Kobe Donates 21 from the Charity Stripe

Okay, okay, I know how many cool-points I lose because of the title, but this story had to be written, and it needed this heading.

In my last post, I basically ripped on both teams for playing one of the least impressive games in recent memory, but now that I think about it, I may have been too harsh on them. Why don't we just write it off as 'first game jitters' on both ends. The Jazz were a little thrown off because there were more superstars in the Staples Center crowd than on the court, and the Lakers were confused as to why a state with zero black people has a team called the Jazz. Amidst the menagerie of b-ball follies, there was a silver lining however...Kobe Bryant's domination of the free throw line.

The Lakers haven't played a second round playoff game in four years, but they returned to encounter familiar tactics. Namely, the once effective "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy. This time around, surprisingly, Kobe was the one being intentionally sent to the line. In an oddly perfect twist of fate, Shaquille O'neal had to watch from home as the Lakers crushed the Jazz, and KB24 not only warrented the same treatment that O'neal once demanded, but also knocked down his free throws. Utah had no answer for Bryant in Game 1, and frankly, I don't even think Coach Jerry Sloan bothered to come up with any type of defensive gameplan to contain him. Folks, I think it's gotten to that point where other teams know that even if they do come up with a scheme to guard Kobe, he's gonna drop insane numbers on 'em anyway. So, instead, they just bypass that step in the planning process completely. But I digress.....

KB24 hit 21 of 23 free throws last game, consistently keeping the game out of reach during the Lakers' streaks and slumps. When asked about his performance from the charity stripe, Kobe responded with:

"They're open looks. It's my responsibility to knock them down."

How badass is that!?! It conjures images of Rocky IV..."If he dies, he dies." Although Bryant struggled with his own shot selection issues (yes, he's an addict and he's been attending Shooters Anonymous meetings), his steady hand from the free throw line reaffirmed his focus and desire. Laker Nation does get a little worried when Kobe's heaving bricks, but if he's scoring 38 points in playoff games, he can shoot every shot with feet if he wants to.

I just wanted to get that out there. Sorry for being such a sourpuss in the last post; It's just that time of the month for me....yeah, bills are due. New York's stupid-expensive!!

I'll leave you with a recent Kobe Bryant quote that basically sums up his approach to the charity stripe. Enjoy.

"A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog."