Kobe set an NBA record for smirks last night...
Don't Look Now...
Another day, another reason to despise Kobe Bryant. Kobe went off for 12 three-pointers last night, including nine in a row, against the plummeting Sonics. Just the mere thought of seeing the KobeSmirk 12 times in one game is enough to give me shivers. What does Gary Payton talk smack about in those situations? The Lakers are now 5-5 in their last 10, and have won 2 straight. Baby steps, to be sure, but there seems to be a bit of the old swagger back in their steps. Which team above them will fall out of the playoffs when the Lakers get it going for real? Well, they are only three games behind the Wolves...
The Three Dirtiest Words...
for a coach to hear are "vote of confidence". Lenny Wilkens, it was nice knowing you. We know you lost your MVP-candidate player, and we know management let your top big man from last year (Keon Clark) go for cap reasons. We also know that you are the all-time leader in coaching wins, but you've got to go.
I know Wilkens has many detractors, and I don't know if he's a good coach one way or the other. He always runs a short bench, too short for my liking. But what a raw deal he'll get if he's fired. That team made the playoffs without VC last year, after they were absolutely dead in the water. Shouldn't that buy a guy at least a full year? Compare that to the standard of leniency that has existed for Saunders and McHale in Minnesota.
Reader Feedback On Wally...
Pipeline reader Mike B. commented on the Wally article with some insightful thoughts about Wally's Worldview mostly being about Wally. I agree with that; Wally is having a hard time with the pecking order and the playing style, no question, because he isn't the focal point of it all. And Wally's big mouth is probably counterproductive to the overall team. But if you were Wally, and you really felt that the team wasn't utilizing your talents effectively, or wasn't improving overall, what would you do? They signed him to a huge deal, which means that both parties have responsibilities to each other. They knew Wally was going to speak out, and Wally knew what he was in for. That's why the continued jawing is interesting to observe, and why I believe that ultimately somebody else is going to be signing Wally's checks. And if I'm Wally, I'm waiting for somebody to point to conclusive evidence that the current regime's style is working. What would that evidence be?
But Mike, your question about Wally giving up some of his shots for his friend Rasho is a very good one. I think we both know the answer to that one.
Hot or Not?
New Jersey Nets? Freakin' hot, winning 10 in a row.
Toronto Raptors? Not hot. Eleven losses in a row. Carter may return next week. "Thanks for nothing", Lenny Wilkens was heard to say.
Philadelphia? Not hot. Lost three in a row, and are just 4-6 in their last 10. Quietly plodding along with their superstar and their heralded coach, not altogether different than the Wolves, except they can ride that finals trip two years ago longer and harder than the Wolves can ride the seven year first round exit. But will the owner let them do that in Philly? The Philly fans sure as heck won't.
Clippers? Not hot. 2-8 in their last 10, have a six-game losing streak in progress. How long till the LeBron in LA mania starts up for real?
1:43:43 PM 
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