Monday report
There was no shortage of Lakers fans at EnergySolutions Arena when Kobe Bryant and Co. ended the Jazz's 19-home winning streak back on March 20. It might have been the only time this season when the Jazz's building didn't feel entirely theirs.
One interesting question is just how much purple and gold will be in the stands for Games 3 and 4 of the Jazz's playoff series against the Lakers, particularly Game 4, which will be the Jazz's first Sunday home game in more than seven years.
The speculation is that Jazz fans who can't attend the game because of their religious leanings (or simply having Mother's Day plans) will sell or give away their tickets, many of which will wind up in the hands of Lakers fans.
Given the urgency for the Jazz of winning on their home court, where they are 39-5 this season, it's no small consideration how many Lakers fans show up at the game. I think it's safe to say the Jazz players have already heard enough "M-V-P" chants in L.A.
I have heard from people who were around for past Sunday home games that they are more rowdy than your typical Jazz home game.
* * *
I have no way of proving it, but I wonder if the NBA is cracking down on the Jazz's physical play after the Rockets sent tapes to the league office during the first round. The last two games, Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant have shot 41 free throws between them.
For his part, Bryant said Monday that he wasn't concerned about the Jazz crossing the line from physical to dirty.
"They don't have guys like that on their team," Bryant said. "Those guys, they play hard, but they're not talkers. They don't do anything to disrespect. They are going to be professionals and they are going to play hard. So it's not something where they are out there trying to hurt somebody. They just play hard. That goes with [Jerry] Sloan teams."
* * *
The NBA is holding a press conference Tuesday at a Los Angeles hotel at which Bryant is expected to be named league MVP. Not sure if he will be presented with the trophy at the press conference or before Game 2 the next night.
Bryant talked after Sunday's game about the "M-V-P" chants feeling a little different now that he knows he's the presumptive winner. "Before, it was like, 'Thanks, but I'm not going to win it anyway,'" Bryant said.
--Ross Siler
One interesting question is just how much purple and gold will be in the stands for Games 3 and 4 of the Jazz's playoff series against the Lakers, particularly Game 4, which will be the Jazz's first Sunday home game in more than seven years.
The speculation is that Jazz fans who can't attend the game because of their religious leanings (or simply having Mother's Day plans) will sell or give away their tickets, many of which will wind up in the hands of Lakers fans.
Given the urgency for the Jazz of winning on their home court, where they are 39-5 this season, it's no small consideration how many Lakers fans show up at the game. I think it's safe to say the Jazz players have already heard enough "M-V-P" chants in L.A.
I have heard from people who were around for past Sunday home games that they are more rowdy than your typical Jazz home game.
* * *
I have no way of proving it, but I wonder if the NBA is cracking down on the Jazz's physical play after the Rockets sent tapes to the league office during the first round. The last two games, Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant have shot 41 free throws between them.
For his part, Bryant said Monday that he wasn't concerned about the Jazz crossing the line from physical to dirty.
"They don't have guys like that on their team," Bryant said. "Those guys, they play hard, but they're not talkers. They don't do anything to disrespect. They are going to be professionals and they are going to play hard. So it's not something where they are out there trying to hurt somebody. They just play hard. That goes with [Jerry] Sloan teams."
* * *
The NBA is holding a press conference Tuesday at a Los Angeles hotel at which Bryant is expected to be named league MVP. Not sure if he will be presented with the trophy at the press conference or before Game 2 the next night.
Bryant talked after Sunday's game about the "M-V-P" chants feeling a little different now that he knows he's the presumptive winner. "Before, it was like, 'Thanks, but I'm not going to win it anyway,'" Bryant said.
--Ross Siler
6:56 PM
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2 Comments:
New respect for Kobe.
I also have a new respect for Kobe. I have hated him for so long, and I still won"t admit it to my friends, but I am starting to come around a bit. Maybe it was those damn Lakers files...
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