From the twitter of gotemcoach.

Let’s go Lakeshow! Hope we play like a team tonight.

gotemcoach:

We all know that Kevin Ding is a monster — one of the top 3 basketball writers in the game, if not the best overall.  Read his new column Kobe sacrificed the season to be ready now, but first, check out the excerpts and comparisons below.

Yet before we head too far down this road to putting Bryant in an old folks’ home, let’s be clear about something: The best way to describe Bryant’s January comment (“It’s (his knee) almost bone on bone”) to the New York Post’s Peter Vescey about Bryant’s right knee would be … embellishment.

Hmm.  Remind you of anything?  Perhaps when I wrote THIS three months ago.  At the time, people assumed I was crazy like a dumb fox.  Perhaps now, that fox won’t seem so woefully stupid.  Ding continues:

Bryant’s knee is not that worn down. Just as he has plenty of experience shining trophies by now, Bryant understands how to polish his legend – and there’s no aspect of it he likes better than the tales of incomparable will.

Another great breakdown from @KevinDing, and another parallel to a column I wrote after the Lakers loss to the Heat in Miami.  Read mine here and compare.

Kobe Bryant is an odd bird, and for the better part of my sentient basketball-watching life, I’ve enjoyed watching and studying him from afar.  Just as there’s nobody in the league more competitive, there’s nobody in the league more self-aware.

And this guy knows his chances for a title go down from here. 

This is his best chance.

This is his best shot. 

Should be exciting to see how much he has left.

Got ‘Em

gotemcoach:

From Kevin Ding’s column, “Jackson’s last chapter nearing completion.”

(Phil) Jackson told the story of arranging a first meaningful meeting between Bryant and Michael Jordan in the 2000-01 season, which was filled with Kobe-driven friction after the first championship the previous season. Jackson’s goal was for the learned Jordan to get the eager Bryant “to understand he didn’t have to stray outside the offense” and the Zen idea to “wait till the game presents itself.”

Jackson said Bryant’s first comment to Jordan, however, was: “I can take you one-on-one.”

Follow Got ‘Em Coach

gotemcoach:

STATS!!!  (Don’t bother writing me about this.  I’m not a stats guy.)

Got ‘Em

Well hellooooooooooooo.

gotemcoach:

From the Orange County Register’s Kevin Ding:

Bynum was coming off a six-block, 17-rebound game (13 in the first half, most by any Laker in a half this season) in just 28 minutes. He added three more blocks and 17 more rebounds Sunday in just 26 ½ minutes.

That means for consecutive games Bynum has kept up a pace that translates into eight blocks and 30 rebounds for a 48-minute game.

Jesus Christ, Phil.

Admittedly, as Kobe turned into the twilight of his career, I assumed the Lakers’ fortunes would rest in Pau Gasol’s Spanish hands.  As Pau struggled to maintain consistency, the Lakers’ title hopes fell under a thick Los Angeles smog.

I openly questioned, generally with the liberal use of swear words, if Gasol could get his act together, failing to realize there was another man who could lift the haze and make the sun shine again in Lakerland.

Mr. Andrew Bynum.

“I realized where I could be a huge help, and that’s on the defensive end of the basketball,” Bynum said. “Try and get every rebound. Try and block every shot.”

Read the rest of Kevin Ding’s column on Andrew Bynum earning Phil Jackson’s respect.

Stay healthy, Big Drew.

Got ‘Em

gotemcoach:

So that’s why he only had 9 shots…

(references here & here)

Got ‘Em

LOL.

This feels like one of those, “when you see it, you’ll sh*t bricks” photos.

gotemcoach:

Lakers vs. Celtics.  The Greatest Rivalry in Sports.

Got ‘Em Coach

Greatest thing I’ve seen all month … right before the Kim Kardashian Super Bowl commercial.

gotemcoach:

Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian’s commercial for their new unisex fragrance.

I just don’t know what to say.

Got ‘Em

Let’s hope this doesn’t smell like a combination of gym sweat (Lamar) and money (Khloe).

gotemcoach:

Gotta check out GotEmCoach.com

“Stick your finger in my face one more time.”