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[Miguel]

:lol

 

[DMczaf]

Cute couple

 

[Miguel]

I'm gonna have to go get some Pepsi for tomorrow morning. YAO AND TMAC DO CHINA

 

[Truelize]

Man I don't know how I'm gonna take another season of you all (Konex!!) going on about my least favorite player. The pain, the agony.

And just to note. Kobe's teamates have made comments about him as a person/player. So have his coaches. I say he's a jerk/loser cause he trys to bring everything/a lot of things out when he is talking to the media.
Like his comments during the allstar break last year. "I don't like Phil as a person but I think he is a great coach" and even if big fat Shaq was out of shape you still don't call him out to the media. Kobe seems to live by his own rules. I don't like that. I am not a fan.

But like I have said many times before. I don't knock his ball skills. It's just too bad he isn't more interested in playing a team game.

 

[Matrix]

Im not a fan of the Rockets

 

[DMczaf]

 

[Matrix]

 

[DMczaf]

 

[Matrix]

"Forrrrrrrrrretired"

 

[DarienA]

Seattle 87, LA Lakers 80

But hey Kobe had 35 points! As long as he gets his it doesn't matter...right? right?

I'm just joking....

or am I?

 

[Cloudy]

http://www.empyron.com/random/kobeblocksallen.wmv

REJECTED!!! :O

 

[Miguel]

:lol

Konex reminds me of that "President of Beer" Debate with the guy and the horse. KONEX HAS BLINDERS ON! LOOK AT ME...PERIPHERAL VISION! BOTH SIDES!


Konex doesn't see the loss...just Kobe.

 

[Cloudy]

Pre-season is not about wins or losses. It's about getting a rhythm and I thought the Lakers played a good game although they turned it over too much in the 2nd half. This just shows that a Shaq-less Lakers can be entertaining and competitive and they won't lose any games at the FT line..

PS: And Kobe and Ray always go at each other hard. Awesome stuff























Damage Control!

 

[Miguel]

they won't lose any games at the FT line..

Yeah, they'll have the game lost way before it gets to that point.

 

[Miguel]

The Rockets' charter flight arrived at Shanghai's new Pudong Airport at roughly 8 a.m. China time, and barely three hours later Yao and his less-than-worldly head coach were being swept off to a news conference with about 200 members of the Chinese media.

"Hey, Yao, tell us about your city," shouted Van Gundy from his seat in the back row. "Show us the hot spots. Show us where you like to hang."

"Hang?" asked Yao.

"Yeah, where are the chicks?"

"Chicks?" asked Yao.

When interpreter/sidekick Colin Pine explained, Yao blushed.

"Don't worry," said Van Gundy. "I won't tell your girlfriend."


:lol @ Balki...trying to get Yao in trouble.

 

[DarienA]

http://www.empyron.com/random/kobeblocksallen.wmv

REJECTED!!! :O

You know Konex that's a great clip... but tell me what happens immediately after? Because it looks like after the rebound and a pass the Sonics score anyway but the clip ends before you can see.

 

[Miguel]

"Hey, Yao," yelled Van Gundy. "What would happen if we stopped this bus right now and you got out and walked through the park? Would it cause a problem?"

"Only if you never wanted to see me again," Yao answered.

"You know, if you keep running back down the floor on defense like you did the other night against Shaq, that might not be a bad thing," said Van Gundy.

"Up there, on the sixth floor, at the very top," Yao said, pointing. "That's where I lived from about age 3 to age 9. This is where I have my first memories of growing up."

Not much had changed from the exterior of the brown and beige building, except for the addition of air conditioners. Still no elevator to the sixth floor.

"It's where I got my early conditioning, walking up and down all those steps," Yao said.

"Yeah, then you moved when you were 9, and you've never been in shape since," Van Gundy said.

Yao pointed to the basketball courts with the old wooden backboards and the bent rims.

"This is where I played," he said. "We were outside, and the teacher, who knew that my parents had played basketball, asked if I wanted to attempt a free throw.

"I took a basketball in my hands for the first time right here, and I shot an airball."

A short time later, somebody found a ball. Yao stepped back to the foul line and missed badly on two shots.

"Some things never change," said Van Gundy.

Yao told stories of how he'd curry favor with his teacher by washing the first-floor windows. He told of walking home each day to have lunch.

"What kind of food did your mother make you?" Van Gundy asked.

"Chinese food," replied Yao, laughing out loud.

Van Gundy stepped to the blackboard and decided to leave the kids who were gone for the day a message. With chalk, he wrote: "The Rockets were here."

Then Yao and Van Gundy left autographs in English and Chinese.

"See this flagpole?" he said. "Once a week, the student in the school with the best academic achievement got to raise the flag of China. It was a great honor. It was always my goal."

"So, Yao, how many times did you raise the flag?" asked Van Gundy.

"Never," said Yao, grinning sheepishly.

"So you were a goof-off? Van Gundy asked.

"I wouldn't say that," he answered. "Just not the best. Hey, Coach, did you ever carry your country's flag at the Olympics?"

On the far side of the world, Yao and Jeff's Excellent Adventure just rolled on.

:lol

Yao and Jeff's Excellent Adventure

 

[DarienA]

Miguel what are those quotes from?

 

[Miguel]

DarienA: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2845216

 

[DarienA]

I didn't realize Van Gundy had such comedic timing....

 

[bionic77]

I hope that 2-10 performance by Odom was an isolated incidence or this is a going to be a very long season.

What was the Sonics record last year anyways? Weren't they competing for the last couple of spots until they collapsed down the stretch?

 

[Cloudy]

You know Konex that's a great clip... but tell me what happens immediately after? Because it looks like after the rebound and a pass the Sonics score anyway but the clip ends before you can see.

They didn't score IIRC but what does that have to do with the block? Might as well not play defense then cos the other team might score on the next possession

I hope that 2-10 performance by Odom was an isolated incidence or this is a going to be a very long season.

What was the Sonics record last year anyways? Weren't they competing for the last couple of spots until they collapsed down the stretch?

Lamar played Allstar ball last year so I wouldn't worry. He played PF last night cos Grant and Vlade were out so maybe that screwed up his flow.

The Sonics started off nice last year but they lost some tough games since Ray didn't play till like January. I don't think they were in the playoff picture in the last month though. All they need is a good big guy to make some noise in the West..

 

[AirBrian]

Seattle 87, LA Lakers 80

But hey Kobe had 35 points! As long as he gets his it doesn't matter...right? right?

I'm just joking....

or am I?

:lol :lol

Oh, and since I haven't mentioned it in awhile...

2005 NBA Finals = Chicago Bulls vs. Dallas Mavericks



And just for you bionic... T-Mac > Kobe*

*That's right, I'm on the T-Mac bandwagon this year. I'll root for the Rockets so long as it doesn't interfere with Dirk, Finley, and the rest of the greatest team in the West.

Spoiler

Actually, it's more like I want to see the Rockets win 'cuz the Mavs have a long season in front of them. :-(

But they'll still finish ahead of the Lakers. :lol

 

[bionic77]

And just for you bionic... T-Mac > Kobe

Damnit I soooo want to respond to this evil Laker hating bait.

I will instead divert your attention:

Nash > Dirk ............. > Jordan

 

[ChumsGum]

I don't even know why the Rockets are promoting their team like they are, Yao is practically signed with the Lakers once his current contract is up.

 

[DarienA]

They didn't score IIRC but what does that have to do with the block? Might as well not play defense then cos the other team might score on the next possession

Point is Kobe stopped to Mug instead of continuing to play the game. It's ok Konex we'll continue to talk aaaaaalllll season.

 

[Cloudy]

Well the Sonics didn't score that time down the court and that was a sick-ass block so Kobe was obligated to let Ray-Ray know not to bring that weak stuff

 

[bionic77]

The real question is who has the greater nonsexual (hopefully) crush on their favorite player(s)?

Konex with Kobe
DMczaf with Jordan and T-Mac
Sactown with Webber

 

[AirBrian]

Damnit I soooo want to respond to this evil Laker hating bait.

I will instead divert your attention:

Nash > Dirk ............. > Jordan

:lol

You had to mention Nash to twist the blade.

 

[Cloudy]

The real question is who has the greater nonsexual (hopefully) crush on their favorite player(s)?

Konex with Kobe
DMczaf with Jordan and T-Mac
Sactown with Webber

:lol

 

[DMczaf]

The real question is who has the greater nonsexual (hopefully) crush on their favorite player(s)?

Konex with Kobe
DMczaf with Jordan and T-Mac
Sactown with Webber

Threesome baby!

"Do y'all understand the words that are commin' out of my mouth?!?!?!?"

"Beach boys!"

 

[Ramirez]

I have that shirt

I saw the Sixers beat the Wizards yesterday,but its preseason so who cares *yawn*

 

[Fifty]

Those quotes rock! Thanks Mig!

That film I saw, The Year of the Yao.....was basically about the relationship between Yao and Colin, and it was fascinating. Those two are great together......It showed them at Taco Bell, at Best Buy...playing videogames at home. I'm Colin Pine's #1 fan.

 

[dskillzhtown]

 

[Cloudy]

"The National Basketball Association is considering a plan to abolish the 3-point shot until the end of games to increase shooting percentages and make the sport more aesthetically pleasing. The NBA may ban 3-pointers until there's five minutes left in the game in its development league this season, Stu Jackson, NBA senior vice president of basketball operations, said in a telephone interview. The National Basketball Development League season is scheduled to begin Nov. 19. "We've talked about it," Jackson said. "We're wrestling with the idea." He said it was too early to tell if the NBA would change the rule." -

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/10133-pointers-ON.html

WTF :lol

 

[DMczaf]

Yao playing a dirty trick on his teammates, making them wander around lost in China like him in America

 

[PS2 KID]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/10133-pointers-ON.html

WTF :lol

Will someone tell Stu Jackson to get off the drugs? Is he serious? Banning 3 pointers till there are 5 minutes left in the game? That should make us even less competitive internationally. Now we'll have 5 minute 3 pt shooting drills at the end of the game for teams desperate to get back in the game. Heave Ho! Followed by the ensuing long rebounds and hacking and free throws. Should be very aesthetically pleasing. LOL.

 

[Cloudy]

Rockets look pretty sloppy...

 

[etiolate]

5 AM BASKETBALL! WOOH! The Chinese sure love their free throws.

 

[Matrix]

I find it funny Yao has the most fouls,NBA refs trying to foul out Yaozer in his own home.

Shit Tmac wtf keeps messing up his leg/calf

 

[Bowser]

Bobcats will destroy the Wizards tonight!!

 

[Ripclawe]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/10133-pointers-ON.html

WTF :lol

Stu! You screwed up the olympic team, don't screw around with the NBA, someone fire his ass.

 

[Ripclawe]

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 14: Coca-Cola holds a promotion outside of Shanghai Stadium prior to the preseason game between the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings, on October 14, 2004 in Shanghai, China.

uh...

 

[DarienA]

How much are they getting paid to do this in front of the cameras?

 

[Ripclawe]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/basketball/9913018.htm?1c

One day, maybe someone will write a book that takes Kobe Bryant's side.

But so far, almost all of the published material regarding the relationship between Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal paints Bryant in a negative light. And Phil Jackson's upcoming book, The Last Season, doesn't appear to be any different.

O'Neal says he knew that would be the case.

''I'll just wait until Phil's book comes out, and then you guys will know the truth,'' O'Neal said. ``But just keep in mind that everything I've said over the years has been true. When it all adds together, then you'll see what, and the people will see what.

'But I've been around many people, and I've never had a problem with anybody. So, I'm not the problem here, and I wasn't a problem there. But it doesn't matter now. I'll just sit back and laugh as I read it and say, `I told you so.' ''

 

[bionic77]

:lol Ripclawe is so predictable. Before I even clicked on this thread I knew he would post some article that ripped on Kobe.

 

[bishoptl]

Is there another sport on the planet that provides comedy photos like the NBA? I think not.

And let me remind you that FIRST on the list of Stu Jackson's sins is fucking up the Vancouver Grizzlies from the get go. For that and that alone, he deserves a Nigerian-style stoning.

NEVER FORGET

 

[DMczaf]

:lol Ripclawe is so predictable. Before I even clicked on this thread I knew he would post some article

 

[Cloudy]

WTF, is it just cool to trash Kobe in the press now?

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakerep15oct15,1,7658467.story?coll=la-headlines-sports

Ray-Ray must not have liked getting torced and blocked on Tuesday

By Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer

SAN DIEGO — Kobe Bryant has been criticized by Shaquille O'Neal and is a controversial central figure in Phil Jackson's soon-to-be-released, tell-all book. Now Seattle All-Star guard Ray Allen has a problem with him.

Allen, who went head to head with Bryant in the exhibition opener Tuesday in Anaheim, predicted Bryant would be self-centered this season and said the Laker star might request a trade if the Lakers are not successful within a year or two.


"He's going to be very selfish," Allen told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. "And he feels like he needs to show this league and the people in this country that he is better without Shaq. [That] he can win championships without Shaq. So offensively, he's going to jump out and say, 'I can average 30 points. I can still carry the load on this team.'

"He has the talent, he can do it. But is his attitude going to allow him to take a back seat and let Lamar Odom shine and let Caron Butler have his nights and bring those big guys along with him?"

Bryant signed a seven-year, $136.4-million deal in July, but Allen predicted turbulence if the team struggles.

"If Kobe doesn't see he needs 2 1/2 good players to be a legitimate playoff contender or win a championship in about a year or two he'll be calling out to [owner] Jerry Buss that 'We need some help in here,' or 'Trade me,' " Allen said. "And we'll all be saying, 'I told you so,' when he says that."

Bryant has sidestepped O'Neal's attacks and laughed off Jackson's book by saying he'd rather read "The Lord of the Rings" in one sitting. But he said he looked forward to playing against Allen.

"He'll have to see me when we face each other this year," Bryant said. "Let people talk. I don't really care. He'll have to see me on that court, though."

The teams play again Oct. 25 in an exhibition game in San Diego. They play four times in the regular season.

Bryant scored 15 of the Lakers' first 20 points and finished with 35 points on 13-for-21 shooting in Tuesday's 87-80 Laker loss. Allen scored 25 points on 10-for-22 shooting and was unavailable for comment afterward because he was suffering from a migraine and an upset stomach. Allen's comments appeared in Thursday's editions of the Post-Intelligencer.

Allen and Bryant were both drafted in 1996, a main reason Allen thinks Bryant tries to turn their games into one-on-one battles. Allen has prevailed at times, but Bryant has maintained an overall edge.

On one play Tuesday, Allen stole the ball from Bryant near midcourt, but Bryant recovered in time to block Allen's shot on a breakaway. Bryant glared as Allen fell to the floor.

In another sequence, Bryant hit a three-point shot over Allen, and Allen answered with a three-pointer against Bryant. Bryant then made another three-pointer, bumped into Allen near midcourt and started talking.

"I think he talks because he feels like he has to talk," Allen said. "He's out there playing, and if he does something good, I feel like he needs to pat himself on the back because to me, it seems like he's isolated out there. As much as it's five on five, I don't see much camaraderie going on out there with his teammates."

After Tuesday's game, as the teams shook hands, Bryant approached Allen, smiled and briefly put his arm around him.

Meanwhile, O'Neal continued to lob verbal shots at Bryant from Miami.

While Bryant said he would not read Jackson's book, to be released next Thursday, O'Neal said he would find vindication in the book, which is often critical of Bryant.

"I'll just wait until Phil's book comes out, and then you guys will know the truth," O'Neal told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "But just keep in mind that everything I've said over the years has been true. When it all adds together … I'll just sit back and laugh as I read it and say, 'I told you so.' "

Kareem Rush will sit out the next two games because of a chronic tendon injury in his right ankle. Rush aggravated the injury in Tuesday's game because he did not wear orthotics in a new pair of shoes…. The Lakers conclude training camp today at the University of San Diego.

These guys are creating a monster right now. 30p+ppg, WCF (at the least) and MVP of Allstar game (in Denver) and league. Book it...

It's kinda sad that Ray "Hey, don't forget I was drafted before Kobe" Allen is still jealous after all this time

 

[Loki]

These guys are creating a monster right now. 30p+ppg...

Likely...but on < 45% shooting.

WCF (at the least)

Is this a joke?

and MVP of Allstar game (in Denver)

Maybe-- those sort of things are pretty unpredictable, though. Even Jordan only won 3 of them (I think) despite playing in like 12 or something.

and league.

I'd say probably-- the table is certainly set for him to put on a brilliant individual statistical showing, and I think they'll win 45-54 games, which is enough of a winning record to get him some serious consideration for MVP.