A welcome sight

For one game, atleast, Kobe was back.

It was a much welcomed sight on Sunday, in Game 1 of Lakers-Jazz Western Conference semifinals. It was when we saw the greatest closer in the game return to form.

Kobe scored 11 of his 31 points in the final four minutes of the game, leading the Lakers to victory the way Kobe knows how – by hitting difficult, twisting shots and completely breaking the will of another professional basketball team.

While his shooting continues to be erratic, it was moments like these which we had been missing; moments when he completely made a game his.

Is it coincidental that it came on the same day LeBron James accepted his second consecutive MVP award? Probably not. Kobe’s always longed for the spotlight, even if there was little way he could overtake LeBron on this particular day.

As NBA fans, it was great to see. We had been looking for this all playoffs. We wanted to see Kobe take over, take charge, especially when we learned he was a very distant third to LeBron in MVP voting (though that was accurate, it was still startling to see other basketball people feel the same).

After all, less than a year ago, he was on top of the world, on top of his game, leading the Lakers to another world championship – this one worth the world to him, since it came with Shaq watching, not playing.

This year has been a strange one, where we saw Kobe struggle and, for the first time seemingly ever, appear human. Sure he hit six amazing game-winners. But those six shots did not mask a season of restraint, when it appeared that Kobe had lost his legs and missing far too many jumpers and attempting far too few free throws.

We saw him then go through a tough, exasperating first round series against Oklahoma City, when he put up shooting numbers like 6-for-19 and 12-for-28, attempt 0 free throws in Game 3 (in 41 minutes), and attempt just nine and 10 shots, respectively, in two separate games.

He left us wondering. He left us concerned and had us paying a bit more attention to the likes of James, Durant, Derrick Rose and others, just in case we were watching the passing of the torch right before our very own eyes.

He left us questioning the Lakers’ extending him for another three years. Think about that. The best perimeter basketball player of the last decade, and we were wondering if the Lakers were making a mistake by keeping him around a bit longer.

That’s what it had come to. Until Game 1.

Thanks to a Jazz defense that offered little to no resistance, Kobe became Kobe again. He hit 12 of 19 shots. He made all seven of his free throws. He only settled for two 3-point attempts.

Man, was it great to see. I’m not even a Kobe fan, and nowhere near a Laker fan, but for the game of NBA basketball, this was awesome. It’s like we could breathe again.

All was right with the world.

Hopefully, Game 1 was a sign of things to come and not a reflection back of how things used to be. I refuse to believe Kobe Bryant is on the downhill. I still expect more 60 point games and moments when he makes me regret not taping a game.

The NBA needs Kobe. We, as fans, need Kobe. He’s our Michael Jordan. LeBron James can wait. He’s not going anywhere anytime soon, and there’s no doubting that he will have a career, too, that rivals that of Michael and Kobe.

But Kobe made one thing clear on Sunday. He’s not going anywhere anytime soon either.

Playoffs are here!

Denver's Carmelo Anthony was the star of NBA first round playoffs' Game 1s.

The first games of the first round playoff series’ are done, and I am left with both awe and disappointment.

Awe in the explosive performance of Denver’s Carmelo Anthony, who was easily the most electric performer of the initial contests of NBA playoffs’ first round.

Anthony scored a playoff career-high 42 points on 18-of-25 shooting. He was a one-man show, and just too much for the ailing Jazz, which goes under my disappointments.

I figured Utah to be a key figure as a Western contender … that is, until Carlos Boozer got hurt. Then Andrei Kirilenko. Then, finall, Mehmet Okur.

That’s three starters, if you’re counting at home. Never a good sign, and we’re all just left wondering what exactly Jerry Sloan did to tick off the basketball gods.

Aside from Anthony, I was also impressed with Cleveland’s intensity (no more goofing around for these Cavs. These playoffs are pivotal in so many ways), Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Chicago’s Derrick Rose (it’d be nice if the Bulls found some offensive help for him. Trading John Salmons will come back to bite them), the Portland TrailBlazers, Milwaukee’s Brandon Jennings (the real deal, with 34 points in his rookie playoff debut).

I was disappointed by the lack of heart and energy of a Celtics team that seems eager to just “cut the check.” I was disappointed, though just as much saddened, by the realization that the Spurs are done. Break up the core, Pop. Time to move on. I was also disappointed with Phoenix’s lack of a killer instinct as it let a team without its star player take Game 1 on the road. Inexcusable. I’ve never been a fan of these Suns, and this is why. No defense, no grit, and a tendency to fold when the pressure mounts.

Here’s some “Silva Says” in regard to these playoffs so far:

– I think we definitely have to pay more attention to Atlanta. They’ve got everything you can ask for, in size, athleticism, speed, shooting and defense. I do think they could contend with Cleveland for the East (Orlando is a bit too inconsistent for me, and I don’t like the lack of aggressiveness on offense by Dwight Howard).

– If the Thunder expects to have any shot against the Lakers, Kevin Durant should not be their meal ticket. That should go to Russell Westbrook, who had his way in Game 1. He needs more touches and shots, and I like his ability to take over a game against any of LA’s guards than for Durant to do that against a Ron Artest or Lamar Odom.

– I like the Bobcats – a lot – but Orlando should breeze through them. Charlotte has good size, rebounding and a tough defense, but few playmakers and no sharpshooters. Larry Brown’s disdain for the 3-point shot will come back to haunt him, especially against this Magic team that thrives off it.

– As much as I’m a Jazz fan (yes, I’m a Rockets AND Jazz fan), I don’t see them getting past Denver unless the likes of C.J. Miles, Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver play out of their minds. I did like their chances with Okur and Kirilenko. Now? Not so much.

– Milwaukee and Miami are pretty much in the same boat. Tough, gritty defenses. One superstar player/scorer/playmaker. No concrete No. 2 and No. 3 guys, though John Salmons beats anything Dwanye Wade has. Lack of pure shooting, or just consistent shot-making in general. Love watching both play, though.

– In the end: I think Lakers beat Thunder in 5, Mavs top Spurs in 5, Phoenix defeats Blazers in 7 and Denver tops Utah in 6.

In the East, I have Cleveland sweeping Chicago, Orlando beating Charlotte in 5, Boston topping Miami in 7 and Atlanta dismissing Milwaukee in 5.

Color me shocked

Another KB24 moment.

I didn’t expect that outcome at all. Clearly thought Gasol should have taken the last shot.

Sarcasm, folks, sarcasm.

By the way, 😐 @ the Milwaukee announcer: “Miss it!” I know all local announcers are serious homers, but, man, that reeked of low class to me for some reason.

Bad news for Kareem

AP Photo

Bad news for the NBA.

ESPN.com is reporting that former Bucks and Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has a rare form of leukemia.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer was diagnosed with the condition last December, but it was not publicly known until recently.

“It was scary,” Abdul-Jabbar told ESPN.

Abdul-Jabbar has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia.

The ESPN.com reports:

Abdul-Jabbar became concerned last year after feeling odd sensations. He went for tests at UCLA, where he dominated college basketball in the late 1960s, winning three straight NCAA championships from 1967 to 1969.

“I was getting hot flashes and sweats on a regular basis,” he said. “That’s not normal, even for my age.”

An exam showed his white blood cell count was “sky high” and a doctor quickly diagnosed his condition. At first, all Abdul-Jabbar heard was the word “leukemia.”

“I was scared,” he said. “I thought it was all the same. I thought it could mean I have a month to live.”

“That was my first question,” he said. “Was I going to make it?”

A longtime student in martial arts, Abdul-Jabbar said he took the approach of a samurai — to face death without fear.

“I had my face on,” he said.

Instead, doctors told him CML was treatable with proper medication and monitoring.

Abdul-Jabbar is a special assistant with the Lakers. He said the condition has not affected his everyday life too significantly.

He told ESPN he feels he can help “save lives” if he talks openly about the disease to raise awareness.

Abdul-Jabbar was a six-time NBA All-Star, arguably the greatest center to play in the league.

While the condition is not as severe, it still, like most diseases, puts life into perspective.

Abdul-Jabbar is still highly respected around the league, particularly for his ability to teach the game to today’s young post players.

Recently, the Memphis Grizzlies had been talking with him to come on board and help their young talent, and there was reportedly sincere interest in both sides.

An enigma in many ways, Abdul-Jabbar has stayed away from the public eye while often enduring the distaste from people in the “media” such as Bill Simmons.

But his impact and presence in the game is unrelenting, and here’s hoping that he makes a successful recovery from the condition.