Now that the Finals are over and the Lakers came just 2 games short of an NBA title, once again the Kobe haters out and on the prowl. After shutting so many of them up with his MVP season, leading his team to the Western Confrence Championship and the Finals, the loss brings back all the negativity. First, let me give my congrats to the Boston Celtics, they had a great game plan. Don't let 24 beat us. The whole team focused on stopping Kobe and they did a great job. Kobe did not do his Superman rendetion, instead he stayed with the program that got them there and it back fired. Odom and Gasol needed to step up and free Kobe for some shots and that didn't happen. The Celtics didn't take Kobe out of the game, they took Gasol and Odom out of the series.

For all the Kobe Haters out there. Is it because you hate to admit that he is probably the greatest thing since Jordan. I am a Jordan fanatic, but let's face some realities here. Nearly every player in the NBA grew up wanting to do what the old Gatorade commercial said "I want to be like Mike" did you expect kids like Kobe not to take that literally? He was a basketball God and just about every kid across the globe was wagging there tounge attempting incredible shots trying to imitate Jordan, now we have a guy who has just mastered it and we hate him for it. We are such a hypocritcal society. Jordan was tough on his teammates, even B.J. Armstrong confessed that Mike slapped in practice. So Kobe gets a bad rap because he screams at his team mates. Is it because they don't share his same passion to win. When they make a mistake, do they forget every possesion is critical in the NBA Finals? Kobe is a warrior, and his desire is to win a Championship. Forget about doing it without Shaq, I am sure he wanted to win when Shaq was a Laker. Do you think that every year that Jordan suited up, he didn't want to win the Championship. Of course he did, and so does Kobe. Is it wrong to challenge Bill Russel for the most championship rings, or get more than Mike or even Shaq, hell he may be trying to catch his old buddy Robert Horry, he has something like seven right? I like Kobe chances of winning, especially when Bynum comes back. A trade or two for a defensively minded player couldn't hurt. I really think they need to get rid of Luke Walton and Chris Mihm. So for all the Laker fans (and haters), I hope that you watched the Duck Boat parade and I hope that watching the Celtics relish in thier glory, burns a hole in your side, because I know it is burning one in #24's side

After watching the Lakers fall apart Sunday against the Suns, it further tells me that Lakers need a overhaul. The current team is a total waste of talent and Mitch Kupchack and Phil Jackson need to reevalute this team over the offseaoson, which should be coming up in about 3 games from now.

Kobe and Kevin Garnett are good friends, Garnett has a opt-out clause in his contract this year, they both live in Maui, they both need serious help in thier lineups. Both look tired of being thier teams only hope for winning. Oh, did you know that the Lakers have 4 draft picks in the upcoming draft.  You know where I am going with this. I have been a big advocate for KG coming to the Lakers. It is the best fit for him. If he goes to NY, they will have to surrender Curry and Crawford/Marbury for KG, where does that put him. In the same situation he is in now. KG and Kobe need the same thing, each other. They both have shown they can lead a team. KG needs someone to take the pressure off of him so he can dominate the post, Kobe needs a solid post player to finish. KG alone give you more points/rebound than Walton, Brown, Bynum, and Radmonivich combined. I can see a trade something of this effect, Odom, Brown, Cook, and 1st Round pick for Garnett and maybe Rashad McCants. The Lakers could open the 08 season with this linup.

PG - Jordan Farmar, SG - Kobe Bryant, SF - Luke Walton, PF - Kevin Garnett, C - Andrew Bynum

The Timberwolves would show

PG - Mike James, SG - Ricky Davis, SF - Lamar Odom, PF - Kwame Brown, C - Mark Blount

With the Lakers having probably the 14 pick, the T-Wolves could get someone like Josh McRoberts or maybe someone like Glen Davis.

McHale says that trading Garnett is not an option, if Garnett wants to win and not be in company of greats like Reggie Miller, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, and Dominque Wilkins, he need to make an address change this year.

It has been 7 long months since my last blog. Another NBA season has come and gone. This year, I watched again how many people are still hating on Kobe. I kept my comments to myself for the most part, but I can't hold my tounge any longer. Another season, another MVP snub. Most people are saying that it is a no-brainer for Dirk or Nash, but once again these guys do it with the help of fellow All-Star player on thier team, along with the luxuary thier teams not being crippled by the injury bug like the Lakers (Mihm, Odom, Walton, Brown, Radmonivich, and McKie), but yet the Lakers are still in the playoff hunt, ahead of team like the Clippers and the Nuggets who have better supporting cast than the Lakers. Kobe is the best thing going bar-none. Better than LeBron, because he plays in the Eastern Confrence where I can get 4 of my buddies and get a playoff spot and Wade who has the luxuary of having Shaq in the post. Last year his 81 point performance matched him with the likes of Wilt, now we are "seriously" making comparisons to Jordan. Arguably the 2 most dominating players in the history of the game, but no nod for the MVP. What is is now? What can you come up with this time to hate on him? The alleged rape case? (Old news, Kobe has reestablished his image) Selfish? (Uh, have you been watching the Lakers, he is averageing 5 assits a game). Oh, I know, we can't give it to him because he is dirty. (Just like any other player in the leauge, to include Nash and Dirk.) Dirk kicks he right let out on his jumpshots to keep defenders away and give him space on his jumpshots, Nash holds because he is not a good defender. The list goes on and on about the greatest player. Bird and Jordan would extend thier free arm and wrap it around thier defender to get around them. Karl Malone used elbows to create space when he attacked the basket. So Kobe does what every great player does to gain an advantage, but he is considered dirty. The leauge is not ready and may never be ready to see Kobe as the leauge's MVP. It would be like saying Terrell Owens is the best receiver in football. (He just may be) or that Alex Rodriguez is the best baseball player. (No arguements there). When was being liked a part of being criteria for the MVP?

Here we go again. Kobe makes a comment and it is time to jump all over him again. Kobe refers to Team USA as they a lot. Now, for so many people who hate the guy. Now you want him to be a part of your team? Such hypocrites. Kobe made an assesment of the players that were on the floor and the ones that will be playing in the World Championships. He isn't going to be one of THEM. His unexpected knee surgery will hender that. As a American Soldier, I understand how proud it is to serve the flag, but some thing are before country. My faith in God, my family and my health are all before country. So does Kobe has his priorities mixed up. I don't think so. He has committed to play for the U.S. in the Olympics. I don't see anyone calling Kevin Garnett, Shaq, or Tim Duncan un-american for choosing not to play. I will always be bias when it comes to Kobe, because I think the guy is a great talent and vastly mis-understood. Let him be.

I see now why Kobe didn't win the MVP. Have you noticed that the players that win this award are the people the leauge look at as  ideal. Let's look at this season. Nash, Lebron, and Nowitizki all finished better than Kobe in the MVP voting. All of these players possess a "good boy" image. Didn't know that was what the award was about. I thought that was for the player who was most valuable to his team.

Did anyone notice that Kobe was the only player in the NBA this season that was on the First team All NBA and All Defense. They say that Lebron is the complete package, but he is a liability to his team on the defensive side. Note: Tayshaun Prince is averaging 21 points a game in the series, 7 ABOVE his season average. Why? Lebron can't guard anyone. He plays good transistion defense from time to time, but when it comes to the half court, he is invisable.

Like Jordan, Kobe is known for demoralizing you on the offensive end and shutting you down on the other side of the court. Hmm, is that a team player? People love to hate on him because he shoots a lot. Have you noticed that Lebron shoots a lot too? So does Vince Carter, Allen Iverson, Ray Lewis and Paul Pierce.

The fact that Kobe didn't win the MVP still disturbs me because I think that racial motivation and spite were involved with that decision. Kobe has been noted as one of the most hated athelets. For what? He probably has the most competive player int he game. I hope that Mr. Buss can find him some help next season. He needs a big man. The Jermaine O'Neal/Kevin Garnett mold. Both of those players are unhappy with thier teams, maybe the Lakers are a good fit. I may be reaching with that. Kobe deserved that award this year, but he just don't have the strings attached to him, so he doesn't fit the role. What a shame.