All-Time Scorer (Lakers)

was appreciative after passing Jerry West to become the Lakers' all-time scoring leader, calling it a "great honor". Bryant scored 44 points to become the all-time leading scorer for the Lakers. What next for Kobe Bryant? He considers Abdul-Jabbar's NBA record is within reach if he plays long enough. Time will be the final judge, as always, but Bryant said he would "probably" be able to do it. Abdul-Jabbar had 38,387 in 20 seasons before retiring a few months before his 42nd birthday. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson thought Bryant was distracted by trying to break the record. Jackson said the record was "not important" and that the win would have been more important. He was going to get that record regardless. Which is very true but congrats to Kobe.

Kobe Visits Sesame Street

All-Decade Defense Team (NBA)

Time for the edition of the NBA All-Team of the Decade. There was a few disputes for the guards but the forwards and the center was hands down. Let me get straight to it:


PG

• Steve Nash (There was a dispute between him and Kidd but back-to-back MVP awards and in 04-05 he averaged a double-double, enough said. I know Kidd has the rings but the only PG in history to have back to back MVPs is Magic Johnson)
• Jason Kidd (Kidd's best years of the decade came in his first few seasons with the Nets. Kidd led the Nets to 2 NBA Finals appearances)

SG

• Kobe Bryant (By far the easiest choice for SG. He has been hands down the premier scoring guard of the last decade. Kobe has reached the playoffs in 9 of the 10 seasons of the decade, reaching the NBA Finals 6 times, and winning 4 NBA Championships.)
• Dwyane Wade (driving Miami to the 2006 championship and earning a ring before LeBron and Carmelo Anthony. Some even call him the East Coast version of Kobe. Whatever it is he has IT and may be better than Kobe if he gets the right people under him)

SF

• Lebron James (How could you not put this guy up there? By his fourth year he was in the NBA Finals. He's already on his way to being one of the all-time greats. I know I may get heat for not picking KG but who would you start your team behind?)
• Kevin Garnett (K.G. shook the label of being one of the greatest never to win a title when he joined the C's 2007-08. In Minnesota, he was 2004 league MVP and lead them to the playoffs 5x. No doubt Garnett will go down as one of the great defenders)

PF

• Tim Duncan (The greatest power forward in NBA history. Led the Spurs to the playoffs for all 10 years of the decade. Duncan brought the Spurs to 3 NBA Finals and winning all 3; two of those times he was the Finals MVP)
• Dirk Nowitzki (One of the best and most versatile 7-footers ever to play on the offensive end. Nowitzki led his Mavericks to the playoffs 9 seasons in the past decade and one Finals)

C

• Shaquille O'neal (To me he is the only one to give credit to. In this day and age a center is something that does not come around every draft. Dwight Howard maybe next or Yao but this decade it was Shaq. He won three titles with the Lakers and another after being traded to Miami. Shaq might be remembered as one of, if not the greatest center to ever play the game)

Few notable not named: Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Paul Pierce, Chauncy Billups

Nike Puppets

Well I am sure everybody knows that Nike is back at it with the puppets (if not I'll update tomorrow). This is the recent one from tonight. It has a Christmas edition to it:

Kobe Being a Mentor

The story of Young’s rebirth as an N.F.L. quarterback should be credited to Kobe Bryant. The Lakers star he met in passing at the N.B.A. All-Star Game three years ago. Bryant never doubted Young’s drive, not after reading his text messages. “He has a passion to be great and a willingness to improve,” Bryant said last week in a telephone interview. “He just wants to get better.” Bryant’s mentoring has meant more to Young since July, when Steve McNair was murdered. Young revered McNair and referred to him as Pops. When Bryant heard that Young was going to start on Nov. 1 against Jacksonville, he sent a text message: “Let’s go. It’s showtime!” With Young as a starter, the Titans have averaged 31 points and won four in a row. They can improve to 5-6 with a victory on Sunday against Arizona.

Heat: Eastern Contenders?

The Heat are still listening to Dwyane Wade demands of bringing in help as the Heat are trying to sell Odom on a five-year, $34 million contract at the mid-level exception, and a league executive with knowledge of the talks says Miami has also hatched a three-way proposal with the Jazz and Grizzs to secure Boozer. A possible deal would include Miami sending forward Hasleem and Dorell Wright to Utah. Because Memphis is under the cap, Utah could move Wright’s $2.8 million salary to the Grizzlies and save itself approximately $5.6 million with salary and luxury-tax payments. Memphis would probably get cash and picks for its trouble. The Heat would have to send one more small contract to make the math on the salary exchange work. The good thing about the Boozer deal, Miami could pay Boozer his $12.7 million salary this season and own his Bird rights to sign him to an extension next summer. Jazz are working hard to find a suitable trade for Boozer. This will be a blow to Kobe & Co. if they lose him and it would GREATLY improve the Heat chances in the East.

Kobe Takin Shots

Who needs Ariza

Once bitter rivals, now teammates. Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Artest's agent, told The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets forward has verbally agreed to play for the NBA champions next season. ESPN.com reported that Artest had agreed to a three-year deal worth $18 million. In a text message to ESPN.com on Thursday night, Artest wrote: "I am happy to say I am goin' to L.A." Could Kobe become MJ as he is now getting the Rodman of our time? Na haha.

Forbes

Forbes unveiled its list of the world’s highest-paid athletes in 2009. This of course is when you combine salary and endorsements together. The #1 athlete is Tiger Woods. He is banking 110 million. And even that's with the knee problems. Then in second you had Kobe and Michael Jordan . Lebron came in 6th [tied with Manny Pacquaio & Phil Mickelson] but he was ahead of Kevin Garnett. I did not know Kobe was banking up there with MJ. Wow!

Oh yeah, Kobe [4] Rings shirt is now on sale because it was so popular when Kobe was wearing it.

Lil Wayne Performs "Kobe Bryant" for Kobe

Finals MVP Kobe Bryant on “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”

Kobe...Free Agent...

Kobe has an option to opt out of his contract this summer to test the free agent waters. But all you Lakers fan can rest easy, I do not think Kobe will be going anywhere. He gave hints that he will be staying in LA by saying, LA is his home. This was during the parade that the Lakers had that started at the Coliseum. He said they will be back next year and they are a young team that should be a force for the next few years.

Lastest MV[Puppets]

Ratings

I am not surprised, but ratings were down this year compared to last season. The five games on ABC between the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic averaged an 8.4 rating. That's down close to 10 percent from last season's 9.3 for the six-game Lakers-Celtics series, which was boosted by Boston's large market and traditional rivalry with LA. It's still up 35 percent from the record-low 6.2 for San Antonio's sweep of Cleveland two years ago. But if it was Cleveland vs L.A., it could have beaten last year ratings. Still good ratings for the NBA Finals.

You're a Champ [again]

Definitely give a BIG congrats to Kobe [Finals MVP] on winning number 4 and his first without Shaq. And another congrats to Phil Jackson who became the #1 coach with 10 championship rings. Bryant scored 30 points and Pau Gasol added 14 and 15 rebounds in a 99-86 win in Game 5 over the Orlando Magic. Even Shaq was happy for the Kobe saying this on his twitter page: 

"Congratulations kobe, u deserve it," O'Neal said on his Twitter page. "You played great. Enjoy it my man enjoy it."

The climax of the game was when Derek Fisher hit a 3-pointer and Ariza hit two 3-pointers on a 16-0 run that took less than three minutes. Another reason why the series is over is because the Magic ran out of magic shooting 8 for 27 downtown.Phil maybe done now that he has 10 and he may want to go out on top. Also Jackson's contract is up and he's hinted at retirement. Bryant doesn't believe it though. 

Rashard Lewis led the Magic with 18 points, but 10 of them came in he fourth quarter and he shot 6-for-19. Dwight Howard finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Move of the Night

One Win Away

At halftime I thought for sure that the Lakers would have lost an oppurtunity to go up 3-1 but there was still another half to be played. That is when the rally started for the Lakers who won in OT 99-91. Give all the credit to Kobe Bryant, I meant the role players. Trevor Ariza scored 13 points in the third quarter to lead the spark and hit a big three to tie the game. Then you have Robert Horry, [sorry] Derek Fisher who hit the big shot to send the game into overtime. Then Fish hit another one to close the casket for the Magic who blew their chances to steal one again. The reason why the Magic are one game away from being eliminated instead of tying up the series: Free throws! [we won't even blame it on the last play]. If they learn to make those [Dwight & Turkoglu] they would have closed the game out. Now they have to win 3 straight games. OH WELL! On Sunday the Lakers will look to close them out in 5 games. 

Notes: Kobe responded from Game 3 by scoring 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists; Odom & Gasol had a big game on the defensive side; Howard had a good game [besides the FTs] scoring 16 points and 21 boards; they went to the line 17 to the Lakers 0 in the 4th; Van Gundy should really rethink his play calling too [haha..full court trap..with a 3 point lead?]; and will when he learn to put his best players on the floor [Alston played 0 min in the 4th and OT and Lee played only 7 min] ha good stuff!

Kobe vs Bron

After the Cavs lost, people thought that it was over. They were wrong it was just beginning. The Kobe-Bron commercials are still going strong and still funny. Nike said It really wasn't about Kobe versus LeBron in the Finals. They just thought both were being compared so much and both were having great seasons to start it. Some people even thought that maybe a Dwight Howard puppet was somewhere, not true. Dwight Howard is signed to Adidas so you might want to talk to them [although Howard did get his little Vitamin Water commercial]. So hurray for Nike and keep us laughing. 

Latest Nike [Kobe-Lebron Series]

Staying Alive

Instead of becoming one step closer of closing out the series, the Lakers became one step closer of giving the Magic life again. The Magic won 108-104 behind the Finals record setting 64% field goal percentage.  The biggest help they probably got was from Rafer Alston who came out focused and loose tonight. The past two games I think he was letting the whole Nelson situation get to him. Whatever Van Gundy said to him, it calmed him down and he score 20 points. I mean give the Magic TONS of credit. Rashad Lewis had 19, Turkoglu and Pietrus had 18, and Dwight Howard had 21 and 14 but the game was still not a blowout. The Lakers had a chance to win it down the strectch but Kobe's turnover [trying to do too much] and missed free throws is what cost them the game tonight. Lamar Odom did not help much tonight either. The Lakers missed a great chance to end the series tonight but could not do it. I expect Kobe to bounce back Thursday night and the Lakers to dominate. Kobe know that he is the reason why they lost so he will make sure they win game 4. 

Up 2-0

The Lakers came out did not play as flawless as in Game 1 but still came out with the W.  This win should be credited to Derek Fisher. He was the unsung hero because he made key plays during the stretch. Fisher had 12 points, 3 dimes, 3 steals, and a board. He made a big steal in overtime when JJ Reddick was trying to pass the ball but Fish stepped in and stole it. I am surprised the Lakers came out because honestly, Courtney Lee should have made that alley. If they lose this series [which they will] that will haunt him for a while. The Lakers played the game just like the Magic liked it: under 90 points, Kobe was not making shots, and the Lakers had players in foul trouble. Kobe did finish with 29 points and 8 dimes. I mean I do not know how the Magic will win because you cannot get any closer to winning a game than last night. The only thing I know is that the Magic are down 0-2. 

Notes: Mad props to Hedo and Lewis [almost had a triple double], who bounced back from their horrific Game 1 shooting. Van Gundy did make a reference that his team has been down before 0-2 and came back to win the series. He is referring to the Heat who were down 0-2 to the Mavs and won 4 straight games. It is possible, but he does not have D-Wade on his team this time and he is playing against a hungry Kobe Bryant. Gasol had a nice game going for 24 and 10 and since the NBA went to the 2-3-2 format in 1985, 11 of 12 teams winning the first two games have gone on to win the championship.

NBA Finals

I know many are probably wondering why I did not post about the Lakers-Magic. It has nothing to do with Lebron James not making it. It was the fact the score was 100-75. Three more games of Kobe [40,8,8] and you can call it a wrap! So the only thing I need to post is...