Return of the Man

"I emerged from it all without a stain on my shirt..."

Jay-Z - Guess Who's Back

Tonight the Lakers are in Texas to build upon their already successful season.

Repetition

Last night Kobe Bryant returned from an ankle injury that sidelined him for 5 games, and 18-days...however once the contest began he regained his the form that has made him so impressive year in and year out.

The Lake Show struggled against the upstart Grizzlies, nevertheless Bryant stayed confident in his abilities, making a series of baskets including the game winner to outlast the home team.

Since the beginning of the season he has connected on five game winning shots including...Miami, Milwaukee, Chicago, Sacramento, and now Memphis.

He has a particular feel and love for moments like these that will continue to amaze and confuse alike.

The best thing about Kobe sitting out is that his team went 4-1 without him, and he was able to rest not only his ankle but also his other nagging injuries, so come playoff time the team should be in good shape to defend their title.

Photo: Joe Murphy

The Terminator

"I can speak Italian..."

Kanye West - Champion

Monday night in a 95-93 loss to the Grizzlies...the Lakers had a changing of the guard...

By Any Means Necessary

The best basketball player of my career has been hands down Kobe Bryant, and I've been covering his games for quite a few years...bearing witness to the high school jersey retirement, an All-Star MVP award, the 61-point spree at the Garden, his 4th title, and countless other moments.

With a dunk in the 4th quarter against Memphis...Bryant became the all-time leading scorer in Lakers history...surpassing Jerry West. He now has 25,208 points, however with the loss, I'm sure that he's not satisfied. Kobe is unlike anyone you know...his will and desire for the best puts him in a rare class.

The mission is the same as ever, as all he wants to do is win...and be the last team standing.

Nothing changes, for Kobe Bean...it's business as usual. The quest for the 5th ring began once the parade last June ended. When it is all said and done, he can very well become the greatest Laker ever, and with Mikan, Baylor, West, Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, and O'Neal...that would be a major accomplishment...one that I believe Bryant could handle.

Photo: Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Honor Roll

Joy

"I can never get enough of it..."

Prodigy - Quiet Storm (Remix)

Last week I covered the 76ers versus Grizzlies game, and what I saw was the culmination of hard work, and maturity.

Complete

Memphis was in search of their first road win, and whenever Rudy Gay plays in Philadelphia, his family in Maryland usually make the trip north, as they did on this night...and naturally Rudy didn't disappoint.

His line read like an Excel spreadsheet with a season high in points...33, along with 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals, on 14-22 shooting from the field. I arrived to the game a little late so I spoke with Rudy afterward and he expressed his feelings of making the best of every situation. I wish that his team had more publicity or even a nationally televised game or 2, so that everyone else could see the beauty of his game.

I consider him a good friend so most of our conversation was off the record, however I did manage to ask his opinion on how he is playing as of late:

AXG: You really attacked tonight...how did you feel?

RG: It's a whole new year man...it's my 4th year, and I think...I'm only getting older, so you know it's like 'what am I waiting for? You have to play every night like it's your last...

AXG: You're getting older, so you're getting better...

RG: Yeah, getting older getting better, and other things...getting older, getting worse.

AXG: Playing in Philly, you're an hour and a half from home and it showed tonight...

RG: [Laughs] All my peoples are out there...I'm about to go out there now, and go say what's up to them.