Best Versus Boston?
Posted on February 10, 2009
In the aftermath of the Lakers’s second regular season victory over the Celtics, Kobe Bryant’s poor shooting night in Boston led Henry Abbott of TrueHoop to question the efficacy of Bryant’s style of play against the Celtics. Comparing him to LeBron James and glancing at shot charts, Abbott concluded that James’ ability to get to the hoop enables him to be more successful against Boston’s impressive defense.
His theory makes a lot of sense. In the NBA, getting into the paint is considered a Good Thing™, and no one does this better than LeBron James. But does it hold true in practice? Does LeBron’s ability to get closer to the basket more frequently make him more efficient and effective against the Celtics?
By expanding the sample size to a minimum of eight games and digging into each player’s performances against Boston since last May, I’ve answered the question — and the result may surprise you!
Filed Under 3-Point Shooting, Boston Celtics, Defense, Free Throw Shooting, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, LeBron James, Mid-Range Jumpshot, Playoffs, Statistics, poor shooting, turnovers, weaknesses | 10 Comments
Kobe Bryant: Whatever It Takes
Posted on June 5, 2008
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Kobe Bryant has completely dominated these Playoffs.
More significantly, however, is how he has done so — in nearly every way imaginable. He has dominated the best teams in the NBA as a scorer. He has picked teams apart with his passing. He has played the role of decoy. He has taken over late in games. He has created for his teammates.
Simply put, he has done whatever was needed from him at any given moment.
Filed Under Boston Celtics, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, LeBron James, MVP, Michael Jordan, Nuggets, Playoffs, San Antonio Spurs, assists, big games, clutch, leadership | 2 Comments
MVN Lakers: A Man’s Game
Posted on May 29, 2008
I’ve posted a new Lakers article on MVN.com. Here’s a quick excerpt:
Early in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz, Ronny Turiaf knocked Ronnie Price to the ground while colliding with him en route to a hard block. Turiaf was assessed a Flagrant II foul, and what had been nothing more than a “hard playoffs foul” resulted in an ejection.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the sissy playoffs.
Thankfully, that ended after the second round. These are the Conference Finals, and thanks to the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs, this is a man’s game again.
Click the link below, or head on over to MVN Lakers, where I am a contributor, for the rest of my article on why I’m enjoying this Lakers-Spurs series so much.
Also, if you have any thoughts on the Derek Fisher non-call, feel free to share them in the comments!
Filed Under Kobe Bryant, Lakers, MVN Lakers, Playoffs, complaining, officiating, referees | 4 Comments
MVN Lakers: They Don’t Have Kobe
Posted on May 25, 2008
I’ve posted a new Lakers article on MVN.com. Here’s a quick excerpt:
This is not the bold statement it would have been back in either the first or second round. By now, it should be clear.
The Lakers will win the championship this year.
You want a bold statement? I’ll take it one step further: It doesn’t matter who they face in the Finals.
The Real NBA Finals
In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers found themselves trailing the Spurs by 20 points, with a score of 45-65, with 5:39 remaining in the third quarter. The Spurs, the defending champions, looked completely unaffected by travel complications, lack of rest, and old age. Home court advantage, it seemed, was about to be stolen away from Los Angeles.
Only one problem: the Lakers had Kobe Bryant.
Click the link below, or head on over to MVN Lakers, for the rest of my article on why Kobe Bryant and the Lakers will win the championship this year.
Filed Under Boston Celtics, Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons, East vs. West, Eastern Conference, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, MVN Lakers, Playoffs, Rasheed Wallace, San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan, big games, clutch, leadership | 2 Comments
An Ironic Chris Paul Day
Posted on May 6, 2008
This first part is painfully obvious, so let’s get it out of the way right now: I love Chris Paul. He is simply incredible. That sound you sometimes hear when watching Hornets games? That’s my mind blowing (from halfway across the country). He has accomplished things few point guards have ever managed in the history of the game, and he’s one of several factors that have breathed new life into the NBA during this season.
But one day, either before or after a Lakers game that my wife was watching with me, I turned on a Hornets game (probably because I was tracking them closely, in hopes that the Lakers could take over the #1 spot in the West by season’s end). Can you guess my wife’s first comment when I pointed Paul out to her?
“He looks like Carlton Banks from Fresh Prince.”
Filed Under Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, MVP, Playoffs, Statistics, Western Conference | 14 Comments