The Von Wafer Show
For the second time in six months, Kobe stole the spotlight away from a matchup between the pride of Spain and the pride of China (Pau Gasol vs. Yao Ming). This time KB torched Houston for 33 points - including 11 of the Lakers’ final 15 - while both big men played a shade under their Olympic form.
But perhaps the biggest story from last night was Von Wafer (23 points), who stole the show from Kobe at times. This girl at the bar I was at who was wearing an Andrew Bynum jersey kept yelling, “Who’s that dude with the mohawk?!” Wafer left Kobe’s jock on the three-point line on one occasion, getting him off balance with a headfake and then shooting past him to the cup before Bryant could recover.
“Any time you play against somebody who was either traded or left the ballclub, they have extra incentive,” Bryant said. “He’s always been a streaky shooter and he played well. I told him I was proud of the way you’ve been playing.”
Source: ESPN.com
January 14th, 2009 at 8:36 am
bong says:
1st first uno one!!!
January 14th, 2009 at 8:42 am
GEE...What you know about Moonshine! says:
Von Wafer! Should get an endoresment for Vanilla Wafers or something for how he has been doing.
Still that shot Kobe hit after Shane’s was a pure “Dagger”.
Would have been better off foulin pimpin.
Yao has to kick that last shot out to the 3 line for the shot.
January 14th, 2009 at 8:57 am
springz says:
Can i get a Von Wafer with my ice cream!?
Why is it when Ming Yao dunks i have the same reaction as when Rafer Alston does a lay up
<— something like this.
January 14th, 2009 at 8:59 am
the Heckler says:
no tracy mcgrady and no ron artest…
..please tell me then why the scoring on this game was this close?
LA Lakers are lacking defense and toughness. they need to make some trades again.
maybe lamar odom for shawn marion (1yr rental)
maybe a deal for stephen jackson
but they mos def need some defense and mental toughness
..damn. who would have thought they would miss ronny turiaf sooo much?
January 14th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Chris Cason says:
Look on Phil Jacksons face after Yao Mings fade-a-way; PRICELESS.
Heckler, to answer your question, the Rockets are still one of the top defensive teams in the league and this game was played at their pace. Also, having a 7′6 makes a huge difference in getting open looks and 2nd chance points.
January 14th, 2009 at 9:13 am
vinny says:
13 for 32 from the field is not exactly torching somebody!
January 14th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Lee says:
They were missing their guards off the bench, that’s why it was soo close. Who could the Lakes get for Odom + Radmonoich/Walton ?? Sure they could get a huge upgrade at the 3 spot. Josh Howard ?? Joe Johnson ?? Luol Den ?? Not many decent 3s in the leauge who would be available.
January 14th, 2009 at 9:31 am
E$ says:
what coach does not get this guy the ball in the 4th?!? Rick is sooo stupid sometimes! Bynum had 1 REBOUND?!?! How do you want more playing time & get 1RB? Shooting 67% from the freethrow line
January 14th, 2009 at 9:33 am
mules says:
wasn’t this guy on the wrong end of a “block of the night” highlight last week?….and wasn’t it a rim on the other side of said highlight? Looks like he learned to take off a couple feet closer to the hoop.
January 14th, 2009 at 10:14 am
PALakerFan says:
The Lakers need GERALD WALLACE!!! Make it happen KupCake!
January 14th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Mamba says:
Was not the prettiest of games, but a win works, especially coming into San Antonio tonight, you could tell how jacked up the Lakers were to get that win,
One thing to remember that I always have to tell myself when you watch a close game like this against a seemingly overmatched team, is that right now LA is going to get EVERYONES best shot, no matter who they send out to the floor,
Having said that it makes each win more impresive as the season wears on, Lakers are playing banged up a little right now, Bynum is still streaky and that at times hurts, great thing is they can only continue to improve!
I’m curious what if any moves Mitch K looks to make
January 14th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Smitty313 says:
If you seen that game. Kobe couldn’t really hit anything until the 4qt. It’s like someone hit a switch and he couldn’t miss. Kobe was 4 for 17 at one point in that game. Von Wafer didn’t do anything when it really mattered. It was the Von Wafer Show for 3qt.
January 14th, 2009 at 11:40 am
E$ says:
Smitty, look how many times Von touched the ball in the 4th. That’s bad coaching on Rick’s part.
Mamba, it’s the NBA you will get everybody’s best game no matter the situation. Lakers are the most hated right under Boston, that’s why ppl want to see them on the losing end.
January 14th, 2009 at 11:56 am
isotope says:
^^ not bad coaching. If Rafer hit those free throws the outcome would have been different. Kobe was killing Wafer in the 4th, he was a defensive liability thats why he wasnt getting clutch minutes. Bottomline is they were 2 FTs away from beating the team with the best record in the L. All while missing 2 of their top 3 players. Can’t trip about that.
January 14th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Kevin says:
It sounded like the announcer was serious when he said “I assure you that Kobe doesn’t know who this guy is.”
Von Wafer was drafted by the Lakers and played 16 games with them. Could both Houston announcers really not know this about one of his own players.
January 14th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
hadoken says:
von wafer = 75 cents = 3 quarters
January 15th, 2009 at 1:18 am
SmittySmit says:
Not to take anything away from Von…but all this love for Wafer and none for Landry??? Landy’s numbers were better and more significant. The guy gets no respect. What’s up with that Dime Crew?