Who’s ‘The Man’ in Houston?
It ruined the Shaquille O’Neal-Kobe Bryant pairing in Los Angeles, but Tracy McGrady won’t let it derail Houston’s title hopes. via NBA.com
Archive for August, 2007
Krzyzewski has Bryant’s back
“I’m 60 years old. I’m going to do what I do at Duke and I am not going to coach in the pros. Besides coaching college basketball, I love Duke. I just love the university. It was too much to give up.”
LAS VEGAS — On the court, Kobe Bryant has been a ferocious defender for Mike Krzyzewski in the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament. via Los Angeles Times
NBA superstar Kobe Bryant to visit Philippines in September
“Kobe Bryant serves as a basketball icon, inspiration and role-model to a lot of our young Filipino athletes and we are proud to bring him closer to his fans”
Kobe Bryant, the U.S. basketball superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers, is expected to descend on the Philippine capital of Manila on September 5, local media reported Wednesday. via People’s Daily Online
Anthony, Bryant help US roll in opener
“It was really our first game together.”
USA’s Carmelo Anthony goes up for a shot during the FIBA Americas regional qualifying basketball tournament to decide two berths for the LAS VEGAS: Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant made his international … via Gulf Times
LeBron, Kobe, Melo Lead U.S. Past Brazil
“We have so many talented players and I don’t have to score a lot of points. I just try to do the best I can defensively.”
After containing Leandro Barbosa, Kobe Bryant still had time to keep up with LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. James scored 21 points, Bryant added 20 and harassed Barbosa all over the court, and the United States clinched the top spot in its group by beating Brazil 113-76 Sunday night in the FIBA Americas tournament.
Anthony also had 21 for the Americans (4-0), who for the second straight game pulled away by holding their opponent without a field goal for more than 6 minutes in the second quarter. Read more
Late Lakers coach van Breda Kolff knew drama
“We had a very good relationship that extended beyond the court. Butch enjoyed life and he was always fun to be around. He will be missed.”
The Lakers superstar and head coach kept butting heads. Two strong personalities, two huge egos, two guys used to getting their way. via Daily News
U.S. players expecting larger crowds
“I thought it was going to be more packed”
Kobe Bryant regards Las Vegas as Lakers country. So where were all his fans on opening night of the FIBA Americas tournament? Not at the Thomas & Mack Center, where the Americans debuted before a crowd that … via Home News Tribune
McGaughey’s Sightseeing will try to upset Street Sense in Travers Stakes
“We know it’s a little more difficult financially here in Oklahoma City, but we think it’s great for the community, and if we could break even, we’d be thrilled.”
‘ Shug McGaughey has a pretty good track record in the Travers Stakes - ‘ three victories, two runner-up finishes and three thirds in 10 races. via Arizona Daily Star
NBA veterans rave about Krzyzewski
“The first thing is communication, which he does very well because he likes to teach”
No one can blame the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant if he’s having a serious case of “what could have been” playing for Team USA. via Charlotte.com
ESPN’s Chris Sheridan has a must-read article about Kobe Bryant
“You said one day you wanted to be traded, you said you wanted to be a ‘Laker for life.’ There were different phone calls back and forth.”
It was a simple yes or no question, and Kobe Bryant could have ended much of the speculation over his future simply by answering it. via True Hoop
U.S. Team: Krzyzewski is a Dream Coach
In the LOS ANGELES TIMES, Lonnie White writes “the biggest “what if” for Kobe Bryant is Team USA Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who flirted with the Lakers’ coaching job before Rudy Tomjanovich was hired in 2004. via NBA.com
Kidd shoulders U.S. hopes for gold
“I want to help the younger guys”
Make no mistake about who is the leader of the USA men’s basketball team. Jason Kidd of the New Jersey Nets got that job the minute he stepped onto the court as a member of the team, which is trying to qualify … via USA Today
LeBron, teammates getting ready for international play
“I grew up watching the ’80s NBA, watching the Bad Boys and the Celtics, the Lakers when they played. Everything was physical. You could put your hands on guys and body them. That made the game extremely competitive, so I enjoy it.”
Team USA invited FIBA referees to work a scrimmage this week. Fortunately, everyone survived. via News Journal
Reports say ex-NBA ref Donaghy to plead guilty
“We were told this evening he would be pleading tomorrow but we were given no further information”
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to referee Tim Donaghy, during an NBA game in Los Angeles, California, April 26. via TurkishPress.com
Bryant gearing up for Team USA debut
“We should use a reverse birthday thing, and he should get something for us — a qualifying berth in the Olympics”
United States coach Mike Krzyzewski was asked Wednesday what he planned to give Kobe Bryant for his 29th birthday next week. via ESPN