Laker Turmoil

The past two years, the Lakers have been swept in the first round of the playoffs because they lack a second star. There hasn't been a second star in LA since Shaq. Obvious right? Not only was he physically gifted, had a high basketball IQ, but most importantly, he had emotional intelligence (EQ).

Example: When did we know he and Kobe had problems? Not until the end, right when he was leaving. Sure you heard rumors, you saw some tussles here and there, but that is team stuff. You never really knew how bad it was until he left LA. He held his stuff together and let Kobe own the town and team. He wanted to be a sheriff some where else and for that, LA salutes him and retired his jersey. He was a team player and the game was bigger than him.

So what happens when you replace a star with a scab? The scab becomes a cancer and needs to be removed, before it infects the rest of your team. Intro cancer no.1, Andrew Glassman, who couldn't hold it together fell apart under the pressure and was subsequently dealt to Philly. Then cancer no.2, Dwight Howard, can't hold it together either. No EQ. No team. Cancer no.3, Mike Brown/D'antoni. Enough said. But just like a movie, the hero Kobe comes out and saves the day. Always. The unfortunate thing is that he will be gone soon.

So, Mitch Kupchak, don't do the scab thing. LeBron 2014!!!!

Kobe 'Bean' Bryant

I have been a fan of Kobe Bryant for most of his illustrious career. I have to thank my older brothers for turning me on to him. I have loved watching him play. He made me a believer in the NBA and the Lakers. I love his drive, his will to win, his style of play, his tenacity, and his showmanship.

In the past few games (and much of the season), Kobe has put this Lakers team on his back. Earlier this year he made the promise that the Lakers would make the playoffs. So, naturally, a man who is 34 years of age, with a history of knee, wrist, and ankle injuries has been playing almost every single minute of every single game. Take a look at the stats splits below. Additionally, He played 48 mins against the Trailblazers (scored 47 points while shooting 51.9% from the field) two nights before playing the Warriors. I didn't see the game last night, but I saw the highlights today. I almost cried when I saw him limp of the court; He is my favorite player (despite his immoral and personal choices), and I was watching what could be potentially be a career ending injury.

SPLITS	GP	MPG	FG%	RPG	APG	BLKPG	STPG	PFPG	PPG
Last 10 Games	10	43.5	.431	6.4	7.2	0.8	1.6	2.7	29.9
April	6	45.2	.444	7.0	7.5	1.2	2.2	3.0	30.5

He is likely to be out 6-9 months for recovery and his body is worn out. He even thinks so. He went to Facebook and said, "Why the hell did this happen?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I'm supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that?? Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father TIme has defeated me... Than again maybe not!"

This isn't the first time Kobe has voiced his concern and seemed vulnerable (he was pre, but he has hinted that retirement this next year is a possibility, and this injury could certainly spur him on to calling it quits.    He is due to be paid $30M next season. That is quiet a bit of money for a guy who "can't walk". Bill Simmons suggested on twitter that the Lakers may amnesty Kobe. If the Lakers let Kobe go, they would have some serious cap space to rebuild this team. It would certainly speed up the process.

If the Lakers amnesty Kobe, I don't see him going to play some where else. Could last night really be his last night in a Lakers uniform? I hope not. I hope the Germans have something for him. At any rate, we are seeing the twilight years coming to an end for one of the most fierce and polarizing characters in sports - and that just bums me out.

It's an orange ball.

I read this article the other day on ESPN.com, mostly because the link inferred that Kobe Bryant is overrated, that talked about 'Hero Ball'. Mr. Abbott, the author of said article, doesn't tell us anything that we don't already know; team work wins-- the majority of the time. He blames Michael Jordan for 'Hero Ball', because he was so clutch in pressure situations. Just watch the highlights, and look at the stats, Jordan was the exemption. As I was reading, I couldn't help but get defensive, even mad that someone was calling my Kobe over-hyped. By the way, Henry Abbott is bald and ugly. Looks like he will be always under-hyped. Then I hear sacrilegious propaganda, from Ric Bucher, saying that Kobe should be traded. All I can do is throw up my hands in disgust and shake my head at such outlandish propositions. The dude wore a black mask like Zorro!

The NBA is full of talent, but no one like Kobe. Name a current player that has the career comparable to Kobe? No one. Someone who plays like him? No one. Many would like to, but they simply can't. The NBA needs Kobe. He is the villain, that somehow people love. Because as a human, I don't think he is worth much.  Every game he will do the same thing, head fake until it looks stupid, take one hard dribble to the elbow and shoot, exploit defenders with his footwork, act like he was hacked every time he goes to the hoop, and look at the officials as if they were born with an arm coming out of their butt. In essence, he will never back down, he plays the same game every night. I don't think you can say that about any other player. He obviously won't make all of his shots, or even half of them, but when he gets hot.... we all start getting hot, if you know what I mean. And I think you do know what I mean. 


Basketball fans need Kobe to be Kobe, he makes the NBA enjoyable. He creates a storyline that is better than a highlight. While his style, which is diametrically opposite of what is best for the team, it has led him to five championships. I know he had help from Shaq Daddy, but the young brash Kobe shot a lot, and the Diesel conceded that KB is the best Laker ever. 

See, he is never afraid to shoot. It doesn't bother him that he just missed 20 shots, lost a double digit lead point lead for his team,  or that everyone is shouting at him to pass. He wants to be #1 every single game. That is what makes me love KB24 so much. To have that kind of mentality, that will power, is what separates him from everyone else. Bean probably says to himself, "Screw everyone else around me, damn the consequences, I am getting mine. I am alpha male. I am alpha predator." I know that he is egotistical, selfish, arrogant, rude, and probably really unfriendly. He is the only player that night in and night out will play with absolutely no regard for anyone else, his own team included.I wouldn't want to be his friend. I probably wouldn't want to be his teammate. He doesn't play team basketball, but that's why we watch.

Kobe lover or Kobe hater, you have to admit that without Kobe who would we talk about? LeBron? Ugh. That story is overplayed and under-performing -- The Dan Marino of basketball. Derrik Rose? SNORE fest. If he had an ounce of marketability that guy would be IT. I would buy his shoes tomorrow. Dwight Howard? Those big shoulders are so inconsistent and full of talent, it makes me sick. Jeremy Lin was perfect, while he lasted. By the way, Lin is NOTHING like Tim Tebow. Ricky Rubio/Rajon Rondo? Broke jumper, no hops, great passing, and that is where it ends. Not a great story line. Kevin Durant is compelling, but he plays for OKC, and has yet to make it to the 'ship. He is also too cool and nice. Americans love controversy and blood, just like The Bachelor. 

Like every Drama, we need major roles to fill. Kobe plays the antagonist and protagonist. Not many can do that. As any audience would like from a play, we need a compelling plot, action, and summary. How much better of a story is last year's NBA champions, the Dallas Mavericks, because they swept the Lakers - the 2010 NBA champions. Or how about the comments that Kobe made about Lin and the Thunder? His hubris attitude is a challenge to these rising stars and validates them when they prove him wrong. Finally, look at him calling out LBJ for not taking the last shot in the All-Star game; it makes James look like a fool.

If we didn't have Kobe to hate or love, the NBA would be a substandard entertainment system, like the game cube.

The Grinch who stole the NBA

I've waited in anticipation for months for the NBA to be "back," and even now, I wonder if it will ever be the same. I doubt it will. With the lockout and the current antics, that commissioner David Stern is involved in, prove that the NBA is in serious peril.

Stern certainly talked the talk during the lockout. He talked real big. He made everyone believe that the players were fools, incompetent, and selfish, denying any compromise. He had us believe that Billy Hunter was self serving, and sure, he might have, but now, I am wondering if it was the other way around.

My case in point is CP3. His veto of not just the Lakers trade, but the Clippers (THE CLIPPERS! How can you not LET them try to get better? Not allowing them to trade up, is like not allowing Lindsay Lohan to go to rehab. Does he just let them trade down-- "have em trade Eric Gordon for Okur. That's cool.") is evidence that he is trying to dictate what happens in the NBA. He killed one of the most exciting free agency trades in the history of the NBA. This was a make up call for letting King James go to Miami; plain and simple. He heard the whines and moans from the owners on the James omission, and wouldn't allow it to happen again. The son of a bitch. He is so weak. I wish the NBA only had a problem with roids, then everyone would dunk over cars, not some pansy commish.

What is his problem really? He looks like he was picked last for every game ever played in the school yard. That's unfair of me though. This is more like a game of monopoly. You know the guy who plays banker, by default, he thinks he runs the show. Mostly cause he can add. But the whole time he has been slipping himself a hundo every time he rolls a seven. Shoot, he even has the light blue monopoly five rolls into the game. Then, around 11:30 pm, you conjure up a risky trade. You trade Kentucky, Indiana, and two Railroads, for the Boardwalk monopoly and some cash. The player at the other end of the trade will get all the Railroads, and has leverage to get the last red. He is in good shape. But the banker, knowing you have enough capital to build four homes on each, pipes up. He says it's not fair. Only because he is rounding the corner toward the greens and boardwalk. He actually says he will quit if the trade happens. Suddenly, no one can trade without his consent. The next roll he hits luxury tax and scoffs, "Wouldn't have got me anyways."

You of course play the remainder of the game with just your four lousy properties and lose... everyone loses, just that damn banker comes out on top. With his light blues, pinks, and utilities. No one can trade or last past 3:00 am. You go to bed with bloodshot eyes and realize how much monopoly teaches about the real world. You're not mad that it seemed like ever other time around the board people landed on Boardwalk and Park Place, you're not mad that you're just slowly bleeding out; you're mad that you were never given the chance to see what could happen. You weren't allowed to take a chance, to see if your move came to fruition. There was no choice. Just a tight wad banker.

In summation, suck an egg Stern. I hope you break the egg shell and swallow the pieces. Would CP3 garuntee a 'ship for LA? No. They gave away two of their biggest pieces to the championship teams of '09 and '10. We can only speculate. Now we're stuck with watching Miami... ugh.

The Celtics

I hate the friggin Celtics. Maybe b/c everyone in Utah is loving on them right now. But I am about ready to blow a lid.

First of all they all act like they have chips on their shoulders. Like life is so tough for them. I guarantee you'll see KG, Ray Ray, Paul Pierce, and Perkins make the pooping face, or the "someone slapped my mother" look. I failed to mention Sheed, the biggest goof of them all. What are these guys problems?

I guess Ray's mom should quit coming to the game with that rhinestone jersey and nasty face. Begging for refs to get off her boy. Umm, Flo, he is a grown man. Maybe you should grow up too. Or maybe Paul will get carted off with a wheelchair again. Don't try to re-create drama bro. Willis Reed doesn't find it cool. Then again, it would be great if Perkins got another T, then the NBA could ignore his one game suspension again. I love when officials reverse calls, real ballys.

What would take the cake is if KG punched himself again, maybe even a slap would do. Hitting other players did not draw any attention to his obscure behavior. I just had a... yeah, I did... I just had an inclination of what KG's problem is; he is a psycho.

LA in 7. It will be great series. I just hope they can smile while losing.

Jazz Fans

The Lakers have once again entered into the NBA finals. As this glorious event transpired, I realized that once again the Jazz fans will have to wait another year to get beat again. I really cannot wait for next year to be here. My goal is to be at the La game in SLC, sporting a Kobe jersey. I would love to wear that purple and gold, with a big 24 on the front, and have everyone haze me. Here is the thing though, I feel bad for Jazz fans. I do. I feel bad that they can't win. But at the same time, I want to punch every hard core jazz fan in the throat.

They are the most irrational people in the sporting world. Your typical Jazz fan is LDS and live in Utah, or they are just lds and have family in Utah. Their basketball IQ... pretty low. And for some fallacious reason, they hate the Lakers. I guess this is where I do not get it. Why? Why hate the lakers? "Its cause Kobe raped a girl...you gunna root for a rapist. And he is a ball hog. Oh, and Fisher, total jerk. He is a traitor! Plus they are like the Yankees of the NBA. Just jump on the bandwagon. Fetch man." I'll counter each of these ridiculous claims.

Kobe the Rapist. First of all, do most jazz fans understand what happened? No. Not at all. Just hear say, and that is what matters. First of all, the DA decided to prosecute him, not the victim. It was also found that she had relations with other men besides Mr. Bryant within that same week. He also admitted that he committed adultery. He went to trail... he didn't settle it out of court... and was dropping 40 on the Nuggets during the playoffs. Sounds like his guilty conscience really got to his game. If you hate Kobe, then you have to hate every person who has done that. Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamerlin, this list could go on and on, and those are just b-ball players. Oh... did I fail to quote some doctrine? Like love one another. Or it is required of us to forgive all men... if your perfect cast the first stone... how about hate the sin not the sinner. Or did most mix that last one up. Hate the sinner.

Or is it is game that you hate? Yeah, he is too good. Shoot. Might as well hate Johny Bravo and Brad Pitt.

Fisher the traitor. I am literally laughing right now. Give me a break. His daughter had a life threatening disease and the specialized hospitals were in NYC and LA. How dare he go back to a place he has already established residence. That isn't human. PALEASE! I have a name for you, KARL MALONE. The mailman quit working for the Jazz and went to LA to win a 'ship. Now, your Jazz icon went to the Lakers. Ouch. I guess he wanted to win one. Couldn't do it with the jazz. Sucks that a Tarheel was in the NBA at the same time as old Malone and Stockton. Just keep selling your cars while Jordan is selling his clothes. I guess I just lumped two arguments together. A side note, black players look better in the purple and gold.

Bandwagon jumper. I loved Kobe as soon as he left Lower Marion High in Pennsylvania. He was going to be the next MJ. He had a slow start, but I still loved his fro, spaceman boots, and silky fade away. I bet I know more about the Jazz then most Jazz fans. I guess I also like winning. Unlike rooting for a team that will never win. Get rid of J. Sloan, he ain't a winner. Get some real talent. All you have is heart and D. Will.

All in all, all of the Jazz fans arguments are lame. We have the loudest stadium...no that was Oklahoma this year. We have the most heart... yeah and you got swept... We are the best fans... and that is really helping. Get over it. You guys are competitive, but not winners. Quit being mad. Cub fans got over it. Just be happy with where you are, in the middle of the pile. Just sit back and watch a real team take it in the championship.