RE: NBA Finals - I'm pretty happy

From: Nabeel Kaukab
Date: 03 Jun 2002 - 08:31 PM EST

Just to preface my comments...I hate Kobe Bryant, I hate the
fact that he always beats the teams I root for and I hate
that he's so cocky...

But let it be said, Panth, I think you're out of your
mind, if you don't think Kobe Bryant is the best
basketball player (Shaq is more dominant, but Kobe
is the better baller) on the planet today. The only
player close is McGrady, and he just hasn't shown
the leadership or ability to dominate that Kobe has.

Kobe is a star with or without Shaq, he dominates games
at both ends of the court, he's fearless, clutch, and
demanding. In short, he's a winner and the kind of player
that someone like Huggins dreams about.

Take the best intangible qualities of Logan, K-Mart, Herb
Jones, & Van Exel and combine them with the best individual
talent in the league -- that's Kobe Bryant. Be jealous or
hate him like I do because he's not on your team, but don't
be so silly as to think that "there are a lot of players
that are better offensive players than Kobe".

Of course, if I remember, you were never really impressed
with Michael Jordan, so I guess all this is moot ;)

Nabeel

-----Original Message-----
From: rpanth [mailto:address@hidden
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2002 8:07 PM
To: address@hidden
Subject: Re: [UC Basketball] NBA Finals - I'm pretty happy

Not that I am particularly picking on Richard but I don't know why people
think so highly of Kobe (including Richard - *smile*). IMHO, there are a lot
of players that are better offensive players than Kobe (such as Ray Allen,
Tracy McGrady and Paul Pierce just to name a few shooting guards and I won't
even include Iverson - and I won't include players like Kidd or Payton that
don't play the 2 spot)

My rationale: think of how Nick Anderson and Penny Hardaway are now in
oblivion but were stars when playing with Shaq. Is Hardaway even starting
for the Suns?

Panth

----- Original Message -----
From: "richard l. kandell" <address@hidden>
To: <address@hidden>
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2002 4:43 PM
Subject: Re: [UC Basketball] NBA Finals - I'm pretty happy

If they really called charging fouls, or pushing and shoving, would Shaq
stay in a game for more than the 1st quarter? Where in the rule book does
it say that the offensive player may put his shoulder (or rear end, or

some

other part of a humongous body) into a defensive player, and even if he
doesn't knock him down, he moves him 4' backwards, so as to create all

sorts

of room to shoot, that such is allowed? Shaq may be one of the nicest
people in the whole world - but he isn't half the basketball player that a
number of others are, including Kobe. He is, however, the strongest,
toughest, player in the league and as long as the refs allow him to bull

his

way all over the court on offense he will continue to be a dominant

factor.

If they ever started to call some of these things, he would be a lot less
effective - how many shots did he take, much less make, more than 5' from
(actually you could almost say 5") basket in the entire series.

I am anti-Lakers, and have been for many years, but the Kings didn't

deserve

to win last night. Anytime an NBA team, made up of guys who are being

paid

zillions of bucks annually, can't shoot better than 55% from the foul

line,

especially on their own floor, it is hard to feel sorry for them when they
lose.

Richard K.

----- Original Message -----
From: "jon breiner" <address@hidden>
To: <address@hidden>
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2002 3:31 PM
Subject: Re: [UC Basketball] NBA Finals - I'm pretty happy

I think the biggest factor is now that the Lakers are in the finals, the
NBA will not be offering extra stipends to the refs to ensure they get
there. I expect the games to be called a bit more fairly.

I have decided the only difference between the NBA and the WWF (or WWE)
is that the team that is supposed to lose doesn't lay down in the NBA.

jon b

Dan Marshall wrote:

I think the Nets have a couple of things that keep them in it...

1.) Rest, I think an extra game, like the ones the Lakers had with the

kings could wear on ANY team, particularly with Shaq, he was immediately

the trainers room after the game(Or he hates Jim Gray as much as I do and

just told NBC that so he didn't have to talk to gray

2.) Underdog, chip on their shoulder, disrespect, nothing to lose

attitude. I think this will help.

3.) Depth, I know Horry, Fisher, Fox and Shaw have had their moments,

but

the Lakers really are the Shaq and Kobe show. If the nets can get Shaq in
foul trouble, they have a chance.

4.) Odds... does this count?... a three peat is VERY RARE. (although

not

for Phil!)

-----Original Message-----
From: Wedinger, Keith [mailto:address@hidden
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2002 11:04 AM
To: Bearcat Basketball
Subject: [UC Basketball] NBA Finals - I'm pretty happy

Being a longtime Laker fan, I am quite pleased to see them return to

the

finals. And what a gutsy performance on the road against the Kings.

The

commentators said more than once that no one besides Biddy wanted to st

up

and make a play. Look at Webber's stats: 20 points in 1st half, 2

each

in

all following periods. The Lakers have been there before and they have
players who want to step up and make plays.

On the other side of the ledger, we have my all-time favorite Bearcat,
Kenyon Martin, playing the Finals for the first time. It will be
interesting to see how he steps up in basketball's ultimate stage.

I think all of the games will be close (under 10 point margins) but the
Lakers have too much star firepower who have done this before to let an
upset occur. At worst, Lakers in 6. But an LA sweep would not

surprise

me.

J. Keith Wedinger
Senior Software Developer
Sterling Commerce
address@hidden

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