The big 3-0
August 23, 2008 | 12:40
pm
"AK/BK--How about a happy birthday thread/blog for KOBE BEAN BRYANT!?!?"
Ask and ye shall receive.
Happy 30th birthday to Kobe Bryant. I'm guessing he hopes the gift bounty includes some gold bling to go along with this complimentary column from Yahoo's Adrian Wojnorowski.
AK
30 years old!
Happy birthday!
Woooooooooooooooooooo!
Posted by: never | August 23, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Crazy!
Happy Birthday Kobe!
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | August 23, 2008 at 12:58 PM
I Love You Kobe!!!!!!!!
Happy, happy Birthday. May you have more birthdays to come and specially more championships in your career.
Lakergurl/Kobefan
Posted by: Lakergurl | August 23, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Happy Birthday Bean.
Here's to getting a gold medal for your 30th.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | August 23, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Happy 30th Kohb, it's just been 13 years almost you showed up on my TV screen with your bold headed cut. You grew right in front of our eyes to be a man, a father, a leader and a MVP Happy Birthday Mamba may your deepest wishes becomes reality.
Mamba from the east coast
Posted by: Mamba24Fan4Life | August 23, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Awesome! Happy Birthday Kobeee!!! We've been watching you for the 13 years and it's never been better!
Posted by: bobie | August 23, 2008 at 01:15 PM
FROM MIAMI BEACH, FL
HI GUYS,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MAN, KOBE. MY BEST WISHES TO HIM IN EVERYTHING...
GOAL MEDAL 2008 AND NBA CHAMPION 2009.
BISOUS
MONDAY 25TH WILL BE MY BIRTHDAY
SHEKOBE FOREVER
Posted by: SHEKOBE | August 23, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Happy Birthday, Kobe!
Now let's get that Gold and four more Championship rings!
GO KOBE!
GO USA!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 23, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Best wishes for a Happy Birthday to Mr. Kobe Bryant. May he win the gold and to next year's trophy.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 23, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Happy Birthday, Kobester!
Posted by: Xodus | August 23, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Kobe's belated Birthday present? An Olympic Gold.
ps. Has the season started yet?
Posted by: Bynumite | August 23, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Happy Birthday, Kobe!
Bring home the defensive Gold!
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 23, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Happy Birthday KOBE
Kobe deserves the Gold tomorrow.
He deserves one more title next June.
HOPE TO GOD IT HAPPENS FOR ALL OF US!!!
Posted by: LakerBake | August 23, 2008 at 02:19 PM
For a 30th bday present it sure seems like the groundwork is there for a Jordan-trifecta All-Star MVP, Defensive POY, and League MVP Regular Season.
Except this one gets topped off with a Championship and Finals MVP.
And the haters get silenced permanently.
Posted by: htj | August 23, 2008 at 02:27 PM
Happy birthday Kobe!
You reach the age of thirty as a fighter for your rightful place in the game,for your team,your marriage,your reputation,your freedom,the rejuvination of the lakers and now its coming together for you.
A true inspiration as a basketball player and a reminder to us all to never give up no matter how hopeless things seem,how badly you've screwed up and how impossible it seems to fix, or how difficult it seems to please people no matter how hard you try...along the way you've shown forgiveness,a willingess to change and an ability to take the high road.
No matter how much talent or money or talent you have Im sure you've needed alot of courage.You've seen your career,reputation,and respect for your game taken away only to systematically build them back up again and here you stand a devoted family man,the best basketball player in the world, and one of the most popular athletes on the planet,one of the saviours of your countries basketball reputation and returning home to play on a team that can contend for a championship.But whether or not you get your championship you will one day be remembered as a true winner.
Posted by: Kiwi | August 23, 2008 at 02:32 PM
The Big Three O = #10 (Team USA) = Gold Medal = #24 (Lakers) = More NBA Championships to come = Greatest NBA player of his generation = Kobe = Happy Birthday!
BTW - Fatty, thanks for your post. Wish I knew about the extra channels sooner. Glad you're back from vacation and blogging with us.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | August 23, 2008 at 02:46 PM
You know being thirty in some cultures means you are just now becoming a man.
For a little kid, I'd say Kobe has accomplished quite a bit.
And just this last year he lead the Lakers to the Championships, the USA to the Gold medal game, won the MVP, 1st team All NBA, 1st Team All Defense, AND ruined Shaq's marriage. lol
Way to go Kobe! No longer just a kid, but a fully mature man and leader of men.
Cheers to Kobe and all those who have loyally supported him!
Posted by: Fatty | August 23, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Haaappey Bir . . . hic. . . .up.............Happpppppie ... whoops - wha,...oh - Hhhaaaapppeeey Birrfday to...to...(hey Barney, .....who?) Oh
Haappey Birfdaaay toooo Koooobby.
Whew - wwwhherre's thhe barr?
Posted by: Otis Campbell | August 23, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Happy birthday Kobe!
Now have your cake and eat it too! A gold! lol.
Posted by: Faith | August 23, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Jellybean Jr. has peaked, he's had a nice career, but he will need to rest more and more often now that he's a 30-something.
His skills are slipping, as evidenced by the generally shoddy play on offense in the olympics (44% from the line!). And this is before he gets surgery next month.
Meanwhile, Steve Gnash keeps getting better with age.
As for SHACK, well, he will show kobee who's boss when the SUNS play phil jackson next. Just wait!
Posted by: BUTLER | August 23, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Happy Birthday, Kobe!!!
You’ve been my favorite Laker player since the day Jerry West drafted you. I believed in you when you tossed up those airballs in the Finals as a rookie and trusted you when they tried to railroad you in Colorado. I stood behind you when the Lakers decided to keep you and let Shaq go. I defended you against the naysayers that said you were responsible for breaking up the Lakers and couldn’t win without Shaq or play championship basketball.
Thanks for proving me right every time I had your back. I’ve watched you grow as a player, team leader, husband, father, and sports icon. What you have accomplished before your 30th birthday is nothing short of remarkable. You are truly a legend in your own time. Don’t worry about chasing MJ or being chased by LJ. There is nobody in the world like KB24.
And you are just beginning to hit your. Starting tomorrow, you will begin reaping the reward of all of the hard work, perseverance, and faith you have showed in honing your craft and becoming a person worthy of being adored by his millions of fans. May you do nothing but win every championship you strive for until the day you retire. You are one of my heroes.
Happy Birthday, Kobe!!!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 23, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Happy Birthday Kobe!!!
Posted by: Tiffany | August 23, 2008 at 04:12 PM
WHO IS KOBE BRYANT???
I am hoping winning the Gold tomorrow will launch a renewed respect and appreciation for Kobe Bryant, the player and the man, and the gauntlet of challenges and confrontations he has conquered in his quest to become the greatest basketball player in the world.
I’ve not been one of the cynics who believe we don’t know really who our sports heroes are. That may have been true before the Internet but today we’re inundated with information from so many sources that it’s not hard to sift through the dreck to see the person behind the icon.
While professional athletes and their agents work hard to shape and control their image, it has become almost impossible in this electronic era to hide behind a public relations face, especially if you are a superstar player in a major market like Kobe Bryant.
So who is Kobe Bryant? My answer is that he is what you see – a loving husband, father, and family man; a caring, considerate, and compassionate friend; a charming, engaging, and supportive teammate; a dedicated, motivated, and consummate professional; a relentless, determined, and ruthless competitor; and an electric, eclectic, and inspirational sports icon.
There is no doubt that Kobe Bryant is the most polarizing athlete in the sports world today. But if you trust your own instincts and judgment and see through the falsehoods portrayed by the media in the Colorado Trial and Shaq Trade situations, you will then be able to see the Kobe Bryant that I have come to love and adore as my favorite Laker player.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 23, 2008 at 04:23 PM
So does Kobe have to buy dinner for the whole Olympic squad now too?
Every restaurant around the globe is gonna have Kobe's MasterCard on file after this year!
Posted by: Very Nearly the Absolute Truth | August 23, 2008 at 04:29 PM
WHO IS KOBE BRYANT???
Posted by: LakerTom
------
He plays shooting guard for the Lakers. He's pretty good actually, you should check him out sometime. If you're a basketball fan, you'll probably like him. Or hate him. It kinda depends I guess.
Posted by: Mayor of Kobe-Town | August 23, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Is it too late for the Lakers to sign this guy up?
When he loses, he beats up the Refs. Now that's tough! And crazy stupid as well. lol
http://tinyurl.com/5aaf6x
Go Team USA!
Beat those bad guys from Spain who are lead by that evil Pau Gasol. haha
Posted by: Fatty | August 23, 2008 at 04:36 PM
How about Shaq giving Kobe a big 'ol present by helping to show the world what a giant maroon the Big Aris-NOT-le actually is:
http://tinyurl.com/5devsj
We all knew Shaq-fu would fall apart some day, but did anyone predict he would fall this hard this fast? Threatening women? Fo' shame!
Posted by: Mayor of Kobe-Town | August 23, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Paulie,
>>>>>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.
With all due respect, Paulie, what kind of response did you expect when you logged in and announced you were a Lakers fan but you hated Kobe? On any other blog, you would have been swamped by a wave of posts telling you exactly where you could shove your opinion. Are so out of touch with reality that you really expected to be praised for your judgment? You’re the one who should know better.
I loved the rap back that Taliq dropped on you and I don’t take back a single word. He took the time and trouble to craft a funny, smart, well-written but respectful response to you rather a typical F-U response. If his art is your garbage, so be it. You are welcome to your opinion just as I am welcome to mine. In the end, we are all Lakers fans. Peace.
Happy Birthday, Kobe!!!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 23, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Happy Birthday Kobe!! I was going describe how happy I get like when I see the lakers play ... I mean forget win or lose ... like just on game day I'm excited on my way to work ... I don't have to describe it, y'all know that feeling, the anitcipation ... heh heh how many of y'all stop at the grocerry store for that sandwich u gonna eat, dat beer u gonna drink ... how many of u holla at your connect for that bud u gonna smoke (dont do drugs kids) ... i mean i won't lie, ya boi d depressive type ... but come rain or shine, no matter what i'm doing ... game day always picks my spirtis up .... and even when we lose, sure ya boi gets dissapointed afterwards but u always bring it, u always fight, u always trying to win ... no matter what your agenda is, no matter what your methods are, no one ever doubts you're trying to win and so even when we lose, I never get too down ... cuz i know u'll be working hard to make sure u pick up my spirits the next game ... u're dependable ...
and i mean u always put on a show, shoo 81 points, come on now, i was like how kobe gonna decide to gimme a piece of history ... i wasnt there when ali fought liston ... i didnt see the original dream team play live ... i wasnt there when pele won those world cups ... but i was there watching live the night #24 said no not tonight, not in our house, we need this game, tonight even if my shoulders fold up i will carry us to victory ... i was there when history was made ... so as u go into your 30s kobe, i wish u many more historic moments and i trust u'll deliver them with the style that's made u world class entertainer
Now go have u a good time and dont forget to steal some moves from cp3 :)
Posted by: Taliq | August 23, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Happy B-Day Kobe!
Go for the Gold!
Lakers in 2009
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | August 23, 2008 at 05:46 PM
Hey Butler:
SHACK attacks a rapper! Nash becomes worst with age! Stoudewhiner will keep on WHINING first about how he is 2nd fiddle with Nash and then WHINE about how he loses without GNASH.
Unlike StoudeWHINER, Kobe got back Phil Jackson. StoudeWHINER won't get back D'Antoni. StoudeWHINER will just keep WHINING. StoudeWHINER will WHINE about how Gnash "get's out of rhythm". In fact, StoudeWHINER didn't want to be on Team USA because of D'Anotni! StoudeWHINER WHINED about not getting touches during the 08 Playoffs and him deferring to Boris Diaw. Diaw was the best hope against the Spurs yet StoudeWHINER WHINED he wasn't the go to guy and well there was another SUNSET in San Antonio! I think most us Laker fans would rather have Jellybean Jr. over a StoudeWHINER any day.
The Sun has set in Phoenix! Oh well Amare can just keep on WHINING.
"I'm sick and fed up (Losing to the Lakers)" Post Interview after Game 5. At least the rest of the Suns even SHACK showed class when they lost. Amare just kept on WHINING. :)
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 23, 2008 at 06:03 PM
What were you doing when you turned 30?
Kobe: Oh nothing, just trying to win GOLD!
Kerri Walsh: Same
Faith: We shall see. Probably cleaning the kitchen lol.
Posted by: Faith | August 23, 2008 at 06:29 PM
To KOBE BRYANT,
Happy Birthday my dear friend, now get the Gold, gets tons of rest and start focusing on the next most important prize in basketball, NBA Championship. We miss you here in Los Angeles. We need you back. We love you so much.
You left as a NBA Lakers Superstar to go to Beijing, you are coming back as a United States Basketball National hero and now and in the future you are totally awesome #1 Global Sports Icon.
Happy 30th Birthday my KB24!!!
When you're jersey was LAKERS 8, I was Staples 8. You can change and start over but you can't run away from your fan.
Staples 24 forever!
Posted by: Staples 24 | August 23, 2008 at 06:35 PM
JustaLakerFan,
sorry for the delay for a response. My apologies.
"No Ira and DJ were brought in for defense. The depth was needed to to injuries but we could have signed offensive minded guys. We didn't as Ira is a defensive guy and DJ is a shot blocker. That is why they were signed instead of offensive guys for the depth.
Ira played about 6-10 minutes his whole stay with the Lakers while limping Luke sucked up the floor.
DJ helped out in the strech run with both defense and offense. But PJ still refused to use either one of them.
Please explain how PJ talked Kobe into staying. He was not involved. PJ had nothing do do with the Kobe situation. He was at his ranch sitting on his brain ie arse.
Also Lakers did not win because of PJ but won in spite of him. "
---------------------------------------------------------
------------------------
No Ira and DJ were brought in as depth hehe. Hate to say you are wrong though.
But you are wrong hehe.
DJ Mbenga was signed on January 21, 2008 Ira Newble was signed on March 22, 2008. Bynum got injured January 13, 2008. So with Bynum out for a while Kwa-may Brown was the center and we lacked depth other than Ronny Turiaf (Odom is no center). So we signed DJ Mbenga for added depth. Same story with Ira. Because of the injury to Ariza took longer than expected, Ira was signed and unfortunately for him was signed on March 22, 2008 near the end of the season and he had to learn the entire offense/defense which is very difficult especially that late on the season. Not everyone can be like Pau Gasol and learn the offense/defense almost instantly.
DJ has never played more than 43 games a season (2005-2006 season), never averaged more than 8 min per game (2007-2008 while at Golden State), and never averaged more than 2.5 ppg (with the Lakers). DJ goes for blocks but he is too aggressive many times and he gets into foul trouble. In fact, JustaLakerfan, DJ Mbenga fouled out against Memphis in less than 3 quarters a game! Pau was injured for that game so Ronny was our starting center and by fouling out in the 3rd quarter an out of shape Mihm had to play and quickly got a 3 second violation. DJ is good for depth but he is no scorer nor defense guy. I wonder how you say 2.5 ppg means he is good on offense and picking up 6 fouls against Memphis, a lottery team, in less than 3 quarters means good defense.
Ira played that few minutes because he was a new guy in at the END of the regular season, and had a ton to catch up to even learn the offense/defense. Pau's case was a very rare one. It took quite a few games for Shaq to be somewhat effective in the Suns offense and Jason Kidd never really flourished under Avery Johnson's system. Ariza has more potential than Ira both offensively and defensively. We haven't resigned DJ yet and we aren't expected to resign Ira. Nothing against Ira, I really liked his Darfur activism and how Kobe instead of Lebron supported it sooner. Ira isn't that much of a role player and while his defense is ok, Ariza would beat him and has more potential than Ira had.
And you said that Phil had no effect on Kobe staying?
http://tinyurl.com/6yope8
"LOS ANGELES — Believing he had been insulted and misled, Kobe Bryant asked the Los Angles Lakers for a trade Wednesday and insisted nothing could change his mind.
Then something did. He spoke with coach Phil Jackson and backed off his request.
“I don’t want to go anywhere, this is my team,” Bryant told KLAC radio. “I love it here. I called Phil, man, he and I talked, it was an emotional conversation, but he just said, ‘You know what, Kobe? Let us try to figure this thing out.’
“Phil is a guy I lean on a lot.”
I think Kobe himself explained it better than I could.
I won't mind you hating Phil Jackson. In my opinion and many other Laker fans, he got to within 2 wins of winning the championship. Just don't say it's because he didn't play DJ or Ira, those guys will barely play at all with other teams.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 23, 2008 at 06:45 PM
KOBE TURNS A YEAR OLDER, A DECADE WISER
By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports
http://tinyurl.com/4rn9ql
This is the article that AK referenced at the start of the thread. Those of you who haven’t read it yet should as it is probably the finest analysis of how this amazing season – winning league MVP, returning to the Finals, and undoubtedly winning the Gold tomorrow – has impacted Kobe Bryant’s career and how perceptions have changed about his relationship with Shaq. An appropriate tribute from a respected journalist on Kobe’s birthday.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 23, 2008 at 07:07 PM
RUMORS: THE SUMMER OF 2010
By Eric Pincus for HoopsWorld.com
http://tinyurl.com/5cdtvk
Excellent recap of what may be the biggest pool of free agents ever. It is also why the Lakers will sign Drew to an extension before the end of October. No way do they want Drew to be an unrestricted free agent with more teams than ever before below the cap.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 23, 2008 at 07:26 PM
thekobe - I would gather that nearly all lala fans would love to see AMARE "BLACK JESUS" STOUDEPHIRE replace lamar odum.
AMARE wisely chose to save his knees for the NBA. Ask Manu if he thinks it was good to risk his NBA season for the olympics. Besides, Team USA was fine either way - after all, D'ANTONI is a coach.
Meanwhile, kobee is getting old fast. His window closed this year, and the only reason there was any window at all for the lakers was because they lucked out in not facing the SUNS in the playoffs.
Get ready for SHACK to teach jellybelly a lesson!
Posted by: BUTLER | August 23, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Happy Birthday Kobe and many more!
Glad Kwame is not around to throw your cake!
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | August 23, 2008 at 09:15 PM
Happy Birthday Ambassador Kobe
One of Kobe's Mentu on this blog. Lebron became the leader of the Team USA when you assumed the ambassadorial position of USA delegation to Beijing Olympics. This is truly be a memorable birthday, it brings the redemption of Team USA, redemption of Kobe from Marketing World and the final redemption hopefully will be the Lakers in June, 2009.
Have a safe journey at Kobe's nest in Newport Beach.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 23, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Happy Birthday, Kobe!
Year of the Mamba. What a way to kick off your 30's.
Now go get Olympic Gold.
Posted by: Happy Camper | August 23, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Happy Bday Kobe!
Your present will be around your neck in about 2 hours from now.
Go Lake show, go USA!
Posted by: Outsidergua | August 23, 2008 at 11:13 PM
HAPPY BDAY KOBE!
Posted by: Blaze1Bx | August 24, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Happy Birthday Kobe!
Too bad we can't have a game thread for the gold medal game.
Posted by: In the Zen Master We Trust | August 24, 2008 at 12:15 AM
If USA wins gold, it'll be on D-Wade's shoulders. And D'ANTONI'S!
So you have to love Doug Collins quoting Pau Gashawl who commented on the body check kobee delivered in the preliminary game. "It was a cheap shot, so I knew he was competing."
This game is a quandary - the only way gashawl wins a title game in his career, he stays on the bench. And without SHACK...well, like I said, if USA wins gold, it'll be because D-Wade lifted them on his shoulders.
Posted by: BUTLER | August 24, 2008 at 12:29 AM
butler if you can't type out my name completely then either kb blitz or just blitz is fine, whichever you think is easier to type out. "thekobe" is a little to vague to be honest with you.
You are right though, Laker fans would trade Lamar Odom for Amare StoudeWhiner despite his Whining ways. Only problem though is how he would crack the lineup unless we can trade Pau for Lebron and it would be a dream lineup: Bynum-Amare-Lebron-Kobe. Of course I don't live in fantasy hehe.
And you are wrong again to be honest. Amare StoudeWHINER's knee is fine. He played 2 seasons with few problems so any "knee" thing is just plain false and idiotic. He simply didn't want to play with D'Antoni because StoudeWHINER was mad he didn't get the touches. So he whined and whined and whined. And D'Antoni said "enough of this whining crap, I"d rather be coaching Kobe than listening to Amare's whining" and he bolted the mirage of the desert to the Big Apple. StoudeWHINER drove D'Antoni out, at least Jellybean still has Phil.
Yup the same Suns who got Hack a SHACKED by Pomona Pitzer's own Gregg Poppovich and kept sending Mr. I can't hit either my free throws SHACK to the free throw line. The same SUNS who kept "I coudn't get into any rhythm" GNASH to shoot 25% in Game 5. Boris was the only hope the SUNS had to getting the Spurs but StoudeWHINER kept whining about only 14 shot attempts. After the game StoudeWHINER whined to Steve Kerr about how D'Antoni didn't get him enough touches and D'Antoni said to Amare "I had enough of your whining" and said Sayonara to the Valley of the Whining SUNS.
Think Terry Phorter is going to lead the SUNS to a championship? Better go to the desert and look at a mirage, it ain't happening. Leandro, Amare, GNASH, nor SHACK can't play any decent defend and Phorter wants them to defend? Pfeh. Phorter sucked with the Bucks and he'll be crushed against by the Go Spurs Go team in the Playoff leading to another Whining barrage. That my friend is no mirage.
"Kobe's the best, he has always been the best, I've always said he's been the best"
--SHACK talking about KOBE after getting beat by Kobe's Lakers on February 20, 2008
"well the NBA is in great hands but if I had to pick the single greatest player on the planet, I take Kobe Bryant without hesitation".
--Michael Jordan while in Berlin, promoting his Air Jordan Sneakers.
Thanks for your response.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 24, 2008 at 12:56 AM
Jon K,
Season starts soon. First game is against Tennesee ranked number 18. Less than 7 days away. It's at the Rose Bowl so anything can happen.
Finally some Football (both NFL and College), then back to Laker ball.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 24, 2008 at 01:00 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOBE!! WAY TO LEAD THE USA TO THE GOLD!!!
Posted by: Mayor of Kobe-Town | August 24, 2008 at 01:21 AM
I guess this is why Kobe is on the team. When it came to GOLD it was Kobe who made the difference.
Without Kobe TEAM USA wouldn't have beaten Spain.
Kobe took over the 4th quarter when Spain had cut the lead to 2 points.
That really was a MVP performance.
Yeah, yeah, Kobe said: I'll play defense but when the medal is on the line...MVP=GOLD!
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 24, 2008 at 01:22 AM
This game is awesome! Pau is having a great game & Kobe = clutch.
D-Wade had a great 1st half but Kobe took over when the game was on the line.
Kobe = MVP
Posted by: Scott | August 24, 2008 at 01:25 AM
And it's official.
Congrats to Kobe and the entire Team USA. Nicely done.
Is it October yet?
Posted by: Happy Camper | August 24, 2008 at 01:27 AM