Since THE BIG DREWSKI, Andrew Bynum, hurt his knee on Sunday everyone west of the Atlantic Ocean has begun to talk about "it" once again and the Lakers' chances of success.
What in the heck is KOBE BRYANT going to do now? Many believe he will complain and start hogging his way to 35 points and 40 shot attempts a game if The YOUNG GUNS go on a mini-slump.
Many more believe that BRYANT won't trust center KWAME BROWN enough that he'll go away from the one part of the triangle that makes the KILLER B's tandem of Bynum and Bryant so dangerous - the pick-n-roll- and revert back to jacking up three-pointers all day.
Many, including 24-year veteran sportswriter MIKE KAHN, believe that KOBE still possesses a high level of egotistical selfishness that he'll continue to place himself above the team despite the Lakers' quiet yet convincing rise to the top of the Western Conference standings.
It seems to me that the more KOBE does, the more KOBE is hardpressed in earning the respect of the many so-called NBA fans out there, simply because of his past transgressions on and off the court.
Perhaps those same fans who hesitate in giving KOBE the much-deserved reverence are also the same fans who once questioned Michael Jordan's leadership but are now calling MJ the greatest who's ever played on that "94 x 50 hunk of wood" (to quote the legendary Chick Hearn).
Whatever Bryant does or does not do, he will never get the admiration he deserves until he wins a title as the leader of the Lakers. That's a fact.
A wise man once told me, "THE THINGS YOU DO and THE THINGS YOU DON'T DO, THEY ALL SEND A MESSAGE." Never has this statement ever applied to any NBA player as much as it has with Bryant. You either love him or hate him, there's no middle ground.
But what irks me the most is when KOBE makes great strides to show improvement in his game, personality, vocal leadership, and maturity level, yet so-called NBA experts continue to doubt him and say, "Not to worry, he'll be the same old ball-hog KOBE once his team loses a game or two in a row."
Notice I didn't say "hate." But it sure is close.
Everyone in the world respects his ability and his game. But why not respect the man?
Every year since Phil Jackson took over from Rudy Tomjanovich the Lakers have improved. Those who have watched every single Lakers game (preseason, regular season, and playoffs) can attest to this. Those who have analyzed the roster from the top down and assessed the moves Kupchak made and didn't make will all know where I'm coming from.
Like Mr. Kahn, I, too, have been a proponent of keeping this nucleus together and not parting with KOBE or BYNUM.
But unlike Kahn, I don't have reason to believe Kobe will revert back to his old ways. In fact I'm glad Kobe was what he was. Simply because when it's all said and done, his legend will tell an even greater story.
Don't get me wrong, I have doubted Kobe's leadership abilities in the past because I always believed he wasn't being vocal enough with his teammates in the same way Magic, Larry, Isiah and Michael were with theirs. But beginning last year, I started to see a change in the man. An evolution wherein I knew it would lead to greater heights for the Lakers and their young team.
And we're beginning to see them blossom right before our eyes, much to the chagrin of the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and the rest of the Western Conference including Tim Duncan and the aging San Antonio Spurs.
Despite the overall progress of the Lakers the last couple of seasons (most notably this year), "experts" like Kahn nonetheless repeat what has constantly been repeated in the past without giving it much thought. He questions the Lakers resolve, mental toughness, and will to win.
He says about THE BIG DREWSKI, "the concern is how [the knee injury] will affect the growth and confidence he has developed this season as he has begun to dominate the interior at both ends of the floor", obviously questioning whether or not Bynum has the mental strength and work ethic to overcome adversity and indirectly implies that Bynum may wilt under pressure when it's time to return to the floor because he may be tentative with his left knee.
What I've got to say is this: Andrew Bynum is no chump. First of all, he's no Shaq because he's hungry enough to want to be in shape and physically capable enough to want to dominate. Secondly, take a look at his statistics and one will see that he has vastly improved every year he's been in the league and that speaks volumes. Thirdly, he is being taught, mentored, tutored, coached, guided, and led by the greatest big man ever to play the game in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 'Nuff said.
I have every bit of confidence in the world that Andrew will come back stronger than ever and the Lakers will be even better. But I don't blame people for doubting them because when you're a great franchise, it all comes with the territory just like the New York Yankees and now the New England Patriots. And also because in years' past the Lakers have given critics and skeptics every reason to doubt. Go ahead and favor the Phoenixs and Dallases of the world, teams who don't win titles. It's all good, because after all The Young Guns will need a little competition.
The bottom line is this: No other franchise in the history of the NBA gets to the FINALS as consistently as the Lakers do EVERY DECADE.
The reason? Because Jerry Buss and the Lakers front office know exactly what it takes to reach and triumph at that level.
Besides San Antonio and maybe Detroit, the rest of the NBA are just a bunch of pretenders who make the sport a fun game to watch.
Now getting back to KOBE...
The fact of the matter is... KOBE has begun to mature and that alone is lifting himself to the next level. Obviously, it has already rubbed off on the rest of the team (Bynum for one) and we are seeing the evolution of THE YOUNG GUNS, much like we saw in Chicago during the late eighties with Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, Bill Cartwright and co. after they got sick of losing to the Bostons and Detroits of the world.
Bryant is such a winner that two years ago, he HAD TO average 35 because he did it for the team in order for them to stay competitive. He realized (and so did Phil) that he had to take on that role because no one else could step up. No one else was ready so KOBE took over in Jordan-like fashion. If Kobe doesn't score that much then the team doesn't even make the playoffs, and how bad would that look for the city of L.A.?
And between 2000-2004, KOBE could have averaged 30+ if he wanted to, but SHAQ was the number one option so he understood that and kept the peace for the betterment of the team. It was Shaq who couldn't deal with KOBE's ascension to legendary status.
Why else did the INSECURE O'Neal keep saying, "The offense needs to go through me" or "I need touches" if it wasn't for his jealousy of Bryant's impending stardom?
Shaq basically knew that KOBE would potentially threaten his position as the leader of the Lakers. Shaq couldn't deal with it. Period. It wasn't Kobe because if it was, Shaq would still be here. And when O'Neal screamed at Buss to pay him, the final string was drawn. It is my hunch that Shaq took his final year with the Lakers for granted and that's why he didn't get in shape.
All the while, Kobe played within the confines of the system and held back in order for the team to be ultra successful while still being able to take over games when the situation called for it.
Yes, Kobe had his share of moments when he tried to do too much by himself during certain stretches of games. But he was also in his early twenties and he still had a lot to learn about the nuances of the game.
Nevertheless, he played his cards right. If he didn't, I guarantee the Lakers don't win three titles.
Fast forward to the present day...
Kobe bashes Bynum and since then the team has responded and is now first place in the WESTERN CONFERENCE.
The Lakers have defeated Phoenix twice, Utah twice, Denver twice, Detroit, San Antonio, Houston, New Orleans, and Golden State.
The team is responding to Bryant's leadership and tonight's OT win against Seattle was another perfect display of how far Bryant has come along.
Did you see all his teammates give him a hug after the game? Did you see how his teammates supported Bryant by playing hard the entire game, after seeing the total effort Bryant gave to his team the previous two games while being sick?
Like many people say, only time will tell. But I'll bet my BMW that Kobe has indeed evolved and does trust his troops. He'll go to battle with them and die for them, because he's already done so.
And Mr. Kahn... if Kobe, who has three rings, is not a championship caliber leader, then why don't you tell me who is.
Well, it's like the start of the year again and the Lakers are starting Kwame @ center. I would be worry if the Lakers weren't so deep, but they are. Same team from last year, but we got Fisher, so what's the problem...LOL...Turiaf as a back up center will do fine just as he did for Bynum. Ariza, Farmar are still coming off the bench and doing well. Crittenton our 3rd stringer is doing well for a rookie in replacement of Sasha. Just need Radmonvic and we are 10 deep again. If we play like the Suns we only need to play 8 right... Lakers will be fine, if Walton plays like last year then we'll win our games and if he doesn't we have Ariza. Lakers have 4 tuff games coming up, with or without Bynum would be tough, let see how they play. Odom, Fisher and Bryant is you three top scorers until Bynum comes back. So lets see how they play, as far as Kobe, he's a champion, weather you like it or not. He will do what it takes to win, even if people critize him
pumpdude thats pretty dumb to say when kobe had to shoot his team back in it because every one else was cold check every ones stats...Kobe took over like all great players do whent the time comes
I turned the game off in the third quarter. 21 of 44 is bad basketball. We can't win that way its been proven. If he's going to shoot that much I will not watch any games until Bynum comes back. I'm a Kobe fan but does he have to shoot that much. It's not exiting anymore, its just bad basketball. KobeB24 you know as well as the rest of us that we can't win many games that way. I would rather we lost the game but had 5 people with double digets.
LOL...so now it's just "the bottom line" never mind all those %'s and statistics that you throw out every time you bring up the Suns. Pick which way you want it to be dude.
Oh yea...thanks for that mental picture of you in a speedo. Throw some flippers and goggles on and Erkel will be jealous....hahahahahahaha
Man I really wanted to read this blog but this #### yellow hilite #### is garbage. I love that the lakers play four playoff teams shorthanded, because at worse this as absolutely tough as it get, at best they come out with so much confidence and everyone who talks all this mad #### will have to eat there words. Keep in mind haters that no team in the NBA would likely go through the next four games on the lakers schedule without a loss, so add to it lshow has won its last 7 the lakers can afford a loss to top teams here and there but I hope not. I figure wins over Denver and Phoenix should be no problem. Dallas and SA will be tough but possible.
Jdizz I love your loyaty but Kobe knows he cant be chucking up shots like that, it haults progress, the problem wasnt all the shots he took late it was all the shots he was taken early, you cant expect people to make shots if they dont get involved early. I think Kobe knows and I am sure PJ will have a game plan. Still, I would rather have Kobe take forty shots than Lamar to take one shot per game from beyond ten feet, he passes well, defends well, drives well, but his outside shot has to be the ugliest I have ever seen.
Last edited by stopbeingdumb on January 15th at 4:56 PM.
STOPBEINGDUMB: Oh trust me.. Kobe knows what's up. And so do his teammates. The Lakers will hover around 17-10 in the games that Bynum will miss, Kobe will get his 30+, Lamar will get his 15 and 9, but the key will be TREVOR ARIZA and his defense and RONNY TURIAF and his energy.
FARMAR will get 12 a game and so will Derek Fisher. And Chris Webber will give us the 13 points that Bynum gave us, although there will be a slight drop-off on the defensive end.
Nevertheless, we'll be in excellent shape... probably #2 or #3 in the West when THE BIG DREWSKI returns.
People will think that the LAKERS will fall to seventh or eighth but they don't realize that the rest of the league is that much tougher this year, thus also making it difficult for other teams to keep winning like they did last year.
There are seven teams in the WEST that are ALL ON PACE TO WIN 50 GAMES. Go figure. This is the perfect opportunity for the LAKERS to not only prove to the world, but prove to themselves, that they BELONG.
PUMPDUDE: "so now it's just "the bottom line" never mind all those %'s and statistics that you throw out every time you bring up the Suns. Pick which way you want it to be dude."
Why should I pick one when I can use both against you?
See, that's the problem with you SUNS fans. You mirror your team and its concepts.
You guys would much rather pick one way of "being" (in the case of the SUNS, they only pick one style of basketball - All O and NO D).
For this same exact reason, you'll never make it over the top.
Allow me to give you some wisdom from the LEGENDARY BRUCE LEE.
Bruce once said, "Man - he is constantly growing and when he is bound by a set pattern of ideas or way of doing things, that's when he stops growing."
I'd rather grow and use different forms of ammunition rather than stick to one style.
You get in a street fight, what do you do if your form of fighting can't counter someone else's? Would you know how to adjust?
Can the Suns make the adjustments against tough defensive teams knowing they are undersized?
Ahhh Sensei, you are very wise indeed. The great Laker teams that actually WON titles were also characterized by a set pattern of doing things.
The Lakers franchise has NEVER won the Title without the dominance of a bona-fide Big man. It is Kobe that Legendary Bruce Lee beckons... "Young man, you must adjust your tactics and pass the ball!"
Can Kobe make these adjustments against strong teams and distribute the ball knowing he is a bona-fide ballhog?
CAMIKE: Young Padawan, the eighties you surely did not watch.
What made the Great LAKER TEAMS/DYNASTIES was their ability to adjust on the fly. Yes, Showtime was known for their fast breaks, but if you recall the Magic-led Lakers were able to play a physical, defensive style when needed (see Finals vs. Detroit).
Why was this run-n-gunnin team successful? Because of guys like Michael Cooper, James Worthy, Kurt Rambis, Mychal Thompson, and A.C. Green. ALL of these players were known to have pride in their defensive effort every night, something the SUNS sorely lack. In fact, Thompson was talking about this in his pregame show last night. Pat Riley is a legend not because of his implementation of Showtime, but because of his reliance on defense, hard-core practices, conditioning, and his ability to get his team to change the pace.
As far Kobe is concerned, he has shown significant improvement this year in his ability to trust his teammates, share the ball, and be more of a vocal leader. With the emergence of Bynum, he has looked even better.
Kobe will eventually learn to be a great leader in all aspects of the game. He isn't there yet, but he's going to get there sooner or later. That I know for sure. Those who keep doubting him don't know that KOBE lusts for challenges just like MJ did.
On the other hand, excellent prediction on the Suns win.
Last edited by J-DIZZLE on January 18th at 7:23 PM.
Kobe is one of my favorite players. I don't always like his tantrums but I wonder what people want out of him since Bynum went down. No one has stepped up to fill his shoes. Odom has gotten worse since Bynum went down.
Since Ariza went down Walton has gotten worse.
Fisher is not making the shots he had when defenders had to stay home on Bynum because if they didn't Kobe would alley oop to Bynum and when they did stay home on him Fisher had all day to shoot the shot. Now they're in his face because nobody is going to worry about Brown beating you.
The starting Laker frontcourt of Odom, Brown and Walton is the problem, not Bryant.
The Trailblazers are too young and will falter down the stretch this year. Utah is Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hyde. Denver is Denver. Waiting for the yearly traditional Marcus Camby injury to derail that party,
Suns will count on Hill and Marion with Hill limping from overuse if he gets back to early season form at all and Marion hasn't showed up in a playoff series against top seeds in his career.
Hornets are holding their breath about injury because everyone else has had problems and they are thin. Any of their starters go down they don't get out of the first round. Second round if they don't. Next year for the Hornets I'd say.
Spurs will be ready by playoffs as they always are but it won't be enough if Mavs get Kidd.
Bynum hurt the Lakers badly but if he comes back for playoffs in condition and in time to get his timing back, the Lakers could beat anyone in the West in 7 game series other than Mavs w Kidd and maybe the Spurs if
Last edited by RafterRat on January 30th at 7:43 PM.
the old vets can get strapped in one more time for the playoffs. I'd say this is the Spurs last window of opportunity before having to jettison that crowd of Golden Boys.
UC IRVINE graduate and proud to be an ANTEATER. My claim to fame is having played against the likes of Tayshaun and Tommie Prince, Jacque Vaughn, and Charles O'Bannon, plus getting dunked on by Schea Cotton in a CIF second round match in the nineties.
WIDELY KNOWN on FOX as one of the most biased LAKER HOMERS in blog history, highly criticized for hating on the PHOENIX SUNS fan base, and has been told on more than one occasion that LAMAR ODOM isn't worth the suit he's wearing.
Believe that "excellence is not an act but a habit."
Believe that the things you do and the things you don't do, they all send a message.
Believe that in order to know the world one must first know thyself.
And believe that it's the journey not the destination.
Finally, as the great Bruce Lee once said, "Man - he is constantly growing and when he is bound by a set pattern of ideas or way of doing things, that's when he stops growing."
This is the Way of the Dragon. Embrace it.
