If Houston can follow through and beat Portland in the first round, the Rockets will meet up with the Lakers … giving Tracy McGrady some hope that even while injured this postseason he can make a title run, right? Well, McGrady was asked while on an Atlanta talk-radio station for his NBA title pick, and…
Kobe Bryant certainly played very well Thursday night and was in fine spirits after the game. But he also took nearly a full hour after the game ended to meet with reporters — easily a season-high delay — primarily because he was getting what he referred to as “maintenance” work done by rehabilitation specialist Judy…
A Sports Illustrated poll of NBA players had Kobe Bryant second behind LeBron James as league’s most wanted as a teammate. It’s a reflection of Bryant’s polarizing nature that he ranks this high in this poll yet also tied for third in a previously released poll asking players whom they’d least like to have on…
What are the chances the Lakers go 7-0 on this trip? Not bad. Not bad at all. My column previewing this trip asked the question of whether the Lakers could still gain home-court advantage over Cleveland, but the point in that discussion was that they should still do very well on this trip in part…
LOS ANGELES – The start of a five-game, western road trip holds critical ramifications to the Philadelphia 76ers’ playoff aspirations. Sixers forward Andre Iguodala got the trip off to a rip roaring start by sinking a 3-pointer at the final buzzer, to catapult Philadelphia over the Lakers. The Lakers had a foul to give in the final seconds…
EL SEGUNDO – Kobe Bryant has removed the splint that was placed on his two front teeth following the Lakers’ loss last Sunday at Phoenix. The splint was put on after one of Bryant’s front teeth was loosened when he took a charging foul against the Suns’ Leandro Barbosa and absorbed a hard blow to…
You see Kobe Bryant yelling something to Pau Gasol during a game. You can’t quite make out what they are saying. Seems mumbled. Like they aren’t speaking English. That’s because they aren’t. Bryant said many times when he wants Gasol to do something on the court — but doesn’t want the other team to know…
Kobe Bryant, Lakers superstar and soccer aficionado, boarded a helicopter after practice Thursday and headed for Home Depot Center in Carson. Sure, his presence was to help promote the Women’s Professional Soccer League that debuts March 29, but that’s not the only reason Bryant showed up. Marta was the real reason. Marta is considered the…
Four points stand between Kobe Bryant and the next big body on the all-time scoring list. Four points that easily will be attained Friday against Minnesota. Four points needed to pass Robert Parish of Celtics’ fame. At some point early in the game, Bryant wil move past Parish and into 18th place on the league’s all-time scoring…
LOS ANGELES – Once the playoffs begin, the Lakers’ second unit is going to be paramount in the team’s quest for the NBA title. With that in mind and belief that the bench corps has to step up its game, Lakers coach Phil Jackson gave them an extended run in the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s victory…
PHOENIX — Kobe Bryant was the first to come out and say he’d definitely re-up with Team USA back in January. Bryant said to me then he was on board for another run at the gold in 2012 in Athens, even if it means he has to commit to spending his 2010 summer working at the…
