RealGM

"Jackson flipped on Friday night in Los Angeles when Nellie let him stay on the floor to pick up five fouls and a technical inside of 10 minutes. Jax was at wit's end when he started clinging close to Kobe Bryant(notes). One source on the court says Kobe addressed Jax as ‘Young Fella,' and for some odd reason that pushed Jackson over the edge. Soon, Jackson was cursing Nellie and storming to the locker room on his way to a two-game preseason suspension."

He's just that much of a competitor. Some might think, "get a life," and I wouldn't blame them. But I'm thinking that this is a guy that reminds of a player who played in an era before elaborate pregame kiss-and-hug sessions.

I'm not saying this is a good thing. Not telling you that the game is worse these days, now that most players are able to chill out and actually make a clear distinction between proper adult tact and competitive zeal, with that distinction shifting once the opening jump ball goes up.

What I am saying is that Kobe is one of the last of a rare breed, and that I can't help but love it when he pulls junk like this.

Related: Raja Bell, Ste

Yahoo Sports: Ball don't lie

Nice work Kobe

I like it when Kobe talks crap. I think it makes him play better (although it hurts his shot selection) and that he gets inside opponents' heads

To be honest, that really was epic.

i bet ron artest is glad he's on kobe's side now, lol.

Anyone who understands competition knows that mind games are important.

Good article by Dwyer. Worth the full read for flow and detail.

Kobe has always talked trash...

But I think it's going to be different this year... Especially because we're the defending champs but mainly because I think this team has learned a lot from it's last few trips to the finals...

I think this is going to be a super gritty defending champ squad... And I predict this Lakers team single-handedly changes the West... I think by next season, the perceptible difference between the West and the East as far as gritty physical play will be non-existant, after LA runs through teams this year...

The Spurs, Nuggets, and Jazz have all had a defensive edge to them at times, but I think that's going to be magnified by the end of the season.

You can't beat this Lakers team on the offensive side of the court alone... The Lakers know it... They're confident in that, so they're taking glee in focusing on the Defensive side of things...

So you face a superior Offensive team that can score 120 a night anytime they want...
Who aren't happy unless they limit you to 50 a night...

Not pretty.

(I forgot to add.... That pretty much describes Jordon's Bulls... And Bird's Celtics...)

When you get crossed like that you are going to hear something.

trash talkin in BB is part of tradition.. that's how u get into one-another's head. You don't just needs the skills.. u also need the mental mind set to succeed in this sport.

that was classic

This year the Lakers = 2009 Lakers offense + 2008 Celtics style vocal defense

I can't wait

I like some trash talkin from Kobe. it's funny how many of the opponents just get embarassed haha