... and yes, the Lakers did win the game against the Knicks tonight at Madison Square Garden by a 126-117 score. Kobe hit on 19 of his 31 attempts from the field (including 3-for 6 on threes) and also made all 20 of his free throws. In scoring 61 points, he eclipsed the famous "double nickel" (55 point) performance by Michael Jordan as a Chicago Bull in 1995 and the 60 points Bernard King put up at the Garden on Christmas Day 1984 for the Knicks. Pau Gasol's great 31 point, 14 rebound performance was all but lost amidst #24's magical night. The Lakers are going to need Kobe and Pau to man the ship as yesterday's MRI on Andrew Bynum revealed a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Bynum, who had been playing amazing of late, is expected to miss 2-3 months. Fortunately, surgery will not be required.
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Showing posts with label Kobe Bryant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kobe Bryant. Show all posts
Monday, February 2, 2009
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
It's KOBE time!
Nothing like the start of the NBA season to take the sting off a heartbreaking baseball and fantasy baseball season. Yes, the 2008-2009 NBA season started tonight. My Los Angeles Lakers had a very easy time disposing of the Portland Trailblazers 96-76 in front of a sell-out crowd at Staples Center. As usual, Kobe Bryant led the way, scoring 23 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Pau Gasol added 15 points and seven rebounds. It was such an easy win for the Lakers that no one played more than the 33 minutes both Kobe and Pau put in.
And for those interested, the "World Champion" Boston Celtics didn't need the help of their sixth man (i.e.: referees) against the Cleveland Cavaliers in their 90-85 win tonight at Boston Garden. The "zebras" actually called a very fair game tonight, but the key to the Celtics winning was actually the Cavs all-everything Lebron James missing four of five free throws at one point in one sequence down the stretch. As I've said before, the main difference between Kobe and "King James" is that one makes their free throws during crunch time, while the other doesn't. Perhaps one day, Mr. James will get that part of his game on a par with the rest of it.
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And for those interested, the "World Champion" Boston Celtics didn't need the help of their sixth man (i.e.: referees) against the Cleveland Cavaliers in their 90-85 win tonight at Boston Garden. The "zebras" actually called a very fair game tonight, but the key to the Celtics winning was actually the Cavs all-everything Lebron James missing four of five free throws at one point in one sequence down the stretch. As I've said before, the main difference between Kobe and "King James" is that one makes their free throws during crunch time, while the other doesn't. Perhaps one day, Mr. James will get that part of his game on a par with the rest of it.
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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
KOBE finally Nabs MVP!
Whether it was in Sacramento, Denver, Boston, or most especially the Staples Center the chant throughout the 2007-2008 NBA season when Kobe Bryant came off the court or did something special was the same: "MVP, MVP, MVP!!!" For whatever reason, up until today, Kobe had failed to ever win the award. Today, it FINALLY happened as he was named the league's Most Valuable Player for the first time receiving 82 first place votes and 1,100 total points. New Orleans' Chris Paul with 28 first place votes and 894 points was second, with Kevin Garnett third (15, 670) and Lebron James fourth (1, 438).
Kobe's scoring was down this year - he only averaged 28.3 points per game (down from 31.6 and 35.4 the previous two years). His rebounding was up though as he secured a career second-best 6.3 per game. He also had his second best season in steals, averaging 1.84 per game. Although his 5.4 assists per game were only average in terms of his career numbers, people around the league will tell you he definitely made his teammates all-around better players. The Lakers posting their best season in the post-Shaq era by far with a 57-25 record is testament to the impact he had.
Congratulations to Kobe on finally being named the NBA's MVP... an award that is VERY well deserved!
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Kobe's scoring was down this year - he only averaged 28.3 points per game (down from 31.6 and 35.4 the previous two years). His rebounding was up though as he secured a career second-best 6.3 per game. He also had his second best season in steals, averaging 1.84 per game. Although his 5.4 assists per game were only average in terms of his career numbers, people around the league will tell you he definitely made his teammates all-around better players. The Lakers posting their best season in the post-Shaq era by far with a 57-25 record is testament to the impact he had.
Congratulations to Kobe on finally being named the NBA's MVP... an award that is VERY well deserved!
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Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Nuggets Get a BIG Dose of Kobe!
The "MVP" chant was in full-force almost from the beginning for the Lakers' Kobe Bryant in their game tonight at Staples Center in game two of their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets... Unlike Sunday's performance where he had an off shooting game, #24 was simply "en fuego" all night long, scoring 20 points in the first quarter and 25 in the first half to help give the Lakers a 59-49 halftime lead.
The Nuggets though were not done, and actually went on a 21-10 run over the first 6:33 of the third period to take a one point lead at 70-69. The Lakers stormed right back though, going on a 20-9 run of their own to close the quarter, reestablishing their 10 point halftime margin. The Lakers withstood one last Denver run in the fourth quarter as Allen Iverson scored six points as part of a 14-9 run to trim the Lakers lead to 98-93 with 7:16 to play. At that point, Kobe decided to do what the only the very great ones are capable of doing - he almost single-handedly took over the game! Over the next almost five minutes, he scored 17 points during a 22-8 Laker run. Yes, it was VERY reminiscent of what #23 in the Chicago Bulls uniform did so many times in the 1990's... After scoring his 49th point with 2:22 to play in the game, Kobe was pulled to more MVP chants from the crowd. The Lakers then cruised the rest of the way to a 122-107 win to take a two games to none lead in the best-of-seven series.
As for Kobe's night, the 49 points only tell part of the story. He was extremely efficient from the field, making 18 of his 27 shot attempts including 5-for-9 on three pointers. He was also 8-for-9 from the foul line and even managed to dish out 10 assists when he wasn't scoring. Both totals being one short of career playoff highs. Pau Gasol had a double-double of his own, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Luke Walton had another great game off the bench with 17 points, 7 rebounds and five assists.
Yes folks, Showtime is BACK in L.A.!!! The Lake Show featuring Kobe, Paul & L.O. travels to Denver this weekend. Game three of the best-of-seven series will be shown at 5:30 ET/2:30 PT on TNT. GO LAKERS!
The Nuggets though were not done, and actually went on a 21-10 run over the first 6:33 of the third period to take a one point lead at 70-69. The Lakers stormed right back though, going on a 20-9 run of their own to close the quarter, reestablishing their 10 point halftime margin. The Lakers withstood one last Denver run in the fourth quarter as Allen Iverson scored six points as part of a 14-9 run to trim the Lakers lead to 98-93 with 7:16 to play. At that point, Kobe decided to do what the only the very great ones are capable of doing - he almost single-handedly took over the game! Over the next almost five minutes, he scored 17 points during a 22-8 Laker run. Yes, it was VERY reminiscent of what #23 in the Chicago Bulls uniform did so many times in the 1990's... After scoring his 49th point with 2:22 to play in the game, Kobe was pulled to more MVP chants from the crowd. The Lakers then cruised the rest of the way to a 122-107 win to take a two games to none lead in the best-of-seven series.
As for Kobe's night, the 49 points only tell part of the story. He was extremely efficient from the field, making 18 of his 27 shot attempts including 5-for-9 on three pointers. He was also 8-for-9 from the foul line and even managed to dish out 10 assists when he wasn't scoring. Both totals being one short of career playoff highs. Pau Gasol had a double-double of his own, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Luke Walton had another great game off the bench with 17 points, 7 rebounds and five assists.
Yes folks, Showtime is BACK in L.A.!!! The Lake Show featuring Kobe, Paul & L.O. travels to Denver this weekend. Game three of the best-of-seven series will be shown at 5:30 ET/2:30 PT on TNT. GO LAKERS!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Lake Show Keeps Rolling
After the Los Angeles Lakers started this season 9-8, most observers thought that once again, they would be a fringe playoff team again at best. Since that sluggish start though, the Lakers now have won 13 of their past 16 games, the most recent being a 117-101 win over the Memphis Grizzlies last night in the first of a short two game road trip. Derek Fisher was almost perfect from the field, making 10 of 11 shots including all five of his three-point attempts, while scoring 26 points. Kobe Bryant added 25 points for the Lakers.
In the past few years, the Lakers have been basically all about Kobe. The modus operandi of opponents has basically been if you shut down Kobe, you'll beat the Lakers. Such is no longer the case. Over the past three years, Kobe was averaging about 41 minutes of playing time a game, while averaging a tick under 32 points a game. This year, the Lakers have been playing so well, that Kobe has gotten a lot more rest, particularly in the fourth quarter of games. In fact, he's only playing about 36 1/2 minutes a game, scoring 26.7 points a game - his lowest levels since the 2003-04 season. As a direct result of not having to shoulder so much of the offensive burden, Kobe has been able to focus more on defense. His 2.1 steals per game and 6.0 rebounds per game are his highest marks since the 2002-03 season.
So, who has taken up the slack? Fisher has been a steadying force with his experience, calm demeaner and leadership, scoring 12.8 points per game and hitting on nearly 45% of his 3-point shots. Lamar Odom has been healthy for most of the year and has been very productive when commissioner Stern has not doled out cheap one-game suspensions to him, scoring nearly 14 points a game to go with 9.3 rebounds. The big surprise continues to be the growth of center Andrew Bynum. The 20 year-old is scoring 12.8 points per game and is grabbing a team high 10.0 rebounds per contest. His 62.2% field goal percentage leads the team.
With a 22-11 record, this Laker team is looking very strong. The Lakers are currently only 1 1/2 games behind the Phoenix Suns for the division lead - a team the Lakers have beaten in both of their contests so far this season. Unlike last year's team, which started strong and folded late, this Laker team has a lot of depth. Luke Walton and Jordan Farmer also continue to grow and play prominent roles for them, while Vladimir Radmanovic adds a potent weapon off the bench from the outside. Don't be surprised if this Laker team actually makes a serious run at the division title and challenges the San Antonio Spurs for the Western Conference championship... Yes, folks... the Lake Show is BACK!!!
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In the past few years, the Lakers have been basically all about Kobe. The modus operandi of opponents has basically been if you shut down Kobe, you'll beat the Lakers. Such is no longer the case. Over the past three years, Kobe was averaging about 41 minutes of playing time a game, while averaging a tick under 32 points a game. This year, the Lakers have been playing so well, that Kobe has gotten a lot more rest, particularly in the fourth quarter of games. In fact, he's only playing about 36 1/2 minutes a game, scoring 26.7 points a game - his lowest levels since the 2003-04 season. As a direct result of not having to shoulder so much of the offensive burden, Kobe has been able to focus more on defense. His 2.1 steals per game and 6.0 rebounds per game are his highest marks since the 2002-03 season.
So, who has taken up the slack? Fisher has been a steadying force with his experience, calm demeaner and leadership, scoring 12.8 points per game and hitting on nearly 45% of his 3-point shots. Lamar Odom has been healthy for most of the year and has been very productive when commissioner Stern has not doled out cheap one-game suspensions to him, scoring nearly 14 points a game to go with 9.3 rebounds. The big surprise continues to be the growth of center Andrew Bynum. The 20 year-old is scoring 12.8 points per game and is grabbing a team high 10.0 rebounds per contest. His 62.2% field goal percentage leads the team.
With a 22-11 record, this Laker team is looking very strong. The Lakers are currently only 1 1/2 games behind the Phoenix Suns for the division lead - a team the Lakers have beaten in both of their contests so far this season. Unlike last year's team, which started strong and folded late, this Laker team has a lot of depth. Luke Walton and Jordan Farmer also continue to grow and play prominent roles for them, while Vladimir Radmanovic adds a potent weapon off the bench from the outside. Don't be surprised if this Laker team actually makes a serious run at the division title and challenges the San Antonio Spurs for the Western Conference championship... Yes, folks... the Lake Show is BACK!!!
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Friday, November 30, 2007
Phil Jackson Gets 2 Year Extension!
This is definitely yet another victory for those of us on the anti-T.J. Simers and anti-Bill Plaschke bandwagons... As those of us in the Los Angeles area know very well, these two "sportswriters" for the Los Angeles Times have been trying to run Kobe Bryant out of town for several years now. Guess what "guys," you have failed! The Kobester is going nowhere, and now, neither is his coach! Yesterday, Phil Jackson signed a two year, $24 million dollar extension to remain with the Lakers through the 2009-2010 season. Already the highest paid coach in the league, this marks a $2 million per year annual raise. The Lakers are starting to grow and develop as a team with a 9-6 record so far this year. Young talents such as Luke Walton, Andrew Bynum and Jordan Farmar along with veterans like Bryant, Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher have given Jackson reassurance that this team is going in the right direction and have given Lakers fans hope for the future!
For more on this, go to this article on Yahoo's NBA blog
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For more on this, go to this article on Yahoo's NBA blog
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