Lakers have "Koombayah Meeting" with a "Peace Pipe"

Kobe was fun, airy and sarcastic about a peace pipe during an interview yesterday, but still said "this thing is far from over." I'm not sure I completely agree with him, but I'm hoping he or the refs can at least extend it out a couple more games.

I will say, as I watched this interview, this doesn't seem like the Kobe we grew accustomed to all season long. This one has become a little goofy and also seems to be lacking the killer instinct that resurrected an entire franchise. I've been bagging on the role players all series long, but when do I start holding the MVP accountable? Now.

It's time Kobe! How many posts have I written in the last week predicting you to blow up and score 40, 50, or 60+? I wanted something to remember from this NBA Finals, I wanted the comparisons of Jordan to continue because it really pisses people off, I wanted people to debate whether or not you were in the top 5 of all-time NBA players because I love controversy, and I just wanted more damn basketball. If you don't come out, distribute, score and squirm your face like you mean it I'm going to...cry.

Maybe you should come out tonight in the old no. 8 jersey? Maybe you should put on the short throwback shorts? Maybe you should pull out a newspaper clipping of the Colorado incident? At this point, you just need to do something, Kobe, that will give you some of that fire back. I don't want the joking, fun, and sarcastic Kobe that is down 3 games to 1. I want the Mamba.

Lakers Make it 2-1! Premature?

Yeah, that is basically me putting it all on the line with a prediction that the Lakers are a sure bet to win tonight at home! (Back to our patented “feel test” for this one.) Don’t you just get that feeling that Kobe drops 40 or 50+ tonight? That Ray Allen and Paul Pierce won’t be on fire? And Rondo won’t dish out 16 dimes or whatever the hell it was the other night? That KG won’t pound his chest 20+ times, instead it will be like 10? That Lamar Odom won’t yell at the ref after each uncontested lay-up he makes? And Leon Powe will actually shoot less free throws than actual minutes played?

It does “feel” like a different day for the Lakeshow and my prediction of Lakers in 6 will still be alive! Just hope for Kobe licking lips, tonguing his cheek, and side smirking all night long if you are a Lakers fan. Hope that Lamar Odom shows up (for once). Hope that Gasol learns to move his feet on “D” (for once). Hope that Sasha isn’t taking last possession 3’s with Paul Pierce in his grill. Hope that Radmanovic isn’t looking for Sasha on those same last possessions and moving the ball away from the best player on the planet. Hope that Vanessa Bryant doesn't cuss out another reporter in front of her kids.

Keep this series alive Lakers! I’m not ready for the season to be over and for me to attempt to find enough blogging material during my first off season as a blogger!

The NBA Final-scars and Kobe: Cocked, Locked and...Jammed?

Come on Boston.

Not being at home for the 3rd quarter makes me extremely happy right now after hearing about the Paul Pierce Oscar-worthy performance. The guy jacks his knee, gets carried off the court, wheel chair’d to the locker room, and then comes out pumpin’ his fist like Ali only to drop 15 points and jump the Celtics out to a lead they would hold on to the rest of the game? Bleh…glad I went out for that turkey burger! Give this guy his award now!

Let’s just break this down and move on. Enough Willis Reed comparisons, it’s pathetic. The guy is good; we all know that. His knee obviously wasn’t as bad as he played it. Sure it hurts initially, but give me a break. I just hope you can come back Sunday so we don’t have to hear the excuses.


O Kobe, O Kobe, wherefore art thou 4th quarter performance?

Yeah, my only chance in history to quote me some Shakespeare comes straight from your bleh-worthy 4th quarter performance, Mamba. You start off with a bank “J” and I lean over to my better half and say, “It’s Kobe time…time to dominate” and then you go absolutely cold and start jacking up junk. You’ve got to give a ton of credit to Boston’s defense but I’m also going to hack on the Lakers for their lack of any sort of offense. There was no movement, no fluidity and a ton of horrible passes. Again, maybe we should just be giving all the credit to Boston’s defense…

Either way, I’m guessing that Kobe won’t go 9-26 (or whatever it was) on Sunday and if he does you better expect 70+ in game 3. I guess we should just let him, be him.

East vs. West - We're Finally Here!

With the first and second rounds out of the way, I feel almost refreshed to the NBA. The top 4 teams in the NBA have finally been set aside and I’m not sure that anyone should really be surprised. The “Final Four” of the NBA should bring out the best basketball in the world from the 4 best teams in the world. Not only have they been tested, (some more than others) but they have all won major battles or overcome injuries to key players in order to get to this place. These teams reached this point without excuses, but by playing their asses off against other top teams in rowdy road arenas yet, still persevering.


The Boston Celtics vs. The Detroit Pistons

As the supposed “top” team in the NBA, the Celtics have struggled mightily through the first 2 rounds and have yet to win a game on the road. They may have had the best record during the regular season, but it is obvious that this team is playing at a lower level now. They’ve managed to squeak through against weaker opponents, but will now face the “Beast of the East” in the Detroit Pistons. They’ll need to bind back together as they once did during the regular season and certain key players will need to find the greatness we’re accustomed to (cough…Ray).

Can they pull together once again and find a way to advance? The battles with Detroit during the regular season were noteworthy and I assure you these Playoff match-ups will be no different.

What about Detroit? Detroit is entering their 6th straight Eastern Conference Final and will obviously have a good feel for the pressure and atmosphere that this series will bring. They’ve done this many times by playing their “blue collar” style and the Celtics better come ready. The physicality of the series could weigh too heavy on the Celtics who have played 14 Playoff games in less than a month. I’m expecting the Pistons (if Chauncey plays) to move past the Celtics with ease. It may go 6 games, but we all know that the Pistons will take a game off here or there to finish up at home. I’d love to see a Celtics vs. Lakers Finals, but the early Playoff showings of Boston have been a complete disappointment.


The Los Angeles Lakers vs. The San Antonio Spurs

I never thought these words would come out of my mouth but, GO LAKERS! After watching the Spurs’ poise and experience dismantle the young Hornets last night, my hatred for them has grown to Edward Norton as the Incredible Hulk ridiculousness proportions. There has been bantering that if the Spurs allow Kobe to drop 40 a game and contain the rest of the team that they will roll through the series. Maybe, but something in my mind is telling me that Kobe will laugh at any strategy the Spurs throw at him and will do something incredible this series; something that we will remember for years to come.

Are the Spurs just too damn good though? Possibly. But are they also old as hell? Yes. Many believe that this could be the last year for the Spurs “dynasty” with many of their players hitting their peak long ago. Expect one last push from the “Big 3” and also expect to be annoyed by 25 Longoria camera shots per game. (The state of the series)

You may have reason to believe the Spurs are a dirty team, but those reasons will come full circle once this series has been completed. This series will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the greats of all time. Kobe vs. Duncan. Phil vs. Pop. Scrappy, chippy and gritty play from both teams will leave us all breathless after each game; strap on those Playoff seat belts and cheer with me as the Spurs dynasty comes to an end.

How are the Hornets "Feeling" to You?

I think it’s pretty clear that we operate on the “feel” test here at Le Basketbawl, so we’re wondering how everyone is “feeling” about the Hornets at this point?

They have definitely put on quite the show this year and even though I wasn’t sure if they were for real, they continue to prove me wrong. I’m still not getting the “feeling” that they can win it all though.

They almost “feel” a little bit like the Mavericks of 2 years ago. You know, the team that surprisingly rolled to the Finals to face the big dog Miami Heat only to fall short somehow with the series in hand. They have this young core group of players that have gotten really hot lately and everything is flowing so nicely, but in the East we have those cagey veteran Celtics that would love to abuse their lack of experience in an NBA Finals setting.

Now, in no way am I comparing Chris Paul to Dirk because I would expect a fat double slap to the face from every one of you, but I do “feel” like something is missing. I think it has to be experience…oh and they’ll have to go through a certain Laker player.

Let me have your thoughts!

Roy Returns, Ends Lakers Streak: Woohoo!

Brandon Roy taped the hell out of his ankle tonight and James Jones came back after missing a month of bodily healing to drop their rival Lakers. This game was absolutely huge for the young Blazers if they have any hopes of turning this season back around and making a push to the playoffs.

We've heard the conspiracy theories about Jones and the winning ways of Portland; well he may have just solidified that one in stone. The Blazers have been awful since he left with a mysteriously injured knee almost 30 days ago. What a welcome back this was for Roy and Jones.

PORTLAND, Ore. - Brandon Roy launched a rally for the Portland Trail Blazers' final 24 games.

He told his teammates: "Let's make a push, you guys!"

Portland responded with a 119-111 victory Friday night over the Los Angeles Lakers. Roy had 20 points and a career-high 12 assists after missing the previous two games with a sprained right ankle.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 22 points for Portland, which snapped the Lakers' 10-game overall winning streak and seven-game streak on the road.

"We were having fun out there," Roy said, "and hopefully this confidence rolls over to the rest of the season."

Rest of the AP article here.

Happy yet Kobe?

Kobe Bryant told reporters the other day, "I have to take my hat off to Dr. [Jerry] Buss and Mitch [Kupchak] for going forward with this."

That is pretty amusing to say the least! Wasn't this the guy that was demanding Andrew Bynum be "shipped" out and that he himself also needed to be traded? I can still clearly hear his depressed little voice on the Stephen A. Smith show when he said he was "done" in L.A. I can also remember the next day when he went on the Dan Patrick show to sort of, slip back away from that initial statement. He slipped so far off that statement that he and the rest of us have almost completely forgotten it!

Everyone in Lakerland is happy as can be these days! Kobe has finally made teammates better and has also received a brand new running mate in Pau Gasol. Haven't we all penciled the Lakers into the NBA Finals already? And won't they be taking on the Boston Celtics in what should be a match up for the ages?

I guess we'll just have to wait and see if that actually happens especially if the Suns wrap up a deal with Kobe's nemesis. It feels pretty good to have a trade deadline that includes a few blockbusters!