Los Angeles, Ca

At Staples center on Thursday night, not even Shaq could help stop Kobe Bryant's Lakers walk right over the Phoenix Suns. Without All-Stars Steve Nash (ankle, day to day) and Amar'e Stoudemire (eye surgery, 8 weeks) to start the game, the Suns never really had a chance. There were just four lead changes in the game, all coming in the first quarter. The Lakers ended that quarter on a 22-6 run and never looked back, cruising to a 132-106 victory. Things have been going well for the Lakers as of late, winning six straight and 13 of their last 14 games. The Lakers scored 132 points tonight tying their season best and did it with a season high 38 assists in the game. It is easy to say the Lakers are the class of the league at this point and should definitely be considered favorites out of the West to make it back to the Finals this year. 

The shorthanded Suns scored right at their average, 106 in tonight's loss and remain in the ninth spot in the Western conference. For Phoenix the problem obviously isn't offense. Leandro Barbosa, the Brazilian Blur, and Alando Tucker led the team with 18 apiece in the absence of Steve Nash. The Suns need to focus now on defense to get over that hump and into the post season. They have enough time to crawl back into the playoff picture at this point but really need to figure some things out. Under interim coach Alvin Gentry the Suns are now 4-2. Come Sunday, the Suns have a chance to salvage something against the Lakers. Los Angeles leads the season series 3-0 right now. Sunday is the final regular season meeting of the teams.

Kobe did what he needed to get his team going early. He made his presence felt scoring 13 points on 6-of-6 shooting in the first frame. After that not much more was needed from him alone. Kobe switched to a facilitator role with 8 assists and only nine points the remainder of the game. The best playing Laker as of late, Lamar Odom lead the team with 23 points and nine boards. Odom has 129 rebounds over his last 9 games, the best such stretch of his career. The 48-10 Lakers head to Denver to take on the now Chauncey Billups led Nuggets.

Renewing talks in the Association...

Valley Village, CA

It's Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles, Cleveland too for that matter, and the topic of discussion is the MVP. Naturally being in LA I hear a lot of people pushing for Kobe Bryant. Across the country there is another man being touted as King of the NBA, LeBron James. Both superstars are scoring less than they did a year ago, and both are having arguably better seasons. LeBron James is tied with Dwayne Wade and sitting at the top of the league in scoring with 28.4 points per game. Kobe sits just slightly lower than his two US Olympic Gold medal winning teammates in third with 27.4 points per. Kobes and Bron are clearly the class of the league and have each of their teams sitting atop and nearly the top their respected conferences. Kobe's Lakers are 44-10 with the best record in the NBA while LeBron's Cavs are second in the East, behind Boston, with a 41-11 clip of their own.

In the race to Most Valuable Player, it takes more than just the individual efforts of the star player. It takes a team effort, as every MVP has come from a team winning more than 50 games in the season the player has won for (exception; Karl Malone, '98-99 lockout season, only 50 games played.). The real measure then seems to be which elite player can raise the level of play from the guys in his locker room. Both players have done well here. LeBron James has commanded more from the Cavs, and as a result the surge landed his teammate G Mo Williams a spot on the East All-Star team. Kobe went on the defensive and got his whole team to start focusing on D, the dividends were an All-Star appearance for F Pau Gasol and the best record through 54 games. The Lakers Bench Mob has really come along and is considered one of, if not the, best benches in the league. The Cavaliers arguably have better all around talent from the starters with the defensive specialist Wallace and shooters like Williams, Delonte West, and Wally Szczerbiak.

I guess with these two guys the vote might be too close to call. Early on it was LeBron who seemed to be running away with the award. Now it's Kobe Bryant who looks to be gaining ground quickly. In fact, Kobe might have just passed the King on the way to his second straight MVP, just as fast as he swept by LeBron for a sweet score in the first quarter of the All-Star Game last Sunday. Going back for further evidence it was Kobe that lead his team to a perfect 6-0 East coast road trip including streak ending wins over both Boston and Cleveland. LeBron played poorly in that matchup, Kobe was sick and still got the win. Bryant has also stepped up his game in the absence of big man Andrew Bynum(right knee surgery). When Bynum went down two games into that 6 game trip Kobe showed his team they could win in any situation. The very next game he dropped a record setting 61 points at Madison Square Gardens against the Knicks. Following that onslaught, the Black Mamba beat up the Celtics in a close physical game at Boston, then ended LeBron's unbeaten streak at home while fighting the flu.

LeBron James is an all out mad man on the court that clearly brings his team to new heights. Don't forget that in 2006 LeBron brought his Cavs to the NBA finals and his team lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games last season. The defense is way better for LeBron this year. He has taken to the task of guarding the opponents top player in the fourth quarter, something Kobe always does. His team is 0-6 when he doesn't play. King James also fills up the box score on a nightly basis with tons of assists and rebounds. His stats are pretty incredible. Just listen to what former NBA coach Mike Fratello has to say about Bryant being surpassed by James.

"You know the car that is always trailing the other car and eventually catches it and goes past? LeBron James just moved ahead," Fratello says. "This is a different version of LeBron James. The Olympic experience has made a different player out of LeBron James."

That's pretty high praise for the young fellow, he is just 24 years old. Maybe Kobe is not just 7 years old but wiser too though, at least that's what you might hear from Wizards head coach Ed Tapscott, who commented on Bryant after a 117-97 loss to Los Angeles in January.

"You know what's the most impressive about the Lakers? I watch Kobe who is clearly one of the dominant scorers in basketball today and maybe of all time, and I watched the way he made sure that every guy on the floor got shots. He shared the ball, he made sure Gasol got the ball in his spots, when Vujacic came in he made sure he got corner jump shots, he made sure Fisher curled and got his shots. I watched him when he could (have) taken shots at any time; made sure his teammates got quality shots so that they were into the game and that makes your big run harder, rebound more, defend better. That makes everybody on the team participate with greater zeal when you have that type of unselfishness..."

I couldn't imagine higher praise from an opposing coach. That just about summed up what Kobe means to the Lakers. Young kids playing the game with aspirations of greatness should read that quote a couple of times and remember it in their own game. It is Kobe's ability to be great and extract greatness from his team that makes him even better.

Kobe might also be the leagues best lock down defender as well. Being the leagues best defender might be the x-factor that propels him to defend his MVP title. You didn't really think I'd leave you with the vote might be too close to call, did you? I predict Kobe and the Lakers just might pick up a lot of hardware this summer. Lookout for Lamar Odom to pick up a Sixth man of the Year Award as well. 

It's time for Dodger baseball...

Phoenix, AZ

Well today's news comes from Phoenix, AZ and it's not about Spring Training. Not yet at least. In Phoenix the biggest news right now isn't about Alex Rodriguez. It's also not about the home team Diamondbacks. Manny mania has taken the early train south towards Camelback Ranch, and reported even before pitchers and catchers do this Saturday. Scott Bordow of the East Valley Tribune is reporting the Dodgers could make a 'big splash' in the next 72 hours. It would be coming at a good time as the Dodgers really haven't done much tinkering during the off-season. After losing 14 free agents including pitchers Derek Lowe (signed with the Braves) and Brad penny, veteran Randy Wolf has been their biggest addition. The Dodgers have signed infielder Mark Loretta to a one year deal. More recently, the club offered both Jeff Weaver and Eric Milton minor league contracts to battle for a fifth spot in the rotation. Although that is a few names, none of it means too much. Both Weaver and Milton are pitchers coming off a bad few years and are just hoping to find a fresh start in Los Angeles. 

"Don't be surprised if the Dodgers sign not only Manny Ramirez but Orlando Hudson as well", says Scott Bordow.

This report has said to have been confirmed by a "pretty reliable source". The Dodgers have shown interest for the second baseman Hudson all winter long, but never admitting to more than just mild interest. The team does however, need a solid option at second with Casey DeWitt looking like the man heading into the spring. Hudson could be signed relatively cheap for around $5-7 million on a one year deal. Oh yeah, and Manny. Don't forget about that. It has been increasingly evident to me that the Dodgers need Manny more than he needs the Dodgers. This seems true since Ned Colletti and Frank McCourt seem to not be offering Adam Dunn or Bobby Abreau anything as of yet. The team could likely sign a multitude of players for the rich price that Ramirez will command. Ramirez did draw in an additional 5,000 fans each home game and will be responsible for huge profit margins in merchandise sales. Dodger fans have been clamoring to bring back the super slugger ever since he brought his .396 average, 17 homers, and 53 RBI's to LA for the last 53 games of the '08 season.

For LA, it's the LO show!

Cleveland, OH

The scene was set with the leagues top two talents set to face off for an epic matchup. Lebron James has led his team to a perfect 23-0 at home with the best record in the East. Kobe Bryant, the reigning league MVP, managed his team to a league best record and an even more impressive 5-0 on their current road trip. After the Lakers big win in Boston over the reigning champs on Thursday, this had to be the biggest billed game of the regular season. With the Lakers road win streak on the line vs the Cavaliers home streak of their own, it wasn't the big two that decided this one. The difference in Sunday afternoons 101-91 Laker win was Lamar Odom. The Lakers forward, my leading pick for NBA Sixth man of the year, came on strong when it counted. Lakers star Kobe Bryant was severely hampered by flu like symptoms throughout the game, even receiving an IV during halftime. It was no matter however,  to LO who single handily took over the game in the third quarter, carrying the team on his broad shoulders. Odom scored 15 of the Lakers 31 points and had 10 rebounds in that frame. He finished with a season hig in both points and boards at 28 and 17. In the absence of Los Angeles big man Andrew Bynum, out with a torn right ACL, the play of Odom has been the biggest question. The answer has been consistent play and an increase in scoring. Lamar had averaged 9.7 points this season coming mostly off the bench, in the four games since Bynum's injury Lamar is averaging just a hair under 17 points. In today's game Lamar led an impressive Lakers front court to outscore Cleveland 62-24 in the paint. I have to believe this Lakers team is so deep that even if Bynum couldn't return they would be the favorites to win the title. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers are probably not getting as much respect as they should. All the talk in the East is about Boston, it is the Cavs though, that have a better record still (39-10 vs 42-11). It is the Cavs that only today lost their first home game of the season, and to the leagues best team at that. Lebron James played one of his poorest games of the season scoring wise (16) but still managed to come away two rebounds short of a triple double. Cleveland F Sasha Pavlovic injured his ankle in the first quarter and did not return and the Cavs also played without Delonte West who suffered a broken wrist on Jan. 15th. On the upside was a strong showing from Zydrunas Ilgauskas who scored 22 and the recently All-Star snubbed Mo Williams. Williams also just missed a triple double with 19 points, 12 dimes, and 8 rebounds. This Cavaliers team is still poised to make a strong run through the playoffs, especially getting back key components from injury. They should challenge the Celtics for the Eastern Conference title. 

I was a little disheartened by a large number of Celeveland fans that headed for the exits in the final minutes of the game. The Cleveland fans are one of the most racous bunches in the NBA, they are also noted as being very intelligent fans at the Q. For this reason alone, I was upset that more of the fans left in what appeared to me as real disappointment and didn't stick around to celebrate their teams wonderful run of almost making it to the All-Star break without a loss. I will point out, I wouldn't expect much better from my fellow Los Angeles fans who are equally spoiled and finicky. 

Los Angeles fans should get it together and gear up for a long playoff season again this year. Tonight was the prime example of a balanced game they've been looking for. Every Laker that played but Chris Mihm scored, and all starters aside from Luke Walton (7) scored in double figures. Pau gasol continues to be the most consistent Laker with 18, 12, and six and the sudden emergence of Lamar should push this team to the next level. It's actually quite scary, even as a lifelong fan to see how good this team could potentially be. Los Angeles continues to play solid offensively and protects the ball, turning it over just six times today. The Lakers have really stepped up their physical play as of late as well. This is gearing up to be a strong team in second season. LA now has a day off to travel and then host the 12-38 Oklahoma City Thunder. By the way, they have the ugliest uni's in the association.

Battle tested, battle proven...for now.

Boston, MA

Wow, nothing more exciting than a showdown between the top two teams in NBA history. On a wicked cold night in Boston, outside temperatures were hovering beneath the radar at 14* before tip-off, the Celtics hosted their most hated rival, the Los Angeles Lakers. There was more than just an air of excitement in the Boston Garden for this matchup. This one had the feel of a playoff game. The famed "Beat LA" chants started about 40 minutes prior to the tip. Right away it was evident there was no way Kobe Bryant would be getting any MVP chants in this Garden. The tip was done twice due to an infraction from Boston's Kevin Garnett. A second attempt led to Lakers control and the beginning of a great game. It was the second meeting of the two franchises, the first one a Lakers win on Christmas day. This was however, the first game back in Boston since the Lakers lost in a horrendous showing in game six of the NBA Finals last June. So much importance rode on the outcome of this game. The story lines were laid out; LA vs. Boston, the Big Three vs. the Dynamic Duo, league MVP vs. Finals MVP, and maybe most importantly, home court advantage should these two teams meet again in the Finals. 

On the parquet floor, named after the late coach Red Auerbach, Boston jumped out to an early lead on a Paul Pierce three and then a Kevin Garnett put back slam following a Rondo missed layup. After that, the rest of the first was a lot of back and forth. Both teams played a little sloppy, with the Lakers winning the quarter 23-20. The Celtics shots weren't falling and KG looked gassed early (he missed the previous two games with a flu). The second period was just as tight with each team jockeying for position and trying to impose their will on the other. Eddie House came off the bench riding his hot hand and scored 8 points quickly. It is the Lakers that are regarded as having one of the deepest benches in the league but it was the C's House and Leon Powe that added the extra punch in this one early. They finished the night with 26 points between them, the Lakers Bench Mob only 22. Just before halftime, Boston shooter Ray Allen missed a three that would have added to the momentum swing. Celtics led 52-51 and Allen had a laugh with eccentric reporter Craig Sager about never missing two in a row. He promptly made his first three point shot a minute and a half into the third.

If this game wasn't up to the billing yet, it was by the way, it sure stepped up in the second half. The third quarter alone saw the physicality reach new heights, even landing Kobe and Rajon Rondo matching double technicals after a Rondo shove and a shouting match. As the intensity grew so did the output of Lakers forward Lamar Odom. He mixed it up with Garnett on a few possessions and really got going. Having only 2 points in the first half, coach Phil Jackson challenged LO to step up his game. He did in a big way scoring 18 points to close out the game. Kobe did his part too, sinking three 3-pointers in the final frame, his last a highly contested shot over Pierce to give the Lakers a 101-100 lead with only 1:30 to go. That was the Lakers first lead of the second half. Lamar then came up clutch hitting his final two over-time free throws with 16 seconds left that gave the Lakers a 110-109 advantage. That was an advantage LA would not relinquish. Odom had shot poorly from the stripe, just 5 of 9 prior to those two tries.

"I wish we would have come here last year with this kind of attitude," said Pau Gasol, after a 24 point 14 rebound effort in the win over Boston. "Nobody backed down," he added. "We were as physical as anybody."

Physical might have been in understatement in this one. Both teams got room to play from the officials for most of the night, all the way to the end of overtime when Ray Allen got an arm from Derek Fisher as he attempted the game winner. Instead it was Pau Gasol lending the 'Spaniard Swat' on the ball ending the game and giving the Lakers the season sweep over Boston. Ray Allen then watched the Lakers celebrate from his back. Garnett, who fouled out with 4:22 left in regulation, was really missed in the extra period. Bryant finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds said this after the game,

"Coming down the streets, staying at the same hotel, I was up last night thinking about the game - wondering how my teammates would respond. It all came back," he said. "Enough is enough. We were able to match their physical play."

This was the second time this season the Lakers ended a Boston double-digit win streak. The Celtics were winners of their last 12, on Christmas day they brought a franchise record 19 game win streak to Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant will try and lead the team through Cleveland and a perfect 6-0 on their road trip Sunday. Lebron James followed Kobe's 61 point show at MSG with a 52 point triple-double of his own. The Cavaliers are a perfect 23-0 at home this season, the only team in the NBA to still be unbeaten at home. Speaking of 23, Kobe Bryant needs only 33 points to reach 23,000 in his career. If he reaches the milestone before the All-Star break, Kobe (30 years, 166 days) will be the youngest player to the mark. Wilt Chamberlain (30 years, 176 days) is the record holder now. 

Dynamic Duo...

Toronto, Canada

North of the border in a cold packed arena, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to their fourth straight win. It was the second win since losing Andrew Bynum and the fourth game on the Lakers six game road trip. Although the Lakers played a clean game committing only 4 turnovers, it was evident that Bynum's presence was missed. The raptors scored 44 points in the paint with most of those coming by way of the dunk. As far as scoring goes, Bryant and Gasol continue to play strong, scoring a combined 67 points tonight to lead the Lakers over Toronto 115-107. The duo has now scored 159 points over the last two games. Those are pretty impressive numbers that would almost certainly lead any team to two straight W's. Heading into the fourth quarter the Lakers trailed 87-85. Kobe Bryant, led the team with 10 fourth quarter points to close out the game. It was the Lakers 12 such game, trailing at the end of three, and they are now an even 6-6 in those contests. LO and D-Fish played good minutes and contributed 13 and 12 points respectively. Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar led the bench scoring with 7 and 6. Los Angeles is now 39-9 heading into Thursday night's showdown in Boston. The Celtics own the leagues best record at 41-9 and have lost at home only twice all season. On Christmas day the Lakers beat Boston at Staples center 93-82.

The Toronto Raptors came into the contest on the heels of two straight losses and reside in last place of the Atlantic Division with a poor 19-31 record. The team came out hungry however, and jumped out in front of  Los Angeles in the first quarter to a 21-9 lead. Jermaine O'neal was a monster on the boards grabbing 9 boards to go alongside an impressive 9 blocked shots, 4 assists and 22 points. O'neal was a game time decision because of a sprained left ankle. After being fouled by Chris Mihm,  a hard slap over the eye that caused his headband to fly off in the first quarter O'neal really seemed to come alive. From that point on he was focused and seemed to be attacking the rim with the kind of energy fans got used to while he played for the Indiana Pacers. The raptors were hobbled a little playing without guard Jose Calderon (sore right hamstring) and losing All-Star Chris Bosh to a sprained right knee with 9:50 left to play in the fourth. Joey Graham got the start again for Calderon and made the most of it, scoring a career best 24 points for Toronto. Forward Jason Kapono, a UCLA alum, had zero points and missed the only three point attempt he shot on the night. He will however try and capture his third straight All-Star 3-point shooting crown in Phoenix. The three-peat has only been done twice by Larry Bird and Craig Hodges. Toronto coach Jay Triano was pleased with his teams effort saying after the game, "I thought we played well. I really applaud our guy's effort. I thought we played hard, we were competitive, we fought every possession and I am proud of our guys."  

No Bynum, no problem!

New York, NY

For the second season in a row Lakers big man Andrew Bynum is out with a devastating knee injury. Tonight in the first game following the recent injury, Andrew's fellow big man Pau Gasol came up bigger in his absence, scoring 31 points against the New York Knickerbockers in a 126-117 road victory. The biggest story of the night however was Kobe Bryant. The reigning league MVP came up huge on the biggest stage in the NBA. Bryant led all scorers, and broke a Madison Square Garden record dropping 61 points in the win. Breaking the record of Knicks legend Bernard King (60) and the 55 dropped by Jordan as an opponent, Bryant stole the show. Amid chants of 'MVP', and a showering of boo's Kobe scored his 60th and 61st points at the free throw line. He then came off the court to a standing ovation and a Phil Jackson high-five. Bryant was a perfect 20 for 20 from the free throw line. This game marked Bryant's fifth 40 point game at MSG, his 24th career fifty pt. game, and the highest individual scoring game in the league this season. 

Entering the game the New York Knicks had dubbed this "Dream Week", as they host the three teams with the best records in the NBA. Starting tonight it was the Lakers, followed by the Cavs and Celtics with a day off in between each game. I sure hope they didn't look too far ahead and set themselves up for "Nightmare Week". Before the game, even when asked about the the opportunity to elevate his teams game, Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni might have been a little cautiously optimistic stating, "These will be three great games to do that and whatever happens we'll spin it the best way we can." As a coach I surmise it was the best way to go about things but his players were enthusiastic about the week ahead. Before the game, New York guard Chris Duhon added, "We've beaten good teams before, beaten big teams recently, so we shouldn't be intimidated." I like his confidence, that is one of the most underrated attributes an athlete can have. Duhon may have only scored 8 points in the loss but I expect he'll rebound well as the week goes on. In tonight's game the Knicks were paced by forwards Al Harrington and David Lee with 24 and 22 points respectively. Sophomore Wilson Chandler added 20 points coming off the bench. The Knicks are now 21-26 and will have a day off to prepare for Lebron James and the Cavaliers. 

In the midst of Kobe Bryant's record setting performance at the Garden tonight, Pau Gasol put up a huge game. The game was clearly unbalanced for Los Angeles with Kobe and Pau scoring 92 of the 126. Gasol filled up his box sheet with 31 points, 14 boards, 5 assists, and 2 blocked shots. This is the kind of effort the Lakers are going to need night in and night out if they want to survive this spell without Bynum. Trevor Ariza came off the bench and was the only other Laker to reach double figures scoring 13 against the team that previously drafted him in the 2nd round. For a chance to beat Boston and Cleveland to round out this road trip, the Lakers will need to find some balance. 

It should also be noted that even if Kobe didn't know he was approaching the record, Phil Jackson assuredly did. Jackson is known throughout the league for being on top of game statistics. More relevant is the fact that PJ could have taken Bryant out of the game seemingly any time in the fourth quarter with the large lead the Lakers had built. Instead, once Kobe had about 53 points, Jackson stayed with him on the floor and let him do the rest. Kobe got 61, broke the record, then Phil took him out of the game at the next whistle. Even more special for Bryant was the reaction from the Madison Square Garden fans. Knicks fans pay the highest ticket price in the league, even more than Laker fans at Staples, and see arguably one of the most disappointing teams play. The New York fans are an astute bunch and as such stuck around for the show Kobe put on and awarded him when he left the court. Bryant received a standing ovation from the crowd, even director and famous Knick follower Spike Lee was on his feet.

"This place is special because the fans will boo you the whole game," Bryant said, "but they appreciate the game, and tonight it felt great to get that reaction from these fans. It's them saying we love what you do and it's a great performance and we're going to celebrate that moment. It felt great."