And just like that, Kobe Bryant became the headliner/center of attention yesterday and knocked any NBA playoff-related anything to the back page. After some widely reported flip-flopping for the past few days on what he wanted to do concerning his future with the Lakers, yesterday KB24 dropped a bomb on Stephen A’s radio show: Kobe said he definitely wanted out of L.A. and there wasn’t anything the Lakers could do to change his mind. He actually said, “At this point, I’ll go play on Pluto right now.” About three hours later, after everyone had jumped all over the story and all 30 GMs were no doubt working the phones — and over here, Justin, Christian and PR had convinced themselves Mamba was headed to the Knicks — Kobe went on an L.A. radio station and said a conversation with Phil Jackson changed his mind. If that’s really what changed KB’s tone, Phil deserves a raise just for that … Of course, don’t rule out Mamba changing his mind again. If that happens, here’s where he should play next year if it’s not in L.A. … Oh, and did you hear about Lakers owner Jerry Buss getting arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of DUI? His passenger in the car: A 23-year-old swimsuit model. Being rich must be awesome … Oh yeah, and don’t forget about Kwame Brown having reconstructive ankle surgery this week. He’s the team’s starting center, by the way. Man, we missed some good ol’ Lakers drama … Meanwhile, no drama in the Western Conference champs being crowned in San Antonio, as the Jazz got pieced in a game that was over in the first quarter. Seriously, getting housed by almost 30 in a must-win playoff game? So what if it’s on the road, and so what if the Jazz haven’t won in SA in forever; that’s just unacceptable … Tony Parker (21 pts, 5 asts) came out from the tip and imposed his will, getting into the lane easily and either scoring or drawing a foul. And that’s when he wasn’t hooking up with Tim Duncan (21 pts, 7 rebs) early and often. During the assault, Cass e-mailed this: “They were just talking about how Tony Parker is only 25! He can play for another 10 or 12 years.” That is kinda crazy when you think about it. Parker is younger than some of the best young guards in the League (Arenas, Baron, Hinrich, Joe Johnson to name a few) and already is closing in on his third championship … Doesn’t Jackie Butler look like he should be Tony and Eva’s bodyguard? We can’t even remember what he looks like in a basketball uniform. What’s number does he wear? And remember when Butler’s signing was kind of a big deal for a minute last summer? … Lots of questionable charges called on Utah via flops by San Antonio. Veteran savvy, or manipulating the refs and the rules? … No one really noticed because the outcome was never in doubt, but Brent Barry shot at least two airballs from beyond the arc. If he wasn’t in the Spurs system, could he get time on any other squad in the L? … Towards the end of the game, Jeff “The Exaggerator” Van Gundy said the Jazz are missing a big two-guard who can create his own shot. You hear that, Vince? If you really want to win, it sounds like a perfect fit. Of course, Utah probably can’t/won’t break the bank for Vince since they’re paying Boozer and AK-47 a ton of money, are into Memo for about $8.5 million per, and need to extend Deron Williams eventually … Crazy Idea #428 from Van Gundy: half-court shots should be worth more than three points; if you hit one and your team is losing, the game is automatically t. He sounds like an infomercial host sometimes … San Antonio’s scrub squad tries hard, but they’re really, really garbage. Elson, Vaughn, Beno, Brent and Bonner — having to watch them for most of the fourth quarter was tough. Too bad James White can’t crack that group and at least spice it up a little … It’s hilarious how pumped Clyde Drexler gets for everything. If you ever heard him doing Rockets color commentary this year you know full-well, but last night he presented the WCF trophy and you would have thought Clyde was a former Spur himself. He actually let out a “Yeah!” and pumped his fists … If you missed it yesterday on the Dime site, the Ball 4 Real tour kicks off this weekend in Seattle on the first of a 30-city summer streetball tour. The B4R bus is wrapped and ready to go, and later on today we’ll hit you with some more info, including news on B4R’s newest signee. We’ll give you a hint: the guy can fly, and he’s got the hardware to prove it … Nothing to do with basketball, but have you heard of this Jerry Porter jersey saga in Oakland? Porter, now the Raiders’ best receiver with Randy Moss out of the picture, wanted to change from #84 to #81 this year. He had been wearing the new number in mini-camp, but then found out that if he goes through with the switch, he’ll have to come out of pocket to reimburse the Raiders and Reebok for the cost of unsold #84 jerseys. How much out of pocket? Try $210,000. “Man, there’s a couple of nice cars I’d like to get for that money,” Porter said. “I could buy a nice vacation home, or at least go half on one with someone else.” Here’s a question: why was Porter given #81 in the first place when you know it’s eventually going to be retired for Tim Brown? … We’re out like the Jazz …
May 31st, 2007 at 1:23 am
spark says:
im done convincing myself. kobe’s definitely a knick next year.
it must, and will happen.
- knicks fan
May 31st, 2007 at 2:22 am
John Adams says:
Van Gundy is the best color guy I’ve ever listened to, book it. I mean, extend the courts, 7 fouls, half-court shot worth more? Shit is gold, son.
May 31st, 2007 at 3:01 am
wynaut says:
The Lakers should try to trade Kobe. They can try trading him to the Knicks. They could get Curry, Marbury and 50 future 1st-round picks…
May 31st, 2007 at 5:19 am
Steve Wells says:
Tim was sooo thrilled makin it to the finals…as always
www.squidoo.com/jumplikevince/
May 31st, 2007 at 6:46 am
Sean says:
Good point about Vince to the Jazz… would Utah be willing to part with AK47 to make that happen?
Oh and Knicks fans, why would the Lakers want whatever combination of 5 guys you can think of on the Knicks? I can’t see what combination of 5 guys is better than the 33 wins the Knicks pulled down in the East… move ‘em to the West and you get 15 wins… not a recipe for success.
How about Kobe/Radmonovic to Cleveland for Hughes, Gooden, Gibson, Brown and 2008 #1? Kobe and LeBron could make a run with a lesser supporting cast, a la MJ/Pippen and would still have Varajao, Z, and could pick up a ton of cheap free agents that would be willing to run at the title with them.
May 31st, 2007 at 8:28 am
boris says:
I’m with John Adams. JVG is a much better color analyst than coach, and he was #1 on my ballot for Coach of the Year. Why is it crazy to make a 5-pt deficit with 10 secs to go no longer a safe lead?
BTW, the Knicks could offer their whole team for Kobe and the Lakers wouldn’t accept. Sorry.
May 31st, 2007 at 10:16 am
chrisGO says:
stop fooling yourselves Knicks fans, if Kobe goes anywhere out east its to Chicago
May 31st, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Amar says:
great that deron and boozer — not satisfied with just showing up — called out their team mates after the game. you like that from your young core. hard to fault some of the pieces though.
You can’t start Harpring over AK, because Harp can’t pass, shoot from the outside, dribble, drive or play defense. AK has his worst season of his life, and still outplayed Harpring.
You can’t dog D-Fisher, he was not in this series, and despite this heroics vs. GS, he was abused on defense in the Hou and Sas series. But he’s beyond criticism, because he’s the sage D-Fish. When is it not a slump anymore when your career FG% is like 40? Brewer or Giricek should have been starting all season long.
Okur didn’t show up on offense. Well, he didn’t show up on defense all season long, but in the playoffs played Yao and Duncan the best I’ve ever seen someone play them in single coverage. It’s not like he was not trying on offense, he was still jacking up shots. They just weren’t falling. Easy to get criticised for not playing both ways when Deron and Booz had to guard Rafer, Hayes and Oberto/Elson . . . and you have to defend Yao and Duncan.
Jazz need to develop their talent in house, maybe sign Mo Pete to start, draft a defensive big and get a shrink for AK. They should be a 50 win team that gets to the 2nd round for the next few seasons until Phoenix and Sas decline.
May 31st, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Celts Fan says:
I know I’m ripping this off of Bill Simmons, but anyone have a better suggestion than Kobe to Boston for Big Al, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff’s contract, and the #5 pick? The Lakers aren’t going to get the young superstar they want, we all know that. So it’s either settle on really good, young players, cap space, and draft picks, or hold on to him, cuz they won’t get anyone under 25 that’s already a superstar and wouldn’t want anyone with a lot of miles on the tires like a KG. Anyone else have any legit suggestions (sorry Knick fans, but there’s NOTHING you have to offer that LA would take for Kobe. On the plus side, you might be under the cap by 2025)
May 31st, 2007 at 1:04 pm
John Basedow FC says:
If I could use one word to describe Sean’s Kobe-to-the-Cavs scenario, it would be “dumb.” If I could use two words, it would be “dumbassed.”
May 31st, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Jim says:
If there’s one thing I know about Vince, it’s that he will do anything to win, personal comfort be damned. I fully expect him to sign with the Jazz for an amount that will allow them to become a dynasty, as he is crowned the king of the Wasatch front.
May 31st, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Amar says:
Also forgot to say Congrats to the Western Conference Champions — The Spurs. They earned it while flavor of the month teams dominated the headlines all season long.
Vince / Ak-47 sign and trade would be the best thing for Andrei. He’ll get to play his quick power forward that he played in Europe in the Eastern Conference, and playing with Kidd and RJ will allow him to boost his rebounding numbers, blocks, assists and he’ll run all day long and get lob passes. (like when he played with Mark Jackson)
On paper it works for Utah as well, because Vince is apparently the type of player they’ll need. But, well, it’s VC . . . Sloan will eat him up.