Kobe tried to respond with a step-back jumper on his next trip down the court, but like most of his shots on the night, it clanged off the rim. The two had been going at it on the previous couple of possessions and LeBron looked like he was about to go all hero mode on Kobe, just bullying his way by him, but all of the sudden LeBron delivered a gem to Battier (as shown in the video above). The entire game and battle between the two players can really be defined by a play in the second quarter. LeBron ended the quarter by drilling a jumper at the buzzer. It was a move though that let Kobe know he couldn't guard him. It was a rarity when Kobe and LeBron were guarding one another on the night, but there was one play in the first where LeBron was backing down Kobe in the post and then hit him with a dazzling baseline spin move, but LeBron couldn't convert the reverse layup. Perhaps LeBron's best play of the quarter though didn't even result in any points.
LeBron passed beautifully all night long and he finished with four assists in the first quarter. LeBron on the other hand looked to get his teammates involved early. His only play of note in the quarter was a nice drive then kick-out to Ron Artest Metta World Peace who shockingly converted the open three. Regardless of the defense Kobe refused to pass. He was constantly hounded and subsequently stymied by double teams and in the rare occasion when he wasn't met with two defenders he couldn't seem to shake off Shane Battier. Bryant started off the game 0-5 before finally hitting a leaner with a minute left in the quarter. You got a great look at the Kobe who takes a ton of shots without making a lot of them in the first quarter. There have been two Kobe Bryant's this year, the one who takes a ton of shots but makes a ton of them, and the Bryant who takes a ton of shots and doesn't make a ton of them. The pure hatred Kobe has for his opponents is the reason why I root for him, it is refreshing to see in a changing game, where all of the players seem to be "friends." Regardless of the "friends" situation both Kobe and LeBron have been playing tremendous basketball this season, but tonight only one player lived up to sky high expectations. I am not saying at all that Durant, LeBron and D-Wade don't enjoy winning as much as Kobe or KG do, but they don't hate their opponents the way those two guys do. The new generation of stars including LeBron, D-Wade and Kevin Durant just don't have the same make up of a Bryant or KG.
When it comes to intensity, hatred of opponents and pure desire/drive to win it goes 1. Kobe is an NBA Champion and LeBron is not, and Kobe very much wants LeBron to know this, and you can see it whenever they square off head-to-head. The LeBron-Kobe matchup is always one of the most intriguing duels, even if LeBron had beaten Kobe in the previous four meetings. Without further adieu here is the very first Isolation piece! Enjoy! Isolation will almost always feature two players who are squaring off against one other on both offense and defense, so don't expect any Dwight Howard vs. For example tonight LeBron outplayed Kobe so he will get the "win," even though Kobe is the better player. Only that game will factor in the outcome of who the "winner" is between the two players. I will break down a matchup between two players who are facing off head to head that day. Isolation is going to be a new recurring feature on Love Boat Sports.
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