Report Card - Kobe Bryant
I'm going to just cut to the chase with this one: A
At the risk of shortchanging Kobe a fair share of deep analysis his teammates received (I'm confident he'll recover from any hurt feelings), does this really require a detailed explanation? Dude was first-team All-Everything, league MVP, put up the usual great numbers (some may not realize how high his boards ranked among SG's), helped take a team many said would be a chaotic, eggshell-walking, playoff bubble team to Game 6 of the Finals, played half a season with a torn finger ligament, conducted himself during some early-season unhappiness with total professionalism and grew tremendously as a leader. If those October-June resume items don't strike you as "A"-worthy material, I'm honestly stumped what will, so it's really not worth a debate. I asked Kobe during his exit interview if he felt (as I and many writerly types do) this was indeed the best season of his first ballot Hall of Fame career.
"I think so, just because of how we played as a team" he said. "I've had better individual seasons, which was necessary for me to have in order for us to make the playoffs. But I haven't had a season that was more enjoyable or better in terms in leading a group of guys than this season."
No argument on my end.
AK
(Note: Before anybody freaks out, I consider an "A" to be the highest of grades. The high school and college I attended didn't do the "plus" thing for an "A," no matter how special, so that's how I roll. If you want to think of it as an "A+," no worries. If you want to think of it as an "A++," super. If you want to think of it as an "A++++++++++++++," that's a might dramatic, but have it. Just don't think of it as me somehow "slighting" Kobe and don't bother asking me to change the grade, because it's remaining as is. Gracias.)
I've been waiting for this one so that I could lay into the Kamenetsky Brothers about their grade.
And AK gave me just enough wiggle-room to complain...
SERIOUSLY, AK, YOU COULDN'T GIVE THE MVP AND THE BEST PLAYER IN THE NBA AN A+? ARE YOU SO BIG FOR YOUR BRITCHES THAT YOU CAN'T GIVE KOBE "THE BEST DAMNED PLAYER, PERIOD" BRYANT AN A+?
Unbelievable.
NO A+? NO PEACE!!!!!!!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 26, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Kobe deserves an A+ in an advanced placement course.
5.0 on a 4.0 scale.
AK, why do you feel the incredible need to spit in the fac of Laker Nation?
You indolent cur!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 26, 2008 at 03:16 PM
Jon K,
You're not serious, right?
Posted by: Xodus | July 26, 2008 at 03:22 PM
NO A+? NO PEACE!!!!!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 26, 2008 at 03:22 PM
I am officially starting the "Trade AK for Ron Artest" Bandwagon!
Who's with me?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 26, 2008 at 03:23 PM
{AK, I'm not speaking to you! Go sit down!}
BK (aka, "Brian the Kamenator"),
I'd like to request a thread in which you and maybe someone else related to you, I don't know, express what you think are the REALISTIC free agent options for the Lakers, post new Sasha contract.
I'd like to hear a balanced perspective on things.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 26, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Outstanding
Posted by: eevee | July 26, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Jon K,
"I am officially starting the "Trade AK for Ron Artest" Bandwagon! Who's with me?"
If I'm getting trading for Ron Ron, that means our salaries somehow match to the tune of 7-ish mil. If that's the case, I'm with you.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 26, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Xodus,
As serious as the Boxer Rebellion!
NO A+? NO PEACE!!!!!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 26, 2008 at 03:29 PM
AK-
If you're getting traded to Sacto, careful up there. Bring ear plugs, and be careful of the burgers.
Posted by: Jeff | July 26, 2008 at 03:30 PM
AK,
Great! Mamba24, we need a new bandwagon. I'm the owner. AK's the driver!
"Trade AK for Ron Artest!" Bandwagon.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 26, 2008 at 03:31 PM
This has nothing to do with this thread, so read it quickly and go back to Kobe.
I found this doing research on Kwame at a Hawks blog.
By Michael C. Teniente
July 16, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
I’ve been following the Lakers for 40 years and I paid close attention to Kwame Brown while he was with the Lakers. I watch every game and I can tell you right now, Kwame Brown is a serious defender. The Lakers didn’t appreciate what they had in Kwame and Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant were dogging him.
Phil Jackson would pull Kwame out of the game even though teams would attack the rim against any other center the Lakers played after Shaq got traded.
I saw with my own eyes time after time Kobe Bryant hog the ball and not pass the ball to Kwame. Then at some point in the game when Kobe was in trouble he would all of a sudden pass the ball to Kwame. Kwame wasn't ready for the pass because after watching Kobe take shot after shot without passing the ball his mind wasn’t into that part of the game (scoring).
Kwame Brown’s problem is that he’s been put with ball hogs his whole career. Michael Jordan, Gilbert Arenas and Kobe Bryant. Out of it all Kwame finally concentrated on defense and if you did your research you would know that Yao Ming says that Kwame Brown plays the best defense against him.
Kwame Brown has it in him to be a championship level defensive player. And with Joe Johnson and others on the Hawks…if the Hawks plays serious basketball on both sides of the court…Kwame Brown will shine, especially on the defensive end of the game where championships are won.
mike t.
Posted by: Fatty | July 26, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Fatty,
You need to post the replies to his comment. That's where the real comedy is going to be.
Posted by: Xodus | July 26, 2008 at 03:45 PM
as los angeles times lakers blogs spokesman i say the kobe earn grade of a. he was great this year an hopeful he stays with los angeles lakers after next year. what are your thoughts. ok
ding how in prattville
Posted by: ding how in prattville | July 26, 2008 at 03:47 PM
Fatty,
{J'accuse!}
Wow. Michael Teniente is really sleeping with the enemy.
"God's Celestial Lieutenant", what do you have to say for yourself?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 26, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Fatty,
I second Xodus's request.
Michael C. Teniente,
Dude, what are you thinking? Are you sending scouting reports to the enemy as well?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 26, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Fatty...How sad is that?....Once a preacher always a preacher.....He is turning into Britney...First a Lakers fan.Then he hates the Lakers.Then comes back after game 6....Now he tries to sell Kwame to the Hawks fans....I feel sorry for this guy....I really do....He just lowered the bar again.....
Could the Lakers be the team with one of the sign and trade offers for Josh Smith?
Posted by: Thirty2 | July 26, 2008 at 03:55 PM
He's not a Lakers fan Jon. Face it. I know you keep trying to give the dude the benefit of the doubt, but he doesn't deserve it. He doesn't contribute anything to any of our convos. Just stop responding and he'll post messages to himself and continue with his megalomaniac ways. Dude is a psycho, plain and simple.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | July 26, 2008 at 03:57 PM
A? Nice.
Posted by: Faith | July 26, 2008 at 04:03 PM
The Kwame cards are falling into place! Remember the big deal Atlanta made about Kwame and Randolph Morris working out on July 16?
"Randolph Morris...
But several of my spies contend that he’s set to join the Hawks’ roster for this upcoming season (on a two-year, minimum deal that would allow the Hawks to bolster their frontcourt rotation significantly)."
***
You see that? TWO YEAR MINIMUM DEAL!
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Let's all do the Kwame Brown dance! You jump up, you kick your right leg out for no reason and you try to go left at the same time! It's the Kwame Brown dance!
Who do you want? Some OLD craphound that has 30 games left in his entire existence or... KWAME BROWN! You want DJ Mbenga? Kate Beckinsale could push that guy out of the way for a rebound, come on! Who else? They're all craphounds! The last, best choice is...
KWAME BROWN!
All hail the KING! He that hath ears, let him hear! King Kwaminus IV, LORD of the Sacred Calves, PROTECTOR of the Kobiness and TOSSER of the frosted cake... is available and on the CHEAP! No more nights spent praying Chris Mihm won't need a cane to make it to the Laker bench, NO! the Kwaminus will party all night and give us... TEN... of the most exciting minutes of the game! COME, SEE, HEAR, EYEWITNESS! FRIGHTENING attempts at layups! DRINKS flying in the air as the ball slips through the Kwaminus' hands and goes into the crowd. The patented laugh and slap of the hands as the Kwaminus runs back up the court after another offense horror. The sad and frustrated look of Tim Duncan as The Kwaminus bodies him up for a few minutes, tiring him a little, then Bynum comes in the game and slaps FIVE of his shots out of bounds! The Kwaminus pushing Yao Ming out to the free throw line, then Ariza stealing the ball! Then the Kwaminus fumbling a sure layup out of bounds...
It's all here! The MOST exciting walking package of entertainment in the league! Besides... Kobe of course... You say you can't stand it, but you can't take your eyes off it! It's KWAME BROWN TIME! Yes! Dance with me!
Posted by: The Royal Historical Society of the Sacred Hands, Kwaminus Brownicas Esq. | July 26, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Why Kwame can't catch the ball?
I'm laughing so hard I can't even type.
"I saw with my own eyes time after time Kobe Bryant hog the ball and not pass the ball to Kwame. Then at some point in the game when Kobe was in trouble he would all of a sudden pass the ball to Kwame. Kwame wasn't ready for the pass because after watching Kobe take shot after shot without passing the ball his mind wasn’t into that part of the game (scoring)."
- Mike T
Posted by: Fatty | July 26, 2008 at 04:07 PM
LOL!
I have my reasons for looking out after Kwame.
In my life I have experienced a lot of political BS. As a matter of fact when I first came to the Lakers blog I was just coming out of situation where politics played a big part.
So to get my mind off of it I started blogging. And over 2 1/2 years I couldn't believe what I was seeing. What happened to me in another situation was happening to Kwame on the basketball court.
Kobe Bryant was intentionally not passing the ball to Kwame. I saw that for myself. PJ was pulling Kwame out of the game when he was doing well and never let Kwame get on track.
I seen this with my own eyes for 2 1/2 years. I was so angry at my situation and then when I saw it happening to Kwame...that's why I wrote the Jackson Journal. And that's why I wrote what I did on the Hawks blog.
My version of what happened is the truth. And because of this gross injustice, I'm telling you that Bynum is not coming back!
I have a lot more to say on the matter but right now I have my mind on other things. I have to study the structure of writing a grant.
My judgment stands! Bynum will not return until I say he'll return. And that's not going to be this year.
And I AM: God's Celestrial Lieutenant! And not one of my words shall fall to the ground. I promise you that.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | July 26, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Kwaminus
Are you sure its not the Kwame shuffle? Similar to the Three Stooges Shuffle. Yuck yuck yuck yuck!
Posted by: Fatty | July 26, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Damn, Jon K. forgot his Ritalin today, lol.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 26, 2008 at 04:11 PM
"Dude, what are you thinking? Are you sending scouting reports to the enemy as well?"
Dude, you would have Kwame suffer from politics of Buss, PJ and Kobe than to see the guy get another job?
This isn't about basketball. The is about another human being who got screwed by the political machine called the dysfunctunial Lakers. This guy, Kwame, deserves someone to report the truth and to see if he could get on track as a professional.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | July 26, 2008 at 04:13 PM
The Royal Historical Society of the Sacred Hands, Kwaminus Brownicas Esq.,
How do I apply to membership for The Royal Historical Society of the Sacred Hands?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 26, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Yep, Kobe deserved an A. He wins the finals, he gets an A+ It's a minor technicality which is the difference between an A and an A+
What a wonderful season to behold, even with the incredibly painful, disappointing finish.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 26, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Why Kwame can't catch the ball?
I'm laughing so hard I can't even type.
Bynum can't walk!
I'm laughing so hard I can't even type.
And he's missing this year. I promise you that!
LOL!
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | July 26, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Kobe had a sensational season. I hate that it ended with a poor taste in all of our mouths.
I think Kobe needs to look at his approach to game 3 of the Finals and bottle that up as something he has to do against elite teams and especially the East Coast.
Rings are won by taking the ball to the HOLE.
He did not do this in game 1.
He did it some in game 2.
He did it in game 3.
He laid back in game 4 but miscalculated the flow and we were ambushed.
He did not go to the cup much in game 5.
Game 6 is deleted.
In Kobe's defense, the Laker roster allowed the Celtics to turn the team into a perimeter only ball club as Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom did not and would not especially Gasol, make forceful low post moves consistently.
That sends a soft message and the overload ZONE the Celtics play eats that up.
Lastly, KOBE did face ZONE defense which players of yesterday like Jordan and others prior to the SHAQ rule was put in place did not have to contend with.
Posted by: LakerBake | July 26, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Wow. Michael T. has REALLY lost it. Wow. That's true entertainment.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 26, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Fatty,
I know. It's Kobe's fault that Kwame's got stone hands.
{Jon, shakes head with a furrowed brow and an utter look of bemusement upon his face.}
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 26, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Kobe Bryant is the best basketball player in the world right now. He has shown us every part of his game. We know he can be an offensive beast (81 pts), we know he can be a lock down defender (more USA thing, but its nice knowing he can do it), and this year he proved he could be a great teammate. My favorite Laker plays were the passing between Kobe, Odom, and Gasol. It always started with Kobe and ended up as a dunk for one of the other two. I think Kobe really likes this current Laker team and definitely wants to win with them, which is fantastic.
Kobe is a pleasure to watch and we should all be thankful that we are getting a chance to watch him. Seriously, Kobes a stud. I was a little unhappy with him from last summer but this last year totally took care of any doubts. I can't wait to see how well he plays with the Bynum/Gasol/Odom front line.
Where you at Gunner?
Lamar = Laker for Life
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | July 26, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Mike T. has finally revealed the most important parts of his psych profile.
He has a persecution complex.
He is projecting this complex upon Kwame Brown as a defense mechanism.
He's also sublimating this complex in the form of his blogging, though it's not pure sublimation as some junk is still finding it's way into the blogging (the sports blogging that is--I haven't read his other blogging).
The denial is also rather obvious.
Regression? Does "shut up" help illuminate that one?
This will probably sound way corny, but I can't help it that value mental health. My dad's a therapist.
Mike needs healing. He needs to find a way to constructively deal with his unpleasant experiences and find happiness through the end of some process that will allow him to let go of these unpleasant experiences.
We've all been F'd over. Perhaps Mike was a little worse than the rest of us.
And when Mike T. comes back from the other side of the rainbow, he'll realize that while Kwame did get screwed over badly by the Wizards and Michael Jordan, he also subsequently blew every great opportunity that he had with the Lakers by not working on the weaknesses of his game, excessive partying, and not taking care of the mental aspects of pro basketball.
This process could take decades, but hopefully Mike T. will get there to become a better human being and one with which we can communicate on rational terms.
No more "shut up," no more conveniently ignoring points that make sense, no more obsession, no more megalomania, no more train wreck acting out on the board to attract attention.
I'm not kidding when I recommend professional help. You have to want to change, to be happy, of course.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 26, 2008 at 04:25 PM
My last post is not in any way meant to be insulting. It may be funny to some, but that doesn't make it untrue. Some parts of real life are funny.
The best approach I've seen toward mental illness is to be amused by its wackiness while still feel sympathetic toward its sufferers.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 26, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Geez, Mike T.
You keep writing about having so much else on your mind... Man, you're basically just BEGGING for someone to ask you why you're writing a grant. But no one will. Because no one cares. So, please, occupy yourself with writing your grant. Please.
"My version of what happened is the truth." Of course it is. You've probably felt that way your entire life, right? As most sane human beings understand, "truth" is entirely relative. And your perspective on the "truth" is a long, long way from mine.
And no, I don't want to know about your grant. So please don't tell me.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | July 26, 2008 at 04:30 PM
I've always thought Kobe was a tremendous rebounder. Actually, he's tremendous any time a loose ball is near him. He always somehow manages to snatch it.
The only guys that rebounded better at SG were Mike Miller (he's 6'8") and Carlos Delfino/Kelenna Azubuike (per 48 minutes stats only).
They talk about some guys as just fundamentally sound (like Melo). Well, Kobe does fundamentally sound and then some.
Do you all appreciate the greatness you are witnessing???
DO YOU???
Posted by: Benjamin | July 26, 2008 at 04:33 PM
AK,
At last, a K-Bros report card grade I can agree with. Kumbaya!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | July 26, 2008 at 04:35 PM
This is so far one of the most entertaining threads I've read in a long time!!! LOL
Fatty, Mike's reasoning for Kwame's bad hands is a classic!! HILARIOUS.
And wow, Mike, get some help man. You need to be focusing on something else - not writing a grant. Who are you trying to dupe anyway?
Posted by: Long Live Chick | July 26, 2008 at 04:38 PM
For a guy that got a grade of an A to not do something, it would suggest that it was probably the right way to proceed.
Food for thought.
I do realize that at times Kobe's passes are an afterthought. I don't think he penetrates looking for his own shot and then dishes to someone in a nice spot as well as some of the best point guards in the league like CP3 and Steve Nash. Sometimes the pass is too fast, too surprising or too low (almost never too high) to be a great pass. Usually those are tricky just to get there.
When his main goal is to deliver a good pass, it's pretty nice.
Kwame did suffer a little in this way, but too often he dropped the 2-4 foot dish when Kobe collected all the defenders under the basket. A child should be able to finish in that situation.
Look at the ball. Put your hands between the ball and you palms out. Let the ball hit your hands. Pull your hands toward you slightly to absorb the impact. Clasp the hands down. Go up and lay the ball in or dunk.
It really is so easy with practice and focus.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 26, 2008 at 04:39 PM
What is a Celestrial Lieutenant?
It should be Celestial or Terrestrial. Is Celestrial in between the two? If so, I don't think God would be there. But hey, what are Lieutenants for, right?
I just don't understand how you can give yourself that title after you sold your soul for Kwame's calves...
Posted by: Long Live Chick | July 26, 2008 at 04:46 PM
No A+ for Kobe????
Please go ahead and sign me up on the "AK to Sacramento" Bandwagon.
You really out did yourself this time AK ;)
Posted by: Outsidergua | July 26, 2008 at 05:00 PM
@ Everyone,
1. Lets stop hating on Kwame.
2. Lets please ignore Michael C. Teniente posts unless he starts making any sense.
@Laker Tom, Fatty and any other good faithful Laker fan that has engaged in some sort of crazy argument with Michael C. Teniente.
Guys, I really enjoy reading you. But every once in a while Michael Teniente gets you engaged in his nonsense.
I wish there was some sort of button that would allow us to ignore certain posts and then be able to just read the good nuggets of basketball wisdom guys like you offer.
But since we lack the ability of doing away with posts that we consider stupid. I beg you all to just please ignore Michael C. Teniente.
Simply ignoring him will make this a much better place.
Posted by: Outsidergua | July 26, 2008 at 05:09 PM
When I was in school, we don't have + or - sign on the final grade, it's just the letter grade. I luv letter D which is barely passing. haha! Kobe was an A last year despite his F rant in Summer. However, that was an individual grade, he was not able to transfer his skills to Walton, Divac and the rest of his teammates to beat Cetics in 6 games. For oldtimers like us that was our ultimate gauge how you perform against the much hated Celts. If you don't win, you're a failure like West, Baylor and Wilt until they got it right in '72.
Speaking of Hawks, here is the salary scale offered to Josh Childress which prompted him to go to Greece. I wonder what he would have chosen if the clause indicates that contract also includes his US citizenship. Haha Well, you only realize the importance and convenience enjoyed by us is when you leave this country and can no longer come back. Now you're under new sets of laws, new ways and culture that money can't buy. Nowadays, because of an inept leadership, its citizens have been victims of the politics of currency differences.
**********************************************************
From the Atlanta Constitution Journal:
--- Olympiakos offered three years at $32.5M which after taxes paid by the club becomes a net of salary of about $6.7 million a year for Childress. (If converted to Euro, it will only be $ 4.2M)
— The Hawks offered five years and $33 million, which after taxes paid by Childress becomes a net salary of about $3.4 million per year for Childress.
— In addition to the double-stuffed salary Olympiakos also pays for all of Childress' living expenses, including luxury accommodations, a car and driver and maid service.
*********************************************************
If I were Sasha now that I earn $ 5 M a year how can I save from paying 49% of taxes.
1. Propose marriage to Faith of Lakers Blog while continuing that secret marriage in Slovenia. LOL
2. Buy five multiple complexes in LA with 20 units in each complex and organize a Property Management corporation to run them.
3. Organize a corporation of 2nd hand american cars and export them to Slovenia.
From those moves, his tax bracket goes down to 30% but won't save much if Faith divorces him for being a eunuch. LOL!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | July 26, 2008 at 05:11 PM
I'll never stop hating on Kwame, ever. There is no forgiveness in my heart for him. I'm sorry, that's just how that is. The guy ruined my team and almost ruined it long term by helping us lose Kobe.
As for Mike T., you're right, he does get us going crazy once in a while. That's why I don't want him here. That's why I was happy when I left. That's why I will be double happy when we don't sign Kwame again and he likely goes away.
The only way it could get better would be for Gasol, Mihm, Walton, and Sasha (our "white" players) to start kicking ass.
We need another PF. Who's the best white power forward we can get? Any way we could snag Nick Collison?
Posted by: Benjamin | July 26, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Now Benjamin, tell us you really feel about Kwame? haha
Posted by: Fatty | July 26, 2008 at 06:33 PM
Where Kobe ranks among SGs.
#1 Scorer
#2 Rebounder
#4 in Assists
#2 in Steals
#2 in Blocks
Keep in mind this was during a season that was considered not Kobe's best statistically. The man's basically astounding in every facet of the game.
Posted by: two0one7 | July 26, 2008 at 06:34 PM
If AK's A means A+ as well then its ok by me.
Posted by: Fatty | July 26, 2008 at 06:35 PM
---------"We need another PF. Who's the best white power ---------forward we can get? Any way we could snag Nick ---------Collison?"
Hmm...good white power forward? don't we already have the best one?
Bu I wouldn't mind having a guy like Troy Murphy. He'd have to be willing to take the MLE and play the back up role though.
And that ain't happening.
We are stuck with Walton so he better starts earning his friggin salary.
Sasha and Pau are money. Mihm... well he is not even making that much money so I just want him to play 6-10 ok minutes.
As far as Kwame screwing us up. Well.... he ended up screwing himself up in the process.
I totally hated every moment of him getting balls in the paint. Especially a season ago in the Phoenix series.
But as most screw ups in life you don't make those kind of things on purpose.
He is young, and with the proper help he could end up being a key "role player".
I'm serious, besides there is only one kind of athlete I hate.
And only the likes of Terrell Owens, Ron Artest, OJ Simpson, Michael Vick and Pacman Jones get to be in that category.
Posted by: Outsidergua | July 26, 2008 at 06:37 PM
DREW VS KWAME – WHOSE THE BETTER 1-ON-1 DEFENDER…
I would like to dispel a rumor on the blog that the Lakers need Kwame Brown’s 1-on-1 defense. The truth is that Kwame Brown’s 1-on-1 defense is Fools Gold in that while he does play good position defense, he never prevents the player from shooting or bothers or blocks the shot, rarely gets the resulting rebound, and never rotates as a help defender to draw a charge, block a shot, or stop a teammate’s man who has penetrated the lane.
Andrew Bynum on the other hand has shown that he can play tough man-to-man defense on outstanding offensive big men such as Tim Duncan, Chris Kaman, and Amare Stoudemire. He not only has gotten much stronger holding his position but has also learned how to lure other players into taking shots that he can reject or alter. Many of his blocks can as the result of his 1-on-1 defense, not on help defense like Marcus Camby. And that is not to say that Drew does not do a great job protecting the rim against players who penetrate past our perimeter defenders. Unlike Kwame, Drew patrols the lane and blocks the shots that Kwame would have allowed to turn into easy layups.
Andrew Bynum is already a better 1-on-1 as well as help defender and shot blocker than Kwame Brown ever was or ever will be. Only a fool would argue otherwise.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 26, 2008 at 06:39 PM
wow, didn't lamar get an a also hmmmmm, so this season lamar played as well as kobe very interesting!!!!!!!11 oh yeah and when last I checked Kobe was a ballhog(lol) shooting guard so I don't know why up yo now in 2008 people still want to compare him to great 2 time mvp's who neva made it to the finals while playing with 3 other all stars and other up and coming pont guards. compare apples to apples and stop the kobe hate in 2008!!!!!!!
Posted by: vilakerfan | July 26, 2008 at 06:42 PM