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
DWIGHT,
Seriously.
As summer days wane
Victory awaits our team
Spain. Broken. Helpless.
GO USA!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 23, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Edwin,
I agree and I never said there was anything wrong with being a Laker fan that doesn't like Kobe. What I did say was what do you expect to get as a response when you come on a team's blog and ask them if they don't like their best player. It's the same thing for any team. I mean would you expect a guy to get a good response on a Cavs board if he said "hey, I never liked Lebron. He wants to be like MJ by wearing the No. 23, calls himself the King and can't shoot jumpers."
I'm not saying the responses that person would get would be right, just that they should be expected.
Posted by: Xodus | August 23, 2008 at 10:17 AM
AK/BK,
Would you guys provide the blog with a brief summary of what each of the Lakers is doing during the offseason? Just a glimpse into what their vacation and training programs are?
If you could/would do that, I'd really appreciate it and I think a lot of people would find it interesting.
Anyhow, after Team USA wins the gold we're going to have NOTHING to talk about.
Discussing the dedication/freespiritedness/laziness of individual Lakers might ease the suffering of 50ish more days of offseason.
GO USA!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 23, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Jon K,
I agree with you about Shaq and the Suns. Unless he was the Laker Shaq when he could have proved us wrong this is an old Shaq and his game is declining. Unlike D'Antoni, Porter doesn't have any solid credentials. So when the Suns lose Shaq will keep blaming his teammates like he did to Penny and the Magic, Kobe and the Lakers, and even the Miami Heat (he was smart enough not to blame Wade because he already blamed Penny and Kobe). i will still keep the Suns at #7 ahead of Dallas though, even with Shaq slowing them down and Porter trying to play defense to people who can't play good defense (except for Bell). The Mavericks already degraded themselves by getting an aging Jason Kidd and not even Carlisle can bail them out. I wouldn't think Artest's antics will bring down Houston though, injury is more likely. Artest has this time a coach he respects (Adelmen) and unlike Musselmen or Theus, Artest will play and behave. I'm hoping actually we can sign him during the next offseason.
Thanks Jon K.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 23, 2008 at 10:34 AM
{From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution}
"Shaq accused of stalking Fulton woman
NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has been ordered to steer clear of an Atlanta-area woman who took out a restraining order Thursday.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks granted Alexis Miller’s request Thursday after reviewing her allegations that the basketball player stalked her, threatened her with bodily harm and made harassing phone calls in which he breathed heavily into the phone before hanging up.
Miller, a 23-year-old hip-hop artist known professionally as Maryjane, claimed she ended an intimate relationship with O’Neal last month. She alleged he then threatened to pay performers $50,000 each not to work with her.
“It’s been very difficult for her,” said L. David Wolfe, Miller’s Atlanta-based attorney. “Her fears are not only for herself but also the people around her.” He said Miller, who has a young son, is “pretty traumatized.”
Wolfe said Miller had known the 7-foot-1, 325-pound All-Star center for about a year and a half, and that the two became intimate over the past six to eight months.
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.”"
Wow. First the "Tell me how my ass tastes" debacle, now this.
I've been thinking about the following sentence: “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.”"
My conclusions are as follows.either Shaq is:
1. A complete moron
2. Was really wasted when he composed that text.
3. Or his fingers are so fricken huge it's like trying to get Bigfoot to legibly compose a text.
I'm leaning towards conclusion #2.
Wow. The Suns are going to have to deal with a lot of crap next year. Karma is a female dog.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 23, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Benjamin,
"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"
Like Brett Favre in football.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 23, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Taliq,
Thanks for the link. I've always felt that Kobe's passing ability has been greatly underrated.
I almost threw up when I saw that Starbury was second all-time in 20-10 (points and assists) seasons.
Posted by: Xodus | August 23, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Xodus,
I think your post to Edwin Guerco was spot on. It's a shame that there's so much vitriol associated with Kobe Bryant both from those people who don't like him and those who defend him.
There's a bloodthirstiness that comes with Kobe's competitive intensity. It seems to bring out a similarly edgy passion in others.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 23, 2008 at 10:39 AM
"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."
I have to agree with Paulie on this one Tom. You have the tendency to gush, and generally go egregiously overboard with your praise.
Taliq is cool and everything, but the one thing he isn't is eloquent, and the stuff he typed had no resemblance to pride, grace, humor, respect, or humility. Actually, I think you may have written that just to be funny. The more I think about it, the funnier that statement is.
Pride? Grace? Humor? What?
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 23, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Taliq,
yeah that slam online article was the best Ive seen trying to compare two individual players - compare the skillset.Did you read the comment section? dude gets hammered but sticks around to defend himself -all in all just a good way to 20 mins or so.
The biggest beef I'd have with it is there perhaps should have been more catagories...like scoring - I mean there was a lot of emphasis and the abillity to fake well etc but at the end of the day all the matters is that you get the ball in the basket however you do it.He also shouldn't have reverted back to stats to support his argument - it just confused people...
he also brought in kobe's savvy over that big rebound but to me that should have been a seperate catagory - and he perhaps could ahve made more allowance for the fact that they play different positions ie Kobe SHOULD be a better shooter, have a better handle and theoretically be a better passer while Lebron should be a better rebounder...
he could have added catagories for leadership,ability in the clutch,scoring, and savvy (which would have been won 3-1 by Kobe in my opinion) and it would have been better.
But a great way to approach it and he's obviously got no small amount of knowledge about basketball.
Posted by: Kiwi | August 23, 2008 at 10:44 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KOBE BRYANT, THE BEST TEAM PLAYER IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | August 23, 2008 at 10:50 AM
LT Laker Fan, the official nbcolympics website says they are showing it on NBC channel 4 at 2:30 AM - Pacific time, so that's Sunday morning at 2:30 AM.
Latenight - All Times PT - 2:30a - 4:30a
The men's basketball gold-medal game: USA vs. Spain
It's been this way through the whole olympics, you get different times and different channels depending on what part of the nbcolympics you look at. It would seem to make sense to be able to simply click on the basketball section and go there but... nooooo...
so, it sounds like we get the delay, the commercial you saw was "national" but really probably for East Coast watchers... though... I'll probably just record both times and wake up to a surprise Sunday morning...
Posted by: Chris don't dump me for the Iranian Center Mihm | August 23, 2008 at 11:00 AM
I take no pleasure at all to see all these goings on with Shaq...he's going to become the poster child for guys who dont handle their declining skills well if he's not careful.
He's exhibiting some seriously poor judgement these days and to me its just sad more than anything.The guys egos been clearly the size of the house and while it may vindicate Kobe to some extent its just uncomfortable to watch.
Either that or he's being stitched up big time - I mean this is a guy with a pretty serious education rattling off texts like he's some gangsta - did he even write that stuff?
whatever the case its depressing to see one of the most iconic,best and loved ballers of a generation pull a Britney...he's only a step or two away from becoming a joke.
Ive never been a Shaq fan and always supported Kobe but this? if this is how he handles his summer whats retirement going to be like? somebody give this man some structure
get well soon Shaq...
ps is it just me or was his ex wife pretty hot?
sorry Shaq - not really helping I guess...
Posted by: Kiwi | August 23, 2008 at 11:07 AM
After hours on end of table tennis and Olympic diving, NBC has finally (and way too late in the competition) come to their senses.
Gold Medal Basketball at 2:30 am ET/11:30 pm PT tonight.
ESPN has announced its plan to bid for future games, and says tape delay is not in its DNA. We can only wish. If NBC televised the USA v Argentina game at all, I couldn't find it. The only thing NBC offered at all that I could find was a lame Chris Collingsworth piece on LeBron James, co-starring his friend Carmelo Anthony. If NBC wants to air tape delayed highlights in prime-time, fine. But considering how many networks they have to show competition live, for the most part I felt cheated by their so-called coverage. Their choice of what to show has been mystifying. At least tonight, Mike Breen and Doug Collins will finally be live on the big network.
Go Kobe! Go Team USA! Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | August 23, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Good morning Jon K
Regarding your Shaq comment:
The Shaq stalking story was big on our local news in Phoenix. People are not happy.
It was funny watching the story line. While the reporter was giving his take, the background video was Shaq practicing his free throws and bricking them. lol (I swear, I could see Pig Miller in the background yelling insults to Shaq)
Was it an accident the local NBC news was showing THAT particular clip of Shaq missing toss after toss? Amazingly similar to Scary Movie 4, reminding Suns fans, excruciatingly reminding them of all the games last year he missed important freebies, AND what to expect in the upcoming year.
More on Shaq.......
What Shaq will probably say when confronted on his alleged threats to the hip hop artist.
"I was just kidding man. You know me, Shaq is just the 'Big Kidder'. Everyone knows that the Big Kidder is always calling ex-girl friends and threatening them. I was just funning with 'em. And by the way, did I tell you how Kobe ruined my marriage, cost me money, and is the reason why global warming is happening."
Fatty - Reporting from behind enemy lines, deep inside Suns territory
Posted by: Fatty | August 23, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Kiwi,
I know. It's sad. I'm just grateful that the breakdown is happening while he's a Phoenix Sun. Gotta look for the positive in a situation, you know?
And, yeah, Shaq's ex-wife was pretty hot... and they've got a lot of kids together.
Nothing like ruined love and the tyranny of time to screw up a person's head.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 23, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Fatty,
Awesome to see you here. It's not a proper thread unless you post on it.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 23, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Rick Friedman - Good morning.
Regarding NBC's lack of live coverage or dead coverage.
I personally have DIRECTV. And we have several EXTRA specialty channels for showing live events in HD.
1. The soccer channel
2, The basketball channel
They show all the games live, sometimes without announcers. They show all the pregame stuff and repeat the games twice each day.
Go DIRECTV! ***
*** I also work for DIRECTV and love to rub it in when we beat a cable company. lol
Posted by: Fatty | August 23, 2008 at 11:30 AM
AK/BK -
How about a Happy Birthday thread/blog for KOBE BEAN BRYANT!?!?
Posted by: bobie | August 23, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Mr. Fatland,
Please don't tell anyone about seeing me in the background of those shots. I was wearing a disguise. I can't believe you recognized me.
Could you hear what I was saying?
If not, then it's probably all been removed by the people at the local news stations.
Most of it went something like, "Hey Shaq! Your buddy BUTLER keeps bothering us on the Laker Blog! Tell him I said you stink! Also, you're more washed up than my laundry on Sunday afternoon!" Only with more expletives.
My cover is imperative. Please do not compromise.
Pig out.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 23, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Pig,
No I wasn't kidding at all. Although I agree European players do flop quite a bit. Wade and Pierce won championships while flopping. Watching Wade in the tune ups for the olympics was almost comical. He falls every time he jumps, anywhere on the court. Then he was utterly disgusted that he wasn't getting calls. Since the tourney started he seems to have figured out its not the NBA and he can't just fall and shoot free throws. And since then he is actually playing really well again. I like wade's game, or I should say liked, until the finals in 06 when all he did was fall. Since I was young I have always hated free throw contests, thats not real bball. And since wade won a Chip by falling on his ass, contact or no contact, his game has suffered because he feels entitled.
Pierce single handedly lost all of my respect this finals when he threw his hands wildly in the air 30 ft away from the hoop in LA to get two free throws to win a finals game. It was disgusting, I felt robbed, not as a lakers fan, but as a bbal fan. A great game, a great comeback, and it was decided on the line??? Not just decided on the line, but decided on the line because the supposed MVP of the finals flailed his arms like a bleeep knowing his theatrics would get him to the line. I know thats just how the game is called, and he did what it took win and all, but I think the game should be tougher, somewhat more like international ball where every touch isn't two freebies.
so yeah I wasn't joking. Watching those two beg and plead and fall and act is much more disgusting than watching Manu play.
just trying to expand on my thoughts of these guys flopping. If you would like to expand the list, please do, I find the discussion very interesting.
cheers
Posted by: jandro | August 23, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Jandro,
There are many floppers in the NBA, and many of them are American. Derek Fisher is a flopper and a Laker, as is Sasha, however the worst and most egregious of floppers are International players. Ginobli is terrible, as is Nocioni. Anderson Varejao, a man who is 6' 10" is the most egregious of all floppers, often falling over without being touched.
It's pretty obvious to most that flopping has become a problem in the NBA since Euro and South American soccer playing cultures adopted basketball and brought their incessant referee badgering and handsy, grappling, generally dirty methods of play to the game. I'm not saying there haven't ever been players like this in the NBA until recently, but merely that with the onslaught of International players, it's gotten much more demonstrative and much more prevalent in term of tactics. I'm glad the NBA is going to at least try to crack down.
It's so bad overseas, they call technical fouls for it. You're gonna tell me they don't do it more there?
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 23, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Pig
No I'm not telling you that at all.
What I'm saying is that Argentine Soccer is not known for flopping. In fact they are known for not flopping. They are known for excessively tough play and fabulous creativity.
I agree that foreign influence has correlated with NBA flopping and may even be a cause of it. I am saying that to say Argentine soccer is the flopping influence is just wrong. If Argentine bballers flop alot, it is not derived from their soccer players at all.
I also think the changing rules in the NBA has increased flopping. Players, especially foreigners, are ready and willing to get any and all edge of the referee. With hand checking rules and superstar treatment for some, and block/charge ambiguities the game has been overcome by flopping. I think rule changes and/or fines etc could curtail the problem.
What I meant bringing up WAde and Pierce, is that their flopping has had much more direct effect on the Game....2 championships.
trust me man, I hate, I mean hate flopping. I just know it isn't coming from Argentine soccer. Thats a laughable connection.
Posted by: jandro | August 23, 2008 at 01:43 PM
jandro,
I'll revise the statement then. Generally, soccer players are floppers and that culture of flopping has now translated to the NBA and basketball because of the newly international nature of basketball, in cultures where soccer has been previously the most prevalent sport.
I still do not care for the Argentinians' way of playing basketball. I find their players and methods muddy the game and bring it down a level.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 23, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Pig
Sorry, I didn't mean to blow your cover. I just saw this guy in the background, jumping, waving, and spitting at Shaq and figured that guy must have been you.
I mean, who else would wear a disguise, sneak into a Suns practice and risk an assault, battery, and trespassing charge to taunt Shaq?
Posted by: Fatty | August 23, 2008 at 02:41 PM
>>>Shaq is in Atlanta.........Chasing hos..........Literally
Classy.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 22, 2008 at 06:17 PM
=========================
Now thats' what I call a crock of Shaq.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | August 23, 2008 at 08:43 PM
As a longtime laker fan I feel this year will be the return of a laker string of three or more championships. The only threat is the unpredictability of injuries.
What improvement is immediately needed? If lamar and pau, love them both to death-would have converted all the missed layups last year we would be champions. When you review last season-you must show not only the lost scores-but also the effect psychologically to both teams and- the effect on game momentum. Dunking insures more 3 pt opportunities and can be demoralizing to the opponent. The missed layoffs prevented more 'blowouts' that are important to give newer players, critical game experience. l hope that drew watched and learned-though he doesn't seem to lack agressive finishes. Let's hope all the lakers spent time this summer and this coming year in the weight room. Predict a very good season for Ronny Turiaf-entering only his third season since heart surgery. We kept a lot of players who made more and contributed much less to the team. Even on the pine-he makes his team better.
Posted by: Gilbert | September 02, 2008 at 12:30 PM