Kobe Looks Jordanesque

Fri, 23 May 2008 03:49:39 GMT

I haven’t liked Kobe Bean Bryant in over five years since he threw his then teammates under the bus. That just wasn’t a player’s move. The way I saw (and still see) it, if you get caught cheating and with an alleged rape charge over your head, face the music alone and don’t take your teammates, who were married or have significant others down with you. But I can’t deny I love his game – I can make a distinction between the player and his performance. And I must say he’s been going through an image makeover lately that I gave him an end of the season award for “finally being a great teammate.”

So there I was watching Game 1 of the Lakers Vs. Spurs series last night and I wondered for the first half what happened to the ball hugger Kobe with only two points. And why were the Lakers playing like this? Secretly, I’m pulling for the Lakers just like I was pulling for the Hornets in the last series because I DON’T want to see the Spurs in the Finals. The Spurs are great but they are BORING!!! They are like watching a carpenter (led by the Big Fundamental Tim Duncan) at his craft (my apologies to Spurs fans and carpenters). No sizzle, no larger than life personalities just the substance of playing ball. I’m all for the notion of having substance over style but doggone it; why can’t I have both? And the same theory goes for the game of basketball. I will criticize a player with all flash with no fundamentals of the game in a minute and I will find him snooze-worthy when the role is reversed.

But back to last night’s game, for over three-quarters, it was like watching paint dry when the Spurs led by 20 points. At that time, I’ve already found other programs on TV to amuse myself. I couldn’t believe the Lakers were playing like this with all the rest they got. It was as if the proverbial rest turned to rust. Then I came back in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter and I was like Whoa Kobe! And for the rest of the game, I was transfixed! This is why I agree with Dwyane Wade’s theory: the fourth quarter is winning time. I’ve seen some terrible upsets in many years of watching the game but I must say very few (not for a long time) against the Spurs. The Lakers won led by Kobe’s heroics especially one against down and dirty defensive player Bruce Bowen (I will change my tune in a minute Bruce if you come back to the Miami Heat) with about 24 seconds left. When Kobe was asked after the game why it took so long to start hitting and making shots, his response was: “I can get off at any time.” Ok that answer has such double entendre I’m not even going to touch it. Anyhoo, I must say his brand of cockiness was reminiscent of the one and only “Airness,” who had the game to back it up. I think His Airness will be proud of Kobe’s game last night.

Afro-America Writer's space: NBA

Kobe Looks Jordanesque