kobe and the lakers

Lakers Looking for an Electric Current

An NBA season is a long season. With eighty-two games, and when you're a team of championship caliber, sometimes you typically expect to play at least sixteen more...if you're lucky.

Last year, the Celtics and Lakers got to that level, and it wasn't because one player carried them there. It wasn't because a two-man tandem scored majority of the points - it was because each basketball club had a good, respectable team.

Thirty-six games into the season, the Lakers have the best record, second best home-record, the highest scoring team in the league, are nearly invincible in their division (8-1) and 9-1 in their last ten games. Things are good, right? As it turns out, not particularly, as today the Lakers embark on their biggest test of the year. With a back-to-back in Texas starting tonight against the Rockets and Spurs, and finishing the week off with Orlando on Friday, the Lakers have a lot of work to do. Let's also mention that the following Monday, Lebron comes to town.

The Lakers came into the season as one of the deepest teams in the league. They had a second string that played staggering defense, and numerous 15-0 runs to kill games. They were running on an unbelievable level of energy to show everyone that they aren't that team that folded in June motivation. Now...the Lakers are running on electric stimulation, and are being hindered by their own selves.

full read at bso.

Kobe vs. Battier - Can Shane do it again?

On March 16, 2008, last year, the surging Lakers came into Houstin with anticipation to break the Rockets amazing winning streak which had reached 21. Not wanting to be a part of their historic run, Kobe and the Lake Show were hoping to cool down the Rockets.

This article isn't about the game. It's not about the win streak. It's about Shane Battier vs. Kobe Bryant.

In that game last year, Shane Battier put on such an incredible display of defense on Kobe Bryant, that even an avid fan of Kobe myself had to give it up to the dude. Ok, ok some people might get on my case for saying this, but Shane practically shut him down that night.

Bryant played 47 minutes that game, shot 11-33, only went to the free throw line four times, and simply just couldn't get it going the whole game. He ended up with 24 points, respectably, but it was the hardest fought 24 points I had ever seen the Mamba go out and get.

full read at bso.