Highlights from the just-wrapped-up NBA All-Star Media Day:
* LeBron was asked who’s better between him and Kobe: “Kobe. No question,” LeBron said very seriously. Pressed to elaborate, ‘Bron kept saying that “Nobody is better than Kobe.”
* The crowd surrounding Kobe was by far the largest of the day, ahead of Yao Ming and Steve Nash. Another real popular guy was Allen Iverson. The throng of reporters and photographers surrounding Kobe’s table was huge before Mamba even got there. It was a good 20 minutes into the Western Conference’s 45-minute media session that I was even able to get close enough to see Kobe’s face. Lots of questions about the Gasol trade, his pinky finger, the Shaq trade and the Kidd trade.
* The recent trades were a hot topic. Everyone wanted the All-Star’s opinions on Shaq, Gasol and Kidd. And seeing as Jason Kidd was the only one of those guys actually in the building, his entire media session focused on the Mavs trade, which looks to be very close to dead.
* Dirk walked into the room and was immediately approached by a handful of young ladies who looked more like groupies than reporters. On his way out, someone from a German newspaper asked Dirk to pose for photos while holding their paper. A slightly uncomfortable Dirk obliged.
* As the Eastern Conference session wrapped up, D-Wade was on his way out of the room but stopped in front of LeBron’s table to pound his fist on the table and yell something about LeBron looking at his lemonade. Inside joke that none of us surrounding LeBron understood. As Wade walked away laughing, LeBron shouted, “Can I be in your Fave Five?”
* As I predicted, David West had the smallest group of people around him. Byron Scott had a bigger group.
* Prior to the All-Stars, the All-Star Saturday Night participants had their Media Day. The biggest crowds were assembled around Peja, Jamario Moon and David Robinson (who’s doing the Shooting Stars competition).
* B.J. Armstrong (Shooting Stars) was there, but was so embroiled in a deep conversation with Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune that no one could steal his attention.
* Walking across the street from my hotel to the Sheraton, where they held Media Day, I ran into Rudy Gay, Daniel Gibson and one of the Graham brothers. I also saw a guy pushing a grocery cart full of Grey Goose bottles. In the Sheraton lobby I saw David Thompson, Bill Laimbeer, Rod Thorn and Lenny Wilkens.
We’ll have photos and more stuff on the site later on…
February 15th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
J-Dot says:
Stop lookin at my lemonade? From the (now) old LeBron commercials, right? I think that was Wise LeBron who said it while sitting by the pool…
Disregard if you were just being sarcastic and really knew what was going on.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
yoyoyo says:
“Stop looking at my lemonade.” Is from one of those Nike “LeBrons” commercials
February 15th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
GEE...Bah-humbug on Valentine's Day says:
Dirk always looks uncomfy lol.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
word says:
so is kobe playing or what then?
February 15th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Kobeef says:
I think there is 100% chance kobe plays in the ASG - but there was no way he was going to step into the 3pt challenge knowing his shot was off. His rep was on the line.
I wonder where Kidd ends-up now? Or, how Dallas re-works their offer to get him? Kidd to San Antonio for TP? You know thorn won’t trade him to an east team.
I always thought they would package him with Vince. Maybe to Indiana for Jermaine and change?
February 15th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Jim says:
Kobeef, those are the most insane trade scenarios I have ever heard. Kidd and Vince for JO and +? That’s beyond Chris Wallace territory, that one.
And there is no way in hell the Spurs consider that trade…or that the contracts are close to working. Spurs have almost every player besides those three off the books this summer, they aren’t picking up a 35 yo with big money left, no matter who it is.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
doc says:
why the fuck would the spurs trade a young point with 3 chips and a finals mvp for a old ass dude who cant make a dam 15 footer.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Celts Fan says:
gotta love the fact even LeBron knows he’s #2 right now. At least he knows. Til dude can straight lock guys down like Kobe, he’s “only” 2nd best. Way to understand and respect the game ‘Bron. Keep working on that D and J and you’ll take that over soon enough (and he’s definitely put in a ton of work on that, cuz that J is butter now and he’s a good defender and improving)
Can I be in your Fave Five? That’s awesome! It would’ve been better if it was, “Can I be in your Fave Five Pookey?” but oh well…
February 15th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
QQ says:
Because that old ass dude is Jason Kidd, that’s why. Respect.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Smitty313 says:
Lebron killin right now because he has less talent around him.Just like Kobe had to do for two straight years. If the Cavs played in the west Lebron would never make the playoffs with that squad. Kobe for MVP. Danny Ferry get Lebron some help.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
evan says:
There’s no way either Graham should be allowed in New Orleans in relation to the ASG. I can only imagine that it’s Joey and he’s there to pimp for Jamario in the dunk contest.
I can’t wait to have it like the old days when all of the players would sideline the court and go bananas on the dunks.
If Jamario dunks from behind the foul line, is there anything else to compete with? Hope no one wins with a dunk that’s already been done on AND1 or seen on the youtubes.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
dh says:
I agree with GEE. Dirk always seems “slightly uncomfortable.”
he he hee!
February 15th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
mrcanadian says:
austin is maad weak. yesterday he tells us to do his research about george gervin, and today he didn’t even know dwade was referring to lebron’s nike commercials, that were only on tv 1000 times. it’s not an inside joke just because you don’t know it. do your research, or watch a little tv.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
doc says:
because thats jkidd QQ if u dont get the fuck outta here. Whoever make that trade is a dickhead. RESPECT that
February 15th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Austin Burton says:
Thanks, Mr. Canadian. That was “maad” helpful.
February 15th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
jz_smoove says:
one dunk that is reasonable and possible to do but not been done yet is: bounce the ball off the floor, over the rim, catch it from the other side a la Fred Jones winning dunk BUT with a windmill finish. btw I call Jamario Moon to win the dunk chip with the free throw dunk. although i am still a G-money fan and cant count the champ out especially its his only time to shine in a while.
February 15th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
nick says:
i think dwight wins based on fan base.
February 16th, 2008 at 12:39 am
ML says:
Man Fuck You Doc. Give the Dude some respect you Fucking Prick.
February 16th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Amar says:
Boooooozer!