Lakers vs Grizzlies

I'm currently watching the Lakers game against the Grizzlies on NBA League Pass. Kobe has already surpassed Jerry West's scoring record. I wrote an announcer bias blog a while ago. The Grizzlies announcers are pretty badly biased. They are obvious haters of the Lakers, but I understand. However, here are a couple of actual quotes from the announcers in the game.

Regarding a shot called a 2 pointer when initially thought it was a 3 pointer. Review proved right call was made. Announcer comment - "It was the correct call, but I don't like how it was made". Hey - a correct call is the correct call, they would def LOVE it if it was FOR them.

Regarding a 3 pointer made by Kobe. Rudy Gay just made a 3 pointer that swished. Kobe made a 3 that bounced in. "He made the shot, but on the streets it wouldn't have counted." - Really? Really? on the streets it wouldn't have counted?? interesting. Sounds like plain Kobe hating.

Kobe & Vince

I'm happy to see Kobe shooting a whole lot better in his past 3 games. He is shooting like 53% and he's rebounding and assisting as well. My only caveat is that it wasn't against "great" teams. However, its still better than nothing because he was still shooting and playing terrible earlier against bad teams. Hopefully it continues. I wonder if he reads this blog, most probably not.

In last night's Magic game, the game got pretty good with the Magic making a comeback and winning against Boston. I read an article by someone talking about how Vince Carter sucked in the game. I observed the same thing. In fact, I think he hurt the Magic more than helped. He was fumbling, shooting bad shots, not getting the ball inside, and just looked bad. He is definitely not playing like the athletic good player he once was. Its kind of sad. With Carter's play, losing Turkoglu is a lot bigger than maybe initially perceived.

Excited for the Dunk Contest

I am really excited for this year's Slam Dunk Contest. Most of the excitement is because of Shannon Brown. I feel I haven't seen him do a dunk contest before, but I know he can perform well. There is a mystery to what he will do. I think I'm feeling similar feelings to the one before Vince Carter's contest year.

Some of my favorite dunk contest participants (that I saw live on TV):
- Vince Carter
- Jason Richardson
- Dwight Howard
- Nate Robinson

All-Star Controversies

A big stink has been made about Allen Iverson being voted to start. To the point that this year more than ever I hear players/media/etc talk about a change is needed in the All-Star selection process. Currently, fans votes choose the starting lineup of the All-Star game. T-Mac was also in the running to start, but fortunately, Steve Nash overtook him in the last moments. I can definitely understand the sentiments of everyone who think it needs to change. I am one of those NBA fans who treats the All-Star game as a reward for excellent play for the current season. Allen and T-Mac are popular and have had great moments in their career. I wonder, however, who are the people voting them in. In general, are a lot of these votes not from NBA fans. I mean, seriously, do you keep up with whats going on in the NBA. I feel there are a lot of people who don't watch NBA, but will vote on the "names" they know. If you don't follow, then you'll vote for names you recognize. Its unfortunate because guys who have had great years may lose a slot to someone who hasn't played at all but got voted in. If the fans truly want to see that guy, then I guess fine. I think though that the rules could be changed for who is eligible. In any case, I'm excited for the All Star events and game.

Lakers lose again...

Lakers lose another road game. All these road games are starting to catch up to the Lakers. They need to step it up. Last year, they had one of the best road records. They had that confidence and swagger. This year they don't look so good. The label "soft" is coming into play. I don't think its necessarily soft as it is consistency. They do need to come out with better focus. Kobe needs to clean up his play, and Artest should probably sit out until he is better cause he isn't play quality defense. Injuries are definitely more of a problem this year than last, especially for Kobe. I think that they just need to develop a flow and then they will go on a nice winning streak.

Kobe's struggles

Kobe is really struggling. He is forcing too much. In fact, I am going to say it - he is hurting the Lakers. The problem is he is getting the ball and playing the game as "Kobe". However, he is NOT Kobe, the Black Mamba right now. His injuries have taken away from that. He is shooting terrible, terrible. I believe 36% in his last few games. You can't be needing to put up a high amount of shots in a game and maybe average a point a shot. Thats not good. Kobe's aggressiveness is taking away. Its fine if he is playing like Kobe and hitting those shots. However, he is bricking them and not allowing others like Gasol or Odom to have those opportunities. I know he is a warrior. If his attitude is that if he can walk he can play, then he needs to monitor how much he is helping/hurting his team. This is not his old teams where even if he was injured, it was still better for him to jack up shots. He has some great teammates. He needs to use them. When Kobe was playing at his best, he was using them well. Its kind of unusual. He is not playing close to great, and he relies on himself more. Interesting paradox. However, I think its him trying to shoot himself back into the game. It could help maybe if he sat out a few games. I'm not sure. (However, he better be playing for the Laker game I will be going to later this year, hehe). I think Kobe should play himself more like a decoy in these games for now until he can get his game back to par. If you watched him in the Knicks game you can tell. He tried to go for a dunk and he barely got high enough, the ball slipped out, and he was able to luckily get the layup to go. His back and fingers are affecting which also affects him defensively.

Cavs sweep Lakers

Last night was a chance for the Lakers to get revenge for the terrible Christmas day loss at home to the Cavs. However, the Lakers lost again. Lebron was just Lebron. He did it all and he played great. Its obvious Kobe's injuries are affecting. He shot better than his recent terrible shooting, however, it wasn't getting it done. In crunch time when Kobe gets it done in an assassin way, he wasn't able to. Lebron was able to masterfully score and will his team to victory. Lebron is truly a great player. He was also the better player. I still think when Kobe if healthy he is the best. However, with the injuries that Kobe has right now, Lebron is easily better. I know Lebron is pretty much unguardable, but the defense was terrible several times on him. They let him just shoot without even a close hand in his face. Part of this is he has so many weapons and a shot over you is the best you can wish for. I was disappointed in Ron Artest's defense too. It seemed like he didn't have his full defensive attention that he can have. Anyway, the Lakers last year swept the Cavs, and now the Cavs have swept the Lakers. I think its significant cause its shows your a great team. On top of that, the Cavs main point guard was out on injury. Mo Williams does a lot for them, and they were still able to win the game. The Cavs are looking like a championship team. The Celtics are struggling and Lakers aren't playing their best ball. The way the Cavs are playing now is similar to how the Lakers were playing last year.

Kobe not so Kobe

Kobe has been shooting terrible! His finger and back are really bother him. These are his points in the last 5 games - 12, 16, 10, 30, 11. Combined, he is shooting 37%. He can get 20 in his sleep. So its troubling to see him trouble to get 10, 11, or 12 points. Hopefully, Kobe can get his shot back or get healthier. The Lakers are very talented, but they need Kobe to be Kobe. Kobe started out the year with a good FG %. Its now gone down because of his recent woeful shooting. He dropped from #1 to #4 in scoring as well.

Shannon Brown in the Dunk Contest!

My wish has come true. Shannon is going to be in this year's slam dunk contest. I am SUPER excited already to see him perform. The others to compete are defending champion Nate Robinson and Gerald Wallace. There will be a dunk off between DeMar DeRozan and Eric Gordon to determine the other competitor. Lebron is not in it. This is a huge disappointment to me. A lot of people I'm sure are mad that last year he said he would do it, but now he is not. I figured he said it because of the emotion of the moment. As a big fan, I would love to see him do it. I guess its a "strategic" move? He loses more than he gains I guess. I think fans would love to see him just dunk. Even if he didn't win, I think people would appreciate watching him. I wish he would do it for the fans. I think he would have a lot of fun with it. He's done it at the high school level. Anyway, I hope my man Shannon wins it.

Grizzly love

You know which team currently has the best record in their last 10 games? It is the Memphis Grizzlies at 8-2. Actually they are tied with the Bobcats. Bobcats also are 8-2 in their last 10 games. Bobcats are playing great as well. However, Memphis's overall record is 22-18. Very impressive! I wonder if Iverson wishes he kept his composure and stuck with the team. However, you know what? I think Iverson would have screwed that team and they wouldn't win. I know Iverson has been a great player throughout his career, but history shows he doesn't really help his team win. Except for some isolated seasons, Iverson doesn't bring much winning around. I don't want to be a hater, but he hasn't proven to me otherwise. I guess overall Iverson enjoys the Philly embrace he got and maybe thats whats best for him. Memphis is a scary team to play right now. Playing very well and much credit to their coach. I kind of lump Memphis and Oklahoma together because of their youth, young stars, and how up and coming they both are.