Saturday Slam: How will the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers be remembered?

 

                                             (Credit: LakersDaily.com) 

One year after starting their journey for a title in October of 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers finished the job in October of 2020, defeating the Miami Heat in six games. This is the Lakers' 17th title in franchise history. LeBron James won his 4th NBA championship and 4th NBA Finals MVP while Anthony Davis won his first NBA championship. It was a strange season given the time off due to COVID-19 and the return to the bubble in Orlando, but as they always say, a win is a win and the Lakers found a way to get it done despite all the adversity. 

There will be some who will put a bit of an asterisk next to this championship, but I find that to be unfair. Especially since the Lakers came in as the top seed in the conference. The way this season was set up being in a bubble and played on a neutral court favored lower seeded teams and put higher seeded teams who earned home court advantage at a bit of a disadvantage. To win this title despite losing out on home court advantage is just another feather this Lakers team can put in their cap. 

More broadly speaking, this Lakers team will be remembered as the team that brought a title back to Los Angeles after a decade. The Lakers went through some dark times after their 16th championship in 2010. Giving Kobe Bryant an excessive contract, a lack of real identity or future, and tragically, the death of Bryant and his daughter earlier this year. To the credit of James, he came to Los Angeles firmly believing he could win a title and believed that Anthony Davis, a guy who has had injury issues over the years, could be his sidekick. 

In addition to James and Davis, this Lakers team truly embodied what it means to be a team. Head coach Frank Vogel did a really nice job of bringing everyone together and getting everyone to buy in. Rajon Rondo, Kyle Kuzma, Danny Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Dwight Howard, and others played their roles and made sound contributions. Unlike other teams that won due to superior star play, the Lakers won by their depth and unselfishness. This was the most likable Lakers team I've seen win a title for this very reason. 

Ultimately, there's a lot to like about this year's Lakers team. LeBron James showed why he's an all-time great, Anthony Davis proved he could deliver in the NBA Finals, and everyone came together to get the job done. It'll be interesting to see if this team can defend their title and bring an 18th banner to the Staples Center. 

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Mamba Monday: An emotional memorial service at Staples Center honoring Kobe Bryant

                                          (Credit: Kevork Dejansezian/Getty Images) 

On Monday, there was an emotional memorial service honoring the life of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. The service was a reminder of how amazingly driven Bryant was and the passion he had for basketball and life. I want to keep my words on here brief since I feel the words spoken by Michael Jordan and Sabrina Ionescu do a better job of expressing just how much Bryant meant to the game of basketball. Below are both of their speeches. I encourage you to watch them and be inspired by the messages that were said.







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Mock Draft Monday: Kobe Bryant helped pave the way for high schoolers choosing to go pro

                                          (Credit: Eileen Blass-USA TODAY Sports) 


Last week I wasn't much in the mood to blog about the NBA after the death of Kobe Bryant. I just needed some time to regroup a bit and think about how I wanted to remember Bryant on NBALord.com. I was planning on doing my Saturday Slam piece to remember his whole career, but I needed a bit more time to think about what my next blog post would be. Considering that I have my different themes on here, I figured I would use those themes to address Bryant's career through several different lenses. Up first is through the lens of his high school career and more specifically, what impact he had on high schoolers thinking of going straight to the pros.

Leading up to the 1996 NBA Draft, Bryant wasn't sure what he was going to do. He was genuinely torn about whether to go to college or go straight to the NBA. Both had their pros and cons. In the interview I've attached below, Bryant talks about weighing those options and not yet being sure what decision he would make. The pros of going to college was to get a year or two to grow as a basketball player without the pressures of being a professional while also getting to enjoy the college life. On the other side of the coin, going to the NBA meant the chance to get paid right away, something that also appealed to Bryant. Even though it meant more responsibility.



A year earlier, in the 1995 NBA Draft, Minnesota Timberwolves legend Kevin Garnett went 5th overall out of high school as well, becoming the first player in two decades (Darryl Dawkins and Bill Willoughby) to go straight from high school to the NBA. One major difference between Garnett and Bryant was the fact that Garnett had horrible grades and test scores, making division one college basketball a non-option for him. The only colleges Garnett could attend were junior colleges, sort of forcing his hand into going pro. Bryant on the other hand was a good student in high school and took his education seriously. College was an option for him and he knew that if he went straight to the NBA, some may second guess his commitment to getting a quality education.

In the end, Bryant chose to go to the NBA. When the Lower Merion High School Class of 1996 listed what colleges they were attending (in the school yearbook or newspaper), Bryant wrote "NBA-nuff said!" Bryant's decision resulted in him getting drafted 13th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers via the Charlotte Hornets. By choosing to go straight to the NBA when college was an option for him, Bryant helped legitimize that path for the likes of LeBron James and others who felt they were ready out of high school.

Flash forward 25 years later, the NBA is likely to once again allow high schoolers the option to come straight out instead of having to spend a year in college or overseas. When the NBA does formally make the switch back, it will be a nod to Bryant and all that he accomplished. Bryant proved that if you are ready to go pro, you should do so. He also showed that such a decision requires a lot of thought and shouldn't be taken lightly.

When looking back on the 1996 NBA Draft, what is a bit crazy is to see Bryant selected 13th overall. In hindsight Bryant would have gone #1 overall to his hometown Philadelphia 76ers instead of Allen Iverson. At that time, coming out of high school was so rare that a lot of teams were afraid to gamble on him. Especially since he was a guard. To the Lakers' credit, specifically Jerry West, they recognized Bryant had a lot of talent and was capable of being their next franchise player. Their decision to take Bryant changed the course of basketball history forever. Bryant went on to become a five time NBA champion and arguably the greatest Laker of all-time.

If you're going to look back on Kobe Bryant's career, it's impossible to not reflect on his high school career and how amazing it was that he took that leap into the NBA without playing in college. Such a bold and brave decision is truly fitting for one who would give birth to "Mamba Mentality."

Note: If you are reading this article via e-mail, click here to check out the interview I posted above. 

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Mamba Monday: Reacting to the death of Kobe Bryant

                                          (Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images) 

Monday on NBALord.com is typically dubbed "Mock Draft Monday," taking a look at the NBA's up and coming talents and prospects. Today I thought I would dub my Monday article "Mamba Monday" to honor the life and legacy of Kobe Bryant, who tragically passed in a helicopter crash yesterday along with his daughter Gianna. I should also add that this helicopter crash killed nine people in total, so by no means do I want to make it sound like Kobe or Gianna's life had any more meaning or value. Every life is precious and holds the same value. I believe that as a believer in God and follower of Jesus Christ. As such, I want to say that times like this make me grateful for the faith and knowledge that all of us will be resurrected and will one day see our loved ones again.

Still, that doesn't soften the initial pain of losing people close to us or people who we admire. Kobe Bryant influenced millions of people through the game of basketball and his death is a tremendous blow to the basketball community. Those that are grieving or still in shock have every right to be. It's important to go through the four stages of grief or whatever process you need to go through.

Speaking for myself personally, my initial reaction to the death of Kobe Bryant was that of shock and disbelief. I found out about his death while at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, covering the Cal men's and women's basketball Sunday doubleheader. It was weird to be at a basketball arena covering the game that he had such a profound influence on while simultaneously processing the fact that he was in fact gone. It was weird. I didn't feel like covering basketball.

What also added to the weirdness of it was conflicting reports about what was going on. There were some false rumors that all of Kobe's kids were on board, that Rick Fox was on board, etc. It was weird trying to process that information and hearing conflicting things. Especially when you're also trying to cover a basketball game that's happening in real time in front of you.

But, with the dust having now settled, all I can say is that I am really sad we lost Kobe, his daughter, and everyone else that died in that crash. Nobody should have to go out like that and yet that's life. Sometimes shit happens and we have to figure out how to deal with it.

On my Saturday Slam piece, I will take a look back on Kobe's legacy and what he meant to basketball, but for now I wanted to share my condolences and what my initial reactions and thoughts were at the time that this was happening. It was a weird day and one that I along with every other person in the basketball world: Fans, coaches, players, and media alike, will never forget.

Note: I did get instant reactions from Cal players and coaches about the death of Kobe Bryant. Click here to check that out on GoldenBearReport.com.

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Tomahawk Tuesday: Comparing #8 Kobe Bryant to #24 Kobe Bryant

                                          (Credit: CBS Sports) 

On Monday night, the Los Angeles Lakers retired Kobe Bryant's #8 and #24. There has been a lot of debate about which Kobe was better and so I have decided to weigh in.

One interesting to thing to ask yourself when going about this debate is which number do you envision Kobe Bryant in when you think of him? Is it #8 or #24? Personally, when I think of Kobe, I envision him wearing the #8. I think the reason why is that I am old enough to remember Kobe when he was a rookie and also when he won his first three NBA titles with Shaquille O'Neal. I guess I just think of him wearing a #8 because that's what I first saw him in.

When looking at the stats and accomplishments of the two eras, it's pretty evenly split. #8 Kobe averaged 23.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 2.9 turnovers per game en route to three NBA championships, eight All-Star appearances, four All-NBA First Teams, and one NBA scoring championship (2006). #24 Kobe averaged 26.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals, .3 blocks, and 3.1 turnovers en route to two NBA championships, 10 All-Star appearances, seven All-NBA First Teams, and one NBA scoring championship (2007).

While statistics do a great job of comparing the two eras, they don't capture the full scope of what made Kobe so amazing in both eras. In the #8 era, what made Kobe amazing was his phenomenal athleticism and ability to score at will. It was in this era that Kobe scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors (2006), which is the most points scored in an NBA game since Wilt Chamberlain dropped 100 points in 1962. When he wore the #8, Kobe Bryant was as good of a one-on-one player that we've seen and there were few that could do anything to contain him. In addition to his scoring and athleticism, Kobe won three titles with Shaq, already cementing himself as one of the greatest to ever play.

In the #24 era, Kobe wasn't as athletic or flashy, but he was perhaps even more lethal. It was in this era that Kobe learned to share the ball and be the go-to option on a championship team. As good as he was during the #8 era, Kobe was still in the shadow of Shaq. In the #24 era, he won his first of two rings without Shaq, finally establishing his own separate identity.

When looking at how Kobe played during the #24 era, he was much better from a technical standpoint. He had a lot more moves and developed a post-game, similar to what Michael Jordan developed at the end of his career. Kobe made up for his diminishing athleticism with more tools in his bag and a willingness to play team basketball.

Personally, I think what makes #24 Kobe most special isn't the rings or the fade away jumper. It's the way he overcame adversity and evolved into one of the most beloved players in the game. I hated #8 Kobe all the way through, but I grew to respect and admire #24 Kobe with each passing year. When Kobe continued to play after tearing his Achilles and fracturing his knee, that was when I finally recognized how special of a player he really was. That fighting spirit and refusal to give up was made most evident during those dark moments. That was when the world got to see how much of a fighter he was and how much he loved the game of basketball.

Sadly, I never enjoyed watching Kobe play until the very end of his career. Back when he was winning championships, I hated him and wanted him to lose so badly. Now that his career is over, I frequently watch highlights of his games and admire his greatness. I even find myself rooting for him when I watch him play in his final game against the Utah Jazz, the team of my childhood.

Whether you love him or hate him, one thing that can we can all say about Kobe Bryant is that we miss him. If you are a Lakers fan, you miss cheering him on. If you are a Spurs fan or a Celtics fan, you miss rooting against him. Kobe's impact on the game of basketball truly cannot be quantified and while he never surpassed Michael Jordan as the greatest ever, he carved out his own unique legacy that he can truly call his own. There will never be another "Black Mamba."

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Tomahawk Tuesday: Kobe Bryant's evolution through video game history

                                                     (Keith Allison. Click here for source)
   
Something cool that I came across this past weekend was a video displaying how Kobe Bryant evolved in video games over the years. The change in graphics is astounding as is the fact that Kobe stuck around the league for as long as he did. Most guys wouldn't have played for as long as Kobe did, but his determination, grit, and love for the game drove him to be one the fiercest and greatest competitors the league has ever seen. Shout out to the Black Mamba! The basketball world misses you! #MambaMentality

Kobe Bryant in video games through the years. pic.twitter.com/PId73PIEZ4

— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) September 3, 2017

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Saturday Slam: Rob Pelinka is an excellent choice for the Lakers GM job

                                                       (Credit: NBA.com). 

Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Lakers announced the hiring of Rob Pelinka as general manager. Pelinka has experience as a lawyer and agent, so his major selling points are his connections in the basketball industry and his experience working with basketball players and front offices as an agent. During his introductory press conference, Pelinka's main message was about returning the Lakers to glory after a few seasons of wallowing in obscurity. While some of his comments came off as a little cheesy, like the comment about the Lakers giving hope to refugees in war torn countries, he overall came off as very sincere and serious about restoring the Lakers to glory.

In comparison to the clowns they had in the front office before, Rob Pelinka seems like a fabulous upgrade. He's plugged in to the basketball industry, knows the ins and outs of it, and he can relate well to players. Plus, he's got a great relationship with Kobe Bryant and firmly believes in the Lakers brand as a force for good around the globe. If you are the Lakers, what more could you possibly want?

The biggest challenge that Pelinka has going forward is fixing the mess that is the Lakers. D'Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram may become a solid one-two punch, but I don't see them forming a championship level threat. Nobody on this Lakers team has "superstar" written all over them and if you are the Lakers, you simply cannot have that.

The good news is that Rob Pelinka is a very well respected person who could attract and recruit quality free agents to round out his roster. The Lakers have always lived on landing quality free agents to take them to the next level and Pelinka appears to have the chops to allow them to do that.

Overall, I really do think Rob Pelinka is a home run hire for the Lakers. He's got the connections, the experience, and the overall understanding of what the Los Angeles Lakers are about. If you are a Lakers fan, you should be feeling really good about the direction of the franchise.

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Tomahawk Tuesday: Should the Los Angeles Lakers trade one of their guards?

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently the worst team in the Western Conference with a 16-32 overall record. They've lost 7 of their last 10 games and got absolutely destroyed by the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday by a final score of 122-73. They are still in rebuilding mode in the post-Kobe Bryant era with D'Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, and Julius Randle as their core trio for the future and while that trio appears to have a lot of potential, it feels as though the Lakers need to make some moves in order to better position themselves for success. 

When looking at the Lakers' roster, what really stands out is all the quality guards that they have. Lou Williams (17.9 points per game), D'Angelo Russell (14.3 points per game), Jordan Clarkson (13.9 points per game), and Nick Young (13.7 points per game) are all quality guards that can score the ball. It feels a bit redundant to have so many guys at the same position that produce at roughly the same level, which makes a trade a viable solution to the conundrum. 

Of the four guards to trade, Lou Williams or Jordan Clarkson make the most sense to move. Nick Young I feel doesn't have that much trade value given that he is a "chucker" and known for being a diva while D'Angelo Russell has got too much upside and is still very early in his career. 

The reason Lou Williams makes sense is that's he's a quality veteran guard who could help out a playoff contender at the trade deadline. Teams like the Celtics, Raptors, Hawks, and Clippers may be interested in making a move for him. Of course, it depends on what the offers are, but considering that Lou Williams will likely be past his prime by the time the Lakers actually become something indicates that he's a good player for them to unload. With him gone, the Lakers could give more minutes to D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, helping them develop one of the better young backcourts in the NBA. 

As for Jordan Clarkson, the reason it could make sense to trade him is that they could get a lot more for him. Considering his upside and potential, a lot of teams would be willing to make a move for him and could offer future draft picks, a big man, and other pieces. By trading Jordan Clarkson, the Lakers would be sending a firm message to D'Angelo Russell that he's their guy and that they are committed to building around him by getting better complimentary pieces. 

What will be interesting to see is how the Lakers handle their crowded backcourt and whether or not they start to engage in trade talks to solve the problem. The Lakers are slowly heading in the right direction and so I don't necessarily think they should feel pressured into making a trade right away. What they should be doing is putting their feelers out and seeing what the market is for Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson. If some team is willing to make a trade for either player that helps them form a more well-rounded team, they should absolutely pull the trigger. 

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Wednesday Windmill: Warriors get win #73; Kobe Bryant plays his last game

     Tonight will go down as one of the most historic nights in NBA history. The Golden State Warriors won their 73rd game of the season with a 125-104 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, setting a new NBA record for most wins in a regular season and Kobe Bryant played in his final NBA game, scoring 60 points and leading the Lakers to a 101-96 win over the Utah Jazz. I couldn't decide which topic to write about so I decided to write about both. 

     

     First, let me address the Warriors' record-setting season. What makes the Warriors' 73-9 season so impressive is that they did it so early into their reign of dominance. When Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls went 72-10 in the 1995-96 season, they did it en route to their 4th NBA championship. The Warriors went 73-9 after winning their first NBA Championship in 40 years!

      It's hard to think of a team that has risen to success as quickly as this Warriors team. At the end of the 2011-12 season, the Golden State Warriors finished with a 23-43 record. Four seasons later, they are 73-9 with the best record in the NBA history. What the Warriors are doing right now is flat out ridiculous when you consider where they were four seasons ago. Almost overnight, they went from being in the doghouse of the NBA to being a juggernaut that cannot be stopped. 

     Stephen Curry has emerged into a three-point shooting force of nature that makes impossible shots at will. The basketball floor is his canvas and on it he paints whatever he wants to no matter who he is playing. Stephen Curry fires shots from beyond the arc like an archer that hits a bullseye ever single time. He has taken 3-point shooting to another level and redefined the game of basketball in the process. It is fitting that in the Warriors' 73rd win of the season, Stephen Curry went off for 46 points on 10-19 shooting from 3-point range, totaling 402 3-point shots made for the season. The Warriors finished the season the way that they started, which is blowing teams off the floor with their 3-point shooting and suffocating defense. 

     As for Kobe Bryant's last game, this too ended in a fitting way. For one thing, the Utah Jazz asphyxiated themselves in the Staples Center, something that has happened many times during Kobe Bryant's career. It is fitting that for one last time, Jazz fans watched their team self-destruct against Kobe Bryant's Lakers. 

                                                    (Credit: Keith Allison. Click here for source)     

      In addition, Kobe Bryant went off for 60 points and willed his team to victory for one final time. In the final minutes of the game, Kobe Bryant took over and did what he has done for his entire career, which is crush the soul of opponents though his own array of difficult shots and iron will. Kobe Bryant went off the way every NBA fan would want him to: Victorious and in firm control of the game. Like Stephen Curry, Kobe Bryant has been able to do what he wants to on a basketball court without anybody being able to stop him. 

     What makes tonight so special for the NBA is that past, present, and future all came together in one night. Kobe Bryant, one the NBA's greatest players went out on a high note and Stephen Curry, the superstar of the NBA for the present and future, led his team to a record-setting 73 wins doing what he does best, which is drain three-point shots in opponents' faces.  In addition, Steve Kerr, who was on the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls team as a player, got to be a part of the best regular season in NBA history again, only this time as a head coach. 

     It's very rare when past, present, and future all come together in one night and on April 13, 2016, all three of these things came together in the living rooms of NBA fans across the world. An NBA hall of fame player concluded his brilliant career, a future hall of fame player led his team to a league record 73 wins, and one man got to be a part of NBA history for a second time. Will such a night ever happen in NBA history again? Probably not, which is why we should all soak this night in. 

Saturday Slam: Will the Los Angeles Lakers ever win another NBA championship?

     Will the Los Angeles Lakers ever win another NBA championship? They've won 16 in their storied history, so on the surface, this question seems like a stupid one. Due to their rich history and location, most people would say it's not a matter of "if" but rather a matter of "when" the Los Angeles Lakers once again climb to the top the basketball world. However, when looking at the current state of the team (15-54) and the ever-changing climate of the NBA, it become a lot less clear that the Los Angeles Lakers will inevitably become a championship contender in the near future.

     What has to alarm the Los Angeles Lakers is to see teams like the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City Thunder contend in the Western Conference while they continue to suck. Even more frightening is the fact that they are becoming less and less of a destination for top free agents. Hell, they lost the most dominant big man since Shaquille O'Neal to the Houston Rockets because he didn't like all the distraction and pressure that came with being in Los Angeles.

     While the Los Angeles Lakers continue to bank on landing top free agents because of their brand and location, they keep on failing to land the quality of talent that they think they deserve to get. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Stephen Curry, the biggest stars of this generation, are highly unlikely to ever wear a Los Angeles Lakers uniform. Those guys are much more likely to stay where they are or go to a team that is a lot closer to winning a championship such as the Los Angeles Clippers, a team that shares the same building and city with the Lakers.

     If you think the concept of the Los Angeles Lakers never winning another NBA championship is ridiculous, let me introduce you to the New York Knicks. The Knicks play their home games at Madison Square Garden a.k.a The Mecca of basketball and they haven't won a championship since 1973. What's even more disturbing is the fact that New York Knicks have only won two NBA championships in their history, the other coming in 1970.

     If I wrote a blog post about the New York Knicks never winning another NBA championship, you would likely agree with my thesis or at least not find it to be all that objectionable. If I reframed this current blog post under the premise that the Los Angeles Lakers could become like the New York Knicks, that too would likely jibe with you, unless you are the most hard core Lakers fan who still believes Kobe Bryant has it in him to lead a team to a championship.

     If the New York Knicks, who play in the biggest market of all, have failed to win a championship for 40+ years, who is to say that the Los Angeles Lakers don't have a similar fate? Most Lakers fans believe that their team will soon rise from the ashes and once again win another NBA championship because winning championships is all that they've ever known. The Del Harris era has been erased from the minds of most Lakers fans, who think of the Pat Riley era and then the Phil Jackson era. So while the Del Harris era existed, Lakers fans feel as if they went from Magic & Kareem to Shaq & Kobe to Kobe & Gasol without any break in between.

      In essence, this is the first era where it doesn't feel like a championship is coming anytime soon and Lakers fans at the moment are handling this by going into denial. It's one thing for fans to go into denial like this, but what is worse is that it appears as though the entire organization is going into denial. The organization is just expecting the basketball gods to magically make things better for them because they are the Lakers and unfortunately for them, that's not how the real world works.

     So, to answer the question I posed at beginning of this blog post, I will respond by saying that it is not clear that the Lakers will win another NBA championship because their management is incompetent and the NBA is a lot more friendly to nontraditional powerhouse teams. The NBA doesn't want the Lakers to fail, don't get me wrong, they love it when they are winning, but at the same time, the NBA wants to have a healthy 30 team league where every franchise feels as though they have a chance to win a championship if they apply themselves.

     30 years ago, the NBA was not this way. It was a league with 6-8 championship contending teams and the Lakers and Celtics were always in that pool of contenders. But times have changed and it appears as though the Lakers are yet to accept this. They still want things to be like they were in the 1980s where everybody wanted to play for either them or the Celtics. But now, with so many great options and franchises to choose from, NBA free agents feel less drawn to Boston and Los Angeles and more inclined to either stay put or go elsewhere. Until the Lakers find a way to adapt to the new climate of the NBA, odds are good they'll remain stuck in mediocrity and ineptitude.  
   

   

Wednesday Windmill: Looking back on Kobe Bryant

     I know we still have more than half of the season to go, but with Kobe Bryant officially announcing that this will be his last season in the NBA, I figured now would be a good time for me to reflect on his amazing career while we still have half of a season to enjoy him. Let me first say that I am not a Lakers fan. As a matter of fact, I grew up hating the Los Angeles Lakers and every Lakers team that Kobe Bryant ever played on. That largely has to do with the fact that I have always pulled for the underdog and have always rooted against big market teams.

   
     The Utah Jazz is the team of my youth and still is my favorite NBA team. Whenever the Jazz went against a team with more glamor, flash, and popularity, I always wanted the Jazz to win even more. The Lakers were atop the list of teams I loved seeing the Jazz defeat and Kobe Bryant was the face of their team during my childhood and early adulthood.

   
     Even though I’ll always dislike the Lakers, I have to admit that I’m going to miss Kobe Bryant. In addition, I am not shy about praising Kobe Bryant for having one of the greatest careers in NBA history. Kobe Bryant was named to 17 All-Star teams; he won 5 NBA championships, 4 NBA All-Star Game MVP awards, 2 NBA Finals MVP awards, and 1 NBA MVP award. In addition, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team 9 times and is a 2 time NBA scoring champion.

Kobe Bryant’s résumé speaks for itself.

     He is one the NBA’s greatest players and also one of its fiercest competitors. Unlike some NBA players we have seen, Kobe Bryant never took a night off. He was like my childhood idols John Stockton and Karl Malone in that way. Kobe Bryant showed up every night and gave it his all. If he was unable to play in a game, you knew he had to be hurting really bad because if there were any way possible for him to play, he would be out there.

     As a matter of fact, Kobe Bryant probably should have retired a couple of seasons ago, but his passion for the game and desire to continue to compete fueled his return from an Achilles tendon tear that would end most careers and a left knee fracture that would have made most players hang up their sneakers.

     Kobe Bryant’s intense desire to win and play the game of basketball is what sets him apart from the mere mortals of the game. Kobe Bryant’s relentless and tenacious work ethic is phenomenal and can only be rivaled by Michael Jordan, the greatest player in the history of basketball.

When we look back on Kobe Bryant’s career, what will stand out to all of us is his passion for the game and his constant striving to be better.

     Kobe Bryant was never satisfied with where he was at. He always got better and strived for greatness. If there was a way for Kobe Bryant to accomplish something, succeed or fail, he gave it his all. He put it all on the line and played until it was probably unsafe for him to play.

That kind of dedication to the game is what we must always remember him for.

     When you see him play again this season, don’t view him as an aging superstar past his prime. See him as a living basketball hall of fame exhibit. Every game he plays needs to be treasured and we must appreciate all the amazing moments he has given us. Even if you were on the losing end of a Kobe Bryant buzzer beater and wanted to scream in frustration, there was no denying that your team just got beat by a true legend of the game. Kobe Bryant, you will be missed.  

Saturday Slam: Here are some really cool dunk videos

When I am bored and have nothing to do, I frequently hop on YouTube and watch videos of amazing slam dunks. I thought it would be fun to share with all of you some of my all-time favorite dunking videos. Enjoy!


















---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news 

NBA Daily Dunks: 8/10-8/16/15

                                                  (Credit: Andy Melton. Click here for source) 
     
Here is my Daily Dunks page for Monday August 10, 2015 through Sunday August 16, 2015. Throughout the week this page will be updated with news from across the NBA until a new Daily Dunks page is created for the following week.

Monday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Patty Mills is replacing Dante Exum on Australia's roster for the Oceania Championships (Click here for details).

#2. Nike won't match Adidas' offer to James Harden. Harden is joining Adidas (Click here for details).

#3. The Celtics officially waived guard Zoran Dragic (Click here for details).

#4. The Nets officially waived forward Earl Clark (Click here for details).

#5. The Nets signed point guard Donald Sloan (Click here for details).

#6. The NBA and Under Armour announced a partnership (Click here for details).

#7. 76ers center Joel Embiid is scheduled to undergo a foot operation in the near future (Click here for details).

#8. Tristan Thompson may not re-sign with the Cavaliers (Click here for details).

#9. The Lakers worked out Bobby Brown, Toure Murry, and other guys on Monday (Click here for details).

#10. Michael Jordan says he loves Kobe Bryant like a brother (Click here for details).

Tuesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Kevin Durant is being cautious as he recovers (Click here for details).

#2. Timberwolves president/head coach Flip Saunders has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It is "very treatable" and he plans to continue on with his regular duties (Click here for details).

#3. The Pacers officially signed guard Toney Douglas (Click here for details).

#4. Markieff Morris demands a trade from the Suns (Click here for details).

#5. Phil Jackson doesn't miss Andrea Bargnani (Click here for details).

#6. Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns believes they can make the playoffs (Click here for details).

#7. Joel Embiid has reached out to Kevin Durant about his impending foot surgery (Click here for details).

Tuesday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Liberty 84 Sky 63. Fever 73 Mystics 62. Lynx 83 Stars 76. Storm 85 Sparks 77.

Wednesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Hawks forward Mike Scott faces 25 years on drug charges (Click here for details).

#2. The 2015-16 NBA regular season schedule was released (Click here for details).

#3. Baron Davis is working out and preparing for an NBA comeback. He's serious. (Click here for details).

#4. LeBron James hasn't made a decision yet on the 2016 Olympic games (Click here for details).

#5. Wisconsin governor Scott Walker has signed the Bucks' arena deal (Click here for details).

#6. Derrick Rose won't compete for Team USA in the 2016 Olympic games (Click here for details).

#7. Paul George has been excused from Team USA minicamp (Click here for details).

#8. Malik Rose is joining the Hawks as their manager of basketball operations (Click here for details).

#9. Greg Oden signed in China with the Jiangsu Dragons (Click here for details).

#10. Here is a funny version of Space Jam 2.

Wednesday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Sun 80 Shock 74. Mercury 83 Storm 66.

Thursday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The NBA and officials officially agreed on a 7-year collective bargaining agreement that starts in the 2015-16 season (Click here for details).

#2. The Mavericks signed JaVale McGee (Click here for details).

#3. The Lakers signed forward Jonathan Holmes (Click here for details).

#4. James Harden has officially left Nike for Adidas (Click here for details).

#5. Kevin Durant says he's the best player in the world (Click here for details).

#6. The Kings signed undrafted UTEP forward Vince Hunter to a partially guaranteed deal (Click here for details).

#7. T.J. Zanin is leaving the Nets to be the head of college scouting for the Hornets (Click here for details).

#8. The Timberwolves have signed Tayshaun Prince to a one year, $1.4M deal for the veteran's minimum (Click here for details).

Friday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Former Nets point guard Tyshawn Taylor has been arrested for cashing a fake money order (Click here for details).

#2. Charles Barkley thinks the Knicks will make the playoffs next season (Click here for details).

#3. Kevin Durant reveals that there was a second break in his foot (Click here for details).

#4. Markieff Morris, who wants out of Phoenix, would prefer to go to the Raptors or Rockets (Click here for details).

#5. The Heat signed center Keith Benson for training camp (Click here for details).

#6. The Thunder signed undrafted free agent guard Dez Wells (Click here for details).

#7. Bryce Dejean-Jones signed a three-year, partially guaranteed deal with the Pelicans (Click here for details).

Friday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Liberty 90 Sun 78. Lynx 84 Dream 82. Sky 94 Storm 84.

Saturday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Hawks signed Jason Richardson to a non-guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

#2. The Pistons' arena is being renovated (Click here for details).

#3. Roland Beech is joining the Kings to run their analytics department (Click here for details).

#4. Benny the Bull wins mascot of the year honors (Click here for details).

#5. Caron Butler is planning to release an autobiography (Click here for details).

#6. Michael Jordan and Nike are planning an all-Jordan Brand store in Chicago (Click here for details).

#7. J.R. Smith proposed to his girlfriend (Click here for details).

#8. 76ers center Joel Embiid's foot surgery is scheduled for Tuesday (Click here for details).

Saturday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Shock 81 Liberty 76.

Sunday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Kobe Bryant wants to play for Team USA in the 2016 Olympic games in Rio (Click here for details).

#2. The Cavaliers signed shooting guard Jared Cunningham to a training camp deal (Click here for details).

#3. Former #5 overall pick Nikoloz Tskitishvili wants an NBA comeback (Click here for details).

#4. Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas tweaked his hip playing for Lithuania, but he says it is nothing serious (Click here for details).

#5. LeBron James has set up a college scholarship program for at-risk Akron youth (Click here for details).

#6. Joel Embiid's foot isn't insured by the 76ers (Click here for details).

#7. James Harden says Ty Lawson is "more focused than ever" after rehab (Click here for details).

#8. Charles Barkley hopes Kobe Bryant retires after the 2015-16 season (Click here for details).

#9. The Knicks are interested in Ricky Rubio (Click here for details).

#10. The Hornets signed Sam Thompson to a training camp deal (Click here for details).

Sunday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Dream 90 Sun 77. Mystics 77 Lynx 69. Sparks 76 Sky 64. Fever 75 Mercury 63.  Storm 72 Stars 63.

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news and updates. Also, like my Facebook page NBA Lord Nation  and follow my Google Plus page NBA Lord to stay on top of the NBA. 

Wednesday Windmill: The Lakers are doomed

     The Los Angeles Lakers are doomed and there is nothing that can save them.  Ever since the death of Dr. Jerry Buss, their transcendent emperor, the Lakers have done nothing but make a series of asinine decisions courtesy of their slow-witted general manger Mitch Kupchak, Dr. Buss' slimy daughter Jeanie, and Magic Johnson, who despite being the most beloved Laker of all-time, finds ways to get in the press for making pompous statements laced with bitterness.

     The decision to sign Kobe Bryant to a 2 year, $48M contract isn't the only wrong that these monkeys have done. They ran Dwight Howard out of town after naming him the second coming of Shaquille O'Neal, signed Jeremy Lin with the hopes of him being the face of the franchise, and convinced Steve Nash to not retire so that they could trade his $9.7M expiring contract before the trade deadline (Click here for more details on that story).

     While there is the assumption that the Lakers will turn things around shortly due to their brand, location, and history, there is nothing that their current management has done to convince us that such a turnaround will ever happen. As a matter of fact, if their current trend of incompetence continues, the Lakers will soon become a traveling circus. They will play the Harlem Globetrotters in pick up basketball games and travel overseas to take pictures with insane leaders of third world countries as a token of good will from the United States.

     "We should send the Lakers", the President will say. "Word of the Lakers' shameful play hasn't yet reached that part of the world. They will be greeted as heroes and everybody will get a good chuckle from Kobe Bryant, who is able to tell jokes in many languages. They may be our only hope."

     The only exciting player on the entire Lakers' roster right now is Nick Young, a talented and quick-triggered shooting guard with a flair for entertaining. He fully embraces the Hollywood life, dating an Australian hip-hop sensation named Iggy Azalea and wearing flashy clothes after games. He's living the life and playing good basketball while he's at it. While he isn't a player who the Lakers can build a championship team around, he is at least a player who will get people to come to the games. The Lakers desperately need somebody to get people to come watch them play and they have found their man in Nick Young.

     What is alarming about all of this, is that the Lakers have fallen to the point that they just want a player who can put butts in the seats. Teams that have had this problem are some of the worst teams we've ever seen. Teams like the Clippers and Warriors from the 90s, the Wizards from the early 2000s, and the Denver Nuggets of every generation, are teams that have been in the market for these types of players. They know they can't win games, so they might as well lose while providing their fans with some quality entertainment.

     The fact that the Lakers are going down this path has to be alarming for Lakers fans, and what's worse is that there appears to be no turning back. So long as the current management is at the helm, I see no reason to believe that things will EVER get better for the Lakers. The Lakers are doomed and they will forever be a doormat for every other team in the NBA.

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news 

Daily Dunks: 1/19-1/25

                                                   (Credit: Andy Melton. Click here for source)

Here are the Daily Dunks for January 19, 2015 through January 25, 2015. This page will get updated throughout the week with all the important news. So keep checking this page until a new page is created next week.

Monday's Daily Dunks

#1. The Bucks signed power forward Kenyon Martin to a second 10-day contract (Click here for more info).

#2. Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge suffered a left thumb injury (Click here for more info).

#3. Hornets center Al Jefferson returned against the Timberwolves from his groin injury. He had 8 points and 5 rebounds.

#4. The Knicks signed power forward Lou Amundson and small forward Lance Thomas to second 10-day contracts (Click here for more info).

#5. Pistons center Andre Drummond has been warned for flopping (Click here for more info).

#6. The Heat have put point guard Norris Cole on the trade block (Click here for more info).

#7. Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley returned from his ankle injuries and played against the Mavericks.

#8. Nuggets small forward Danilo Gallinari is targeting a Friday return (Click here for more info).

#9. In the Knicks' win, shooting guard Langston Galloway had 21 points and 5 rebounds.

#10. J.R. Smith had 20 points for the Cavaliers in their win over the Bulls.

Monday's NBA Final Scores

Hornets 105 Timberwolves 80. Warriors 122 Nuggets 79. Mavericks 103 Grizzlies 95.
Wizards 111 76ers 76. Hawks 93 Pistons 82. Clippers 102 Celtics 93. Rockets 110 Pacers 98.
Knicks 99 Pelicans 92. Cavaliers 108 Bulls 94. Raptors 92 Bucks 89. Trail Blazers 98 Kings 94. Suns 115 Lakers 100.

Tuesday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. 76ers guard Tony Wroten is flying to California to see a knee specialist (Click here for details).

#2. Jazz rookie guard Rodney Hood is out until after the all-star break with a left foot inflammation (Click here for details).

#3. The Nuggets assigned guard Erick Green to the D-League to join the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (Click here for details).

#4. The Spurs assigned forward Kyle Anderson to the D-League to join the Austin Spurs (Click here for details).

#5. The Pistons recalled forward Gigi Datome and  guard Spcncer Dinwiddie from the D-League (Click here for details).

#6. Heat center Hassan Whiteside (ankle) is day-to-day and did not travel to Charlotte (Click here for details).

#7. Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (flu) didn't practice and is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Jazz (Click here for details).

#8. The Bucks signed forward Kenyon Martin for the rest of the season (Click here for details).

#9. Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge didn't travel to Phoenix. He will see a hand specialist and get an MRI (Click here for details).

#10. Spurs point guard Tony Parker had 18 points and 7 assists.

Tuesday's NBA Final Scores: 

Thunder 94 Heat 86. Spurs 109 Nuggets 99.

Wednesday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Bucks and power forward Larry Sanders are working on a buyout  (Click here for details).

#2. The Celtics signed guard Andre Dawkins to a 10-day contract (Click here for details).

#3. The Knicks signed forward Lance Thomas to a second 10-day contract (Click here for details).

#4. Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis returned from a three-game absence. He had 29 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 4 blocks.

#5. LeBron James has talked with Ray Allen about a return (Click here for more info).

#6. The GM of the Bulls denies that head coach Tom Thibodeau is in the hot seat (Click here for more info).

#7. Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer will coach the Eastern Conference in the All-Star Game (Click here for more info).

#8. Zach LaVine, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Oladipo, and Mason Plumlee are in the dunk contest (Click here for more info).

#9. Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant tore his rotator cuff against the Pelicans (Click here for more info).

#10. Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook scored 32 points and Thunder small forward Kevin Durant scored 34 points in their win over the Wizards.

Wednesday's NBA Final Scores: 

Cavaliers 106 Jazz 92. Mavericks 98 Timberwolves 75. Grizzlies 92 Raptors 86. Warriors 126 Rockets 113. Knicks 98 76ers 91. Hornets 78 Heat 76. Hawks 110 Pacers 91. Pistons 128 Magic 118. Pelicans 96 Lakers 80. Thunder 105 Wizards 103 (OT). Suns 118 Trail Blazers 113. Nets 103 Kings 100.

Thursday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Bulls plan to match any offer sheet for Jimmy Butler (Click here for more info).

#2. Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum has a wrist injury (Click here for more info).

#3. Hawks small forward Kyle Korver headlines the 3-point shootout at All-Star Weekend (Click here for more info).

#4. The Knicks are shopping guard Pablo Prigioni (Click here for more info).

#5. Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has been cleared to play extended minutes (Click here for more info).

#6. The Grizzlies signed forward Tyrus Thomas to a 10-day contract (Click here for more info).

#7. Here are the NBA All-Star Starters: Eastern Conference: John Wall, Kyle Lowry, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Pau Gasol. Western Conference: Stephen Curry, Kobe Bryant, Anthony Davis, Marc  Gasol, and Blake Griffin.

#8. Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge has a ligament tear in his thumb and will miss 6-8 weeks after surgery (Click here for more details).

#9. Cavaliers small forward Shawn Marion will retire after this season (Click here for more info).

#10. Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday is out 2-4 weeks with a stress reaction in his right leg (Click here for more info).

Thursday's NBA Final Scores: 

Jazz 101 Bucks 99. Bulls 104 Spurs 81. Celtics 90 Trail Blazers 89. Clippers 123 Nets 84.

Friday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant is likely done for the season (Click here for more info).

#2. The Pelicans signed guard Nate Wolters to a second 10-day contract (Click here for more info).

#3. Celtics center Kelly Olynyk is out one month with an ankle sprain (Click here for more info).

#4. Nets forward Mirza Teletovic is out for the season due to due multiple blood clots in his lungs (Click here for more info).

#5. The Celtics assigned guard Andre Dawkins to the D-League (Click here for more info).

#6. 76ers guard Tony Wroten has a partially torn ACL in his right knee. He'll kneed surgery and is out indefinitely (Click here for more info).

#7. Nuggets guard Ty Lawson got arrested for a DUI (Click here for more info).

#8. Klay Thompson scored 52 points and an NBA record 37 points in the Warriors' win over the Kings.

#9. LeBron James had 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists for the Cavaliers in their win over the Hornets.

#10. Rockets shooting guard James Harden had 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists in their win over the Suns.

Friday's NBA Final Scores: 

Pelicans 92 Timberwolves 84. Warriors 126 Kings 101. Raptors 91 76ers 86. Hawks 103 Thunder 93. Cavaliers 129 Hornets 90. Heat 89 Pacers 87. Knicks 113 Magic 106. Bulls 102 Mavericks 98. Spurs 99 Lakers 85. Celtics 100 Nuggets 99. Rockets 113 Suns 111.

Saturday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge decided put off thumb surgery. He played against the Wizards and had 26 points and 9 rebounds (Click here for more info).

#2. The Jazz signed guard Elijah Millsap to a three-year deal (Click here fore more details).

#3. Rockets center Dwight Howard injured his ankle and is out indefinitely (Click here for more info).

#4. The Clippers signed guard Dahntay Jones to a second 10-day contract (Click here for more info).

#5. Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings suffered a torn left Achilles' tendon, ending his season (Click here for more info).

#6. Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade says NBA players need to be protected from crazy fans (Click here for more info).

#7. The Lakers will make a final decision on Kobe Bryant's injury on Monday (Click here for more info).

#8. Cavaliers players  have "lost faith" in their season (Click here for more info).

#9. Grizzlies small forward Jeff Green had 18 points against the 76ers.

#10. Jazz small forward Gordon Hayward had 24 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals against the Nets.

Saturday's NBA Final Scores: 

Grizzlies 101 76ers 83. Jazz 108 Nets 73. Hornets 76 Knicks 71. Bucks 101 Pistons 86. Trail Blazers 103 Wizards 96.

Sunday's Daily Dunks:

#1. Metta World Peace is done in China. He's hoping to sign with an NBA team (Click here for details).

#2. The Kings signed forward Quincy Miller to a second 10-day contract (Click here for details).

#3. Pistons center Andre Drummond  has been warned for flopping (Click here for details).

#4. The Pistons need another point guard with Brandon Jennings out and the Knicks are trying to unload Pablo Prigioni. A trade could happen (Click here for details).

#5. The Hornets and Nets are reportedly discussing a Lance Stephenson/Joe Johnson swap (Click here for details).

#6. Timberwolves forward Robbie Hummel has a fracture in his right hand and is out indefinitely (Click here for details).

#7. Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski has won 1,000 career games (Click here for details).

#8. Clippers guard J.J. Redick has been warned for flopping (Click here for details).

#9 Heat center Hassan Whiteside had 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 blocks against the Bulls.

#10.  Danilo Gallinari returned for the Nuggets on Friday from his knee injury (Click here for details).

Sunday's NBA Final Scores: 

Hawks 112 Timberwolves 100. Warriors 114 Celtics 111. Heat 96 Bulls 84. Cavaliers 108 Thunder 98. Pelicans 109 Mavericks 106. Pacers 106 Magic 99. Clippers 120 Suns 100. Spurs 101 Bucks 95. Raptors 114 Pistons 110. Wizards 117 Nuggets 115 (OT). Rockets 99 Lakers 87.

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for more NBA news