarl.com, then myutahjazz.blogspot.com, and now poundingtherock.com. Always good stuff and interesting to see the interaction between fans of opposing teams.
Posted by: DavyJonze | May 22, 2008 at 09:27 PM
I see this as a dilema so SAS. Per the article above if they double Kobe he passes and if not he executes.
Knowing that he prefers to attack from the sf spot and gravitates there, knowing is different from stopping.
They know what is to come but are helpless to stop makes it a true dilema for the Spurs.
We just need to play one game at a time and focus on winning with what we do best and this will be over soon. I say 4-2 Lakers.
Then four more to Crown!
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | May 22, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Game 1 was a test of wills trying to feel each other capabilities and strategies. It is like the first few rounds in the boxing match, they jab and see where the openings will be.
The p & r applied w/ Nuggets and Jazz were not effective with Spurs which created T/O, well because the shots of Fishers were not going in. They were not calling fouls the hacking done on Pau and LO which were called in the previous series. So both teams were also feeling around what the refs. would call. In the game interview, Kobe said he was mixing it up and just going with the flow. I'm sure he will have a different mindset in Game 2 when Lakers should be aggressive from the get go to sustain the home court advantage.
Based on experts opinion on CBS Sportsline, it is heading towards Lakers vs. Pistons as NBA Finals.
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/postseason/expertpicks
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 22, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Well, it wasn't the triangle offense, but if the Spurs have no answer for the Kobe-Gasol pick and roll, why not run it to death (as they did in the second half) until they find one?
16...15...14...13...12...11...10...9...8...
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 22, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Tex is usually pretty direct. Let's not jump the gun and go off in all different directions trying to interpret what he said. Sometimes the media is just throwing wood into the fireplace....sometimes, I think it's ok to "shoot the messenger"...
Posted by: humanomaly | May 22, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Hey guys,
I have a message from Elle. She posted on my MySpace account because she thinks posting here is bad luck for the Lakers. "Now that is a serious fan" WTG Elle.
From Elle:
Say hello to everyone on the blog for me, and if you have a second please tell faith the following, yes defense is the way into a girls heart but so is nice bouncy hair...and there's a fansite (group) on myspace for Sasha she might want to know about! have a good night, 1 down three to go!!!!
Posted by: pslakerfan | May 22, 2008 at 11:02 PM
What's standing between the Lakers and a 2-0 lead?
Another 22 hours.
Lakers proved they can beat the Spurs at their own game in Game 1. Tonight, let's see if the Spurs can beat us at our game.
Posted by: Jman449 | May 22, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Even Tex was amazed by Kobe. And he's been around for 65 million years.
Posted by: ajax | May 22, 2008 at 11:19 PM
So I've been on the enemy blog, and I have something that might be something to watch for.
The Spurs fans said that David West was killing them with 15-17 foot jumpers, as the defense was conceding that shot to West.
This makes me believe that the Spurs may just drop Duncan in the paint on the pick and roll, thus conceding Pau the 15-17 footer, instead of allowing him to potentially receive a lob pass.
So, if Kobe finds Pau out there, Pau's shot better be on!
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 22, 2008 at 11:56 PM
THAT KOBE & CHEERLEEDER AFFAIR JUST CAME ON SPORTS SPORTS RADIO..
THEY ARE SAYING SOME SUSPECTING ACTIVITY IN LAKERS ORGANIZATION.
IS KOBE HAS AFFAR WITH SOME LAKER CHEERLEADER CHICK? MAN THIS IS NOT GOT HOPE THIS IS JUST RUMOR
Posted by: Disgruntled,Frustrated Laker Fan | May 23, 2008 at 12:49 AM
no other superstar gets second-guessed as kobe. he just can't win.
nobody can read into what he thinks, but his facilitating in the first half could have been to get his guys going, not just for the game, but for the series.
maybe san antonio was baiting him to go all black mamba on them and throw his teammates out of rhythm as a result.
other than lamar and fisher, the rest of the guys seemed to be in good enough rhythm during the game allowing kobe to take over when he had to.
i'm all for him striking a balance between playmaking and scoring, but in the end, he's the guy on the floor and in the best position to make decisions.
Posted by: the don | May 23, 2008 at 01:19 AM
i'll bet more people read Roland Lazenby than T.J. Simers...
Posted by: man | May 23, 2008 at 01:33 AM
I think Bynum for the #1 pick is definitely a trade worth considering. We could probably walk away with the #1 pick and our choice of any player not named Deng. How about Tyrus Thomas or Noah backing up Gasol and Odom? How about Rose, Kobe, Nocioni, Odom and Gasol running the fast break?
What if the heat offered Dwane Wade straight up for Bynum?
Would you do it?
Wes
Posted by: | May 23, 2008 at 01:55 AM
mel,
"I don't know what it is about Tex. If it's his age or his health problems, but he's always hypercritical about Kobe."
He's a good coach - he knows how great Kobe can be, and he wants him to consistently achieve that.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 23, 2008 at 02:31 AM
Interesting chart on each team's record throughout the year against the odds. Taken from mel's ESPN link:
Today's Line
.......FAVORITE.... OPEN..... CUR...... UNDERDOG...... O/U
@LOS ANGELES.. -7........... -7........ SAN ANTONIO... --
.......ATS .................San Antonio............... Los Angeles
.....Record:............. 56-26-0 (.683)........... 57-25-0 (.695)
As Favorite:........... 51-13-0 (.797)........... 45-13-0 (.776)
As Underdog:.......... 5-13-0 (.278)........... 12-12-0 (.500)
At Home:................ 34-7-0 (.829)............. 30-11-0 (.732)
On Road: 22-19-0 (.537) 27-14-0 (.659)
What do the oddsmakers know that the SA fans don't?
(Yeah, I know. REALLY stupid question...)
SA is 5-13 against the spread when pegged as an underdog, and they are a 7 point dog for tonights game. Even if they manage to cover, that still gives LA a 6 point cushion for the win.
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | May 23, 2008 at 02:36 AM
Prediction for game 2.
Los Angeles Lakers 108 San Antonio Spurs 97
Posted by: WHITE MAMBA24 | May 23, 2008 at 06:09 AM
Open Letter to Spur fans
I hate to clip your wings, but your team has been unable to win consecutive championships, and it can`t get any easier against this Laker team which is peaking at the right time. The Spurs are in a slow digression. Sorry S.A. fans your window of opportunity been shut by a team that will win the next several NBA banners. Led by the triple monster tower of mess Bynum ,Gasol, Odom, and the greatest player on earth Kobe Bean Bryant.Four super stars on one team,Laker haters worst night mare,LOL HAHa
Posted by: WHITE MAMBA24 | May 23, 2008 at 06:38 AM
Good morning Laker family around the Globe,
After watching the Pistons-Celtics Thursday night, let's not take anything for granted. It's a good day to observe every superstition and every pre-game ritual, so as not to break the Lakers' momentum. This is our team. This is our year. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | May 23, 2008 at 06:46 AM
I speculate that Kobe and Phil were just messing with the Spurs minds. I bet around halftime, the Spurs were thinking, "why wasn't Kobe shooting? I bet it's his back. Hey everyone - Kobe's got a bad back!"
Mind games. The Spurs were thinking about a fictitious injury to an opposing player instead of tailoring a formula to trump the Lakers real system.
Sure, it turned high risk through the middle of the third quarter, but these Lakers do not want for confidence.
Posted by: The D | May 23, 2008 at 07:39 AM
Good Morning Charles!
Like what Vman said, Great post about the game! Do you write on the side?
Hope to see your insight about the game if you go tonight kiddo. Keep it up.
Posted by: Not the Original Ken | May 23, 2008 at 07:41 AM
*_______________________________*
T-minus too many freaking hours
'til gametime. BANDWAGON
*______________________________*
(01) JesterGuru - Driver and Owner
(02) JustAnotherMambaFan - Getting the popcorn
(03) Mamba24 - He's thinking Tacos
*_______________________________*
Jordan Farmar Is a Bad Mofo and He's
Gonna Show You So BANDWAGON
*_______________________________*
(01) MAGICMAN - Owner and Driver
(02) Mamba24 - Riding Shotgun
(03) KEIFO – Taught JF the crossover
(04) Caliphilosopher – Taught Jordan to calm down
(05) JustAnotherMambafan – Told JF the secret is make Mamba happy
(06) Fearless – had him watch 8 hours of t5he Wire
(07) JesterGuru - Director of Directors
*___________________________________*
Andrew the Beast Bynum We dedicate this
Championship Run to you - Bandwagon
*___________________________________*
(01) Edwin Gueco – Driver & Owner
(02) Milo Rambaldi – Team Prophet, Bynums personal Soothsayer
(03) Mamba24 – The Beasts Advance man.
(04) #4 – Director of WCF win number 4.
(05) Jon K. – Made Bynum get a second opinion.
(06) JustALakerFan – Was called in to consult on Dr. Choices
(07) Never – Told Bynum to have surgery immediately
(08) BronxLakerFan – suggested NY doctor for Bynum
(09) Bozz – Director of WCF win # 1.
(10) JustAnotherMambaFan - Director of WCF win #2.
(11) Caliphilosopher – Will participate in Socks Rehab
(12) Jay Jay – Purchased a Shaq punching bag for him
(13) PsychedLakerGirl – Director of WCF win # 3.
(14) Stockton Showtime _ believes Socks deserves more credit
(15) #4 - Director of WCF win #4
(16) Pig Miller – Will chauffeur “Beast” to the Victory Parade
(17) Rick Friedman – Personally found a Dr. for Socks
(18) SamLL – Director of Victory Parade
(19) KobesBad – made Kobe apologize to the Beast
(20) Hmrhed – Director of the confetti concession.
(21) Fearless – Will personally give Socks his championship ring
*__________________________________*
Vlad I believe in you Part 2 BANDWAGON
*_________________________________*
(01) Kobesbad – Owner & driver
(02) Ken – Co/Driver
(03) MagicMan - Riding ShotGun
(04) The OutLaw - Vlads Shooting coach
(05) Jon K. - Vlad's Personal Bio-Chrono Advisor
(06) Edwin Gueco - Will Hypnotize Vlad before the Game.
(07) JesterGuru - Will hide all snowboards from Vlad.
(08) JohnnyP - Convinced Vlad the Basket is a snowboard
(09) Mamba24 - ski instructor
(11) Comptons Finest - riding Shotgun
(12) #4 - Vlads new shooting coach
(13) Laker Bandit - On secret mission to find Vlads Shot
(14) JustaLakerFan - taught Vlad to shoot threes
(15) JustAnotherMambaFan – Took Vlads ski’s away from him
(16) Jamie Sweet – Appointments Director
(17) Caliphilosopher – Will rip your heat out if you don’t support Vlad
(18) , JoninJAPAN(INCANADA) – Director of Tacos
*___________________________*
NBA Resistance is FUTILE
against the Lakers BANDWAGON
*___________________________*
(01) BK - Driver
(02) AK - Owner
(03) LAKERTOM – Turned the Borg into Laker Fans
(04) MAMBA24 – Not completely assimilated
(05) KOBESBAD – Turned the Borg Bad
(06) , JoninJAPAN(INCANADA) – Made Lebron vote Kobe MVP
(07) Jamie Sweet – Made David Stern Cry Uncle
(08) Edwin Gueco – Character of Picard based upon him
(09) Janaya – Beat Worf in arm wrestling.
(10) Pig Miller – Turned the Borg into trolls
(11) Fearless – Even the Borg fear him
(12) Nemaia Faletogo – Real Inventor of the Warp drive
(13) Milo Rambaldi – Team Prophet and starship captain
(14) TWoody – Defeated Borg in Hand-to-Hand combat
(15) JustAnotherMambaFan – Gave Worf a home with the Mamba family
(16) Jon K. -- In Charge of the Tractor Beam
(17) MagicMan – that is what Dr. Crusher calls him.
(18) Htj - Created the Warp Drive
(19) JesterGuru - He is the Borq Queens hero.
(20) JohnnyP - Created the first Starship
*________________________*
The Dawn of The 4th Dynasty
Begins BandWagon
*________________________*
01 HmrHed – Driver & Owner
02 Mamba24 – There For Dynasties 2 & 3
03 Toad– Director of Dynasty Banner Hanging
04 Keifo – Willed the Lakers to Dynasty 3
05 Benjamin – Willed the Lakers to Dynasty 4.
06 SamLL – Director of Dynasty # 5
07 LongTimeLakerFan – Dynasty Historian
08 Jon K. - Troll Exterminator
09 VMAN - The Isaac Newton of Dynasty Calculators
10 SHEKOBE – As good as the He Kobe
11 DC – Stands for Dynasty Captain
12 TWOODY – Was at all 14 Laker victory celebrations
13 Mamba24Fan4Life – Made Kobe change # from 8 to 24.
14 JustAnotherMambaFan – Discovered Kobe Bryant
15 Jamie Sweet – Fond Forum Memories Historian
16 KobesBad – Put the swerve in Kobes game
17 Dave M. – Helped Lakers steal Kareem from the Bucks
18 Xodus – Traveled 2000 miles to see a game.
19 LakerTom – Willed the 72 Lakers to 33 wins in a row.
20. FLOYD - Rode shotgun with Jerry West, James Worthy,
21 JesterGuru – Devised the strategy for the Sweep of Denver
22 Tsphere – Super Delegate Voted for Kobe for MVP 100 times
23 Edwin Gueco – Blocked Wilts hook shot 3 times
24 JoninJAPAN(INCANADA) – Director of Tacos
Posted by: | May 23, 2008 at 07:46 AM
LakerTom,
While I agree with you view regarding trading Bynum. I can't believe you said this,
"In fact, I doubt the Lakers would be willing to trade Andrew Bynum straight up for LeBron James."
Call me a pessimist if you want, but I'd do a Bynum for Lebron trade in a heartbeat.
Go Lakers!
Big game tonight!
We must play 48 solid minutes if we are going to win this one.
Posted by: Rocky | May 23, 2008 at 07:56 AM
Beautiful/outstanding article...
Because sportswriters are supposed to be completely objective, and because I didn't grow up in Baltimore, I'm a little reluctant to admit which professional sports franchises I grew up rooting for.
I've already copped to being a Lakers fan, however, way back when The Life of Kings was standing on its wobbly legs like a newborn colt and I was confessing my affections for both Magic Johnson and Rick Reilly.
Magic Johnson remains, to this day, my favorite athlete. Unlike so many teenagers of my generation, Michael Jordan never really mesmerized me with his gravity-defying skills. I will grudgingly concede that he is the greatest basketball player of all time, but I rooted against him far more often than I ever rooted for him. To me, Jordan was a phony. He was cocky and selfish, and I couldn't bring myself to appreciate his ruthlessness. His dominance felt too impersonal.
Magic was my guy. He did things well, he had the coolest nickname in the history of sports, he shared the ball, and he did it all with flair. And though he was an assassin on the court, he twisted the knife with a smile on his face. When Jordan and the Bulls whipped a flawed Laker team in the 1991 Finals, I was devastated. Few sports memories in my youth stung so much.
Because of Magic, my basketball allegiances have always been tied to the purple and gold. It was, at times, an uncomfortable partnership after Magic retired, cheering for Anthony Peeler, Cedric Ceballos and Nick Van Exel during the lean years after Magic retired (for the first time). But when Kobe Bryant arrived, I felt like I had finally found a Laker I could embrace again. We were similar in age, we were both hungry to prove ourselves, and I loved Kobe's mini-afro and the ice water in his veins. I showed Shaquille O'Neal the proper respect and showered him with public praise, but deep down, I occasionally felt indifference. Watching Shaq was like watching a rhinoceros perform in Swan Lake. On some level, it's graceful and artful, but there is also simply too much power and girth to really appreciate how much skill is involved with pulling it off.
With Kobe, though, it was like having my own personal Jordan to root for. During Kobe's second year in the NBA, my best friend from high school and I decided during college spring break that we absolutely had to drive from Missoula, Mont., to Vancouver, B.C., to watch the Lakers play the Grizzlies. Lakers coach Del Harris refused to play Kobe for most of the first half, and I was irate. (I let Del Harris know it, too.) To me, there was always an excuse for Kobe's missteps. So what if he shot too much? Didn't Jordan? Who cares if he has Shaq? Which player has the ball in his hands when it matters most?
I watched virtually every second of those Laker teams during their three-peat. I was dating a girl from Portland at the time, and we watched Game 4 of the Western Conference finals in the Rose City, in a house where I was surrounded by Blazers fans. I kept my cool for most of the game, despite pithy barbs from one environmentally-conscious, Birkenstock-wearing, recycling enthusiast with a soul patch (my ex-girlfriend would dispute this, but that's how I remember him). But when Kobe split a double team late in the fourth quarter and drilled a jumper to put the game away, I stood up and brayed like a fool, "How you like me now, Blazers fans? Enjoy the offseason." (I nearly had to eat those words when LA blew a 3-1 lead in the series before winning in seven.)
One murky trip to Eagle, Colo., complicated things though, and I've never really been sure what to make of Bryant since. Although they are probably reluctant to admit it, I'm fairly certain there are at least a small number of Ravens fans who have similar complicated feelings about Ray Lewis after what happened in Atlanta in January 2000. It's not really my place to decide matters of guilt or innocence, but as a sports fan, I do get to decide how much emotion I want to invest in an athlete, and how they conduct themselves does play a factor in that decision. I've never really known how I should feel about Kobe since. His interview with investigators in Colorado, posted on the Smoking Gun years ago, nearly erased all those fond memories I have of taunting Portland fans.
But those emotional fires didn't die out completely. As I was watching a replay this morning of last night's Lakers-Spurs game, won by LA thanks to 26 points in the second half by Kobe, I remembered how much the Spurs bother me. For me, they're sort of like writer Richard Ford, who won a Pulitzer Price for the book Independence Day. Brilliant in small doses, yet painful and boring in large ones. I know I'm supposed to appreciate them, and I've tried. Lord have I tried. But I'd be lying if I said they entertained me.
There was Kobe, though, on my TV screen, carving up the Spurs with the same kind of ruthlessness that Jordan used to display in the playoffs. He doesn't have that mini-afro anymore, and even though he shoots less than he used to, and gets along better with his teammates, he still seems cold and cynical, ruthless and mean. He's not quite the guy I felt like I could relate to when we were both 19 and trying to prove ourselves.
But for the first time in my life, I realized I kind of like rooting for the villain. The bad guy. It's probably how Yankees fans feel when they get out of bed every morning. I don't care that he's a little selfish, or that he's kind of a diva. The Lakers are probably the favorite to win it all this year, and Kobe's quest for redemption is probably going to make a lot of people uncomfortable, myself included. But I'm in. I want the Spurs, who are being cast (probably correctly) as plucky underdogs even though they're the defending NBA champions, to get crushed.
But that is the beauty of sports. Somewhere in this country, maybe even in Maryland, there is a kid who loves LeBron James or Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett the same way I loved Magic Johnson when I was fighting through pimples and adolescence. And I bet he (or she) cannot stand Kobe Bryant. Just like I couldn't stand Jordan.
We need those counterweights in sports. We need someone who makes our blood boil, someone who we can't possibly embrace despite their considerable skill, so that we can have someone on our side of the scale. Someone we shower with unconditional love.
Someone who makes us want to stand up in a room full of strangers, thump our chest, and claim him -- flaws and all -- as one of our own
Posted by: lakeraholic | May 23, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Good morning Mamba24, good morning Charles and the morning CRUE, good morning LAKER NATION!!!!!!!!!!
What day is it you ask? Why - IT'S GAME DAY BABY!!!!!!!!!
We need to stay focused today - this is no time for mental lapses. We need to put the pedal to the metal & kick it into high gear from the git-go!!!!!!!!! NO LET UPS!!!!!!!!!!
Laker Tom - excellent posts as usual. I just have one caveat to your RULE: "YOU DON’T TRADE A FRANCHISE PLAYER except in fantasy sports." My reply? Or unless you're Memphis!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!
Whoever is going to the game tonight your one and only responsibility is to scream for your team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The rest of us will be having coronaries in front of our TV's....!
GO LAKERS!!!!!!!
7 to O'Brien............
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 23, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Sure the Spurs may win a 7 game series... too bad this one is only going five!
Posted by: eevee | May 22, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Very insightful and funny. The Spurs will win in 7 but they won't get that far. lol
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Even Tex was amazed by Kobe. And he's been around for 65 million years.
Posted by: ajax | May 22, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Good one too, Ajax
_____________________________________
Laker Tom,
Drafting a point guard makes no sense for the Lakers. It would be many years before he could help. Unlike C Paul, Wade, Deron who got a lot of time on developing teams and matured in 2-3 years and still having some problems. A Lakers drafted pt guard would get less time and take many more years to mature.
With the Lakers it would be a waste of resources to pay top money for a pt guard, which we couldn't afford any way. Our system doesn't require a 12 assist one man show. It needs 5 great passers on the floor, which we already have.
All we need from a pt is this:
"Play good D, and shoot the three" is what I say.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 23, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Good morning Lakers Nation!
"The weather outside is frightful, but inside its so delightful"
12-18 inches of snow predicted today, but its still.......
A great day to be a Lakers Fan!
And why? Because its gameday baby!
Duffman says, "Oh yeah!"
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 23, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Good Morning Shout Out! (Just Like Cuba Gooding Jr. getting up after scoring that Touchdown on Jerry McGuire)
Andrew Z - I got love for you baby!
Edwin Gueco - Thanks for the reply.
MiloRambaldi - Mixed girls are the best! Great taste and less filling!
Not the Original Ken - I appreciate it the kind words. You are the man!
Jon K - My agent! We did it! We did it! Roland Lazenby should come back and post again!
Ok I'll leave that to Mamba24 now... Diabetic coma now.
Posted by: Charles | May 23, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Up and at 'em Laker Nation Morning Maniacs!
IT'S GAAAAAAME DAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: toad | May 23, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Good Morning BLOG CRUE, Charles,
I have a 4 day weekend and am enjoying my coffee in the CO sun. It's gameday! I expect an aggressive start for our boys, nothing less.
Have a great day,
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | May 23, 2008 at 08:51 AM
Yo Laker Nation! Good to see everyone so hyped for gameday baby!
Charles,
"MiloRambaldi - Mixed girls are the best! Great taste and less filling!"
Amen brotha, I second that!
Tonight, we need a steady dose of LO and some hard nosed defense on TD from Ronny, who I think does a better job on him than Pau. Prediction: Lakers 99 Spurs 89.
Go Lakers!
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | May 23, 2008 at 08:54 AM
I would not trade Bynum for Lebron. There is such a thing as chemistry, and I can't see him fitting in with this team. Bynum is our future, starting next year. He will prolong Kobe's career, win us a lot of banners and emerge as another phenomenal center for the Lakers.
And don't pay any attention to the Kobe rumor. If it ain't basketball, then keep it off the blog. Rumors, whether true or false, are like a cancer that feeds on individuals spreading it from person to person. It is one of mankinds biggest flaws. It ruins people, basketball teams, marriages, you name it.....Pay it no mind.
Posted by: spokanlakerfan | May 23, 2008 at 09:25 AM
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/10837676
I'd like to declare this guy who wrote this column as an idiot.
This guy shouldn't be writing about basketball since he has no clue about it. It was a total waste of time to read it and all it did was piss me off. Maybe that was his intent.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rocky | May 23, 2008 at 09:31 AM
Seeing how much D-Fish has meant to this team this year and especially in these playoffs, I am astounded that our Point Guard used to be Smush Parker.
Wow!
I'd take Fish at 80 over Smush in his prime!
All day. Every day!
--Fearless
Posted by: Fearless | May 23, 2008 at 09:33 AM
It's odd how everyone keys in on the "I can get off anytime I want to" part of what Kobe was saying and not the "defense is what won the game for us" part. I understand it's the more egotistical part of the statement but what was more relavent to the win? The notion of defense winning championships was illustrated in game 1. No matter who was scoring for the Lakers, if they would've continued to just trade baskets, then San Antonio would've won going away. Period. It was the Lakers defensive efficiency combined with San Antonio's offensive inefficiency that made the comeback possible.
PJ said that Kobe had poor recognition on 3 possessions, one of which resulted in a turnover. LO talked about how the Spurs did a great job of denying Kobe the basketball in the first half. What the defense gave them was a wide open Vlad - so he showed good recognition and scored. The defense on Pau was also soft in the first half - he took advantage. Like I said before, I don't think Kobe was overtly passive, I think what San Antonio was doing actually forced Kobe to take much longer to figure out how to overcome it.
What happened in game 1 had much more to do with Xs and Os than it had to do with Kobe's ego or prowess.
Posted by: lakers_sth | May 23, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Also, I get why Utah is so upset. He brings that special something that makes the youngins really come together.
Utah could have used Fish in that series. Do yo think we still would have won in 6 if Fish was still a Jazz and we still had Smush?
NOT!
--Fearless
Posted by: Fearless | May 23, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Hey LakerTom,
"trading Andrew Bynum for the #1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft is the total opposite of realistic – it is concocted fantasy sports, pure dribble that you would expect out of the mouth of drunken fools or Clippers fans"
Your grouchy senior moments struck again with our young journalist here Xodus who was just expressing if that idea is feasible. Haha, you are like Mike T in lambasting any post that are anti Socks. The reality is, Xodus is pro-Andrew, he got entangled with AZ's fascination about trades. I go with your feelings, we are missing Drew in this series, it is a frustration on Drew's part and a huge in the post. Even Pau and Turiaf are in great dilemma in filling up Drew's shoes in the post. Duncan is free to wander like a windshield wiper to toy around Pau and Ron, which he cannot do if Drew was around. I hope AB gets well soon, it would be nice if K-Bros could devote a thread personal interview with Drew about the playoffs through phone or video cam relay.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 23, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Maneasey,
That Spurs fan said that "they wont die". It sounds to me like the Spurs are a bunch of Vampires. Good thing we have KB24 with his two Transyvania guides (Radman & Sasha). Together, they will slayer the vampires and we will emerge in the sun of the Finals.
I always thought something was up with those Spurs....it is all starting to make sense now.
Lakers = Vampire Killers
janaya
Posted by: janaya | May 23, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Hugo Boss - Nice to see you post again!
Bozz - Thanks for the reply brother!
Mamba24 - Where are you?
Posted by: Charles | May 23, 2008 at 09:42 AM
I have never posted before, but just wanted to give my props to Lakeraholic - or to whomever penned that piece you posted. You post/essay on your personal evolution as a fan of team, player, and game was an amazing and refreshing read. Your words are real and eloquent, and truly capture for me the feeling of angst, satisfaction, indifference, and joy that you went through.
I only wish there were more writers as such whose brush strokes could paint such a vivid picture.
Posted by: SuperSa | May 23, 2008 at 09:43 AM