In the 81 aftermath

Finally, more than a week later, I finished watching the game last Wednesday.

It's almost heretical and some people will probably burn me for it: I was not as impressed as I probably should be.

It probably has something to do with watching it after the peak of hype has passed, it had more to do with watching Kobe's magnanimity in providing offensive rebounds for his teammates. For comparison, look at Nash's 28 points and 16 assists against the Sonics on the same night. That's 60 points plus 2 30+ point teammates Nash was directly responsible for. Kobe had 2 assists.

It also has to do with watching the 1st half, the 3rd quarter, and the 4th quarter in separate sittings. Kobe was a so-so 26 points in the 1st half, amazing considering that most of those points were honestly scored in the flow of the team and off plays ran for him. In the third quarter Kobe was launching fast-break 3's with hand(s) in his face and triple pump-faking 1-on-5, but he was making everything he threw up and other Lakers were so lethargic they needed to be slapped. In the fourth is when things got ugly. With the game largely decided Kobe was launching his shots anyway. To see whether he made or miss was drama for sure, but it felt like rubbernecking a highway car wreck. It just got kind of boring to see Kobe catching the ball from beyond the 3-point line because his teammates were lazy in creating passing lanes/screens for him, and making a play for himself anyway to put the Lakers up by 10.

But 81 points from 28/46 field goals, 18/20 free throws, and 7/13 3 pointers? To do that will take me 20 minutes, by myself in a gym.

(update 2/7/06) since the 81, the Lakers are a lousy 2-4, allowing 104.5 points (7.2 above their average). Maybe the other teams are playing harder against the Lakers, or maybe all the Kobe worshipping is ticking off all the other Lakers.

(update 2/18/06) from the SG mailbag:

Q: Watching Kobe's 81-point performance was both breathtaking and depressing. The only thing I can relate it to is an adult film (then again, I relate just about everything to the porn industry). Watching Kobe put up 81 was like watching the girl who is going for some sort of porn record; there's no joy to it, she's just going through the motions with the only enjoyment being the completion of a goal. Which is kinda depressing, no?
-- Paul, Santa Barbara, Calif.

Q: Watching Kobe is getting better by the night, isn't it? I find it hilarious when he tries to let his teammates run the offense for a few possessions, then inevitably gets impatient and starts firing up shots again. It's almost like a guy making out with his girlfriend and waiting for her to initiate sex. Deep down, he knows it's not going to happen, but he waits a few minutes anyway. Then he gets frustrated and ends up taking charge on his own.
-- Brian Young, Syracuse, N.Y.