Kobe Bryant Postgame Quotes: On Legacy
NOTE: Click below for the postgame comments from the podium for Kobe Bryant.
Of all the comments Kobe Bryant made before the media after the Lakers became NBA champions for 2009, from his praise of Phil Jackson and his teammates to his plans for the summer, the ones most likely to get the greatest play Monday morning in the media refer to the removal Shaquille O'Neal's 325 (give or... give) pounds from his back. As of 4:46 am on the east coast, I've already seen them looped at least five or six times. This is how we roll. After all, Kobe's been carrying around the "can't win without Shaq" tag since the duo broke up.
No more. It's an end to what Kobe referred to as "Chinese water torture," and none too soon.
This is one area in which I think Kobe has always been spot on. He couldn't have won without Shaq, Shaq couldn't have won without him, and neither were winning without the other dudes who filled in the roster. Yes, Shaq snagged another Larry O without Kobe... but he also had that D-Wade fella running with him. I'm pretty sure that guy pitched in. This year, Kobe didn't win alone, but with a very solid supporting cast full of guys who stepped up big in the playoffs. Why? Because no superstar wins by himself. Ever.
Just like coaches who win titles do so with great players. There's no other way to get it done.
There's meaning to Kobe finally getting a Shaq-free title, but it has nothing to do with any dependence 24 had on him. Instead, it's clear both Bryant's personality and game allow for him to produce and succeed on both an individual level and within the context of the group (as it's been for a few seasons for those paying attention). It adds depth to his career, and bumps him that much higher on the scale towards the M.J. gold standard. The scowls may cut into his likeability factor (at least among media), but clearly don't constitute an obstacle to the NBA's big prize. It doesn't matter if I, or anyone else, wants to give him a hug or road trip with him to Big Sur.
Bottom line, nobody can argue that a Kobe Bryant-led team can't get a ring. I don't blame him for being pleased to have settled the question.
On to the transcript.
BK
KOBE BRYANT
Q. As you well know, Phil Jackson now, 10 championships, most in history. What is it that makes him such a great coach in your opinion?
KOBE BRYANT: I think it's his ability to bring people together. That's the biggest thing that he does so well is he continues to coach the group, continues to coach unity and chemistry and togetherness, and that's the biggest thing, because when you're together, you can with stand adversity. If you're not, you can easily break apart and become a team of individuals. That's his biggest characteristic of what he does well.
Q. Can you talk about the impact that Pau has had on this team in the 17 months he's been with you guys?
KOBE BRYANT: Pau is I think the thing that helped us get to this level was the improvements that he made defensively. He did a terrific job defensively for us all year, and particularly in this series. Offensively his capabilities are limitless. He's a dominant post up player, extremely versatile, makes great decisions, and obviously when we got him last year, that really took us to that next step.
Q. How is this different from your previous three rings?
KOBE BRYANT: Well, I just don't have to hear that criticism, that idiotic criticism anymore. That's the biggest thing. I don't have to hear that stuff anymore. For us with the collection of guys that are so young and having gone through what we went through last year and having the goal in mind of trying to get back to this point, and to have the attitude of we're going to become a better defensive team, better rebounding team, and then to actually do it and to see it all happen, it feels like I'm dreaming right now. I can't believe this moment is here.
Q. You hit that three, put you up 83 67, they called time out, you went to the bench and paused. Was that the moment it hit you it was within your grasp?
KOBE BRYANT: Yeah, that was the shot that I was measuring the whole time. I knew I had to knock it down because they were starting to surge. I could feel it. It was a 13 point game and I could feel a surge coming. That shot, I knew if I was able to knock it down it would deflate them a little bit and buy us another minute, and that's why I did that.
Q. What did it feel like when you finally realized the moment was at hand?
KOBE BRYANT: It felt like a big old monkey was off my back. It felt so good to be able to have this moment. We tried not to envision it too much, you know what I mean, because you just get too excited. You try not to think about it, just think about playing the game, and for this moment to be here and to reflect back on the season and everything that you've been through, it's top of the list, man.
Q. Dwight is back there pretty disappointed. What do you think are his chances of getting back here and winning it? And also, what do you know about how hard that's going to be?
KOBE BRYANT: It's tough to get back. They're going to have a bull's eye on their back, obviously. This is a good experience for them. They have a very tough team, extremely well coached, and I have no doubt they'll be contending again.
Q. And Dwight specifically, what did you think of how he played?
KOBE BRYANT: What did he average, 17 points, 17 rebounds, five blocked shots? Those are just ridiculous numbers.
He's just a phenomenal player.
Q. One of the things that got said after Shaquille left was that you guys left championships on the table, and I think both of you said that you had regrets about it. What do you see ahead for this team?
KOBE BRYANT: Just vacation (smiling). Cabo. Yeah, stuff like that. When next season comes around, we'll go from there. We'll be ready to work again, that's for sure.
Q. When Phil was in, he said when he came back, he wasn't anticipating winning a championship. Did he ever say that to you?
KOBE BRYANT: No (laughing). What are you, crazy?
Phil, he always stays in the moment, so the fact that he does that doesn't surprise me because he only coaches the moment. Whatever comes out of that comes out of that, but he continued to push us, continued to challenge us, and here we are.
Q. The criticism about you having not won a championship without Shaq, did you ever look at it like Magic and Worthy in the '80s, that nobody ever helped those guys, that they played with great talent? Was that kind of a source of frustration for you?
KOBE BRYANT: Yeah, it was just silly. Every team has a dynamic duo. I think it's a shame. But it is what it is. I wasn't going to try to argue about it. I mean, that does nothing. So you just accept the challenge and try to prove them wrong.
Q. In the second quarter last year in Boston where no one gets anything going, tonight in the second quarter everyone has it going. What does it feel like for you out there and you saw that Trevor was hitting his shot tonight and Lamar was getting to the basket?
KOBE BRYANT: Actually I've become more aware, conscious of what we're doing defensively at that point, because once we get everything going offensively, you can easily start thinking you can score anytime you want to. That's something I kept harping on through that stretch is to stay in tune with their runners, stay in tune with their shooters, with their scorers, get back on defense and keep pressuring them defensively. You start scoring, you think you can score and score and score and score and your defense slips, and this team, they'll bust you if you do that. I just tried to stay the course with the guys.
Q. A couple years ago you weren't satisfied with your help at all. When did you become convinced that this was a team you could win with?
KOBE BRYANT: Got a new point guard, got a new wing, got a Spaniard, and then it was all good. It was all good. I had a bunch of Christmas presents that came early.
Q. This probably is an unfair question because you're in the moment, because do you think that you're going to walk out of this room or next week or the week after that and see yourself any different, or people see you different?
KOBE BRYANT: Well, they won't see us as losers. LA is brutal, man. Now when I go to Disney World and Disneyland, I can enjoy the moment. I don't have to answer questions about what the hell happened to you guys? You know what I mean? From that standpoint, the summer is much more enjoyable.
Q. Can I ask you for your perspective on Phil? His first title came against the Lakers 4 1. His 10th came as part of the Lakers 4 1. Did you put some dimensional aspects into what this accomplishment means, not only for the team and the organization, but how Phil might be actually thinking? We were talking about him earlier. Of course he's not that open with his feelings
KOBE BRYANT: He's very excited about it, absolutely. Extremely excited about it. You can tell. You can see it in his eyes how ecstatic he is.
It's been a long time since he had a champagne bath, and I knew that, so I made sure he became part of our circle and we got him pretty good. He took his glasses off, threw his head back and soaked it all in because this is a special time, and for us to be the team that got him that historic 10th championship is special for us.
Q. Focus was a word he used to describe you often in these playoffs. Was there a difference between your focus this year and last year? And if so, why the difference?
KOBE BRYANT: Well, I was just locked in, just completely locked in. I think it's a matter of understanding the moment. It's also understanding your team and the lead that they have to follow. That's what I tried to do. I was grumpy for a while, and now I'm just ecstatic, like a kid in a candy store.
Q. I know you danced around the Shaq question. There have been teams in history that break up, Martin and Lewis broke up. They wondered could each of them succeed on their own, and they did. Could you focus on the fact that this was a great duo, it did break up, now you've succeeded on your own. Not to knock Shaquille, but what does it mean to do it without him and do it on your own with your teammates?
KOBE BRYANT: From the standpoint of responding to the challenge, from people saying I couldn't do it without him, that feels good, because you prove people wrong. So from that standpoint it feels extremely good to do that.
On another note, I think people can look at the special teams that we had together. We're great as individuals, but then you look at these two teams it's probably the first dynamic duo that had two alpha males on one team. We managed to make it work for three championships. For me it's about the years that we had but also enjoying the ones to come.
Q. Did it bother you year after year, the cliché, can he win it without Shaquille?
KOBE BRYANT: It was annoying. It was like Chinese water torture, just keep dropping a drop of water on your temple. It was just annoying. I would cringe every time. I was just like, it's a challenge I'm just going to have to accept because there's no way I'm going to argue it. You can say it until you're blue in the face and rationalize it until you're blue in the face, but it's not going anywhere until you do something about it. I think we as a team answered the call because they understood the challenge that I had, and we all embraced it.
New puppet videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpLPvZCOTrM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpGWV3DkapQ
CONGRATS LAKERS! CONGRATS KOBE! CONGRATS PHIL!
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | June 15, 2009 at 03:15 AM
Good morning,
Finally. All the questions answered. About what this team is made of. About Kobe. About Pau. About Lamar. Is it even possible to be happier than I am for these worthy warriors?
Finally. All the proof that could ever be needed that the haters should shut up. (Not that they will. They're stupid.)
Finally. Phil Jackson's elusive 10th ring is no longer elusive.
I'm happy, too, for D-Fish. I'm among those who worried that his best days were behind him. The five games of this series were his best days ever. He's got more to come. The guy is class. The guy is a leader. The guy is a rock. D-Fish deserves a place in the Lakers organization for the rest of his life.
We also saw something else in these NBA Finals. The emergence of a star of tomorrow. Yes, I'm talking about Trevor Ariza. Mitch and Phil spotted him first. We saw the glimmer of what's to come all season long. But what a game changer this young man has become.
Kobe let it all hang out after the game, and he was entitled to. The pain and suffering he endured from those who questioned his greatness, his ability to take a team to the promised land without Shaq, the barbs of failing to take the prize last year in Boston clearly caused him no end of anguish. Finally, Redemption.
And kudos all around to this amazing blog family, starting with the K family. The love expressed so well by Phred and others in previous posts is shared here. Though I know you only by your blog handles, you have become family with me. We've been through this and previous seasons together through thick and thin. After all the ups and downs, we celebrate together as true Laker fans.
This blog has also become a game changer for sports journalism. Not just because it's interactive, although that's a huge part of it. There's been more knowledge, insight, and wisdom posted here throughout the season and post-season than in all the columns written by Heisler, Plaschke, Simers, Wilbon, Adande, Simmons and the rest of their ilk combined.
Let me not ignore the Buss family. 15 championships for a single franchise, a single ownership family is an amazing achievement. Were it not for Dr. Buss' willingness to pay the luxury tax, season after season, the Lakers would just be another franchise among many. The Buss family has given all of LA something to be proud of, a team for all of us to rally around. Simply put, it's special.
On Sunday, I proudly wore my #24 everywhere I went. I broke out into a smile every time a car passed me sporting a Lakers flag from the window. I kicked everybody out of the house so I could fully concentrate on the game (and post-game). I popped the cork on champagne. I woke up early this morning in a drug-like ecstasy. As adverse as I am to crowds, I'm committed to the pilgrimage to Figueroa on Wednesday. Being a Lakers fan is the greatest thing in the world.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 15, 2009 at 03:46 AM
A happy post nascent championship Kobe seems like a great guy to be around. Such a trippy change.
I think we're going to see a lot more smiles for the rest of his career. And it's going to improve his play.
I really think the best is yet to come.
Posted by: Benjamin | June 15, 2009 at 04:07 AM
Dear Kobe,
You are right. Actions speak louder than words. Those who doubted you could win without Shaq are officially silenced. Glad the monkey is off your back.
Enjoy Disneyland,
Lakers Fans
Posted by: JohhnyP | June 15, 2009 at 04:18 AM
Amusing Tweet found on Twitter: djej1 Sun Yue has more championship rings than Yao Ming. #nba #lakers #rockets
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 15, 2009 at 04:53 AM
TO THEIR JOURNEY
We all know their personal stories.
May this championship bring comfort and joy.
Thank you for letting us be a part of it.
You Ever Notice
Posted by: You Ever Notice | June 15, 2009 at 04:57 AM
Greetings Lakeshow Fans,
Laker pride through ALL and ANY ADVERSITY!
Mission Accomplished: 2008-2009 NBA Champions!
Congratulations to Finals MVP KB24, Phil Jackson, and the rest of the Lakers players and staff. This includes the front office braintrust and personnel behind the scenes.
It was one heck of a ride all season long in the face of last year's disappointment vs the Celtics. How sweet it is a year later. Sweet indeed!
Looking forward to doing it again next season (Hint! Lakers, resign both Ariza and Odom no matter what).
It's been a pleasure being a part of the Lakers blog with you for the last couple of years through thick and thin. October can't arrive soon enough.
Long live the Lakers fan "roll call!"
I'm proud to say that I've always been a loyal fan of the one and only "Los Angeles Lakers."
Until next time, god bless all of you and have a nice summer.
Peace out!
Posted by: Let's Go L's! | June 15, 2009 at 05:12 AM
**** THE NEW LAKER ANTHEM ***
*
ALL TOGETHER NOW
*
We’re the Freaking LA Lakers , we’ve won 15 Rings
10 of the 50 Greatest players played under our wings
We’ve had 4 Laker Dynasties, but who’s keeping score
That’s 3 better than any team has ever had before
The best Winning Percentage in History, yeah that’s true
You want Hall of Fame Coaches, Check it, we’ve got two.
We got the current and Finals MVP in Kobe Bryant
The list of Laker greats starts with the great George Mikan
We Claim Shaq, Magic, Wilt, Elgin & Kareem
Worthty, Goodrich & Big shot Horry, we take only the cream
We Claim a Glove, A Mailman, A Logo, and a Beast
We’re coached by a 10 time Title Winner who learned Zen in the East
Chick Hearn the Legend, Broadcasted our Lakers Games
Now he’s Broadcasting from Heaven & is in the Hall of Fame
We got Sports Winningest and Best Owner in Dr. Jerry Buss
And The only one that can beat the Freakin La Lakers is us
That’s just a summary of our Resume, we don’t talk we Do.
WE’RE THE FREAKING WORLD CHAMPION LAKERS WHO THE HELL ARE YOU!!
*
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER
Posted by: MAMBA24 | June 15, 2009 at 05:18 AM
** THE FINAL SEASON ROLL CALL IN 3 HOURS **
*** BE THERE IT'S GONNA BE A BURNER!!!!!!!
Posted by: MAMBA24 | June 15, 2009 at 05:19 AM
The best part: next season, during introductions, when the public address announcer calls out "your world champion Los Angeles Lakers..."
Posted by: HIGH CHEESE | June 15, 2009 at 05:20 AM
OH LORD!!!! I'M SO HAPPY,
Posted by: MAMBA24 | June 15, 2009 at 05:20 AM
Congratulations Laker 09 Champs... Kobe I remember you saying Back to Back to Back..7 yrs ago...Please make that possible...
Posted by: SamBoi | June 15, 2009 at 05:21 AM
Congratulations to all of Lakerdom!
Kobe, Pau, Trevor, Derek, Drew, Lamar, Jordan, Shannon, Luke, et al...Way to get it done and enter into Laker immortality!
Phil, Brian, Kurt, Frank, Jim, and Tex...Way to motiviate and guide these young guys to the top!
Mitch and the Buss family...Waytostay the course and make the hard, but right, decisions!
Orlando Magic...Way to trade us Trevor Ariza! We know that deep down you're all really Laker fans.
Fellow bloggers...Way to vent, hear others vent, and stick together to the glorious end!
AK, BK...Way to run the best blog in sports! You guys are the Kobe Bryants of blog hosts...you consistently go above and beyond and we tend to take you for granted. You're the best!
I can't blog anymore today but I wanted to put in my 2 cents and celebrate with you guys! Amazing really did happen!
Posted by: Laker Kev | June 15, 2009 at 05:23 AM
I'm not saying that Lebron isn't any good, but how many championships does he have again? Why all the hype when the best player in the league is still in his prime with the best team and franchise? Just curious...
Posted by: The Truth | June 15, 2009 at 05:26 AM
So how long before we here the Jason Kidd for the minimum to the Lakers...I think its already started...Heisler just wrote about it....Give me a break,its been a long season....I need to enjoy this before thinking about players without a ring wanting to jump on the bandwagon....
I expect Morrison to out play Sasha through camp...Sasha deadline fodder?.
Posted by: Thirty2 | June 15, 2009 at 05:29 AM
I live in Ohio now. I have been here since 92. I have always been a die hard Laker fan. Since the days of Magic and the Captain "Kareem". I'm also a die hard Kobe fan. I love what he represents. I have made many terrible mistakes in my life. Just as the ones he has. And for his family to stick together through all the scrutiny says a lot about a true family. In it til the end! And for him to be able to bounce back & continue to pursue his goals, motivates me. Kobe is a huge self-motivator.
Kobe represents for me what I stand for. "You can hate me. But you're going to hate me because I'm great!"
I seriously doubt that Kobe will read this. But if he does, Kode there are few that will have your back, but those few you cherish. You did it bro. God Bless...
Thank you for inspiring me.
TH
Posted by: Tray | June 15, 2009 at 05:45 AM
GOD I hate kobe....
Hope Garnett comes back next season healthier and stronger.....
have your last laughs Laker fans....
peace Im out ....till next playoff season
Posted by: Spanky Jones | June 15, 2009 at 06:35 AM
We opened the decade with a championship and we are closing it with one. Let's open the next decade with another.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: melzune | June 15, 2009 at 06:37 AM
Thank You Lakers for an unbelievable CHAMPIONSHIP season!
Looking forward to 09/10 season.
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | June 15, 2009 at 07:09 AM
Notice how Kobe's interview, both here and with Inside the NBA, that he kept talking about the TEAM winning this.
Will the haters listen, or will they continue being blind & deaf on the matter?
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | June 15, 2009 at 07:27 AM
Okay enough with the Kobe & Shaq questions, media guys! Kobe won without Shaq, the issue is OVER.
How about "Can Kobe win it without Rick Adelman?" So far, even when they make the Finals, no defeating Adelman, no Ring. He's like Kobe's lucky charm!
Posted by: Scott | June 15, 2009 at 07:29 AM
HEY MOMATOBBIE BEN PORSHA BUDDY I KNEW THE LAKERS WERE COMING HOME WITH THE GOLD,SO YA'LL TAKE MOMA OUT TO PARTY SHE IS ONLY 82 AND SHE STILL PARTYS AND STILL HAS A PEP IN ALL HER STEPS
Posted by: TERRY BROWN | June 15, 2009 at 07:34 AM
From AK on the previous thread:
"In the meantime, the Lakers were an athletic metronome. Steady. Never too high. Never too low. Never too desperate to "make something happen." Just working a plan."
That calmness comes from Jackson.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | June 15, 2009 at 07:36 AM
This is something reporters created to manufacture a stigma for Kobe. No one ever demanded that Bird needed to win one without McHale, or Magic without Worthy, or Jordan without Pippin. It was never a measure of a great player that he had to be stripped of his key teammates and then win another championship. Kobe is right that this huge question was always idiotic, silly and irrelevant.
Posted by: Akiyoshi Sato | June 15, 2009 at 07:41 AM
This is the first championship Kobe has earned thanks to the untiring effort of a boatload of people: his teammates, Gary Vitti, the Laker staff and... the blog. He (and we) did it without Shaq. But without the blog could they have done it? I sincerely think the blog contributed in subtle but very concrete ways to the sense of urgency that made it possible, among other things, for Mitch to get Pau last year. And the blog consistently helped clarify issues that were swirling around and ultimately found their resolution in the teamwork that brought us this championship.
I think it's appropriate to thank everyone who's been involved since the beginning of the blog - the lean years- for the today's result. Just consult Mamba's roll call. And going back into the more somber past that includes Steven, KL, Gunner, Butler etc. whose nonsense pushed the majority to maintain their faith, to read the future correctly, to understand that it was our, Phil's, Mitch's, Lamar's and Kobe's destiny to patiently build the whole thing up again after the hopelessness of 2005, even if each one of them - not forgetting Dr Buss - lent himself to sometimes bitter and always at least partially justified criticism from many of us.
The only person in the background I wouldn't let of the hook is TJ Simers, whose provocation and sardonic but misplaced sense of superiority has no place on the same pages as the blog. The guy is downright ridiculous in ways that even KL coundn't achieve. This quote in today's article is particular pernicious:
"But winning it all makes them no more appealing, Kobe still over the top absurd in his mood swings, Pau still carrying on like someone swiped his rattle, Phil so above it all it's surprising he doesn't demand to be carried off the court like Cleopatra."
Judging public performers on their (mis)perceived emotions and moods to determine if they are "appealing" is the most outrageously hubristic behavior I've ever seen in a journalist. Just how "appealing" is TJ Simers? He congratulates himself on his stale grocery-bagger riff and diminishes the monumental achievements of the athletes he's supposed to be writing about. Pathetic!
Posted by: tsphere | June 15, 2009 at 08:10 AM
HATE?
Mike T. doesn't like PHil and Kobe all of a sudden?
Exile does funny things to you.
TJ ISmers
Insults people for a paycheck and expects warmth and civility in return. He doesn't understand pop culture idolatry? So why work on it's front lines?
Posted by: VMan | June 15, 2009 at 08:20 AM
oh man oh man i was about to cry when i saw kobe jumping up and down like a kid this sums it all up guys..
never had the time to post again but i think this one's worth it
now its celebration time guys this makes it sweeter than the 3peat because this time we had our fair share of disappointments and criticisms now its time for all lakers fans to stand up tall with their chin up and say "we have the best team in the NBA"
another sweet rollcall by mamba
for the last time this season...
GO LAKERS!!!!
GO FINALS MVP MAMBA!!!
Posted by: hellraiser(certified mamba fan) | June 15, 2009 at 08:31 AM
Congrats to the Lakers, the city, and all the fans on a well-deserved and long-awaited championship. Thinking ahead to next year, here's why we'll be even better:
1) We now know what it takes to win.
2) Bynum will have a summer to heal.
3) Re-signing Odom and Ariza will solidify their place on the team.
4) Brown and Morrison will have a full summer to learn the offense
5) Hopefully Fisher will let Farmar start for the good of the team.
6) Another full year with the triangle will allow new wrinkles to be developed.
Great job K-bros!! Here's to another 3-peat!
Scott
Posted by: LakersFanInNY | June 15, 2009 at 08:33 AM
As a fan from Cincinnati, and a fan since 1984, I followed this franchise with interest and passion. We do not have pro b-ball in Cincinnati but I can tell you there is a Laker fan base here. Seeing those purple uniforms (the best in the league) celebrating on the opponent's court is a beatiful thing to see. All is right in the world when the Lakers are on top and hopefully will be on top for a little while at least. I look forward to visiting Indiana to see the new champions play there against the Pacers next season. I love LA. We love it!
Posted by: Tim Jones | June 15, 2009 at 08:36 AM
TJ Simers is a big jerkface.
AK/BK,
Next time you see him in the hall at the Times offices, do all of us Lakers fans a favor and punch him in the face.
Please?
Posted by: Pig | June 15, 2009 at 08:37 AM
Hey Mamba24...you wouldn't believe how happy I am. Bummed that we're done for a few months but psyched that we ended it the right way. Wooohoooo!!!!
REPEAT...REPEAT...REPEAT...REPEAT :-)
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | June 15, 2009 at 08:42 AM
Haha! Mike T, you stubborn idiot. Let your inner Lakerfan out and enjoy this! Pau Gasol worked on his strength and hasn't maxed out yet. Gasol will be strong like Kwame, just not as sexy.
LA Lakers---2009 NBA Champions
Posted by: Rocky | June 15, 2009 at 08:43 AM
leonardbast,
>>> KB Blitz is right. Gasol did out play Bynum. for the present.
>>> but i'm willing to bet money (and so do the Busses) that one day
>>> Bynum will be the MAN. one day (in the next 2 or 3 years) Bynum
>>> will become the 1st or 2nd option. he will become a combination
>>> Shaq/Kareem, mastering the power game, with shooting and
>>> low-post skills, shoot at least 50%, score at least 25 ppg, grab
>>> at least 10 rpg, and get at least 2 bpg.
>>> i'm not saying this will happen, for a fact. but this is what i,
>>> LakerTom, all the Bynum supporters, and Lakers owners/management
>>> are hoping for. i do not foresee Gasol getting any better than he is now.
>>> he's in his prime. Andrew Bynum is about 3-5 years from entering
>>> his prime. he will (hopefully) improve drastically. and by the time
>>> AB enters his prime, Kobe and Gasol's prime would have ended.
Excellent post. I especially like the Shaq/Kareem reference because that IS exactly what I foresee for Drew. And you are dead right that that is what the Lakers front office, coaches, and players all expect from Drew. My only question regarding your post is that I think we will see a period of two or three years with a dominant Drew along side a Kobe and Pau still in their prime. Kobe is only 31 and Pau 27 so they both have many more years to play. I have to admit it is pretty sweet to be NBA champions today AND the future favorite.
And blitz needs to stop dumping on Drew and wait until after next year to assess whether or not he is worth the $14M the Lakers will be paying. My bet is he will be a bargain when he is the team’s #2 scorer and top rebounder in 2010 and we win our second title in a row. Why would any Laker fan would dump on any player on the day we win a championship?
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | June 15, 2009 at 08:46 AM
The last team standing?
2008-2009 Los Angeles Lakers, baby!
What a great game. They dominated this game, never letting it get out of their sites. They played together so well, and it was SO obvious who the better team was.
I'm so happy for Kobe. He's gone through so much crap. Yes, some of it was because of bad choices he made personally, but I was so happy to see him with his wife and kids. He's a happy man because of them. It's made him a better man to have gone through such adversity and prevailed, personally and professionally.
Of course, none of the on court stuff is possible without Pau, LO, Trevor and Fish. Those five are the heart and soul of the team right now. I think Buss will do whatever it takes to keep all of them. LO already said he will take less money to stay in LA. He's a smart guy, that LO. Not letting money take precedence in his life.
I was also tickled pink for Brown and AMMO. I mean, you get traded to the Lakers and GET A RING? Holy criminy. That's just too amazing.
Thanks to all you bloggers out there who made this blog so fun to be on. I enjoyed interacting with all of you. And thanks to the KBros too, for doing a great job. Benicio, you too.
Already looking forward to next year.....
GO LAKERS!!
I LOVE LA!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: longtimelakerlover | June 15, 2009 at 08:48 AM
say what you will, kobe has always been the master of the post (and occasionally pre) game interview. always classy, never a missed beat.
Posted by: phred | June 15, 2009 at 08:55 AM
Phil so above it all it's surprising he doesn't demand to be carried off the court like Cleopatra."Posted by: tsphere | June 15, 2009 at 08:10 AM
ROFLMAO! Stop it Tsphere! Stop it now!
I'm going to say it...OUT FREAKING STANDING!!
HellRaiser(Certified MambaFan) Good to hear from you bro. We did it!!!!!!
Next time you see him in the hall at the Times offices, do all of us Lakers fans a favor and punch him in the face.
Please? Posted by: Pig | June 15, 2009 at 08:37 AM
Well sinnce you asked so politely, why not. Lol!
Until next time, god bless all of you and have a nice summer. Peace out! Posted by: Let's Go L's! | June 15, 2009 at 05:12 AM
God Bless you as well. And...OUT FREAKING STANDING
Posted by: mamba24 | June 15, 2009 at 08:56 AM
I did a post full of "Tell Me How My _SS Tastes" messages to all the haters while riding home on the Metro from Staples (LONG BEFORE THE MORONS STARTED SETTING TREES ON FIRE!) but the K-Bros banned it. Oh well. Some of them were really funny.
Anyhoo...
BUTLER: YOU ARE NOW ON THE CLOCK!
Will you man up and fulfill your obligaton to Laker Nation? Or will you chicken out and tell Laker Nation how THE FIFTEENTH BANNER is nothing more than a glorified Suns victory?
IT'S ON YOU, BUTLER. SO WHATCHA GONNA DO!
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | June 15, 2009 at 08:58 AM
Tully,
What a great heartfelt post! As another die-hard Lakers fan since 1970, I could tell you exactly where I was for every great Lakers moment you described. I wrote a post yesterday about how much richer and enjoyable the blog has made being a Lakers fan. This group of Lakers players and all my great friends and family on the blog are what this one special.
Reality is that I look forward to reading the great comments and insights from AK and BK and the bloggers in the blog rather than wading through the plethora of shallow copycat articles from the ESPN dominated national sports media. The links always come last.
The first Lakers championship since Chick passed away. The first ring for the Lakers Blog.
Thanks again, Tully, and everybody for your great posts. No work today in Lakersville.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | June 15, 2009 at 08:58 AM
I have no problem when people are critical of Kobe, having said that, the whole Shaq thing is a farce. I never saw Kobe as Shaq's sidekick, it was much more like an equal partnership. In fact, between the 2, Kobe was the money player, not Shaq. I remember games, esp in the first championship postseason, in Portland, where Shaq had the total "deer in the headlights" look. So the whole idea that Kobe had to win without Shaq was silly.
Posted by: Mark | June 15, 2009 at 09:01 AM
Gleaming and Beaming at work. Blog sync think. I guess we have to change 9 rings to Master of the Universe. Redo the Puppet Commercials to "Le Bron, Have you seen my FOUR Championship Rings?"
This will hopefully lure in some Vets who want to get their Bling and be a part of the most relevant Basketball Team.
Posted by: Charles | June 15, 2009 at 09:04 AM
Now THAT is how we do it.
I'm short for words, but I must say, it has been a fun and unique journey being part of this blog, and believing in this franchise despite trading the "most dominant ever", having Kwame Brown and Smush Parker, and having the best player in the NBA want off the team.
I love the Lakers, and thankfully, the Lakers are the most rewarding team to root for in all of sports. Others may hate us, not respect the accomplishments, nor believe that this franchise will forever rise to the top, but that's for them to think that. We have to keep believing that this organization will answer the call.
2009 WORLD CHAMPS
Posted by: #4 | June 15, 2009 at 09:06 AM
Kobe isn't the only one who hated the "can't win without Shaq" nonsense.
It's a new day.
Butler.... we're waiting.
WE ARE THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS AND WE RISE!!!!
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 15, 2009 at 09:14 AM
What is up with T.J Slimers? I think he hate's everything about the Lakers. It's always negative with him even if the Lakers win the World Championships he has to write something negative about them.
Posted by: stanley | June 15, 2009 at 09:15 AM
Pig,
I'm with you on that.
Actually I'd hope we can start a "Fire T.J. Simers" Bandwagon and that AK & BK can personally deliver it to the L.A. TImes management.
T.J. Simers is not a true journalist. He's a narcissistic troll.
WE ARE THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS AND WE RISE!!!!
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 15, 2009 at 09:16 AM
AK & BK,
I'd love to see a slew of videos from the players last night.
WE ARE THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS AND WE RISE!!!!
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 15, 2009 at 09:21 AM
Hey Mamba24...you wouldn't believe how happy I am. Bummed that we're done for a few months but psyched that we ended it the right way. Wooohoooo!!!! REPEAT...REPEAT...REPEAT...REPEAT :-) Posted by: EastCoastJessie | June 15, 2009 at 08:42 AM
Oh I believe it, all I have to do is look in the mirror & see the big smile on my face and know
it's reflected all over Laker nation. Oh yeah Repeat! Have a great summer
EastCoast I Love you!
Larry(Mamba24)
Posted by: mamba24 | June 15, 2009 at 09:26 AM
Pig,
>>> TJ Simers is a big jerkface.
I understand your instinct to want to punch him in the face. But I know TJ. Your comment is exactly what he thrives on. Today's rant by TJ was an extraordinarily misguided and inappropriate attempt to express his contrarianism.
TJ is actually an engaging, knowledgeable, and likable guy. But somehow the sports editor at the LA Times doesn't understand that the only people who read the paper's sports section are fans like us. Move TJ to the op-ed section. But none of the Times' so-called sports columnists have anything insightful to say to us. Sam Zell's money (actually his creditors') would be better spent adding more coverage of Iran or City Hall.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 15, 2009 at 09:26 AM
KBblitz,
Did you enjoy your meal of crow & champagne?
Sasha let me down on shooting. *sigh* Eating crow on
that one.
Ariza didn't meet the stats for shooting, but he was great
in the playoffs & his defense was a HUGE plus for us.
Calling this one over-cooked chicken with a spicy mole
sauce.
My comments on the play of Odom, Gasol, Bynum
determining our championship seems to be spot on.
You can make the argument that Fisher's 3's did it, but
without the play of Gasol & Odom & Bynum we don't
win.
My comments on winning despite the erratic shooting
of Fisher, Sasha et al was spot on as well.
Feeling like the end of Ocean's 11. So satisfying ...
Expecting the Lakers to re-sign:
Odom, Ariza, & Shannon Brown.
They're coming ....
Denver, Portland, Boston, Cleveland, & Orlando.
Bynum, Farmar, & Sasha need to work out like fiends
this summer.
hasta luego!
Posted by: hobbitmage | June 15, 2009 at 09:27 AM
Stanley,
T.J. Simers is mentally ill, but he is a highly functioning mentally ill patient.
The problem is that the L.A. Times has given a mentally ill person a bullhorn to try to convince the world that it is actually mentally sick, not T. J. Simers.
Thus, the L.A. Times loses further credibility.
As a former journalist, I feel I can say with moral confidence that if the L.A. Times fails, they have no one to blame but themselves. They do a lot of things that simply do not make sense journalistically, ethically, and strategically.
In addition, far too much of their materials are slanted either negatively, positively, liberally, or towards putting undo attention on the writer, not the subject matter. It's just bad journalism.
WE ARE THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS AND WE RISE!!!!
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 15, 2009 at 09:29 AM
Utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER will be posting a series of EULOGIES dedicated to the various trolls who have taunted and teased Lakers Blog over the past few years, only to die a painful death at 7:32 PM last night at the close of the NBA Finals. So if there's a troll, naysayer, Kobe-hater who you deem worthy of being EULOGIZED by the Chaplain, please post.
Just so we're clear, Butler, Mike T., KL, Red's Love Child and 1(AND DONE!)31-92 are already on the list. Sermons have already been prepared for these poor souls. Pray for mercy, y'all.
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | June 15, 2009 at 09:31 AM