Not sure how you
guys look at it, but there's something really special
to me about the last several months of The Journey. In
giving up the dream, I've inadvertently shown more of
who I am than ever before. Believe it or not,
when I look back on previous months I'm most
definitely just a reader. I look at things and roll my
eyes, scoff, laugh... and I can't get over the
irony of writing "Letting Go" as the last entry of
August and then immediately following with "Leaderless
State" and a series of entries completely unrelated to
anything that I'd ever posted before. The one thread
is "passion". I am passionate about everything
I do. Even if it's spectating...
...and nothing
compares to what I spectated in the 2nd half of last
night's Lakers game. Nothing is close. When Jordan
scored 55 in New York it was hailed as a "classic". It
was part of a friggin' commercial. It was a stage to
his greatness. Kobe scored 55 in a fucking half. Yes,
fucking. I can't even begin to censor myself when it
comes to that sentence.
FIFTY FIVE IN A FUCKING HALF.
Effortlessly. And why did he do that? Because he's a
ball hog? Because he's selfish? NO. Because his team
was down by 18 points and he couldn't handle the loss
with 4 days off coming up.
Ya see, I'm
already defensive. It's become a sport to hate Kobe
lately and it really pisses me off. No one wants to
remember his last year with Shaq when he worked his
ass off to be in the best shape of his career and Shaq
came into camp fat as hell and completely rusty. He
cost them games, he cost them the championship and he
was traded. I relate so much with Kobe sometimes
man. He's so passionate about his craft. He trains his
ASSSSSSSSS off. He has the right to expect his
teammates to do the same. And the bottom line is, he
did defer to his teammates last night and they
found themselves down by 20. They were about to lose
to a 14-26 team and he TOOK OVER. He made it happen.
And in all honesty, he did it better than I have ever
seen Jordan do it. It was literally like playing an
xbox game. You know where you just pick a star and try
and make him score 100? It was like some kid had a
wireless controller in the arena and set the game to
"rookie" so he could dominate.
Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick. And he's only 27 folks. The
future is bright...and man, can you imagine the LeBron
vs. Kobe finals? Are you kidding me? The Cavs will
most likely lose LeBron to New York at the end of this
year - and will that ever set up an amazing
scenario: Future NY/LA finals with the 2 biggest
stars going at it. Wow.
I really compare
the Lakers right now with the Bulls of 1987-1989. 1987
was the year MJ averaged 37 and they were out of the
playoffs in the first round. He had no choice but to
score 37 a night, he had no Pippen. It was the only
way they were going to win. That should change next
year if Kobe gets a Pippen. I really thought
Lamar would be that role, but I don't see the
fire in him like Pippen had. Kobe senses that and in
turn, doesn't trust him to make the big shots. You had
to impress Jordan the same way. You had to earn his
trust. In time, Pippen did, Grant did, Paxson did,
Armstrong did, Kerr did... but it took time. Give the
Lakers time, they'll be back on top.
For
the
video,
it's literally me conceding to Kobe. In
1989 when Jordan scored 69 points, I
happened to be taping it and my father and
I made a music video to Tina Turner's
"Simply The Best". It was one of many
videos we made and was actually a big
spark in my creativity as a kid. I'll try
to dig it out of my trailer and put a copy
online. Anyway, I thought it was
appropriate to remake the video with Kobe
in place of Michael. I love Jordan to
death, but any true fan of the game has to
see how much better Kobe is.
Offensively he has
no equal and when his career is complete, I believe
you'll be hard pressed to not put him ahead of MJ. But
at the same age? No comparison man. We just have to
see Kobe win multiple rings without Shaq (even though
Jordan never did it without Pippen and I don't
hear anyone crying about that. LOL) and it will be
cemented.
Adam
PS - I'm not
avoding talking about the Bears loss, I just
really have nothing to say. Watching the best defense
in the NFL FALL DOWN on two plays for 50+ yard
touchdowns is pathetic. They didn't deserve to win. Of
course the fact that the Steelers beat all odds and
are IN the freaking Superbowl just stings worse.
It was the best opportunity Marty and I have ever
had in our lives for the big day and chances are it
won't happen again the remainder of our days. Oh well.
I wish him all the luck and will be rooting for
his Steelers on the 5th.
