This oughta make tonight's dinner a truly festive shindig
Guess who's picking up tonight's check (as voted by the Los Angeles Lakers)? Your NBA MVP, Kobe Bryant (as voted by the media)!
As I suspected would be the case for a while, the hardware will be resting in Newport Beach at some point next week. A well deserved honor (I would have voted for him and I'm pretty sure BK agreed) in what many (myself included) feel is both a "career" and career-defining season for The Mamba. The exact votes aren't available yet and I'm suspecting the margin was reasonably tight --now that the favorable results seem secure, you can all safely admit Chris Paul had one hell of a season -- but the bulk went to The New Jack Bauer. To say the least, it's been a crazy, fantastic ride for the Purple and Gold.
Congrats to Kobe and the Laker organization.
AK
I will go peacefully. They made the right decision and now I don't have to attack stu jackson and david stern. Finally justice is served. Now for 12 more victories and Kobe to win the more important MVP.
Posted by: Nik Kannan | May 02, 2008 at 07:44 PM
From a previous posting:
What? No obnoxious roll call post to scroll through?
HOORAY!!! Happy Days are here again!!!
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | May 02, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Well, not really, there is still the matter of other obnoxious posts. Like the previous paragraph.
Mark
Posted by: MarkytheArky | May 02, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Dear Kobe,
Congratulations on your win of a well-deserved, well-earned and much awaited MVP award. It was a long time coming - too long if you ask any of your fans! We all believe - no I take that back - we all KNOW you should be winning this for your 2nd or 3rd time right now, but as the old adage goes "better late than never". I know you don't put much stock in this particular trophy, but I'm hoping you get some satisfaction in the distinction. Now we're all waiting for you to proceed from here - carry on through these playoffs - and as Nik Kannan so aptly stated it above - 12 more victories before you win the one that REALLY matters.
Congratulations again, and here's hoping you enjoy a long, prosperous future as a LAKER FOR LIFE with so many rings you need help to keep your hands up!
GO LAKERS!
The BEAN for FINALS MVP OR NO PEACE!!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 02, 2008 at 07:55 PM
YESSSSSSS....MVP, MVP, MVP!!!!
They finally got it right. Truly brings tears to my eyes. Congrats Kobe! You deserve it! Actually, you should have at least 5 on your shelf right now but this is a great start.
Next...THE trophy!!! 12 more wins baby!!
Oh yeah...and the Celtics just lost game 6 to Atlanta...what a day! Woooooo baby!
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | May 02, 2008 at 07:57 PM
WOW - Hawks just won & forced a game 7 back in Beantown. Who could have called this one??!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 02, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Yayyy for Kobe, but THE CELTICS LOSE, GAME 7 COMING AND A POSSIBLE LOST SUNDAY!!!
Posted by: troy | May 02, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Mark,
True, but my obnoxiousness is much faster to scroll past. As is yours.
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | May 02, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Colorado loves the HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | May 02, 2008 at 08:00 PM
He's deserved it for long enough,
Congrats Kobster.
Congrats Lakers.
12 wins to immortality. Go get it.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 02, 2008 at 08:00 PM
I'd like to amend my post to Kobe - EastCoastJessie is right - you should have a lot more of those on your shelf. I said 2 or 3, but meant 4 or 5.....!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 02, 2008 at 08:02 PM
Was there really ever any doubt? Kobe has been the MVP for a few years now, the trophy just kept getting lost. It's finally home where it belongs now.
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | May 02, 2008 at 08:03 PM
J.Walter - are you dying or something? You're always so concerned with how long it takes to scroll past something.........just wondering.......I'm guessing you're trying to make every second count? There surely must be more important things you should be doing than stressing over the length of someone's post. I'm just saying.....Well, at least my post is relatively short so you can save a few seconds & scroll on by.....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 02, 2008 at 08:05 PM
very proud of my guy
way to go, kob ... you did it
MVP!
Posted by: CBuck | May 02, 2008 at 08:05 PM
Group Huddle Laker Fans! What a great time to Honor Kobe!
Thanks AK - BK!
Posted by: Charles | May 02, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Hay man you guys are a bunch of freaks who in the hell is this mamba creature.If you want some good read to chew on, click on my stuff at least iam a past pulitzer prize winner.
Posted by: T.J.Simers | May 02, 2008 at 08:09 PM
Congrats to the Kobster. Well deserved.
Many here knew all along......
But, other things are happening locally. Here in Celtic-land, I'm doing the Atlanta Hawk Boogie !!!!!!!
GO ATLANTA !!!!!!!!!!
Happy-slap the GreenieWeenies on Sunday !!!!!
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | May 02, 2008 at 08:09 PM
Congrats KOBE! Seven years ago, I wished for an MVP for you and its been a long time coming. Well deserved playa! You da man!
Hmmm. Moving on..So K.G. shows his choker mentality in the Hawks game tonite by conveniently disappearing and not stepping up to take the big shots...Figures! Go hawks!
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | May 02, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Much and well deserved. MVP!. MVP! MVP!
Go Kobe! Go Lakers!!!!!!!
Posted by: Lakergurl | May 02, 2008 at 08:10 PM
justanothermambafan,
Yes.
-J.W.W.
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | May 02, 2008 at 08:11 PM
Kobe, you the man. I will be cheering my lungs out when we see that trophy finally in it's rightful place, in your mitts.
IN other lose, Boston Sucks, the Hawks are ok in my book, and Utah's beaating the snot outta the Rockets right now. Is sunday here yet?
Posted by: JEff | May 02, 2008 at 08:13 PM
If our Lakers make it all the way, I would not be surprised if we face The LeBronze Cavaliers.......
somethin to chew on..
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | May 02, 2008 at 08:14 PM
JWW - in that case, I hope I'm in your will. I could use a few bucks for gas.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 02, 2008 at 08:14 PM
lakersrydeordie - your thinking LeBronz? I think the conspiracy theorists would disagree - Stern wants a Lakers/Celtics Finals so bad he can taste it. How else can you explain Mr. Untouchable Garnett? LOL! I'm thinking (and I know I'm not alone here) either Boston or Detroit. I guess we'll have to wait and see! Personally I really don't care - I'm sure you agree we'll beat up on any of them.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 02, 2008 at 08:18 PM
I dont really post much but i had to post for this monumental achievement.
Gogratulations Kobe.......Now lets go after that other MVP award in June...
Go Lakers....
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | May 02, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Hey Milo, are you from Boston...just wondering...it would be nice to know another Laker fan in Boston.
I never thought I'd say this but...GO HAWKS!!! Now that's what you call a bandwagon fan. I'd love to knock the Celts off their high horse with a shocking loss to Atlanta on Sunday.
Looks like Utah may
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | May 02, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Let's hope what has happened to the past MVPs doesn't happen to us!
Knock on wood!
Posted by: Justin N | May 02, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Hay man you guys are a bunch of freaks who in the hell is this mamba creature.If you want some good read to chew on, click on my stuff at least iam a past pulitzer prize winner.
Posted by: T.J.Simers
--------------------------------------------
Nice to meet you, T.J.
A repost of a post I left in an earlier thread:
Because of all the general hating of TJ Simers on this blog, I had to check out what exactly y'all were getting at.
Having read his latest entry from April 29th, I see exactly what you mean.
In a nutshell and in general order, he knocks:
> the team as a whole
> Pat Riley
> the referees for calling phantom fouls on the Nugs
> again the refs for a bad call that went in favor of Kobe
> Vlad Rad 1 for 7 shooting
> the defense the Lakers are playing
> Vlad Rad's shooting % now at 11%
> Vlad one more time because hitting two baskets in a row qualifies as a "miracle"
> infers Pau is soft in the paint
> Kobe giving an assist to the Nugs
> Luke....no.....that's actually entirely positive. Sorry.
His quote of "LukeWalton nails a three," is practically the only good remark he made.
And to think this poor, downtrodden, schmuck of a team actually won the game and series.
Just a quick read gives me 10 instances your LA Times columnist knocks the team that helps put food on his table.
Someone should do him and the rest of the blog here a big favor and submit Simers' resumé to the Arizona Republic or some other rag. Better yet, why not The Nome Nugget - 'Alaska's Oldest Newspaper'.
I can't call him a homer. How about a homeless-er?
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | May 02, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Congrats to Kobe! A well-deserved award. I'm sure he and all his supporters
can let out a deep sigh of relief. Now everyone can start talking about something
else besides "Will he ever win the MVP?" and "Why hasn't he won it by now?"
In other news, how 'bout them Hawks? I really like the play of Joe Johnson.
I'd like to see him in the Purple and Gold one day.
Also, I'm rooting for the Jazz to win tonight.
1) I wouldn't want Houston to win tonight and then win game 7... they'd be on
too much of a roll.
2) I can't wait until Tuesday for another Lakers game. I want the 2nd round to
start already!!!
3) This year is about redemption. Nobody deserves it more than Fisher.
Posted by: Bzar | May 02, 2008 at 08:30 PM
Bzar - I'm thinking you're going to get your wish! Utah is clobbering the Rockets at the moment, and they don't look like they're going to stop any time soon. Granted it's only halfway through the 2nd and anything can still happen, but I think T-Mac ain't goin' no where this year - again. We'll see, but I'm with you - hoping to see Utah at Staples on Sunday!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 02, 2008 at 08:33 PM
EastCoastJessie-
I'm not from Boston but still live in enemy territory. Just start driving North, and when you think you've reached the end of the world, you're only another 3 hours or so away.
(Think of a rather famous horror writer and you'll have the right city.)
But I'd be honored if you'd join me right now in a little AtlantaHawksBoogie.
HAHAHAHAHA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's a GREAT night to be living in New England!
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | May 02, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Touche', Milo!!
T.J. Simers...Perhaps a past Pull-it-yer-self Prize winner...though rumor has it he did come in runner-up in for the Farmer John Pure Pork Lifetime Achievement Trophy...reason being you can only be honored once and he was already a wiener.
Posted by: Farmer John | May 02, 2008 at 08:34 PM
So when Stern gives Kobe the trophy I hope they shake hands like old warriors, and let bygones be bygones. Not!
I hope Kobe breaks his hand, spits on him, and bites his ear off.
Just saying.....
AK/BK - You going to be at the news conference?
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 02, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Kobe = MVP for good. I bet he will get some super loud MVP chants on Sunday. I'm happy for Kobe, he really deserved it but now its time to win the real hardware. Bring on the Jazz.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | May 02, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Thanks Milo...I'm doing the boogie as I type..go Hawks!!!
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | May 02, 2008 at 08:50 PM
So it IS official now right?
I can't wait till david stern announce it on the 1st or 2nd home game for our Lakers' second round. Gonna be a nice atmosphere and Kobe'll lead us to glory!!!
Congrats to Kobe and let's get more trophies!!!
Posted by: KB8th Wonder | May 02, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Well - Utah lost their huge lead - it was 19 and now it's only 4 at half-time. You just never know - that's why I love this game! I want Utah to win because I'm dying for a Laker game, but I picked Rockets to get out of the first round this year. Guess we'll just have to wait and see......Wish I had a time machine - or a remote control that worked like that one on "Click". Now THAT would be useful - lol!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 02, 2008 at 08:55 PM
GO KOBE!!!!!!!!
YES! Kobe got the MVP this year!
Next------ Westren confrence Finals!!!!!!!!!
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Simi Laker Girl | May 02, 2008 at 08:58 PM
ABOUT FRICKEN TIME!!!!!!!!!!!
Absolutely deserved...
The best news I've heard all week. It's been tough watching these other playoff games. With the exception of the Celts/Hawks series, they've all been dogs since the Lakers completed their sweep.
C"mon, lets get playing already!!!!!
A toast to the MVP baby!!!!
AC
Posted by: Acjunglist702 | May 02, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Sweet. I was totally, like, no. 33 or something on that bandwagon.
Posted by: Jesterguru | May 02, 2008 at 09:08 PM
I'd say Houston just became burnt toast.
Alston out with a badly sprained ankle and they were very shaky without him early in the series.
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | May 02, 2008 at 09:13 PM
I know one thing, this Laker team can beat the Jazz. They are not impressing me. The Spurs will be another story, so lets hope NO takes them out.
Posted by: troy | May 02, 2008 at 09:20 PM
THE LEGEND OF KOBE BRYANT…
When Wikipedia publishes its final entry for Kobe Bryant once he finally retires, the Three-Peat with Shaq will be relegated to footnote status as part of Kobe’s early years. Instead the focus will be on this magical 2007/08 season when Kobe won his first MVP award, earned his first NBA championship without Shaquille O’Neal, and launched the Lakers into another magical and improbable decade of championships and parades.
Most of us, of course, believe that Kobe should have won a league MVP award long ago. We also believe there is a definite anti-Kobe contingent among the national sports media that uses and abuses Kobe to hype their own articles and recognition. But it is refreshing to see for once that the national sports media somehow got it right this time. Now the chants of MVP in the arenas across the league will have a truer meaning.
I understand the contradictions of trying to judge MVP candidates based on “how much better they made their teammates.” If you stop trying to dissect what that exactly means and just thing about it in a more abstract sense and truly separate it from the best player, you can see that there is something there that is very laudable and rewardable. While it is about style of play, it is also about leadership more than anything. It is about Kobe’s will to win and unparallel work ethic has been instilled in this entire team.
At any rate, I have been trying to draw attention to the fact that there are 12 players on this Lakers team who are playing the best basketball of their careers right now. I know it sounds totally GHF crazy, but if you go down the roster of this team you will suddenly see that at worst I am only off 1 or 2 players. I used this analysis to support my position that Phil Jackson should have been COY but it equally applies to Kobe Bryant as MVP.
There was so much made of the fact that several Suns players were having career years when Nash won his awards. Well, Kobe has 11 teammates on the Lakers right now who are having career best years: Lamar, Pau, Drew, Trevor, Luke, Jordan, Sasha, Derek, Ronny, DJ, and Coby. I can’t think of any better evidence that Kobe deserves MVP.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 02, 2008 at 09:23 PM
Thats amazing, so stoked. So many people have told me "Kobe will never win an MVP or a championship without shaq". This is the Part 1 in your face celebration for the haters.
Posted by: Lukel | May 02, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Kobe wins MVP.
Jazz beat Rockets.
Staples is going to rock Sunday.
Posted by: Eric M. | May 02, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Yesssss!
Posted by: Rose | May 02, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Congrats to Kobe for an award long, long overdue!
I'm sure he was happy to pick up another check at dinner tonight! MVP!! MVP!!
Just absolutely freakin fantastic that Boston is being taken to the wall in this round. In case we do have to meet them later, it's nice that their confidence and swagger have been seriously compromised. You can just see it in all of their faces.
I'm tired of holding....BRING ON THE JAZZ!!
Posted by: Happy Camper | May 02, 2008 at 09:39 PM
MVP
Peace
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | May 02, 2008 at 09:40 PM
Well deserved by one of the most entertaining and perplexing athletes to ever play a sport.
His desire to win, unparalleled work ethic, dedication and unbreakable will is and has been of a kind only found in the true greats of the game.
Posted by: Vman | May 02, 2008 at 09:43 PM
All is forgiven after Kobe won the coveted award. Those who wanted his head just a couple of months ago are also rejoicing. When and if Lakers miss the Championship, they want his head back. Everbody want to be identified with the winner even T. J. Simers and Joe MacDonald are rejoicing hmmn...
Congratulations Kobe, whether it was late or never, we knew a long time ago that you are the MVP of this team. This is your personal prize. Keep an eye on the ultimate objective.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 02, 2008 at 09:44 PM
New Busta Rhymes feat. Linkin Park Video
"We Made It"
http://www.interscope.com/artist/player/default.aspx/
mid/1254/aid/417
Check out around the 2 min mark....There is a Laker sighting...It's AWESOME!!!!
Posted by: Queens FInest | May 02, 2008 at 09:45 PM