"Don't wake me, I'm still dreaming. I don't see you. I can't feel you. I'm alone for real in my mind. I'll feel this all night. When my life takes flight." - Kelis, Suspended (Anotherlatenight)
Okay, I finally see why people have such a hard time hating on Kobe.
Last night's game was a perfect example. The Lakers beat the champion Spurs (as opposed to the hated Kings. We respect San Anton, we despise Sac-Town) 120-117 in a double overtime game that was probably the best regular season game in the best matchup in basketball in the world you'll see this season. Big hearts, great coaches, stellar basketball play.
And there was Kobe in the thick of it...smiling. He smiles and laughs when he does something spectacular. He smiles and claps his hands when a play doesn't go as planned. He loves playing this game. It's not work to him. Despite everything that is going on in his life, when he is on that court with a ball in his hand and a thought in his head and the hint of a lane to the basket, he is a thrill to watch.
Whimsy.
That's what I think about when I watch him play. Shaq's jaw is set. For him, basketball is war. For Michael Jordan, you watch competitive spirit embodied. Kobe, though, he lives somewhere in that space between Julius Irving and Magic Johnson. He loves winning. He loves knowing he's better than everyone else on the floor. But what he loves most is the game of basketball.
I've struggled to feel good about the Lakers in what has already been a wonderful season when Kobe's on the court. I want to boo him through my tv because I just can't wrap my head around an accused rapist out playing a game for millions of dollars.
But that smile is infectious. That joy of basketball is unwavering. And he's just amazing to watch.
So, last night I caved. I only caught the last 2 minutes of regulation and both overtimes and for regulation while I wanted nothing more than the Lakers to win the game, I secrety rooted for Manu Ginobli to school Kobe every time he got the ball. But then something happened in the first OT.
I cheered #8.
It was a triangle offensive play that the Lakers run about 10 times a game. Kobe threw it in to Shaq at the mid post. D-Fish flashed to the baseline and GP went to the top of the arc to create the second and third options but Kobe took that lightning quick first step into the lane and called for the ball. Shaq did that behind the back bounce pass that so many people take for granted but that shows his amazing passing skills for a giant. Kobe got the layup and got pushed. He turned around, pointed at Shaq, grinning from ear to ear.
I clapped.
Then on a broken play, Shaq secured an offensive rebound, dribbled once and tossed a little lob pass to Kobe who two handed it down.
I stood up.
That's the best compliment I can give to a basketball game and a player. When I just can't sit down anymore while watching, it's good stuff. And Kobe was just brilliant last night. His zest for playing was infectious.
And then Inside the NBA, which continues to out-sportscenter sportscenter as the best sports news program on tv, got the opportunity to talk with Kobe and did what I've been begging for from all Sports Reporters covering him this season. Talk about basketball, sure, but don't pretend like everything else doesn't exist. EJ's final question asked him whether his off-court problems had him considering not playing in the NBA this year. Best question to Kobe I've heard since pre-season.
Kobe responded in what felt like an honest and candid manner and for the first time I felt like I was getting the real him.
And while I will continue to struggle with watching him play this game that I love so much, I'm starting to understand why people can so easily give him a pass right now.
It's the whimsy.