So, while perusing the uploads over at the NBA's Youtube channel, I came across a couple I thought you should see. Firstly, the Josh Smith joint. This one, actually, via TrueHoop. It's a fine, normal video that shows how NBA players do on a regular basis, so that's well and good. Here's the kick about it for me, though. How are you going to stick the "Where Amazing Happens" slogan on the tail end of a piece about omlettes and trout sandwiches? Isn't the point of the video that amazing ain't really happening, and it's something we instead are able to relate to? I don't know. TrueHoop's Abbott says he'll be scratching his head all day. I'm inclined to agree.
The second that caught my interest this fine Hawaiian morn was this vid of Kobe mic'd up for a light Lakers practice. Again, nothing truly amazing about this moment in time, in my opinion, but something at least for us fans to hang on to until the nets really get blazing in...check the count down, 18 days! (I'ma get you that 18th player in a bit) The thing that will have me scratching my head on this one is the lack of coaches. I mean, I know this ain't no JV practice, but I'd still think there'd be a coach at least present. Maybe in lieu of Kurt Rambis, the Lakers simply figure their championship guys can manage on their own. And, yeah, I know it's NBA produced so it's potential for giving un-biased reads on what goes on behind closed-ish doors is questionable. Still, isn't it striking how Kobe holds himself like a coach?
The one moment that really sticks out in the video comes at the very end. Kobe's standing on the sidelines, watching the other guys go. He yells out, playfully, to Luke Walton, jibing him for not usually getting in the paint. Lo and behold, Luke gets the rebound and puts it up. Who knows if that lies down the line for dude, but one thing I know for sure. Jordan never held himself quite like that. And I think it's a good thing to see in Kobe, the side that says, if there never was MJ, you might've been comparing me more to Bill Russell for my quiet, my reserve, my deep waters in well spring.
