Mommas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Crybabies

Surprise, surprise--the Cowboys faithful are crying.  First off, let's be clear--that ball is moving a lot and Dez clearly lost control of it when he went to the ground.  It isn't a catch.  If you don't like the rule, you can bitch about the rule all you like.  However, the NFL has been rocking with that rule for a while now.  Based on the rule, the refs made the right call--for once, so far as your beloved Cowboys are concerned.  When I saw the play live, I said the ball was moving and it wasn't a catch before the Packers challenged the play.  After seeing the replays, I had no doubt that they were going to reverse the ruling on the field.  The rule is what it is.  That wasn't a catch.  Let's move on.

Secondly, last week the officials actually did butcher a call--a couple of them, in fact, and they've admitted as much.  Yet all we heard from these Cowboys fans was that one bad call doesn't change the outcome of a game.  I guess a couple doesn't either.  Regardless, if that was your case a week ago, why all the moaning and groaning now?  I argued last week that one lousy call can totally change the outcome of a game, so that was your argument, not mine.  However, if you were on that bus when your team benefited from the call, I'm not letting you get off when the pendulum swings the other way. 

Vino

Yes, call him Vino, because that man is aging like wine.  Last night, Kobe played 48 minutes and put up 47 points.  He added 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, and he was credited with 4 blocked shots.  How many times did he turn the ball over during this stellar performance?  Once.  Keep in mind, this was only the latest in a string of rousing performances from one of the game's best players.

No one can dispute the fact that Kobe is still in the top five, and I still believe he's the best player in the league.  Think about how many games he has played, and think of how much he has been through this year.  To call this a turbulent season for the Lakers would be a grand understatement, and just look at how Kobe has performed.  The dude is a stone cold killer on the basketball court.  There are guys with better stats on the season, I know this, but examine their situations.  No one has worked as hard as Kobe Bryant this year.  No one.

Now, this isn't going to be the year that Kobe Bryant gets his sixth ring.  You know it, and I know it, but I'm not so sure that Kobe knows it.  The Lakers will make the playoffs, and sometimes strange things happen when it matters most.

Regardless, Kobe Bryant is on fire, and despite the fact that his squad is fighting to make the post-season, this has been one of his most impressive campaigns. 

These Lakers (Revisited)

It's official.  I'm all in.  Yeah, it may be foolish, but where Kobe goes, I follow.  I think it's going down.

That is all.

Read original These Lakers blog here.