Lakers

[HBCoug]

The defense tonight has been most impressive to me. Occasionally they remind you they can lock down. After the Jazz/Celtics game the other night, Thurl Bailey mentioned the Jazz were playing Championship basketball...a phrase that has been all over the Utah airwaves since then. If anybody knows what championship basketball is, it would be Big T Bailey I'd wager. Tonight's defense gives me hope the Lakers can get there with the Jazz.

[Surfah]

Kobe and AmMo have a secret handshake!

[FN Phat]

Kobe and AmMo have a secret handshake!

Is this a surprise to you? AmMo looks like a 70's porn star and Kobe behaves like one.

[Surfah]

Is this a surprise to you? AmMo looks like a 70's porn star and Kobe behaves like one.

Don't hate! Appreciate!

[TripletDaddy]

Pow: Duncan did not have a great night

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...,5501462.story

Better than they are showing

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...2434947.column

Big D in San Antonio

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...,6863946.story

Artest, who also had 16 points and eight rebounds, blew kisses to the surprisingly perceptible throng of Lakers fans, his merriment spilling over into the crowd. There was even a lively "Let's go Lakers" chant in the den of the Spurs near the end of the game.

That loud postgame noise at one end of the arena? Scores of Lakers fans, leaning over and trying to get a piece of Bryant after he did a TV interview on the court.

[TripletDaddy]

Kobe wants LBJ in the Finals

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/367860-kobe-wants-lebron-in-the-2010-nba-finals-eager-to-disprove-critics

Rather, all Kobe is concerned with is establishing his legacy alongside the greats by accumulating as many NBA titles as possible. Kobe is seeking a personal legacy that will cement his place in NBA history as one of the greatest basketball players ever to have lived.
While LeBron spent his summer visiting New York music moguls and furthering his international brand via clothing and shoe chains, Kobe spent days in Houston refining his game by learning new post moves from one of basketball's all-time big men, Hakeem Olajuwon.
While LeBron throws his powder dust in jest and entertains himself in group photo antics, Kobe has separated himself from the pack by cultivating his inner cold-blooded assassin, which explains his silent, emotionless demeanor during pre-game introductions.
While LeBron James continues his feeble aspiration of becoming a global icon, Kobe Bryant is establishing himself alongside Michael Jordan and Bill Russell as one of the best players in the game, with rings to show for it.
While LeBron masks his jersey switch from Jordan's No. 23 to No. 6 in a cynical attempt to give tribute to Michael Jordan, Kobe continues to build up an impressive resume of NBA titles to destroy the six-title legacy that Jordan has built.
In fact, as Kobe arduously battles through sprained ankles, broken fingers, and a strained back in his pursuit to challenge Jordan's legacy, LeBron has continued to reach out to Jordan in an attempt to receive his "Airness'" blessing.
“He’s always looked for that approval from Michael,” one Jordan associate says, “and I don’t know that he’s ever really gotten it—or ever will.”
As Adrian Wojnarowski explains straightforwardly, "Jordan's interaction with LeBron and Kobe mostly stems from professional courtesy. Jordan is still protective of his legacy as the greatest player ever, and he’s never been terribly motivated to lend a hand in the overtaking of that."
Michael Jordan's competitive nature and his desire to remain as the best basketball player this world has ever seen will never allow himself to acknowledge Kobe nor LeBron as the greatest. So while LeBron eagerly awaits the day that Jordan will anoint him as king, Kobe, like a renegade, has taken his fate into his own hands by striving to beat Jordan's six titles.

[Surfah]

Better than they are showing

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...2434947.column

I liked TJ's dig at Plashke!

Ron Artest, the guy who doesn't fit in with the Lakers according to one columnist, turns the game in the favor of our guys and makes it a Spurs debacle.

[TripletDaddy]

The media is really picking up on this Cavs/Lakers things and almost all of it seems to be negative towards the Cavs. I think LBJ has officially reached "put up or shut up" status.

Cavs: faux rivals

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/366286-lakerscavs-opposite-origins-false-rivalries-intertwined-destinations

However, the fact that the Lakers and Cavaliers are the consensus top two units in the league does nothing to alleviate the fact that the media’s attempt to establish a rivalry between them is premature, false, manufactured, and has yet to bear any fruit.
The Lakers and Spurs built their rivalry by meeting in four consecutive post-seasons from 2000-01 to 2003-04.
The Bad Boy Pistons and Michael Jordan’s Bulls also created a rivalry by meeting in four consecutive post-seasons, three of them Eastern Conference Championships. The Lakers and Celtics cemented the NBA’s fiercest rivalry by meeting in the Finals 11 times.
The attempt to create a rivalry between the Lakers and Cavs is senseless as history itself has dictated that without post-season history, there can be no rivalry.

The Difference between Kobe and Lebron is that Kobe works

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/366456-the-difference-between-kobe-and-lebron-is-that-kobe-works

The "greatest player in the world" discussion is saved for a rare few, but Kobe and LeBron have owned it for years. So how did they get here?

Kobe earned it.

LeBron was handed it.

LeBron was last year's MVP and will continue that trend, not just this year, but for many years to come. His team once again leads the league in regular season wins. And if "the best player in the world" means putting up numbers and dunks right out of a video game, he's got that title locked up.

But if it means something more, then has there ever been a player so universally acclaimed that has done so little? That is LeBron's life. The NBA's golden boy before he ever stepped onto an NBA court. "The King" before attaining his first win.

It's old news that Kobe is the most polarizing figure in sports. Coming out of high school it was love him or hate him, but thirteen-years later those who hated Kobe now respect him. They respect his legendary work ethic. They respect his accomplishments.

[TripletDaddy]

Lamar Odom is the key?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/368252-lamar-odoms-consistency-will-determine-the-la-lakers-postseason-fate

Best and Worst Playoff Matchups for Lakers

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/368646-the-la-lakers-best-and-worst-case-matchups-for-the-playoffs

Good: Dallas, Utah, OKC
Bad: Portland, Phoenix, Denver

[Surfah]

The Difference between Kobe and Lebron is that Kobe works

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/3...hat-kobe-works

Great article. Thanks for the link.

I loved this:

Scoop Jackson summed it up:

"Kobe could give a damn what you think about him. As long as there’s a hardwood court, a rock, and 48 minutes, he’ll go out there and do whatever necessary to win, on both sides of the ball. But LeBron wants to know what you think about him. He needs it, to validate his growing perception of his status among the best players. He feeds off the crowd, and plays to your expectations."

[Donuthole]

The greatest owner is sports sits down for an interview. I love Jerry Buss.

That when you think L.A., you think Lakers. I believe I've accomplished that.

Unofficial polling at Disneyland says J-Buss is wrong. Dodger gear outnumbers Laker gear 10 to 1. If it were 2 to 1 or even 3 or 4 to 1, I'd leave open the possibility that sample size skewed the results. But 10 to 1 is pretty telling.

[smokymountainrain]

The media is really picking up on this Cavs/Lakers things and almost all of it seems to be negative towards the Cavs. I think LBJ has officially reached "put up or shut up" status.

Cavs: faux rivals

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/366286-lakerscavs-opposite-origins-false-rivalries-intertwined-destinations

The Difference between Kobe and Lebron is that Kobe works

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/3...hat-kobe-works

What makes you, the writer, or anybody else think LeBron doesn't work?

[TripletDaddy]

What makes you, the writer, or anybody else think LeBron doesn't work?

Re-read the article. the author makes the point pretty clearly. I can't speak for the "anyone else" demographic, however I imagine you have some sort of firsthand knowledge that the kid actually does work in the offseason?

I suppose he could be working aimlessly and unproductively, however. That is always a possibility.

I have never heard or read much written about LBJ's work ethic or off-season regimen. I have read plenty about other athletes (Kobe, Jerry Rice, MJ for example). I actually wonder what he does with his time off.

[smokymountainrain]

I have never heard or read much written about LBJ's work ethic or off-season regimen. I have read plenty about other athletes (Kobe, Jerry Rice, MJ for example). I actually wonder what he does with his time off.

So because we don't read stories about his work ethic, he doesn't work?

That makes sense.

I suppose he could be working aimlessly and unproductively, however. That is always a possibility.

What does this mean? He's improved tremendously since he's been in the league and is the best player in the league - how does that translate into aimless or unproductive work?

I imagine you have some sort of firsthand knowledge that the kid actually does work in the offseason?

I'm not making a claim one way or the other as to whether or not he works - the writer is claiming he doesn't work and you appear to agree. I'm just wondering if you have any evidence to back up that claim. BTW, I did read the article and didn't see anything there. Care to point out what I'm missing?

[Surfah]

What does this mean? He's improved tremendously since he's been in the league and is the best player in the league - how does that translate into aimless or unproductive work?

He's now the best player to have never won a title. Jazz fans should rejoice at this!