View Full Version : Western Conference Finals
Pedro Cerrano
05-22-2008, 12:18 AM
Ya know, I've been trying to formulate an argument for a long time as to why Kobe deserved to win the MVP award.
Turns out I didn't need to. His second-half performance tonight, carrying a team that was down 20 points on his back to victory in Game 1 is all the argument I need.
Spurs had all the reasons in the world to win tonight. Low scoring, bad performances by Odom and Derek Fisher, and a 20 point lead in the 3rd quarter.
Lakers only had one reason to win: Kobe Bryant. Turns out that's all they needed.
I LOVE LA!!!
blakesta
05-22-2008, 05:39 PM
Ya know, I've been trying to formulate an argument for a long time as to why Kobe deserved to win the MVP award.
Turns out I didn't need to. His second-half performance tonight, carrying a team that was down 20 points on his back to victory in Game 1 is all the argument I need.
Spurs had all the reasons in the world to win tonight. Low scoring, bad performances by Odom and Derek Fisher, and a 20 point lead in the 3rd quarter.
Lakers only had one reason to win: Kobe Bryant. Turns out that's all they needed.
I LOVE LA!!!
That was as great of a performance in the playoffs that I have seen since MJ.
I know thats crazy to compare Kobe to the Almighty, but that was just Rediculous!
1983_2000
05-24-2008, 03:38 AM
When are we going to stop comparing Jordan to the almighty Kobe. In a few years, Kobe will be the topic of discussion. "Who will be the next Kobe Bryant"? My son doesn't know who Jordan is other than the fact that he wears the shoes but he knows Kobe Bryant. I hope I am not getting off the subject here but Kobe is by far a more superior athlete at this stage in the game and his life than Jordan was and Kobe still has years left.
Let's remember that when Jordan scored 63 on the Hawks, he was winded to the point that he could barely do an interview afterwards. When Kobe dropped 81 on the Raptors, he said, in his interview after the game, that he could have played another half. Long story short, Kobe is in better shape than Jordan was at 29, he plays both ends of the court, something Jordan didn't do consistently and he is a better shooter than Jordan.
I am sure there are those that will rip me because of me stating my opinions, some may even agree with me but I have seen Magic Johnson, I have seen Larry Bird. I even remember Dr.J and of course, I have seen Jordan. I honestly believe that when it is all said and done, Kobe could be in a class by himself.
First off, great, dominating win for the Lakers last night!
Concerning the last post, yes Kobe is a better shooter than Jordan was, but he has not dominated the game like MJ did. Jordan scored more, had a better true shooting %, and was a little better with boards and assists. I also think he was the better defensive player, Kobe has been quite inconsistent over the past few years in that regard. MJ has also had 7 seasons with a higher PER than Kobe has ever had. Not to mention the 5 MVP's and 6 Finals MVP's compared to Kobe's 1 and 0.
The Lakers could be on the verge of another dynasty, so Kobe has a chance to get to or beyond 6 titles, but I still highly doubt he will be considered better than Jordan after he retires.
Sports Guy
05-24-2008, 02:27 PM
First off, great, dominating win for the Lakers last night!
Concerning the last post, yes Kobe is a better shooter than Jordan was, but he has not dominated the game like MJ did. Jordan scored more, had a better true shooting %, and was a little better with boards and assists. I also think he was the better defensive player, Kobe has been quite inconsistent over the past few years in that regard. MJ has also had 7 seasons with a higher PER than Kobe has ever had. Not to mention the 5 MVP's and 6 Finals MVP's compared to Kobe's 1 and 0.
The Lakers could be on the verge of another dynasty, so Kobe has a chance to get to or beyond 6 titles, but I still highly doubt he will be considered better than Jordan after he retires.
And while Kobe may have be a better shooter, he doesn't have the fade away, knock it down seemingly all time jumper that MJ had.
MJ is still way ahead. I think they may be pretty close in terms of scorers but I agree with you, all around, MJ comes out ahead.
BUT, i agree that Lakers could be on the verge of another dynasty...Think about next year when they have this bench and a healthy Kobe(thumb issue), Bynum and Gasol....Now, Gasol and Kobe will be in the Olympics, so they may be a little tired down the stretch next year but that is going to be the best team next year.
And while Kobe may have be a better shooter, he doesn't have the fade away, knock it down seemingly all time jumper that MJ had.
MJ is still way ahead. I think they may be pretty close in terms of scorers but I agree with you, all around, MJ comes out ahead.
BUT, i agree that Lakers could be on the verge of another dynasty...Think about next year when they have this bench and a healthy Kobe(thumb issue), Bynum and Gasol....Now, Gasol and Kobe will be in the Olympics, so they may be a little tired down the stretch next year but that is going to be the best team next year.
I think that MJ fade away becomes more reliable as time goes by. He wasn't that reliable with it, what made it great was that it was hard to defend, and he could make it a decent amount of the time. Kobe does have the same exact shot, and can make it a decent amount, just doesn't use it as much. MJ used the fade away much more later in his career.
Yes, they should be the best team next year, the only guys that they don't have locked up for next year are Turiaf, Mbenga, Newble, and Karl. I only care about Turiaf in that group, and losing him wouldn't be a big deal.
Do you think they will try to trade Odom when Bynum comes back for next year, or do you think they will go with the 3 bigs starting with Kobe and Fisher/Farmar? I think Odom plays great in that offense especially since he is an unselfish, pass first kind of guy but he may be worth more to them in a trade than he is on the court next season.
No clue what their plans are at this point, if they even have any. I would guess how they'll fare the rest of the way in the playoffs will heavily factor into things. Odom has a big expiring contract next year, and if him, Gasol, and Bynum are all playing at the same time, the outside shooting surrounding Kobe isn't good, so yeah, a strong case can be made to deal him. However, if Gasol or Bynum miss time, he's obviously a great replacement at the 4, and can help the team in a variety of ways regardless of position. If he stays, his minutes will need to be reduced to get guys like Vlad Rad, Luke, Ariza, and Sasha more playing time.
Looks like the Lakers will be making it to the finals!!!!:2yay-thumb:
Sports Guy
05-28-2008, 11:08 AM
Looks like the Lakers will be making it to the finals!!!!:2yay-thumb:
When the playoffs started, i thought the Lakers would lose to the Celtics...Now, i am going to be surprised if the Lakers lose.
This team is something else...Think about where they were just last year and now they may be on the verge of another dynasty...Good for them...Kobe is the man...I hate the NBA but I really enjoy watching him play.
Pedro Cerrano
05-28-2008, 12:23 PM
When the playoffs started, i thought the Lakers would lose to the Celtics...Now, i am going to be surprised if the Lakers lose.
This team is something else...Think about where they were just last year and now they may be on the verge of another dynasty...Good for them...Kobe is the man...I hate the NBA but I really enjoy watching him play.
Yea, they are clearly the best team in the NBA IMO. And what's great is that they are still very young and this could be the makings of a new dynasty all over again. Any chance Phil wins more rings with Kobe than he did with MJ?
Anyway, last night's game SHOULD have been a blow-out. It took insanely poor officiating (check the FTA totals for both teams) and a fake night from Brent Barry to even keep the Spurs in this thing.
As for the last play, Fish fouled him BUT:
1) It wasn't a shooting foul so, at worst, the Lakers go to OT having outplayed the Spurs all game.
2) Fish's shot on the last play hit the rim and the shot-clock didn't reset...another officiating blunder.
Not to get carried away, but I hope the Lakers stomp San Antonio in Game 5 to add to the momentum they have going into "The Finals."
Pedro Cerrano
05-29-2008, 11:45 PM
Ahem....WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS!!!
Man, who would have envisioned THIS scenario back in October?!?!
Either way, I'm on Cloud 9 right now. Winning the best Conference in the history of the league (not hyperbole -- truth) is just the start! Onto the finals!!!
Thought they would lose that one considering how the first quarter went. Great finish by Kobe! Bring on the Celtics or Pistons! Can't wait!:)
Sports Guy
05-30-2008, 11:53 AM
Ahem....WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS!!!
Man, who would have envisioned THIS scenario back in October?!?!
Either way, I'm on Cloud 9 right now. Winning the best Conference in the history of the league (not hyperbole -- truth) is just the start! Onto the finals!!!
But meaningless if they don't win it all.
I will be rooting for Kobe...What a player he is and the way he took that game over last night and calmness he displayed was well...Jordan-esque.
beaner
05-30-2008, 06:01 PM
Congrats to the Lakers, and thanks to Sasha Vujacic for the "gambling moment of the year". Darren Rovell said on CNBC this morning that the shot was a $100 million three. That was a bad beat if you bet the Spurs.
As for the Kobe vs. MJ argument......Kobe is unreal, deserved the MVP, and will probably win more. This year, the way he has turned himself around, not just as a player but as a teammate has been something to behold. The Lakers will probably win the NBA Championship (unless Sheed and the Pistons can win tonight and beat ABC, I mean the Celtics in Boston). Kobe is tremendous.
However, Michael Jordan set the bar so high, that it may never be surpassed. I LOVE Kobe Bryant's game, and think he's the best player in the league. But he's not Mike...not yet.