4th Quarter of Lakers-Magic: Kobe Time
NBA June 9th. 2009, 11:06pm
This is going to be a painful, painful loss for the Magic. They shoot over 70 percent in the first half, and they’re still over 65 percent, and yet the lead is a mere six. Kobe’s been unstoppable, overcoming a terrible game from foul-plagued Lamar Odom.
Just hope that Kobe starts being nicer to Andrew Bynum in the huddle.
377 Responses to “4th Quarter of Lakers-Magic: Kobe Time”
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June 9th, 2009 at 11:08 PM
They’re really gonna get 80k at this NBA all-star game? Can’t imagine wanting to watch a meaningless game from a football stadium.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:10 PM
ndub was that the humor you were looking for?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:10 PM
I’ll be there! Been to last three All-Star weekends.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:10 PM
From the last thread.
Or the way a Tony Awards stage prop treats Brett Myers.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Kobe was unstoppable in the first half, not sure what’s happened since.
meanwhile… yea, ok, tony battie.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Orlando seems like an enigma to the league this season. Something tells me the rest of the league will figure it out by next year or mimic their style, kind of like every NFL team is starting to adopt the ‘Wildcat’. I don’t think Orlando goes this far next year.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:11 PM
in case you guys missed it pietrus = this
June 9th, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Yeah, the Lakers can’t stop him from shooting.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:11 PM
mrejr – That was an all-timer. I appreciate it.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Odom is gonna take over like last game.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Hey NickP, I noticed the other day that Lebron shoots about 34% in June.
/Runs
June 9th, 2009 at 11:13 PM
You know when Kobe was 7-10 from the field early in the second quarter and the Magic were only down a few I really wanted to type that this was the best possible thing for the magic since Kobe will not stay hot. And now I look I am saying the easy observation. He has been 1-7 with 6 points since then, in a quarter in a half of play, including at least 2 TO’s in that 3rd quarter. I don’t know what game you were watching to decide that Kobe has been unstoppable. Maybe it was sarcasm?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:13 PM
even Phil must think this game is a foregone conclusion. Down 6 and Kobe sits? I know he usually does at the start of the 4th, but a win in this game and the series is over.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:13 PM
I have a theory that Phil Jackson just refuses to coach at points to teach a greater lesson to his team.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:14 PM
and is 0% for hands attempted to shake
June 9th, 2009 at 11:14 PM
4 Magic starters on the bench right now.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:14 PM
wht a shot by pietrus.
and farmar answers.
great game
June 9th, 2009 at 11:14 PM
I’d trade Bynum for Ben Wallace if I was LA. Would Cavs accept?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:15 PM
lol ruckmaker
June 9th, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Ruckmaker’s sarcasm is through the roof.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Same cannot be said for Mo Williams
June 9th, 2009 at 11:16 PM
If the Magic keeps up a fast pace throughout the series, they can win it all. They have the guards and the shooters for it.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:16 PM
please tell me this was sarcasm
June 9th, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Cavs would trade Ben Wallace for the 2009 Wilt Chamberlain
June 9th, 2009 at 11:17 PM
I’d trade Bynum for Ben Wallace if I was LA. Would Cavs accept?
I would have laughed at that earlier in the season, but after this series, if I were the Cavs, I might decline.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:17 PM
I’m sure he loves a good party. He might have been there. Damon Jones probably was!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:17 PM
92 of 100 dentists disagree
June 9th, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Yeah, it should be no problem to shoot over 60% for 3 more games.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:18 PM
LBJ = Romo?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Really, you don’t think he started out unstoppable?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:18 PM
I just think the kid is going to be wasted potential. I’d take the cap space over him. How is your head not in the game during the NBA finals? If not now, then when?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Its a credit to the depth of the Lakers that they are still in this game with Kobe not playing yet in the 2nd half.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:20 PM
BTW, I thought Lee’s layup was actually pretty fucking tough. I think, if he hits that, everyone talks about how epic it is.
/how the fuck is Kobe still sitting
June 9th, 2009 at 11:21 PM
did phil wait to long on kobe?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Duder, we get it, you think everyone sucks except the Lakers supporting cast.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:21 PM
pretty solid hold by kobe on the play at the end of regulation game 2…I just now noticed that
June 9th, 2009 at 11:21 PM
This game? No. I think he is shooting under 50% and has 4 TO’s. In fact he has been very much “stopped” since mid way through the second quarter, thus half the game.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Joey Crawford is on the Lakers payroll, you got this Laker fans
June 9th, 2009 at 11:21 PM
JESUS FUCKING CHRIST DETROIT TIGERS BULLPEN
June 9th, 2009 at 11:22 PM
Pietrus > Kobe
June 9th, 2009 at 11:22 PM
dwight actually hit his head on rafters on that block jesus christ
June 9th, 2009 at 11:22 PM
odoms leg fuckin kicked out…how do you not see that
June 9th, 2009 at 11:22 PM
Wow I read that wrong, he certainly started out unstoppable. But he has not been for hald the game.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:23 PM
play of the game by pietrus? steal and layup? if it were kobe on that shot, he would have gotten an and 1
June 9th, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Has Odom ever made a pair of FTs when the game was in the balance?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:23 PM
This might be the most ignorant thing I’ve said, but Orlando seems to be a terrible rebounding team. It seems like there strategy is to just let D-Ho rebound and everyone else clear out. Is it just me?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:23 PM
I’M OFFING MYSELF. GOODBYE WORLD.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Yeah, you could totally tell on that Walton offensive foul that ABC didn’t replay.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Again, the operative word was “started.” You seem to confuse that term with “entire.” Somewhere along the line you’re going to need to differentiate the two.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:24 PM
it sure the hell would have TBL…thats the same kinda call fisher got against turk in game 2 on the drive
June 9th, 2009 at 11:24 PM
TBL, don’t be silly, Kobe didn’t even touch him. Let’s at least be responsible with our hyberbole while hating Kobe.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Can someone tell Mark Jackson that he doesn’t have to say “fuh all tha mahbles” every single time?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Jesus Pietrus! Where did that come from? He’s playing like Kobe supposedly does
June 9th, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Great job by Odom, Ariza, and Farmar to keep them in it. What a team.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:25 PM
It allows them to play two 6′ 10″ skilled players that cause match up problems on the offensive end but can’t rebound worth diddly, since DHo can rebound so widely. Also they are playing a very tall team.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:25 PM
i got dibs on your collection of rare alabaster dolls
June 9th, 2009 at 11:26 PM
Ok Jumanji, we’re cool.
Been doing that the whole series. it’s been noticeable. They’re only replaying calls that have gone against the Magic. I doubt it’s intentional, but it’s been pretty obvious to me.
Plus, anyone notice Breen pretends to see more of a replay than we do? He makes definitive statements after replays that couldn’t not have been made with the same viewing we’ve been treated to.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:26 PM
Do people really name their children Balthazar?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:26 PM
Mark Jackson always needs to sneak in a shitty cliche before commercial breaks. If I was there, I’d run up behind him and give the Greatest Wet Willy Of All Time.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:26 PM
Not even close
June 9th, 2009 at 11:26 PM
when it is the last game of the season you cant play it safe you gotta put it all in the table.
/waterboy’d
June 9th, 2009 at 11:27 PM
The Magic kept the lead the same with Howard and Alston on the bench. So they’re just as good based on that logic..no appreciable difference between supporing casts.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:28 PM
down to 3 … PAIN orlando
pain
this will hurt
June 9th, 2009 at 11:28 PM
thats umm…what a screen is
June 9th, 2009 at 11:28 PM
The Lakers haven’t used the mythic triangle all half.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Loved Pietrus’ Kobe imitation.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:29 PM
How the fuck does Gasol have only 2 boards? If you are a 7 footer, you should step on the court and have at least 8.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:29 PM
I just want to know how D-Ho learned how to shoot free-throws in the clutch. He’s been big there all since the EC Finals.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Freaking Ariza. I may hate him more than Kobe at this point, what with the spousal abuse of Hedo and the flopping
June 9th, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Fisher made a shot? unpossible.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:30 PM
And you seemed confused by me already posting to correct my mistake. And noticing that my original post was in reference to TBL’s OP in which he said “Kobe’s been unstoppable, overcoming a terrible game from foul-plagued Lamar Odom.” I misread your question, but your question had little direct bearing upon my original point, being that Kobe has not “been unstoppable” this game, unless you want to argue that TBL meant “Kobe’s been, at points during this game, unstoppable.”
June 9th, 2009 at 11:30 PM
MIGUEL CABRERA ON A BITCH!!! WITH A BAD WHEEL! KIRK GIBSON!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:30 PM
He’s doin it better than Kobe in the second half
June 9th, 2009 at 11:30 PM
And what, did someone actually said the Lakers have great depth? I was cringing the entire time Walton and Farmar were on the floor.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:30 PM
Man, Lakers look pretty amazing with Kobe distributing. I think he finally figured out he’s a first quarter player. He doesn’t have that extra gear anymore, and he’s letting his supporting cast take this home.
What a pro.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Everytime I see a close up of Pietrus’ face now, all I’ll ever be able to think about is the Easter Islands. Thanks for that mrejr!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:31 PM
4th quarter = moving screen time against Orlando
June 9th, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Fisher finally hitting his threes.
Kobe time in 3……2……1……
June 9th, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Great, now I feel like I tool….
June 9th, 2009 at 11:31 PM
That was possibly the most biased and terrible column Simmons has written, by the way.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:31 PM
shit, it’s Kurt isn’t it?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:31 PM
I really hate the phrase “point the finger.” What finger is this? Perhaps the pointer intends to point something more vulgar?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:31 PM
what the hell is gasol complaining about there?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:32 PM
Orlando has no idea what to do in a half-court game.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:32 PM
based on that logic kennedy was a better president than lincoln because it took a shot from long range to kill kennedy
June 9th, 2009 at 11:32 PM
KOBE
June 9th, 2009 at 11:33 PM
MAKING A GOSH DARN ENTRY PASS YOU FOOL
geez pietrus
June 9th, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Yep, Kobe sucks.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:33 PM
MIGUEL CABRERA ON A BITCH!!! WITH A BAD WHEEL! KIRK GIBSON!
I thought you were dead
June 9th, 2009 at 11:33 PM
KOBE
missed.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:33 PM
i dont care what pietrus has done, he sucks.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Kobe’s awake.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:33 PM
another turnover????
hey, has JJ Redick even played tonight?? is this because of the 2 bad plays in OT?
WHY IS PIETRUS SHOOTING A 3 THERE???????
June 9th, 2009 at 11:33 PM
odom just fouled lewis 3 times under the basket…call that shit
June 9th, 2009 at 11:33 PM
/Sarcasm
June 9th, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Did anyone catch the cleavage to the left of Jackson after Gasol blatantly touched that last?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Whose sarcasm greater tonight?
Ruck or NickP?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:34 PM
gasol might be taking over anderson varejo as the player i hate the most
June 9th, 2009 at 11:34 PM
an alston floater there?
LOL
LOL
idiots
June 9th, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Logic?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:35 PM
You know Gasol is missing one of these.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:35 PM
/Andy Griffith’d?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:35 PM
Kobe has rested the last 3 quarters, think he has enough legs to make a couple jumpers?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:35 PM
skip skipped layup drills…
June 9th, 2009 at 11:35 PM
i know alston had a good game, but when the game’s on the line, i’d rather have hedo/lewis/howard forcing shots.
not lettin pietrus making bad entry passes and alston tossing up off balance floaters
June 9th, 2009 at 11:36 PM
I thought so. Still funny, but I think he’s taking the Ann Coulter route at this point. Next thing you know he’ll be ripping broadcasting legends like Joe Tait or Mike Tirico.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Oh, and BTW…
Catherine Zeta Jones….still got it. After what, 2 kids?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:36 PM
jpq – I had the toaster like 12 inches above the water.
It has been said more times than Paris Hilton has taken a dick, but Pau Gasol is disgustingly ugly.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:36 PM
That Pelham 123 movie reminds me of Die Hard with a Vengeance
June 9th, 2009 at 11:37 PM
if he misses one he’ll probably complain to the refs it didnt go in
June 9th, 2009 at 11:37 PM
If the Magic lose this game, they are pretty big chokers. This was there game from the beginning.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:37 PM
I’m going to go ahead and add terrible passing team to my terrible rebounding team comment earlier. God I hope the Magic pull this off.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:37 PM
he’s shooting. turned it over in the clutch. he’s just not good enough to play on a championship winning team.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:37 PM
i just got home and missed the first 3 quarters. Why does Howard only have 6 FGA and a ton of foul shots? Are they hacking him as soon as he gets it?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Sigh.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:37 PM
I thought the game was pretty funny up until Jack Black came on the TV.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:37 PM
catherine zeta jones is last person i would let make meover. she is fucking michael douglas
June 9th, 2009 at 11:38 PM
unpossible
June 9th, 2009 at 11:38 PM
Dwight bitches after every call. Just stop.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:38 PM
I said the exact same thing to my wife yesterday, Tri.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:38 PM
Yes, and having Douglas’s old man hands all over her
June 9th, 2009 at 11:39 PM
PIETRUS ON A BITCH
June 9th, 2009 at 11:39 PM
no basket interference? i’ll take it …
June 9th, 2009 at 11:39 PM
So would Kobe make a good coach? I can’t imagine him doing TV work, and his entire life has revolved around basketball. It’s gotta be the only logical step
June 9th, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Great minds Mak
June 9th, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Kobe is offfffff.
Pietrus >>> Bryant
June 9th, 2009 at 11:40 PM
KNOCK IT OFF MARK JACKSON. KNOCK IT THE FUCK OFF.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:40 PM
he can bitch on every call because there is contact on every play…did you see the two plays gasol recently complained about?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:40 PM
freakin kobe god damn the refs
June 9th, 2009 at 11:40 PM
what foul?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:40 PM
c’mon Magic. FINISH!!!!!!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:40 PM
Ah, yes. But, you’d still bang her. And you forgot..
/Big Daddy’d
June 9th, 2009 at 11:41 PM
That was a bs call.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:41 PM
Kobe’s said he would never want to coach.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:41 PM
Kobe did not rape that woman
/chicago
June 9th, 2009 at 11:41 PM
Joey Crawford with the call from behind the play while two players stand between him and what’s going on.
/Still laughing while Simmons and the Magic fans bitch
June 9th, 2009 at 11:41 PM
GAsol got bodied. Should’ve been at line.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:41 PM
would jordan make a good gm?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:41 PM
that was a foul on lewis on the Gasol drive.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:41 PM
lewis!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:41 PM
RASHARD!!!!!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:42 PM
I just want to see Lewis do the Sam Cassell testicle dance after a shot like that.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:42 PM
What an unwatchable series.
/Simmons
June 9th, 2009 at 11:42 PM
Bucher just tweeted “RicBucherKobe takes Gasol to end of bench w/clipboard to diagram a play. Kobe trusts Pau as much as he doesn’t trust Bynum. 2 have done this all nite”
June 9th, 2009 at 11:43 PM
SC: I’d take her in a second over most of these young sluts. At least you know Michael Douglas has been there. With some of these young ones, half the LA phone book has taken a ride w/ them
June 9th, 2009 at 11:43 PM
that probably was a foul…and thats the kind of contact d-ho takes every single fucking play near the basket…hence the bitching
June 9th, 2009 at 11:43 PM
when Lewis is on, his shot resemble Ray Allen a lot.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:43 PM
First accurate statement Duder has made tonight.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:43 PM
The same woman who had sex with 3 other dudes after she had sex with Kobe? Yeah, that’s what I call a slut.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Jordan has an entire empire. What’s he care about GMing
June 9th, 2009 at 11:43 PM
I’m staying at a Marroit for in bumfuck PA for work and the game was just taken off in the middle of possession for an infomercial! This is unreal…
June 9th, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Not enough snarling or being carried off the court by teammates.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Well, you know the old axiom. A series doesn’t really start until Kobe shoots his team out of a game.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Surprised they didn’t just make it a 3.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Simmons only likes to watch Pierce’s facial hair and Kevin Garnett’s f-bombs. Yet he claims to be an NBA fan.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Do you realize that he said that after the first quarter of Game 2, when the series at that point consisted of a blowout and an incredibly low scoring quarter?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Never doubt Mike Breen.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:44 PM
kobe licks his lips more than ll cool j.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:45 PM
NO JUMP BALL???
WTF?????
joey crawford that sack of shit
June 9th, 2009 at 11:45 PM
that’s a foul??!!???
June 9th, 2009 at 11:45 PM
good call…from the other side of the court…
June 9th, 2009 at 11:45 PM
oh shit….kobe missed.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:45 PM
lakers fans, tell me thats not a clean block.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Kobe’s shooting FTs like Lebron
June 9th, 2009 at 11:45 PM
40 seconds in
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioUhoBZq8Ak
You realize he does the dance to deter the eyes from staring at his ET-shaped head, right?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Where was this FT shooting in the Nuggets series Kobe?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Too funny. Joey Crawford best Laker ever.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Kobe pulling a Lebron at the line tonight…
June 9th, 2009 at 11:45 PM
I’m staying at a Marroit for in bumfuck PA for work and the game was just taken off in the middle of possession for an infomercial! This is unreal…
you need more quarters for the porn-o-meter!
/btw, I thought ALL of PA was bumfuck PA?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Dwight Howard > Kobe Bryant in clutch free-throw shooting?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:45 PM
@JPQ – Thank you for the Amen.
@Kobe Bryant – STOP MISSING FUCKING FREE THROWS JACKASS
June 9th, 2009 at 11:46 PM
hahahaha he turned into Lebron.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Wow, very bad shooting night for Kobe… his missed free throws have been the difference.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Kobe has been un-characteristically Lebron-esque from the line tonight.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Kobe pulling a Lebron on the free throw line.
/He’s also getting Lebron’s calls.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:46 PM
I know im ridiculous in calling out the ridiculous shit on the magic…but how any impartial person can watch this series and not notice this ridiculous shit is beyond me
June 9th, 2009 at 11:46 PM
June 9th, 2009 at 11:47 PM
Does anyone else think Kobe is missing the free throws because that girl he didn’t bang in the ass in Colorado is sitting six inches from the television holding up a Kobe doll with pins in the hands and arms?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:47 PM
The NBA should replace their referees with beautiful women. The results would me the same, and it would reinforce the fraud of it all.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:47 PM
Is there any facial hair worse than Paul Pierce’s? Not even Joe Dirt.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:48 PM
karma: tonight is not the night for conspiracy theories. Wait until Darrell is here. He’s still out looking for the real killer for OJ
June 9th, 2009 at 11:48 PM
Jeff, you’re a Magic fan. I’m a kobe/laker fan. We’ll see different shit because of this. I saw dwight slam both hands over Kobe. It was clean of course, but he bodied him and then threw his hands on him. Of course they’re calling that.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:48 PM
echo… echo…
June 9th, 2009 at 11:48 PM
Jeez Karma and Chicago are trying to tag team everyone out of commenting.
/they say the same thing every time
June 9th, 2009 at 11:48 PM
how bad of a possession was that AFTER A TIMEOUT???
June 9th, 2009 at 11:49 PM
God he is so clutch
June 9th, 2009 at 11:49 PM
PIETRUS ON A BITCH!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:49 PM
KOBE SUCKS
June 9th, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Ko-Be sucks!!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Kobe that is
June 9th, 2009 at 11:49 PM
And Kobe has single handedly lost this game for the Lakers.
Wow.
What happened to the focus?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Last 2 minutes of a close game:
Turnover, chucked corkscrew jumper that catches backboard, and missed FT.
/the Kobe Trifecta, as the kids call it.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:49 PM
PIETRUS>>>>>>>KOBE
June 9th, 2009 at 11:49 PM
kobe trying to do too much tonight? between the shit on the bench and the FT misses … he’ll have at least 40 in game 4
June 9th, 2009 at 11:49 PM
echo…
June 9th, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Technically that turnover is not Kobe’s. What was Pau thinking on that? ?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:50 PM
I think I saw him smile during a time out, ruined everything.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Welp…I found it.
Damn you TBL! Damn you and your reverse mojo!!!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:50 PM
80 year old Dad Van Gundy is the best looking one. He must pull serious tail at the home
June 9th, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Good call cgb
June 9th, 2009 at 11:51 PM
I do think he has five assists in this quarter. But those only count when they’re LeBron’s. Either way, he’s played terrible.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:51 PM
No doubt about that. At least 40.
/granted, he’ll have 36+ shot attempts
June 9th, 2009 at 11:51 PM
Kobe trying to do too much tonight. His drive to win this title got the best of him tonight by bringing out his worse at inopportune times.
Anyone think he rebounds and goes bonkers in Game 4 if they lose tonight?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:51 PM
why are pro refs worse than college refs? college regs are bad don’t get me wrong but to even have joey crawfords stupid fucking ass anywhere near the building is a crime against organized sports
June 9th, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Good job killing the clock, Trevor.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Kobe has not had an open look all night, every shot has been with a hand in his face.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Kobe 2/12 since his hot start. eww.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Give it to Odom
June 9th, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Kobe doing too much? this is mild compared to that one on four play last game…
Pietrus made him work and this is what happens when kobe has to play hard on both ends…
June 9th, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Almost makes you think he should pass those shots up.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:54 PM
adam morrison looks like he should be a porn director
June 9th, 2009 at 11:54 PM
whew. at least it’ll go 5!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Why the hell are they chucking up threes for? Wow this game was horrible for the Lakers
June 9th, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Kobe with another last second make. Guy is so clutch.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Dropping confetti. Fucking dumb stadium workers. Are you kidding me? That deserves the R-word insult.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:55 PM
whwy they didn’t go for two after the second miss?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:55 PM
kobe should have had an assist in crunch time. Weird, a wide open shot was missed though.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:55 PM
actually, hand-in-face of kobe describes how battier plays him.
pietrus clearly didn’t get that memo. he just puts his hands up. big difference.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:55 PM
adam morrison = emile hirsch
June 9th, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Kobe has not had an open look all night, every shot has been with a hand in his face.
Almost makes you think he should pass those shots up.
LOL nickp!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Bryant struggling down the stretch will go unnoticed?? Really???
June 9th, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Don’t you love how when Kobe messes up the L.A. fans immediately defend him by pointing at LBJ? You guys, he’s just not as good, leave it alone
June 9th, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Did Mark Jackson really say “What will go unnoticed is that Bryant struggled down the stretch…” WHAT?!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Holy shit. Mark Jackson just said something intelligent
“I think that should be a fine for whoever’s in charge of the confetti.”
June 9th, 2009 at 11:56 PM
This IS the city where T-Mac got famous for that phrase, NDub.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:56 PM
how is there not .4 left?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:57 PM
LAKERS ARE GONNA COVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Kobe (still) > LeBron
June 9th, 2009 at 11:58 PM
G-man doesn’t understand how things work around here.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Until tomorrow, gents…
LATA!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:58 PM
did the lakers shake any hands?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:58 PM
id like if they called kobe bryant holding courtney lee on the lob and the magic were up 2-1 right now
June 9th, 2009 at 11:59 PM
The Magic shoot 63% from the field and only win by 4 in front of their jacked group of hillbillies? I don’t think the Lakers are worried.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:59 PM
What was the spread? I thought I heard before the game that it was four points. Did they push?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:00 AM
I wasn’t under the impression that this was a L.A. fan blog
June 10th, 2009 at 12:00 AM
I’d be worried a bit if I were Kobe
June 10th, 2009 at 12:01 AM
True, and they should win the series easily. They’re up 2-1, and the law of averages says Kobe will have a good shooting night at some point.
/Right?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:01 AM
I didn’t think it was either at first, but I learned quickly.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Got em 4.5
June 10th, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Obviously you’re not a golfer
/Lebowski’d
June 10th, 2009 at 12:02 AM
eddie murphy on conan. how strange will he be?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:02 AM
There are Hillbillies in South Florida? Are there any hills?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Best shooting percentage ever in the finals and they got a 4 point win? A win’s a win, but you would have thought Orlando would have blown them out
June 10th, 2009 at 12:02 AM
it was 4.5
June 10th, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Nice
June 10th, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Is Norbit 2 out?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:04 AM
TBl, I blame you for jinxing Kobe the day you support him with your “Kobe time”…I’ve never seen Kobe choke this bad since the ‘97 playoffs..please stick to hating Kobe.
Also, I love how this is going to be used as fuel by people for hating Kobe for another 20 years.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:04 AM
Only happens at the end of the series
June 10th, 2009 at 12:05 AM
There are Hillbillies in South Florida? Are there any hills?
I’m in South Florida, I’m not a hillbilly, and if you call a berm surrounding houses a hill, then I live near Mount Everest
June 10th, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Eddie is untouchable, imo.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:06 AM
My facebook status, gotta love it:
ORL shot 63% from the field all game…Kobe pulled a Lebron and choked down the stretch…and the Magic still barely won? Lakers taking game 4, book it. Kobe’s going to go OFF.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:07 AM
No, him raping that poor girl fuels most people.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:07 AM
C’mon now. I give LeBron credit where it’s due. But, he’s not here…Kobe is. I’m pointing my finger DIRECTLY at #24 for the loss tonight.
Those free throw misses were massive. Just like LBJ’s were at points in the ECF.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:07 AM
Is this the worst 3 quarters of Kobe’s career?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:08 AM
it’s not “hillbilly” in Florida, it’s something everglades-related. Just as bad.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:08 AM
Great, because I’m not a Cavs or Lebron fan. TBL/the media does focus on him, maybe too much, but the fact remains that he is better by nearly every metric.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:08 AM
What was the name of that case again?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:09 AM
I’m not an NBA fan but these comments are hilarious. Everyone hates Kobe (I’ve never seen a superstar hated so much) and Cursed tries to defend Kobe’s shot selection and greatness by himself. I think of Cursed Cleveland as Maximus and everyone else as the tigers except totally different.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!?!
June 10th, 2009 at 12:09 AM
Lakers will win in five, nothing the Magic did today proves otherwise.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:09 AM
To this day Kobe honks still believe that Trent Dilfer was a better player than Dan Marino.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:10 AM
Same here. He was fucking bad in the second half.
Duder, please stop with the rape bullshit. It’s just not funny.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:10 AM
How righteous of you, Duder. Exploiting something you know nothing about so that you have cheap shots to throw around in sports talk.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:10 AM
Lebron >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Kobe
no question.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:11 AM
if you take out the lakers 3 jacked threes at the end there they probably shot close to 55%…its not like they shot the ball awful
June 10th, 2009 at 12:11 AM
I only bring Lebron up because of quotes like this;
Kobe is not even that “clutch”, he’s missed a ton of shots at the end of games, and shoots a poor percentage.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:11 AM
Can I be Djimon Hounsou?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:11 AM
why are they showing these scary looking reporters ask the questions
June 10th, 2009 at 12:14 AM
No, him raping that poor girl fuels most people.
It’s said when you guys consistently have to refer to Colorado to get your point across. Atheletes have sex with numerous women all the time…the fact that Kobe got caught for putting himself in that position is his own fault, yes. But there’s a reason why the girl dropped the case dude…something about having her sexual history revealed didn’t sit well with her, I wonder why?
That being said, Kobe choked down the stretch down. That was the worst game I’ve seen him play…ironic considering his hot start.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:14 AM
At least you dont think what he did was funny. You are a good person.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Orphan
June 10th, 2009 at 12:15 AM
eddie murphy’s strange little laugh is freaking me out man
June 10th, 2009 at 12:16 AM
Kobe’s Money v. Semen Crusted Undies
June 10th, 2009 at 12:17 AM
I spit out my beer on that one, Kermit.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:17 AM
What the hell does rape accusations have to do with a basketball game? Duder, if you care so much, then why are you devaluing the harm that rape causes by using them in stupid, unfunny jokes? All you’re doing is killing the mood for everyone who are just trying to enjoy a game after a day of work/school/slacking off.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:17 AM
I only bring up Lebron to counter the numerous times Kobe’s mentioned on this site as being:
- a bad teammate
- not a leader
- someone who didnt do shit during LA’s title runs
- not clutch
- a horrible person
- a rapist who should be in jail.
Seriously,
June 10th, 2009 at 12:17 AM
Ah yes, I think there were semen samples from 3 or 4 different people, IIRC.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:18 AM
OK karma, youre the expert. You were 2 during that trial right?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:18 AM
I think of all the sports, it’s just easier to hate on the NBA players over the NFL, MLB, NHL etc. They all seem to feel the need to manufacture these media personnas, which just makes them look fake as shit. Kobe is as phony as they come, as is LeBron, as was MJ.
Not that other sports/stars don’t do it (like A-Rod, for example), but for some reason it really seems to come through with these guys, at least to me
June 10th, 2009 at 12:18 AM
/ TBL needs an edit button.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:19 AM
Never said he didnt do shit during their titles.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:19 AM
lebron is done…he lost last round…can we stop talking about him please? you guys will have the wholeeeeeeee summer to give him the dutch rutter
June 10th, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Thought it was:
Kobe’s Money v. Mary Lou Rotten Crotch
June 10th, 2009 at 12:21 AM
You see their faces more than any other sport, including baseball, jpq. Also, Stern made this monster nearly 30 years ago when he started to promote star players over teams.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:21 AM
No, but people love to jump to conclusions when there’s evidence to the contrary. The girl was showing off to people that she had sex with Kobe Bryant…and following having sex, had sex with other dudes.
I dont condone what Kobe did, dude’s an idiot for fucking some random chick when he has a hot wife, but being labeled a “rapist” for the rest of his life is not something he particularly deserves, no matter how much you may hate his scowl or otherwise.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:24 AM
Wow, it’s almost like ESPN is afraid to talk about Kobe’s horrible shooting night. Stu Scott just mentioned his assist and that the Lakers lost. WTF
June 10th, 2009 at 12:24 AM
No one knows what went down but those two in that hotel room, but I would not call someone a “rapist” when the case never went to trial, criminally or civil. There’s little public record of the evidence or a chance for either side to respond to the evidence we know of.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:24 AM
I’m of the opinion that its more likely that a girl that had 32 dudes semen in her panties would lie to get some money off kobe than it is that a guy in kobes position (tons of money, he seems relatively smart, has a good looking wife, could have his pick of any girl he wants on the road) would rape a girl
June 10th, 2009 at 12:25 AM
Kobe is the 2nd best player Ive ever seen play. I love his game.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:26 AM
You see their faces more than any other sport, including baseball, jpq. Also, Stern made this monster nearly 30 years ago when he started to promote star players over teams.
mak: You may be right, it’s just there seems to be such an obvious concerted emphasis by these guys (their handlers and the NBA) to project these images that just don’t correlate with people. That’s why LeBron caught so much shit for the media/handshake thing, D-How did for his kid after being Mr/ Christian role model, and Kobe after CO (and whatever the hell BS he is pulling with this ACT right now). The more perfect they try to make these guys, the more unlikable they become.
Brady and A-Rod are the other two that come to mind as being just big phonies, to me. Favre was there, but he’s been exposed.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:26 AM
embarrassing that Kobe went 6 of 19 tonight with only 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and four turnovers.
/actually Michael Jordan in 96, single handedly losing the a finals game for the Bulls.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:27 AM
The one time that Kobe should have the scowl, he’s smiling. What the hell
June 10th, 2009 at 12:28 AM
I’m really surprised they don’t have “KOBE CHOKES IN GAME 3″ as their headline. Seriously.
My point exactly. Dude is a) filthy rich, b) famous, c) good looking (no homo)….he doesn’t exactly have to beg for girls to suck his dick…and it seems unlikely that he wanted to sex her up so badly to the point that someone who’s so fucking image conscious would risk trying to actually force himself on someone and rape them.
Okay, this is depressing.
Go Lakers.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:28 AM
Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas were huge phonies.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Cursed, I shit you not, I was just going to mention the same game, but I didn’t want to tarnish a man I idolized throughout my childhood. Sometimes I do wonder if Jordan would be so beloved and legendary if he played in today’s media world. He was a similar personality to Kobe, and I’m about 90% sure people would have found a way to tear him apart and hate him.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:29 AM
I will bet someone on here of a Lakers victory in game 4.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:30 AM
That was one expensive piece of bearded clam. Settlement + 4 million dollar ring – one poop touching maid’s lawsuit = Headache.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:30 AM
It makes me sad that this argument had to be made tonight.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:30 AM
Yeah cursed another myth is that Jordan was amazing in every playoff game. The Bulls were a great team. They made the conference semis without him. You need great teammates to win a title.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:31 AM
Hardaway >>>>>>>>> MJ
June 10th, 2009 at 12:31 AM
I meant to add:
/saying the same thing as Karma again
June 10th, 2009 at 12:31 AM
How dare you exclude Scott Norwood
June 10th, 2009 at 12:32 AM
Chicago, I’ve got more in my bad of tricks haha. We’ll see if Kobe has anymore awful games left in him.
I’ll truly never understand why people who dislike Kobe as a person have to act like he’s a dog shit basketball player. My favorite criticism of him is when people say “he’s trying to be like MJ” umm, and that’s a bad guy to model your game after? Jack Kevorkian should be offended if the next assisted-suicide doctor didn’t have a poster of him on his wall.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:32 AM
Actually you referenced him, unsolicited, in order to defend Kobe’s suckiness. But hey, whatever you feel like
June 10th, 2009 at 12:32 AM
Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas were huge phonies.
clown: Actually, they were never phonies. Their problem was they both partied their brains out for the 6 years the Bills were really good. Everybody knew it (at least in Buffalo. I used to see Kelly out all the time, and went to a party at his house once). If the national media didn’t know it, then yeah, they were phonies, but everybody in Buffalo knew.
But both have gotten hit w/ a big dose of reality since they retired, Kelly w/ his kid dying and Thurman going through rehab.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Barry Sanders ahd the same problem D-Ho had during his career and it just went away.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:33 AM
MJ would’ve been vilified just like Kobe is in an internet age, and Karl Malone would’ve been the one propped up by the statheads because of his high point and rebound totals (just like Global Icon).
June 10th, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Absolutely. I’ll also add that Jordan was the best I ever saw, but in fall fairness, I never saw Bernard King.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:34 AM
lebron’s name should be blocked from the site until the season is over
June 10th, 2009 at 12:35 AM
clown was clearly trying to annoy you jpq, but I guess he was right
June 10th, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Name dropper
June 10th, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Barry Sanders ahd the same problem D-Ho had during his career and it just went away.
like clown just said: no internet. Everybody pre 2000 or so got a free pass. Now, they take a messy dump or leave a bad tip, and it’s in a blog
June 10th, 2009 at 12:35 AM
yeah but what were the repercussions for Cornelius Bennett?
/herniad
June 10th, 2009 at 12:35 AM
It’s not unsolicited when it comes up in every NBA thread every day. And no, the Kobe supporters are not the ones bringing it up every time. Try and keep up.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:35 AM
That why people like Barkley, he seems like the only NBA player who actually a real person, not a corporate interview by numbers player.
Iverson in his pre-washed up days fits as well.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Lakers have to make some adjustments…the one player who scares me on the Magic is Lewis…dude gets his shot off whenever he wants. Also, BYNUM sucks balls. I cant believe how much the media overrated his prescence last year..granted, he’s a big body, but kid cannot deliver.
BTW, Gasol shot like 9-11 tonight…I still wish he called timeout when he was on the floor though.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:36 AM
Actually, Pete Metzelaars would have been a better reference.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:37 AM
Yeah those stupid point and rebound totals. Screw assists too. I just go by what my unbiased eyes tell me. Thats what all the smart people do.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:38 AM
Really? LBJ also has huge assist totals and a higher shooting %, in fact he’s more similar to MJ than Kobe. MJ did not take many treys at all
June 10th, 2009 at 12:38 AM
yeah but what were the repercussions for Cornelius Bennett?
I know clown was being sarcastic, I just thought I’d answer honestly and ignore his sarcacism
cursed: Again: maybe you’re being sarcastic, but if you aren’t you don’t want to know the details of Bennett’s “assault”. I won’t type it here
June 10th, 2009 at 12:38 AM
Allright, I’m off.
Psyched for Game 4. Magic can’t possibly shoot much better, can they? How was this game even that close?
Lakers in 6.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:38 AM
Thanks, Debbie Downer. I was trying to bust your chops and now I’m gonna cry.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:39 AM
I guess I’m kind of old because Kobe doesn’t crack my top five. Maybe not top ten either…
June 10th, 2009 at 12:40 AM
NBA players aren’t the only corporate phonies. The best players in the game have to have mass appeal. It’s really only Kobe, Lebron, and Wade who come off as marketing phonies. It’s not the entire NBA. Just like the entire NFL isn’t Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, or the MLB is Derek Jeter and whoever.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:40 AM
Thanks, Debbie Downer. I was trying to bust your chops and now I’m gonna cry
clown: good, read this before bed and click on the link
http://thebiglead.com/?p=14782#comment-423170
June 10th, 2009 at 12:41 AM
I’m just saying that you brought it up, in this thread, with your awesome facebook update.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:41 AM
Mak’s top five:
1) Shaq
2) Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
3) Big Baby Davis
4) Brandon Bass
5) Tyrus Thomas
June 10th, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Magic
Bird
Jordan
Isaiah Thomas
Kevin Johnson
I didn’t miss a minute if one of these five was on my TV as a kid.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:42 AM
More times than not its the Kobe fans who bring up LeBron. Tonight is just one of many examples.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:42 AM
lol@clown
where’s Stanley Roberts?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:43 AM
/fixed
June 10th, 2009 at 12:44 AM
Bird is better than Kobe? Come on. Isaiah and KJ(wtf), no chance.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:44 AM
Nice Triston was gonna do the same
June 10th, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Makblunt, I was being a little sarcastic.
But in the last 15 years, I go with 1. MJ 2. Kobe 3. Magic 4. Shaq 5. Duncan 6.Bird 7. Hakeem 8. Malone 9. Isiah 10. Pippen
Grant Hill could have gone 2 or 3 without the injuries. I put Kobe ahead of Magic because I think he’s better on both sides of the ball. Better scorer and defensive player.
I put absolutely no thought into that list, but I’m feeling good about it for at least a few seconds.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:45 AM
I’d say it’s about equal. Both sides are pretty biased and blame the other side.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:46 AM
Bird is MUCH better than Kobe. MUUUUUUUCHHH better. Ike and KJ had better basketball IQ’s than Kobe.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:48 AM
in the last 15 years? I guess. Was Bird playing in 1995?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:48 AM
SuperAndy and Howard kid don’t count when it comes to “shit starters”. Granted, there were THREE comments on Lebron when Kobe missed those free throws, but usually, the Lebron/Kobe shit starts from up top (TBL’s posts). Tonight was an exception. I will wait till next thread to make my point.
I’m only 20, but the five best players I’ve seen PLAY (CONSISTENTLY) and actually followed:
Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
Lebron James (still think his game is not aesthetically pleasing in any sense of the word)
Vince Carter (trust me)
Shaquille O’Neal
Lebron’s the only player I haven’t actually watched play too many times (other than playoffs and big games)…I’m only putting him up there out of respect.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:52 AM
I meant 25 years. haha.
And I don’t think Bird does anywhere near the damage in today’s NBA. His game does not translate nearly as much. He couldn’t even move during the second half of his career, and that’s before the emergence of the 6′8 slasher. The 6′8 guys who guarded him back then couldnt move. And were white (by the way). He averaged over 10 rebounds a game in his first 6 years, no way that happens now at 6′8 or 6′9.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:53 AM
Vince Carter? What exactly is the criteria that you’re basing this list off of?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:55 AM
You don’t think all the advancements in medicine, training, etc. would propel Bird to another level? You can’t factor in today’s athleticism, etc. without factoring in the things that help them achieve it.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:56 AM
Are you saying Jordan based on highlights or have you seen actual games that he played?
cursed, Pippen is better than LeBron?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:56 AM
That’s funny. I would love to watch Kobe play one-on-one. The problem is that he consistently seems to ignore the fact that there are four people in the court that are wearing the same jersey. Lebron’s game is more aesthetically pleasing to me because he can do everything.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:58 AM
The old Kobe yes. But the dude is giving the ball up just fine in these playoffs. I don’t think he’s taking too many shots right now at all. Remember that the other starters he’s playing with are Derek Fisher, Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza. How many open looks do those guys really hit at this point.
Duder, LeBron’s only played 6 years. I do think he’s passed the current Kobe. I didn’t want to put him on a list of the last 25 years.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:59 AM
Pippen is the reason I can defend Lebron for lacking a supporting cast. He was a top five player in the league, and an essential part of their dynasty. Kobe has that guy (Pau), Lebron certainly does not
June 10th, 2009 at 1:00 AM
must watch players last 15 years…
Jason Kidd(run)
Michael Jordan(the man)
Wade(Chris Paul will take his spot soon)
Kobe(he plays better than his stats sometimes look)
T-Mac(I still hate him with a passion, but his game looked so effortless)
just missed
LBJ(looks like a runaway train, no grace at all)
CP3(will be top five once Byron Scott gets fired)
Vince Carter(just didn’t care enough)
Iverson(misses waaaay too much)
‘Melo(will replace T-Mac soon)
June 10th, 2009 at 1:01 AM
Didnt watch the first half, did Bynum play at all?
June 10th, 2009 at 1:01 AM
Honestly I always factor that in, but that’s why I say his game wouldn’t translate nearly as much. Obviously Jordan and Isiah would fit right in. Bird would still be a great shooter, but I don’t find him nearly as athletic as say, Dirk. Bird had a great b’ball IQ no doubt, but so does Kobe..in fact, you could argue that there’s nobody with a higher one than Kobe right now. Bucher tweeted tonight that Kobe had the clipboard in the fourth quarter, and drew up all the pick and roll action.
I’m not hating on Bird, I just think his game would suffer in today’s NBA. Still an elite shooter and passer. Just think his rebounding and overall scoring would be down.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:02 AM
Shaq was fun to watch when he was on in his prime
June 10th, 2009 at 1:03 AM
I just wrote a boat load and it says “waiting moderation”
June 10th, 2009 at 1:04 AM
I think Pippen was amazing. The only guy who had any chance of guarding Jordan was on his team.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:04 AM
Bynum fucking sucks. 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 fouls.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:05 AM
Well he’s certainly has improved in that area recently, but he still can’t manage to shoot over 50% regularly, and your disparaging remarks about his supporting cast conceal the fact that his team is pretty damn good w/o him
June 10th, 2009 at 1:05 AM
What i tried to say was that I did factor today’s training with Bird in. Bird would be a great shooter and passer today, but his defense would be substantially worse and his scoring would be down. He towered over guys that tried to guard him back then, and when teams would go big, those guys were big terrible stiffs. Now, every team has 4 6′8 guys to throw at a perimeter/post player like Bird, and they’d all be way more athletic than him.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:05 AM
Bird’s shot was as pure as anything I’ve ever seen. AND he had a killer instinct. AND he talked major shit while playing. AND his team swept Jordan’s team when Jordan went for 63.
I know today’s players are bigger, stronger, faster. But actual skill, love for the game, and heart should count for something.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:06 AM
Criteria was great players I’ve actually watched play on a consistent basis…as in, I actually followed their games (only exception was Lebron).
I put Carter on there because from 99-2002, he was untouchable. His dunks were amazing, obviously, but his offensive game was unbelieveable. He could slash and make an effortless dunk/layup, but he could also shoot the lights out from midrange/3. Plus, believe it or not, Carter is/was ridiculously clutch. There was a period in the 2000 season where he had like 4 buzzer-beaters in a row, one every week pretty much.
Duder, I caught the 97 and 98 seasons by the Bulls. Rodman was one of my favourite players as a kid (cause of the hair I guess). I was only 8 and 9 during those runs, but my brother was a huge fan of MJ so I kinda had to watch the games. I have most of the 98 playoffs on tape somewhere…and have memories of the game when the Bulls blew out the Jazz on thier own court by like 43 points.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:06 AM
Kidd was my favorite player as a kid. Have/had a ton of bball cards from him at Cal. Also a big Penny fan.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:07 AM
I never liked watching centers, I felt the great ones always slowed the game down.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:07 AM
I don’t know what happened to Kobe, but he seems like he’s reverting back to the old Kobe. He’s getting his 8 assists, but in terms of the flow, he’s hogging the ball a little more than he should. It’s not just the shots he takes, but the turnovers he has too. I don’t like this scowling Kobe, because he’s not as efficient
June 10th, 2009 at 1:08 AM
I don’t think his supporting cast is awful, just not as good as people made it seem all season when they said (best team on paper). Hell, Orlando is more talented 1-12 than the Magic, maybe even the Nuggets too.
And why does Kobe have to shoot 50%? Jordan shot 42% in 96 against the Sonics. Seems like Kobe’s being held to a ridiculous standard.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:09 AM
Also, watching tapes of Hakeem play in his prime is amazing.
Unfortunetly, I was subjected to watch Hakeem when he was 37 and playing for the Raptors. His only contribution that entire season was a 15 foot game winner against the Hawks.
/Still remembers what a waste of cap space that was
June 10th, 2009 at 1:10 AM
Ruck at the end of games, it seems like Kobe wants to be the hero, no matter what the defense dictates. He wants the glory of that fourth ring all to himself. Kinda like young Kobe.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:10 AM
Just looked, MJ shot 46% against the Jazz in 97, and 43% in 98. Jordan was the best ever, but lots of revisionist history with him.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:12 AM
I agree tonight (although he kicked one out to Fish wide open with about 45 seconds to go I think). Against the Rockets, he hit Fish for a possible game winner. In game two, he smoked Hedo off the dribble and had a 14 foot pull up, that’s a shot I’m comfortable with him taking, he just got blocked from behind.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:13 AM
I still think Magic was better than Jordan. Even Laker fans say I’ve lost my mind.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:14 AM
There’s no question Kobe has a major hero complex, especially in this series. He and Phil needs to get that in check, because it could possibly cost them the series. They could realistically be down 2-1 right now if Kobe didn’t grab Courtney Lee at the end of Game 2
June 10th, 2009 at 1:14 AM
So, the other three players collapsing on him didn’t make that bad shot selection? with THREE open guys?
June 10th, 2009 at 1:15 AM
Well, 1-12 doesn’t really matter, especially in the playoffs. Pau is the second or third best guy left in the playoffs, and Odom is very good when he wants to be, i.e. in the Finals.
I brought up 50% because Lebron shot 51% this playoffs. I think Kobe is pretty close to MJ, except that he doesn’t know when to back off and let somebody else score. He’s also not as good a defender or motivator as MJ.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:17 AM
I like Magics offensive game better. Magic, Penny, Kidd all looked to pass. Thats the biggest reason I like LeBrons game more than Kobes. Honest.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:18 AM
Absolutely. I don’t like comparing anyone to him, because his was an entirely unique situation. They had an extremely good first six, even if they weren’t deep, and the 72-win year they had 3 all-nba defenders. Just a ridiculous team
June 10th, 2009 at 1:18 AM
Ruck, he grabbed him around the pick not while he was going up right?
June 10th, 2009 at 1:21 AM
I like what Lebron does for his team more than Kobe, I just like watching Kobe play more than I do watching LBJ. He’s still missing something in his game. I don’t know what “it” is tho.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:22 AM
No, Lee was free before he went up for the alley-oop. But if you watch the replay, it threw him off balance enough so that Lee couldn’t run directly to the ball/basket, thus making it a tough shot. Kobe got caught napping there
June 10th, 2009 at 1:26 AM
Some good points. LeBron simply cannot be stopped going to the hole, he gets so many easy shots inside, and teams don’t even guard him at the three point line b/c he’s so good at getting inside. I do think that inflates his percentage. Imagine if teams didn’t guard Kobe outside what his three point shooting would be (but that’s why LeBron is better in my eyes right now..his ability to go inside).
I don’t think MJ is much better defensively to be honest. Kobe’s been all over the place on defense (he plays a roamer right now just like LeBron)But I seriously rarely ever see Kobe getting beat when he’s asked to guard some of the better perimeter players. He’s never asked too though, especially now that they have Ariza.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:32 AM
Do you think Kobe gets post traumatic stress flashbacks if he passes to Pau too many times and Pau gets hot? Like it reminds him of the Shaq alphadog drama all over again? If that’s the case, I can see why he’d have the hero complex thing kick in
June 10th, 2009 at 1:36 AM
Yeah MJ and Kobe played similar roles on D. I think MJ was better simply because he played passing lanes better. He averaged a steal more than Kobe, and at his peak had nearly three a game.
June 10th, 2009 at 5:22 AM
Nick Montana, bitches.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:34 AM
lebron’s name should be blocked from the site until the season is over
amen