Can Kobe Bryant keep on smiling?

No Bynum, no problem.

Just let Kobe take over and take over he did.

Kobe put up 48 on the Seattle Supersonics and pulled the game out in OT.

Kevin Durant shot a horrible 6 for 26 for Seattle.

Final Score – Lakers 123 – Sonics 121

The Lakers were recently dealt a severe blow when young center Andrew Bynum, the player not named later in the Kobe to the Bulls non-trade, injured his knee.

The Lakers had to come right back and play on the road again the night after the injury.

And if there is any doubt about whether Kobe Bryant is one of the best players in the league, if not the best, then look no further than this game.

“This is a tough one,” a tired looking Bryant said. “Tonight was one of those nights where I kind of had to read the mood of the team. Us kind of being a little deflated with (Bynum) going down, being a back-to-back, coming in on the road, it was one of those things where I just kind of wanted to be a lot more assertive.”

How assertive? Bryant scored the final six points of overtime. He took 44 shots, just three off his career high of 47. source

The Lakers had learned before the game that Bynum’s injury was much worse than thought.

They learned center Andrew Bynum could be sidelined for more than eight weeks because he suffered a subluxation of the patella and a bone bruise of his left knee in Sunday night’s victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Bynum was injured when he landed on teammate Lamar Odom’s left foot in the opening minutes of the third quarter. He left Staples Center wearing a soft knee brace and said he didn’t believe the injury was that serious. source

No one is expecting Kobe to put up 48 per night to keep the Lakers rolling, but it will be a test for the whole team to keep going until Andrew Bynum can return.

NBA Basketball Kobe Bryant factoid - It was Bryant’s 87th career 40-point game, one behind Elgin Baylor for third all-time in league history.

Those that know Kobe, know he is ready for the challenge. The real problem may be that his teammates are not.

NBA Basketball Fan Question Will Kobe tolerate his teammates if they begin to lose?

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From ESPN Insider David Thorpe, he gives you his top 10 rookies in the NBA.

My comments will follow some of the rookies.

Here are my Top 10 rookies six weeks into the season:

(Previous rank in parentheses)

1. Kevin Durant, Sonics (2)
Finally takes over the top spot on the strength of blocking at least one shot in five straight games. That’s the stuff we’ve been waiting for. He’ll always put up scoring numbers because of his role in the offense and his talent, but engaging in the “effort” categories is most critical to his growth.

Kevin is awesome. Too bad he is on the Sonics. Saw him play my Spartys in college. The Spartans prevailed with mostly Ramar Morgan, current star of the MSU Spartans guarding Kevin. Kevin was a load. Shooting 3’s and driving to the hoop. MSU was lucky that it was early in Kevin’s career. He will be a special player his entire career.

2. Al Horford, Hawks (1)
Fouls kept him from playing much versus Dwight Howard, but he’s grabbed 10-plus boards in every other game in December. The play with T.J. Ford should not reflect poorly on this classy young man — no one will be happier upon Ford’s return than Horford.

Al played high school ball just down the road from MSU at Grand Ledge High School. His father was Tito Horford, a 7′ pro player in his own right. Al first decided to go to UM in Ann Arbor. MSU was busy pursuing Goran Sutan from Lansing Everett. Al then decommitted from UM and went to Florida.

3. Jamario Moon, Raptors (4)
Moon seems to be riding the rookie roller coaster down for a spell, with just six points and eight boards in his past two games. But he still plays good D.

4. Corey Brewer, Wolves (NR)
Anyone who records 18 boards, five assists and four steals in one game deserves a top-five ranking. Plus, Brewer has added rebounding totals of 11 and nine since then … from the small forward position.

5. Glen Davis, Celtics (NR)
He’s now the rookie PER leader and a solid option off the bench for the mighty Green.

6. Juan Carlos Navarro, Grizzlies (3)
Riding the same coaster as Moon, Navarro has four points in his past two games after a streak of seven double-figure scoring outputs.

7. Yi Jianlian, Bucks (9)
His numbers are down, but he’s still a steady producer most nights.

This guy is the Yao of the future. There is no doubt.

8. Jeff Green, Sonics (10)
Playing OK in limited minutes; seems ready for more PT.

9. Joakim Noah, Bulls (8)
“Noah does as Noah is,” which means you get the same thing from him every night — he goes full speed ahead and is totally invested in the team’s success.

What you call a plus player. Always working.

10. Sean Williams, Nets (5)
Has lost some time in the rotation. He has to understand that his opponents know his game a bit now, so he has to bring more.

There you have it the top 10 NBA Rookies.

NBA Basketball Fan Question Who is your favorite rookie?

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Greg Oden says – Hey, what about me?

Last year Roy won the ROY, that is Brandon Roy won the Rookie of the Year award.

But Jorge Garbajose, the 6′ 9″ forward for the Raptors almost won the award. It took a broken leg in March to stop him.

This year there is a new crop of potential ROY winners. Here are the Top Ten impact rookies according to Marty Burns of SI.com.

1. Luis Scola, Rockets

He is a 6′ 9″ forward that at 27 years of age will find himself along side TMac and Yao. Luis won’t get the ball enough to win rookie of the year, but should make a big splash just the same.

2. Kevin Durant, Sonics

Your intrepid author has talked a lot about Kevin and he has to be the front runner for Rookie of the Year. His team is too weak to really do anything, but Kevin will have a heavy impact.

3. Al Horford, Hawks

Horford went to High School just down the road from me in the shadow of Michigan State University. Tom Izzo took Goran Suton instead of Al, although that may have been Al’s decision, who knows. Al’s father played in the pros. His name is Tito Horford. Al proved his worth with the Champion Florida Gators. Unfortunately the Hawks are not very good and they will need Al immediately.

4. Al Thornton, Clippers

With Elton Brand sidelined by an Achilles heel injury, this 6-8 power forward from Florida State should get an opportunity to play. So far he looks more than up to the task. As of Wednesday he was averaging 18.7 points (on 48.9 percent shooting) and 5.7 rebounds in 29.2 minutes per game. source

5. Juan Carlos Navarro, Grizzlies

La Bomba played for 5 years in Europe, was actually drafted in 2002, but this is his first year in the NFL. He is a 6′ 3″ guard from Spain.

6. Mike Conley, Grizzlies

Supposed to provide the zip to the Grizzlies offense, Mike was often the one Buckeye breaking down the defense to feed the hungry Oden. He could end up playing alongside La Bomba.

7. Marco Belinelli, Warriors

This guy had 37 points in a summer league game and now plays in the Warriors bizarre wide open offensive system. Marco is a 6′ 5″ guard from Italy

8. Joakim Noah, Bulls

Another Gator contributor found just the right team for his banging style where he should be able to complement Big Ben. Joakim’s 6′ 11″ frame will be needed on the Bulls.

9. Yi Jianlian, Bucks

The 6-11 Chinese phenom has the potential to make a big impact, especially since he’s probably really 22 or 23, as opposed to his listed age of 18. But he’s been up and down in preseason, and the Bucks already have Charlie Villanueva at the power forward position. With the Bucks seeking to return to the playoffs, the guess here is that Yi finds himself in the same limited role as Law. source

10. Acie Law, Hawks

Acie Law is being compared to Chris Paul and that is a complement to anyone, but the 6′ 3″ guard is caught up in a logjam at guard for the Hawks with a coach that has to win or be fired.

There they are the Top Ten Rookies according to Marty Burns at SI.com

A little closer to home for your intrepid author there may be dark horse in Rodney Stuckey of the Pistons, although he just broke his non-shooting hand and is out for 6 weeks. Rodney has shown the ability to score and finish plays.

Keep an eye on these guys as they are the future of the NBA.

NBA Basketball Fan Question Which rookie is your favorite?

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Post from: NBA Obsessed