Sportsfrog.com

The NBA is understandably sensitive about gun violence, given that two of its players recently brandished guns in a locker room. But they’re losing perspective, and coming across as unreasonable hypocrites. Months ago, Nike did a LeBron-Kobe print ad where Kobe says, “I’ll do whatever it takes to win games. I don’t leave anything in the chamber.”

The ad has been released, and the NBA is offended, releasing this statement: “We had no prior notice of this ad. We think it is inappropriate.”

Really? I mean, really? Are you even remotely serious? Because, if you are serious, you’re either a blind idiot (which we know Stern is not) or a massive hypocritical bully. You operate a sport where the entire dialect revolves around the word “shoot” and its variants. Shoot. Shot. Shot clock. Blocked shot. Shooting percentage. Three-point shot. Sharpshooter. Sniper. Rifleman. And you’re going to take offense at a shooting reference?

And don’t try to tell me Kobe agreed, so the NBA is correct. Of course Kobe agreed. He’s corporate. He knows this isn’t a battle worth wasting breath on, because he understands Stern is just doing this for PR. Something Kobe understands completely. But this is beyond stupid, and it should be called out as such. It’s Stern’s obsession over the public image of the league run amok.

If this is how you want to play it, Stern, then be consistent. Rename every aspect of the game. Change all of the NBA’s historical records. Take down the NBA.com website now until you can reconstruct it without any reference to shooting. Stop selling all books that use the term. Re-write them. Stop selling all DVDs. Re-dub them. Never replay any game on the NBA Network where any variation of the term is stated by an announcer or displayed on the screen.

And maybe, just maybe, start being consistent. As the AP article points out, just yesterday, Pacers coach Jim O’Brien said: “We did not have enough bullets in our gun to make games of it.” Stern, are you going to fine him? Call it inappropriate? Or is your paternalistic hypocrisy reserved for young black men?

LA 100. Orlando 75.

And b.o.r.i.n.g. If LA plays like that, and Orlando like it did, well, this will be one of the worst NBA Finals in recent memory.

Kobe eases to 40/8/8. Dwight Howard gags to a 1 of 6 from the floor. Not much else to say when surveying the wreckage that was Game 1. Either Orlando decides there is something left to accomplish this season and steps to the moment, or this will be a historic beatdown.

I don’t know if Jerry West was poking Kobe Bryant on purpose or not with his declaration that Lebron James is the best player in the NBA (and he wasn’t wrong) but if he was, and if that was the reason Kobe responded last night, then well done to the Logo.

More likely Bryant could give a shit what an old man said, and simply was who he was, which is the best NBA player of his generation.

Lakers 105. Nuggets 103.

This series is going long.

Five seconds to go last Sunday, my Paper Clips down three, Kobe Bryant informs Eric Gordon, who buried a 3 on the previous possession, “Don’t worry about it, you’re not going to take this shot. I’m gonna hold you the whole time, and they’re not gonna call a foul.” Clips inbound, Bryant horse-collars Gordon the entire five seconds, Lakers win. The refs’ explanation: Gordon was holding Kobe. Yup, that’s rational. Gordon held Kobe on offense so he wouldn’t have to catch and shoot!

Awesome. If that’s remotely how that went down, yet another reason why Mark Cuban cannot rage against the corrupt David Stern machine enough for my tastes when it comes to the piece of shit NBA refereeing.

The MVP race between LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade is crossing over to epic. Not to be outdone by Lebron’s 51 in a division clinching win last night, Wade goes for 50 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists in Miami’s 140-129 triple overtime win over Utah this afternoon.

The raw stat credentials for the three MVP applicants:

—Kobe Bryant (Lakers 52-13) 28.0 ppg/5.4 rpg/4.9 apg/1.3 spg/.5 bpg 47% fgp and 34% from three

—Dwyane Wade (Heat 36-29) 29.7 ppg/7.7 apg/5.1 rpg/2.2 spg/1.4 bpg 49% fgp and 31% from three

—LeBron James (Cavs 52-13) 28.6 ppg/7.4 rpg/7.2 apg/1.7 spg/1.2 bpg 48% fgp and 33% from three

Ridiculously good years from each of them, and not really any sunlight between the candidates at this point. The vote comes in ahead of the playoffs, of course.

Some chatter on the subject here in the Swamp. Have a thought? Bring it by.

Never a real swift idea. But Ron Artest did so last night, keeping up a steady stream of chatter/trash talk all game. Through 43 minutes of game action Bryant had 19 points. In the last five minutes of action, Bryant poured home an additional 18 points. In fact, 31 of his 37 points came in the second half.

Down 11 at the half, the Lakers won 102-96. Bryant added six assists, five rebounds, and four steals. Was 14 of 23 from the floor. And it served as an additional reminder not to pester superstars. Particularly in the NBA, where they can so immediately affect the outcome of a game.

Speaking of which, there is no player in the NBA, not Lebron, or Wade, or Paul, or Pierce, that I want taking a last shot ahead of Kobe Bryant.