Kobe On Beating LeBron 1-on-1: "I'd Do That In My Sleep!"

Just before LeBron James was about to win his first NBA MVP award, I did an interview with Kobe Bryant for Lakers Live, in which I asked him who was the best basketball player in the world.  He gave me a very modest and politically correct answer talking about how great of a player LeBron had become through the years and that he likely deserved the MVP that season.

Being the seasoned reporter that I am, I quickly pointed out to Kobe that he didn't exactly answer my question about who was the best player in the world.  So I then posed a different question to the reigning MVP at the time.

Me:  "Who would win a game of 1-on-1 between you and LeBron?"

Kobe (without hesitation):  "Come on, man.  Me. All day long!"

There are some who still like to argue the point that LeBron is the best player in the world right now, despite him being able to reach the Finals in any of the last three seasons.  Of course, getting to the Finals is more about a team rather than a particular player.  Thus, we are back to the question I posed to Kobe two years ago about going head-to-head against LeBron.

And if even considered entertaining the thought that Kobe may have softened his stance on his ability to crush LeBron in a game of 1-on-1, check out this interview with Kobe during the Lakers current European road trip.

LAKERS SIGN KOBE BRYANT TO A CONTRACT EXTENSION

Lakers fans have been waiting for this news for quite some time.  But as I have told countless people countless times, it was only a matter of time for this deal to become official.  Kobe wants to end his career as a Laker, as does Dr. Buss.

 By the way, the deal is believed to be worth $90 million over the next 3 years.

EL SEGUNDO – The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Kobe Bryant to a three-year contract extension, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.
 
“We are extremely pleased that we were able to reach an agreement and come to terms on the extension at this time,” said Kupchak. “Kobe has been a cornerstone of the Lakers for well over a decade, helping to lead us to four NBA Championships and in the process developing into one of the greatest players in basketball history.”

“Two of our main goals heading into this season were to sign Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to contract extensions,” continued Kupchak. “With the signing of Pau earlier this season and the signing of Kobe today, we were able to accomplish those goals, helping to keep the core of this team intact for the foreseeable future and in turn help to ensure the franchise’s continued success over the years to come.”

Bryant, a four-time NBA Champion, has earned numerous accolades over the span of his 13-year career most recently being named the 2009 NBA Finals MVP. In 2008, the 12-time NBA All-Star earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award. In that same year Bryant helped lead the United States to a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Bryant has earned All-NBA honors in each of the last 11 seasons and has been named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Team nine times.

In Bryant’s 13 seasons with the Lakers they  have appeared in postseason play in all but one season (2004-05), and have reached the NBA Finals six times, winning championships in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2009. The 6’6” guard scored a career-high 81 points (55 in the 2nd half) on January 22, 2006, the second highest game and half totals in NBA history.

Originally acquired by the Lakers from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Vlade Divac on July 11, 1996 after being selected by the Hornets with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, Bryant is the youngest player in NBA history to score 25,000 points. Earlier this season Bryant moved past Jerry West to become the Lakers all-time leading scorer and currently ranks 12th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. 


In 70 games this season, Bryant is averaging 27.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 38.8 minutes.

Shannon Brown: NBA Dunk Contest or Bust!

The campaign to get Shannon Brown an invite to the NBA All-Star Weekend Dunk Contest is officially underway.  From the fans to the media, just about anyone who has seen the Lakers play this season are in agreement.  Brown is one of the most dynamic leapers in the game today.  Leaving him out of the annual dunk fest would be a crime.



The one question regarding Brown's potential invite to the NBA dunk contest is whether he can be unique with his dunks. It's a valid question when you consider that Brown's best aerobatics this season have been more explosive than creative. But check out this clip from the year he played in the McDonald's All-American game, when he competed in the dunk contest against the likes of LeBron James and other future NBA ballers.

So obviously, Brown has shown the ability to get a little funky with his dunks. And just think how more special his jams could be once he gets some tutoring from his biggest supporter, Kobe Bryant, who won the 1997 NBA Dunk Contest as a rookie.

By the way, we've heard some good nickname suggestions for Brown this season as well.  What's your favorite?  Which one fits him the best?  Be sure to vote on the poll posted at the top of the page, and look for my interview with Brown on Tuesday night's edition of Lakers Live on FS West HD beginning at 6:45pm.

Kobe Named Player of the Decade

Los Angeles Lakers guard and 2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant is Sporting News‘ NBA player of the decade.

The honor is part of a 14-page tribute to the athletes, coaches and teams of the 2000s in the new issue of the magazine, which arrives this week at all Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets. SN honored one athlete in each sport and enlisted the help of teammates, coaches and legends to make a case for both the winner and runner-up.

Said former teammate Shaquille O’Neal of Bryant: “The thing about Kobe is that, over the course of my career, I have never played with anyone who was as fierce as he is. By fierce I mean just having that extra killer instinct that you know when the game is on the line he is not going to shy away from the big shot, he is not going to make excuses. If we would go into the fourth quarter, playoffs or just some game in the season and we were within a little bit of the other team, Kobe was not going to shy away from the challenge of getting the win. He was going to take the shots.”

Bryant was SN’s player of the year in 2008. But 2009 was his favorite. “This year meant a lot,” he told SN. “We won a championship. It was satisfying, very satisfying, because we put in a lot of time and effort to fix things and get better. It’s a great memory. I feel that we just had such a great team, such a fun team, from our chemistry to the way we executed. We went through some years and years of frustration to get to that point.”

Bryant also made SN’s NBA all-decade team:

FIRST
G Steve Nash
G Kobe Bryant
F Tim Duncan
F LeBron James
C Shaquille O’Neal

SECOND
G Allen Iverson
G Dwyane Wade
F Dirk Nowitzki
F Kevin Garnett
C Yao Ming

Coach K On Kobe: A Unique Competitor

I remember the first time I interviewed Kobe on live television following a Lakers game. I had just started at FOX Sports West, and I was reporting from the Lakers locker room following a win.

Kobe was wearing a blue and white Nike sweat suit, which I referenced at the end of the interview. I said something to the effect of "If you had gone to college, those Kentucky colors would have looked great on you." It was, of course, a direct reference to my alma mater.

Without hesitation Kobe responds, "Yeah, these Duke colors are nice."

Even in jest, Kobe hit me with the harshest of stingers on live tv. Welcome to LA, Michael.

I recall that story because I recently read some excerpts from Mike Krzyzewski's new book, "The Gold Standard," which is set to hit stores on May 4th.

If he had not decided to enter the NBA Draft following his senior season at Lower Merion High School, Kobe planned to take his talents to Duke and play for Coach K.

Their paths almost crossed again in 2004, after the Lakers did not renew Phil Jackson's contract. Kobe made it clear to Jerry Buss and Mitch Kupchak that he favored Krzyzewski to be the Lakers next coach. It turned out, however, that Coach K was not ready to leave Duke.

It wasn't until last year's Olympics that Kobe could finally see what it was like to play for Krzyzewski, but it may have been Coach K who was most looking forward to this union made in basketball.

"In finally getting my opportunity to coach Kobe Bryant, I found that he is who I thought he was," Krzyzewski writes in his new memoir.

"One of the most talented basketball players in the history of the game and the unique kind of competitor that may come around only once in a leader's lifetime."

To read more of Krzyzewski's takes on Kobe before the book comes out, check out Ramona Shelburne's article in the LA Daily News.

The Great Debate: Kobe or LeBron?

One reason the NBA Playoffs are one of my favorite portions of the sports calendar is because of all the new product that comes out. Whether it's a shoe, a soft drink or a line of apparel, you can always expect some new commercials to debut during the postseason.

Here's a sneak peak of one that just hit the airwaves this week. VitaminWater is capitalizing on a question that is starting to polarize the league: Who's the best player in the NBA.. Kobe or LeBron?

Kobe And The Kids: A Lovefest

Over the last several seasons, Kobe has continued to show that he is the best basketball player in the world, evidenced by last season's MVP award.

As impressive as he has been on the court, I am more impressed by his off-the-court initiatives. Kobe has done a remarkable job of remodeling his image since his issues in Colorado a few years back. He's come back out of that protective shell to reveal that multi-million dollar smile.

However, his smile pales in comparison to the smiles I have seen him produce on the faces of countless youngsters all over the world. From LA to Beijing, kids love Kobe and he seems to genuinely love them right back.

If he's not donating money and equipment to various causes, he's giving something even more valuable--his time!

Check out this story from the Chicago Tribune about a recent visit by Kobe to a Chicago after-school program.

Lakers Complete Best Road Trip Ever

While the final seconds of the Lakers 101-91 win over Lebron James and the Cavaliers ticked down, I realized that Phil Jackson and company had just completed their best road trip ever.

I don't just mean this season or any season in the PJ era. I mean ever, ever.

The trip gets off to a potentially disastrous start when Andrew Bynum went down with a torn MCL in his good knee.

But just when some thought the pursuit of a championship was doomed, Kobe responds with a record-setting 61-point performance against the Knicks, and then the Lakers cap off the trip with back-to-back wins over the Celtics and the Cavaliers, completing season sweeps of both teams in the process.

As I said, best road trip ever!

HOW KOBE BRYANT SPENT HIS SUMMER VACATION

Fox Sports WEST Debuts “Lakers Insider: Kobe Bryant - How I Spent My Summer Vacation” on November 5 at 10:30 PM

Los Angeles - In this edition of “Lakers Insider”, Fox Sports WEST follows the NBA’s reigning MVP, Kobe Bryant, in what may have arguably been his busiest summer to date. “Lakers Insider: Kobe Bryant – How I Spent My Summer Vacation” debuts on Wednesday, November 5 at 10:30 PM following “Lakers Live” post-game coverage of the Los Angeles Clippers at the Los Angeles Lakers.

In one 24-hour period, Bryant juggled his personal fitness routine and time with his family with a promotional appearance for his new Nike shoe, speaking at his annual youth basketball camp and playing in a friendly coach’s scrimmage game for the campers. “Lakers Insider: Kobe Bryant – How I Spent My Summer Vacation” is anchored by Fox Sports WEST and PRIME TICKET Reporter Michael Eaves’ interview with Bryant. Following is a sampling of soundbites from the show:

Whether Bryant was concerned his commitment to Team USA would affect his 2008-09 Lakers performance: “If this was a couple years ago, yes, yeah, a couple of years ago I would have had to put 35 points up in a game. I don’t do that anymore. I’ve got a lot of help. That concern is not there.”

On taking his family to Beijing: “I would love for my kids to see what greatness looks like from all across the board, from swimmers, to archers, to track and field.”

Why he enjoys interacting with the kids at his basketball camp: “For me, when I was a camper growing up, it was always about the interaction that I had with the professional players that came down, or the big time college players, and having an opportunity to ask them questions personally. Face-to-face interaction was more important to me than anything else.”

In addition to conducting a one-on-one interview with Bryant, Eaves provides voice over narration for the half-hour show, which includes footage from the youth basketball camp, the scrimmage game, viral videos of jumping cars and aquatic snakes, promoting his new Nike shoe, and promotional appearances with fans.

Following its November 5 debut, “Lakers Insider: Kobe Bryant – How I Spent My Summer Vacation” reprises on Saturday, November 8 at 10:30 PM; Thursday, November 13 at 10 PM; Friday, November 14 at 1:30 AM; Sunday, November 23 at 9:30 PM; Tuesday, November 25 at 6:30 PM; and, Wednesday, November 26 at 10 PM.

# # #

Lakers Media Day

I just returned from the Lakers Media Day festivities held at the team's practice facility in El Segundo.

No real earth-shattering news to report, but there were a few things I thought you might be interested to know.

First, this was one of the more civil and drama-free Laker Media Days I can remember for quite sometime. In the past, there was always seemed to be some underlying tension in the room, whether it was Shaq vs. Kobe, Phil vs. the Lakers or Kobe vs. the state of Colorado. But that was definitely not the case today. And to be honest, it was quite refreshing.

I spoke to Kobe for a few minutes. We were just shooting the breeze, as my dad used to say. He asked about my summer. I congratulated him on his gold medal and asked him about the trip to Beijing. He echoed the sentiments that I have heard from so many people who attend this summer's Olympic Games: it was unbelievable. Kobe has obviously been to the city several times before, and because of that he was able to attend more of the other Olympic events since most of his spare time wasn't spent touring the city. I believe the experience really gave him a greater understand of the entire Olympic experience.

I also spoke to Chris Mihm and he seems as anxious as anyone to tip-off the season. Who could blame him, considering how many games he's missed the last couple of years with a bad ankle. He told me that he spent two weeks in Austin rehabbing with the University of Texas athletic training staff. His trip to Austin wasn't so much about getting better care at UT than he could have gotten with the Lakers, as much as it was just to get away from the constant reminders of that dark rehab period he had to endure. He hopes to have a good season coming off the bench to backup Andrew Bynum. If he is indeed healthy, his availability will go a long way in off-setting the loss of Ronny Turiaf.

One other thing I heard that might be worth paying attention to is that Phil Jackson is considering starting Trevor Ariza over Lamar Odom. Now, there are a couple of reasons why that move could be made: 1) L-O may have fallen out of favor with Jackson and/or the front office and 2) coming off the bench would pit him against the opponents second unit with the belief that Odom could dominate those stretches of the game. Plus, if he comes off the bench, he won't be playing directly alongside Kobe all the time.

Again, it's just a rumor and this point, but it's definitely something worth watching as we get closer to the season opener: Tuesday, October 28th at home against Portland.

Shaq Takes On An Escalade

Just spotted this video on break.com. Check out Shaq trying to out do Kobe by jumping over an Escalade.



Shaq Jumps Over Escalade - Watch more free videos

Paul Pierce: I'm The Best Player In The World

I guess when you are the reigning NBA Finals MVP from the reigning NBA Championship team, you can say pretty much anything you want. Well, that's exactly what Paul Pierce did recently in Spain.

He was in Madrid for a basketball camp when a Spanish reporter asked him if Kobe Bryant was the best basketball player in the world-- a belief widely held throughout basketball circles, except Inglewood evidently.

Not only did Pierce claim that he was the world's top baller, but he went as far to say why Kobe should not be considered the best. And Pierce's reasoning did not have anything to do with Kobe's on-court skills. It was more about Kobe's ego than his game.

Check out the interview posted on Red's Army: http://redsarmy.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/the-spanish-interview/