Real Deal

If Kobe is healthy enough, there's no way he'd allow the Lakers to go down 3-2 in this series. He would score 60 and disregard everyone else on the team just to win, if it got that bad (and it won't).

WOW.

I didn't think it was really funny. I'd kick him in the jaw if he was acting like that around me.

Nice. Yeah, dude is literally eating his money, Oliver Miller style. I actually love it. The heavier he gets, the less time he sees on the field, and the more completed passes we'll see. Chubby Russ is doing us a favor.

That's actually pretty good. I don't know about Thabeet, though...expectations weren't exactly THAT high, and the fact is that he's a rookie.

Considering the last time he shot 40+ times was on January 14th, 2008 (when he dumped 48 points, 48% shooting on Seattle, ironically), I guess it should surprise everyone.

LOL. First team out! Too many bad shots down the stretch, in every single game, and Nelson tore them up whenever he wanted. Orlando did them in without Dwight, most of the time, even though his presence was significant on the defensive end.

TIME: 10:30 PM EST TV: TNT

TIME: 9:30 PM EST TV: NBATV

TIME: 8:00 PM EST TV: TNT

TIME: 7:00 PM EST TV: NBATV

1) Kobe Bryant 2) Tim Duncan These two above everyone else, because they are the two most knowledgeable and complete players over the last decade of basketball. As a guard, I'd want to learn everything possible from Bryant, and Duncan would help me with my post play and post defense. Contested shots, splitting the doubles, ball-handling, attacking the basket, mental toughness, footwork, everything I can get from Kobe. 3) Jason Kidd My secondary position is point guard, and I'd want Kidd coaching me. He's an excellent defensive player at the point, top five point guard of all-time, and his passing is right there with Nash's. 4) Grant Hill I'd learn how to play through injuries, train and become more durable, and maximize my talent when I'm older. Plus, he's a good defensive player at the three, and he's a damn good teammate in both a limited role and a significantly large role. 5) Ray Allen Strictly shooting. He would help me at the three and at the charity stripe.

Yeah, I just now realized everyone is going to hate me for posting that I think Roy will re-injure his knee...so I probably need to just completely delete that post from the Blazers/Suns topic. -_-

I called Kobe today and he told me he was faking all of this, so don't worry. It kills me to know that it's gonna end this way, though. I hope Bryant skips the worlds this summer and fixes the finger, because it's just too devastating of an injury to overcome.

It's still Debbie Downer. You can't change the name just because you're a male, Debbie.

I just get this weird feeling in my stomach that he's going to re-injure his knee in this series. Not sure why.

Yeah, but I wouldn't compare him to other superstars that don't play his position, because the center position is much more physical. However, compare him to Shaq. O'Neal STILL clears people out with his elbows, every possession, and gets away with it.

Hahaha...not much of a difference between 1-4 huh? With the roster we have now, there's absolutely no chance we win it all with Kobe's shot suffering like it has been. Zero chance. There could be this crazy situation where we make it out of the West, but Orlando and Cleveland would pound us without at least an 85% Kobe. But yes, if we're traveling backwards and looking at last summer, we should've brought in a point guard. Buss should've accepted the Hinrich trade and paid the extra money. Winning championships makes money, and it should be a goal to build the champion at all costs. I think Kobe would've been fine with the dislocation...but the avulsion fracture, and the ankle/knee, are bothering him the most. I don't believe the surgery was needed in the off-season, because even MJ played the final dynasty with a dislocated index finger...but the avulsion fracture needed attention immediately. The only problem was...the team wouldn't be a top seed had Kobe fixed it mid-season. And while Artest is a better physical defensive player than Ariza, he sure the hell can't shoot to save his life, and we could use a spot-up shooter, badly.

No Kobe, no championship. Simple as that. I really hope you saw Game 4 against the Thunder, because feeding those big men all game was the biggest mistake we've made this season, and it showed just how much we need an aggressive, and effective, Kobe Bryant. Kobe, Bynum and Gasol all attempted 10 shots, Odom with 12. All shot 50% from the field. The Lakers were ran out of the building because the bigs wouldn't pass out of the post, they didn't have the energy to rebound, and the passive Kobe didn't have the Thunder worried at all. While the loss absolutely sucked, it was nice being right about Kobe needing to eat first.

Yeah, I need to make one of these topics for Tony Parker on May 17th, if he plays (on his birthday). I think I have control of the world, or something...

Prime Kobe is the better scorer and defensive player, over LeBron, and he would be the primary option. James would be his sidekick. And both players would be Jordan's sidekick. But to be honest, there really doesn't have to be a "sidekick" to begin with. One runs the offense, one scores. Both defend. That's two superstars and future HOF'ers dominating on the same team...two Batmans. There doesn't have to be a Robin.

LMAO, not exactly funny...but yeah, haha, that would suck.

TIME: 8:30 PM EST TV: NBATV

TIME: 10:30 PM EST TV: TNT

TIME: 8:00 PM EST TV: TNT