Kobe: Nate, I saw your post on the new blog. You really think I should sit out?
Nate: Yeah. I mean, you need the rest, man. You gotta win another chip. Last year was last year. People think like Janet Jackson: “What have you done for me lately?”
Kobe: The team needs me. Pau is a wuss, Fisher got his first social security check last week and as for Andrew…ship his ass out. How can we keep pace with the West if I don’t play?
Nate: Home court is overrated. You’re the Mamba. Road or away, if you’re healthy, no team can beat the Lakers in the playoffs. Period.
Kobe: Yeah, you’re right. I’m going to heal up.
And that’s how the conversation went. Kobe sat out and instead of the Lakers losing, something strange has happened. They won. Even more surprising, they’ve looked great doing it. In Portland this past weekend, the Lakers won there for the first time in the last 10 tries. Last night, the Lakers did it again beating San Antonio 101-89.
Gasol looked like a franchise player against Duncan, netting 21 points, grabbing 19 boards, dishing eight dimes and swatting five blocks. Those are GOAT numbers right there. Lamar Odom was a beast on the glass contributing 10 rebounds in addition to his 16 points. Ron Artest was solid with 18 points and Derek Fisher shot above 50 percent en route to 13 points. Shannon Brown provided solid play as a starter in Kobe’s place, while Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar looked better off the bench than they’ve done all year.
This all begs the question: Are the Lakers better without Kobe?
To anyone who said yes, in the words of Rick James , “cocaine is a hell of a drug.” Of course the Lakers aren’t better without Kobe.
The Lakers are better without Andrew Bynum.
The Lakers the...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
