NCAA Tournament

Tim Floyd did an amazing job with the USC men’s basketball team this season. The players and coaches have nothing to be ashamed of. Southern Cal’s team was not expected to go this far, and they nearly upset the number one seeded North Carolina. SC has a young team that could be stacked next season if the junior starters stick around for their final year. Not to mention freshman Taj Gibson will be even better next season. I expect USC to be a very competitive team next season.
UCLA, southern California’s remaining team will be playing a tough match up tonight against a tough Kansas team. I would like to see the UCLA upset but they will have their hands full this evening. If they are going to win we will need to see great games from their stars Afflalo, Shipp, and Collison. Mistakes will kill UCLA with their average 12 turnovers a game. Rebounding and free throws will be keys to their victory tonight.

In the Midst of Greatness

Kobe Bryant is performing at a higher level than any player I have ever seen. I’ve seen Jordan, Magic, Bird, Wilkins, Malone, Iverson, and many others since I can remember watching basketball. None of which have been as impressive as Kobe Bryant is right now. What is even more amazing about Bryant is that this is expected. Kobe has been playing at such a high level for the majority of his career, that these last three nights have not even shocked me. I watch his games, marvel at his abilities and turn off the TV as if it was a re-run. Simply put, I have seen it before, and I know I will see it again. We are so lucky to live in Los Angeles and have the privilege to watch KB play night in and night out.
Don’t get me wrong, it is such a thrill to watch Bryant take over the game and dominate every aspect of the other team offensively and defensively. It is great watching him take three point shots from the parking lot. When he is on fire, there is nothing more exciting in the world to watch. He is the ultimate entertainer and the best basketball player alive. It is just something that I have come to expect. Kobe’s greatness is something I expect, because he is so amazing! Take a look at the chart from ESPN.com (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=270322029 )…Kobe’s name among some elite company in the history books. I expected this!

Carpe Diem

The Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant has finally seized the day. Bryant is utilizing his favorite phrase Carpe Diem just in time for the Lake show to make the final push into the playoffs. Since the All-Star break the Lakers have been playing terrible basketball. Lakers are 15-21 since the New Year (http://www.nba.com/lakers/stats/team_splits.html). Twice the team has hit slumps of six or more.
Injuries and poor play are the two reasons for garbage play. Brown, Odom, and Walton are all very important players in the starting line up that have been injured. Finally these players are all back and ready to make a run at the playoffs. Poor play from Smush Parker is the other reason for the losing streaks. Take a look at Smush’s numbers for March, http://www.nba.com/playerfile/smush_parker/game_by_game_stats.html.
I am happy to see that Kobe Bryant is taking over the game. Bryant played exceptionally well the last two games making Laker history as the second player ever with 50 or more in consecutive games. Kobe lit up Portland for 65 and Minnesota for 50 points. Bryant now leads the league in scoring at 30.0 points per game (NBA.com). Bryant also has the best selling Jersey in the US and in China. Kobe is the most popular player in the world!

Ducks playing tough – finishing season strong

The Anaheim Ducks are tied for second in the league in points after Sunday’s win against the Vancouver Canucks. Anaheim is finishing the season strong with the help of Teemu Selanne’s 2 goals. Selanne scored his 40th and 41st goals of the season Sunday to help the Ducks get their 42nd win of the season (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=270311025). Anaheim goalie, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, finished with 24 saves. The Ducks won five straight and have the next three games at home against Columbus, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Kobe’s Suspension

Kobe Bryant has been hit twice this season already for suspensions coming after he shoots and “accentuates the foul.” Manu Ginobili and Marco Jaric the two players on the receiving end of an elbow to the nose. The question in everyone’s mind is whether or not Bryant’s intent was to cause harm to the opposing player. As much as I love Kobe, sometimes I wonder.
Bryant is the most competitive player in the league. When Bryant is taking important shots in the closing seconds of games, he does not want anyone contesting his shot. When it is contested well and Bryant cannot get a good look, he flails his arm. Ginobili and Jaric played good D against Kobe. Bryant knew he was contested well and was not going to get a good look at the basket. The result is that Bryant ends up throwing up a low percentage shot. In order to try to get to the foul line he flails his arms hoping to draw contact. I think Kobe Brant flails his arms out of frustration in hopes he gets a lucky call. I do not think he is seriously trying to injure a player, but he is definitely trying to make hard contact.
In order to avoid these situations, the Lakers coaching staff needs to draw up better plays in the closing seconds of games. Phil Jackson need to write up plays that free Kobe up for a more open look with options to pass if necessary.

Odom Out: Adjustments needed to hang on in the West

Odom leads the Lakers in rebounding, second in scoring and assists (http://www.nba.com/lakers/stats/). It will be a difficult challenge for the Los Angeles Lakers squad to overcome Odom’s injury. Several players will need to step up.
First and most importantly, Kwame Brown will need to play above his skill level. Brown is now back from injury and can easily replace Odom’s rebounding numbers. The question in mind is whether or not Kwame can score and move the ball. Secondly, Brian Cook can shoot the ball well, but if he could rebound more and play better defense, he could be a great starter on the Lakers team. Third, Smush Parker will be challenged to score more and limit his turnovers. The fourth and deciding player that can help the Lakers overcome Odom’s injury is Luke Walton. Walton knows the triangle second to Bryant and he will be the most important player in replacement of Odom as soon as he is healthy again.
The key for the Lakers is to be able to overcome their many injuries this season. It will be tough, but if number 24 wants to be considered for MVP, he’s going to have to take over and dominate. Carpe Diem (http://www.kb24.com/).