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Why Kobe Bryant is the 07/08 MVP

April 30th 2008 20:24
Kobe Bryant
The 2007-2008 NBA regular season has seen some of the most spectacular individual achievements that the league has seen in a long time. We've got Chris Paul, LeBron James and Dwight Howard all putting up monster statistical seasons. Let's not forget about Kevin Garnett; the man credited for the massive turnaround of what was once a dismal Celtics franchise. Garnett's spot in the MVP race is not based off of stats, but instead, his intangibles.


Then we have Kobe Bryant, who has been the lone superstar in Los Angeles for the past few seasons. Kobe assisted in the growth of a young Laker squad and put them atop the West early on in the season. While it may not have been his best season statistically, the 2007-2008 campaign was definitely Kobe's most impressive season as a leader and teammate. As a result, the Lakers finished first in the very tough Western Conference.

Bryant is the NBA MVP for a number of reasons. First of all, he was his team's most valuable player. Some of you may laugh at this, but it's easily the first step. Can we all say with absolute certainty that KG is the most valuable player on the Celtics? Didn't think so. KG and Pierce were almost even with regards to stats and I give Garnett the edge in defense. But KG only played 71 games during the regular season while Pierce played in 80. Is an MVP allowed to miss 11 games in a season? That's 13% of the games... which brings me to my next point.

Bryant played in all 82 games this season. A good portion of these games were played while Kobe was injured. If you watched him play, you wouldn't guess that he has to have surgery on his hand/finger at the end of the season, but he does. The guy did not take a break; he gave you an MVP-type performance almost every night. And he's still going strong into the playoffs as the Lakers just swept the 8th seeded Nuggets.


The Lakers finished first in the West. It doesn't make Kobe the MVP, but it sure adds to his case. He's the best player on the best team in the West (which also happens to be the best conference). Doesn't that sound good? The Lakers weren't even expected to win the division, much less the entire conference.

And to top it all off, Kobe had a monster season. He was second in the league in scoring and had another top-notch defensive season. He brought out that killer instinct when the time was right (see Dallas game). He dropped dimes as if he was a PG, and had some great all-around performances (see Denver playoff game). He's been doing this for the past few seasons and has evolved and learned even more ways to beat his opponents. He is the most effective game-changer in the league today, the most talented player in the league today, and above all else, he makes his team better. This is why Kobe Bryant will be your 2007/2008 NBA MVP.
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LeBron James Has a Need...a Need for Speed!

January 15th 2008 10:05
No, LeBron James wasn’t driving a bus loaded with a bomb. He was just ‘cruising’ in his Mercedes. Well, if you consider driving 101mph (163 km) a leisurely Sunday drive.

The cherry on top for King James, personalised plates “King of AK”, by the way, was that he
LeBron James driving.
LeBron James does some legal driving. (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
was busted on his 23rd birthday. Ohio state police stopped Bron-Bron at 2.43 am, with the officer who pulled James over saying that he was polite and courteous.

James’ lawyer filed a not guilty plea in the municipal court with a scheduled hearing on February 11. If found to have broken the law, LeBron will face a $US150 fine. Ouch. That has got to hurt a guy who signed a $US100 million contract with a ubiquitous shoe company as an 18 year old.

To put LeBron’s actions in perspective 300, 000 people were busted for speeding last year in Ohio, with just 1400 going over 160 mph. Even more sobering was that former Cavs player Bobby Phillis was killed whilst travelling 160km per hour in his Porsche in 2000. So, he shouldn’t believe that he is bullet proof. Kings have been killed in the past.

In other NBA news, Andrew Bynum, the burgeoning Los Angeles Laker star is out of action for two months with a knee injury after landing on teammate, Lamar Odom’s foot, going for a rebound over the weekend.

Bynum’s injury is a huge blow for the Lake Show because his stellar play has helped the team become a Western Conference powerhouse.

The injury suffered by Bynum comes at a time when the Lakers are heading into a very tough schedule, facing some stiff competition.

Although, the injury looked serious initially, it could have been much worse. After MRI tests and an examination, Bynum had temporarily dislocated his knee cap. L.A. will be without Andrew for approximately two months, recovering in time for the Lakers playoff run.

With Bynum missing, Kobe Bryant will take a much larger role. Expect more highlights from the star Laker. For anyone who may have forgotten how talented Kobe is. Check out his top 10 highlights from 2007.
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Grant Hill Set to Join the Phoenix Suns.

July 6th 2007 06:18
There are a few players in the NBA that are deserving of a title because they have been such loyal servants to the game and public, we can count Grant Hill as one of the good guys who deserves championship glory.

According to Hill’s agent he is set to sign a contract with the Phoenix Suns for two years that is roughly worth about $4 million. Grant would have undoubtedly got more cabbage if he went elsewhere but he is hungry for a title says his agent Lon Babby: “There's no question he could've gotten considerably more money elsewhere, but that was not the principle," Babby said. "I think the most important factor for him was the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a team competing for the championship.” (Reed, AP, 2007)

Mr. Nice Guy has had one of the more star-crossed careers in the NBA, being wildly popular at the peak of his powers, but ultimately succumbing to numerous devastating injuries curbing his impact. After signing a seven year contract to much fanfare with the Orlando Magic for $93 million, he was expected to help the team out in overcoming the championship hurdle. Unfortunately, for Hill it wasn’t meant to be.

Let’s give plaudits to Grant though for not giving up the fight for an NBA championship and
Grant Hill dunk.
Let's hope that Grant Hill's body can keep up with the high octane Suns. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
after contemplating retirement once his contract ran out this year he is back for one last shot.

It is surprising to note that after all the All-Star game appearances, awards and college championships that Hill has never gotten past the first round of the playoffs as a pro. We can assume that a team like the Suns who are on the cusp of a championship will help him surmount that dubious record.

The signs look good for Hill and the Suns, because for the first time since the millennium Grant has made it through a whole season relatively unscathed, while for the man, he joins a squad brimming with quality players where his basketball savvy will prove an invaluable commodity.

We can only wish success for both Grant and the Suns.

Moving onto news involving the continuing Kobe Bryant saga, we hear that the Bean has apologised to Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak who he has been lambasting to everyone around him and beyond. Hell, he probably hired a plane and dropped fliers from the sky informing everyone of his dissatisfaction.

During a press conference publicising his camp for youngsters, Bryant stated that: “I just felt like as a man, it was important for me to tell him, `I'm sorry it came out that way…I was frustrated, I was venting…” (Nadel, AP, 2007)

When pressed if he still wanted a trade away from Hollywood, Bryant replied: “I haven't thought about that in a long, long time. I've kind of stepped away from that. I've concentrated on Team USA. What I say is what I say. We'll just have to see where it goes.” (Nadel, AP, 2007)

Got to hand it to Kobe, he really does know how to draw attention to himself – good or bad, but mainly bad.

Continuing with our theme of videos with the recent draftees here is another one of Greg Oden receiving words of wisdom from some all time greats.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News, Phoenix Suns, Kobe Bryant
   


Kobe Bryant Involved in a Controversial 'Amateur' Video.

June 21st 2007 10:54
Before we move on with today’s posting we should make an unabashed apology: sorry, because this is another post with Kobe Bryant as the focus. NBALOUD recognises that many readers may be suffering from Kobe-fatigue syndrome and this will not help with your prognosis. Now, onto more Jellybean goodness…

Oops, he did it again. Bryant and his schizophrenic behaviour has resurfaced with an amateur tape allegedly of Kobe mouthing off at Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and ripping young centre Andrew Bynum.

Perhaps the most bizarre aspect of this video is that Kobe is venting his frustrations to two unknown members of the public in a car park! The Bean is slowly eroding any goodwill he had so painstakingly developed since the incident in Colorado years ago and the true nature of the man is surfacing yet again.

Yes, the Lakers front office is inept as Mr. Bean as Bryant rages in the amateur film. Kobe is correct in questioning the wasted lottery choice of Andrew Bynum during the 2005 draft, allegedly saying “Are you kidding me?” before going on an expletive filled denouncement of Bynum. We don’t doubt your arguments whatsoever Kobe, but the way you’re going about it is all wrong.

Kobe is frustrated because these are the prime playing years and he understands this. He is desperate to win and there is no one in the NBA more competitive than Bryant – this competition isn’t even close because you’d imagine Kobe going on a mass killing spree of puppies if it meant an NBA title at the end of the slaughter. The way he is making his feelings known isn’t going to win friends and influence people though.

Lakers owner Jerry Buss bet the franchise on Kobe, letting Shaq walk a few seasons ago
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant is the master of disaster. (Image from nba.com)
for nothing in order to appease Bryant. Now, the Bean is biting the hand that has fed him. Kobe is the only player in the league with a no-trade clause in his contract meaning he has a say where his destination lies so he does have some influence, but it is being wasted.

The problem for Kobe and the Lakers lies in the fact that all the bargaining chips that they have are quickly diminishing, because the other teams in the NBA know Bryant is unhappy and could short change the Lakers. Furthermore, Jerry Buss recognises that Kobe is the brightest star in Tinseltown and fans of the Lake Show want ‘showtime’, even if it means not winning championships. There is virtually no one in the league that is as talented as Bryant, and Buss isn’t going to go down as the guy who let both Shaq and Kobe go.

But, Bryant is making life miserable for the Lakers right now.

We can only wait and wonder what is going to transpire but this offseason is guaranteed to be infinitely more entertaining than the dour Finals that just passed by, especially when Kevin Garnett is seriously on the trading block as well.

Today’s video is of the next Chinese sensation Yi Jianlin doing his thing. For the curious basketball fan out there that hasn’t seen the new Yao ball before, basically everyone, check this clip out.




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Kobe Bryant Demands to be Traded.

June 18th 2007 10:23
Just when everyone thought it was safe to dip their foot back into the NBA after the Finals and not catch a bite, Kobe Bryant comes along making this a very interesting offseason.

For anyone that has followed the Association lately would be familiar with the fact that Bryant, the hyper-competitive athlete that he is was frustrated with the direction the Lakers were going and demanded to be traded. When the press and public got wind of his demands and kicked up, er, a faeces storm he retracted his statements but the trade demands are apparently back on the agenda.

The Bean is currently on holidays in Spain and met up with Lakers owner Jerry Buss in what apparently was an ‘emotional’ meeting where Bryant reiterated his desire to be shipped off from the Lake Show. The trigger for all this angst was when Kobe first suggested to the world that he would desire a trade because he felt that the Lakers weren’t serious about contending for a title and that he wanted to move on.

Upon hearing these shenanigans, Jerry Buss, tried to reassure his fair-weather superstar that he was doing all he could to make Los Angeles a contender for a title. Bryant appeared to backtrack from his demands after the public reassurances from Buss and a meeting with coach Phil Jackson, but he has apparently changed his mind once again and wants to leave the sunny shores of Los Angeles.

What has prompted this fervent speculation that Bryant is unhappy was the most recent
Kobe Bryant
Is Kobe going or staying? (Image from nba.com)
posting on his website where he stated: “Man, today is one of those surreal days for me and my family," Bryant wrote on KB24.com. "When you love something as much as I love the Lakers it’s hard to even imagine thinking about being elsewhere…But, the one thing will never sacrifice when it comes to basketball is winning. That is plain and simply what it's all about. It's in my DNA. It's what pushes me to work as hard as I do. It's my daily passion and pursuit.” (KB24.com, Bryant)

The saddest part in this drama is that Kobe has bought all of this upon himself. No, it is a tad bit unfair to blame him solely for the disbandment of the Laker dynasty with Shaquille O’Neal originally, because the Diesel had a big part to play in the breakdown. Strictly speaking, Kobe could have taken a pay cut to build a winning franchise, or he could have simply engaged Lamar Odom more during game time. The possibilities are endless.

In further musings from the world according to Kobe, he attempts to justify his reasoning for the latest drama by saying: “When you love something as much as I love the Lakers its hard to even imagine thinking about being elsewhere. But, the ONE THING I will never sacrifice when it comes to basketball is WINNING…The more I thought about the future, the more I became convinced that the Lakers and me just have two different visions for the future.” (KB24.com, Bryant)

Needless to say Kobe thrives on all this drama and we can only sit and stare at the car crash that is the Lakers unfolding before us.

Today’s video is once again of David Blaine talking gibberish in regards to Yao Ming. Er, enjoy?
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Could Kobe Bryant take Showtime to Broadway?

June 16th 2007 14:12
Kobe Bryant dunk.
Kobe a future Knick? In Isiah Thomas' wet dreams. (Image from nba.com)


Although the NBA season has come to an end with the Spurs being crowned kings of the hill, it doesn’t mean that the world of pro-hoops suddenly takes a hiatus till November. As a matter of fact the offseason is interesting in its own right with the draft, trades and free agent signings all coming to the fore.

With the playoffs ending, we here at NBALOUD will give you dear readers the lowdown on the latest news and rumours regarding the Association.

Beginning with the Cleveland Cavaliers who were brutally exposed in their lack of offensive weapons after LeBron James is now reportedly interested in making a move for Mike Bibby.

Cleveland and Sacramento have engaged in discussion in the past in relation to acquiring Bibby, but those negotiations obviously fell through. Talk has apparently been renewed because Mike would be a great addition to the Cleveland line-up – he fulfils the Cavs need for a pure point guard, whilst being a nice second option behind Bron-Bron offensively.

Bibby will also greatly improve the woeful shooting of Cleveland from beyond the arc
Mike Bibby
Mike Bibby would be excellent in Cavs colours. (Image from nba.com)
because he ranked seventh in the league in 3-pointers, hitting 36 percent of his attempts. You can bet that King James would dearly love Mike to come on board.

Veteran Orlando forward, and all-round nice guy Grant Hill, who is a free agent this offseason, has reportedly expressed interest in joining the Suns, Pistons or Spurs if he doesn’t re-sign with the Magic. Hill has stated that he wants to play for a contender that has a light practice philosophy. Phoenix would be the best fit, because coach for Phoenix Mike D’Antoni, doesn’t really engage in heavy practice sessions, preferring to save the legs of his squad for game situations.

Speaking of the Suns, Shawn Marion has been rumoured to be offered as trade bait because the team wants to offload burdensome contracts. Boston has become a leading suitor, potentially giving up their fifth pick in the upcoming draft to get Marion. Losing the Matrix would be a massive blow for the Suns because he is the unsung hero of the squad and you can be assured that Phoenix would look long and hard at any potential deals.

Finally, the recently unhappy, then happy, then unhappy, Kobe Bryant is apparently a target for the New York Knicks. Isiah Thomas, who is both coach and president of the team, has vowed to be active in trying to bring both Kobe and Jermaine O’Neal to Gotham. Obviously, Thomas is living in dreamland because they have no assets worth trading for, and not only that, the malcontents on the Knicks are also on massive contracts. Only teams with certifiably insane front office personnel would even entertain trading with New York.

Today’s video is of the top 10 blocks from the past season. Watch Yao get rejected by little Nate Robinson for a second time this week.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News, Kobe Bryant
   


Is Jermaine O'Neal going to become a Laker?

June 4th 2007 13:41
Now that the NBA Finals combatants have been sorted out, and there is a few days before the action starts, it’s probably appropriate that NBALOUD delves into some of the more significant rumours making the traps right now.

When the offseason begins in earnest expect to hear trade rumours coming in all directions but there already have been some significant potential movements abound already.

The biggest name that has been floating about of late involves Kobe Bryant of course who got himself into such a knot recently that a pretzel would be envious. First, the Bean wanted to ditch Los Angeles, then he has a change of heart and reinforces his love and commitment to the team, after all of this he decides to call out the Lakers front office for being as impotent as a eunuch in the old Forbidden City.

What’s going on Kobe? Well, the latest rumour to do the rounds is that Charlotte might make a play for the Lakers superstar because they are one of the rare teams with huge salary cap
Jermaine O'Neal
Is Jermaine O'Neal heading to Hollywood? (Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
space and attractive parts that would make the team from Hollywood very interested. Bryant has also been linked with a possible trade for Dirk Nowitzki because Dallas would very much desire a player that has the brutal killer instinct that the Mavs have sorely been lacking.

As of this moment most of this talk is just that – talk. However, the drama that constantly surrounds Bryant is impressive in a sordid sort of way because just when you think the man has done enough to garner some love, he throws it all away by reminding the world that he is Kobe.

Returning from the land of the terminally insane, the aforementioned trades aren’t likely to happen due to a number of reasons. Firstly, there is no way that Kobe would ever be seen dead in Charlotte and that is no disrespect to the people and the city. It just won’t happen.

The second reason, which is an extension of the first, the only city that Bryant would entertain playing in is New York and the chances of the bloated Knicks having the cap room and players to pull off a trade is as likely as Lindsay Lohan swearing off booze and drugs whilst signing a pledge of chastity.

Finally, and this is the biggest reason here, Kobe is the only player in the NBA right now that has a ‘no trade’ clause in his contract so he essentially is the master of his domain.

There is however one trade rumour involving the Lakers that may have legs, and that is a trade to bring Jermaine O’Neal to the Lake Show to placate their pissed off superstar. Nothing of note has happened yet but Lamar Odom who hasn’t been able to mesh with Bryant, and Andrew Bynum would most certainly have to be part of the deal.

Keep an eye on this space during the offseason because you can bet your candy ass that there will be something big happening.

Believe it or not Kobe and Jermaine O’Neal have been teammates before on a basketball squad. Today’s video is of the 1996 McDonald’s All-American High School game with the Bryant/O’Neal tandem rocking the rim.



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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News, Kobe Bryant
   


Kobe Bryant Saga Continues

June 1st 2007 03:19
Kobe Bryant demands a trade, Kobe says he doesn't want to be traded, Shaq says Kobe had nothing to do with him being traded. Lies, insiders, bad vibes and a DUI. The Lakers are in some serious trouble and might just lose the best player on their team, in the NBA and quite possibly ever.

How retarded would have to be to let two of the greatest players of all time get traded from your team? Well just ask Jerry 'Boozing" Buss, the owner and dismantler of the Los Angeles Lakers. This guy is can only be defined in one word, MORON! He obvious doesn't care too much about his franchise or what direction it is going in, telling Kobe one thing when he resigned with the Lakers and telling Phil Jackson something completely different. Shady and cold hearted! How could you tell your star player that you are going to surround him with talent, become a contender asap and tell your hall of fame coach that you are on a five year rebuilding plan? That's just wrong, at first I thought Kobe was just complaining because he wasn't getting his way, but there is way more to this story than Kobe not being happy and I feel for Kobe, he is crappy situation.

Parting ways again?
Franklin/AP


With all this happening, all eyes on the Lakers' franchise, dumbass Jerry Buss goes out, gets drunk with a 23 year old girl and gets a DUI. It kind of sums up exactly what it is going on in LA right now.74 year old Buss(with a 23 year old? That's just sick), dying to stay forever young(just like with the Lakers, anyone comes close to 30 gets traded, like Shaq and probably Kobe), living life on the edge(letting the best player in the NBA walk out the door) and BAMM! DUI(the whole world finding out your a scumbag)!

The Lakers are going to have the toughest off season they have ever experienced and it will probably not end in a good way for anyone involved. Jerry West would be a smart man not getting in this drama scene. What will happen? Who knows, but I know one thing is for sure, the Los Angeles Lakers will never be the same if they let Kobe Bryant walk and if he does get traded, I feel sorry for the Lakers every time he comes to town, he just might go for Wilt's record again!

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Kobe Bryant Scores 50 - Again.

April 16th 2007 13:55
Scoring 50 points has been so commonplace for Kobe Bryant now
Kobe Bryant reverse dunk.
Kobe Bryant loves the number 50. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
that he should have changed his number to 50 rather than 24. Bryant should call himself 50 Dollars as well and lay a beat down on 50 Cent. Any of his future progeny should be called ‘Fifty’ in tribute to George Costanza who wanted to call his child ‘Seven’. Fifty, fifty, fifty!

The rest of this post should just have the number 50 in it – but it won’t.

For any reader out there who hasn’t realised, Bryant scored 50 points again in a game and along the way helped his Lakers solidify their playoff place. Better yet coach of the Lake Show Phil Jackson has never missed postseason action since he became an NBA head coach and his record remains intact.

NBALOUD should pay fleeting attention to the opposition Sonics who were beat by the Lakers, 109-98.

Fifty!

Speaking of clinching playoff spots the Orlando Magic nabbed the eighth and final postseason seeding out East with a desperate win over the Boston Celtics, 88-86.

This was a far from convincing win from the Magic who were leading 85-68 with almost seven minutes left in the contest. Orlando suddenly went cold not hitting a single shot for the rest of the game with their only points coming from Grant Hill and Dwight Howard free throws.

It wouldn’t be appropriate to say that the Magic choked because they won, but this can be noway construed as a confidence boosting performance heading into the playoffs.

But they’re there and that is the important thing.

Toronto is another team that hasn’t seen playoff action in awhile, but unlike Orlando they achieved their postseason spot in style – top of the Atlantic Division and earning home court advantage in the first round with a win today over the New York Knicks, 107-105.

Chris Bosh as usual led the way for Toronto with 23 points but the team is just stoked to match their franchise record in wins and seeing their first postseason action in five years. Go team!

So far NBALOUD has covered teams that have clinched playoff spots. Let’s get sadistic and
Ron Artest dunk
Ron Artest gets some hang time. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
focus on teams that have lost their season, or are on the verge of falling off the postseason cliff.

The Indiana Pacers are one such team that lost their playoff marbles today when they went down to the New Jersey Nets, 111-107.

When the Pacers decided to lose and the Magic gained a shaky victory, the team from the Hoosier State kissed their playoff hopes goodbye.

Vince Carter also didn’t help the Pacer cause when he went Vinsanity scoring 35 points.

Los Angeles’ other team, the Clippers also saw their playoff chances take a hit when they got beat the moribund Sacramento Kings (sorry, Deorre), 105-100.

Ron Artest thought he was Jason Kidd for the game by dishing out a career high 10 assists and scoring 15 points to carve up the Clips. Is this a new Ron-Ron we’re seeing?

Finally, with the Clippers losing, they dropped out of the final playoff spot in the West and the Golden State Warriors moved in with victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, 121-108.

Jason Richardson for the Warriors was the man with the plan, for the team by the Bay, scoring 32 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.

This win was emphatic and it was even sweeter when the Clippers gifted the Warriors the eighth seeding.

Today’s video is one where we get into the mind of Ron Artest and hear what motivates him. Could be a scary ride!
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