Kobe

The C's smacked the Lakers and the Laker hype machine will have to wait another day. The Lakers looked like world champs after taking out the Suns on national TV on Christmas. But this game was never close. The Celtics were up 11 after the first quarter, 12 at the half and 20 after the third.

Story of the game was Kobe's horrific shooting (6 for 25) and the throwback shorts the Lakers sported. The Lakers hyped the game up, had a video tribute and wore the throw back shorts to try and rattle the new Celtics and pump up their fans. It didn't work.

What was the price? The Lakers may have lost some "street cred" in the NBA because of this poor fashion choice. Not likely the throw back shorts will be sported by the top rappers any time soon. Laker girls?....Maybe. The tight shorts never hurt John Stockton's game. As he wore them his whole career. Perhaps, the Lakers should have signed him for this one game. The worst Laker in tight shorts? Perhaps Andrew
Bynum.

At times the Celtic fans could be heard chanting, "Hey Kobe, What ya gonna do with dat junk. dat junk, in your trunk. Dat junk in your L...A....Trunk"

This game was heated. With seven technical fouls, one flagrant foul (Lamar Odom) and two stitches for Kevin Garnett.

The player of the game goes the Tony Allen who filled in for Rajon Rondo. He played a season high 42 minutes and scored 16 points.

Where have you gone John Stockton? Bring the tight shorts back!

Who's better Kobe or Lebron? In the latest match-up, King James dominated the fourth quarter and the Cavs when on to win. Both players are off to a quiet start this year. But with a 100 games to be played (counting exhibitions and playoffs) it is understandable. Like him or hate him Kobe Bryant is a great competitor and enjoys humiliating his opponent. Over the years he has not held back his hatred for Ray Allen or any other two guard that his received more attention then him or challenged him.

Kobe Bryant stands 6 feet 7 inches and is one of the strongest guards in the league. However he is no match for Lebron James physically and he knows it. Kobe is not at all interested in a physical confrontation with Lebron and we all know it. We must remember Kobe's sucker shot on Manu Ginobili last year that drew a one game suspension from the NBA. Not likely that sucker shot would find Lebron's face.

Kobe did just go over his 20,000th point against the Knicks. Becoming the youngest player to do so. Lebron also seems likely to pass that mark.

On the bright side for Kobe, he is in good company. Nobody compares to Lebron James physically. If the Lakers can some how manage to get to the NBA finals in the next few years. A seven game series between these two NBA legends would be great theatre. The Lakers have shown improvement and Andrew Bynum has shown great strides but we may have to wait a few years for this match up.

To watch ESPN break it down these two guys go to:

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3159224