Monday, January 19th, 2009 at 11:00 am  |  170 responses

Kobe vs. Lebron (Plus: Lakers vs. Cavs, I Guess)

by Marcel Mutoni

If you’ve been paying attention to the NBA and its opinion-makers this season, and I know you have, then you’re probably aware of the fact that LeBron James is the leading candidate to win the MVP award. Just about everyone has come to grips with this. Including, perhaps, his opponent tonight.

If the award was handed out at the All-Star break, Kobe Bryant knows who should get it. From the LA Times:

Bryant seemed mildly uncomfortable when asked for his MVP choice near the season’s halfway point.

“LeBron,” he said. “Leave me alone about that stuff.“

Tonight, of course, the Cavs visit the Lakers, in one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of the year. It’s the battle of the League’s two best teams, but even more importantly, its two biggest stars. In other words, David Stern can’t stop smiling.

And you should be smiling, too. This is the kind of game that makes the NBA the world’s greatest League. Enjoy the show.

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  • http://www.kicksonfire.com Anton

    Bron and Mo have to go for an epic Batman & Robin tag team for a chance tonight. Can’t wait.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Ryan Jones

    Yes. Just Kobe and Bron, a date at the pool, just the two of them, ’cause they’re homies like that.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    Tell you what Sports Guy, if the messiah pulls out a win with a triple double, Ill get on a plane next month and go take notes on the rematch at the Q myself. If the Lakers win, it still wont make me feel any better about last June. Now stop trying to rob me of my peace on MLK day you white devil.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JulsMW0rQTk nbk

    Myles would say “I told you, June b*tches, (says prayer lakers make it to june)”

  • http://www.kicksonfire.com Anton

    If LeJesus and the Cavs are up by double digits with under 30 seconds left he should just grab the ball and start running with it for the lulz. Then claim it wasn’t a travel.

  • http://www.kicksonfire.com Anton

    Or crab dribble back and forth over halfcourt and laugh his ass off.

  • http://www.kicksonfire.com Anton

    Also, I don’t think Kobe has any friends, homies, or a crew for that matter. Don’t get me started though, you won’t like me if I get started

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JulsMW0rQTk nbk

    reminds me of ben stiller in mystery men^^

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    According to Myles and Khalid, the NBA season should start in June with pre-season in Late April and May. Oh, that’s not what you guys meant? I know it’s cool and all to downplay everything but why the eff is there even a website for if nothing that happens during the first 82 games matter?

  • jay

    well this matchup has a feel of a one of those magic and mj games! just the way it is! right now LBJ has the edge in the mvp race but kobe the last couple of weeks has been off the charts! after the friday loss..kobe will not stay as such but it will be a statment game. if kobe goes for a triple double or goes on one of his shooting displays..it is going to be that kind of night..shout be a great game and a great match up!

  • http://www.where-basketball-b-longs.blogspot.com/ B. Long

    Crab Patties for everyone!

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    I think Kobe is a little ticked off with all the James hoopla. I remember an interview with Magic a couple of weeks ago when Magic asked him point blank when would be the time to pass the torch to LeBron and he said ‘when I retire!’ He will never admit this now but the whole MVP and potentially best player in the L doesnt sit too well with him. I’m expecting a statement from him tonight.

  • Pingback: SLAM ONLINE | » Video: LeBron James — Flight 23

  • http://www.kicksonfire.com Anton

    I’m expecting the big balls dance after every bucket.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JulsMW0rQTk nbk

    He said he wants one more ring, he said ideally it would be when he retired but he wants LeBron to let him get one more ring (i don’t think he literally meant let him…duh) . IMO it sounded like Kobe knows he is not the best and is uncomfortable with the notion because that is all he has cared about his whole career. A championship without Shaq will give kobe a place on basketballs mt. rushmore (IMO)

  • http://www.kicksonfire.com Anton

    that’s the whole reason he changed his number, to have a post-Shaq legacy. hasn’t been working out so well

  • http://www.where-basketball-b-longs.blogspot.com/ B. Long

    Yeah, that unexpected Finals appearance, MVP trophy, and gold medal are just destroying his legacy. It’s all the number 24′s fault.

  • http://www.kicksonfire.com Anton

    Stop, think about that, it ain’t about that
    It’s about B I G aka Big Shaq
    And that’s the difference between first and last place

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBQEmmgDl9I Boing Dynasty

    Myles has been hanging out with Eddy”just touch it dave”Curry?

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    Kobe definitely wants a ring without Shaq, regardless of what he says. The only problem is that he won’t get one. Bynum has regressed and the lakers still don’t defend well enough. The Gold Medal has nothing to do with Kobe’s legacy and the MVP he got last season was more of a “Lifetime Achievement” award than anything else.

  • http://fdjslf.com Jukai

    Because B Long likes to constantly remind me how he was right about Derrick Rose, I’d like to remind B Long that so far, I am 100% right about Bynum (did not come back 100% from injury, is not playing well with Gasol). Someone owes me a bud.

  • Justin

    LOL at Anton. Kobe after Shaq has been just fine. Most 95% of NBA players wish they could have a career as good as the one he’s had in the past 5 years.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JulsMW0rQTk nbk

    regardless of how great Kobe’s career has been there will be a bitter taste in his and all his fans mouths if he never has real success post-shaq (real success when you play in LA involed a trophy, ring ceremony, and champagne, not just an award for being great.)

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JulsMW0rQTk nbk

    involves*

  • http://www.where-basketball-b-longs.blogspot.com/ B. Long

    @Jukai:Actually, Bynum has been playing fine with Gasol. If you go back and look at comments in Sept. I said that if Bynum could come back and avg. 13 and 8 the Lakers would be a lot better. Looking at their record and Bynum’s avgs. of 12.6 and 7.7 I’d say I was pretty damn close to being exactly right. Bynum’s biggest problem is that he hasn’t gained Phil’s trust yet in the clutch, therefore he doesn’t garner many touches in the 4th quarter. If Shaq hadn’t been reborn this year Bynum would be backing up Yao at the 5 in the ASG.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JulsMW0rQTk nbk

    I agree all the way to the end of what you said until the all star thing B……If Andrew Bynum made the all star team over Biedrins, Jefferson, and even Nene then I would have a nervous breakdown. Don’t give Bynum too much credit B even though he has been better then expected IMO

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    Bynum’s rebounds are slipping and he seems to disappear sometimes out there, but the biggest issue is that he’s not blocking, or even chaging, many shots. Pau is also avergaing a career low blocked shots. I was so high on bynum last season, and thought that he had all the tools to be one of the top big men in the league. But I’m afraid the moster contract he signed hasn’t done much for him in terms of motivation. This team is still going to need Kobe to carry them wherever they go.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JulsMW0rQTk nbk

    duh

  • http://www.kicksonfire.com Anton

    loser had 3 rebounds against the Magic. Ariza also had three, and is 3 feet shorter and played half his minutes.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82VY4gZgmsc jaymes

    Like B.Long said, if you don’t get touches in the 4th..Gasol is the focal point up front ’cause he gets a stack of touches in the 4th, he has a knack for making the right play in the clutch. Bynum’s game hasn’t changed a lick, it’s just that there’s another big out there with him who is more experienced.

  • ENDS

    Why do the Cavs Get 2 Throwback Jerseys in One season They have those god awful FSU Color Ones, then They Have what seems to be the Road version of that same Uniform. They Can now pick and CHoose 5 Jerseys different Jerseys while my Magic are in their Aniversary Season and have absoloutly no Throwbacks. Plus everyone has to dress Acording to what LeBron wants. David Stern has lost his Mind

  • http://www.hibachi20.blogspot.com BETCATS

    THis is off topic but i will say it anyway: OKAFOR DUNKED ON TIM DUNCAN!

  • ENDS

    Well Played sir

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82VY4gZgmsc jaymes

    Which Magic jersey would you like Ends? The ugly ass pin striped number?

  • ENDS

    N**** you better watch yo’ Mouth! Those things were so classic the bulls tried to copy them

  • ENDS

    Greatest Jersey EVER! OH YEAH, I SAID IT!

  • ENDS

    See ya’ll poke the Bear then want me to stay on topic. I want my questions answerd, and that real

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82VY4gZgmsc jaymes

    The Bulls made em look good though…The light blue pin striped was cool but that’s pretty much the colour they have now…

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    BET: but the Spurs still won the game…

  • ENDS

    The Originals were the Black. Even Jordan Noticed and said he wanted nothing to do with them. If you noticed 97 They had no Pin-stripes. No One rocked them better (except maybe New York Yanks, but I digress)

  • http://www.hibachi20.blogspot.com BETCATS

    Cio: No sh!t

  • ENDS

    yeah Cio dont rub it in

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82VY4gZgmsc jaymes

    Bynum probably needs a Gasol injury for anyone to give his game some recognition..The Lakes would be shot but at least Bynum would get some love..

  • http://www.kicksonfire.com Anton

    Hornets win!

  • The Promise

    Cavs by 5. LeBron scores 30 plus.

  • http://www.irememberwaybackwhen.wordpress.com Eric Woodyard

    Kobe will dominate! He’s lost 2 straight games and he is a little hot so I think he will look to make a statement tonight!

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com Eboy

    I’m so glad I wasn’t around today. Can’t wait till June when the Lakers are nowhere in sight and the sheep are looking to be slaughtered like a pack of veal.

  • http://twentythreenine.blogspot.com Russ Bengtson

    If Z ain’t playin’, R don’t care. Much.

  • Keith

    Lebron is overrated.

  • http://www.triplejunearth.com/dacre Dacre

    I wonder if Drew Gooden will be sporting a ‘throw-back goatee’?…

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