L.A. Confidential
I feel for Shawn Marion. I really do. All he does (every year!) is be the backbone of the Phoenix Suns team, hitting shots with that, uh, “peculiar” J, grabbing the ‘bounds that slide past Amare Stoudemire, outhustling the other teams in the Western Conference. And, for what? To get brought up in trade rumors every other day? Sucks to be Shawn.
And that brings me to this: I’m…tired…of…the…Kobe…Bryant…trade…rumors…that…just…won’t…end. Seriously, are you as tired of hearing Magic Johnson and Stuart Scott and Charles Barkley and your postman and your butcher and your grandmother all wondering where Shaq's long-lost sidekick (yes, sidekick) is going to be traded — after demanding a trade this summer, rescinding his demand, then putting it out there again, then having the Lakers (months later, no less) say they'd be willing to trade him, then Phil Jackson putting KB24 in his place, then Kobe getting booed during, uh, pregame introductions, then...It never ends. What's next?
It comes down to this: Trade Kobe Bryant…or don’t. Make the choice, let us know your decision and have that be that. See A-Rod? Don’t necessarily agree with him breaking out the news of him opting outta his Yankees deal during the World Series on Sunday, but at least he stuck to his guns and pulled the trigger (Sidebar: Kobe and A-Rod in Chicago? Hmmm.). And then the Yankees stuck to theirs and again said they wouldn’t negotiate with him if he chose to opt out. They moved on.
So, Kobe? Say you’re gonna stay or stay you’re gonna go. You’re not Shawn Marion. The ball’s in your court. So, what do ya say?
Three Things I Learned On Opening Night:
1. The Trailblazers are a good team — even without Greg Oden. Think about it, had they not won that draft lottery, the Blazers were destined to wind up with a middle of the road pick. Probably not a franchise-changing guy. Probably someone who woulda been confined to the bench for a couple months anyway. But with a much-improved LaMarcus Aldridge (watch out for this guy — seriously) and last year’s Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy, they woulda had a nice squad anyway. Now, they get to develop without the Oden crutch.
2. Shane Battier. If we’re choosing teams out on the playground, this guy is running with me.
3. Don’t be surprised if the Golden State Warriors struggle to make the playoffs this season. Just like last season. David mighta slayed Goliath last season (even though the Warriors toppling the Mavericks from the playoffs felt a little more like Eminem Rabbit outrapping Papa Doc) but it’s much harder to get fired up for 82 regular season games over and over and over again than it is for 6 in the postseason.
One Name You’ll Know By May:
The Portland Trailblazers’ Travis Outlaw. Outlaw has been stranded in Blazerland for a few years now after jumping from high school to the league. And coincidentally his last name is Outlaw. Not a good thing if you’re joining the Jailblazers Trailblazers. But he’s been making strides and, after a strong start last night, he’s gonna be one to watch. Trust.
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