Lakers 109, Mavericks 106

These are tough times for Kobe Bryant, coping with being the 2nd best player in Los Angeles behind MVP candidate Elton Brand, only thriving in the rotisserre sense for LA’s 2nd best team. But on a night when every Dallas player (along with everyone in the building ) knew Bryant would be taking the shot with 35 seconds left and the score tied, the resulting fall-away 3 pointer (with the 24 second clock expiring) was an improbable bomb. 9 times outta ten, I think you have to let Kobe shoot from 30+ feet away.

If I have any free time over the holidays, I’ll work on that long letter apologizing to Chris Webber for calling him washed up last season. I’m sure he’s waiting for it, too.