Chasing the Stilt
It seems Kobe was a little bit smarter in last night's assault on Wilt Chamberlain's elusive single-game scoring record than in the first. He decided to let the Raptors take a big lead so that he'd have an excuse to stay in for the full game this time, rather than taking a seat after 3 quarters in a laugher like he did in scoring 62 against Dallas a few weeks back. Yeah, maybe that's too cynical of a way to look at it, but as a Lakers fan, so I've seen too much of Kobe's manipulations not to have the thought cross my mind. I'm not saying that's how it went down, just that I wouldn't be surprised. I guess being a fan of the team, though, I am happy for Kobe, even if I didn't believe him completely when he said he cared only about the W (at least for his team's sake; he's always been about team achievements as they pertain to his place in basketball history, I guess).
So what's next for the former Next Michael Jordan? My money's on him taking at least one more good shot at Wilt's record this year. After all, he has a team on which no one else can create their own shot, an offense designed to create spacing and let him roam free, and a coach who's smart enough to know that their only chance on the offensive end is to turn the Mamba loose. Plus, you know Kobe, with all of his appreciation for basketball history, covets the honor like no one else in the League would. My only question is will he keep trying when opponents start getting wise and quadruple teaming him? He does remember how to pass, right?....
What do you think about Kobe's performance? Write in and let me know your take. Remember, you get a Sports Guru point every time you add something meaningful to the discussion, so don't be shy!
So what's next for the former Next Michael Jordan? My money's on him taking at least one more good shot at Wilt's record this year. After all, he has a team on which no one else can create their own shot, an offense designed to create spacing and let him roam free, and a coach who's smart enough to know that their only chance on the offensive end is to turn the Mamba loose. Plus, you know Kobe, with all of his appreciation for basketball history, covets the honor like no one else in the League would. My only question is will he keep trying when opponents start getting wise and quadruple teaming him? He does remember how to pass, right?....
What do you think about Kobe's performance? Write in and let me know your take. Remember, you get a Sports Guru point every time you add something meaningful to the discussion, so don't be shy!
posted by Lock Ness Monster at 11:48 AM
2 Comments:
I agree. Kobie "talks" a good team game, but that's about as far as it goes. Kobie has to do something to distinguish himself from Michael Jordan, and about the only thing Michael DIDN'T do was attack Wilt's record of 100 points in a single game.
Kobie, of course, wants to prove his team can win a championship without Shaq. That won't happen until and unless he realizes TEAMS win champioships....not one player.
Kobe=bum
Jordan put up numbers on quality teams in the playoffs and had great teams because of the way he played (and coached).
Kobe puts up numbers so casual fans (and his wife) can forget about his previous indiscretions.
I thought it was interesting how he had 2 assists for the game. Compare that to Allen Iverson who had 41 and 6.
You would think that after Kobe put up oh say 70 points that he would have the opportunity to dish the ball to one of the 4 wide open guys on his team for an assist.
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