Archive for the 'Kobe Bryant' Category

Kobe Bryant Leads West in Voting

Published
by
Ty Nowell
on January 21, 2010
in All-Star 2010 and Kobe Bryant
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blog_100121kobeallstaruniKobe Bryant, a three time All-Star MVP, will make his 12th All-Star game appearance alongside Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony, Tim Duncan and Amare Stoudemire for the Western Conference at the 2010 All-Star Game in Dallas.

The reserves for each conference will be announced next Thursday on TNT. Here’s how the selection process for the reserves works:

In selecting the reserves, the 30 NBA head coaches must vote for seven players within their conference, including two guards, two forwards, a center and two players regardless of position. Coaches are not permitted to vote for players on their team. After the coaches select the reserves, if a player is unable to participate in the All-Star Game, NBA Commissioner David Stern will select a replacement. Reserves will be announced Jan. 28, on TNT.

The East and West All-Star coaches and coaching staffs will be determined by the best record in each conference through games played Jan. 31. Last year’s East and West coaches – Cleveland’s Mike Brown and the L.A. Lakers’ Phil Jackson — are not eligible to coach this year’s All-Star Game.

The final voting tallies are listed below the jump.

Continue reading ‘Kobe Bryant Leads West in Voting’

Bryant Retains #1 Spot on Jersey List

Published
by
Ty Nowell
on January 20, 2010
in Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol
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Kobe Jersey 2From the NBA:

NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2010 – The Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant has retained
the top spot on the NBA’s Most Popular Jerseys list, the ranking he has
held since the start of the 2008-09 season. The rankings are based on sales
at the NBA Store in New York City and NBAStore.com since the start of the
2009-10 NBA season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James maintains the No. 2 spot, while the
Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard and the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose appear in
the Top 5 for the first time. Howard makes a dramatic jump, moving from No.
10 to No. 3 on this year’s list. Rose’s popularity continues to grow and
moves into the No.4 spot from No.11 last season. The Miami Heat’s Dwyane
Wade rounds out the Top 5.

Shaquille O’Neal makes his way back into the Top 10 for the first time
since June 2008 at the No. 9 spot, while Kevin Durant re-emerges on the
list for the first time since January 2008. Denver Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony
also moved up the list from No. 15 to No. 11.

The Los Angeles Lakers once again top the list of Most Popular NBA Team
Merchandise. The Boston Celtics hold on to the No.2 spot for the second
year in a row while, the Cleveland Cavaliers move up from No. 4 last season
to No. 3.

TOP 15 PLAYERS
1. Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers
2. LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Dwight Howard- Orlando Magic
4. Derrick Rose – Chicago Bulls
5. Dwyane Wade – Miami Heat
6. Kevin Garnett – Boston Celtics
7. Chris Paul – New Orleans Hornets
8. Paul Pierce – Boston Celtics
9. Shaquille O’Neal – Cleveland Cavaliers
10. Pau Gasol – Los Angeles Lakers
11. Carmelo Anthony – Denver Nuggets
12. Steve Nash – Phoenix Suns
13. David Lee – New York Knicks
14. Allen Iverson – Philadelphia 76ers
15. Kevin Durant – Oklahoma City

Injury Update: Kobe’s Finger

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on January 10, 2010
in Injury News and Kobe Bryant
. Closed

Kobe Bryant made just 1-of-14 shots in the first half and 4-of-21 for the game in L.A.’s 95-77 win over Milwaukee, struggling to hit from the field for the fourth consecutive contest (33 percent combined).

The difference in that first half was that Bryant was attempting to play without a splint on his right index finger, on which he suffered an avulsion fracture earlier in the season that he said he aggravated against Sacramento (he also appeared to take a swipe to the finger against Houston on Tuesday evening).

Bryant explained after the contest that playing without the splint afforded him increased range of motion, but made his finger too weak to support his shooting stroke.

“It’s just not strong enough,” he said of the finger, which will of course not keep him out of any game action.

Phil Jackson blamed Bryant’s finger almost exclusively for his shooting struggles:

He has been fiddling around with his “prosthetic” for his broken finger. He went from hard to semi-hard protective plate that was in there and made from lead that was conformed to nothing at all now. It is noticeable in his shooting and he knows it so I think he is going to go back to what worked before.

In short, the splint will go back on until Bryant feels strong enough to shoot without it.

Bryant Named West’s Player of the Month

Published
by
Ty Nowell
on January 6, 2010
in Kobe Bryant
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Kobe BryantFrom the NBA Press Release:

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month for games played during December.

Bryant led the NBA in scoring for December with 31.3 points per game, while helping the Lakers to a Western Conference-best 12-3 record. He also finished in the top 10 in the Western Conference in assists (5.0 apg), free throw percentage (.857), steals (1.9 spg) and minutes (40.1 mpg). Bryant recorded two double-doubles, including a 44-point, 11-assist effort – both season highs – against the Golden State Warriors on Dec. 29. On Christmas Day, he recorded 35 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in a loss to the Cavaliers. Bryant won back-to-back Western Conference Player of the Week awards (Dec. 21 and 28).

Here is a closer look at the month for Bryant:

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Dec. 16 at Milwaukee: Drained his final two points (39 total) at the buzzer to beat the Bucks 107-106.
Dec. 19 @ New Jersey: Scored 29 points, collected a season-high 10 rebounds and handed out five assists in a 103-84 win over the Nets.
Dec. 25 vs. Cleveland: Recorded 35 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in a 102-87 loss to the Cavaliers
Dec. 29 vs. Golden State: Posted season highs in points (44) and assists (11) in a 124-118 Lakers win.

Bryant Wins 2nd Straight Western P.O.W. Honors

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on December 28, 2009
in Around the NBA and Kobe Bryant
. Closed

Kobe BryantFor the second straight week, third time this season and 25th time in his career - an NBA record - Kobe Bryant was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, Dec. 21, through Sunday, Dec. 27.

Bryant averaged 37.7 points per game to lead the NBA, and added 8.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.7 steals (first in the West), leading the Lakers to a 2-1 week. Bryant continued his terrific play despite a motley crew of injuries, including an avulsion fracture of his right index finger and most recently a right elbow strain that occurred at the close of the third quarter of L.A.’s Saturday victory in Sacramento, which featured his two three-pointers in double overtime.

Here’s a recap of Bryant’s week:

Dec. 22 vs. Oklahoma City: Poured in 40 points and added eight rebounds, six assists and two steals in a 111-108 win over the Thunder.
Dec. 25 vs. Cleveland: Recorded 35 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and two steals in a 102-87 loss to the Cavaliers.
Dec. 26 @ Sacramento: Posted 38 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals in a 112-103 win over the Kings.

LeBron James earned the nod for his work in the Eastern Conference, and other nominees included Atlanta’s Al Horford, Cleveland’s Mo Williams, Dallas’ Erick Dampier, Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Kaman, Memphis’ Zach Randolph, Miami’s Dwyane Wade, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Portland’s Brandon Roy.

Bryant’s Elbow is “Fine”

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on December 27, 2009
in Injury News and Kobe Bryant
. Closed

Kobe BryantPhil Jackson offered an anecdote from Saturday night’s 112-103 double overtime victory in Sacramento that explained how Kobe Bryant feels about coming out of basketball games, no matter what the injury.

“At one time, I asked (Head Athletic Trainer) Gary Vitti to check with him in a time out,” said Jackson. “He came back and said, ‘If I tell you that he can’t play, he’s going to break my arm.’”

Bryant, who had essentially been playing with his left hand before nailing back-to-back three-pointers in the second overtime, eventually figured out how to adjust his shot to the pain.

“I thought he could play through it and help the team, and that was the important part,” said Jackson. “Pain is an inhibitor, and your body will react through the pain. He’s a guy that’s capable of doing that.”

Bryant didn’t go into as much detail.

“The elbow’s fine … next question,” said Bryant before reporters even had a chance to ask. “It’s not like a lingering thing, just a stinger that will go away.”

Kobe concluded that he doesn’t expect the elbow (or his finger, or knee) to inhibit him when the Lakers face the Suns on Monday night in Phoenix.

Pigeon Invades Phoenix; Kobe Unconcerned

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on December 27, 2009
in Kobe Bryant, Miscellaneous and Practice News
. Closed

After L.A.’s Sunday afternoon practice concluded at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Kobe Bryant emerged from the training room to address the Lakers’ beat writers, all of whom were soon to be in for an odd occurrence.

Standing at the floor level in the outer tunnel around the arena floor, Bryant spent a few minutes talking about his elbow (”It’s fine”), Steve Nash and the Suns (”I’m anxious to see how we respond to [the challenge]“) and such.

Suddenly, and out of nowhere, a lone pigeon literally flew towards the cluster before altering its flight pattern about 30 feet away (where’s Manu Ginobili when you need him!!).

As a few of the reporters jumped to the side (the natural reaction of most human beings), Bryant simply stood still … expressionless, unfazed, uninterested.

Naturally.

After all, pigeons are no threat to black mambas.

Kobe on Christmas Day

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on December 24, 2009
in Kobe Bryant and Preview
. Closed

Kobe Bryant ChristmasOver the last 13 years, you’ve been almost as likely to see Kobe Bryant on Christmas Day as Santa, Rudolph, candy canes, and ornament-laden trees.

We might as well just give him a red robe.

Since entering the NBA in 1996, Bryant has appeared in 11 Christmas games, save only the 1997-98 and 98-99 seasons, including the last nine.

After L.A. won three of its first four X-Mas games with Kobe, they lost five straight before beating Phoenix in 2007 and Boston last season.

This year, the Cleveland Cavs come to town, but until we get there, here’s a quick look at Kobe’s Christmas performances.

1996: Lakers 108, Suns 87.
In just five minutes of playing time for the 18-year-old, Kobe went scoreless in taking only two shots.

1999: Lakers 99, Spurs 93.
Two seasons later, Bryant’s minutes bumped to 35 minutes, which he used to score 18 points with five boards and five assists as the Lakers took down the defending champion Spurs.

2000: Portland 109, Lakers 104.
Bryant managed 29 point sand six assists againt a tough Blazers team, but it wasn’t enough for the win.

2001: Lakers 88, 76ers 82.
Kobe had a tough shooting night (6-of-19) to score only 12 points, but he did manage nine assists and 11 rebounds to help the Lakers overcome a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat their previous NBA Finals opponent.

2002: Sacramento 105, Lakers 99.
Speaking of teams L.A. beat in the playoffs … Bryant dropped 27 points and gathered a Christmas-Day-high 15 rebounds plus six assists in the loss.

2003: Rockets 99, Lakers 87.
Another tough shooting night it was for Kobe, who made only 9-of-26 shots to get his 23 points, with six assists and eight rebounds in a loss.

2004: Heat 104, Lakers 102.
In the much-ballyhood return of Shaq to STAPLES Center, Kobe went off for 42 points (including 13-of-13 from the line) but missed a three-pointer in overtime that would have made the difference.

2005: Heat 97, Lakers 92.
The Heat bested L.A. again despite Bryant’s 37 points, eight rebounds and six assists, as Shaq posted 18 points and 17 boards for Miami.

2006: Heat 101, Lakers 85.
Bryant had one of his worst games on X-Mas by making just 4-of-17 shots for 16 points against a solid defensive effort from Miami, who was led by 40 points from Dwyane Wade.

2007: Lakers 122, Suns 115.
Kobe amasseed his second-highest Santa Day scoring output with 38 points on 12-of-20 shooting to lead L.A. past the Suns in a shootout, adding seven assists, five boards and two steals just over a month before Pau Gasol joined the team.

2008: Lakers 92, Celtics 83
Bryant scored 27 points with nine rebounds and five assists as L.A. exacted (regular season) revenge on the 2008-title-winning squad from Boston. In the meantime, L.A. ended the impressive 19-game Celtics’ winning streak.

Smith Close (But No Cigar) to Kobe’s 3-record

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on December 23, 2009
in Around the NBA and Kobe Bryant
. Closed

JR Smith - Kobe BryantDuring a Wednesday evening home victory over Atlanta, Denver’s J.R. Smith sank 10 three-pointers in 17 attempts, the most by any player this season.

This begs the question … who’s made the most threes in one game, ever?

Reggie Miller? Nope.

Ray Allen? No.

Dennis Scott? Close, but no.

The answer is L.A.’s own Kobe Bryant, who made 12 three-pointers in 18 attempts on Jan. 7, 2003 against Seattle.

Joining Bryant at the top is Donyell Marshall, whose 12 bombs came on March 13, 2005. Scott converted 11 on April 18, 1996, while Smith also managed to get 11 triples to go on April 13 of last season.

Bryant On Knee: “I’m Fine.”

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on December 22, 2009
in Injury News and Kobe Bryant
. Closed

Lakers Nation took a collective gasp (!!) when Kobe Bryant appeared to hyperextend his left knee late in Tuesday’s victory over Oklahoma City.

But Bryant, after (in his words) self-checking his MCL and ACL, simply got up, walked it off, and resumed playing the rest of the contest as if nothing had happened.

After the game, No. 24 said that he was “Just fine,” thanks to amazing range of motion in his knee, and that he’d be ready to practice in advance of L.A.’s Christmas Day game against Cleveland.

“Yea, he’s all right,” said Lamar Odom. “If he breaks it or pulls (anything), he’s just going to play anyway. If he has the flu or a cold, it doesn’t matter. He’s already playing with a broken finger. He’s a trooper.”

You can check Lakers.com later for the full Bryant postgame interview.