The dazed, confused, and overweight spectacle that is Shaquille O'Neal was hoping to revive his sordid and rundown rapping career by mocking Kobe Bryant, the Lakers, Patrick Ewing, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during his freestyle performance at a NYC nightclub this past weekend, adding another chapter to the ultra-famous Kobe-Shaq feud of yesteryear.
For Shaquille, this was great for entertainment. It was even more impressive for attention. For bloggers, this is grand.
Strikingly reminiscent of Tupac Shakur's Hit 'Em Up, wherein the late poetical lyricist trashed his ultimate rival Biggie Smallz, Diddy, and the rest of his east coast counterparts, O'Neal is becoming more g-h-e-t-t-o fabulous by the minute. Some will call it gangsta. I call it a desperation act.
So today, after having lunch with Mamba, I asked him if he was going to let this slip by the wayside. I asked him if he was going to allow O'Neal to mock him and Kareem just like that. Kobe was hesitant, reiterating how much this is being blown out of proportion.
Plus, "I'm not a rapper," he said. "I do real music. I play instruments. All Shaq does is recite poems."
So I told Kobe, "Here brother, have another drink."
Thirty minutes later, we arrived at my music studio. An hour after that, we drank "20 shots" just as Kobe had wanted. And 15 minutes after that, I put on an instrumental version of Hit 'Em Up.
"Remember when 2Pac did this?" I asked Mamba.
"Yeah," he replied. "This was the s-h-!-t back in the day "
"It's your turn now," I said resoundingly. "You're the MVP. Don't ever let a chump talk to you like you're his b-!-t-c-h."
At that point, it seemed as if I had ignited a fire under Kobe. He had this look of ferocity I had never seen before. Not even in the NBA Finals did Kobe look this vicious and intense.
"Okay, one more shot," Kobe demanded.
Here are the unedited lyrics that Bryant fired off. While he was on the mic, I was busy throwing elbows and roundhouses at the life-size picture of Shaq in a Suns uniform which I pinned on the punching bag inside my garage.
Enjoy, and tell 'em all what it tastes like.
I get off when I want
so I tell you how it be
you can't even stay wit a woman
let alone be like me
you're all about the cash
can't win without Flash
callin' me a clown and a joke
ha ha ha
wannabe Tone Loc
Big Bustin' wit Steel
never get anotha movie deal
Big Floppin' wit Kazaam
took the money like thank you ma'am
Blue Chips was weak
yo' future is bleak
hopeless and miserable
better go fix yo' knee
you ain't even top ten
yet you mock Pat and Cap
talk smack, spit c-r-a-p
20 kids on yo' lap
divorced wit no woman
and u still can't rap
Your badge just got copped
like Shaunie got popped
Train her with a trainer
She'd leave you for Desagana Diop
so if it sounds like s-h-!-t
then you know he ain't legit
like against the Spurs
when Fatburger quit
Get outrebounded by Oberto
got stats like Mihm
get outhustled by Kurt Thomas
No longer grabbin' rim
HOOK
so I tell you how it be
Shaq got exiled from Miami
so I tell you how it be
you got dumped by Pat Riley
let me tell you how it be
Shaq gotta hate on me
to get on tv
and rap fo' free
End HOOK
Spit at me
I spit at you
Pretendin' to be cool
Yet you the fool
can't jump
can't move
can't shoot a lick
better inbound tha rock
before you put up anotha brick
I'll give you a mil
to pay off the rest
cuz you need it dawg
your broke with no bulletproof vest
yo' time is up
you tastin' last place
I get off whenever I want
now tell me how my nut tastes!
Repeat HOOK 2x to fade
Afterwards as Kobe got in his Aston Martin, he talked about how he couldn't wait to face the Suns next year.
In fact, he promised to dunk over O'Neal as well as give Andrew Bynum plenty of opportunities and shot attempts to humiliate the Big Hater. And once Bryant gets that one perfect opening in the middle of the lane to throw one down on the sumo wrestler, he's literally going to make him taste his ####. It'll be the hottest selling poster ever made.
It's obvious FATBURGER hasn't gotten over it. No matter how much he says it was all in fun, it's clear that BURGER KING continues to harbor ill feelings towards Kobe and the Lakers organization.
He never liked PATRICK EWING so he trashed him. He was never fond of KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR so he put him down too. Jabbar, who was trained by BRUCE LEE, told me THE BIG YOSHINOYA wouldn't dare say it to his face unless he wanted to get a beatdown.
No matter how sarcastic HOMETOWN BUFFET sounded when he rapped the night away in New York the other night, best believe he meant most of what he said. I don't believe it when SHACK-IN-THE-BOX mentions that he and Kobe are all good. NACHO BELL GRANDE isa hater by nature. Just like a lot of bloggers who can't stand it that the LAKERS are back on top. Get off our nuts.
So it's on once again. The KOBE HATERS are out in full force. So THELAKERS EMPIRE must strike back.
For your enjoyment I will re-release a blog called A Xmas Poem for Shaq which I wrote in December 2006, when we all knew PANDA EXPRESS was all but done.
Tell me what it tastes like. Enjoy.
'Twas the night before Christmas and all thru the house,
Shaq begins to wonder how this all came about;
The championship banner hanging high up in the air,
Another ring for the Diesel, but who really cares?
'Cause the Heat keeps losing all but left for dead,
While visions of Kobe winning continue to haunt O'Neal's head;
And the Lakers are ready to be put on the map,
While Shaq plays Santa with his 20 kids on his lap;
When out in the East there arose such a chatter,
Shaq is out of shape again he's getting fatter;
So away he went to leave it all up to Flash,
You're on your own kid while I collect my cash.
The Suns are shining in the West and there's a new Jazz show,
but we all know that there's still San Antonio;
Then all of a sudden in Denver, the Answer appears
Just in time for Garnett to say the end is near;
And just like that Buss calls McHale quick,
He thought for a moment it must be a trick.
Buss asks if he liked last night's game
"I don't know" McHale replied. "Ask what's-his-name."
"Now, Blount! now, Davis! now, Hudson and Griffin!
On, Jaric! on, Foye! on, James and Madsen!
To the bottom of the Northwest! to one last call!
Now go away Garnett! I'll take the fall!
As the speculation continues and the rumors fly,
Isiah Thomas insists he's a nice guy;
So up to Stern's office Thomas flew
to request more players 'cause he was down to two;
I'll cut this short so I can shop at the mall,
Maybe it's on sale... that is, the new ball;
Shaq don't like it so he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to O'Neal's career - good night."
- The Boston Celtics did what they were supposed to do at home, which is dominate an eighth seeded team. The Atlanta Hawks did what they were supposed to do in Game 7 on the road, which is play like an eighth seeded team...
- How will Gang Green gang up on Lebron James? Or do they even need to? Early prediction is Celtics in six, with James averaging close to 40 in the series...
- But I won't be surprised if Boston suffers an early exit if Cleveland's role players play their role to perfection. In the Name of the King, the Knights of the Brown Table will be expected to battle for their lives. Ok, maybe it's not life and death. But it's the NBA Playoffs, where there is only one...
- Just like I thought, the Detroit Pistons' big backcourt of Chauncey Billips and Richard Hamilton manhandled tiny Jameer Nelson and inadequate but game Maurice Evans in their 91-72 blowout of the Orlando Magic. This will set the tone for the series...
- If Orlando can't pick up the pace and force a running game, Detroit will control the tempo, keep the scores low, keep it physical, and will keep on frustrating center Dwight Howard. At this point, the young and inexperienced Howard will not have the moxie to will his team to recover. Superman is looking more like Superboy and thus the Pistons should close it out in five...
- I keep saying to the skeptics, don't sleep on the Pistons...
- Byron Scott is one hell of a coach. His team came prepared for battle and took it to future Hall-of-Famer Tim Duncan like no other opponent has done to him before. Props to the former L.A. Lakers shooting guard, who came up with a genius strategy to hold Duncan to five points and three boards, Brian Skinner numbers...
- Duncan looked like Shaquille O'Neal out there on Saturday night. Slow and tired with no lift and contstantly getting burned on defense. With Duncan also missing his free throws a la Shaq, the only thing missing was the Hack-a-Tim. But I'm sure Scott won't employ that tactic anytime soon...
- We did see the Hack-a-Chandler for a quick second, which came to everybody's surprise. Since Popovich loves doing it so much, I'm beginning to think we should start calling the Hack-a-Shaq, Pop's Special Recipe...
- And be sure to check out the latest hit on television. It's called...
YOUNG GUNS: The Assault Continues
Starring Kobe Bryant as William H. Bonney aka Mamba the Kid
Pau Gasol as Doc Scurlock
Lamar Odom as Chavez
Andrew Bynum as Richard "D!CK" Brewer
Sasha "Vidal Sasoon" Vujacic as Dirty Steve Stephens
and introducing Luke Walton as Charley Bowdre
with Phil Jackson as John Tunstall, Mamba the Kid's teacher and mentor
This is how the West will be won - the old fashioned way, with all the gunslingers taking over your town.
- Believe it or not, the once left-for-dead Phoenix Suns have turned it around and it's all because of Mike D'Antoni and his coaching staff. He has finally found a way to incorporate and involve The Big Diesel into the system. That high double-post set on offense is being utilized to perfection by Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, and O'Neal. Kudos...
- While STAT's stats have gone up, Nash is still pick-n-rolling opponents to death and continues to find his three-point shooters within their new offensive set that still emphasizes ball movement, fluidity, but more importantly allows O'Neal to do his thing, whether it's attacking the offensive boards, finding the open man, or simply making his presence felt. And with Boris Diaw slowly starting to find his groove, the Suns actually have a legitimate shot of reaching the NBA FINALS...
- If Shaq doesn't get hurt and continues to average 15 and 10, the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs will have to revise their game plan...
- Although he may not win MVP, Chris Paul is the best guard in the NBA pound for pound...
- A New Orleans Hornet deserves a regular season award this year. Byron Scott for Coach of the Year, because his team has maintained its position atop the West the entire season...
- Kobe Bryant deserves to be MVP while any other year Paul would win the award. Tim Duncan should win MVP every year and we all know it, but we have to make it fun for the fans so we use statistics as indicators instead. Kevin Garnett already won an MVP but this time around he has a much better supporting cast and he's missed some games so it ends there for KG. Lebron James has to wait his turn to be crowned King of the NBA, especially if the team he plays on won't even qualify for the playoffs in the West...
- Nice to see The Birdman out of his cuckoo's nest and flying again...
- If the Dallas Mavericks wind up playing the New Orleans Hornets in the first round, I would not be shocked if the Mavs do to the Hornets what the Warriors did to them last year...
- Everybody keeps talking about how Elton Brand would fit in perfectly with Dwyane Wade and Shawn Marion in Miami. No one is talking about the possibility of Brand in a GoldenState Warriors uniform. Imagine a lineup of B-Diddy, Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson, Andres Biedrins, and Brand. Scary to think of that team running up and down the court...
- The fact that Washington was minus-19 with Gilbert Arenas on the floor during the Wizards' loss in his first game back makes me realize that the uninspired, video game playing blogger known as Agent Zero would make a perfect Los Angeles Clipper. Welcome back to L.A., Gilbert. We already know you're coming...
- If the Atlanta Hawks started the season with Mike Bibby running the point, they would be ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference playoff race right now...
- Golden State will not make the playoffs this year because they play only one style of basketball. At least Denver and Dallas can go inside if they wanted to...
- The key to the recent surge by the Denver Nuggets to propel them back in the playoff hunt hasn't been Carmelo Anthony or Allen Iverson. It's been the player who's rediscovered his talents, Kenyon Martin...
- The Utah Jazz have the best home record in the NBA but is only 16-22 on the road. They will be the featured topic on the next episode of Unsolved Mysteries...
- The fact that the Los Angeles Lakers did not sign Chris Webber and chose to bring in D.J. Mbenga instead solidifies Mitch Kupchak for Executive of the Year. Many will say Danny Ainge, but the entire universe knows Kevin McHale was the one responsible for the revival in Boston. And guys like James Posey, Eddie House, and Sam Cassell decided to go green not because of Ainge but because of Garnett. Kupchak built his team from the ground up with his best player threatening to go elsewhere. Ainge used a former MVP to entice free agent veterans to come join the fray...
- For the first time since the 1980's, fans will hear "Beat L.A." chants more than ever in every city the Lakers will play in during the playoffs...
- I love how every contending playoff team's fans will chant "MVP! MVP! MVP!" for their star player even though they know he won't win the award. It goes to show how fans are once again loving this game...
- The regular season MVP Award is the most overrated award in all of professional sports. On paper, the Phoenix Suns should win it all because they have three MVP-type players in O'Neal, Stoudemire, and Nash. The Celtics have two in Paul Pierce and KG, the Rockets have Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, and the Nuggets have Melo and A.I. The funny thing is that neither of these teams will make it to the NBA Finals...
- The biggest mistake anyone can make in the postseason is to sleep on the Detroit Pistons. Like in 2004, they are at their best when flying under the radar. That was the same way in which the great Joe Dumars approached the game and it was what made him a legend in Motown...
- Fans are always looking for storylines when it comes to the NBA Finals. We all want to revive the battles between the Lakers and the Celtics. We all want to see Kobe vs. Lebron in the Finals, which would be the new version of Bird vs. Magic. We all wish that Phoenix played in the East so we'd have a chance to see Kobe vs. Shaq in the Finals. But it almost always seems to never work out as we expect it to be. Who would have thought that Cleveland would make it to the big dance last year? That's why in 2008, it will be...
- Lakers over the Pistons in the 2008 NBA Finals. Just like Mike versus the Bad Boys in the late eighties, Kobe finally gets past Detroit when it counts most.
- And finally: If you don't love this game, check yourself. 'Til next time...
Alright ladies and gentlemen, it's time to play some basketball! In less than a week, the NBA suddenly became a lot more interesting, providing sportsfans a seamless transition from football.
So I start to wonder...
- Now that new Suns centerShaquille O'Neal has decided he wants to be the one responsible for keeping the greatKobe Bryant from having another shot at a title, where does this put Phoenix in the grand scheme of things? And what is Shaq's real weight these days?
- Which team would win in a seven-game playoff series? The Young Guns with the best closer in the game, who has a supporting cast consisting of two All-Star caliber seven-footers and lengthy multi-position players who hustle and play defense? Or the runnin'-n-stunnin' veteran bunch with a former champion past his prime, who'll screen-and-roll alongside arguably the best PG in the league and who will join a high-fly act and an assortment of long range gunners?
- Now that the NBA is beginning to really shape into form and the stars are properly being aligned, who becomes the favorite to capture the O'Brien Trophy?
- As we undergo the makings of a fairy tale season, what team now possesses the most potent core unit?
In the east, you've got "The Boston Three Party." Cleveland has King James and the Knights of the (Mike) Brown Table. Detroit has a bad boy and a bunch of princes in a palace, while a magical kingdom called Orlando has something "big" to brag about. But let's not forget about The Flash and The Matrix, coming soon to a theater near you.
Out west, the Young Guns of Hollywood continue to be the story of the year and the blazin' Suns look to get even hotter by switching to diesel. The defending champion Spurs have the luxury of knowing how to win at the highest level while their Dallas neighbor is keeping a close watch nearby. Byron Scott has the Hornets buzzin', and it's the same ol' jazz tune being sung in Utah.
- Since blockbuster trades seem to be the theme for 2008, are we going to see Yao and T-Mac team up with Jason Kidd? Or will Kidd wind up in Portland, so he can lob passes to Greg Oden, Travis Outlaw, Brandon Roy, and Martell Webster? Either way, Kidd wouldn't mind having a center who could actually play like a center.
- The disgusted Dwyane Wade and Miami Heat continue to experience a long and disappointing campaign, as losses keep mounting. In his new reality commercial, Dwyane Wade similarly grows frustrated as Charles Barkley's annoying calls to him begin to mount. Funny how life works sometimes.
Whatever happens in the next few months, one thing is certain: the next five years are promising to be the greatest period of competition the NBA will have ever experienced. It is so competitive in the Western Conference that a two game losing streak could drop you from second to seventh in a matter of hours. Just ask the Los Angeles Lakers. They were atop the conference standings for two days, then quickly dropped from first to sixth after one loss!
And there is balance between youth and veterans around the league, there is parity between teams, and above all there is a significant amount of All-Stars, SuperStars, and SuperDuperStars that are on contending teams.
The National Ballers Association is primed and ready for topnotch action. It's where amazing things happen, so let's get ready to rumble!
LAKERSFAN19 recently spoke about how boring the NBA has become then went on to write about the proliferation of haterfans in our precious blogosphere, mentioning in particular the constant perceived hate that is dumped on our once revered SHAQUILLE O'NEAL and the so-called brat of the NBA, KOBE BRYANT. As I was commenting on his blog, I began to remember and my comment turned into paragraph after paragraph. So I decided to write a little sumthin sumthin, courtesy of Lakersfan19's original idea.
The NBA is certainly not boring. In fact, it is exciting. It's where "Amazing Happens."
Seven teams in the Western Conference are on pace for 50+ win seasons and the two teams with the best record in the league are both surprisingly from the Eastern Conference. Boston is on pace to for 70+ wins, which has caused Michael Jordan to pay more attention of late. The Minnesota T-Wolves are threatening the record for futility and the New York Knicks is in another league of their own. Scoring is up while defense continues to determine who wins, and never has there been this many international players in the NBA. The great Scottie Pippen has gone international as well, at the ripe young age of 42, and is apparently still harrassing opponents from the defensive end. I guess the only thing missing is THE RETURN OF THE WORM, Dennis Rodman. Okay, maybe not.
Nonetheless, unprecedented talent has given way to parity which, in turn, has provided fans a ton of great basketball to watch.
But nothing will ever duplicate the drama that developed from the love triangle that was Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Phil Jackson. Not even the famous Jordan-Pippen-Rodman triad from Chicago.
Here, I attempt to briefly revisit what once was and why so many of us have come to "hate" although deep down inside we "love". And more importantly a glimpse of what is to come with these two lead actors, one OSCAR worthy and the other an ESPY nominee.
As far as the "hating" is concerned, I can see why so many fans do it. If you notice, most people will intensify the hate when things are going bad for a particular player on court or off it. It's in our nature as fans and it is, believe it or not, a normal behavior for extremely passionate fans.
What I don't understand, however, is when people continually bring up the past and use this as an excuse to hate even if that particular player has changed. Case in point, KOBE.
Everyone is now beginning to see with the Lakers' drastic improvement that KOBE's immature remarks this offseason may have served a purpose. In fact, Bryant and Jackson may have tactically strategized this in order to get more from the rest of the team.
We all know that the ZENMASTER is known for his psychological ploys, so as fans do we really know for sure that KOBE was all to the bad here?
Bottom line: KOBE BRYANT is a leader and among the fiercest competitors the game has ever seen. Ever. Always has and always will be. In due time he will get the respect from fans that he rightfully deserves (he always had the respect of his peers) because after all, like former pro sports brats ahead of him - Terrell Owens and RandyMoss - and like that old cliche, "winning solves everything."
I was around to digest everything MICHAEL JORDAN had to endure throughout his early years in the NBA and I see a similar pattern here with the two players, especially since JACKSON is the coach of the two stars.
KOBE is only 29 and for those who have paid attention to all the nuances of his entire career, one can only have utmost respect for his dedication to the purity of the game of basketball. Never mind the off-court antics and stuff because that is really irrelevant.
We as working class people have issues outside of work that tend to affect our professional careers at times. It's normal folks.
Haters fail to look at what KOBE has brought to his team and to the game. Instead, they find someone to blame and something to blame that someone for. And in a place like Los Angeles, everything becomes all the more magnified.
Why the heck would Jerry Buss pay KOBE all that money in the first place and let SHAQ go for less-than-equal value? Because BUSS not only is a smart businessman but he also recognizes hard work and discipline. Game recognizes game.
And isn't Lamar Odom's 15 and 9 panning out much better than Shaq's 14 and 7 right about now? As far as O'Neal is concerned, he got what he wanted. The cash, the quick championship, and the short-lived glory. Shaq knew in 2004-2005 that guys like 'Zo, Antoine Walker, Gary Payton, White Chocolate, James Posey, D-Wade, and Coach Riley were all hungry to win so he squeezed in at the opportune moment, fit in perfectly, and took advantage.
It was good enough for him to do it for one year, just like it was always good enough for him to treat his conditioning half-heartedly once he earned his contract and delivered three titles to Los Angeles. His contentment is the nature of his personality, unlike Kobe who always believes he can get better. This is the difference between a superstar and a legend. This is what sets apart the Michaels, the Magics, the Kobes, and the Larrys from every other Hall-of-Famer.
Shaq had always been The BIG QUOTATION, so he told Miami fans that he would bring two more titles although he probably knew deep down inside that he was probably done. He will try to mask his inadequacies by simply taking time off here and there in order to play out his contract and honor his fans. But we all know what's best for the team. The Heat should buy him out if they want to be competitive.
Simply put, The BIG ARISTOTLE is running out of excuses and things to say. His best one came recently when he mentioned that he at least has a Master's Degree to fall back on. A sign that he has reached the end? Definitely so.
I actually believed he had one more solid year in him in 2007-'08. Guess I was wrong. The BIG DIESEL is now The BIG INACTIVE, while KOBE continues to lead the LAKERS' ASSAULT to everlasting greatness and basketball immortality along with THE BIG BYNO-MITE, Andrew Bynum.
When it's all said and done, KOBE will have more rings than SHAQ and his LAKER legacy will undoubtedly leave a more lasting effect on all of our hearts.
I am sure of this only because KOBE puts more work into his craft than O'Neal ever did.
In any profession, the ones who demonstrate unrelenting work ethic and desire to be the best at what they do regardless of innate ability or talent usually move higher up the ladder (look at the careers of MJ, OLAJUWON, BIRD, MAGIC, who all improved different parts of their games as they got older). Since 2002, tell me one thing SHAQ has improved in his game? Free throws? A go-to move? Rebounding? Defense? Absolutely nothing. Shaq will continue to (and always has) rely on his sheer size and strength in order to intimidate, be physical, and get easy buckets (which helps to explain his high career FG%).
His huge miscalculation about the nature of the game has led him to be ineffective because injuries have now taken their toll on his body and he can no longer rely on what was once his only major strength.
A dedicated center like DWIGHT HOWARD, who continues to work hard on his craft, may wind up becoming a better basketball player than SHAQ (even if he winds up with less rings or no rings at all) because we can see that HOWARD is starting to develop a wide array of post moves, is a force on the boards, and blocks shots like Olajuwon once did. Shaq, with his size, should have led the NBA in rebounding and blocks EVERY year since '99 but he never did so except for maybe one year.
Upon making these points, one would see that no matter SHAQ's dominance between '99-04, he still would not have won those rings without KEY ROLE PLAYERS like Kobe, D-Wade, Rick Fox, Glen Rice, Ron Harper, Brian Shaw, Robert Horry, Derek Fisher, Horace Grant, A.C. Green, Alonzo Mourning, Jason Williams, Gary Payton and Antoine Walker. Think about it. This was SOLID talent built around Shaq.
After all, when was the last time we saw SHAQ make a game clinching bucket to decide the outcome o####ame?
Way back in 1997-'98 during the last Lakers' home game of the regular season against UTAH. Turn around 12-foot jumper from the left baseline to seal the deal. Del Harris was the coach and L.A. was swept by the same Jazz squad in the playoffs that year.That's probably the only time he ever made a basket at the end of the game when it counted most.
Don't get me wrong, I will not discount Shaq's greatness in his era. However, if you compare his basketball abilites against some of the greatest of all time, in my opinion he is not even top five.
From SHOWTIME to the LAKE SHOW, it's a new era in LAKERLAND. As we look ahead, it might not be long until THE YOUNG GUNS conquer the WILD WILD WEST and the rest of the 'boring' NBA.
With another new year on the horizon and just about a third of the NBA regular season in completion, bloggers will continue to blog, haters will continue to hate, fans will continue to watch, trades will continue to be rumored, and NBA players will continue to play.
What we will all be saying to ourselves in 2008, a year that promises to shell out a ton of surprises:
"It's about time Isiah Thomas did something."
"All the Miami Heat did was buy the most expensive championship in pro sports history because it was worth it even though they knew all along that they would get nothing from Shaq in the long run. No surprise that he is strongly hinting at retirement."
"Shaquille O'Neal is not as great as I once thought he was because guys like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Patrick Ewing, and Moses Malone were still averaging well over 17 points and 10 boards a game when they were over 35 years of age."
"Jerry Buss and Mitch Kupchak are geniuses."
"Kobe Bryant is GOD dressed up as a basketball player."
"I knew all along that the Los Angeles Lakers were more of a championship contender than the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets."
"Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash are the next Karl Malone and John Stockton. All that talent with nothing to show for"
"See, I told you Jason Kidd would end up playing in Dallas again."
"Utah's Western Conference Finals appearance last year was a fluke. I really can't believe the Jazz missed Derek Fisher and his leadership that much. "
"How is it that Smush Parker is still playing in this league?"
"David Lee needs way more playing time."
"Dwight Howard is going to need a point guard to get him the ball."
"Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer are solid All-Star caliber players but don't possess the killer instinct that can make an impact to take their team over the top."
"The teams that everyone loves to watch - Utah, Phoenix, Golden State - have finally made me realize that it takes defense and bigs to win games of importance in this league."
" I sure hope Greg Oden doesn't turn out like Sam Bowie (cringe)."
"The Houston Rockets are softies and Rick Adelman is not as great a coach and innovator as I thought. He's like Mike D'Antoni and Mike Dunleavy."
"It was just a matter of time before Pau Gasol ended up where he is now."
"I can't believe I once thought that Lebron James and Dwyane Wade had better supporting casts than Kobe Bryant."
"Nothing ever changes with Don Nelson and how he loves to tease all of us only for us to be disappointed in the end."
"It's the same old Los Angeles Clippers."
"It's the same old San Antonio Spurs."
"Somehow I'm getting the feeling that David Stern really wants the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals instead of the Detroit Pistons."
"It's the same old Pistons."
"What ever happened to Mike Conley? Oh I know... Juan Carlos Navarro."
"Why isn't Damon Stoudamire representing the Miami Heat, where old, washed up PG's love to congregate?"
"That Carmelo Anthony-Allen Iverson tandem is getting old."
"Air Jordans are just not what they used to be."
"Michael Jordan's been practicing a lot with the team lately. I wonder if he's..."
"Kobe is the next MJ. Period."
"Bryant-Bynum-Odom is the next Magic-Kareem-Worthy in Lakerland, and it's not called the LakeShow either. It's the Young Guns, like Estevez-Sheen-Sutherland."
"I shouldn't have underestimated the Lakers and overestimated the Suns."
The on-again off-again Lakers drama continues with another episode that puts Days ofOur Lives to shame. Just when you think everything's all fine and dandy in Lakerland, Jerry Buss and Kobe Bryant find another way to steal the spotlight from the rest of the league.
Let's just say that it's pure Hollywood. Let's also not forget that the Lakers have to create the stir because a storied franchise like this one, with a reputation for putting on a show every time, must keep reminding us that the attention should be on them. Not the World Champion Spurs. Not even the Boston Celtics. Just like America's teams the Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees, the spotlight belongs to L.A.
The fact that Kobe's frustration ultimately led to him demanding and rescinding a trade cannot be ignored. He was serious enough that Buss and Bryant met in Barcelona to discuss the issue. Buss mentioned that he took offers during the summer but wasn't even close to moving Bryant because of a lack of value he would get in return. The reality is you'll never get equal value for Kobe. Philly didn't get equal value for Allen Iverson, and if people tell you Los Angeles got equal value for Shaquille O'Neal they're probably Miami fans.
So Bryant understood Buss' smart business decision not to move him and he went about his business, continuing to train and work hard to be ready for Team USA's FIBA tournament. Kobe then went on to impress the nation with his leadership, defense, and teamwork. It was just another display of Bryant's 100% commitment to his game and more importantly it showed how much loyalty Kobe has for the game of basketball.
This is why you love Kobe despite all of the off-court issues, primadona attitude, and criticisms of selfish play. If you've been witness to the evolution of Kobe since he became pro, you will realize why he is highly respected amongst his peers. And Buss has the utmost respect for Kobe even though Bryant called him a "liar" and an "####."
So the looming question remains: Is Buss running out of patience with Mr. Bryant? I really don't think he is. What we are seeing here is just two people in a relationship who respect and love each other to death just going through some growing pains. Like a young couple in year three of a relationship.
We realize that it all just makes for great entertainment and the media sensationalizes it because after all, it is L.A. And it's also natural for us fans to only look at the negatives in this drama, because some of us are just dying to "Beat L.A."
But if you look deeper into Buss' statements, his first comment is the one that should be amplified most. He said that "we don't want to trade Kobe and if we win everything will be ok." The solution is simple. Win and Kobe remains a lifelong Laker. Lose and go home.
So now it's up to Kobe Bryant to do his part and show he's a true leader and above all, a winner. I believe he's made great strides over the last two years and it will continue this season. He's already the best in the game right now. What will happen when his game matures and he becomes the complete package?
Meanwhile, the mediator Phil Jackson said that "it's probably best that it comes out now... and we can start the season the right way... that's what I believe will happen", showing signs of optimism for his ballclub. He has to react that way because he is their coach and he has to remain positive for the sake of the team. But at the same time Jackson has been a frontline observer so we cannot dismiss his point of view. He has seen this happen before in Chicago, although the circumstance were a little different. Nevertheless, Jackson is on Kobe's side and it's great to know that Kobe has Phil's support. This realization will only facilitate in Kobe's growth as a leader as he copes with learning how to be a winner.
Many great players in all of sports have been dealt away later in their careers, and many have stayed with a single team. With an organization like the Lakers, you can expect at all times a total commitment to winning and excellence. That is why just about every decade, the Lakers regularly make appearances in the NBA Finals.
And It's true that "you can't keep too many loyalties" like Buss intimated, since the business aspect of running a franchise is what dictates most decisions. But do you really expect Buss to deal away the number one draw in the league and trade the player who guarantees sell-outs everywhere you go just because that player calls you a liar? My father called me worse as an adolescent and I still never left home. It wouldn't be too intelligent of a business decision for Buss to trade his number one asset, especially if that particular employee never takes a day off from work.
But if Buss could trade Shaq, he could more easily trade Kobe right? Wrong. It was a smart business move to deal O'Neal because first of all, Shaq was no longer showing the level of commitment to his game like he did before winning his first title. Secondly, Shaq wanted big money that Buss was not willing to pay for an out-of-shape no-free-throw-making late game liability who was nearing the end of his glory years. Look at O'Neal now. 12 points and 6 boards a game. That's Chris Mihm numbers. Lastly, Shaq was also bickering with Kobe, who at that point already proved to Buss he had the work ethic worthy of a $100 million long-term deal. The key here is long-term. So ultimately Buss chose Kobe and Shaq got his cash somewhere else and O'Neal went on to win a title courtesy of Dwyane Wade.
Which brings us back to my boy KOBE, who is itching for a shot at his first title as the main dude. Bryant has much to prove not only to his critics but most importantly to himself. His summer temper tantrums were just a by-product of his maturation process as the leader of his team. He never assumed this role with O'Neal around, and now that it's his team he really isn't that sure yet as to how he's going to lead and how he's going to win. The Lakers, at this point, still do not have an identity they can call their own.
Indeed, that time will come whether or not Kobe sports the purple-and-gold. Because even if he leaves the Lakers in a couple of years, I guarantee that the organization will again find a way to build the pieces of another championship franchise in the near future.
For now, stay tuned after these messages for previews from the next episode of L.A. Divas...
After a long layoff from FOXBLOGCITY, and after drinking my share of PURA VIDAS and enjoying beautiful COSTA RICA with friends and my sizzling Stephanie... THE DIZZLE is BACK!
The 2007 edition of TEAM USA Basketball is about to play Venezuela tomorrow to kickstart the quest for gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
We certainly have some top talent on this summer's squad, but I am not convinced that this should be the team to represent our country next year against the likes of France, Argentina, Yugoslavia, Greece, and Spain. I do believe, however, that this team is better than the team that lost to Greece last summer in Japan because this time around KOBE replaces AI. Mr. Bryant is the real answer.
But there are still questions. Will TIM DUNCAN or THE MATRIX be in the red, white, and blue next year? What about the CELTIC TRIO? Will D-WADE be healthy enough? Does SHAQ give it one more go 'round or will GREG ODEN take his place? We can dream about the real DREAM TEAM, but we must use what we have at our disposal right now...
AIR KOBE, J-KIDD, BRON BRON, MELO MAN A, buh buh buh BILLUPS, AMARE, LEFTY REDD, HOWARD THE DUNK, DERON WILL.I.AMs, T-CHANDLER, MILLER MIKE and FRESH PRINCE OF COMPTON.
My crunch time starters are: PG- Kidd Magik, SG- Kobester, SF- Fresh Prince, PF- Amare, C- Howard the Dunk
Melo Man A, Chauncey, The King, and Lefty will head the second unit. Tyson, Will.I.AmS, and Miller Mike are there in case of foul trouble, much like THE LAKERS used Slava Medvedenko, Sasha Vujacic, and Devean George.
So tip off is tomorrow on NBA TV. Who are your STARTERS? Feel free to speak your mind.
Most people today like to think that the Los Angeles Lakers are all about Kobe and a bunch of practice squad players that won't ever win a championship unless they had Shaq but I tell you what,
It's not like Shaq's Lakers of '96-'04 could ever be mistaken for an all-star team either. You wanna know an All-Star team if I've ever seen one? The year Portland had Pippen, Sabonis, 'Sheed, Jermaine O'Neal, Steve Smith, Dale Davis, Brian Grant, Detlef Schrempf, Damon Stoudamire in his prime, Greg Anthony, Stacey Augmon. Talk about a rotation. But why did they never win a title? Because Mike Dunleavy was their coach and Phil was on the Lakers. Huge Difference. Like the Lakers and Clippers today. Funny how things never seem to change.
Everyone used to think that D-Fisher couldn't shoot, and Rick Fox was too slow and couldn't jump, and Shaw was over the hill, and Harper was too old, and Horry wasn't a true power forward, and LA could never get past Utah with Del Harris as coach?
Let me refresh everyone's memory. From '96-'99, Del Harris coached LA with a very young and explosive but veteran Shaquille O'Neal leading them. We didn't even come clost to the Finals, losing to Utah in the playoffs two years in a row. We even had guys like Rodman, Jerome Kersey, Derek Harper, Nick "The Quick" Van Exel, streaky Cedric Ceballos, Elden Campbell, and Eddie Jones on the same team as Shaq. And they still couldn't get past Mailman and Stockton and Hornacek.
But as the old cliche goes, "Timing is everything". In '97 Kobe, as an 18-year old begins to learn the NBA much like Bynum is doing now. Phil Jackson as luck would have it, comes at the right moment in 1999, with Kobe already a rising star and Shaq a determined veteran. In comes Glen Rice (the shooter they longed for), A.C. Green, Ron Harper, and the rest is history.
Shaquille O'Neal, no matter how dominant, could not get past the elite teams like Utah and San Antonio until Phil Jackson took over and implemented a system in which he could flourish. And what really put them over the top was the emergence of Kobe Bryant.
Kobe's presence on the court took a lot of pressure off of Shaq because defenders could no longer just triple team the big fella and leave everyone open. Now they had to worry about the dangerous Kobe Bryant. It wasn't until Kobe started getting heavy minutes that the Lakers began their title push. When Shaq was averaging 28 and 13 and we had Eddie Jones starting and Byron Scott off the bench, the Lakers were getting bounced out in the playoffs.
And Kobe could've easily averaged 30 a game back in 1999 but the only reason he didn't, and all he scored was 21 ppg was because Shaq was the man in his prime, he had seniority, so Shaq was going to be the one to average 30 no matter what Kobe and Phil and Jerry W.and Jerry B. had to say. I guarantee you that if Shaq had never been a Laker, Kobe would have averaged 25-30 in his second year. Just like Lebron. Just like Wade. Just like Carmelo.
And Kobe bailed Shaq out so many times in the playoffs. The Big Aristotle missed free throw after free throw, and Kobe would get his back by either making a key defensive play on the other end or come back down the next time and get an And1 or get a deuce or hit a trey. If Kobe played on the Spurs with Duncan and Ginobili took Kobe's spot in L.A. to run with Shaq, my money tells me to bet on the Spurs. What do you think?
As much as Shaq needed Kobe's help to capture the crown, Bryant places that same reliance and trust on Odom and Bynum more than ever this season.
And finally...
The reason Shaq couldn't win with Penny was because MJ was still around.
The reason Shaq won three with Kobe was because Bryant is just as talented as Jordan and Phil knew it ( for all you anti-Kobes, please see comments by Isiah Thomas the other day)
The reason Shaq won with Wade was because Dallas choked, Wade did a Jordan, and everybody knew it.
As Shaq prepared to leave L.A., he narrowed his list down to Miami and Dallas. He could have played with Dirk but chose to play with Wade instead. I wonder why.
Without that superstar two-guard playing alongside him, Shaq doesn't get past the second round.
So that's it. I have determined that Shaq dosen't win the championship without Kobe and D-Wade. Just like D-Wade and Kobe don't win without Shaq. But I like my chances better with D-Wade and Ko-B teamed up with a big man like Howard or Garnett than Shaq playing alongside Ray Allen or Vince Carter.
There are numerous debates as to who is the best player in the NBA. How about seeing who is among the best at each position, with several characteristics I have listed as being the key determining factors?
In terms of ball distribution, assists, setting up teammates, finding the open man, running the team as a floor general, making teammates perform better, being a good "locker room" guy, being a "coach" on the floor, team's win percentage, scoring the occasional clutch basket when your team needs it, and playing "good enough" defense (in that order)... the best point guard in the NBA is... 1) Steve Nash 2) Chauncey Billups 3) Tony Parker 4) Chris Paul and 5) Baron Davis
In terms of ability to make any shot, scoring at will, clutch play, getting to the line at anytime, team's win percentage, making teammates perform better, being a good "locker room" guy, leading by example, playing better-than-average defense, creating plays that demoralize opponents, and leading by example (in that order)... the best shooting guard in the NBA is... 1) Kobe Bryant 2) Dwyane Wade 3) Gilbert Arenas 4) Allen Iverson and 5) Richard Hamilton
In terms of controlling the lane, being an inside presence, rebounding, blocking shots, high percentage scoring, clutch play, altering shots, intimidation, team's win percentage, being a team player, leading by example, finding the right man out of a double-team, and overall basketball instincts (in that order)... the best center in the NBA is ... 1) a healthy Shaquille O'Neal 2) Yao Ming 3) Dwight Howard 4) Marcus Camby and 5) Mehmet Okur
In terms of solid post play, rebounding position, being a defensive presence, efficient scoring and clutch play, the "hustle factor", containing the opposing team's best big man, ability to get to the line, sheer toughness, and team's win percentage (in that order)... the best power forward in the NBA is... 1) Tim Duncan 2) Dirk Nowitzki 3) Kevin Garnett 4) Jermaine O'Neal and 5) tie between Carlos Boozer and Rasheed Wallace
In terms of all-around contributions, ability to play multiple positions, the "hustle factor", scoring ability from short, mid, and long range, making other players better, being a finisher on the break, value to the team, ability to get to the line, being a defensive stalwart who can rebound, team's win percentage, and accepting multiple roles on the team (in that order)... the best small forward in the NBA is... 1) Lebron James 2) Carmelo Anthony 3) Lamar Odom 4) Shawn Marion and 5) three-way tie between Josh Howard, Tayshaun Prince, and Tracy McGrady
In terms of ability to generate offensive and defensive chemistry, motivate egos, tactical and strategic planning, x's and o's, making the most of what you have, being a player's coach, and team's win percentage (in that order)... the best head coach in the NBA is... 1) Phil Jackson 2) Greg Poppovich 3) Avery Johnson 4) Jerry Sloan 5) Jeff Van Gundy
It's amazing to hear some of the stuff people say about my boy Kobe Bryant and how he is a ball hog, not a team player, won't ever win a title without Shaq, etc. Y'all know who you are. What about the respect where respect is due?
This guy is the most committed "basketball player" in the world. Bar none. He is the first one in the gym and the last one out. Each year, there is something in his game that improves. The only thing I'd like to see is for him to increase his assists per game. But to be honest with you, he really doesn't have to when you've got Lamar Odom who nearly gets a triple double every game. I guess you could say that he's a walking double-triple (double figures in two out of three categories).
Kobe plays hurt all the time and never misses a game unless he absolutley has to. Shaq, on the other hand, will get a cut on his finger and take two weeks off. Talk about commitment to excellence. Mr. O'Neal has a commercial with Icy Hot heat pad and claims, "Just like you I work hard every day." Bunch of baloney coming from an out-of-shape so-called Most Dominant Ever. Shaq's game has gotten worse since 2002 and has no go-to move. The great ones, like wine, get better with age. Case in point: Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Karl Malone,Moses Malone, Jordan, Isaiah Thomas, and yes Kobe Bryant.
If Shaq were committed to his game, he would have developed the sky hook long ago and he would still be considered a top-tier player. The only reason Miami won last year was because the East stunk and Dallas, with no center, couldn't stop Wade after a 2-0 lead. Remember, Shaq averaged a dismal 13 ppg in the Finals. It was the comibination of Dwyane Wade, Walker, Payton,J-Will and their hunger that allowed Miami to win and not Shaq's dominance.
People just love to hate Kobe because they all wish Bryant was on their favorite team. I understand, so it's ok. But please give respect where respect is due. The infamous trial doesn't play into this because I'm talking strictly basketball on-court contributions. Kobe is by far in his own league. Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony,Allen Iverson, Nash,KG,Duncan, they're all superstars and worthy of being MVP any given year but as far as dominance is concerned, nobody does it like Kobe.
He gets off any shot he wants and can command free throws at any time, is a first team all-defense caliber player, can hit the trey, is an above-average passer and playmaker, is always in tip-top shape, is as good a dunker as any high-fly act in the league, and has a superb mid-range game. Above all, he is at the peak of his prime and is slowly starting to develop the leadership skills that made Michael Jordan great. Not to mention that he is also the best clutch player in the game over the last 5-plus years.
I'm most annoyed when critics say Kobe is a ball-hog. If you were that good and that confident about your ability to take over a game and you
YOUNG GUNS: The Assault Continues