Kobe vs. The World (again)
Kobe Bryant (photo. Chris Sembrot)We’re guessing Kobe wouldn’t mind avoiding any team from Spain for the next few years until (maybe) the London 2012 Olympics. First there was the gold medal game in Beijing that — even the biggest Team USA fan has to admit — was touch-and-go up until the end, and then last night the Lakers barely escaped an exhibition game at Staples against FC Barcelona with a win. Just like in the gold medal game, J.C. Navarro was unconscious, hitting L.A. for 34 points (7 threes), six rebounds and seven assists. Andre Barrett started at PG for Barcelona and was pretty quiet, as was the infamous Fran Vasquez. It’s probably a good thing Vasquez didn’t show anything, or else he might’ve been kidnapped by Orlando Magic security and taken to their practice facility. Kobe led the Lakers with 28 points and six steals, while Pau Gasol scored 13 … In an interview posted on the Lakers website, Andrew Bynum was asked if he’d rather star in a movie (not THAT kind of movie) with Jessica Alba or Eva Mendez. “Eva Mendez, definitely,” Bynum said. “I love Hispanic women. I actually talked to Pau about traveling to Spain in the offseason.” This better not lead to a reality show pilot, “Hunting for Little Mexican Girls, starring Andrew Bynum and Karl Malone.” … Now that the Miami Heat resemble an actual NBA franchise again — and a pretty good one, at that — you won’t find too many divisions out there with as much talent as the Southeast, where all the good teams have an established “Big Three” dynamic: D-Wade, Matrix and Beasley in Miami; Dwight Howard, Rashard and Hedo in Orlando; Joe, Josh and Al in Atlanta; and Arenas, Caron and Jamison in Washington. Then there’s the Bobcats. Yeah, it’s only the preseason, but if Larry Brown is supposed to be ushering in a new era, we haven’t seen the changes. One of Charlotte’s problems last year was too much of Ray Felton and J-Rich dominating the ball and not spreading the wealth, and in yesterday’s loss to the Hawks, Felton (16 FGA) and Richardson (17 FGA) combined to take 33 shots while no one else took more than eight … Meanwhile, Dwight and D-Wade were at their best in Orlando’s win over Miami. Dwight went for 26 points, 16 boards and three blocks, while Wade jumped up in the fantasy rankings again with 29 points, seven boards, eight dimes and six steals … Deron Williams went down with an ankle injury in the first quarter against the Bulls after Derrick Rose (unintentionally) Bruce Bowen‘d him on a jump shot. The X-rays turned up negative, but no one from the Jazz would comment on Deron’s condition otherwise. Utah has one more preseason game left before opening the regular season against the Nuggets on the 29th … Antoine Wright better watch out, because Gerald Green is going for his job. G-Money’s been kinda killing it throughout summer league and the preseason, and last night he hung 29 points (4 threes) on the Kings along with the play of the game when he split Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson with a cram over both their heads … Captain Ahab gave Tim Duncan the night off for Spurs/Pacers (and no one in the building was happier than Rasho Nesterovic), but that still left Tony Parker to torture T.J. Ford. Parker scored 19 and handed out eight assists, pretty much getting into the paint whenever he wanted to and dropping in shots over Indy’s bigs. Ford got his numbers (14 pts, 5 asts), but he missed a lot of shots and didn’t do his team any favors defensively … Meanwhile, ex-Pacer Jermaine O’Neal was busy giving the Clippers one of his vintage performances, putting up 20 points, nine boards and five blocks in a Raptors’ win. Chris Bosh added 26 and 11 boards. If those two can do that on a regular basis and the shooters keep spreading the floor, Toronto is gonna be a problem for the rest of the East … During the Oklahoma/Kansas football game, a pile-up after a fumble led to play-by-play man Ron Franklin shouting, “It’s gonna be Kansas basketball!” And did you see what USC did to Washington State? With the Trojans up 41-0 at halftime, one of the announcers said without a hint of sarcasm, “If [WSU] can hold USC below 60, they can walk away with their heads high.” And right after that, the same guy said the Cougars were getting “out-enthusiasmed.” It ended up being 69-0 for SC, the FOURTH time Wazzu has given up 60-plus this year. Imagine an NBA team trotting out Nash, Ridnour, ‘Melo, Boozer and Eddy Curry as its starting five — only they suck at offense too — and you get the idea … NBA TV replayed the 1997 All-Star Game, the one where the NBA’s 50 Greatest were honored at halftime. (Remember the controversy caused when Shaq was chosen?) Glen Rice took MVP of the game, dropping 26 points, including an ASG-record 20 in the third quarter. Injuries took out some of the League’s elite big men that year — namely Ewing, Admiral, Shaq and Barkley — leaving Hakeem Olajuwon to toy with the likes of Christian Laettner, and allowing guys like Tom Gugliotta and Chris Gatling to get some burn. With the guards running the show, Michael Jordan posted a triple-double (14 pts, 11 rebs, 11 asts), Penny Hardaway had 19 points and seven dimes, Latrell Sprewell scored 19, and Gary Payton had 17 points and 10 dimes … The game was in Cleveland, back when the Cavs wore those atrocious unis with the blue paint splash across the chest and the cookie-cutter lettering and Terrell Brandon was their All-Star rep. Celebs in the crowd: Kadeem Hardison, Evander Holyfield, Michael Johnson and Flex Alexander, who would barely count as a celebrity today … At one point Jim Grey was interviewing Cavs’ owner Gordon Gund in the stands, and after telling us that Gund is blind and listens to every game on the radio, Grey actually asked Gund, “Do you get the same emotions during the game? Are you excited when the team wins? Are you unhappy when they lose?” Apparently Jim Grey either thinks blind people are from outer space, or they lose all human emotions once they lose their sight. Why is he still allowed around a microphone again? … We’re out like All-Star Christian Laettner …
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October 19th, 2008 at 4:59 am
Mo says:
Is Gerald Green finally back?
http://www.squidoo.com/GeraldGreen
October 19th, 2008 at 5:00 am
jz_smoove says:
bynum roaming Spain , pretty dangerous. in about 20 yrs time that would mean his offsprings would be playing ball by then and killing NBA ballers. Spain wins gold in the Olympics 2028.
October 19th, 2008 at 5:11 am
obmb says:
eleventh!
October 19th, 2008 at 5:52 am
sans says:
Man, as I get older and mariujuana continues to cloud my mind, I realize that my memory is a little backwards from actual events. I seriously thought that MJ took the MVP in that game (with his trip dub), and that Glen Rice scored his 20 in the first half of that game…I remember glove was the frontrunner for the West if they pulled it out…also, once I thought Sheed was the 44th pick in his draft (and caught the appropriate amount of hate for being wrong on this site)…
October 19th, 2008 at 6:06 am
sans says:
…Terrel Brandon was so good as a Cav. Andre Miller too. They were All-Stars as Cavaliers and legitimately the best players on their respective Cleveland squads. Shhh, even Tyrone Hill made the AllStar roster as a Cav–thanks to Terrel.
anyone else remember this? “Hi I’m Karl Malone, and I’d like to talk to you about Chinese people…”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBeAmIMtly4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXv8rMIFrxg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2PhycbY5aA&feature=related
October 19th, 2008 at 6:14 am
RealTalk says:
@Mo
Gerald Green is back from what exactly? When was he in?
@Dime
1.) Chris Gatling was nice back then.
2.) Holyfield will always count as a Star.
October 19th, 2008 at 6:27 am
RealTalk says:
BTW It would be Jessica Alba all day and isn’t she hispanic too (WTF). I would give her the Bizaness even though see looks exactly like my girl so that would be kinda wierd (lol). BANG BANG BANG!!!
THIS JUST IN:
Delonte West is Depressed
“Prompted by his outburst directed toward a high school referee who was working an intrasquad scrimmage during practice Oct. 3, Cavs’ guard Delonte West knew he had to do something. Having battled depression for years, he recognized the signs. So West returned to his home in the Washington, D.C., area to look for help. He spoke to a therapist, individually and in group sessions, and also was prescribed medication, which he says has made him feel much better. A gifted artist and poet, the introspective West opened a window to his soul and his life. The team gave West plenty of space and time to deal with the problem and has made a commitment to continue to be supportive just as they would with a player who has a physical injury. The Cavs have a therapist on staff but are also willing to give West whatever other help he needs.” – SI.com
Gallineri To The D-League (WTF)
“When rookie Danilo Gallinari arrived in the U.S. for the first time in June, he envisioned playing under the bright lights of Broadway as a Knick. Gallinari may indeed be headed for bright lights, but of a different kind – the neon of Reno, Nev. Mike D’Antoni acknowledged for the first time publicly the Italian Stallion could be sent in November to the Reno Big Horns – the Knicks’ NBA Developmental League affiliate – for a rehab assignment.” – SI.com
Can anyone say 1st round bust. BTW DIME sorry I beat you guys to this story but yall gonna steal it anyway from me so here it is (lol).
October 19th, 2008 at 6:29 am
YOUNGFED says:
“BTW RealTalk is my Alter Ego” – YOUNGFED (LMAO)
October 19th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Leapin' Leroy Loggins says:
Oh damn. That is some funny stuff about Jim Grey. He’s an idiot. Is there a pre-requisite that you have to be an idiot to be a courtside commentator on NBA games. Jim Grey, Craig Sager, Steven A Smith….the list goes on.
October 19th, 2008 at 6:54 am
YOUNGFED says:
MORE NEWS:
LAMAR ODOM PUSH’S UP ON THAT CHICK FROM HERO’S
http://www.mediatakeout.com/2008/27471-new_couple_alert_nbas_lamar_odom_and_hayden_paniterre__wonder_what_lamars_wifeybaby_moms_thinks_about_that.html
She could get it allday.
October 19th, 2008 at 8:22 am
dj ho says:
i remember that all star game, i’ve still got it on tape! Glen Rice did get the MVP but KG was all up in his grill trying to deny him the record. Terrell Brandon also hit a couple of 3′s and the East bench were like give the ball to Rice!
The interview with Gund wasn’t that bad guys.
October 19th, 2008 at 8:30 am
sans says:
Googs was good before he got injured and even less athletic. Another “next Bird” to sink beneath the headwaters of time…
October 19th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Chris Cason says:
A funny clip from the original telecast of that 97 ASG (which i happen to own, get at me for a copy $5) is when Glen Rice breaks that record and Wilt Chamberlain, who owned the previous record, just shakes his head in disgust.
Rice was on fire that game though. I think that’s also the game where Latrell dunked on Pippen and raised the roof in celebration afterwards.
October 19th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Ashlov says:
Only one G-Money, gentlemen. That was Glen Rice.
Why was Helen Keller’s right leg yellow?
Her dog was blind, too.
October 19th, 2008 at 11:11 am
schoops says:
Jim Grey is a piece of crap. he should punch himself in the face each morning and make this world a slightly better place.
October 19th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
SteveNash says:
please tell me someone picked up on what larry merchant said last night during the hopkins kelly fight… the undercard fight where BID sucked and merchant asked – “DOES BID MEAN NOTHING IN AUSTRALIAN?” lmao hahahahahahahahaha
October 19th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
DJ Go Go Gomez says:
Jessica Alba is “hispanic”.
October 19th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Ian says:
sans
laettner also had similar numbers he wasnt bad shit he was an 18 and 8 player he was good.
now gatling only had 2 ok seasons
October 19th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Ian says:
jessica alba is not hispanic.
October 19th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
QQ says:
Pete Rose should have kick Jim Gray’s ass to outer space. Listening to that guy is like listening to someone explain what the color red looks like.
October 19th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
QuEsT??? says:
jessica alba is not hispanic
October 19th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
T Beezy says:
Established Big 3? Is Beasley really established?
October 19th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Mark says:
Not sure of the terminology, but while Spain qualifies as Hispanic (Hispania), is the term politically correct? I figured most Spaniards should put White on a census.
And I remember Glen Rice’s All*Star game MVP too. As a Hornets fan, I was high off that for a few days, which didn’t matter since I was a kid; nobody felt my excitement (a hearty laugh to Chris Cason’s mentioning of Chamberlain’s disapproval of a broken record).
October 19th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
QuEsT??? says:
spaniards should be called hispanic. yo mark wahlberg wasnt pissed, he acted tht shit, he appeared on SNL talking with andy sandberg and animals.
October 19th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Karon_te says:
How’s it that no NBA team has space for Navarro?
I mean the grizz used him just as a shooter but the dude can play serious ball.
October 19th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Dagomar says:
It’s not that they don’t have space, it’s that he’s a star in Europe and gets paid twice as much.
October 19th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Karon_te says:
Don’t think its just a $$money$$ issue.
Probably if a team/coach promised him minutes I think he would have stayed.
Anyway Barcelona’s team is already in competion mode and for LA it was just another preseason game.
But yeah, the margin with the rest of the world is getting closer.
October 19th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
sam says:
Pau and bynum vs o neal and BOSH!!!!!!!!woooh!
October 19th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
D.H. says:
quick funny note. Yahoo sports has the Raptors playing both the Lakers and the Clippers today, at the same time. I guess they could split up their team have the better half play the Lakers and the B unit play the clips.
October 19th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Justin Solomon says:
Quest,
I saw that ish too. He was just acting, but that Jimmy Kimmel clip made him seem like he was going to serve Samburg if he ever saw him, Had me fooled.
October 19th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Leoni says:
Gatling as a All Star is sad, worst of all time?
Gugliotta is good (the guy can do at all), Laettner is ok. The two arent better than Baker for example?
October 19th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
S-SiN says:
see how noone bothered to make a comment about Barca sticking it to the Lakers the other night? it’s not like it wasn’t at the top of the article either, this is not something people find easy adjusting to it seems. like, crap, let’s pretend the shit isn’t there! these are the supposed soon to be champs!
October 19th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
S-SiN says:
and the euroleague is supposed to be garbage! no matter how goofy them dudes look sometimes, they somehow find a way to get it done.
October 19th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
S-SiN says:
and btw that was a nice asw back in 97. mike had a sick putback on a free-throw, remincing of his younger days and lead the east squad to a (not yet mentioned here today) 19 point comeback in the 1st half. battle of the forwards was sick with 6’9″-6’10″ kemp, malone, garnett and googs going against 6’6″-6’8″ group of MJ, Pip, Penny and Hill. no pg. watch the first half again if you got the tape ya’all.
the best part is, no matter how sick sunday was, i still think the (not mentioned here yet) rookie game was even better. AI walked off with an mvp on smth like 19+9ast+4stls with kobe hitting for 31 an winning the dunk contest moments later. also rookie year for steve nash, camby, steph, abdur-rahim, ‘toine walker. ya’all get where i’m goin with this..
October 19th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
sans says:
Penny was a point back then…
October 19th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Ian says:
marky mark cant beat up anyone peeps
hes like 4’2
October 19th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
K Dizzle says:
Calm down a little, S-Sin. Lakers coulda lost to Barca and it wouldn’t have meant jack. It’s the preseason, where Bellinelli and Gerald Green are all-stars and teams like Memphis, Minny and Bobcats think they’ll actually have a good year. When the games count, holla back.
I said this once, but I’ll say it again. “If” Jermaine O’Neal stays healthy and Bargnani takes this new play into the regular season, the Raptors are gonna beat down the East, with the exceptions of boston and detroit.
Lakers in ’09
October 19th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Amar says:
rose is a dirty thug . . . well, he isn’t, but i just wanted to say that.
October 20th, 2008 at 10:19 am
PWeezy says:
“Hunting for Little Mexican Girls” – LOL that’s ignorant Spanish woman and mexican woman??? They’re from two different countries…i thought ur from NYC you should know all the different cultures that speak spanish
Weeeezzzzy
October 20th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Desrat says:
@ sans,
It’s ok dude. As I get older I keep forgetting things too, like which hottie is my wife. I keep balln on all of ‘em, hoping that I finally hit the right one.
Got to admit, it is good to be old.