*
The Lakers continue to struggle with defense, and fingers continue to be
pointed, mostly at the team's easiest target, Kobe Bryant. Shaq is equally
at fault, but lucky for him he's more popular and sensitive, so his feelings
are spared in conversations with the local newspapers. Kobe's aren't, and
I think Phil's latest attack on the Boy Wonder may just be the straw that
breaks the camel's back. Phil has suggested that in his past Kobe may have
thrown games to serve his own interests. To create a bigger challenge for
himself. Whatever. Seems like Phil sees his team's imminent defeat at the
hands of the Spurs and want to make sure his reputation as a motivator
and teacher remains intact. Does Kobe make bad decisions at times? Yes.
Does Kobe ignore the triangle and do his own thing at times? Yes. Is he
doing it to throw games or create a challenge for himself? No. Is he doing
it because he's sick of Phil's constant criticisms of his improved game
and the way everyone points the finger at him for everyone of the Lakers
shortcomings? I think so. Kobe has had it with all of the blame he takes
for the Lakers shortcomings and how he's knocked for being a private person,
so when he comes down the court he wants to show everyone just how good
he is. Quite often, he proves his point. Sometimes he tries too hard and
gets wild with his shot selection, but that's nothing that can't be worked
out with a little more time and maturity. But now, Kobe's switched to a
defensive mode and is tired of being the brunt of all the Lakers' criticism
while Captain Swept (Shaq) is able to relax on his popularity with the
team. Yeah, he made a mistake when he said he didn't trust his teammates,
but that statement was made by a man who already knew that most of his
teammates don't much care for him. Kobe is basically just being human and
is getting tired of being attacked just because he's BETTER THAN HE WAS
LAST YEAR. Hopefully the Lakers will find some way to mend all of these
broken egos before they make a huge mistake by trading away one of the
game's best. I hear countless people say that Shaq can win it if he had
a player that was willing to play second fiddle to him, but that experiment
has already failed many times over. For all of you with short memories,
Captain Swept had Penny Hardaway and Eddie Jones and what happened? Nothing.
Lots of wins, no titles. So to every Laker fan screaming for Kobe's head,
and I understand, because I was once amongst you, take a backseat and just
think about what you're asking for when you say you want the Lakers to
trade Kobe.
*
The tournament roars on and quite a few teams have surprised me. Kansas
and USC (I'm still shocked by the way they handled Kentucky) have put up
some good performances, even if they are knocked out before this gets put
up. Duke looks unbeatable thanks to Jason Williams - more on him later
- but I'm going to stick with my pick of Maryland. I just think the Terps
are due for at least a trip to the Final Four. They've got a tough match
with Stanford coming up.
*
It's only a matter or time before the Grizzlies are rescued from Canada.
Although they're hopes are fading, I would love it if my home state of
LA finally got a franchise back in the Big Easy.
*
With the NCAA tournament in full swing, there's talk about who will enter
the draft this year. Tons of high schoolers seem to be looking to go pro,
as well as the usual group of college freshmen and sophs. One guy who I
think would be wasting his time going back to school is Duke's Jason Williams.
If this kid isn't ready for the pros now, he never will be. I really think
all he'll be doing by going back to school is losing money while his school
gets even richer. It's amazing how the NCAA and all of the college coaches
preach to their guys that they should turn down the money that Pro game
has to offer while none of them are sacrificing a dime. These kids are
pimped for four years under the farce that these schools really care about
them getting an education, when most just want to make sure that they keep
their killer program on top. The next time someone starts talking about
kids going to the pros too early, think about this. A lot of American kids
don't go to college after high school, they go to the work force. A lot
of kids who start school, don't finish. Is being able to play ball really
a reason to have to go to college if you don't want to? What are these
kids going to do with a degree in general studies anyway? The NBA's developmental
league is a great idea. Kids who have no interest in being school won't
have to and those that do can still go. Actually, there's nothing to stop
a kid who's in the Developmental League from getting his degree while he
makes a little cash on the side. That way, they get their degrees without
being exploited.
