Bleacher Report - Articles by Jose Gonzalez

Laker For Life: Kobe Bryant Finally Named MVP

Jose Gonzalez — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:27:07 -0400

Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty Images

The press conference started a few minutes later than scheduled. The wait was worth it. Stu Lance told that Kobe or as he said "the best player right now", Phil Jackson and the sponsor from KIA.

Phil Jackson address Kobe Bryant as one the best players he has ever seen. That the dedication and passion that Kobe Bryant put on the court made an excellent player and that the award was well-deserved. Then, you had the sponsor talk about how the connection between his company and the NBA etc, etc....finally, the presentation. The room was filled with excitement , the sponsor talked a bit more and then presented Kobe with the award as he said "finally" with the MVP award. A lot of pictures were taken as Kobe with a smile that he could contain held the award.

First of all, Kobe thanked his family for always supporting him ,helping him while he was training and playing through out all the seasons. He thanked Jerry West for bringing him into the league. One great Laker to another great Laker, you gotta love it. And last but not least, his teammates, who as Kobe said help him win this award. That they helped him by training on the off-season by become better and stated that this was team. Kobe made a great statement towards his team when he said "We won MVP".

The press conference continued, Kobe was asked how he felt. To the surprise of many Kobe said he was "nervous", but most of all he was honored and extremely happy, as if you couldn't tell by just looking at his face. He also told what everybody knows, Mitch Kupchack was a genius by making the Pau Gasol trade and the he also made good drafts. Kobe play with the media, as he told them that this was a team award that is not single man achievements, if not as he said he would have won it when he was averaging forty. Laughs were all over the place, Kobe cracked up as teammate Luke Walton took the mic. Walton asked since Kobe said that this was a team award that if he his teammates were going to be treated to any kind of gift from him. Th whole crowd laugh and Kobe laugh as he said "what happen to the ol' hand-shake or to the 'atta boy", but then he said "you know I will". After that there were a lot good question but there only two that will be remembered in history.

Not in order but the first one was "How disappointed would have you been if you didn't win this award?". He said that he wouldn't have been. Not disrespect toward the award but after being skipped for so many years he made up his mind that he might never win the prized award. Another question that I just to attach to this one was "Where did this award ranked among all others? People applaud as he said this "There's nothing like winning a championship". It kinda makes you wonder how the playoffs are going to be turn out.

The second question, and probably the one that fill my heart with excitement was "Does this make you want to be a Laker for life", without any hesitation he said "Yes." This has to be one happiest day of my life and of any laker fan. The Lakers are rolling on the Playoffs, Kobe is happy and named MVP, and if the Lakers have great future, you're going to have one if not "the best player" for a long long time.

Lakers-Jazz: Kobe Bryant to Face Off with Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer

Jose Gonzalez — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:45:46 -0400

The second round for the Lakers will start this Sunday. The last two seasons around this time Kobe Bryant would have been on the gym practicing for next season after getting bumped out of the first round back-to-back by the Phoenix Suns.

Kobe Bryant is practicing with his team because their little break is coming to an end. After sweeping the Nuggets on the first round, The Lakers will have a more formidable foe in the Utah Jazz.

The Lakers will have the home advantage for the first two games. This is really important when facing a team that's great at home (37-4) and that's has problems on the road (17-24).

But the Lakers are going to need more than home-court advantage to beat this team. If Kobe Bryant and company want to win this series, they must work hard and play smart.

Jerry Sloan wants his team to beat the Lakers at least one of the first games. Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer are going to be real threat for the Lakers.

One of the important matchups is at the point guard position. Deron Williams and Derek Fisher are both strong players. They played together back in Utah so they know each other, but the main factor is the talent.

Williams closed the series against the Houston Rockets in Game Six. In the third quarter, Williams scored 13 of his 25 points. He also sank four in a row from three-point land.

This is going to be a very physical and emotional series. Both teams have shown some kind of grudge ever since the Utah Jazz fans booed Derek Fisher after leaving the Jazz for the Lakers, but more importantly for the health of his daughter.

Kobe called this event "rude" and it did feel like it was taken personally. In their last two meetings of the regular season, Kobe scored 31 and 27 points.

The Lakers have to be physical against this Utah team. Lamar Odom is going to be one the key factors going against Boozer. Odom needs to set up people with assists and to be physical when defending Boozer.

Then, you have Gasol and Okur, the big man matchup. Both men can shoot the ball; Gasol can hit from mid-range, while Okur has the spot-up three-pointer.

Gasol needs to post up Okur on the paint and using his moves and his hands to beat the slower man.

Finally, the key factor is Kobe Bryant. Who's going to guard him? The answer is...a lot of people. Expect Kirilenko, Brewer, and maybe even Harpring to switch up.

AK47 against KB24 seems like the "best" match-up. Andre Kirilenko has those long arms and it can interfere with Kobe's shot. He's also a strong player who can make assists and get rebounds.

If this happens, Kobe is either going to be aggressive and attack the rim or draw the double team and then set people up for assists.

I think Lakers vs. Jazz is a great matchup. Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer are bringing the old one-two punch with the smart, unselfish point guard, and the big forward that can shoot, put it down and pass it. It reminds you of the Stockton-Malone days.

On the other hand, you have the strong Laker team, which is rested, confident and talented. I give it to the Lakers in six games or maybe seven.

When it comes to the end, I expect Kobe to have big games. Last year, he was practicing for next season, and now we're seeing the results.

MVP, MVP, MVP!!: Lakers Light Up the Show, Kobe Bryant Outshines All

Jose Gonzalez — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:38:38 -0400

The voting has ended, and now we can only wait until the MVP is announced. All the candidates have shown extreme performances.

Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets have been unstoppable, putting so many assists that, from time to time, you feel there are two Pauls on the court.

LeBron James has been a force to be reckoned with, annihilating the Washington Wizards in the the first two games. He averaged more than 30 points, showing his power over a Wizards' team that, up until now, hasn't been putting up. The Cleveland Cavaliers better win at Washington before they keep running their mouth.

Kevin Garnett...Well, the Boston Celtics are playing the Hawks. I mean no disrespect to the team, but coming into this series nobody is gave them a chance.

Last, but certainly not least, K-O-B-E.

During the first game, Kobe Bryant's shot was a bit off (let's not forget that he is still injured with a fractured pinky), but he still dropped 32 points. During Game 2 Kobe came to make a statement: "This is my house. This is my year. Get off!"

I'm paraphrasing, of course, but that was the feeling you got after the first quarter of the game was over and he had 20 points, on his way to 49 for the night.

He didn't have to do all the scoring though. In the second and third quarters, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol kept the team up even when Allen Iverson and the Denver Nuggets made a run, actually taking the lead by one at 68-67.

And then there was the fourth-quarter finisher. Kobe made a 3-point play to really put the game away in the middle of the quarter. Then, like a great gun-slinger, he sunk a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 14.

Playing the crowd like a great host, Kobe gave the smoking guns and then screamed his lungs out, telling everyone what team he is on: THE LAKERS!

The next game, on the road, will be hard. Kobe has tasted blood, but now he's going for the kill.

The King Slayed The Wizards: Lebron Goes Strong, Wizards fall 2 Games behind.

Jose Gonzalez — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:17:15 -0400

Bow down to the king.James has been extremely amazing on this series against the wizards and he's not done. After two wins if you're Lebron what do you have? Well, a lot of bruises and scratches, probably the whole state of Ohio, more important a quite opponent.

There has been a lot trash talking, and rough-playing in this series but until now one only one man talked the talk and walked the walk. Any guesses? Lebron is anything but overrated, at least to the Washington Wizards. With 62 point in the first two games to go along with a handful of assist and rebounds. Lebron has come and shut down Wizards Team that came into the series talking trash and now that the series has started you seen how certain Wizards players have target Lebron, hitting him with hard fouls, some even hard enough to get you thrown out.If you don't believe me just ask Brendan Haywood, who after pushing Lebron while he has in the air, sending him out of bounds and into the hardwood, Haywood get his second flagrant and got ejected.

A few hard hits is not going to slow down the king, instead you are going to make him mad. Instead of hitting people,Lebron hit jumpers, the Cavs took the second game 116-86. The Cavaliers made a important point heading towards Washington. They told the Wizards that if they want a rivalry they go it but they first go to beat them to be really consider a rivalry . The point that the King made was that if you are going to talk big, he's going let his game do the talking. If you're going to hit him , he's going hit you harder and where it hurts.....the scoreboard.

Los Angeles-Denver: Kobe Bryant and Company Are Ready to Host the Nuggets

Jose Gonzalez — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:45:58 -0400

The Nuggets are coming to L.A. with the last playoff spot. Iverson has to make sure Anthony doesn't get in trouble. Anthony was arrested on Monday under the suspicion of drunk driving. In a city where sin is everywhere, and if you are not top of your game, the Lakers are ready to run you out.

You gotta expect this to be a high-scoring game when you have high-caliber shooters like 'Melo, AI, and Kobe. Two of them are the top scorers in the League. Iverson is averaging 26.4 a game, and Kobe above him with 28.3.

But Phil Jackson doesn't want this to be a shoot-off between these guys. Now, Kobe has teammates that can finish after he dishes the ball. Lamar and Gasol are going to have problems in the low post with defenders like Camby and K-Mart.

Even though Camby is coming to this series with some of the best defensive talent in his career, he will need it. Odom is shooting a 52 percent from the field, and you have the Conquistador from Spain that can finish with either hand or pass it to the outside. With the spot-on shooters like Radman, Sasha "The Machine" Vujacic, and Fisher's big playoff experience when it comes to big shoots(0.4, it's enough time), the three-point line can become the Nuggets' double-edged sword.

Everybody knows what Kobe is going to do when the playoffs start. He can smell a championship, and the Nuggets are not going to be the team to stop him. The Lakers won the regular season series three to one, and they know this is their year.

Iverson and Anthony are going to try to stop them by shooting that ball like there's no tomorrow. If Kobe...or better yet, when Kobe goes off, it won't matter what city he is in or what day is it. At home, he has a city that loves him and that wants to see their messiah win the MVP award, but they also want to go to the promised land called the NBA Finals, and finally bring that Champioship trophy back home.

In Colorado, Kobe has a lot bad memories that are always going to hunt him, but he's ready to create some great memories that are going to hunt not only the Nuggets, but every playoff team.

This matchup won't be easy, but nothing worth something ever is. The Lakers are going to be too strong for the Nuggets, either away or at home, but Iverson and Anthony want it, and they might shoot their way into one win at home.

I give this series to the Lakers 4-1 because the Lakers are strong, but Iverson and Anthony have too much pride to get swept.

On 4/20 this battle is going to start, and I'll be at home in a cloud-filled room cheering for the Lakers. I'll reach a higher level that I have reached in the past years, and the Lakers are going to reach a level higher than anyone on 4/20.