Kobe Goes for 81

[hoya20010]

Is anyone getting the feeling that we are witnessing the greatest individual scoring race in history? Lebron, Iverson, and Kobe may all average over 36ppg before season's end the way they are playing.

[RockawayHoya]

Doubt they'll all go for 36ppg this year (30 definitely), but Kobe was just flat out ridiculous last night.

[the_way]

Kobe is having a great year. He shot 28-46. Man!! I think overall, AI is having the best year. And no, its not my Hoya bias. ;D AI these last 1 and half year are where he is at his peak. To bad its all for naught. ESPN insider had link on the board yesterday about how Webber is getting upset about him not getttin the ball. I hate Webber. What a low-life.

Lebron, I don't know. I'm still wondering about him. Is he a stat-stuffer or a difference maker? I don't know. I'm still holding out. I think the guy is a super player. I just don't know if he is THAT type of player like Duncan, Wade, Iverson, Kobe, and O'Neal (Shaq, I mean, not Jermaine. ;D ).

Kobe is having a great year. The Lakers are thin right now. They will struggle to get to the playoffs. Their interior defense is terrible. Mim is okay, but not consistent enough. Odom just doesn't assert himself, and his game doesn't fit the triangle, kind of like how Glen Rice and Gary Payton didn't fit their only years with the Lakers. Odom is doing other things like rebounding, assists, and running the offense. But his game is more one-on-one, and that is Kobe's role. I like Smush parker too. Other than that, they really don't have much in terms of rebounding and interior defense. Kwame gives you barely anything. Cook is good, but he is really a 3 in a PF body and is limited defensively.

Its not impossible, but the Lakers will have to really work hard to make the playoffs. I think Phil Jackson is doing a great coaching job.

[RDF]

Kobe is the best player in the League right now--he's got that hatred for opposition and losing and is just so competitive, I love to watch him play and he was unreal last night.

With that said, was at the Wolves game and saw AI personally bring his team back from 19 down with 1:30 left in 3rd Quarter which was a perfect way to cap off my weekend. He willed that team to win and this was after the worst Half of ball I've seen AI play while in the NBA-he was terrible in the 1st Half.

And being the KG skeptic I am--let it be known that Marko Jaric took the last two TPuppies shots with Garnett encouraging him to take them--entire focus on Sports Radio being how the Wolves NEED a guy who wants the ball when game is on line--and how Wolves have 2 guys that don't--Wally and Garnett. As they said, it's one thing for AI to have to pass when he's doubled by 6'6 and 7'1 players, it's another to be manned up and pass up shots.

[nychoya3]

Kobe is something else. I like him better on an awful team like the Lakers cause he can get away with taking 45 shots and that may actually be their best bet. 81 points is just beyond what I thought possible in this day and age.

Quite a day in the NBA yesterday. Kobe goes for 81. Ray Allen hits the winner at the buzzer in a game wth 300 points scored. And Ignudola hits a game winner to beat the Wolves. Unfortunately, I didn't watch any of those games, but at least it sort of makes up for the terrible dud of a football weekend.

[hoyarooter]

Good grief, I almost entirely agree with _way again. Except for two things. I obviously watch the Lakers a lot, being here in LA. While Odom does have his problems scoring in the triangle, I don't think you can really say his game doesn't fit the offense, because he's still the prime facilitator. Also, fwiw, he made one of the dumbest plays I have ever seen in the Sacramento loss last week. Driving the lane when the team had a 4 point lead and the ball in the last half minute ranks up there with not fouling in the UConn game. Absolutely inexplicable.

But I'm getting off course. The second point is that, while I hated the Kwame Brown deal, and don't think the guy has a single offensive skill, I have been somewhat impressed with his defense. He's definitely better than Mihm defending the low post, and has proven to be their most effective defender against the opposing center.

[the_way]

hoyarooter said:

Good grief, I almost entirely agree with _way again. Except for two things. I obviously watch the Lakers a lot, being here in LA. While Odom does have his problems scoring in the triangle, I don't think you can really say his game doesn't fit the offense, because he's still the prime facilitator. Also, fwiw, he made one of the dumbest plays I have ever seen in the Sacramento loss last week. Driving the lane when the team had a 4 point lead and the ball in the last half minute ranks up there with not fouling in the UConn game. Absolutely inexplicable.

But I'm getting off course. The second point is that, while I hated the Kwame Brown deal, and don't think the guy has a single offensive skill, I have been somewhat impressed with his defense. He's definitely better than Mihm defending the low post, and has proven to be their most effective defender against the opposing center.

Yeah, with Odom its just like that. Sometimes he amazes you, and sometime he baffles you. What amazes me is how much he defers to Kobe, psychologically speaking. Good point about fitting in the Triangle. You are right. I think Odom's strengths are his versatility and being able to run the offense. He just makes bone-head plays at times. (just a side note. Did you know that Odom was a premier PG in New York city and he was initially only 6'3" at the time. All of a sudden he sprouts up to 6'10" his senior year, but still maintained his PG skills).

Kwame is still a project. He really could have used college. Its funny because coming out of high school, he could put the ball on the floor and was more developed offensively. He really didn't learn anything all his years in Washington and regressed. You really have to treat him like a rookie, because things in Washington just didn't work out. I think with Phil's guidence he can become better, but it will take time.