Defending Kobe’s MVP

Earlier today the NBA announced Kobe Bryant as the winner of the NBA's 2007-08 MVP award and I think I speak for most Lakers fans when I say it’s about freaking time.

Kobe gathered 1,105 points from the 126 sportswriters and broadcasters who sit on the MVP voting panel to best runner up Chris Paul who finished with 889 points.

The 216 point difference between KB24 and CP3 seems a little large for an MVP race that felt almost as controversial as a Democratic nomination election, but the contest looks more like a Huckebee beat down when you compare Kobe’s eighty-two first place votes to Chris Paul’s twenty-eight.

Despite this resounding win for Kobe, television and radio analysts harp repeatedly that Chris Paul was robbed. Now I agree that Chris Paul deserved serious consideration for the Maurice Podoloff Trophy but the main argument analysts fall back on – that Chris Paul did more with less help – is pure baloney.

First of all, Chris Paul has a fellow All-Star in his frontcourt in David West and a former three-time All-Star in the sharp-shooting Peja Stojakovic. Kobe Bryant? Nope, he doesn’t have a single other All-Star in the Forum Blue and Gold and the only former All-Star on the Lakers squad, Pau Gasol, played beside Kobe for barely a third of the season.

Furthermore, Kobe was the main constant on a squad that had few after losing Most Improved Player candidate Andrew Bynum to a season-ending knee injury midway through the year and adjusted his game to integrate Pau Gasol in the midst of the most competitive playoff race in NBA history. A race that the Lakers won, by the way. And lest we forget, a team can hardly do “more” than post the best record in its conference.

During that same period the Hornets also played well and finished second in the Western Conference, buoyed by the addition of Bonzi Wells, whose inclusion as a role player did not necessitate a dramatic change in Chris Paul’s style of play. No doubt CP3 and the Hornets also owe some of their success to the hardiness of their starting lineup, which avoided serious injury.

Obviously you can’t penalize Chris Paul for his good fortune in playing with another All-Star and a healthy supporting cast. But Kobe did more by leading his team to the better record and he also had less – fewer All-Stars and fewer healthy teammates. The MVP voting panel understood that the Chris Paul-does-more-with-less argument is phonier than a Hillary Clinton smile and that’s why Kobe received more first place votes – by a landslide.

Kobe Jumps over an Aston Martin

... well, not really. But it's in the realm of possibility after the Black Mamba has proved himself capable of carrying the Lakers to the Pacific Division title despite a rash of injuries to Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, Trevor Ariza, Luke Walton, Vladimir Radmanovic, Derek Fisher, and of course Kobe himself.



The tightest Western Conference race in history isn't over yet and Sunday's Lakers-Spurs game will go a long way towards settling the final seedings.

If the playoffs were to start today, the Lakers would be playing the Mavericks in the first round -- a match up the Purple and Gold should look forward to. The Lakers hold a 3-1 advantage this season and all three wins have come after Jason Kidd's addition to the Dallas squad.

After the first several games of the season I had predicted a wash of a season for the Lakers but Kobe and friends have gone out and not only secured a playoff spot but also locked up the division title. That might not be as incredible as jumping over a car but it's pretty darn close.

Kobe Bryant Blog Day

Technically it's still Tuesday, March 11th on the west coast so I didn't completely miss out on the Kobe Bryant Blog Day. Somehow this movement escaped my attention until I stumbled upon the source of the Kobe Love-fest: Hardwood Paroxysm. I like their name and I love their Blog Day idea.

I don't have a direct point for this post (which is, most likely, par for the course) but on this day above others I'd like to explain why I follow the Lakers.

The short answer is Kobe. The long answer is Kobe Bean Bryant.

Ever since Kobe entered the NBA, he has been the physical incarnation of Lakerdom. That position was shared with a few other people you may have heard of but none of them played their entire careers in the Blue and Gold like the Mamba.

I remember reading those early Sports Illustrated stories about Kobe when he first joined the Lakers and I tuned in to watch him play. And I kept tuning in.

That first year we didn't get to see a ton of Kobe, but that didn't stop him from earning a berth in the All-Star game. Few people probably remember this, but during that game Kobe faced off against his Airness, Michael Jordan, in the closest thing to a one-on-one match anywhere in professional basketball.

If my memory is correct, Kobe had the ball and raced down the court on the far side with nobody but MJ between him and the basket. Kobe loped down the court and darted to his right before flashing a spin move that was equal parts brilliance and foolishness. Kobe missed the dunk attempt (or was it a layup -- my mind is too mushy to recall) but he did draw the foul. I remember Kobe smiled afterwards in appreciation of the moment and by then I was already hooked on his unique talent.

Obviously Kobe has seen his share of turmoil both on and off the court and that has understandably put off many people from accepting him. But the Ocho-uno he dropped on Toronto and the consistent brilliance he has displayed throughout his career have made even the most startling headlines regarding his personal life take a back seat to his incredible accomplishments in his professional one.

So here's to you Kobe Bryant.

NBA Opening Night!

Somehow I didn't find out about tonight's NBA season opener until this evening. Read my scribbled random notes as I watch the games.

First up, the Portland Trailblazers versus the San Antonia Spurs.

[This game was boring so I'll sum it up in one paragraph. I blame the Spurs.]

The Trailblazers played the defending champion Spurs closer than the 106-97 score would indicate. But the Spurs played the exact brand of defensive, plodding, unselfish basketball that has won them two championships and bored countless fans. Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge looked outstanding and I have to wonder what his team could have accomplished this year if they had super-ugly man-boy Greg Oden.

Next up, the Houston Rockets travel to Los Angeles to play the Lakers. It's go time.

Four sloppy minutes later, Kobe lays in the first points of the game.

Luke Walton lays down a pretty assist. Luke will be one of the keys to the Laker's success this season. He's a natural playmaker that can score if needed. TNT commentator Doug Collins said the Lakers want Walton to be a double digit scorer. I think they'd be happier if he were a triple digit scorer.

Luis Scola just entered the game for Houston. His hair is ugly on a scale not seen since Nash sheared his limp mane.

Ronny Turiaf disrupts a Rockets pass, leading to a Kobe - Turiaf fast break connection. Great energy by the Lakers and they've jumped out to a 17-8 lead. The game is still sloppy, but at least the Lakers are on top.

Commercial: FrankTV is doomed to failure.

I've watched the Lakers run Tex Winter's offense for over seven years and I've read several of Phil Jackson's books and I still don't understand the Triangle Offense. I don't think Kwame Brown does either.

Kobe has 13 points, 2 assists, and 0 turnovers at the end of the first quarter. I'm getting the strong feeling that he wants to send a message. That message? "I'm good, please trade for me."

We're a few minutes into the second quarter and it's already 11:30pm. Watching sports on the East Coast seriously messes with my beauty sleep.

Dikembe Mutumbo is still playing? I thought his daughter made him retire.

The Rockets have tied the game at 29. Kobe is not in the game, and every Lakers possession since he sat down has ended in a forced shot and a fast break for the Rockets.

Stevie Francis is sitting on the bench and, according to the TNT commentators, apparently showed up for preseason duty out of shape and was outplayed by Mike James. I still have a soft spot for the Franchise since he was the very first player I ever drafted in my first fantasy basketball league. Obviously this was about six years ago. Now it looks like he's actually napping on a teammate's shoulder.

Kobe looks tired. I think skipping practice and not showing up for preseason games has left him a little unprepared for the pace of a regular season game.

Kwame Brown flubbed another dunk. I've heard that he has hands smaller than a carny's and despite never seeing a carny in real life, I believe the claim. His athleticism has always been superb, and his defense seems to be improved, but Kwame will never be the offensive machine MJ thought he'd be.

Kobe drove to the basket and turned the ball over again. He is definitely tired but trying to jump start the offense. This kind of one-man-showmanship will not help the Lakers win.

Commercial: The House of Payne is still on television? How?

Derek Fisher has brought the rainbow shot back to Lakerland. He's made five straight points, including L.A.'s first three pointer of the season.

Tracy McGrady hits his free throws despite two lazy eyes.

The half is over, both teams tied at 43. Sloppy first half but Kobe flashed a couple of baseline moves to show he's still got spunk left. He sure looked pretty sweaty for his halftime interview though.

Commercial: Stephen King's The Mist looks more silly than scary. Of course, I'd still scream like a girl if I were to ever actually watch it.

[Half time. Bathroom break. Good pee.]

Three minutes into the second half and neither offense is clicking, but now the Rockets are up 51-47.

Yao Ming went flying after a loose ball and came within three inches of frenching Kurt Rambis on the Lakers bench. Kurt looked willing but Yao changed his mind before man on man contact could be initiated.

Kobe has 21 points but he's taking way too many jump shots. The Rockets meanwhile are starting to roll and are now up 58-49. Yao Ming looks mildly autistic but the dude can still play ball. T-Mac isn't bad either.

Oh God. Somehow the Lakers scored against themselves. A high rebound slipped through Walton's hands and bounced high into the air, off the backboard and into the rim, nothing but net. How embarrassing.

The Lakers came out with a lot of energy but the Rockets clearly have the momentum as well as a 10 point lead.

Commercial: Movie preview for This Christmas. It looks an awful lot like Why did I get Married?

It's halfway through the third quarter and it's already 12:40pm. Time zones suck.

Kobe is missing a lot of free throws. He looks tired and the Lakers are playing just well enough to stay within range as the third quarter ends, the Rockets up 70-62. Walton has had a few good shots, Farmar showed some speed on a fast break dunk (I didn't know he could do that), but nobody else is picking up the offensive slack.

Hehe. Shane Battier just airballed a three pointer. Watching Duke alumni fail makes me warm inside.

Another jump shot by Kobe, another miss off the front of the rim. The man is tired and so am I.

Lakers center Chris Mihm just lost a shoe. I saw Chris Mihm's shoe before I realized Chris Mihm was in the game; what does that say about Mihm's effectiveness?

It's now 1am. The Lakers better win or I'm going to be pissed.

Kobe has now resorted to physically throwing himself at defenders in order to draw fouls. He isn't getting the calls and L.A. is down 77-65. It's slipping away for the purple and gold.

Surprise, surprise, Kobe has drawn another foul, only to go 1 of 2 at the charity stripe and 11-17 on the night. An awfully poor performance for a free throw shooter with a career average above 83%, and just one more indication that Kobe is not in game shape.

Now they're rubbing down Kobe's wrist and saying his sore wrist has been aggravated tonight. That kind of injury would definitely affect his shot.

Free throws and a timely jumper by Pescado have the Lakers within 6 points with 5 and a half minutes left. I'm now officially too tired to be funny.


The Rockets are now in the penalty and the Lakers are working the charity stripe. Bonzi Wells complains but his beauty mark cannot persuade the refs to his way of thinking.

Yao Ming just hit two clutch shots to put L.A. in a deep hole with less than two minutes left.

Commercial: I love the Reggie Bush commercial where he and his friend are walking down the street and the friend is begging Bush for some tickets to his football games. Reggie tells him to watch him on cable instead. What a diss. I love that one.

Three straight turnovers by the Rockets and the Lakers have closed to within four points with a little under a minute left. Unfortunately, Farmar just fouled Mike James to send him to the line. He misses both.

Kobe takes it to the hole and suddenly it's a two point game with 25 seconds left to play. What the hell just happened? The Rockets were smiling and slapping each other on the butt and now it's a tight, tight game. I like what I'm seeing.

Lakers steal the inbounds pass and Fisher sinks a two to tie the game. Damn!

Noooooo. Battier just sank a three with 2.5 seconds left. Damn!

Now Battier just fouled Kobe before he could attempt a three. Kobe gets two foul shouts but he'll have to make the first and intentionally miss the second so his teammates can score a deuce.

Kobe makes the first.

And now...

He misses the second shot, it bounces back and forth and back into his hands. Kobe goes up and bam! he gets nailed from behind. No call from the refs and the game's over.

The Lakers lost and now you've experienced it in more detail than you'd wish on your worst enemy. Good night.

Why are you doing this Kobe?

Kobe, you're the greatest basketball player of my generation and you're killing me.

I remember when you first announced your entry into the draft and I kept asking my dad, "Is he really that good?" You were skinny and bald but you showed flashes of greatness even in your rookie season. You didn't deserve to go to the All-Star game that year, but after attacking MJ with some pretty moves, you showed why you deserved to come back.

There were struggles, sure, but then Shaq and Phil arrived and a bright new day dawned for the Lakers. Watching you guys destroy team after team en route to three championships made me very happy and I'll always be grateful for those years. Even though you and Shaq could never get along, you both have special places in my heart. Those places aren't adjacent because no matter what you two say, I'm afraid what would happen if you were both locked in a chamber together, but you're both somewhere in there.

Then Shaq left and you stayed. You were always my favorite, so as long as you stayed with the team I was okay. And even though the Lakers struggled, it's still been a treat to watch you split double teams and dismantle entire defenses. I also think you're passing ability is severely underrated.

But now this.

Now you've asked to be traded and this time it looks like it might actually happen. Jerry Buss even said that he has to treat your demands as a business move, but we all know that's impossible. Jerry Buss loves you like a son. When you made mistakes the Lakers never hesitated to support you. Jerry Buss may look like Jerry Stiller but he's always been dead serious about protecting your back. And now you want to turn your back on him.

Is this another demand for respect? I can understand if it is. Your emotional development was permanently crippled as a youngster, always developing your prodigious abilities on the court to the detriment of your social skills off it. Your need to prove yourself has always pushed you to succeed and exceed expectations. If you weren't an emotional cripple I doubt you'd be the same dominant player. Leaving the team that's given you so much (and I'm not just talking about money) would certainly give you another challenge to meet.

But before you pack your bags, consider this, Kobe.

You have a wife and two children. You have three NBA championships. You're widely regarded as the best basketball player in the world today. You don't need to quit the Lakers to prove how good you can be. I already know.