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LA TIMES: When Ron Artest talks, Lakers' Kobe Bryant tries to take action

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Hilltopper, May 3, 2009.

  1. Hilltopper

    Hilltopper Member

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    http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-fyi3-2009may03,0,1124422.story?page=2

    When Ron Artest talks, Lakers' Kobe Bryant tries to take action

    By Mike Bresnahan
    May 3, 2009

    For Andrew Bynum, it was time to smile.

    For Kobe Bryant, it was time to scowl and take a tight-lipped approach with reporters.

    The Lakers approached the impending arrival of the Houston Rockets in different ways, though none of them disparaged the team that was 0-4 against them in the regular season. That would be impolite, of course, heading into the series opener Monday at Staples Center.

    The Lakers did, however, talk about two key matchups in their Western Conference semifinals -- Bynum against Houston center Yao Ming, and Bryant against whomever the Rockets throw at him (Shane Battier or Ron Artest, in differing doses).

    Battier typically guards Bryant, but in a game between the teams in March, Artest employed a trash-talking strategy that surprised and irritated Bryant. It also spurred the Lakers guard to one of his best efforts of the season.

    He had 13 points in the third quarter and 18 in the fourth on the way to 37 points as the short-handed Lakers held off the Rockets in Houston, 102-96. Bynum was sidelined because of a knee injury and Lamar Odom was out because of a one-game suspension, but Bryant had six assists, five rebounds, four steals and one cranky disposition.

    A few years ago, he begged the Lakers' front office to trade for Artest. Two months ago, he was offended by Artest's in-game antics, calling the dialogue "edgy" and scoffing when asked about their one-on-one "battle."

    "It wasn't much of a battle . . . I kicked his . . .," Bryant said at the time.

    Artest, other than an impressive six steals, had a ragged night, scoring 11 points on four-for-16 shooting.

    "We are not friends out there at all," Artest said after the game. "After the season, we might play pickup games or something like that. Not now."

    More recently, the Lakers beat the Rockets a month ago at Staples Center, 93-81, as Bryant (20 points) and Artest (21) basically canceled each other out.

    On Saturday, Bryant gave an interview, if it can be called that, filled with cliches and short sentences that provided little insight, continuing his recent taciturn stance with reporters.

    After some prodding, he allowed a passing reference to going up against Artest.

    "It's fun," he said. "He's obviously a great defensive player, so I look forward to it."

    Odom, who played AAU basketball with Artest while growing up in New York, spoke more openly about Bryant versus Artest.

    "I don't think Kobe has anything to prove, especially offensively," Odom said. "Ron is great at working off of intimidation. He's always been like that. That's why he's so good at what he does. That's why he's probably the best perimeter one-on-one defensive player in the NBA.

    "I think they're playing a tit-for-tat game, but Kobe is the best. Kobe Bryant is a person that can score 81 points and Ron is a heck of a defender. I can't wait to see them go at it."

    Others will be interested to see Bynum and Yao go at it.

    Bynum averaged only five points, three rebounds and 15.4 minutes against the smaller Utah Jazz frontline. It's safe to say he's happy to see a different opponent.

    "Yes sir," he said with a smile. "It's definitely going to be a fun series. I should be able stay on the court a little bit longer. The matchups are a lot better this time around."

    Bynum practiced with the starting unit Saturday, but Coach Phil Jackson has not officially told him he will be starting Monday.

    Bynum, who came in Friday on a day off and had a private workout with assistant coach Kurt Rambis, said he hoped to keep the 7-foot-6 Yao away from the basket.

    "Keep him as far out as you can on the block," Bynum said. "You can't stop him. He's got the jump shot and the fadeaway, and you try to keep him shooting that more than easy stuff around the rim."

    The ex-factors

    Two former Lakers are on the Rockets' roster, though guard Von Wafer has been contributing more than forward Brian Cook.

    Wafer has been an effective rotation player, averaging 9.7 points and 17.8 minutes in the playoffs. He signed with Houston as a free agent last summer after spending time in Denver and Portland last season.

    Cook was acquired from Orlando before the trade deadline but has been buried at the end of the Rockets' bench. He has played in only two of the Rockets' six playoff games and scored a total of five points.

    Wafer was selected by the Lakers with the 39th selection in 2005. Cook was drafted 24th overall by the Lakers in 2003.

    Reserve status

    Reserve guard Jordan Farmar did not play a minute in the last two games of the Utah series, but he could get more time against the Rockets, who have small point guards Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry.

    "It's a different situation," Jackson said. "Jordan knows some of their personnel."

    Jackson said it would be a "big surprise" if reserve forward Luke Walton played Monday. Walton suffered a partially torn ligament in his left foot April 25 against Utah.

    Winter update

    Lakers consultant Tex Winter has been moved from a hospital in Manhattan, Kan., to a long-term care facility in Kansas City that specializes in stroke rehabilitation.

    Winter, 87, suffered a stroke April 25 while attending a reunion in Kansas.
     
  2. chenjy9

    chenjy9 Numbers Don't Lie
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    Kobe is extremely proud and competitive and Ron-Ron, well he is proud and stupid. I really prefer to have Shane on him most of the time.
     
  3. gamor

    gamor Member

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    hehe, Ron is not stupid. He did those trash talking to proke kobe for purpose.

    I believe Ron wanted kobe to play one man's show, in that way, Rockets has a good chance to steal the win.
     
  4. landryfans

    landryfans Member

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    kobe wont be always hot, let him play one vs five.
     
  5. Dave_78

    Dave_78 Member

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    I say let Kobe have his until the 4th quarter. Let Ron and Shane guard him one on one. That should provoke Kobe to take all lot of shots while his team mates watch. Using the Tracy McGrady rule, when the 4th comes around start throwing different looks at Bryant and when he dishes the ball his team mates should have some trouble scoring since they have been spectators for the first 3 quarters.
     
  6. adoo

    adoo Member

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    i seem to recall that
    • Artest majored in Math while atteding NYU for 3 years (think that he may be close to getting a degree),
      Kobe took a few classes from UCLA during his first 2 off-seasons.
     
  7. tmacfor35

    tmacfor35 Member

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    Id like to see Artest guard Kobe when he is in the game. Play Kobe physical and try to tire him out as much as possible throughout the game. Post up Kobe and keep going to it down low with Artest. In the 4th put Battier on him and start doubling him to get the ball out of his hands. That would be an ideal situation. I expect alot what the Celtics did last year in the playoffs.
     
  8. chenjy9

    chenjy9 Numbers Don't Lie
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    Stupid assessment comes from his horrible shot selection and very questionable defensive gambles. Anyone remember when he went for that lose ball after knocking it from Kobe? Kobe beat him to it, Artest crashed to the floor, Kobe shot and drained a three. Battier would have let Kobe waste time and energy running after the ball, then proceed in guarding him more.

    Wow... didnt know that. I should rephrase... Ron has a much lower BB IQ as show by the dumb gambles he takes as well as his shot selection. I am sure that everyone agrees Kobe plays a lot smarter than Artest most of the time.
     
  9. ItsMyFault

    ItsMyFault Member

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    NYU and UCLA are basically in the same rank of schools. I guess both players were smart enough to get into both schools. Those two schools are really top-notch schools.
     
  10. chenjy9

    chenjy9 Numbers Don't Lie
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    Here is to have Ron and Shane chase Kobe around for 48 minutes each game! :D
     
  11. got em COACH

    got em COACH Member

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    Ron's playing his cards perfectly. Trash talk leads to testosterone competitiveness which will make KOME forget about his wide open teammates. Let him play 1 on 5
     
  12. chenjy9

    chenjy9 Numbers Don't Lie
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    It is kind of depressing that as good as our defense is, Kobe can still manage to scrap some points going one on five. At least he will have to take like 50 shots to get 20 points if that was the case! :D Let's hope Artest can herd him around physically enough that he settles for jump shot. I much rather him shoot then drive and foul out Yao and Scola.
     
  13. alexcapone

    alexcapone Member

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    I believe Ron Ron went to St John's University
     
  14. blackistan

    blackistan Member

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    No one in the league can stop kobe you just hope to contain him
     
  15. Fegwu

    Fegwu Member

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    Yeah.
     
  16. mw_mw

    mw_mw Member

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    taking a few summer courses.....pfffft..... anyone with $$ can do that
     
  17. cassidy

    cassidy Member

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    yes.
    he took a really "good" action today.
     
  18. selene

    selene Member

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    :) The fact is, he wasn't joking~
     
  19. saleem

    saleem Member

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    I wish Wafer was a competent defender,that would make life easier. Chasing around on defense takes away a lot of energy on offense. It might work for a game or two but it will catch up with you.
    I like Von when he looks to pass and also to attack. Let's hope he plays better and gets healthy.He might be able to take some pressure off from Ron and Shane.
     

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