> > On May 15, 7:50 am, levi <l...@visi.com> wrote:

> > > On May 14, 12:21 am, "brink" <brinknos...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> > > > levi wrote:
> > > > > On May 13, 4:34 pm, RMJon23 <rmjo...@aol.com> wrote:
> > > > >> On May 13, 2:28 pm, WBC <calc...@removeshoesyahoo.com> wrote:

> > > > >>>http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=keown/090512&sportCat...

> > > > >>> Tuesday, May 12, 2009
> > > > >>> Updated: May 13, 3:36 PM ET

> > > > >>> *Leave the scowl at home, Kobe*

> > > > >>> By Tim Keown

> > > > >>> The strangest moment of the NBA playoffs took place during Game 3
> > > > >>> of the Lakers-Rockets series, when Kobe Bryant hit an 18-foot
> > > > >>> turnaround jumper from the left elbow with Shane Battier's right
> > > > >>> hand in his face. Bryant immediately began shaking his head with a
> > > > >>> look that indicated he smelled something really bad. This -- as you
> > > > >>> know -- is Kobe's dismissive face,
> > > > >>> the one he now makes after nearly every basket.

> > > > >>> But that wasn't the strange part -- after all, how can something be
> > > > >>> strange when it happens anywhere from 10 to 25 times a game? The
> > > > >>> strange part came afterward, when he started back downcourt and
> > > > >>> turned to the
> > > > >>> TNT broadcasters at center court and yelled toward commentator Doug
> > > > >>> Collins.

> > > > >>> We get it Kobe, no one can guard you. Now keep quiet and play the
> > > > >>> game.

> > > > >>> "He can't guard me," Bryant said. Shaking his head, his mouth curled
> > > > >>> downward in a semicircle of disgust, he stared down Collins and
> > > > >>> said it again, "He can't guard me."

> > > > >>> There was a pause on the broadcast. OK, that was meant for us, you
> > > > >>> could almost hear them thinking. So ... what do we say now? They
> > > > >>> couldn't
> > > > >>> ignore it, because it was clear to everyone watching that they were
> > > > >>> taken aback and that Kobe was the reason. Kevin Harlan acknowledged
> > > > >>> that Kobe was targeting Collins, one of the most even and
> > > > >>> knowledgeable minds
> > > > >>> in the game.

> > > > >> I stopped reading there. Why waste time reading "experts" who exist
> > > > >> just to fill up space?

> > > > > Too bad. With the possible exception of Keown's
> > > > > evaluation of Collins, I thought he was pretty
> > > > > much dead on in his characterization of Kobe.

> > > > > If Kobe were, gasp(!), a Celtic, I'm sure you'd
> > > > > have a completely different take on him.

> > > > I think Kobe's changed a lot... 3 years ago I thought he tended to
> > > > embarrass himself and the team with displays of (false) bravado. The two
> > > > turning points seemed to be the doomed 7-game series vs. Phoenix in 2006 and
> > > > then the team coming together after his offseason tantrum after the 2007
> > > > playoffs. Since then, I really do think he's been a different guy,
> > > > especially with how he treats teammates and opponents. Guys he used to feud
> > > > with like Raja Bell or Bruce Bowen he seems to go out of the way to show
> > > > respect to... even Ron-Ron and their well-publicized battles, you can tell
> > > > that he still likes Artest and the feeling seems to be mutual.

> > > As a reasonably hopeful human being, I hope so. But
> > > I tend to believe it's more like wall paper covering up
> > > a deeply flawed structure.

> > > > He still has his moments, but he isn't even close to the level of
> > > > histrionics of KG, Pierce, or LeBron... even Chris Paul is much
> > > > more of an antagonist.

> > > Ah yes, the histrionics. Just one aspect of the picture.
> > > It would be great if nobody acted that way. Keown's
> > > messge "Leave the scowl at home" is dead on -- it's
> > > not helping Kobe's image or his game. Same for the
> > > guys you point out.

> > > .- Hide quoted text -

> > > - Show quoted text -

> > I say: give me MORE scowling, more emotion, more
> > expressiveness...which doesn't mean bad sportsmanship, or something
> > worthy of a T, much less fighting. I like Battier's enigmatic smile
> > after fouls. I think Artest - a very <ahem> "interesting" figure - is
> > very expressive. As Laker fans we hate(d) Danny Ainge...but you have
> > to admit the humanity of his expressiveness when he committed a clear
> > foul and seemed to actually believe he got called for nothing.

> > There are some guys who, via facial expressiveness and body language,
> > seem to never be fazed. They're few and far between, but even THAT is
> > interesting to me, because the normal run of things in very physical
> > team sports like the NBA is that: guys are in an intense situation,
> > they need everything they can muster to play up to snuff. they're
> > under intense pressure. They EMOTE, levi. And there's a special case
> > in the NBA that doesn't apply to football or hockey: they are playing
> > in their underwear. Not a lot to hide, so why hide it?

> > Ever watch good playground guys? After awhile, you'll see a fistfight
> > or shoving match. In the NBA, they impress a code of conduct, you're
> > on a lighted stage, under intense scrutiny, and paid absurd sums to
> > deliver your skills at the world-class level.

> > And you think facial expressions are something to get all worked up
> > about?

> > Man, I bet you're a real joy to hang out with.- Hide quoted text -

> > - Show quoted text -

> What I said was: "Keown's messge "Leave the scowl at home"
> is dead on -- it's not helping Kobe's image or his game."

> Yep. <cue Elvis> "I'm all shook up". Not.

> On the flip side, it's just about as disgusting to watch
> Kobe le, nay, *cause* the Lakers lose to a Yao-less HOU.
> Bird or MJ never would have let it happen once, much less
> twice. Makes for a fun psycho-drama, though.- Hide quoted text -

> - Show quoted text -