Kobe silences the Nuggets, pushes L.A. to the NBA Finals
Kobe Bryant, Dime #7
As much as everyone has talked about the cooler, calmer, more collected Denver Nuggets in this second Chauncey Billups era, this is still an energy-driven squad, especially at home. So throughout last night’s Game 6 loss that ended Denver’s season and sent the Lakers to the NBA Finals, Kobe Bryant was all about delivering daggers and taking the crowd out of the equation. Kobe (35 pts, 6 rebs, 10 asts) was handing out silencers like Nic Cage in Lord of War, and in turn the Nuggets were generally listless, particularly in the second half when you’d expect them to come out on fire. Lamar Odom (20 pts, 8 rebs) hit a Perkins-esque three early in the fourth quarter that stretched the lead to 21 and sent some people trudging to the parking lot, but the real tranquilizer darts came later in the quarter: After a J.R. Smith (24 pts) three and a Carmelo (25 pts) jumper brought Denver within 14, Kobe called for a clear-out, got to the rack and duped Linas Kleiza on a pass-fake before dropping in a finger roll. Next possession, Kobe canned a three in J.R.’s eye to put them up 19 again … Your inevitable “Nuggets shooting themselves in the foot” moment: After Kobe airballed a three in the third quarter when Denver was still breathing, Dahntay Jones gave L.A. the ball right back by arguing with a ref and getting a technical foul … If this were baseball, perhaps Chauncey (10 pts, 9 asts) could have sparked a comeback. He had that look in his eye for stretches like he was going to grind it out and wear the Lakers down by himself, but since there’s a time limit in basketball, he simply didn’t have that kind of window … Luke Walton is officially the Brian Scalabrine of the Lakers. When he’s getting buckets, you know it’s over. Luke had multiple wide-open jumpers in the second half. (And if Luke is L.A.’s Scalabrine, that must make Shannon Brown the Lakers’ Tony Allen.) … A couple summers ago, we spent some time with Amar’e Stoudemire while he was doing promo work for a video game where he was the cover guy. We were on the sticks with Amar’e a lot during those couple days in Southern California, and every time something in the video game didn’t go his way, Amar’e would grunt, “C’mon, Donaghy!” We have a feeling Nene is going to spend a lot of time this summer venting that same kind of frustation at refs who aren’t there. Homeboy could not catch a break in this series, and by the end of Game 6 was either ready to snap or had just given up trying to argue. (Note to the boss: We really wouldn’t mind a little business trip down to Brazil this summer to check up on that prediction.) … And now the Lakers wait for the winner of Cavs/Magic. The answer to the “Who would you rather face?” question seems easy on first reaction, but don’t be so sure the Lakers want Orlando. Sure, they’d have homecourt against the Magic whereas the Cavs would have homecourt if they played the Lakers, but also keep in mind that Dwight Howard and Co. swept L.A. this season. And with the way Andrew Bynum has been playing — he had two points and one rebound in 21 minutes last night — do you want to feed him to The Centaur right now? He’d foul out in about 49 seconds … At the same time, though, while Dwight put in work in both of those regular-season wins (21.5 ppg, 16 rpg), the Lakers were getting absolutely lit up by Jameer Nelson (27.5 ppg, 6.5 apg), and Jameer isn’t around this time. Not to mention Kobe dropped 41 points on Orlando in one of those games, then slapped up a 28-13-11 triple-double in the other. So if you’re an L.A. fan, who would you rather play between Cleveland and Orlando? … Reader e-mail from Justin L.: “Just saying, you never see The Count and Sasha Vujacic at the same place and time. ’5 three pointers! AH! AH! AH!’” Send yours to smack@dimemag.com … We’re out like Birdman overload …
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May 30th, 2009 at 12:29 am
aGM says:
1st! John Matrix in da house!
May 30th, 2009 at 12:29 am
Ranjit C says:
FIRST !!!! I’m a laker fan !! Huge game by the lakers tonight, came out with the well deserved W ! I kind of want Orlando because of the home court and I think Pau and Bynum and kobe(driving) can get the centaur to pick up a couple of quick fouls thereby limiting his effectiveness. About the game 6 win, I think 51% was lakers’ offense and 49% was Denver’s HUGE CHOKE !!! Most of the nuggets looked like they piss scared to just be on the court !
May 30th, 2009 at 12:36 am
F.L.A.S.H. says:
orlando no doubt, lamar takes all matchup problems with lewis out of the equation, and gasol/bynum>howard/gortat, and ariza would definitely LOVE the idea of guarding hedo after chasing melo (man on a mission) for 6 games.
p.s. kobe/ariza/odom makes it possible to swtich all hedo/lewis pick n rolls
May 30th, 2009 at 12:38 am
ponky_alolor says:
to the lakers fans, would anyone know with free agency of odom and ariza next year? Who’s staying?
By the way, if lakers run through their offense with gasol, no one’s beating them. Kobe is just pacing and picking the D apart.
May 30th, 2009 at 12:43 am
ponky_alolor says:
@ flash, if lakers bring that badass game as they did tonight to the finals, doesnt matter who comes out of east. And thats from a cavs fan. Magic playing insane right now but the chip is for kobe to lose.
May 30th, 2009 at 12:45 am
tp says:
@3
we feed off lamar…. whenever lamar goes off it seems like we never lose, it would pain me to us not resign odom. he’s def one of my favorite lakers.
as for ariza.. he has been the third most consistent laker this postseason. my boy from ucla is gettin paid.
May 30th, 2009 at 12:49 am
Oscarisalakerfan says:
Cavs…..The lakeshow swept them up regular season… EASY
May 30th, 2009 at 1:50 am
the cynic says:
-We were on the sticks with Amar’e a lot during those couple days in Southern California, and every time something in the video game didn’t go his way, Amar’e would grunt, “C’mon, Donaghy!”
lol, i can definitely visualize that
The Lakers absolutely want the Cavs. The only team the lakers didn’t want out of the east coming into the playoffs was the magic, and it’s still the orlando magic.
May 30th, 2009 at 2:10 am
smity far away says:
whats lamer than one person saying first when they are first to post? another person saying first when they aren’t. both lames though. a number 1 lame and a number 2 lame.
i said i while back that i didn’t believe in the nuggets and that i was hoping that they would prove that they could beat this lakers team. i turned the game off a few minutes into the third cause nothing about the game up to that point suggested to me that they were capable of winning. they doomed themselves when they let game 1 get away from them…
an l.a team that knows what it feels like to lose one nba finals will not let that feeling present itself again. kobe stans around the world will rejoice once he holds up his finals mvp joint.
no jameer changes things tremendously. orlando is too wet behind the ears to even think they know what winning the finals takes….
amare needs to figure out how to make the defense he plays in video games translate to the defense he plays in real life…(unless, he’s just defensively challenged in all areas. he probably can’t even defend himself in an argument- better than chris bosh? no. he’s not even better than chris anderson…
May 30th, 2009 at 2:15 am
POPPI GEE says:
Lay it down out of town!
Kobe just gets it done in Colorado (hahaaaaaaa).
I said it ago. George Karl may get your team really far but he will not get your squad a championship. He is aight as a coach but real average to me.
Plus pure ones know that Chauncy got the team this far anyway and that George was just in the building.
I mean Denver has all the parts and granted they did face Kobe and crew. Still right now I should be talking about how game 7 is on deck, and I ain’t.
I listened to his pre-game and his post-game comments and I just ain’t and haven’t been impressed with GK. A great buddy till things go wrong but not a great coach when things are going wrong.
Sorry Nuggets. They did better than expected this year anyway. Heard Kobe told Melo before the trade that he really needed a floor general or quarterback and they went and got Billups. Perhaps now Kobe will tell ol’boy they he really needs a pure and more intelligent coach of the game.
For all the ridicule Kobe gets on things other than how he plays the game. I see a Kobe embraced by his squad for what he can do and what he knows and also what he is teaching them. I see a Kobe imprinting his will and determination on his teammates and making them play with heart and mind. Granted the media don’t show and perhaps he ain’t all silly and doing pre-game planned routines and all. Still Kobe comes off like Charles Xavier for the way he attacks mentally. Really impressive.
Lakers should want Dwight and crew. With the way the refs have been calling it, all they have to do is get Dwight in foul trouble and it’s a wrap.
I think if LA gets Cleveland it’s a minor let down cause Kobe and Bron gonna cancel each other out sort of and not drop the same 45 they would as they do on other squads.
Anyway 1 thing is for sure LA is there.
Kobe is feasting this year!
Vindication 2009
The Mamba Strikes!
May 30th, 2009 at 2:38 am
POPPI GEE says:
I am enjoying LeBron’s game more as he matures but you don’t really ever see him grabbing his teammates showing them weaknesses or teaching them things as a game goes on. You do see that with Kobe. Sure you see plenty of high fives, gun shootin and posing with LeBron but not that teaching. Chauncy and Kobe have been showing leadership at it’s finest in the mental aspects of it. Chauncy with trying to make that wild bunch calmer and Kobe in making his squad more calculated in execution. It’s beautiful.
Side note. Say a few thangs change and most remain the same. Could we see KG coming back and really if the Cavs keep the same coach and squad then really the only ones challenging Boston or Orlando and with the way they struggled with no KG you have to give it to Boston.
Then out West, if Denver keeps that coach lol, Houston has 1 of their key players go down with injury during the playoffs, Spurs stay old then who is really challenging LA.
Anyway for LA vs. Boston possibly in 2010? Naaahhh things got to change right?
May 30th, 2009 at 3:10 am
dk says:
Alls I have to say is the Lakers were on the road. Kobe is always relaxed. And someone mentioned ” Lord of War ” . Wow. Who wrote that is my new hero….
May 30th, 2009 at 3:14 am
dk says:
Seriously, when has Kobe looked nervous this year. When has he had to force up a 23′ shot at the buzzer….
May 30th, 2009 at 3:18 am
dk says:
Look, what LBJ has done… Ive never seen before, GOD bless him man, God bless him… Cleavland built the perfect team for him. Their only weakness is guarding Orlando. Bron is scoring 70% of their offense and has a triple double every game. Jordan never did that. I feel bad for him but I guess the better team will face the Lakers. Im not even sure about who will win but at least the lakers have height on their rotations… WAIT
KOBE > then ICE COLD
ICE COLD….
May 30th, 2009 at 3:21 am
dk says:
Black Mamba equals ASSASSIN … ARE your serious…. BRon is the greatest player physically I have ever seen… but Kobe is calmly handling business… Artest never went full RETARD, WHY, RESPECT… Seriously, Artest dont play!!! He respects Kobe now….
May 30th, 2009 at 3:28 am
smoove chips says:
My boys showed up.Finally.Not scraped by,but really showed up.Yeah denver played a notch below their usual level but I doubt the Lakers cared.The laker mentality tonight was straight ruthless.God knows what kinda shyt kobe was raining down in the staples gym on thursday but you could tell early they were sick of bullshyting.It was like “you fluckers gon need some more bodybags”kinda night.
Honestly the Magic would be a dream matchup for the league.they got skill size and newfound poise at every position that keeps everyone honest defensively and that is fun to watch.as proven,once lebron is shut down it’s mostly lights out for the cavs.ergo not as much fun for the fans:and as enjoyable as these last games have been i wanna see close games that go to game 7.It’s only right.
Lakers n magic.lakers in 6 or 7.
May 30th, 2009 at 3:36 am
smoove chips says:
i confess my guilty peasure of this series was watching 6 feet between a stacked laker defense and kenyon martin alone on offence.
ladies n gents without further ado…the kenyon martin jumper.Bliss !!
May 30th, 2009 at 4:44 am
Lee says:
Does Adam Morrison get a ring if the Lakers win ?? I think he’s on their playoff roster.
May 30th, 2009 at 4:54 am
ponky_alolor says:
@ 17, i cringe everytime kenyon and varejao throws up that jumper.
Plus that hold on sasha’s foot, what the hell was that k-mart? Hahahaha.
May 30th, 2009 at 5:39 am
biggeddy says:
@4
I think we’re keeping both Lamar and Ariza. Both have expressed that they are willing to take less money to stay with the Lakers. I don’t see anyone good (he won’t go back to a crappy team) offering Lamar more then 8 mil, so I see him signing for about 6-7 mil and a no trade clause (he qualifies). Ariza should end up with the mid-level exception for 2-3 years (although the lakers might try to lock him in even longer at that rate). I really don’t see anyone offering too much more.
I hope we can get Brown for a $1.5 mil deal. We are def waiting until next summer before discussing contract with Farmar. I’m hoping Morrisson works his ass off this year summer. He can take Vlad’s place as tall 3point shooter if he gets his ass in gear (yes he’ll get a ring this year…)
Lakers finally remember how to play basketball… ain’t no stopping us now… Championship!!!
May 30th, 2009 at 5:48 am
smoove chips says:
^ ..while me n the rest of lakernation smile on the inside.honestly it’s soothing especially when the game’s close lol !
And that was kmart demonstating how to grapple an opposing player when you’ve messed up your fingers real bad.use your armpit.. one must never,ever pass up a dirty play..
May 30th, 2009 at 6:05 am
e says:
im certainly not a lakers or kobe fan but i will say that was his best persormance of the playoff facilitated the offense was very sharp and had that looks in his eyes since the game started that it was ending in denver if kobe plays like that in the finals and gasol is on with odom doing the intangibles hand them their trophy and woever comes out the east is losing and the cavs are going to win tonight because the lakers advancing first setups stern to notify the refs lesbron cannot lose
May 30th, 2009 at 6:22 am
the_don_mega (representin' the 3 stars and a sun) says:
read that George Karl said that even Jesus can’t guard Kobe… anybody rememer the kind of same statement Larry Legend said about the G.O.A.T. back then???
whoever faces the lakeshow from the east would really have a hard time this year… lakers are beatable… but you got to make them beatable for 4 games… tough road ahead for cavs/magic…
May 30th, 2009 at 6:53 am
Rafa23 says:
yup, “god disguised as michael jordan”, after that 63 point game in 86.
May 30th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Danny says:
Lebrons 16.6 free throw attempts a game average against the magic is now a playoff record in an individual series. Lebron is bouta break every playoff free throw record in the book. Crazy as it seems.
May 30th, 2009 at 8:21 am
that's whats up says:
Doris Burke needs to either cut some bangs into her hair or get some spackle for those grooves in her forehead
Stan Van Gundy knows this is only game 6 but he treats every meal like it’s a game 7
Wouldn’t be surprised if Bron shoots 40 free throws tonight to “force” (aka Stern said make it happen” game 7
May 30th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Marvin says:
In a must win game for Denver, they just came up more flat than sponge bob’s face… Very frustrating…
May 30th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Soopa says:
So disappointed with Denvers effort. I think Van Gundy was right when he said “some teams think its enough just to play at home”. Denver didnt bring energy or poise tonight. Alot of mental mistake and retarded Ts. They didnt deserve a game 7.
Lake Show looking as strong as theyve done the entire season. I cant stand Kobe, but he is playing as well as ive seen him play in a long time. Making the right passes and hitting daggers whenever he needed to. Impressive
May 30th, 2009 at 10:02 am
QQ says:
When we all thought the Nuggets are past their knucklehead phase, they drop this stinkbomb. Kenyon Martin grabbing Vujajic’s foot, cats playing with no heart, etc…
And Carmelo… Man oh man. Just when people thought (me included) he turned around his career and left his asshole days, he dropped this dud. Yeahn I know, 25 points, but what does those points mean when his coach FUCKING BENCHED HIM IN A CRUCIAL STRETCH IN THE 3RD BECAUSE HE CAN’T (AND WON’T) FUCKING DEFEND. Damn, and you call this the Nugget’s best player? I give credit to him for every game in playoffs in which he played in a different level, but in the game that could be considered one of the MOST IMPORTANT in his team’s history, he played like the Melo we love to hate: No passion, no effort, just jacking up shots.
PS: Luke Walton is getting buckets because Carmelo cannot fucking defend the guy.
May 30th, 2009 at 10:27 am
dk says:
This just in!!! The Lakers suck, everyone knew it!!! After losing one game to Utah, thay dont have much of a chance. After dropping 3 to Houston, OMG like the Lakers are so overated. Losing two games to the 5th best team in the NBA, pricelss…..
Will the real MVP please report to the NBA Finals, amazing….
May 30th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Nadim says:
While I saw the Lakers winning by double digits, I did think that Denver would finally recognize that this was an elimination game and play its heart out. You could see the mentality of the Nuggetts in ther comments after game 5. They basically assumed that they would Game 6 and bring it back to LA for Game 7. They thought that the refs lost the game for them, when the officiating was actually even. Considering the energy that they brought, they definetly thought that LA would be satisfied with a Game 7. I guess not.
I do want to commend one player who brought his all to this game, and of all people, it’s JR Smith. Dude was getting to the basket, shooting bombs from the 3 point line and playing with effort on defense. Meanwhile, “Mr. Big Shot” was a no show.
May 30th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Bron42 aka Had Springs before slam ball says:
Dime, thats really cold that your talkin about nene catching a break, and leaving out the fact he broke his arm in the 4th quarter of game 6 last night….ironic and messed up
May 30th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Jerry says:
bad man droppin daggahs
May 30th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Bron42 aka Had Springs before slam ball says:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcVEDCqKNz0
If your bored a shout out to the adam morrisons of the world lol
Magic in 6…this just in..Predisent Obama states he was inspired to make a run after seeing lebron drink a bottle of sprite. How many phantom calls will lebron get tonight? and how many lebron lovers will say the calls where legit, when the player the foul was called on is on the other side of the court. Lebron and chuck norris once bumped into eachother at allstar weekend..chuch norris was never heard from again…Slow saturday
May 30th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
jzsmoove says:
Kobe is a mofo. Kobe is a bad bad mofo. Aight credit given and i still dont like the dude. I got one more underdog left in the bag. I thought the Lakers traded Odom right before the Nuggets series.
Ofcourse PJ’s “X-factor” decided to show up for these last 2 games. I guess X-factors are those virtually unrecognized little important things you dont realize you need until you need it, like toilet paper.
A Kobe-Bron duel would be nice but…Go Magics!!
May 30th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
E$ says:
“I’m proud of my boy L O” – Ron Artest tweet
My only hope is Orlando, comparing Lakers players to the Celtics players??
May 30th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
doc says:
@gee-Kobe know more than Bron so he can teach more.When Kobe was 24 he wasnt doing that.@dk-okay pimpin u showing some progress.Showing some honest emotion now huh?Kenyon was looking like a retard Shawn Marion with those jumphooks he was throwing up this series didnt he?That was a fucking TEAM out there last night.And the Lakers bullshit through some games then they turn that shit on when they NEED a win like a lightswitch.So congrats to Kobe,if u go against Dwight,go get that chip so they can leave u the fuck alone.And if u play Bron,I hope he puts 70 on ya head.Congrats.
May 30th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Bron42 aka Had Springs before slam ball says:
@doc, ya but when kobe was 24, he wasn’t runnin the team either…if lebrons the leader he should be doin that..thats why i said the other day i don’t think he leads his team good. And orlando beat the lakers this season too lol
May 30th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Lakers Nation says:
I figured it out . . . now I know why you guys are ridiculously biased . . you’re owned by Fox . . i can’t believe i didn’t see it before . . .
May 30th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
doc says:
@bron-yeah he wasnt the leader when he was 24.EXACTLY!Bron is AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AS FAR AS LEADING.Why look for a reason to bash Bron out of this.Man if Kobe and Bron take a shit I think people would argue about the smell.
May 30th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Bron42 aka Had Springs before slam ball says:
@doc, no ones bashing him lol Lebron isn’t ahead of schedule, you yourself said he don’t lead the way kobe does..Now if he was doin the same stuff, than he’d be ahead of schedule..but the games when his guys aren’t doin nothing or missin shots, you don’t see him grabbin people and talkin them down. I said before i don’t think lebrons a leader that way, its not about bashing anyone. So that aside…lets say magic beat the cavs tonight, and then beat the lakers, would it piss off kobe even more? not only to miss another championship but to lose to orlando and shaqs ghost in dwight? lol
May 30th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
doc says:
I aint say u bashing.But man I see bashing on here everyday u see it too.When Kobe guys missing shots they get they ass whipped too.He didnt talk nobody into making shots.They was whipping ass from 21 jumpstreet.If he leading at a age when Kobe wasnt,how is he NOT ahead of schedule?Its easy to tell a cat what to do lokking all coachy when u up a 20 piece.When they missing and getting spanked he dont do that shit.Thats all Im saying.To answer ya question about if Dwight beats Kobe which is a BIG possibility.Kobe will kill Pau and Lamar and go do his bid happy.That would be a hurtpiece for him.And u know if they ever get in a hole in the series Shaq will show up at the game to ask anybody who loses how his ass taste.
May 30th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
BERN BROGDEN aka BINO BROWN says:
Since it’s all said and done. The hoodlums are gone.
OK – soooooooooo…
let’s just say:
LA IS NOT SOFT.
THEY CAN BE TOUGH.
THEIR POINT GUARDS ARE AIIGHT.
THEIR ENERGY MEN CAN BRING THE ENERGY.
THEIR ROLE PLAYERS CAN PLAY THEIR ROLES.
ANDREW BYNUM IS STILL A HEAD-SCRATCHER.
So, based on the above, the pg and the ab are the only issues that need to be monitored in the Finals.
PS : I swear Farmar TRAVELS all of the time. The ish is gettin’ pathetic. I’m seriously gettin’ really fed up watchin’ this man move his pivot. I think he knows what he’s doing but he’s like my lil’ cuz…he actually FORGETS which one is his pivot. Lil kid – he’s allowed to forget.
Professional Point Guard in the NBA – he isn’t.
May 30th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
silky says:
kobe= leader? haha…right. how u guys gonna talk about dropping daggers with a 14 pts, 16 pt leads. u even know what a dagger is? u guys are way to guilty of hyping shit up for no reason.
hoping to be tippin back some Lebombs tonight
May 30th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
tp says:
@ everyone,
lets not get carried away with these kobe did this, lebron did that comparisons.
face it, kobe has done NOTHING yet this year. he was SUPPOSED to get here. he needs to win the chip this year just to maintain his legacy.
as for bron, he is indeed ahead of kobe when you compare what they did at their respective ages. dont give me crap about kobe dont lead like this, and lebron dont lead like that. they are both leaders that do it differently. however, (out of fairness to kobe), since he’s always compared to mj (6 rings to 3 rings), kobe’s still way ahead of lebron (3 to 0) in that respect.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
tp says:
@silky
dont be so blatantly biased bro. kobe’s run in the 2nd quarter blew this game open, and his 4th quarter run pretty much sealed the deal. this is the same exact laker team that was up by over 20 points against the celtics in the finals at home and blew it. yea it might have come of cheesey for him to be so adamant with a big lead, but hey, these lakers need it.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Bron42 aka Had Springs before slam ball says:
@doc, hes not ahead of schedule cuz hes still really not a leader, hes just a great athlete who was thrown into the leader role by endin up on a bad team…kobe wasn’t a leader at 24 cuz he had vets..but ur right…kobe don’t do that shit when they gettin blown out lol I think odom would come up missin if they lost to the magic
@Silky, You can drop daggers in a blow up man…Cuz if you knew anything, you’d realize everytime the nuggets, or should i say JR smith went on a run, kobe hit a timely/dagger jumper to silence the crowd. And while kobe will never be the Billups type leader, these last 2 games (the most important ones so far) he out played billups in the leader role. He was passing and setting his guys up, but when they needed a bucket, kobe went and got it meanwhile billups suddenly had the nuggets looking pre iverson. When Keyon martin is ur second best offensive weapon in a close out game..you know your team is slipping. For like 2 whole quarters martin and JR were the only ones showin any balls while melo (who i actually like more than bron) was “helping” so much on D that anyone who was at SF was gettin easy buckets on him.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
doc says:
@bron-I can go for that.They never let him GROW into a leader.But he IS a leader.U can see that team follow him.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Lady Luck says:
That’s pretty cold comparing Shannon Brown to Tony Allen. Really? I think Shannon showed up and contributed a LOT more than Tony Allen has ever.
May 30th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
K Dizzle says:
Why dudes shittin on Melo now? Dude made major strides. It really ain’t his fault that Kobe figured out how to beat em and Karl made no adjustments. It was easy for Melo when Kobe was just straight attackin cuz that was just straight man on man and Melo succeeded. When Kobe switched up and started drawin out the double team and findin cutters, Nuggets were finished. Props to Chauncey for showin how leadership affects a team with talent but no direction. I’m a fan now.
@ Bron and Doc – Back when Kob was 24, he was tryin to lead, but when you got Shaq on the squad, you can’t really say too much and besides Fish was the vocal leader cuz at 24, Kobe was goin for the 3rd straight.I remember interviews when Kobe was talkin about tryin to get guys goin back when he was airballin against Utah, and vets lookin at him like he was crazy. You know the “What? Kid, you 19!” You could see it was killin dude that he’s in the gym addin to his game every summer while Shaq was livin the Hollywood lifestyle instead of workin on his freethrows. Bron could probably say shit, but he looks like he’s just happy bein one of the boys for now.
One little bit of history to chew on. Next week, Kobe gonna be in as many Finals as Mike…
Lakers all day. There’s room on the bandwagon for all y’all Nuggets fan.
peace
May 30th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Rafa23 says:
everybody always says kobe was the second fiddle for his first 3 rings. shaq was the leader and got to guy, yes. but only for 3 quarters. kobe won all the games in the clutch. remember the 4th quarter vs. portland in game 7? same goes for game 4 in the finals when shaq fouled out. kobe was 21 back then.
he was the pippen, no question. but unlike scottie, he became michael in the clutch.(please dont say now: kobe is not jordan…blah blah, thats not what i meant)
May 30th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
tp says:
@rafa23
trust me, the legit laker fans know what you stated. winning the west was the REAL finals those years, and it was kobe, not shaq, that carried the team. shaq has all the finals mvps yeah, but we know whats up.
May 30th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Rafa23 says:
yup, was more for the “shaq was the leader and did everything yada yada”-group.
btw, if the cavs dont get 40 from lebron and 20 from another guy, magic in 6 tonight.
otherwise, refs in 7.
May 30th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
LakeShow84 says:
How about this as far as being the best..
Lets just see who gets the chip.. If Kobe gets it, with all the shit EVERYONE has been yakking, then yes Kobe is on top.. If Lebron WILLS his team to win over Orlando and gets through the Finals then hes EARNED his hype and is on top.. And if Howard wins he proves they shoulve been in the discussion all along and we are morons for most of our arguements lol jk..
But i will say i would rather play the Cavs than the Magic.. We swept the Cavs and the Magic swept us.. while i dont want to watch Lebron get all these BS calls, i dont want to deal with the weapons Orlando has.. but i aint trippin either way.. it’ll be a dog fight regardless..
@ Haters..
Say what u want but post Shaq Kobe is going to the Finals for the 2nd year in a row.. Now consider the HOF’s that never even play in those games ok??
@ DIME
See thats the shit im talking about.. we lost game 4 in the 4th quarter but otherwise it was a close ass game and you call that route.. Now last night we cant get no mention of the route we just put on?? Cuz that shit WAS A BLOW OUT..
Anyone realize Kobe could be a part of ANOTHER DYNASTY?? we might be in the Finals for next 3-4 years.. everyone is young on our team and as good as we are we dont get much from our guards and our C aint even truly come into his own yet..
Ya’all mothafuckas should be scared.. maybe thats why everyone always talking shit, FEAR..
May 30th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
K Dizzle says:
@ Rafa – post 50
TRUTH
May 30th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
K Dizzle says:
@ Lakeshow – we, or at least I owe Lamar an apology cuz dude brought the “I’ve had enough of this series” last night. Denver “couldn’t lose” at home and we did em 2 times. We can match up good with Orlando but we own cleveland so whatever…4 more wins
May 30th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
high release says:
Yeah Big Smooth, Guru of the high release!
May 30th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
doc says:
@dizzle-they hating on Melo because they switch like fags.They went from having Melo as they idol,to hating on him for being a young 20 year old who wasnt playing like a 30 year old vet,then when he just started reaching his prime and got a true lead guard to help him like Kobe told him he needed last summer,he blossomed and got to the West Finals,everybody hopped back on his hammer now since he’s lost to Kobe Bean like he was fucking SUPPOSED to he’s trash again.Hilarious aint it.Okay if yall wanna believe Kobe CARRIED those teams thats yall opinion.But I seen the games also and yeah he had some big 4ths but he didnt win ALL the games in the clutch hence NO MVP’s in the finals fellas come on.He was a BIG ASS part though.I never even said Shaq was the leader of them teams.Shaq aint lead shit he just balled.I would give Harper,Shaw,and Fox leader of THAT team status to be real because thats who I saw caching the team up including KOBE.
May 30th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
doc says:
@dizz-dont be giving no apoligies yet!He did that last year too!Yall aint finish the job yet!He might come up small in the chip and u gonna be cussing him out again.Fool me once shame on u.Fool me twice Im the dickhead feel me.
May 30th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
POPPI GEE says:
For that matter if you wanna say Kobe ain’t teaching his boys when they down or losing, then LeBron ain’t teaching his boys when they winning OR losing.
Just because I am applauding Kobe doesn’t mean I am putting LeBron down. I just said I don’t see him ever teaching his boys. I ain’t saying he ain’t a leader I just like the way Kobe leads better.
Personally I have seen Kobe in losing still teaching. Still if you ain’t seen that, then their ain’t no convincing.
If you just want to see the words then fine, “LeBron is an amazing player and leader in his own way.” There. If I say Kobe is better though I ain’t saying LeBron is trash.
I realize LeBron hasn’t had a Shag or even a Pau or L.O., but ain’t that more on the Cavs GM and even LeBron. LeBron is a nice dude but sometimes you got to stir the drink. I say last year or year before he should have been DEMANDING better and more sufficient help.
Let’s be honest. When they got Mo and whoever else, it really wasn’t that “Awwww Shi&, the L is in trouble now, LeBron got the next three championships”. It was more “Well perhaps they can help a little more but I still doubt they winning it all.” A lot of people got hyped off of LeBron doing so well in the playoffs. Still without ref help and LeBron scoring about 40, 50 or 60 points, 10 boards, and 10 assist they ain’t winning and if they do with him doing all that the it’s still usually close. Man probably could have been had a ring with better help. GM’s doing him dirty and waisting good years cause nobody knows when injury will strike or how much better other teams will become. I know he enjoys his dudes and probably don’t wanna piss them off, but I think LeBron should be like get me some dudes that can create and score when it’s on the line and during the playoffs.
I am just saying if you like LeBron cool, if you think he is better than Kobe or the same as Kobe cool. For me I would like to see more leadership mentally than just emotional from LeBron more and I would like to see him be a prick in some regard and demand sufficient help. I ain’t saying he is horrible by any means. Still I been a fan of Kobe and I always thought he was the best and I still do.
Of course I could be all off and totally wrong and if so I have no problem eating crow cause I done ate it before, just give me some A-1 next time. As for now though, in my eyes at least, I appear to be right.
It will all be revealed, thats fa sho!
May 30th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
K Dizzle says:
@ Doc – that’s how they do you now. You shit after a loss, but you the next Mike you when you win. Heads never look at circumstance, like maybe dude just lost to the better team this season
I know Lamar teasin, but I’m hopin it’s gonna be like his midseason swing whenever Bynum went down, then all the sudden Lamar was 17, 15 and 5 for about 30 games
May 30th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Tbone says:
Thanks Nuggets for a great run
May 30th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
doc says:
@gee-just stated he wasnt at the same stage in life or career so he CANT lead the same way.Thats all.Saying Bron good aint have shit to do with that pimp.Just saying what I felt about leading teams and I never been on a pro team where the 24 year old was the leader.But u cant teach what u dont know.Its called maturation and if Bron 29 or 30 still getting that ass whipped I guarentee he’ll be bitching at teamates.He aint there yet.When Kobe lost to Detroit who was he cussing out?Nobody.U know why?Because he knew it was gonna be him or Shaq and when they picked him he was gonna have multiple years to shine and get it on his own.When reality hit and he seen nobody could do it alone THEN he got all mad at the GM and shit like that because he aint want to END it like that.Kobe more determined NOW because he see the writing on the wall.He feel that body breaking down and he feel his vert dropping by the year.He GOTTA cuss them dudes out.Bron still in the Im here for 12 more years Ima get one stage.He’ll get there.It takes losses and embarassment.Nobody just comes in and gets it.Except for Magic but then maybe Bron woulda if he had Kareem waiting for him.how much more do u know about life now than u did last year.B-Ball the same way,now add 7 more years to that 1 and hopefully u get my true point instead of just thinking im saying some other shit.Im a way smarter player now than I was even at Vegas last summer.Experience mean something and u cant just ignore the shit.Words from a true baller.
May 30th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
doc says:
@dizz-Kobe said that shit the other night.And its true we see it on here.When he lose its thats why he not better than bron,when he win its thats why he better than bron.Only thing change is the people posting it.
May 30th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
ponky_alolor says:
key for lakers to close out is to make kobe or pau post up then wait 4 ariza or odom to make open shots.
Bron needs to learn from this. Hate it that his system makes him overdribble and turnover prone.
May 30th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
POPPI GEE says:
doc i can feel what you saying on maturity and i understand that but I also feel he still could be coming with more teaching now rather than so much buddy buddy ish. What you said was well said though.
I still feel he should go ahead and get at the GM about getting real help though. Don’t make sense to let these great years go. Granted he may get it later but why wait when you don’t have to?
May 30th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
buffaloballa says:
…say whatever, analyze however you want,
Kobe’s will have four rings soon
‘Bron? still -ZERO-.
There is NO other comparison.
that is all….
May 30th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
QQ says:
DAMN.
DAMN. DAMN.
DAMN.
WE’RE FUCKING GOING TO THE FINALS!!!
WOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
PS: I’m gonna wait for the latesr Smack to express my views of the game, but I’m sure you saw what Lebron did in the end of the game: He walked out, didn’t exchange pleasantries, didn’t acknowledge the Magic. He might be the MVp, BUT DAMN, WHAT A FUCKING LOSER. TO YALL LEBRON FANBOYS, YOU DEFENDING THIS PIECE OF SHIT??? AT LEAST SHOW SOME SPORTSMANSHIP, BITCH.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
ponky_alolor says:
at qq, not dèfending that he walked out. But give that guy a break. He’s the mvp, their team had a great season and he wants to get to the finals then his team gets beasted in the last game. He’s disappointed naturaly.
Ur team won. Played well. Be a gracious winner.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
ponky_alolor says:
honestly i would like lebron to get pissed to get that mean streak that kobe has.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
QQ says:
WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!
SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!
I talk shit like we’re gonna win, but to actually be here, see your team in the Finals, man oh man, this is unbelievable.
Bear with me, guys! LOL. This is the first time we were considered a contender (and a lot of cats DOUBTED that), and to see this happen, NBA Finals and all, DAAAAAAAAAAAMN. THIS IS SWEET!!!!!!!!!
May 30th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
POPPI GEE says:
ponky he could stand some of it fa real!
May 30th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
POPPI GEE says:
Congrats QQ now just stay off Tracy McGrady lol.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
LakeShow84 says:
At least they got time to make more commercials and snippets now..
May 30th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
ponky_alolor says:
got u poppi gee, this loss gives lebron leverage to ask 4 more help next year. Wouldnt hurt if bron just got a mean streak and tore up the L.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
QQ says:
You know ponky, I didn’t bash Bron at all throughout the series. I bashed the refs, Mo Williams, Ben Wallace, the bitches that says the Cavs are a bunch of scrubs, everyone. But never Lebron He’s playing like a beast. Before the series began, I said that the Cavs earned their number 1 seed and I’m not buying the hype that they just swept the first two rounds because of facing lousy teams. And even if Bron is getting all the calls, I didn’t bash him because it aint his fault.
But WALKING OUT after a hard fought series? You call the guy a leader, but he didn’t even acknowledge his opponent the way leaders so? You call him the greatest ever, so you think hall of famers show this kind of sportsmanship when defeated?
He is tired, he is under pressure? Hell, everyone is tired! Everyone is under pressure! Mike Brown is under pressure for his shitty coaching, he went there and exchanged hugs. Mo Williams is under pressure for not delivering, he went there and exchanged hugs. Shit, Varejao is tired for all that abuse Dwight gave him, he went there and congratulated the dude. And to think, people were saying the Andy is a classless bitch who just likes to flop.
Every fucking person on that court and on that bench is experiencing pressure and fatigue. But the bottom line is, whatever fucking happens, it’s all about the game, and in the end, yall played hard, and you acknowledge everyone, including your opponent. That is an unwritten rule. Leaders abide by that, scrubs do that, legends remember that, EVERYONE DOES THAT.
I’m not a hater, man. I just see it as it is. I mean I’m not even a Kobe fanboy or a Lebron hater, but seeing that made me shake my head in disgust. What more when the Lebron haters see this.
And to them I say… LET IT RAIN. LET IT FUCKING RAIN.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
qwerty says:
Remember when the Cavs made the finals against the Spurs? The Cavs swept the Spurs in the regular season that year and the Spurs swept the Cavs in the finals.
Just saying the regular season records dont matter anymore. Laker’s year baby!
May 30th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
QQ says:
@ GEE:
HAHA! Thanks, man. About TMac though. Hmmm.. Lemme think about that…
LOL. Damn this feels SOOOO good. It’s like we won the chip already, LOL.
May 31st, 2009 at 12:02 am
ponky_alolor says:
@qq, never had lebron as the greatest ever. Stil have him behind kobe coz kobe got the more complete game plus chips.
What im saying is that people handle that losing situation differently. Heck if kobe lost to denver, he would have burst a heart valve and died on the spot.
Ur boy dwight is a beast. Props to ur team. Now go get some orlando chicks banged up hahaha.
May 31st, 2009 at 12:09 am
QQ says:
Haha. Gotta hit the clubs tonight and celebrate. LOL.
I’m just saying man. He played hard. We played hard. He gave his best. We gave his best. The least he can do is show some sportsmanship after a grueling battle. Cause damn, that’s what we would do if they won the series seeing how he beasted us.
May 31st, 2009 at 12:13 am
QQ says:
*We gave OUR best.
May 31st, 2009 at 12:15 am
ponky_alolor says:
and qq, to all the haters who say that dwight has no post moves, call them out! Hahaha. Getting 40points with out moves aint easy.
And that free throw is looking decent at least. Dwight wont be like shaq hehe.
May 31st, 2009 at 12:26 am
QQ says:
Haha. I see it differently as compared to other fans, ponky. Honestly, I can say that Dwight has limited post moves. He’s nowhere near Duncan yet in terms of actual post moves. But damn, if you score 40 with limited post moves, what’s wrong with that? That’s his game. It’s dunking, it’s an awkward jump hook, but it works. Shit, Yao has a ton of post moves, and people bash him for not dunking every time. Dwight dunks every time, and people ALSO bash on him. LOL. Let them fucking play the game. If Dwight has no post game, so be it. I’ll take a center who has no back to the basket fundamentals but scores 40 over any other center in the L.haha.
May 31st, 2009 at 12:34 am
ponky_alolor says:
got u qq. Sometimes as fans we tend to over analyze the games of these stars. Dwight is one heck of a player and as long as he stays out of foul trouble, orlando has a chance.
By the way i hope that with the loss of cavs, people who say that league is rigged for a kobe bron match up should shut up 4 good. Its stil a game to be played no matter how refs call it.