Is it safe?
Given the vagaries and inconsistencies of NBC's television schedule for Olympic coverage, it's been tough to post results of Team USA's work on the hardwood without the risk of playing spoiler. And given how much I hate spoilers--in the age of the Internet, texting, Twitter and beyond--anyone who can successfully entomb themselves in a cocoon of informationlessness should be praised, not undercut by some jerk with a blog. But now that today's (This morning's? Last night's? Tomorrow night's?) semifinal match against Argentina has been over for at least a half dozen hours or so, it's probably safe to reveal the final score: USA 101, Argentina 81. The Americans were led by 21 points from Carmelo Anthony--13 coming from the stripe--and 15 from LeBron James. Kobe had 12 on a tough shooting night/day/afternoon.
Of course, things were even tougher for Argentina, forced to play most of the game without Manu Ginobili, who left after re-injuring his bum ankle and getting chased around by the seriously respected Kobe Bryant, and a banged up Andres Nocioni. It was a weird game all around, but the U.S. came out on top. They'll play Spain for the gold. At some point. When it'll be on TV is anyone's guess.
BK
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That Mbenga article is ridiculous. How is he "choosing" between Miami and the Lakers when HE HASN'T EVEN WORKED OUT FOR MIAMI YET? and they certainly haven't made a contract offer.
Most likely, he's "choosing" between which team will give him a better shot TO MAKE THE SQUAD in training camp.
Very misleading, of course it was Hoopsworld so what should I expect? They'll probably have an article next week saying Kobe is about to be traded... got to get those Laker page hits...
Posted by: Chris they call me... TIMMMMMM Mihmmmmmm | August 22, 2008 at 03:53 PM
IT'S OVER... DONE!!!
Posted by: keifo | August 22, 2008 at 03:58 PM
AK, based on the schedule it says 2:30AM EST so that must be 5:30AM PST. However, since this are the Finals, NBC will again grab the schedule from USA and may do it in mid morning to get more viewers, (that last one I'm guessing).
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 22, 2008 at 04:38 PM
LTLF and Jon K, thanks for the replies on european soccer theatrics. Paul Pierce should get an oscar for the acting job that he did.
A wheelchair? Really, Danny Ainge?
Posted by: #4 | August 22, 2008 at 05:02 PM
The NBA is the best league in the world. Very few of other nation's best can be in the NBA. Nearly none in our all-stars.
Any player that plays in Europe between the ages of 19 and 38 is second tier. Kobe will not leave the real leagues to play in the D-League that is called European basketball.
GOOOooOOOO KOBE, USA and LAKERS!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | August 22, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Time sure has a way of revealing what is within.......
While Kobe is in Beijing chasing Gold
Shaq is in Atlanta.........Chasing hos..........Literally
http://tinyurl.com/5zcson
Posted by: pfunk36 | August 22, 2008 at 05:49 PM
I think i've finally figured out this olumpic schedule (just when it's almost over lol). NBC has no live events. They call it lice but really it's live in china and in the East.
USA is almost always live. Msnbc and cnbc varies LOL.
Posted by: Faith | August 22, 2008 at 06:03 PM
Okay, here's the deal from NBC's web site. The TV schedule
is a little confusing, as they're broadcasting the U.S. game
much later on the regular networks.
-----------------------------
Lithuania vs Argentina for the bronze (if you even care):
Saturday night 9 pm online, on CNBC, and on the Basketball
channel.
-------------------------
US vs Spain for the gold:
The game will actually start at 11:30 pm Saturday night
pacific time.
It's not completely clear, but I think it will be broadcast live
on the basketball channel. They have generally been
showing all of the games live.
Then it's on the NBC late night broadcast from 2:30-4:30.
It describes it as LIVE ET, which makes sense, as 2:30 ET
would be 11:30 Pacific time. But if you're in California and
don't get the Olympic Basketball Channel, then you'll have
to wait until 2:30 to watch the game that starts at 11:30.
And then it will be on USA Network some time between
5am and 11am, as well as the finals in Men's Handball
(and who of us wouldn't get up at 5am to cheer for Iceland
in Handball) and the bronze medal matches in Volleyball
and Water Polo. Be sure to catch Serbia vs Montenegro in
the finals in water polo.
But if you want to watch it live, my assumption is you've
either gotta have the Olympic Basketball channel or live
on the east coast.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 22, 2008 at 06:06 PM
What a Shaq!
http://tinyurl.com/69c3b5
Posted by: Lakergurl | August 22, 2008 at 06:08 PM
NBC coverage is awful. If its not live then Tivo it and skip all the commercials.
Also I was an idiot. and love the Lakers now.
Posted by: Let's go C's! (aka LGC) | August 22, 2008 at 06:12 PM
It's funny that most journalists were quick to point out that
Kobe had a bad shooting game (which he did), but none of
them mention that LeBron had 4 turnovers to 2 assists. I guess
it's taboo to point out any flaws of Saint LeBron.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 22, 2008 at 06:13 PM
>>>Shaq is in Atlanta.........Chasing hos..........Literally
Classy.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 22, 2008 at 06:17 PM
It took Plaschke 11 years to finally respect Kobe. Talk about thick and slow.
Posted by: p ang | August 22, 2008 at 06:25 PM
pfunk,
Thanks for the link to the article about Shaq. I have to say that I am not surprised. Nor do I think most people were. It’s what you would expect a self-centered buffoon like Shaq to do. When the Kobe’s comments about Shaq reportedly paying off women to settle disputes were illegally released by the Colorado police, did you notice that the anger was all about outing Shaq rather than slandering him? I always thought it was ironic that everybody assumed the comments Kobe made were actually true. Nobody really stood up and said otherwise.
Anyway, we live in the heart of the revisionist age. While it sucks to have history constantly rewritten, every once in a while it just takes time for the revisionists to get the truth right. As we watch Kobe lead TEAM USA to the gold with pride and respect and see Shaq reveal his true meanness and childishness, you can clearly see how this sad story is going to end up. Anybody who thinks it was Kobe’s fault that Shaq left the Lakers better brace themselves for the truth. And I sure don’t mean GWB’s boy friend Paul Pierce.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 22, 2008 at 06:29 PM
Kobe hating is like a requirement to be a journalist in the USA. With poss Xodus as an exception.
Funny the whole world doesn't feel the same way?
Posted by: Faith | August 22, 2008 at 06:33 PM
maybe the diesel did pay off his women after all.
have to wonder though. With Shaq now a shell of the Shaq we used to know, I wonder how Phoenix will do. They already have a StoudeWHINER who ran his coach out to New York because he was whining about how Boris Diaw got the touches in Game 4 and Game 5 instead of him. (The only way the Suns had a good chance of actually winning the series). An aging Steve Nash who gets out of rhythm more often than not, and a bench that is nothing without The Brazilian Blur (He's still way better to have drafted than Brian Cook).
He wants to reconcile with Shaunie? He better do it on the floor begging her to come back.
OUT! THE TRUTH!
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 22, 2008 at 06:41 PM
Kobe and Shaquille
Rising star and falling star
Lightness and darkness
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 22, 2008 at 06:41 PM
Faith,
Thank you for excluding me. lol
....I have to say that I'm not that surprised by these allegations on Shaq.. Shaq, like many superstars has a sense of entitlement. If he doesn't get what he wants he'll find other ways of making it happen.
I don't want to take joy in these allegations because it would just be wrong. The same way it was wrong when people jumped all over Kobe with the rape charges. Just because Kobe was villified doesn't mean Shaq being villified would make up for that.
Posted by: Xodus | August 22, 2008 at 06:48 PM
rumor going around that lamar will be traded by tuesday, i really don't believe it. coming from 570 message boards
Posted by: pk-mesa | August 22, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Taliq,
>>>>>But i am sorry ... I mean word of advice ... it's ok if kobe aint ya favorite ...
>>>>>then talkabout how much u like the big baby ... hey i wont even get madd at
>>>>>u if u call the big baby the reason we'll be a dynsasty ... at least then you
>>>>>bleeding some shade of purple and gold ... but the other day, ya statement ...
>>>>>there was nothing golden about it ... peace out
Eloquently and stylishly done, Taliq. You have a great talent for using pride, grace, humor, respect, and courtesy in your rap back to Paulie. We all should take your lesson on handling firearms before loading up on another blogger brother or sister. Bravo!
And aside from being the blog sheriff, you may also be a blog prophet, for the BIG topic simmering below the offseason calm on the blog and in the hearts and minds of Lakers fans everywhere, in the USA or overseas, living or dead, will be who will be the most valuable Laker as we win the championship next year – Kobe Bryant or Andrew Bynum?
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 22, 2008 at 07:00 PM
This will be as close as Kobe gets to another championship.
Posted by: Bear75233 | August 22, 2008 at 07:03 PM
This from a SI article:
"So the best Beijing souvenir Bryant could bring home to the Lakers would be a similarly contagious commitment and intensity on that end of the floor. Los Angeles ranked sixth in opponents' field-goal shooting (44.5 percent), sixth in steals and third in scoring differential (+7.25), but at 101.3 was one of just four NBA teams to give up more than 100 points nightly. That lets teams get comfortable in their offenses, and that is what leads to 34 points allowed in the second quarter of Games 2 and 6 in the Finals."
____________________________________
Now put Kobe's post game 6 statement to that thought:
"The Lakers now need to steal that playbook. As Kobe Bryant said after that embarrassing game six blowout, LA can't win the title by focusing on offense. The Lakers have to focus on defense and rebounding, or they won't even make it this far next year."
____________________________________
Interesting on how the writer says: The Lakers were 6th in opponents field gold percent. And third in differential. BUT at 101.3 was one of just four NBA teams to give up more than 100 points nightly. Well, it was more than 4 teams. All kinds of teams gave up more than 100 pts nightly. BUT the point is this: When you allow a team to score over 100 pts nightly it allows teams to GET COMFORTABLE in their offenses.
And, of course, that is what leads to 34 points allowed in the second quarter of Games 2 and 6 in the Finals."
The bottom line to defense is how many points you allow and the Lakers are 12th worst in the league. Or if you want to reverse that number: You can say the Lakers are 19th best in defense.
Why am I bring it up? Just to let you people know that when you get all mad at me for pointing this stuff out and then try to make points to argue what is obvious...well, it just goes to show your lack of basketball knowledge.
Kobe Bryant knows what it takes to win a Championship. Defense! And if the Lakers go through the regular season with the same roster, there's no way they'll get out of the Western Conference this coming season. They have too many defensive weaknesses to cover. Walton, Rad, Mihm, Gasol. Fisher isn't fast enough to keep up with the new PGs of the league. Sasha is a pest but nowhere near lockdown. Farmar isn't that good of defender, either. That's 7 roster spots that are what can be referred to as weak defensively.
Now if you count Bryant, Bynum, Odom and Ariza as your stoppers...well, I just don't think that's enough to cover for the rest, especially since Odom and Ariza play the same position. If the Lakers rely on an offensive philosophy there's no way they can pull off winning a championship. And if they go to a defensive philosophy I don't think they are athletic enough to pull it off, either.
But what can the Lakers really do?
Not much but watch it play out.
Seriously, if this plays out the way I just described...I say Kobe will opt-out of his contract with the intent of not coming back to the Lakers at all.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 22, 2008 at 07:08 PM
Shaq has finally started tasteing his own ass!
Posted by: chuck23 | August 22, 2008 at 07:09 PM
http://tinyurl.com/6zn4dq
Here's the link to the Official NBC Olympics TV listing site. Type in your zip code and find your cable system to find the listings hour-by-hour for your time zone and system. Even better is to click on the Online listing tab to see what is currently being shown live on internet video. The quality is decent, the events are live and I'm sorry I didn't let you all know about this earlier in the week. No commentary, just the live video feed from whatever event you watch.
And yes I've seen some killer handball!
Posted by: lakersmr | August 22, 2008 at 07:13 PM
Shaq and PJ both attempted to destroy Kobe privately and publicly. I am convinced the reason Jerry West left was because he saw the jealous disdain that was being created by Phil and knew that as long as Jeanie and PJ remained a couple that his influence with Jerry would be strained so he chose to leave for calmer waters in Memphis. I think Phil came back for two reasons! One he realized that he screwed up! Second to try and finish what he started! What that is who knows?
Posted by: chuck23 | August 22, 2008 at 07:32 PM
Mike T.,
Did you watch pau Gasol in the Lithuanian game? The Lithuanians were physical and abusing every spaniard but they stand put with their soft framework and won.
The Lakers next season will be a combination of offense and defense, so please not so fast in rush judgement, just because Kwame (a scrub) is not in the line up. Defense can be interpreted in so many ways, impeding the progress of an opponent is one, limiting the pts. is another but bottom line is winning at the end. Therefore, being Lakers fans whether you guys are GHF or GHE, take one game at a time. Don't play the game in August by your debating prowess or well thought statistical analysis. The best thing that could happen is that our players are honing their skills, strengthening their stamina, studying moves of their opponents. In other words, let's do our homework in August and September, get ready in October and implement it from November - March. The problem with you guys both: optimists and pessimists, you're asking us to take sides. What are you talking about when they are not even playing? You have not seen the competition. Can we just step back and have fun with the dog days of summer?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 22, 2008 at 07:36 PM
Laker Tom;
Pride, grace, respect, and courtesy? Is that what you call the garbage Taliq laid on this blog in response to my opinion of Kobe? From your many, many, many posts I can tell that you're no kid - you should know better.
Posted by: Paulie | August 22, 2008 at 07:48 PM
For those of you who think Basketball flopping is from Argentina's soccer roots...
Please Watch the gold medal game tonight.
Argentine soccer players are some of the toughest in the world. they are not known as floppers, in fact they are know for distributing crushing defensive tackles while maintaining stylish fluid offense.
Some nations soccer players are known for flopping...ex...mexico, croatia, portugal, spain... most of these players even don't flop. Certain players are known for flopping, but Argentine soccer definitely hasn't "brought" flopping to the NBA.
Who are the biggest floppers/ actors in the Association??
I'd prob say the biggest I can think of are American.
Pierce
Wade
IF you disagree with me... please watch the gold medal game tonight and come back tomorrow with proof. I can't wait to hear from you.
Posted by: jandro | August 22, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Paul Sunderland
A bit of trivia: former Laker announcer Paul Sunderland was a member of the U.S. Men's Olympic volleyball team that won the Gold Medal in 1984.
Posted by: giantsquid | August 22, 2008 at 08:08 PM
Paulie,
I'm not saying that any of the responses you received were right, classy or anything else of that sort, but what did you expect when you came to a Lakers Blog of all places and asked how many people don''t like Kobe? It really makes no sense. Lakers fans probably love Kobe more than any other superstar in sports, outside of Bulls fans with Jordan or Patriot fans with Tom Brady.
Posted by: Xodus | August 22, 2008 at 08:14 PM
LOL @ Sunderland being a volleyballer.
That's like thinking Bob Costas was an olympic wrestler? I can't imagine him running (too slow), or playing Football lol.
Posted by: Faith | August 22, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Xodus,
Paulie is getting unfair hits for going against the grain. We are all Laker fans but have different takes and opinions so why do we hit fellow Laker fans? She admitted that she is not fond of Kobe. Is there anything wrong with that statement? Is there a clique or gang in this blog and tell us what we should think and what we should say?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 22, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Mike T,
Some points I agree on. One, Ariza and Odom, though Ariza will come off the bench so he will strengthen the defense of the bench which is the place where defense needs to be. Odom's Small Forward position allows him to play more defense and during my debate with Hobbit I showed that as a Small Forward, Odom does well defensively.
Let me point out views on who is a defender (both Solid and lock down).
Derek Fisher (He's solid, he played well against AI, Deron Williams and Tony Parker). In fact, Fish forced an average of 3.6 steals from Deron Williams.
Kobe-Lock down but not 100%, otherwise it will sap his energy needed for offense.
Ariza-solid role player defender. In starting lineup tends to allow points.
Lamar Odom-Underrated Solid Defender
Pau Gasol-Yes Pau! If Pau makes Tim Duncan (the greatest power forward in NBA history so far) shoot for 42.6% and makes Kevin Garnett (probably 6th or 7th greatest power forward in NBA History), shoot for 44.7% in the Finals then I count Pau as a solid defender, just not one who should be guarding the post.
Bynum-great post defender and still improving.
Sasha-Solid and intense but suffers from short wingspan.
The rest I agree are more suited offense than defense (Farmar, Radman, Luke, Mihm, and Sun Yue (though good blocker for a guard)). But Mr. Teniente, Defense doesn't start with simply "defensive players", it starts with coaching Philosophy. Popovich and Larry Brown are defending type coach. Mike Brown too though his offensive skills are very questionable, all Lebron's plays are simply high screen and roll. Doc Rivers is too a defensive coach and is even worst than Mike Brown at offense, only had the big 3 to bail him out to a championshio. Riley is a mix having showtime offense and New York Knicks Defense (Having Patrick Ewing and Charles Oakley helped with this a ton).
"Why am I bring it up? Just to let you people know that when you get all mad at me for pointing this stuff out and then try to make points to argue what is obvious...well, it just goes to show your lack of basketball knowledge."
Having Andrew Bynum, a guy who made people shoot for 42.9% and didn't get into too much foul trouble, injured decreases defense. Bynum will be that post defender that we lacked in Kwa-may and Pau.
Why I think people got so mad over you? I would say your view thatr Kwa-may Brown is great defender like David Robinson. I did bring up that Pau and Kwa-may both gave up 19 points playing center (and that was just their man). In fact when Kwa-may was our center after Bynum's injury, the Lakers gave up an average of 104.1 points and not only let a team like the former Seattle Supersonics torch us for 121 points but also let the New York Knicks torch us for 109 points and make us score 120 points to even win at the Staples Center. In the playoffs and finals, I imagine our weakness of defense off the bench cost us the finals. Before Game 6 though we held the Boston Celtics to 96.4 points per game about 3 points below their season average. Simply Boston had their post defender in Perkins still while our best post defender (Bynum) was injured.
And I'll show stats of Kwa-may Brown as a defender in both the 06-07 and the 07-08 seasons with the Lakers.
Opponents vs Kwa-may Brown (2006-2007 season):
19.1ppg, 59.2% FG, 5.1 free throws gotten from Kwa-may fouls
Opponents vs Kwa-may Brown (2007-2008 season with the Lakers)
19.2ppg 45.9% FG, 6.0 free throws gotten from Kwa-may fouls.
This Laker team got to the Finals with their top perimeter defender off the bench Ariza just recovered from the foot injury and the Primary post defender Andrew Bynum injured. Also they got it without having a decent bench aside from Farmar and Sasha. With the starting 5 having good players and the bench having more offensive firepower (they lacked this from the Finals, Sasha was inconsistent as in he would shoot 70% one game and 11.1% in another and Jordan didn't appear till game 5 and no one else could even score) we will make that hump over the Finals and get the Larry O'Brien trophy.
I would say the Lakers are the team to beat (Celtics did lose their top perimeter defender James Posey). With the Celtics behind them and Houston after Boston and San Antonio after Houston and New Orleans after San Antonio. Detroit will unravel having made no improvement to their roster (Kwa-may Brown is a negative), and their coach having no experience other than assistant coach in the NBA. Phoenix will be the same with D'Antoni gone and Shaq becoming older. Dallas really has regretted the Jason Kidd-Devin Harris trade and not even Rick Carlisle can bail them out this time. Utah hasn't done any significant improvement except drafting Koustas Koufus, an exact clone of Mehmet Okur. Denver lost their best shot blocker in Camby and next year I predict George Karl to be fired (sorry Coby!). Golden State will fall down also because they lost Baron Davis their primary playmaker. Portland will make the playoffs but I don't expect them to advance as far as Western Conference Finals. Cleveland could get 3rd seed in the East (Orlando will be better) and the Wizards could actually get 4th seed. Here's my pre season guessof next year's Playoff Seeding (guess i never predict):
Western Conference:
1) LA Lakers
2) New Orleans Hornets (Don't ever count out Chris Paul)
3) Houston Rockets
4) San Antonio Spurs
5) Utah Jazz (Deron William's playmaking triumphs Brandon Roy)
6) Portland Trail Blazers
7) Phoenix Suns
8) Dallas Mavericks or LA Clippers (still has to see if their acquisitions improves team, they don't have a solid guy to really bang it down low like Brand could)
Eastern Conference:
1) Boston Celtics
2) Orlando Magic
3) Cleveland Cavaliers
4) Detroit Pistons (Billups, Hamilton, Prince, and always Rasheed must bleed Wallace will pick up some slack from Kwa-may's shortcomings)
5) Philadelphia 76ers
6) Washington Wizards (Another Wizard-Cavs duel!)
7) Atlanta Hawks
8) Charlotte Bobcats or Toronto Raptors.
Let's go Lakers!
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 22, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Why the hell aren't there any American judges on all these major events?
Seriously, I'm watching the results and they are totally pro-China biased. I'm not saying anti-American. I'm saying anti-Russian. Anti-Japanese. Anti-Australian. Anti-English. Anti-German.
It's really weird.
I just don't get it.
GO USA!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 22, 2008 at 09:34 PM
"According to the paper, the court affidavit quotes an e-mail from O'Neal as saying, "I dnt no who the [expletive] u think u dealin wit u will neva be heard from one phone call is I gotta make now try me. Sho me.""
Wince.
Totally wince.
Man...
This is what you get from graduating from Louisiana State University.
He must have been really wasted when he sent that email.
I don't want to beat up on Shaq anymore. He's destroying the Suns from the inside now. We really should revere him for that.
And I mean that. I feel bad for the guy.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 22, 2008 at 09:39 PM
{Photo}
BK,
What? You got a thing against sadististic Nazi dentists?
BIASED!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 22, 2008 at 09:41 PM
I really liked Paul Sunderlund. The truth of the matter is that we were gifted with so many years of Chick Hearn and the void of him not being there just was too much for Paul Sunderlund to compete against.
It was not unlike Kurt Rambis's year as head coach. Too much was expected.
Out there, somewhere, is a man who will take Chick Hearn's mantle. He's out there. He just needs to want it enough and have the passion, creativity, and intelligence.
I know I sound like a lunatic right now, but we had Jerry West, and then we had Magic Johnson, and then we had Shaquille O'Neal and now we have Kobe Bryant.
Someone will take the reigns. They just really need to be special.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 22, 2008 at 09:49 PM
AK,
Wasn't Chick Hearn a Trojan?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 22, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Okay, they just announced it on NBC.
They will be showing the Mens Basketball final LIVE on NBC
across the U.S. So 11:30 pacific, 2:30 eastern, or anything
in between. Live Live Live.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 22, 2008 at 10:25 PM
>>>rumor going around that lamar will be traded by tuesday,
>>>i really don't believe it. coming from 570 message boards
I seriously doubt it.
But this does give me the opportunity to toss off a couple of
Lamar trade scemarios. :-)
(kidding)
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 22, 2008 at 10:33 PM
jandro,
Argentina definitely played tough. Ginobli and internationl/top tier club soccer players are floppers.
If Nocioni and Ginobli had both been healthy it would have been a much more interesting game. US still would have won though.
I was really annoyed with Mike Breen during the game. Kobe making a super quick pass to the interior that threads the needle and it's a "dangerous pass." Lebronze turns the ball over and he doesn't say a damn thing. The man is like Stern's personal announcing robot. I hate him. You can even hear his plastic smile while he speaks out of the side of his mouth.
Posted by: Benjamin | August 22, 2008 at 10:37 PM
It is safe.
I've always thought that the measure of a great actor or great acting performance is when you watch a film and don't realize that the performance you're watching is from an actor you know well.
So, Olivier in Marathon man, for example. Great performance, one I loved without even knowing I was watching one of my favorite actors, Lawrence Olivier. Denzel Washington in Glory and Cry Freedom. I watched both films saying "where's Denzel?"
That's great acting.
BTW, is it safe to post again? I don't see any annoying Celtics fans around, so, maybe...
Wes
Posted by: | August 23, 2008 at 01:49 AM
Paulie,
Please don't mind how I pursue ... don't take it personal but I can't help it's just the dawg in me
Like xodus said, my spiel at you wasn't meant to be classy ... the choice of language was intentionally meant to be insulting ... because coming on a lakerblog and asking which FAN doesn't like kobe felt just as insulting
Having said all that ... we really ain't trying to hurt nobody ... so if ya feelings got hurt ... i apologise ... but next time you're looking for someone to hate on kobe with you ... don't come to his house to recruit said partner ... go meet da sacremento queens, da boston weanies, well u get the picture
Posted by: Taliq | August 23, 2008 at 05:47 AM
"And aside from being the blog sheriff, you may also be a blog prophet, for the BIG topic simmering below the offseason calm on the blog and in the hearts and minds of Lakers fans everywhere, in the USA or overseas, living or dead, will be who will be the most valuable Laker as we win the championship next year – Kobe Bryant or Andrew Bynum?"
Actually I think the big topic during the playoffs might be ... kobe will you be coming back next season if the lakers dont win ... when do you'll sign an extension etc etc etc ... unless of course he signs one during the seaosn ... not sure what the deadlines/timelines for that is
On the issue of finals mvp ... as much as i love kobe i couldnt care less if the trophy went to gasol or bynum or some other laker ... the only problem with that is all d haters will start saying oh bynum carried kobe to another ship ... then again the haters would still say that even if kobe got the mvp so y fret over that ... my guess though is the powers that be give the first couple of finals mvps to kobe based on the years he's putin
Posted by: Taliq | August 23, 2008 at 06:13 AM
Haiku? Seriously?
Posted by: DWIGHT | August 23, 2008 at 06:48 AM
"I'd prob say the biggest I can think of are American.
Pierce
Wade"
Wait. That's a joke right?
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 23, 2008 at 07:28 AM
This may well have been posted before but this guy comes at this from a different angles and while you can nitpick he makes a lot of sense
http://slamonline.com/online/2008/08/scouting-report-kobe-bryant-vs-lebron-james/
Posted by: Kiwi | August 23, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Slamonline debates LeBron vs Kobe
http://tinyurl.com/5letct
They smartly decide to go with peers and coaches opinion as opposed to media (clueless) or fans(biased) ... and the outcome is #24 comes out on top, with the caveat that james age might still make him the smarter choice if you had to pick between both players
Posted by: Taliq | August 23, 2008 at 09:50 AM
jandro,
Quite honestly, I believe flopping entered into basketball through the actions and personality of beloved ex-Laker Vlade Divac.
So, it's Serbian soccer roots that we should blame, methinks.
GO USA!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 23, 2008 at 09:57 AM
thekobebryantblitz,
"Western Conference:
1) LA Lakers
2) New Orleans Hornets (Don't ever count out Chris Paul)
3) Houston Rockets
4) San Antonio Spurs
5) Utah Jazz (Deron William's playmaking triumphs Brandon Roy)
6) Portland Trail Blazers
7) Phoenix Suns
8) Dallas Mavericks or LA Clippers (still has to see if their acquisitions improves team, they don't have a solid guy to really bang it down low like Brand could)"
I generally agree. However, I've got a gut feeling that either the Mavericks, Suns, or Rockets (the Artest Factor) are going to implode next year and not make the playoffs.
Most likely candidate for implosion? The Phoenix Suns.
That recent article about a restraining order on Shaquille O'Neal to me tells me that the guy is in the midst of a psychological breakdown. As the Suns struggle next year and the Lakers (especially Bynum) shine, O'Neal is going to freak out. When he freaks out, he lashes out at other people. We've all seen the cycle.
So... I think the Suns are going to face some major challenges next year and probably will not make the playoffs as a result.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 23, 2008 at 10:08 AM