Lakers

[Surfah]

He did look old. He barely got his hands above the rim. Seriously, that was not an impressive dunk from an athleticism standpoint. Then he was so tired from his burst he turned the ball over the next trip down the court.

That's hilarious.

[Donuthole]

It wouldn't be difficult to resurrect game threads from last year's 1st round against OKC that said the same thing. He then went on to destroy Utah and PHX in rounds 2 and 3. He'll be fine. Chris Paul is going to make Kobe or anybody else trying to guard him look bad. No doubt Kobe has lost a step or two (see him trying to stay in front of Hayward), but he'll manage what he has left appropriately.

Kobe has the best supporting cast in the league, no doubt. He'll probably win another title with them. FTR, I wasn't saying that last year. In fact, I was impressed that he was still playing as well as he was, despite his mileage. It is noticeable this year, however. Particularly on defense, but also on offense where he's just not able to create his shot like he once could. He ends up passing off to Artest or Odom on the wing when he used to be able to elevate and get off his jumper.

[Donuthole]

That's hilarious.

It's sad, really, but all of the greats have to get old eventually. In all seriousness, if you rewatch the dunk you'll see what i'm talking about. he's almost pulling himself up with the rim as he finishes the dunk. Just two years ago he was dunking that as he was still on the way up.

[TripletDaddy]

Tru was averaging 8 ppg in the pre season but so far in Games 1 and 2 he has doubled that. Nice.

[HBCoug]

Kobe has the best supporting cast in the league, no doubt. He'll probably win another title with them. FTR, I wasn't saying that last year. In fact, I was impressed that he was still playing as well as he was, despite his mileage. It is noticeable this year, however. Particularly on defense, but also on offense where he's just not able to create his shot like he once could. He ends up passing off to Artest or Odom on the wing when he used to be able to elevate and get off his jumper.

I'm pretty sure I was saying it last year. He looked old in that OKC series trying to stay with Westbrook, then got his knee drained, and then looked great for a couple weeks. There's no doubt he's on the downhill slope of his career, and I agree it manifests itself most obviously on the defensive end. I think he measures his leaps and energy pretty carefully these days. He can't elevate over guys every time down the court, but I believe he still can when it matters.

[Surfah]

It's sad, really, but all of the greats have to get old eventually. In all seriousness, if you rewatch the dunk you'll see what i'm talking about. he's almost pulling himself up with the rim as he finishes the dunk. Just two years ago he was dunking that as he was still on the way up.

Dude I did watch it again. A few times. Look at where he took off on the opposite side of the floor. He then rotates 180˚ and dunks that two hands. It was impressive no matter his age and would be impressive no matter who did it.

Of course Kobe is getting older and his game has slowed. This was his worst season in a long time. So what?

[TripletDaddy]

Kobe has the best supporting cast in the league, no doubt. He'll probably win another title with them. FTR, I wasn't saying that last year. In fact, I was impressed that he was still playing as well as he was, despite his mileage. It is noticeable this year, however. Particularly on defense, but also on offense where he's just not able to create his shot like he once could. He ends up passing off to Artest or Odom on the wing when he used to be able to elevate and get off his jumper.

I actually don't disagree with you. This season I have noticed it most with Kobe being picked more often than usual when he tries to cross over or go behind his back. He isn't as fast as he once was.

I don't think it will be fatal this season but he has slowed a step, sure. Dude has a lot of miles on his wheels.

But hey...those are great miles.

[Donuthole]

Dude I did watch it again. A few times. Look at where he took off on the opposite side of the floor. He then rotates 180˚ and dunks that two hands. It was impressive no matter his age and would be impressive no matter who did it.

His right leg was almost immediately under the basket when he left the ground, and he was already turned 90 degrees when he left the ground. So it wasn't impressive for a 6'6" NBA player. Notice it didn't even elicit a comment out of Kenny, Charles, or Ernie in the post-game highlights.

[Donuthole]

I actually don't disagree with you. This season I have noticed it most with Kobe being picked more often than usual when he tries to cross over or go behind his back. He isn't as fast as he once was.

I don't think it will be fatal this season but he has slowed a step, sure. Dude has a lot of miles on his wheels.

But hey...those are great miles.

Great miles. He has been everything a franchise and its fans could want, and then some. I've always been a Kobe fan, except when he's playing the Jazz.

[LA Ute]

Fun Laker fact of the day:

Wilt Chamberlain still holds 72 NBA records, including 37.6 ppg as a rookie, 55 rebounds in one game, 50.4 ppg in one season, 59 points scored in one half (on his way to the 100 points in one game), 22.9 rebounds per game for his career (1,045 games).

Still the greatest force ever to hit the NBA.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Fun Laker fact of the day:

Wilt Chamberlain still holds 72 NBA records, including 37.6 ppg as a rookie, 55 rebounds in one game, 50.4 ppg in one season, 59 points scored in one half (on his way to the 100 points in one game), 22.9 rebounds per game for his career (1,045 games).

Still the greatest force ever to hit the NBA.

Another fun Laker fact: Glen Rice led the NBA in 3pt shooting at 47% in 96-97.

[TripletDaddy]

Another fun Laker fact: Glen Rice led the NBA in 3pt shooting at 47% in 96-97.

Less fun Laker fact: Christina Rice should have shut up instead of getting her husband traded after the championship parade.

[smokymountainrain]

Another fun Laker fact: Glen Rice led the NBA in 3pt shooting at 47% in 96-97.

FWIW, Rice's senior season shooting numbers at Michigan were absurd.

[Surfah]

Less fun Laker fact: Christina Rice should have shut up instead of getting her husband traded after the championship parade.

You'd think someone in her position would just shut up.

Eddie Jones was my favorite Laker back then. So I never really loved Rice.

[Moliere]

You'd think someone in her position would just shut up.

Eddie Jones was my favorite Laker back then. So I never really loved Rice.