Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 1:39 pm  |  298 responses

SLAM 131: On Sale Now!

How ya like him now?

by Lang Whitaker

As Mutoni and I found our seats at the press table high above the Staples Center in L.A. and settled in to watch Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Marcel asked me about the game recap pieces he and I would be writing for SLAM 131. What exactly, he wondered, should we be aiming for?

I told Marcel that I always think of the issue of SLAM that drops after the Finals almost like a yearbook. By the time the issue is on newsstands, it’s been almost a month since the Finals ended. Not only is the season always over, but the Draft has happened and summer league is in full swing. But this is what we do. SLAM started putting Finals winners on the cover back in 1997 (issue 20 — Scottie Pippen), and after a few years off, we’ve done it every year since the summer of 2000 with SLAM 45 (featuring the Victorious B.I.G.).

Since we’re obviously not breaking any news by having the winner of the Finals on the cover, I’ve always looked at this issue as a keepsake, something hoops fans can cop and hold on to and then look back on, years later, to remember which Finals game went to overtime or which game Kobe it was that Kobe made that weird face where he stuck his jaw out (all of the games!).

With our mission clearly defined, putting together this cover has become about highlighting the story of the Finals. As soon as the Lakers won Game 5 and started celebrating, I got a text from Khalid that read “Gotta do the Kobe scowl pic for the cover right? Lol.”

The thing is, it’s not always that easy. While we’re trying to capture the story and spirit of the Finals with the cover image, we have to find a picture that works as a cover, meaning there has to be room for cover lines and all that stuff.

For this cover image, it came down to three options. One thought was to find a picture of the Lakers as a team, to symbolize that it was teamwork that brought the Lakers this title. We found a picture of Kobe, Gasol, Bynum and Lamar that wasn’t terrible, but it also wasn’t great (Gasol had his back to the camera). And the more we thought about it, the less we liked the idea. Because really, no matter how you want to look at it, the 2009 Finals were about Kobe finally winning a title as the man. He carried these Lakers, he won the Finals MVP, he cemented his personal greatness and he laid the cornerstone for what could very easily be a new dynasty. That’s the accomplishment we wanted to recognize.

This left us with two choices. One was a picture of Kobe jumping into the air immediately after Game 5 ended (similar to this one). But again, to me that isn’t what I’ll remember about the 2009 NBA Finals. My lasting memory of the 2009 NBA Finals will be nobody being able to stop Kobe. The celebrating image is Kobe commemorating what was finished, not what was beginning. And I think the image we chose for our cover accurately reflects that. (BTW, for everyone who says we hate Kobe, please note this is Kobe’s third cover in our last six issues. Haters.)

SLAM 131 isn’t entirely about Kobe and Lakers. We’ve also got our annual Year in Photos (a.k.a. Dome Shots), and it’s longer than we’ve been able to run it the last few years, so there’s a lot of dope pics for your walls. Also, some great features on guys like Danny Granger, Kevin Love, the debut of new High School Diary keeper Harrison Barnes, plus a beautiful old school story on former Sacto star Ricky Berry (RIP).

So that’s it. The issue is out now on newsstands. Cop it.

Oh, and here’s the cover…

slam131cover

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  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.10 at 1:42 pm
    Hell yeah.

  • Spartdog Posted: Jul.10 at 1:43 pm
    That’s what’s up!

  • Eboy Posted: Jul.10 at 1:46 pm
    The face of a douchebag………….

  • Eboy Posted: Jul.10 at 1:48 pm
    And it’s even more funny that 4 of the 8 guys listed on either side of Kobstipated are either with new teams or without one at all.

  • Sj Posted: Jul.10 at 1:49 pm
    This cover is as sick as desimethod’s website that’s how sick it is….kobe’s drive for 7 starts now

  • Helmut Hohenegger Posted: Jul.10 at 1:49 pm
    great cover!

  • Ben Osborne Posted: Jul.10 at 1:49 pm
    Thanks Lang.

  • Ben Osborne Posted: Jul.10 at 1:51 pm
    Also, the perfect place for a very relevant press release, at least for Laker fans in the LA area:
    The official Los Angeles Lakers Championship DVD is coming to stores this Tuesday! To celebrate the release, we’re having 2 signings in LA with Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar and Luke Walton. Check out the signing locations and times below.
    The following autograph signings will take place on Tuesday, July 14th:
    Jordan Farmar and Luke Walton
    Wal-Mart – Store #3477
    7250 Carson Blvd.
    Long Beach, CA 90808
    Signing will take place from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
    **Please note fans must purchase a copy of the DVD in order to receive an autograph Derek Fisher
    Best Buy
    740 S. Sepulveda Blvd
    El Segundo, CA 90245
    Signing will take place from 6:00-7:30 PM

  • Mr. Burberry Posted: Jul.10 at 1:52 pm
    Kobe will win 9 rings…6 in basketball

  • Bigi Posted: Jul.10 at 1:57 pm
    You Can Hate Me Now…you now the rest!Waited this for seven loooong years.Thank You!(Kob&Slam)

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.10 at 1:59 pm
    You mean I can spend an afternoon at Walmart AND meet Luke Walton?!? Thats it, I’m moving to Los Angeles! lol. For real though, that is pretty cool of them to do. Everybody there is gonna be buying it anyways.

  • niQ Posted: Jul.10 at 1:59 pm
    It’s good to see Rafer back in the mag. But Eboy is right. half the people named on the cover aren’t even there anymore.

  • jdubbs29 Posted: Jul.10 at 1:59 pm
    The League is in great shape next year:
    Shaq and Lebron +8
    Matrix on Dallas
    Vinsanity on Orlando
    Lakers and Artest
    Arenas coming back for the Wiz
    Rashweed to the Celts Lots of interesting plotlines next year for sure.

  • Ben Osborne Posted: Jul.10 at 2:00 pm
    Eboy: the guys moving teams is all good. Makes them totally current, and in no case are the places they’re in the magazine dated for it; every example is timeless, in a way. You’ll see when you get it.

  • Luke Walton's Stalker Posted: Jul.10 at 2:01 pm
    So…how is the security at these Walmarts?

  • Ben Osborne Posted: Jul.10 at 2:02 pm
    niQ: you guys act like it didn’t occur to us that some of those guys would switch teams. Again, read the issue and you’ll see what’s up.

  • Eboy Posted: Jul.10 at 2:02 pm
    Cool.

  • Eboy Posted: Jul.10 at 2:04 pm
    Ben….I meant it along the lines of it being bizarrely coincidental that they moved, not funny as in a goofed up way. My bad on the wording.

  • Big Marv Posted: Jul.10 at 2:06 pm
    Ha and Allen Iverson is in this issue. Next year ya’ll better get me one with Rasheed in a boston jersey on the cover!!!!
    Roscoe in Beantown with braids……

  • Ben Osborne Posted: Jul.10 at 2:06 pm
    All good.

  • Luke Walton's Stalker Posted: Jul.10 at 2:10 pm
    I really wish there was a way for me to get my copy faster.

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.10 at 2:11 pm
    Is the Allen Iverson stuff an interview?

  • Lang Whitaker Posted: Jul.10 at 2:13 pm
    Dave Zirin’s column is about AI…that’s all I’m saying.

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.10 at 2:14 pm
    Thanks Lang. That explains alot.

  • Candyman Posted: Jul.10 at 2:17 pm
    The Birdman!!! Yes! Show some love to the most overrated sixth man in the NBA!!

  • BRIAN Posted: Jul.10 at 2:22 pm
    he still cant do it without fisher

  • la huey Posted: Jul.10 at 2:23 pm
    best post-finals cover yet.

  • Joel O's Posted: Jul.10 at 2:24 pm
    Haha putting Kobe’s faux-angry face on the cover is brilliant for fans and haters alike.

  • $tev3 Posted: Jul.10 at 2:26 pm
    Few names Im happy to see on the cover is Kevin Love & the Birdman

  • candyman Posted: Jul.10 at 2:26 pm
    I meant underrated. Chris Andersen is the man!

  • Statik Posted: Jul.10 at 2:32 pm
    Ahhh, the face of Master Splinter on the new SLAM…my new dartboard cover…

  • Chris Posted: Jul.10 at 2:32 pm
    Lakers better hope they resign Odom, or Kobe’s going to be stuck on 4 for a while.

  • Jeff Fox Posted: Jul.10 at 2:32 pm
    Don’t let the Kobe cover turn you all off from reading an issue – I make an appearance in it, so it is well worth your money!!

  • BIG HATER Posted: Jul.10 at 2:32 pm
    go for your 5th kobe, while these guys keep stroking it for you with these covers…. 24 times oh, maybe 5

  • Jeff Fox Posted: Jul.10 at 2:33 pm
    I meant to say “the issue” but you probably figured that out already.

  • ciroqobama Posted: Jul.10 at 2:34 pm
    EW

  • Jeff Fox Posted: Jul.10 at 2:34 pm
    Obviously I meant to say “the issue”. I’m not very good with the written word.

  • Anton Posted: Jul.10 at 2:35 pm
    If I Did It: How I Ballhogged, Whined, and R@ped My Way to Glory.

  • Gerard Himself Posted: Jul.10 at 2:38 pm
    I love the year in photos, you guys always pic the right ones.

  • Eboy Posted: Jul.10 at 2:39 pm
    Anton is the glue that makes my days here tolerable.

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.10 at 2:43 pm
    E:When your enjoying Anton’s comments you need to step away from the paint can. They’re like a combination of Larry the Cable Guy jokes and a Snuff film.

  • tina Posted: Jul.10 at 2:46 pm
    I’m beginning to think Anton hates Kobe more than Eboy.

  • tina Posted: Jul.10 at 2:48 pm
    lol @ Brad Long

  • Eboy Posted: Jul.10 at 2:49 pm
    Oh….I don’t think…..I know tina. He’s like an underground hero, like Turk 182 (no one will get that reference).

  • jdn41 Posted: Jul.10 at 2:49 pm
    kobe already got 5 rings the 5th one is already more expensive then all the other rings combined and most important since it kinda saved his life as well

  • Izzo Posted: Jul.10 at 2:50 pm
    Anton is the Jimmy Kimmel of the SLAMonline comments section.

  • donovan Posted: Jul.10 at 2:52 pm
    Doing that looks like it’d be painful for your teeth. Good to see Rafer back in there.

  • Izzo Posted: Jul.10 at 2:53 pm
    @Everyone:Much like most of what Eboy references,likes and believes,Turk 182 comes from the 80′s.

  • D.R.23. 21. Posted: Jul.10 at 2:53 pm
    YOU GUYS REALLY SOUND LIKE HATERS.ITS OVER HE GOT HIS RING. AND HIS PERSONAL STUFF HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM BUSTING EVERYBODYS A## IN THE LEAGUE.EXCEPT THE FACT THAT HE #24 IS THE BEST IN THE N.B.A. POINT BLANK

  • Bryan Posted: Jul.10 at 2:54 pm
    Or the jimmy fallon.

  • Seth Posted: Jul.10 at 2:54 pm
    With that under bite and some dreads, Kobe Bryant is slated to be one of the Predators in the next Alien vs. Predator film.

  • Eboy Posted: Jul.10 at 2:57 pm
    It didn’t take you long to do a Google search, Izzo.

  • Eboy Posted: Jul.10 at 2:57 pm
    Wait…….is Google a tool from the ’80s? Let me get back in my Delorean and find out!!!!!!!

  • bike Posted: Jul.10 at 2:58 pm
    Did anyone ask Kobe if this cover shot was Ok by him? His facial expression looks like a dog s*itting peach pits.

  • Izzo Posted: Jul.10 at 2:59 pm
    On a very bad movie channel two years ago,there was a Kim Cattral double bill featuring that and a far,far worse movie named Mannequin,Eboy.I watched it.

  • Izzo Posted: Jul.10 at 3:03 pm
    Now,back to your Kip Winger Playgirl issue,Eboy.

  • Allenp Posted: Jul.10 at 3:03 pm
    Y’all should have used that pic from when he refused to help Gasol up off the court.

  • Eboy Posted: Jul.10 at 3:04 pm
    Mannequin WAS turrible.

  • J-O Posted: Jul.10 at 3:04 pm
    the next cover should have ron,sheed and vince each holding their new jersey with the title saying take your pick lol

  • Joe Posted: Jul.10 at 3:06 pm
    cool

  • JB Posted: Jul.10 at 3:08 pm
    Kate Faber will not be purchasing this issue.

  • riggs Posted: Jul.10 at 3:13 pm
    dumbest. pose. ever.

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.10 at 3:16 pm
    @JB:Why not? She’s got the money for it.

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.10 at 3:18 pm
    Allenp:Maybe they’ll use a security picture of A.I. throwing poker chips at a casino dealer for David Zirin’s article.

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.10 at 3:22 pm
    Allenp:I just hope they use a security picture of AI throwing poker chips at a casion dealer for Dave Zirin’s piece.

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.10 at 3:25 pm
    The comments section is working like Anton trying to undo his first bra again.

  • Darksaber Posted: Jul.10 at 3:29 pm
    (nice) words fail me regarding this atrocity that’ll find it’s way into my mailbox soon. Hmm, maybe i’ll get it before Mambiatch visits so ican ask him about the underbite. Arrrgh!

  • Eboy Posted: Jul.10 at 3:30 pm
    ^Haha!

  • Bobby Posted: Jul.10 at 3:34 pm
    One of the best ever! I need to find this picture.

  • Tzvi Twersky Posted: Jul.10 at 3:34 pm
    Good post Lang.

  • Spaceship Jay Posted: Jul.10 at 3:42 pm
    Darksaber, at least this pose is something that his sperm/biological-doner did NOT do, which is a step in the right direction in his personality development.

  • Anton Posted: Jul.10 at 3:44 pm
    Your wh0re of a mother didn’t seem to mind, B.Long. The fact that she was wearing a Laker jersey only made me f*ck her harder.

  • Allenp Posted: Jul.10 at 3:45 pm
    BLong
    I hope they do use that pic….
    It’ll look great next to the pic of Kobe telling the cops:
    “I should have done what Shaq does…”
    Iverson has a host of issues, but nobody, NOBODY, can match Kobe.

  • Spaceship Jay Posted: Jul.10 at 3:45 pm
    Wait, Mike DID make this pose, right before he threw up all over Scottie after that finals “flu” game against Utah. Dammit, nevermind.

  • Eboy Posted: Jul.10 at 3:49 pm
    Anton’s 3:44p comment is awe-inspiring. I feel bad it was directed at my boy B, though. So shame on you, Anton.

  • Darksaber Posted: Jul.10 at 3:49 pm
    damn, Anton. Slow your (insult) roll.

  • Allenp Posted: Jul.10 at 3:49 pm
    Let me stop hating on Kobe though. The man won… To bad he had to unveil the lamest facial expression known to mankind to do it.

  • Darksaber Posted: Jul.10 at 3:52 pm
    umm Spaceship, didn’t quite get you reference? Kob’s has a biological donor? Huh?

  • Darksaber Posted: Jul.10 at 3:52 pm
    umm Spaceship, didn’t quite get your reference? Kob’s has a biological donor? Huh?

  • Zee! Posted: Jul.10 at 3:59 pm
    Good looks SLAM! WE were discussing this current Lakers team at work and how they seriously could win 2-3 more rings before Kobe retires. If the supporting cast comes to ball every night, and if free agency cripples a few of the current top teams, then its not a stretch to say the Lakers can get through the playoffs yearly with only moderate problems. Straight cash homey…

  • tina Posted: Jul.10 at 3:59 pm
    @Allenp, Kobe might have unveiled the lamest facial expression known to mankind but it was slam who ultimately chose to put it on the cover. I actually forgot that he did that fish teeth thingy until today. hahaha. Still love Kobe though.

  • Zee! Posted: Jul.10 at 4:01 pm
    Also, good looks on the Kool Moe Dee reference for the cover quote.

  • AT Posted: Jul.10 at 4:02 pm
    I think as the REAL winner(you know the one who followed the rules) of the Kobe Jersey contest my consolation should be three copies of THIS issue. You know, as opposed to the copy of issue 130(the one I had just purchased in stores), a T-Shirt that was 3 sizes TOO small and an old Kobe issue that was bent in half. Just saying…

  • Susan Price Posted: Jul.10 at 4:05 pm
    Anton, Eboy, Brad and the rest…please stop posting your childish snipes here. This is SLAM, not a playground. Talk about the NBA, Chris Andersen or Kobe’s latest ring. If you want to talk about that other stuff, do it on your own blogs. But please stop doing it here. You’re ruining my site, and I don’t like it. And I’m asking nicely.

  • Darksaber Posted: Jul.10 at 4:09 pm
    oh my. THE Susan Price just laid down the law. Things must be getting out of hand here. Don’t think i’ve ever read her here.

  • Ben Osborne Posted: Jul.10 at 4:12 pm
    AT, who made you the real winner? I believe five people tied for consolation prize.

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.10 at 4:12 pm
    Dear Anton, Back when you were still in your testube, Slamonline was a place were people who actually cover sports for a living would post frequently like Russ Bengston, Holly Mac, Ryan Jones, etc. but due to miscreants like yourself they rarely show up anymore. If you were to make one or two corny sex scandal jokes a day it’d be different, I make off-color comments occasionally too’ but your constant verbal diarrhea is ruining a one of the few good places to talk basketball on the internets. So please for the love of SLAM, please stop. Sincerely, Brad Long

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.10 at 4:13 pm
    Susan beat me too it. Sorry Susan. I’m done here.

  • Eboy Posted: Jul.10 at 4:14 pm
    If that was Susan being nice, I’d hate to see her angered. Apologies to you.

  • Darksaber Posted: Jul.10 at 4:16 pm
    haha, gotta love Ben’s attention to detail.

  • Jackie Moon Posted: Jul.10 at 4:21 pm
    Anton is the Carrot Top of the SLAMonline comments section.

  • Z Posted: Jul.10 at 4:23 pm
    Whoa, Mrs. Price don’t play! I can only imagine how it is in the Slam Dome when there’S a deadline lol.

  • Jeronimo Posted: Jul.10 at 4:26 pm
    Lang, are you going to do the non-covers again? I really really loved it.

  • Darksaber Posted: Jul.10 at 4:29 pm
    yes, there was that hint of a stern mum in her comment earlier, wasn’t there? Wonder if it’s Miss or Mrs. Price? Oh well.

  • Ben Osborne Posted: Jul.10 at 4:30 pm
    Thankfully, there are still people who do this for a living who comment on here.

  • Tzvi Twersky Posted: Jul.10 at 4:32 pm
    Umm….this issue is really good.

  • Tzvi Twersky Posted: Jul.10 at 4:34 pm
    Issue.

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.10 at 4:36 pm
    I wasn’t leaving you out, Ben. I’m just saying there was once a golden era here, and considering the way next season is shaping up to be possibly one of the greatest ever it would be nice to have that back.

  • Darksaber Posted: Jul.10 at 4:37 pm
    yeah about that Ben. During my “discussions” with Myles, he kept saying you Slam writers etc. No longer like commenting here, partly because you seem to have had it with us commenters? I argued that people like Russ (and Lango) and even Stackmack just spend more time on Twittet nowadays. Any truth in what Myles hinted at? And if so, how do we get you people back in here to share your insights with us lesser commenters?

  • Darksaber Posted: Jul.10 at 4:39 pm
    Twittet? Damn Iphone!

  • Co Co Posted: Jul.10 at 4:40 pm
    I hope Derek Fisher’s smile when he hit that 3 in OT is somewhere in this issue.

  • NICK KALATHES Posted: Jul.10 at 4:44 pm
    KOBE!!!KOBE!!!!KOBE!!!!

  • NICK KALATHES Posted: Jul.10 at 4:53 pm
    i wonder what else A.I. has to do in order to have his name desappear from SLAM covers….i mean, the guy is trying really hard but you just can’t leave him alone…..

  • Boston Baller Posted: Jul.10 at 4:53 pm
    Even as a DieHard Celtics fan I’ve always loved his game and approach to it. I can’t wait to read this issue. I just pulled out ish #1 yesterday and read it again but bring on the new 1. Celtics will take this next Chip and I hope it’s against Mamba (the Best)as we go thru the the King (the Beast) gotta go, there is sunshine in Boston for a change this Summer!!!

  • Tarzan Cooper Posted: Jul.10 at 6:01 pm
    “He carried these Lakers” i couldnt disagree more. kobe freelanced and did what he wanted. in no way did he carry la, the deepest team. kwame/javaris’s post game kept the offense balanced, that was the difference.

  • Tarzan Cooper Posted: Jul.10 at 6:12 pm
    anton is funny.

  • Myles Brown Posted: Jul.10 at 6:13 pm
    …….

  • skywalker Posted: Jul.10 at 6:27 pm
    people who use the word douchebag are not cool

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.10 at 6:34 pm
    Hi Myles.

  • luke walton's stalker's stalker Posted: Jul.10 at 6:35 pm
    ATTENTION: luke walton’s stalker….. funniest thing i’ve read all day… thank you

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.10 at 6:39 pm
    I said I wasn’t gonna buy this issue unless Trevor Ariza was on the cover. I’m taking credit for that one.

  • Ben Osborne Posted: Jul.10 at 6:42 pm
    I don’t like the immature name calling but the site has been doing great lately so for the most part I just hope as many people as possible keep coming here, whether they ‘work’ for SLAM or not.

  • Michael NZ Posted: Jul.10 at 7:12 pm
    Nonetheless, Antons comments are pathetic. Consistently pathetic. Enough, thanks.

  • Bro D. Posted: Jul.10 at 7:26 pm
    Way to go Miss Price, you just killed all of Slam’s street cred with one comment. Way to go madam.

  • Izzo Posted: Jul.10 at 7:29 pm
    Is this good time to say that I love you all?

  • Slam Reader Posted: Jul.10 at 8:30 pm
    I knew that a long time ago that he was gonna take over the whole shiit!!!

  • Slam Reader Posted: Jul.10 at 8:31 pm
    I knew he was gonna take over the whole league one day!!!
    Congrats Kobe-the Greatest!!!

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.10 at 8:44 pm
    That’s a great cover. But every time I see that face, I think of the Predator… thanks to Lang’s darn ‘Separated at Birth’ segment.

  • Rashaan Posted: Jul.10 at 8:53 pm
    Man, is Leborn name gonna be on every cover. Cmon Melo makes it to the WCF and cant get his name on the cover but Wade(no knock) gets bounced in 1st round and his name on the cover? Great point Susan Price.

  • Joe A Posted: Jul.10 at 9:08 pm
    Damn SLAM, this is the fourth time Kobe’s been on the cover this season. I think you owe it to all of us Kobe haters next season that we don’t see his face on your cover at least until the playoffs. But aside from Kobe making that stupid “I want to pretend I’m as intense as KG” face, it looks like its gonna be a dope issue.

  • Joe Posted: Jul.10 at 9:27 pm
    To people complaining that it’s Kobe: Who else would you put on the cover after the LAKERS won?

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.10 at 9:49 pm
    @ Joe A: Right, because after the Lakers won the chip, people really want to see Adam Morrison’s face instead of Kobe’s. Right.

  • Tarzan Cooperl Posted: Jul.10 at 9:50 pm
    yea, kobe does look like the predator after he took off his mask to make it a lil more fair for ahnold

  • edilvia4sho Posted: Jul.10 at 9:51 pm
    hmmm, whole lot of Kobe haters, its pathetic! Oh yeah I’m with him gettin 5, wouldn’t that be exciting!!!

  • Tarzan Cooper Posted: Jul.10 at 9:51 pm
    bro d. is funny. kobe does look like the predator after he took off his mask to make it a lil more fair for ahnold

  • swooshgoddess15 Posted: Jul.10 at 10:23 pm
    wooooohhhoooooo!!! that brought an instant rush!! take that haters! either love him or shush because his game speaks more than that scowl…

  • swooshgoddess15 Posted: Jul.10 at 10:24 pm
    wooooohhhoooooo!!! that brought an instant rush!! take that haters! either love him or shush because his game speaks more than that scowl…

  • Jacob J Posted: Jul.10 at 10:30 pm
    Dont worry Laker fans, the Celtics and Magic will be back next year better than ever!

  • Dr Dre Posted: Jul.10 at 10:53 pm
    Eboy your a fukin queer, just hatin like all the others when he got his fourth Lord Of the Rings biaaatch

  • stubbs Posted: Jul.10 at 11:01 pm
    not hating on Kobe I mean I know he just won the championship but another Kobe cover? damn

  • rjcortesjumpman Posted: Jul.10 at 11:36 pm
    great pic choice for the cover, guys…

  • VictorL Posted: Jul.11 at 12:32 am
    vindication!
    can’t wait for the cover

  • cory webster Posted: Jul.11 at 12:47 am
    anyone know the slamups?

  • Gerwin Posted: Jul.11 at 2:26 am
    Great cover! Kobe on the cover again, but absolutely deserved. You can hate me now, but I won’t stop now….

  • Mr.2012 Posted: Jul.11 at 3:13 am
    lmao at luke waltons stalkers comment…Susan Price is hott!!!

  • Blinguo Posted: Jul.11 at 3:14 am
    Kobe has had many more memorable faces. Such as the oops/ignoring/far-off look when he elbows somebody. Or the Aaay/Hey/Damn’t look if he gets pushed/battled under the boards. Or combine those two for the ultimate in your face Ginobili. Also kicking and screaming after a missed shot on any contact or dropped ball turnover. Flailing his arms like an inflatable tube man. Throwing one arm in the direction of the ref(s) screaming at them.
    -
    But this cover is def. cool for Anthony Randolph, Ya’ll. And looks better than the NBA2K10 Kobe cover.
    -

  • j4zzm4n Posted: Jul.11 at 3:39 am
    the quality of comments here has dropped to deplorably substandard levels of immaturity and blind hatred.i’m glad my lakers won it took 7 years and finally it has been done.another kobe cover? fantastic.

  • Simon S.Y Lawy Posted: Jul.11 at 3:55 am
    Good Job …

  • Blaze Posted: Jul.11 at 3:59 am
    You go Kobe!! Tell em’ how Shaq’s azz taste.

  • Blaze Posted: Jul.11 at 4:00 am
    Luke Walton has a stalker?? Cool. His dad looked like teen wolf when he played.

  • Blaze Posted: Jul.11 at 4:05 am
    Ive been reading slam since day (ish) 1. Want to say thank you for always having the quality not found in other b-ball mags. And thank you for having these boards so knuckle-heads like us can chat about these various topics. there is truly none other like Slam.

  • Darksaber Posted: Jul.11 at 4:47 am
    Mr Osborne, you are ready to run for office my friend. that response at 6:42pm sideskipped my question so elegantly, i nearly didn’t catch on. Nice.

  • sw Posted: Jul.11 at 5:59 am
    @Lang: Did you actually ok this with Kobe. I know this captures his intensity and the fact that he got this ring being the man but this is like showing a black man chowing down on some fried chicken. Judge at first site. Maybe the mainstream viewers will be excited, but ignorant. Eat it up eboy but rapist, selfish, more accomplished in life then 10 of your lifetimes could dream of has his 4th ring.

  • NICK KALATHES Posted: Jul.11 at 6:26 am
    @Blaze(4:05am)….:exactly..

  • larrylegend Posted: Jul.11 at 7:17 am
    when i will look up my slam collection in same years again, it will skip right from #130 to #132…

  • twahc Posted: Jul.11 at 9:06 am
    where are the lakers??? not a fan here, but i suppose there’s still gasol…

  • Davis Posted: Jul.11 at 10:11 am
    Hedo to toronto is the best move of the offseason..

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.11 at 10:28 am
    Ok, I’ll come clean. I’m Luke Walton’s Stalker.

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.11 at 10:36 am
    Davis:I think the trades or signings of Vince Carter, Ron Artest, and Shaq all trump the Hedo deal. It will have a lot bigger impact than Sheed to Boston though.

  • La Maravilla Posted: Jul.11 at 10:56 am
    Kobe got game but he ain’t the best ever matter of fact he ain’t even the best on the NBA right now

  • NICK KALATHES Posted: Jul.11 at 12:11 pm
    FINALISTS!!!!!

  • NICK KALATHES Posted: Jul.11 at 12:14 pm
    Greece dominated from the begging against Australia and will face U.S.A at the final of the under-19 world championship that is taking place in New Zealand!!!!!

  • NICK KALATHES Posted: Jul.11 at 12:15 pm
    Greece dominated from the begging against Australia and will face U.S.A at the final of the under-19 world championship that is taking place in New Zealand!!!!!!

  • Krishan Posted: Jul.11 at 12:17 pm
    Haha, this is like the best post ever. Hey remember the time that one guy kept spouting all those corny lame-a$$ rape-jokes, and people kept saying it was funny, but what in reality it was really juvenile and cheesy and OMG LAME? Yeah, that guy’s dead now.

  • Jordan Posted: Jul.11 at 12:21 pm
    Nice job SLAM, there’s some much deserved love for Danny Granger!

  • Coach Koran Godwin Posted: Jul.11 at 12:36 pm
    Great Cover join the JumpStartHoopers Basketball Training Social Network http://jumpstarthoopers.ning.com/

  • James the balla Posted: Jul.11 at 1:34 pm
    Man, some of ya’ll are funny. You guys hate Kobe so much it’s interferring with your own thought process. Foaming at the mouth. Just appreciate the ball player!! @ La Maravilla, he got game? Kobe? Really? lol f()ckouttahere

  • The Seed Posted: Jul.11 at 1:47 pm
    Kobe finally won a title by himself with help and is still hated on by some dummies up here, you know your names. Kobe is hated, but the thing is, He is loved more than hated, Number one selling jersey in the world, plays for the number one rank team sellings merchandise and Lakers team is rated the highest when showing games on national TV, thats why they show lakers games more than any other team becasue of KOBE!! Give him his due and let him be, Kobe has a great chance of winning at least two titles in the next 5 years, so hate. But when he gets his fifth and wears a shirt with 5 rings on his hand on the shirt hate him, but at least he knows his place his history is already top 10. Kobe only competiton to him is Jordan and he is shooting for 6 rings so HATERS hate, but he is SIMPLY THE BEST, BETTER THAN ALL THE REST!!!

  • Josh D Posted: Jul.11 at 2:00 pm
    Honestly guys u shoulda planned ahead, we’ve had 4 Kobe covers this year

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.11 at 2:24 pm
    The best trade/move this offseason was Richard Jefferson to the Spurs. That’s a whole lot better than Vince Carter to the Magic, considering Turkeyglue was already playing at a high, All-Star caliber level. Ron Artest to the Lakers is a close second, and I mean VERY close.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.11 at 2:29 pm
    Actually, Ron Artest is better than Richard Jefferson. But the Spurs got Jefferson for who? Bowen and Oberto? That was quite a steal.

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.11 at 2:33 pm
    I gotta agree with Teddy. If the Spurs can go into the playoffs healthy next year they’re gonna be a problem.

  • don Posted: Jul.11 at 2:37 pm
    i hate kobe.

  • Eric Woodyard Posted: Jul.11 at 2:56 pm
    KOBE BEAN!! The TRUE King!! great cover…will be copped immediately…lol

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.11 at 3:22 pm
    I really don’t want to have to cheer for the Lakers, but you guys got my man Ron Artest. From the Rockets. Originally from Queensbridge. What to do, what to do…

  • Blaze Posted: Jul.11 at 3:34 pm
    Would like to see Kobe throwen into the mix of a bad team like the Kings or Nets. Still wouldnt be playoff teams. Jordan took a awful Wizards team to the playoffs.

  • Jukai Posted: Jul.11 at 3:34 pm
    Not to come in late, but Susan better f*cking read anything by Russ, Myles or Ryan before she ever posts here again. Hypocritical to the extreme. Just f*cking close the comment section, just close it. Getting lectured like children here. Anton is what makes some of this crap readable. I’m not buying the next issue of slam just for that crap.

  • Izzo Posted: Jul.11 at 3:45 pm
    Seriously though,Anton isn’t funny at all.

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.11 at 3:46 pm
    Blaze:No he didn’t.

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.11 at 3:47 pm
    Hi Jukai.

  • Blaze Posted: Jul.11 at 4:23 pm
    Figured out how to bring back the Sonics. OKC shall move to Charlotte, and merge with the bobcats forming- THE THUNDERCATS!

  • NICK KALATHES Posted: Jul.11 at 4:35 pm
    @Blaze….(4:23pm): don’t care if you read this somewhere else but this is the comment of the month for me.

  • bare pickle bandit Posted: Jul.11 at 4:40 pm
    I just threw up on this keyboard then immediately cancelled my subscription after viewing this cover. way to go fellas.

  • Paul M. Castillo Posted: Jul.11 at 4:41 pm
    is this really out now or in a week

  • Blaze Posted: Jul.11 at 5:16 pm
    Kinda makes sense, two bad teams together may make a half-decent team. Plus would improve both teams name.

  • Myles Brown Posted: Jul.11 at 5:35 pm
    “To the extreme I rock the mic like a vandal, light up the stage and wax a chump like a candle…Dance!”

  • Myles Brown Posted: Jul.11 at 5:36 pm
    Word to your mother…

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.11 at 6:08 pm
    @ Blaze: Minus Kobe Bryant the year he scored 35 ppg and should have won MVP, the Lakers were worse than the Kings. Come on now, Kwamaay Brown?! At least the Nets have Devin Harris and at least the Kings have Kevin Martin. The Lakers had… Smush Parker. Thanks for playing though. Kobe on the Nets would elevate them to at least top 4-5 in the East. BET.

  • Mr.2012 Posted: Jul.11 at 6:10 pm
    Tonight is gonna be a good night.

  • NICK KALATHES Posted: Jul.11 at 6:29 pm
    9 hours left…..go Greece!!!! exactly 15 years ago it was Stephon Marbury, Vince Carter, Samaki Walker and Tremaine Fowlkes (as far as i remember he had the best tournament of them all) but they were not enough….

  • Blaze Posted: Jul.11 at 6:56 pm
    Im not taking anything away from Kobe, as hard as it is to admit, he IS possibly the best player on the planet right now. However, there is no question that Jordan is the best player ever. I hated Mike when he was with the Bulls cuz he always killed my team and was cocky about it. I respect him now but back then, I dont care if he was playing the Jazz in the finals or the Bucks in preseason, I wanted him to fail.

  • larrylegend Posted: Jul.11 at 8:22 pm
    i will hate kobe as long as he tries to copy mj…not that i am a mj fan, but this is poor. be yourself, mf

  • tina Posted: Jul.12 at 12:03 am
    Do you hate Kobe copying MJ or do you hate players in general copying MJ, cause that’s gonna be a lot of player hating. I’m pretty sure most NBA players wanna be like MIKE.

  • Bigi Posted: Jul.12 at 5:51 am
    @Blaze get your facts straight…Jordan didn’t take the Wizards to the Playoffs just like Brad Long pointed out.And when you have Kwame as your starting center, something is seriously wrong.So the 2005-06 Lakers weren’t bad enough,huh?!What’s next?He can’t win it all alone?He’s proven he is only a human who makes mistakes,he’s proven he can make things on the court that few can,he’s proven he is a winner(with&without Shaq).You can hate the man’s personality or whatnot but you CAN’T take anything away that he has done ON the court.

  • Krishan Posted: Jul.12 at 6:39 am
    Hi Jukai. You DEFINITELY did not compare myles, russ and jones to anton did you? Because, now, that would be so absolutely mind-f*cking-blowingly wrong. The three at least back their sh!t up with dialogue that actually resembles hoops-talk, and truth be told I count you among those obnoxious-yet-knowledgable talkers (gasp, I know like my approval means anything!). And of course, at least they come of as chuckle-worthy most of the times. Anton’s humor is juvenile, forced, and so goddamn easy. GTFOH, homes.

  • Krishan Posted: Jul.12 at 6:43 am
    Here’s a formula for you to follow to get you through the day, if anton gets antsy and doesn’t show his face here again: Kobe Topic + White Girl Joke + Rape Joke = Sh!ts And Giggles. That oughta get you golden.

  • Krishan Posted: Jul.12 at 6:43 am
    Here’s a formula for you to follow to get you through the day, if anton gets antsy and doesn’t show his face here again: Kobe Topic + White Girl Joke + R@pe Joke = Sh!ts And Giggles. That oughta get you golden.

  • Krishan Posted: Jul.12 at 6:44 am
    Here’s a formula for you to follow to get you through the day, if anton gets antsy and doesn’t show his face here again: Kobe Topic + Wh!te Girl Joke + R@pe Joke = Sh!ts And Giggles. That oughta get you golden.

  • Krishan Posted: Jul.12 at 6:45 am
    Here’s a formula for you to follow to get you through the day, if anton gets antsy and doesn’t show his face here again: Kobe Topic + Wh!te G!rl Joke + R@pe Joke = Sh!ts And Giggles. That oughta get you golden.

  • Krishan Posted: Jul.12 at 6:45 am
    Here’s a formula for you to follow to get you through the day, if anton gets antsy and doesn’t show his face here again: Kobe Topic + White Girl Joke + R8pe Joke = Sh!ts And Giggles. That oughta get you golden.

  • Krishan Posted: Jul.12 at 6:47 am
    And this is why I would love the option of deleting posts. Sigh.

  • Logan Posted: Jul.12 at 11:28 am
    Been on slamonline ever since ever and the quaity of the posts has really deteriorated. As Krishnan said, sniping about hoop talk and backing it up is always great. Everyone who is passionate about their fav team and player will defend it till the end. But some of the stuff being said here cannot even be classified as ‘juvenile humor’ or as a matter of fact, as ‘humor’. Period. Lots of guys, myself included, have stopped posting since the percentage of interesting, reply worty comments is so small that scrolling down to find em just aint fun…

  • Hollywud15 Posted: Jul.12 at 12:19 pm
    see this is why SLAM needs to stop with the “Finals Picks” issue. Everyone knew the Lakers were guna win the chip, i mean theyre head and sholders above evry team in talent and size. I dont see why Kobe needed a cover before the playoffs started though. Now u leave all your Laker hating fans (i’d say about half the overall fans)with 2 kobe covers in 3 issues. and 4 for the whole year!! common guys, some people don’t need that

  • NICK KALATHES Posted: Jul.12 at 12:52 pm
    2009 U-19 WORLD CHAMPIONS: U.S.A…!!:After playing team basketball for 40 minutes with suffocating defence and patience on offence the U.S. team won 88-80 in final game of the New Zealand tournament and marked the first time since 1991 that the U.S. manages to make it to the top. Tyshawn Taylor (18 points, 6 assists, 5 steals)Ashton Gibbs (13 points)and Klay Thompson (10 points, 3 blocks) were able to achieve what Marbury,Vince,Samaki and the other guys could not do against greeks in Athens 14 years ago…p.s.: only somebody who saw Starbury playing against the best players at his age at the 95′ world’s can really understand what kind a waste this guy has been….i still remember him moving past everybody opponent back then with a smoothness you rarely see at this age. I also remember how everybody in Greece was making fun of me when i was telling them that Vince Carter is something special(no internet back then but SLAM was doing a good job covering the highschool game and future stars at the last page of the mag like Vince,Ronnie and KG, Lucas Barnes,…) because Vince was a year younger than everybody else and had not much playing time while everybody said that the real talent of that team was Tremaine Fawlkes!!!! Today’s result took the U.S. basketball even closer to the top of the world rankings that now has Argentina with 890 points, U.S.A with 882.2, Spain 739 and Greece 540…Anyway ,congratulations to both teams that made it to the top.

  • Hersey Posted: Jul.12 at 12:56 pm
    Awesome

  • TADOne Posted: Jul.12 at 1:55 pm
    Sigh.

  • J Dizzle Posted: Jul.12 at 3:29 pm
    Anton has self-confidence issues. Grow up and talk about some basketball.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.12 at 3:43 pm
    Vote: What is the best 80′s movie ever made?

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.12 at 3:44 pm
    People probably aren’t going to answer this, but that’s okay!

  • Heals Posted: Jul.12 at 4:28 pm
    Now I know how all the Boston haters felt about last years many Green covers, that said all is fair and plus the Mamba covers go well together (vs Lebron, vs Himself, then alone on top of it all). As always great work…

  • Jukai Posted: Jul.12 at 6:10 pm
    Krishan: Don’t call me ‘homes’ bro, you don’t know me. I never compared Anton to Myles or Russ or Ryan, they’re absolutely different. Susan called out a LOT of people, more than Anton, and I thought it was absolutely unwarranted. She can close the damn comment section if she wants. However, when they still posted, that trio of writers would be downright AWFUL to some posters, downright hateful.
    Now they don’t post as much here and she’s calling people out? F that. Ban Anton, that ain’t up to me, whatever… but don’t call out Eboy and Brad, people who have been here a helluva long time, who have been the same dude since the “good ol’ commenting days” (whatever the hell that is), because they post the same way Myles, Ryan, and Russ do.

  • Jukai Posted: Jul.12 at 6:12 pm
    OR make it so you have to register to post comments so it’s easy to weed out the unintelligent. But don’t freaking throw some mom-level rant about ruining the site. That’s BS.

  • James the balla Posted: Jul.12 at 6:47 pm
    co-sign juk’s

  • Blaze Posted: Jul.12 at 7:09 pm
    geez bigi, on my prior post just before your pissed-offness I said Im not taking anything away from him. I was mistaken when I said Wiz made playoffs (they were close). And yes I strongly believe they would not have won if not for Gasol and/or Fisher. Chill.

  • Blaze Posted: Jul.12 at 7:10 pm
    Kobe to Thunder!!!!

  • Blaze Posted: Jul.12 at 7:24 pm
    Is it too soon to say if given proper minutes, Curry for rook of year?

  • rob Posted: Jul.12 at 10:08 pm
    Kobe’s head blocking Lebron’s name on the cover is a nice touch.

  • NBA China Posted: Jul.12 at 10:19 pm
    Nothing about Hedo in the issue..cmon…

  • blak20 Posted: Jul.12 at 10:50 pm
    kobe

  • The Seed Posted: Jul.12 at 10:57 pm
    Susan called out a LOT of people, more than Anton, and it was absolutely warranted. I first came to this website to state my views of basketball and what I believe in, but some folks write some insenitive stuff dealing with dumb stuff not about basketball. I know some people hate some players up here, but writing dumb stuff about wishing someone was dead is not right and JUKAI, you write about basketball and you are seriously taking up for a dude who writes this I Did It: How I Ballhogged, Whined, and R@ped My Way to Glory and closet punks write this stuff or dudes with some frustration towards their life. ITS SAD!!! SUSAN KICK THE POSERS OFF!!!

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.13 at 12:31 am
    LOL @ rob. Nice of you to notice that!

  • candyman Posted: Jul.13 at 12:39 am
    No thank you for the SLAM 132 mistake mr.ben? LOL

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.13 at 12:42 am
    @ Blaze: I don’t know… Its definitely possible. Curry needs lots of touches to make it happen though, which he will have, if he’s starting PG. He seems like a volume shooter/scorer, since even though he scored 29 last game (impressive), he shot 8-22. I think Tyreke Evans, Blake Griffin (of course), or Demar DeRozan all have as much of a shot, if not more than Curry. Stephen is definitely a keeper, though, he’s got miles of potential.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.13 at 12:47 am
    MY DARKHORSE TO WIN ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, though, is actually Rodrigue Beaubois. He’s shooting the lights out in summerleague right now, and he’s a huge standout. I think that, if he is given the right amount of minutes (which will be hard, playing behind Jason Kidd/Jason Terry), he has enough game to win Rookie of the Year.
    Other darkhorses include Chase Buddinger and Toney Douglas.
    I suppose I forgot to mention Brandon Jennings. If he’s given the reins of starting point guard, he’s got a shot at Rookie of the Year, maybe more so than most other prospects. He’s got a real shot at finishing top 3 in rookie standings.

  • Mr.2012 Posted: Jul.13 at 12:49 am
    Please don’t ban me. Go Lakers!!!

  • Blaze Posted: Jul.13 at 1:57 am
    Surprised to see Chase Buddinger fall so deep in the draft. Did that Syracuse dude make a team, um, Devendorf?

  • Bigi Posted: Jul.13 at 2:25 am
    @Blaze: I’m not pissed…And you forgot about LO,Farmar,Luke,Bunym,Shasha,S.Brown,DJ,Morrison…It’s a team right?He is one man.

  • Negetivekreep Posted: Jul.13 at 2:40 am
    Nice to see someone step up and call it like it is. Guys like Anton, Jukai & Eboy
    come on a KOBE related page (just to hate) Jukai you sound like a lil kid talking back to his momma threatening not to eat his veggies! Lmao, If i can’t act like a little boy im not buying ish 131!!! Sucker. “Turk 182″ was on his big brothers badge, who died & was a firefighter i think.

  • goldblood24 Posted: Jul.13 at 4:35 am
    Why all the kobe hating? Lets all take a deep inhale and exhale and relax. You guys act like the man cheated or something. He’s not on steroids, he doesn’t have some kind of chip in the ball the ball that make its go in the hoop. Kobe won fair and square, Hard Work people Hard Work.

  • Jukai Posted: Jul.13 at 9:16 am
    Great psychoanalyzation, ‘negativekreep,’ I hope those psych 101 classes pay off so you stop working at a gas station.
    The Seed: Look, I love Anton and I think he’s got a great sense of humor. His jokes have gone a bit over the top recently. I got no problem with it, but if someone does, he’s got an e-mail address, you e-mail him and deal with it privately, and if he doesn’t scale things back, you ban him: that’s how things are done ‘professionally.’ Susan should know better.
    My MAIN beef isn’t with the Anton stuff– it’s with B Long and Eboy being called out for doing what I’ve seen WRITERS for the website do countless, countless number of times. Once again, if you got a problem with what they’re doing, you e-mail them, and ask them to scale things back. If there are problems with contacting people, put in a registration system. End of story.

  • Eboy Posted: Jul.13 at 9:32 am
    Jukai………I appreciate your words. I think we all know that a lot of the regulars have made derisive comments towards each other and towards particular players, so there’s a ton of “guilty” parties. I think part of the draw of the SLAM boards has always been the fact that there are really intelligent basketball minded people that speak FREELY here and there are many topics that have been brought up, by the mag staff itself, which lent itself to comments that wouldn’t seem to be viewed as “above board” because of the presented subject matter. Unless racism, rape, illegal drug use and sexual harrassment are viewed as “light” subject matter that is expected to be treated with respect by each person allowed to chose a screename. BTW, THOSE topics are the ones that most of the “regulars”, who seem to have the worst reputations for their commenting, have the most respect in. Know your subjects before you cast a pointed finger at someone. Just saying.

  • Eboy Posted: Jul.13 at 9:33 am
    Jukai………I appreciate your words. I think we all know that a lot of the regulars have made derisive comments towards each other and towards particular players, so there’s a ton of “guilty” parties. I think part of the draw of the SLAM boards has always been the fact that there are really intelligent basketball minded people that speak FREELY here and there are many topics that have been brought up, by the mag staff itself, which lent itself to comments that wouldn’t seem to be viewed as “above board” because of the presented subject matter. Unless racism, r*pe, illegal drug use and sexual harrassment are viewed as “light” subject matter that is expected to be treated with respect by each person allowed to chose a screename. BTW, THOSE topics are the ones that most of the “regulars”, who seem to have the worst reputations for their commenting, have the most respect in. Know your subjects before you cast a pointed finger at someone. Just saying.

  • hillbilly Posted: Jul.13 at 9:54 am
    Re: Kobe’s extreme facial expression…
    “You evah been on a real shrimpin’ boat, Forrest?”

  • James the balla Posted: Jul.13 at 10:15 am
    I know i have towards, Eboy, Teddy, And Juk’s. I like Juke’s now though lol. He knows his sh1T!!! People need bigger shoulders.

  • NICK KALATHES Posted: Jul.13 at 10:53 am
    @Jukai & James the balla….:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Runh0g2orPE (though i prefer you don’t,…each more funny that way!!)

  • Ben Osborne Posted: Jul.13 at 11:05 am
    Candyman: thanks for the 132 correction.

  • Zee! Posted: Jul.13 at 12:42 pm
    Deflecting the blame never helps people. You know who you are. The “fire starters”. Always quick to hate.

  • Zee! Posted: Jul.13 at 12:43 pm
    And Lakers: NBA Champs in 2 of the next 3 years? I believe so.

  • niQ Posted: Jul.13 at 1:16 pm
    So.. I live in Toronto, how long til I get this copy mailed to me? I’m really anticipating the Skip article. And I hope it’s not just a one of those compare to celeb inserts.

  • Allenp Posted: Jul.13 at 1:38 pm
    And the band plays on…

  • Bryan Posted: Jul.13 at 1:43 pm
    I get cursed out a lot on here by staff and commenters alike. I don’t mind that but the one thing I do mind is being talked down to which tends to happen here occasionally. Its one thing to not like what’s being said and saying “hold up that kind of talk is not cool” like I’ve seen lang do but its a whole different story to have anyone come around and just wag a finger and sternly tell people what’s acceptable behavior. I agree with jukai , if you don’t like what’s being said on a consistent basis get rid of the offenders , but don’t put off on a whole set of loyal readers and commenters who traffic the site because they get sucked into a childish exchange with some assh*le . It happens , sometimes you get caught up and I think what jukai is trying to say is that no one even the staff here is above reproach on this subject.

  • Allenp Posted: Jul.13 at 2:02 pm
    I’m above reproach.

  • Allenp Posted: Jul.13 at 2:03 pm
    Reproach is beneath me…

  • Jackie Moon Posted: Jul.13 at 2:05 pm
    Civil discourse.

  • Izzo Posted: Jul.13 at 2:12 pm
    It’s only the internet.

  • Myles Brown Posted: Jul.13 at 2:18 pm
    ……

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.13 at 2:44 pm
    One more thing and hopefully this kills all the bullsh!t and we can get back to talking about how great this cover is. Susan Price is awesome. Seriously, from what I understand there wouldn’t be a SLAM without her and she has gone out of her way to hook me up personally in the past with something I’ll treasure the rest of my life. I’m not saying that some of you guys don’t have valid points, I’m just saying that Susan is good people. Also, I hope I didn’t sound like some basketball snob elitist in my earlier comments, I love all the old heads and the new ones alike. From NegetiveCreep to Teddy-the-bear and even NICK KALATHES(who takes time out of his busy schedule of being a T-Wolf draftee and professial player with a contract in Greece to post with us) everybody brings their own opinions and flavor to the site and that, with the great material the guys at SLAM provide, makes this place the best BBall site on the planet. P.S. The only thing that could make this cover better is if Lang did another NOT cover and imposed a grill in Kobes mouth. The title could read “RON ARTEST HOODILIZES KOBE!”.

  • Mykaveli21 Posted: Jul.13 at 3:00 pm
    Kobe The White Girl Slayer! I hate this fool…

  • Myles Brown Posted: Jul.13 at 3:05 pm
    I disagree.

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.13 at 3:11 pm
    Where did I mess up, Myles?

  • Myles Brown Posted: Jul.13 at 3:18 pm
    Not you.

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.13 at 3:22 pm
    Gotcha.

  • Jordan.Bolton Posted: Jul.13 at 5:09 pm
    Actually i love him unstoppable i hate kobe haters

  • Test blog » Sure Shot Posted: Jul.13 at 5:58 pm
    [...] was a big month for Mickael Pietrus. The battles with Bron and Kobe, the foul on Pau, the In Your Face love. And now this. What is dude’s problem with getting taped? And why doesn’t the guy doing [...]

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.13 at 7:49 pm
    Good post, Brad L.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.13 at 7:52 pm
    Wait, NICK KALATHES is the REAL “Nick Kalathes”? No way.

  • James the balla Posted: Jul.13 at 9:11 pm
    I was thinking the same thing Teddy!!!

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.13 at 9:33 pm
    Right Bryan, because you totally don’t talk down to people here (although I’m pretty impartial to it).

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.13 at 9:41 pm
    I posted this in that Aaron Afflalo thing, but I thought it’d be good to discuss here. Although people probably won’t =\.
    Two best defenders in the NBA: Shane Battier and Ron Artest. Am I the only one who thinks its total BS that LeBron and Kobe BOTH made all-defensive 1st team, while those guys got 2nd team? Its definitely starting to seem like the All NBA Defensive Team has started catering to the big names… I mean at least have ONE of those guys, either Shane or Artest make 1st Defensive. I don’t care how great LeBron James is at the game of basketball, he will never be a better defender than Ron Artest and Shane Battier. Kobe is close, but no cigar, either. Also, when will Shane Battier get a defensive player of the year award?

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.13 at 9:41 pm
    Sorry, I meant 2 best defenders at the non-center position.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.13 at 9:59 pm
    Oh yeah, to continue my rant on something else:
    Flynn is a bonafide pure point guard, and Wayne Ellington is a bonafide shooter. The Timberwolves blew it on drafting Rubio, but Johnny Flynn and Wayne Ellington has the POTENTIAL to be MUCH better than the Foye/Mike Miller backcourt. You heard it here first.

  • NICK KALATHES Posted: Jul.14 at 3:05 am
    @Teddy & James….:what are the chances that the real Nick Kalathes was watching live the 1995 U19 World championship games….?(check my 12:52pm comment)

  • Shaahin Posted: Jul.14 at 3:50 am
    kObe rulez

  • Shaahin Posted: Jul.14 at 3:52 am
    n sumbOdy lemme KNo! hOw can i buy it frOm iran!!!???!!

  • Darksaber Posted: Jul.14 at 6:52 am
    Yeah, you tell em, Antonis.

  • Hisham Posted: Jul.14 at 7:09 am
    haha NICK KALATHES is just the weird greek guy that posts under different greek players’ names like Schortsianitis and calls people cartoons

  • Hisham Posted: Jul.14 at 7:14 am
    Dark beat me to it. Wow this was a very intense comments section. I would just like to comment on Lang’s “BTW, for everyone who says we hate Kobe, please note this is Kobe’s third cover in our last six issues. Haters”. Although I have no beef with the fact that Kobe is on THIS cover because of the SLAM Finals tradition, I do think you guys should diversify a little more. I could be wrong, but isn’t it true that out of the last 15 issues, either Lebron or Kobe is on 8 of those? That’s a bit much, isn’t it?

  • Hisham Posted: Jul.14 at 7:20 am
    BTW, I know that had nothing to do with the point that you were making. I just get kind of annoyed seeing the face of the same two guys every other issue.

  • Hisham Posted: Jul.14 at 7:23 am
    Why did Anton disappear, by the way?

  • Anton Posted: Jul.14 at 7:57 am
    I was in rehab, exorcising my inner demons and various issues.
    But fear not, young Hisham, for I am never too far. All one has to do is mention the name of a certain snake and I appear faster than Shelden Williams on his honeymoon.

  • Hisham Posted: Jul.14 at 8:20 am
    mamba

  • Bruno, RJ Posted: Jul.14 at 8:23 am
    kobe i really like, a lot. guy is simply the best ball player since the great one, but the cover?
    the cover is just awful taste…
    Kobe has just delivered what he missed last season with a huge playoff campaign, specially that game 1 of the finals (mj-like) and you choose such a bad shot for the cover?
    i think thats just another way to hate the guy, but undercover… bad choice.

  • Darksaber Posted: Jul.14 at 9:15 am
    hey Anton! Mambiatch!…

  • Anton Posted: Jul.14 at 9:40 am
    So why’d he change his number to 24? To let us know how many hours a day he indulges in f@ggotry? *drum roll*
    And what’s the deal with airline food?

  • Anton Posted: Jul.14 at 9:40 am
    So why’d he change his number to 24? To let us know how many hours a day he indulges in f@&&otry? *drum roll*
    And what’s the deal with airline food?

  • Jukai Posted: Jul.14 at 9:41 am
    Brad: glad your friends with Susan, dude, hope you can talk with her about the right way to deal with this situation.

  • Jukai Posted: Jul.14 at 9:42 am
    Well, it was nice knowing you Anton!

  • Anton Posted: Jul.14 at 9:52 am
    I can’t hear you over the sound of how awesome I am.

  • bill breedley Posted: Jul.14 at 10:03 am
    now thats the face of a man who won’t get dunked on by a kid in his own summer camp!

  • Izzo Posted: Jul.14 at 10:03 am
    Anton should end every ‘joke’ with “but that’s my life” and a throat clear.

  • Lee Posted: Jul.14 at 10:10 am
    Yeah !!!!!

  • Brad Long Posted: Jul.14 at 1:52 pm
    lol@Izzo….or crickets chirping

  • Kev Posted: Jul.14 at 2:48 pm
    Kobe: Simply the best. 4 rings and counting!!!
    Lebron: 0, bad sportsmanship and hides tape!!!

  • jumpman3224 Posted: Jul.14 at 3:09 pm
    This cover is amazing! This will be the enduring image from this finals. A legend, so consumed with winning a fourth championship that he gave up on using a normal, calm or friendly demeanor. People have always said he had a killer instinct. This cover shows that.

  • ripriprip Posted: Jul.14 at 5:35 pm
    Ah, yes. Another Kobe cover. How original.

  • Deeeetroit Basketball Posted: Jul.14 at 9:05 pm
    Did anybody get their copy in the mail yet on the west side?

  • str8_thinker Posted: Jul.15 at 1:37 pm
    # 131 is another AWESOME Cover!!! When expecting to receive the SLAM MAG via postal service is the only time I enjoy going to mail box!

  • str8_thinker Posted: Jul.15 at 1:46 pm
    # 131 , that’s the look when the Black Mamba is in full effect/ ready to strike!!

  • Zak Posted: Jul.15 at 4:03 pm
    Why does everyone say kobe can’t do it without …
    He did it without SHAQ.
    He can do it with Fisher. So stop. Hes the man.
    RESPECT! Zak

  • Zak Posted: Jul.15 at 4:04 pm
    Without fisher.** Soz

  • haha Posted: Jul.16 at 5:25 pm
    i didnt get SLAM 131 yet from the mail. im from the west coast.

  • Bad Newz Baller Posted: Jul.17 at 12:51 am
    not to fond of the dome shots this issue

  • Quail Posted: Jul.17 at 8:52 pm
    He can do it without fisher, but he still needs a good defensive point guard. like Kirk Hinrich.

  • jordan little Posted: Jul.18 at 4:21 am
    why chris anderson his all talk?

  • Big Kobe Fan Posted: Jul.18 at 5:34 pm
    FISHERS WAY BETTER THAN kirk hinrich ANYWAY HES GOING TO BE SHIPPED TO PORTLAND

  • Ben Osborne Posted: Jul.20 at 3:08 pm
    Damn, Bad Newz Baller, I thought it was one of best Dome Shots ever.

  • P.O.P.E. Posted: Jul.20 at 5:31 pm
    SHOUT TO MY HOME GIRL PINK EYE ON PAGE 81!

  • Marleyy Posted: Jul.22 at 10:51 am
    This cover truly captures Kobe’s “I want it way more than you” attitude.

  • Matul The Wolf Posted: Jul.24 at 5:25 am
    damn…Eye of the Tiger, Face of the Ferret. btw,not hating, I’m a Lakers and Kobe fan. it’s just that this expression of his throughout the ’09 playoffs is just funny:)

  • megan Posted: Aug.7 at 8:17 pm
    ommmmmmmg <3

  • sam412 Posted: Aug.19 at 4:21 am
    maaaan enough kobe covers!!
    ill give you this- the lakers deserve a championship cover,
    but seriously
    hes been on the cover, or shared the cover on 3 of the last 7 issues!
    this is getting old
    share the regular season love because everyone seems to think hes going to be reaping the glory in the offseason cheers

  • amrit Posted: Aug.26 at 7:28 pm
    wat a crying lil bit*h… horrible player

  • john Posted: Aug.30 at 9:44 pm
    just got it today

  • SLAM ONLINE | » Chiney Ogwumike shines Posted: Mar.26 at 4:44 pm
    [...] What’s in a Name? Originally published in SLAM 131 [...]

  • Thomas Maiden Posted: Jul.5 at 8:10 am
    YEAH!!!

  • Thomas Maiden Posted: Jul.5 at 8:16 am
    I WANT TO PURCHASE SLAM 131

  • Thomas Maiden Posted: Jul.5 at 8:16 am
    I WANT TO PURCHASE SLAM 131

  • Thomas Maiden Posted: Jul.5 at 8:17 am
    OH AND HE’S THE COVER

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