Payback sure is a b!*#* When spoiler Sacramento was up 71-60 over the Lakers at halftime, I turned off the television. I knew right away the purple-and-gold did not come ready to play.
The Lakers were scoreboard watching. They saw that San Antonio had lost to Phoenix earlier in the day and they relaxed. Above all, they thought the Kings would fold flat like a lawnchair and instead it was Los Angeles who folded. Just like a lost poker hand.
The symptoms of the old Los Angeles Lakers began to show up in the third quarter. The old tentative Kobe was on display tonight and it was not pretty.
And believe me, I know exactly what Kobe Bryant was thinking and his play tonight sure wasn't indicative of how an MVP player should perform and lead his team to victory.
He scored 20 points in the first half as he attacked aggresively through the Kings defense yet his team was down big. So what did Pinkie Bryant do? He deferred to his teammates in the second half and it hurt the team immensely. I'm pretty darn sure that's what was going through his mind in the locker room at halftime. He felt he needed to stop shooting so much and get his teammates involved and he paid a huge price. He let his team down.
His serious lack of aggressiveness on both sides of the ball led him to become cold in the fourth quarter and because he stopped shooting he didn't have that same killer instinct that we have grown to become accustomed to all season. In the last three minutes of the game Bryant missed an easy driving layup and missed a critical free throw, which consequently decided the outcome of the game.
And the last shot of the game in which he was falling away 22 feet from the basket? That was a result of Bryant's poor judgment and court vision. With 4.6 seconds left, he got the ball at the top of the key, drove to the right, directly into a double-team with Mikki Moore waiting on the wing. Bryant chucked it with the 6-11 Moore flying right at him causing him to fade away from the target and his shot fell short.
Wanna know what Lebron James would have done? The King would have driven left away from the double team and James would have either dunked the ball or gotten to the foul line. James said it himself recently that when time is running out, it almost seems as if everything is in slow motion and he takes his time and looks for the best way to score or find an easier shot for his teammates. That's the mentality of an MVP-type player.
Not to say that Kobe doesn't have it because he does. In fact, Kobe is a better closer and defender than Lebron. But Bryant still has a lot of growing up to do because sometimes he gets away from what he really needs to do, much like James on occasion. The point is that we still aren't able to expect Kobe and Lebron to lead their respective teams on a nightly basis the same way Michael Jordan did for his Bulls time and time again. Michael was an immense threat every single minute on the floor, much to the dismay of his opponents and that in itself broke his adversaries down mentally before they even stepped on the court with him. The psychological advantage that Jordan had over his oppponents is what separated him from the rest of the league. Teams knew when Jordan had that 'look' in his eyes, it was all over. Magic had the same quality. So did Larry Legend and Isiah Thomas. They did whatever it took to win a game. And accomplished it with intelligence and court savvy, not just on sheer talent and will. The legends of the game knew how to mend it all together to form the most complete basketball weapon. Kobe is on his way, but he isn't there yet.
Bryant the MVP? Maybe that's the popular vote but I am not that impressed yet, especially after tonight's contest. This was one Bryant surely would want to take back 10 times out of 10.
Instead of deferring his offense, what Kobe should have done was increase his intensity on defense to set the tone for the rest of his team. Because in the second half, the Lakers defense did not improve any better than the first half. They led 113-112 with about 15 seconds left and after the Kings called a timeout to set up a play, Beno Udrih and Brad Miller broke down the Lakers mediocre defense with a simple back screen cut that got Derek Fisher lost and caused a foul by Sasha Vujacic.
Every time the Lakers made a mini run in the third and fourth quarters, the Kings would come right back and run their predictable pick-n-pop with Brad Miller, who'd easily find a cutter or two leading to layups and dunks by guys like Udrih, Moore, and Francisco Garcia. The Lakers played so poor defensively that it overshadowd another excellent effort by PauGasol and Lamar Odom.
Now if I'm the MVP of planet earth, I would have guarded the Kings' best playmaker and Kobe was nowhere to be found near Udrih in the Lakers' final defensive stand. Where were you Mamba? Where was that leader in you we all thought you had become?
Now I'm sure this is just a temporary setback and the Lakers will once again be true to form in their upcoming games, but this loss will be tough to sw@llow for Lakers fans simply because there is absolutely no reason why L.A. should have given this game away. And it was the way they lost that is so discouraging. At least the Spurs lost to the Suns playing their style of ball. There was nothing positive whatsoever that the Lakers could have taken from this game.
But this is all part of the growing process for Bryant and I'm sure that after he watches the tape, he will realize how he was solely responsible for losing this one for the team. MagicJohnson and Larry Bird never would have let this happen. And we all know how MichaelJordan would have never allowed his teammates to relax one bit. Not at home in front of a raucous crowd. Not with first place in the west and home court advantage on the line.
Kobe has been a vocal leader all year long but throughout tonight's game his lips were as sealed as a cd case straight out of the factory.
If the Lakers want to stake their claim as the best team in the league bar none, Kobe has to play with a sense of urgency. It starts with Bryant because ultimately his teammates will follow his lead. They tried to do that tonight but unfortunately, Bryant wasn't there to lead. For once, he became a follower.
It's time for Phil Jackson to use the force and work his zen magic on his young padawan because by the looks of their recent performances, I'm beginning to think maybe Pinkie Bryant and the Young Guns haven't meditated in a while.
Wow, Hard on the Kobester huh? Maybe it made sense that he didn't Jack up twenty shots in the second half and they still almost won vs. a hyped up Sacto franchise. Maybe they are getting ready for the Big games they must play vs. Toronto, N.O., Houston, Dallas and Utah! They also played Sacto earlier this week in a very chippy game and won at Sacto. Sacto played hard and eeeked out a victory. Go back to last Sunday and then start writing a non-hating post. This stretch is Big for the Lakers. King James lost to the Bulls this week after lighting them up last Sunday and didn't even get a chance for a last shot because they were getting smoked. Don't read too much into one game...kinda like hangin' 50 on the Knicks!
I read your post though, and I have a few things I agree with/disagree with. First, nice post - I appreciate the analysis of the tone of the game.
I think it's foolish to call him Pinky Bryant. I'm not sure if it's in jest or if it's like an excuse for him to miss shots. It seems like when Kobe drops 50 he's just so brave playing through his pinky and then on nights where he misses some clutch shots it's his pinky's fault. Guys play hurt/tired in the NBA all the time. That leads me to my second point. If Kobe Bryant wants to win the MVP, he needs to play with a sense of urgency. If Kobe wants to win a championship, I don't think that is the case RIGHT NOW. The Lakers have one of the best records in the league and the most important thing for them to compete for a title is to be healthy and have good team defense heading into the playoffs. They have enough offensive weapons that's not going to be a problem. Even when Kobe drops under 30 these days his team scores in the triple digits easy. But giving up 114 on your home court is not going to get it done in the playoffs. Kobe shouldn't be pressing on offense - that shatters teammates confidence when he just takes over and they stand around. He will have his time in the playoffs to be the hero, right now he has to make sure everyone (himself included) is playing defense.
Many people would disagree with me, but I don't think it's any surprise that the last few dynasties have all played great defense and had at least 2 juggernauts on offense (swingman/center). LA's got the formula,
What did Kobe get a technical for? Why can't he control himself with officials? His FT attempts have skyrocketed recently and yet it seems he's still getting Teed up all the time.
Overall though, I see you actually watched the game, and I do agree the Laker defense is suspect at times and this is a well written post. But it is only one game, and those "other guys" haven't really been stepping it up lately. Actually, like you alluded to but not really, I think Kobe should have been looking for the pass in the post to Gasol to finish them off much like he did the entire second half. They should have won without Kobe scoring anything in the second half and this game should be a wake up call for this next stretch of games. They just won 3 str8 after winning ten and losing one in between! I do think the Lakers need a enforcer. I am not sure why Mbenga isn't getting his 4 fouls in?
Last edited by deucethediesel on March 9th at 10:42 PM.
Uh Deuce - the more you dumb laker fans turn LeBron's 50 point near triple double game against the Knicks into a statement about how LeBron sucks...the more you look foolish given Kobe Bryant's 81 point game is the defining moment of his career and he did it against the 2005 TORONTO RAPTORS - possibly the worst defensive team of this decade. Now I'm not going out of my way to belittle 81 points because quite frankly 81 points against mannequins is impressive, but I'm not nearly as impressed with an 81 point outburst against a sorry team with a horrible defense than I am scoring 25 of your team's last 26 in a hostile environment against one of the best defenses in the NBA in the eastern conference finals.
Never said Lebrons 50 and near triple double wasn't worth nothing, I don't remember ever saying Kobe's 81 was the defining moment of his career in my response either. Just that the 50 vs. the knicks is only one game and it isn't a defining moment quite yet. Great, but at this point in the season with a Knicks team playing bench players and in disarray, and Cleveland supposedly on the rise, and as great as Lebron is anyway, why is he even in a game like that with the Knicks? Also, much like Shaq, I'd expect someone that huge and powerful and quick to do that alomost nightly! And yes, Kobe's 81 was worthless overall, but he has scored 50 um how many times...nuff said jack---...and I wasn't even talkin' trash! Sounds like you are a Hater Tsunami! Geez!
Also, no one really remembers LBJ and his 25 or 29 I think it was, out of his teams last thirty. I think they remember the 3 rings (yes with the Shaq daddy) and the BS in CO and the clutchness he has displayed time and time again. LBJ's time is near AND HERE, and hopefully their are many more battles looming. But Kobe's Jumper is so pretty when is his on! Quit hatin!
TSUNAMI: I coined that nickname for Bryant weeks ago, simply because he was tearing it up with a bum pinkie.
Many might miscontrue it on this post as a knock on Bryant because the Lakers lost. It was not meant to imply in a sarcastic manner that LA lost because Kobe has an injured finger.
Yeah, actual fans like you and me. But I also remember Shaq missing Free throws, hacking people and fouling the #### out of fools and not getting called. I also remember him fouling out of games and calling out teammates for missing 3 pointers when he can't even attempt an elbow jumpshot. Trust ME, the chicks remember Kobe and his smile and his pretty jumper and Jordanesque qualities. Just look at the T.V. ratings last year and tell me who watched LBJ vs. Detroit. You and ME!...and maybe J-Dizzle...
Last edited by deucethediesel on March 9th at 11:08 PM.
DEUCE: "Maybe it made sense that he didn't Jack up twenty shots in the second half and they still almost won vs. a hyped up Sacto franchise"
I don't think you see my point. The first game against the Kings was the exact same game as tonight's contest. Sacto got out in front early on Sunday and lost the game because of Bryant's unrelenting leadership and late-game heroics. Because of Kobe's play that night, Pau and the rest of the gang buckled down on defense and outscored the Kings 36-18 in the fourth quarter.
And you already know what happened tonight. Kobe let his team down because he failed to lead. That's the bottom line.
And trust me, the last thing I do is hate on my own squad. I am one of the biggest Laker fans on this blog. Two years running. Check out my archives and you'll get to taste the flavor.
This late in the season, LA has to play with urgency. Because they are young and have a lot to prove, they need to stamp their identity right now when other teams like San Antonio, Boston, and Detroit are looking to peak. KOBE is solely responsible for that as the MVP, which is my other bottom line.
I feel ya. It was very similar but they didn't quite turn it on. That is good and bad ya know? I do totally agree with the young thing you just said, so i am thinking like I alluded to somewhere that a couple of losses are good considering they've been riding Kobe and Pau and Lamar for a while now and getting complacent. I really think the Kobester thought they would cruise to victory. The real tests are this next week, and hopefully they will be focused. I will check you out when I have more time.
Last edited by deucethediesel on March 9th at 11:13 PM.
you knew this was coming laker fan. admit it you are over-achievers it's only a matter of time before you come back to the big disappointment ways you are used to. Lakers 1-4 the next 5 games.
JJACOVO: "it's only a matter of time before you come back to the big disappointment ways you are used to."
Isn't it the Lakers who have won three titles this decade and appeared in the playoffs every year but one?
Isn't it the Lakers who have 14, count 'em, fourteen championship banners hanging in the rafters?
I think you must be talking about the Suns, the biggest underachievers of them all.
And by the way, the Lakers are not overachievers.
Winning titles... it's tradition around here buddy.
Case in point. Jerry Buss has 14 Finals appearances (nine titles) in 29 years as the owner of the Lakers. Almost half the time he has taken his team to the mountaintop. No other owner in PROFESSIONAL SPORTS can boast of such championship excellence and commitment to winning. Period.
This is the 2nd game in the span of about 2 weeks that Kobe lost for the Lakers. (Portland) And it was almost 3 had they not pulled out the first game against Sacramento. MVP
That's why they call it MOST VALUABLE PINKIE around here in LA.
As far as the Most Valuable Player, I'm sure Kobe doesn't give a damn about that award. What he goes after are rings.
I remember when...
- Karl Malone won the MVP although the whole planet knew Jordan was the MVP and Jordan ended up with the hardware.
- David Robinson won the MVP although clearly it was Hakeem Olajuwon and the Rockets went on to embarrass the Admiral and the Spurs on their way to a championship.
- Steve Nash won the MVP although clearly it was Tim Duncan and the Spurs went on to capture the crown by beating Detroit in 2005.
- Dirk Nowitzki won the MVP although clearly it was Tim Duncan once again and Dirk couldn't even get past the first round while Duncan won another ring.
So on and so forth...
Last edited by J-DIZZLE on March 10th at 12:00 AM.
The Lakers lost! Teams lose. Sacramento always plays L.A tough. They'll be OK. The Spurs lost to the Sonics. L.A lost to Cleveland also. Sometimes great teams lose to mediocre teams. It happens. Dont give fuel to the haters.
Trust me, Michael Jordan lost too. He wasnt always able to close a game.
Kobe lost the game? He is part of a team that can't consistently defend. I've been saying that is the main issue with the Lakers for the last few weeks, LAKERS MUST ELEVATE THEIR DEFENSE!
In a 1-point loss everything can be singled out, unnecessary technicals, missed free throws, unclutch jumpers, whatever - misses the point.
Yes, teams lose. Championship-level TEAMs don't lose games like this at home. BECAUSE THEY PLAY DEFENSE.
Fans are quick to say, "It's just one game". Problem with the Lakers is that's not true.
Kings shot 62.5% fg in the 4th. Tough night to be a Laker fan!
Last edited by nba is the worst on March 10th at 4:21 AM.
Pretty sure someone already told you this Tsunami but, what about when Kobe had over 50 in 5 games in a row. The bigger accomplishment was outscoring the entire Mavericks team in 3 quarters... a team at that time was considerred one of the elite defensive teams. Also doing it in Kobes body is alot different than doing it in Wilts body/strength, way different when a post player goes for huge numbers but when you can go for 80 from the perimiter I don't think there is a doubt about your range.
Whatever all you Kobe haters. He's still the best player in the League. Cry all you want. Come playoff time He will be there. And he will be MVP...So go ahead and vent now...Bunch of losers,lol.
I'm sorry but kobe is a human being and there are some nights where he can't win it for them like there are some nights where lebron just can't win it for the Cavs.
I'm not mad at kobe, he won the last 2 Dallas and Sac games for his team it was time for them to step up because in the playoffs everything is magnified by 10 and they need to learn how to get up for teams they know they can win against.
I think they needed this loss to show them that they can't relax not until that golden trophy is in their hands. Each and every team from now on, no matter the record, is the enemy and they should take them out with no mercy.
I know they'll learn from this game and continue on the march for victory.
Everyone knows J-Dizz is the biggest and truest Laker fan (and homer) on the site, yet you #### Kobe leg humpers actually are gonna come in and call him a Kobe hater?
You're talking about the worst defensive team. The Knicks are 28th in the league in opp fg%. Now if you want to compare apples to apples, then you can say they both are professional teams but please don't come up with LBJ and 50 against the Knicks as something spectacular.......Highest ranking the Knicks have is 19 in the league in TO per game......rest is higher. NO DEFENSE KNICKS!
Easy, on the Kobester!!! He is the MVP, the lakers' record speak for itself, as for Lebron, he is playing out of this world, but, is it too late for him to peak and not his teamates? we shall see,
Michael Jordan did not ever lose a title, leave it at that, he still the best ever!!! my favorite player of all time was magic, he made you smile while he crushed his opponents, anyhow, "pinkie bryant" as you call him, had a day off, don't worrie, Kobe and Phil, know what it takes to win, right now, both are having meeting of the minds, to have another run, better yet, Jdiffled, you should call Bryant and Jackson, "pinkie and the brain" ready to rule the NBA world.
Nonsense Dizzle. Utter nonsense. KB is supposed to carry them every quarter of every game? What about your boy Lamar? When oh when is he going to step up when everyone else is lacking for a game and be a big shot? Never is when.
One thing about this Laker team I notice is that they've got it going offensively, not too many teams can handle them when they've got it going. Defensively, its almost as if they play down to their competition and come playoffs thats going to come back and hurt them if they dont address it.
I've been saying since the first half,they've got to be more focused on defense. One of the most important aspects of PJ's championship teams was that they always played outstanding defense. Our current Lakers seem to only play it aggressively when they need to play from behind. Although, I really want to see my Lakers win it all, to me this separates them from those teams. They dont have that as their identity yet. Right now they're just a really talented team that has a lot of offensive weapons, and the best player in the game. But that doesnt matter much if they dont use them in the best way for them to win.
I still think the Lakers need another year to get that defensive metality. Hopefully a deep playoff run will instill in the guys the need to play D for the entire game. Althouth they're at the top of the west with the Spurs, I still think LA is too young and inexperienced. You can see the signs of an emerging great team though. They're on the verge of being great, but they've got to buckle down on defense. Losing to lesser teams the way they did is inexcusable.
DARKLARK: I am happy you get the point to this article. Like you said, this is another lesson learned for the maturing Bryant and if the Lakers are serious about a run for the title this year, then they need to wake up and smell the you-know-what.
SARCASMALERT/GR8UN54/ROOSTER: "Kobe only picked up his 13th technical... trying to motivate his teammates."
Only coaches pick up technicals to motivate the team. The right way to motivate your teammates if you're the leader is to step up in the area of the game where you're team is struggling and in the case of Sunday night's game, that would've been the defensive end.
MVP's also play like the defensive player of the year, and Kobe should've set the tone in order to swing momentum by being all over Udrih in the second half. Udrih was picking apart LA's defense like Stockton used to do and if Kobe would've figured that out, the Lakers would've stopped Sacramento's lay-up line and prevented Udrih from leading his team. That's how you play CLUTCH.
Last edited by J-DIZZLE on March 11th at 12:42 PM.
HEXSTERLAKER4LIFE: I appreciate your optimism but in today's competitive Western Conference landscape there is no time for days off.
Michael never took a day off and neither did guys like Magic and Bird. When these great legends had off nights on the offensive end, they still led their team to victory because they stepped up another part of their game that ultimately helped their team. That's the mark of a true leader. Kobe's not completely there yet.
DUSTY: Yes, Kobe is supposed to carry them every quarter of every game because he is their SOLE leader. If he can't do it on the offensive end, he's supposed to do it on the defensive end.
If he's in foul trouble and can't get on the floor, he's supposed to be vocal from the bench and act like a coach. That's what MVPs do my friend, carry a team on his back regardless of the situation.
And as far as my boy LAMAR, he has stepped up in every way a third option can step up. He's averaging 15 and 12 since Gasol's arrival and that's more than we can ask for. We, as well as the entire Laker organization, all know that LO will not step up to take the big shot at the end of games. Therefore, Kobe has to realize that and WILL his team to victory.
My point of the whole article is that if KOBE played like he's capable he would've stepped it up on defense and guarded Udrih the way he guarded Barbosa this summer so that Sacramento would not have generated the confidence to beat us in the second half.
Kobe should've stopped the Kings' best player on Sunday night but he failed to recognize that. Had he come out in the second half and locked down defensively, I guarantee he would've ignited his teammates. Period.
I understand the concern. I try to look at it a little more positive. I know that the Lakers let this one go. There are also 18 other games that they should have won. I have faith in the Lakers coaching staff and the leaders to make the necessary adjustments and we'll go from there.
By the way. Whats up with "Pinkie Bryant" as if having a broken finger and a torn ligament on your shooting hand is humorous for a basketball player. I want to know because when I used to box I had a similar injury and its not humorous at all.
NBA is the worst.
Show me one "Championship team" that has never lost at home. Lebron for the first 4 years of his career would have passed it to somebody to brick. And even though he is becoming a better clutch player he might have drove, or drew a foul, and at 71% he would have had a very good chance at missing one or both freethrows. As if Lebron is a career clutch performer. How easy we forget.
As for "Lakersfan"1911
Wheres the comments about your team? Why arent you up here giving us your opinion on what the Lakers need to do to get back into form. Enlighten us with your vast knowledge on Lakers basketball instead of making drive-by anti-kobe comments which has become your M.O.
TCBDOG: As I explained to TSUNAMI, I coined the nickname "PINKIE BRYANT" several weeks ago as a tribute to KOBE since he was tearing it up with a bum pinkie.
It wasn't at all intended to knock him or bring sarcastic humor to his injury. It only came out that way because of the tone of this article.
Indeed, Kobe is "Pinkie" because his finger is seemingly making him play like an MVP the last few months.
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.
