News Flash: The Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Phoenix Suns, 99-98 in overtime, to take a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series. In the game, Kobe Bryant hits a runner to send the game to the extra session…then drains a pull-up jumper at the buzzer to win it.
Teddy’s Take: The greatest image turnaround since Stone Cold Steve Austin morphed into a good guy is now complete!
What had to make it even sweeter for Bryant is the fact both plays resulted from Steve Nash turning the ball over and getting tied up for a jump ball, respectively. The two all-stars have been going at each other hard all series, with some shoving and finger pointing even taking place, no doubt spurred by the leaked news that the Suns point guard had won his 2nd consecutive MVP award.
Hey, Nash is a great player and a difference maker. Don't get me wrong. He deserved the MVP last year and I was rooting for him to get it. He may have had an even better year this time around. But I’m sorry, that award belongs to Bryant. He is the best and most valuable player in the league…by far! I’ll even argue that LeBron James should have finished ahead of Nash. Both Kobe and LeBron carried lousy teams to the post-season. But until King James starts doing it on “D�, Kobe is the man.
That crunch time performance in Game-4 was as good as anything Michael, Larry and Magic ever pulled off in the clutch. It was amazing theater, even for a guy like me who absolutely detests the Lakers. But I will admit to feeling a tad bit vindicated about Kobe, and in a strange way, rooting for him.
From the moment he and Shaq had their very public divorce, I’ve been saying that Bryant was as responsible, if not more responsible, for those 3 championship rings than the big fella and that the Lakers chose to keep the right player. I also told anyone of my friends and family who’d listen that Kobe will win another NBA title before Shaq does. (And now, I’ve told all of you!) Watching O’Neal deteriorate right before our very eyes, that statement doesn’t sound so far-fetched anymore, does it?
What are your thoughts on the NBA MVP? Nash, Kobe or LeBron?
GEE MISTER BLOGGER MAN ,U SHOULD CONSIDER VISITING KOBE`S HOTEL ROOM IF U ARE THAT ENAMORED WITH HIM AS FAR AS A TURN AROUND ON HIS IMAGE SORRY BUDDY BUT A RAPIST IS A RAPIST IS A RAPIST BUT YOU GO ONTOUTING THIS LAKER LIKE HE`S THE GREATEST THING SINCE THE INVNTION OF THE REMOTE CONTROL ,WHAT NEXT TELL ME THAT MARK CHUMURA SHOULD LEAD A GIRL SCOUT TROOP BECAUSE HE`S A GREAT TIGHTEND ,DOSEN`T THE WAY A PLAYER ACTS OFF THE FEILD COUNT FOR ANYTHING OR IS IT ALL ABOUT THE STATS ,U MUST HAVE KOBE IN YOUR GET A LIFE FANTASY TEAM,PICK UP STEVE HOWE WHILE U R AT IT HE`S STARTING TONIGHT FOR THE ANGELS OR MAYBE THE DEVILS
Now Teddy, you need to take it easy. I don't think Kobe was more responsible for the Lakers' 3 championships than Shaq. Maybe Kobe wasn't allowed to reach his potential with Shaq in the lineup, but to claim he was more responsible for those 3 rings is quite a reach.
Unitl Kobe pulls a MJ and wins a title without a big man, I will be skeptical of him making the players around him better like Magic, Larry and MJ did.
Hey Touchdown Ted, what's up with the Capital letters?