During his now famous Hall of Fame induction speech, Michael Jordan let us in on his little secret. He gave us a peak of the list of names he kept etched inside his head. That’s right, much like Steve Buscemi did in Billy Madison, MJ kept his own list of names he would never forget.
From the high school coach who declined to put a sophomore MJ on the varsity team to the hapless Utah Jazz guard Bryon Russell, Jordan made sure none of their actions went unnoticed. Whether or not these people actually meant any harm to MJ was of no consequence. The only thing that mattered was Jordan’s perception of their actions.
This was his day to set the record straight, his way of thanking them for providing the extra motivation he needed to destroy them.
The amusing part, of course, is in reality Jordan never had half the detractors he thought he did. It didn’t matter though, because MJ wanted his revenge.
Revenge can push seemingly sane men right off the deep end. It’s why a vengeance obsessed Jack Bauer strapped on full body armor to kidnap President Logan in the final season of 24.
Speaking of, can someone pass please this message along to upper management at Fox: WHY? Why on earth are you cancelling 24? Have you no soul? Are you trying to ruin Monday nights for me? ARE YOU?
I haven’t been this upset about Fox cancelling a show since Arrested Development. But I digress.
Real or imagined, Jordan never let his detractors off the hook. The great ones never do.
Which brings us to Kobe Bryant.
Next Page: Kobe and His List
[phpbay]Lakers Jersey, 3[/phpbay]The whispers started in Round 1 against Oklahoma City. National reporters concluded that Kobe wasn’t simply playing injured, he was playing “old”. When the Lakers found themselves locked in a 2-2 series with the young and restless Thunder, the whispers turned to roars.
The loudest voice belonged to Sir Charles Barkley, who knows a thing or two about being past his prime. Back in April he led the charge shouting that an “old” Kobe who is “clearly on the downside of his career” would not lead the Lakers to a repeat.
You think Kobe was listening?
It continued last week with a seemingly innocent question.
Minutes after the four game sweep of Utah was in the books, reporters predictably turned their attention to the Phoenix Suns. LA Times beat writer Brad Turner asked Kobe if the Lakers’ back-to-back losses to Phoenix in 2006 and 2007 would provide any extra motivation for the series.
“What do you think?” Kobe snapped back, creating an awkward silence in the press room that would make coach Gregg Popovich blush.
In case reminiscing about playoff failure with the Mamba wasn’t fun enough, certain reporters thought digging up specifics might really get the party started. With LeBron James’ Game 5 stink bomb fresh on their minds, writers had visions of Kobe “tanking” Game 7 dancing through their heads. Rehashing that topic with Kobe, however, seems about as safe as sharing a New York hotel room with Lawrence Taylor.
Kobe, who vehemently denied sending a “message” in that infamous Game 7, wasn’t having any of it.
“That’s just stupid”
“Irresponsible”
“It’s outlandish”
“People who say that are stupid”
Are we having fun yet?
Next Page: A Phoenix Revenge
[phpbay]Lakers Jersey, 3[/phpbay]Apparently the Mamba doesn’t like being accused of deliberately losing games. He’s funny like that.
With local reporters trying their best to turn Kobe’s week off into a Soap Opera, national reporters were busy trying to figure out where LeBron might land next season. Needless to say, this didn’t sit well with the Kobester, who doesn’t take kindly to fallen kings stealing headlines when his season is still going.
For his part, Kobe does a decent job of playing the recluse. The truth is he hears everything we say and sees everything we do. He calmly takes notes in his head and waits patiently for a time to rub it right in our faces.
Unfortunately for the Phoenix Suns, this time they were on the receiving end.
Game 1: Lakers 128, Suns 107
And it wasn’t that close.
After stewing for more than a week, Kobe unleashed a gem of a performance: 40 points, 56% from the field, 92% from the line, 5 rebounds, 5 assists. But the most important stat of all, one fourth quarter of rest.
If you think Kobe is finished with Phoenix, you haven’t been paying attention. Since Sir Charles dismissed Kobe and the Lakers as old and done, Kobe has averaged an efficient 30 points a game while his team has run off seven consecutive wins. The troublesome part for the Suns is the defending champs seemingly have enough momentum to end their season, and end it quickly.
One game doesn’t define a series, of course, but Kobe’s demolition of the Phoenix backcourt was only part of the reason Suns fans should be disheartened.
After finally getting past the San Antonio Spurs with a combination of potent scoring and staunch defense, the Suns came out flat in the biggest game of their season. They gave up a postseason high 128 points in what proved to be a surprisingly balanced scoring game for LA.
When final horn sounded, Grant Hill and Jared Dudley (combined 2-10 shooting) looked like George McFly as Kobe had just bullied them at both ends of the court. Only this time, Michael J and his DeLorean aren’t coming to save the day.
Although the Suns might be in need of some help.
Next Page: Amar’e and His Big Mouth
[phpbay]Lakers Jersey, 3[/phpbay]Which brings us to Mr. Amar’e Stoudemire.
Oh Amar’e, hasn’t anyone ever told you not to poke the bear?
I thought this went without saying, but when your team loses by 20 points on national TV and the guy you guard has more than 6 TIMES as many rebounds as you, it’s not time to throw insults.
Keep your “lucky game” comments to yourself. Stop reminding us how you “dominated” Pau Gasol when he was in Memphis. It makes you look slow, and I’m not talking about your performance in Game 1.
As if Kobe Bryant and his team need any more motivation.
I guess you can add another name to the list: Stoudemire, Amar’e.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7-_Gdps8bk
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