Ray Allen Will Be The Key To A Celtics Victory

That's how I feel. Although he may be not saying much about it publicly, any real NBA fan knows that Allen and Kobe have a longtime feud going, that's why the Allen/Bryant match-up will be the key here. Will Ray step it so he can that first ring or will he wallow in the big, Kobe spotlight? We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime I predict Boston in 6.

Kobe's Going To The Finals

The Spurs should've won Game 1 and got a bad call in Game 4, but still the Lakers proved to be the better team. Manu Ginobili played horrible throughout and Tim Duncan can't do it all by himself. Another failed chance to repeat for San Antonio and now I'm left with hoping that the Celtics or Pistons (more likely Boston) can stop that arrogant prick in L.A. from getting another championship ring.

Both Series' Will Go Seven Games

That's my opinion on the NBA Eastern and Western Finals this year. I'm still hoping for Spurs-Pistons in the Finals with Detroit willing in 6 while getting revenge for losing to the Spurs in 2005. This will also confirm my feelings that Kobe can't win without Shaq and that the Celtics just aren't ready yet.

Tim Duncan Needs To Step It Up Tonight

Listen, I love Chris Paul and the Hornets, but I'm still rooting for Spurs vs. Celtics in the NBA Finals. Why? Because I hate Kobe and I think that the Spurs have a much better chance of beating the Lakers than the Hornets do. So yeah, the Spurs need to get their shit together and win tonight, then take the next 3 outta 4. If anything, their much-deserved reputation for never being able to win back-to-back titles should motivate them.

Kobe Bryant Does Not Deserve The MVP

The trade for Paul Gasol had more to do with the Lakers winning their division than Kobe Bryant did in my opinion. Thus, the MVP award should be going to Chris Paul, not Kobe Bryant.

The NBA Starts Tonight!

And Kobe Bryant is at the center of it all, regarding trade rumors that is. Of course, I'd love it if the Knicks could get him for say Stephon Marbury and anybody else not named David Lee, but that's highly unlikely. BTW, my pick to win it all is the Pistons over Dallas in 7.

Kobe Owes The Lakers Some Loyalty

Seriously, can Kobe Bryant just keep his mouth shut? He's already won 3 championships and he didn't seem to have a problem staying with the franchise after Shaq left. And with all the money the Lakers are paying him, does he really think that the Lakers are going to to trade him for nothing?

Kobe Wants Out of Hollywood

Well, it took him long enough to admit how much he misses Shaq. But the bottom line is that the Lakers are a decent center (sorry, but no one can win an NBA championship with Kwame Brown, don't believe me just ask Michael Jordan) away from really contending because Kobe is that good and Odom, Luke, et al, make for a decent squad. So instead of whining Kobe should be pushing to have his input voiced in the upcoming draft and go from there.

Is Kobe Bryant A Cheap-Shot Artist?

Yahoo.com:

Once more, Kobe Bryant has cost himself the leverage to wag his finger and bemoan the tactics of the Raja Bells and Bruce Bowens in the Western Conference playoffs. No one confuses Bryant's intentions now. He keeps swinging for faces and keeps connecting.

First, it was San Antonio's Manu Ginobili. This time, it was Minnesota's Marko Jaric. For every aspect of basketball that Bryant has perfected, he's failing at the art of concealing the cheap shot. Stu Jackson's office let Kobe off easy with a one-game suspension for popping Jaric on Tuesday night, especially with the memory still so fresh of Bryant's shot upside Ginobili's head in late January. This latest transgression was worth two games, easy. Maybe three.

Somehow, this has become a part of Bryant's arsenal. Another missed jump shot, and another wild, flail on his follow-through at a defender's face. Whatever the story he's spinning this season, there remains a lot of anger, a lot of unrest within the Los Angeles Lakers star, and these are the moments when it manifests. And isn't it curious how he keeps picking victims whom he doesn't fear will fight back?

"I don't think he would've done that to (Minnesota's) Ricky Davis," one Eastern Conference scout said Wednesday. "In part, Kobe probably thought that if anything went down, he'd beat Marko's ass. No question in his mind. With Ricky, he's probably got a little more respect for him as a player, and probably a little more concern. 'I might be able to beat his ass, too, but I'm not necessarily sure it's worth the trouble.'

I agree. This is becoming too much of a coincidence. And with it comes Kobe I wouldn't put it past him to take cheap shots.

Kobe Bryant Suspended For Knicks Game

NEW YORK (Reuters)

Los Angeles Lakers all-star Kobe Bryant was hit with a one game suspension on Tuesday for striking San Antonio guard Manu Ginobili in the face.

The incident occurred with the game tied and just under three seconds remaining in the fourth period of Sunday's 96-94 overtime home loss to the Spurs.

Bryant, who is averaging 28.4 points, 5.5 assists and 5.4 rebounds a game, will miss Tuesday night's meeting with the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

One of the NBA's highest paid players, the one game ban will cost Bryant a reported $196,875.

Considering that the Lakers only come into New York once a year, keeping Kobe out of tonight's game is just ludicrous. Of course, nothing David Stern does these days makes much sense. Knicks fans need to seriously do a protest.