<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>November 19, 2006EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Kobe, right? Kobe Bryant? Mr. 81? You know, gimme the ball and get out of my way? The guy who never met a shot he wouldn't take?Wrong guy?"I go out and play the game," Bryant said. "I don't just try to score. The challenge is elevating my teammates to be able to win a championship. That's what people say we can't do. Now I'm more of a facilitator. I'm more the weapon we can go to when things aren't going right and guys are struggling."But everyone has a role to play. My role is to make sure we're moving in the right direction, getting points, rebounds, steals, assists and providing leadership, whatever it is."Seeing is believing. The Bulls will get a chance to do that Sunday night when they hit Los Angeles to face the Lakers.Bryant had one of the biggest scoring seasons in NBA history last season when he averaged 35.4 points and had games of 81 and 61 points. The 61 came in a remarkable three quarters against the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks, whom he personally outscored. Now he is averaging a pedestrian (for him) 22.6 points per game, his fewest since 22.5 in the 1999-2000 season.More significantly, Bryant is shooting 52 percent and averaging 14 shots per game, nearly half of the 27.2 he averaged last season.Got to be someone else, right?Well, he is wearing a new number, 24, after discarding his No. 8.That suggests a new Bryant. Apparently in a Zen moment, he said the 24 reminds him of the 24 hours in each day, and we have to enjoy and appreciate each one.There are plenty of doubters and "we'll see" responses. Bryant is recovering from off-season knee surgery and admittedly doesn't have the drive and explosiveness of previous seasons. He'll probably need another month to get it back, the Lakers believe.Still, there seems to be a transition going on with Bryant, in some ways not unlike what occurred with Michael Jordan when he returned from his first retirement with the Bulls in 1995.At 32, Jordan wasn't the startling dunker and electrifying driver anymore, often preferring to settle for an uncanny jumper combined with quickness in surges. He deferred more often, saving his best for the pivotal moments of the game.It seems to be a road map to excellence that Phil Jackson has devised for Bryant."He's moved into the second phase in his career," Jackson said, noting that Bryant, despite being only 28, has played more than 30,000 minutes in his 11 NBA seasons, the most in NBA history for a player that age. "Right now he knows he can't do it for a sustained period of time."So Bryant picks his spots, which suits the Lakers as well. In fact, Jackson planned this for Bryant last summer. He occasionally has Bryant switch positions with Lamar Odom, who moves to the attacking wing position in the offense with Bryant back at guard with the ball in his hands to ignite the offense.It has worked well for the Lakers thus far. Despite injuries, they are 6-3 after beating the Raptors on Friday night, in part because of the surprising development of second-year center Andrew Bynum, who turned 19 last month.Bynum, a 7-footer, is a rare post-up player who has come under the tutelage of Lakers assistant Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Though he's not yet consistent, he provides a legitimate post presence to spread the court and has a nice assortment of jump hooks and post-up moves that give the offense an option it didn't have. He is averaging 10.1 points while shooting 59.6 percent.Center Chris Mihm is probably out for the season after ankle surgery, and Kwame Brown is just returning from injury. But Luke Walton and Ronny Turiaf have provided consistent hustle and effort?Turiaf, remarkably, only a year after undergoing open-heart surgery.They haven't been a good defensive team, mainly because of Bynum's inexperience and because Bryant is not at full speed yet. But it's the dawning of a new era.Jackson talks about extending his contract beyond next season, and Bryant seems committed for the long haul. Their relationship seems repaired."We have a deep-seated respect for each other," Jackson said. "I marvel at this young man's competitive drive to reach excellence all the time and what he puts into every game, his ability to drive his team forward and make the game competitive night after night even when we've had disappointing endings."Bryant, too, seems at peace with himself, not interested in the LeBron James-Dwyane Wade-Carmelo Anthony debate about the Next Big Thing.For years, his every move has been debated almost beyond reason: Is he shooting to sabotage the team? Did he not shoot to sabotage the team? What is he really up to?"Last season we had a blast in the second half when I didn't have to pull so much of the weight," Bryant said. "Once everyone started clicking, it became really fun to see the evolution of us as a team. I'm just making sure we continue to move in the right direction."And maybe it's time again for Bryant and the Lakers.</div>http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...bulls-headlinesPretty good read, has alot of interesting points.
That's what he wants your sisters to think. :shifty2: But yeah, he has matured and has finally been passing the ball and giving his team a chance to win. Good job Kobe. I still hate you.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Nov 19 2006, 12:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>That's what he wants your sisters to think. :shifty2: But yeah, he has matured and has finally been passing the ball and giving his team a chance to win. Good job Kobe. I still hate you.</div>I guess when your team is under .500 (The Suns) it can put you in a bad mood.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LakersFan247 @ Nov 19 2006, 08:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I guess when your team is under .500 (The Suns) it can put you in a bad mood. </div> Thats some major ownage there.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LakersFan247 @ Nov 19 2006, 01:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I guess when your team is under .500 (The Suns) it can put you in a bad mood. </div>No, I know the Suns'll be good. It's my football team's that are making me mad. I know the Suns'll run right over you guys in the next match-up.
Yeah, don't worry bout us Suns. We'll be the ones making fun of you once we're in the WCF and beyond.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Something-To-Say @ Nov 20 2006, 07:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, don't worry bout us Suns. We'll be the ones making fun of you once we're in the WCF and beyond.</div>WCF- yesBeyond- not sure. Let's see what happens
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Something-To-Say @ Nov 19 2006, 01:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, don't worry bout us Suns. We'll be the ones making fun of you once we're in the WCF and beyond.</div>It is a little too early to make that assumption...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Something-To-Say @ Nov 19 2006, 01:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Is it too early to say the lakers won't make playoffs too?</div>Yes, it is way to early. Especially when we have a better record than you. Let's just wait a few months and see how is pans out.
Yes, let's. I agree. BTW I was going to make a rape joke about this thread title, but I won't. I shall try to show restraint.
Pretty nice little read there. But I think Kobe scored more then 61 in 3... it was either 62 or 63 wasn't it?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ELiiiTE @ Nov 19 2006, 07:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Pretty nice little read there. But I think Kobe scored more then 61 in 3... it was either 62 or 63 wasn't it?</div>Yeah, he had 62 points in three quarters.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Something-To-Say @ Nov 19 2006, 07:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Ah man I just had another great rip on mr. tyranb, but I kept it in. -.-</div>I am very proud of you STS, Keep it up. :happy0144:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Something-To-Say @ Nov 19 2006, 08:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yes, let's. I agree. BTW I was going to make a rape joke about this thread title, but I won't. I shall try to show restraint.</div>WoW :shok: , the name KOBE do bother you a lot............... I think your hatred towards KOBE is taking over your life. Relax and don't think of him all the time my friend :winkglasses: .
