Kobe Finds Uncommon Ground With Swaggy P (piece By Kevin Ding)

therealdeal · Nov 20, 2014

HOUSTON — Even on a night when Kobe Bryant was as nice as could be toward Dwight Howard, the reasons why their partnership didn't flower were prevalent.

Bryant, who has some experience in the burning spotlight that being accused brings, might have felt a little sympathy in light of the controversy enveloping Howard with Georgia police investigating allegations Howard abused his son. He was probably appreciative that Howard surprisingly sat out the Lakers' 98-92 victory over the Rockets on Wednesday night.

In any case, Bryant tried to take some heat off Howard, backing off the "You're soft, you m----------r" in-game commentary he offered three weeks ago.

When asked about those Oct. 28 words upon absorbing Howard's elbow, Bryant said: "Heat of the moment. You guys have all been in arguments. You guys who are married, you guys know how that goes. You argue; sometimes you say things that you want to take back, that you don't really mean. But it's in the heat of confrontation, and sometimes things come out."

Bryant also did not pile on after Kevin Durant told Howard repeatedly, "You're a p---y," in their on-court argument Sunday night.

"No, I don't feel that way. And I don't think Kevin does either," Bryant said. "In moments of confrontation during a game, you'll say things.

"I know Dwight. I'm sure Kevin does. We don't really feel that way about him. It's like when you get in an argument with somebody, you'll say things out of frustration and out of anger that you don't really mean."

So how was it that the Lakers' 98-92 victory over the Rockets was a statement on Howard?

It wasn't that Howard didn't play—even after being in uniform, according to the Houston Chronicle, and seemingly ready to go—because of a right knee strain.

Bill Baptist/Getty Images

Nick Young has averaged 16.5 points in his first two games back this season, helping the Lakers triple their prior win total.

It was that Nick Young did play.

Bryant and Young might never win a championship together either, but their relationship of one-plus years already works as a testimonial for how a big-grinning, fun-loving goofball can be a teammate Bryant adores.

Bryant sought out Young in particular for an extra high-five and hug before leaving the court Wednesday night. Before that, Young had already chest-bumped every other member of the Lakers organization he could find, his head held noticeably high.

"I'm very happy to have him back," Bryant said.

The Lakers were 1-9 without Young, who tore a ligament in his right thumb trying to steal the ball from Bryant in practice (and good-naturedly absorbed Bryant's ribbing that he shouldn't have been reaching on defense or challenging a body that Bryant told him is "made of steel").

With Young, the Lakers are 2-0.

"I leave a presence," Young said. "I'm like Michael Jackson, Prince, all those other guys."

The really funny thing is that there is truth to the swag.

The whole Swaggy P creation only works if people enjoy being around the persona. And they really do.

Young came out for pregame shooting Wednesday night at Toyota Center, and besides the assembled Lakers fans who all cheered, assistant coaches J.J. Outlaw and Thomas Scott rushed over with smiles, truly giddy to see Young back out there for his second game of the season.

When talking pregame about Young, Byron Scott was asked about his shooting contests with Young and the Lakers head coach flaunted some of his own swag, quipping: "Hasn't been a contest yet." Jordan Hill's postgame interview with Time Warner Cable SportsNet's Mike Trudell morphed into a chirpy duet with Young, as so often happens with events around Young becoming inclusive in an organic way.

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press/Associated Press
Bryant has seen Young take his suggestions to work at his game seriously on the court and in preparation.

Young's ability to laugh at himself is one of the keys to it. His unabashed price at being a Laker is another.

But Bryant shared the crux of it for him in a statement before the season:

"He understands in order to be Swaggy P and for people to pay attention to Swaggy P, he's got to put that work in on the court," Bryant said, "or no one's going to give a s--t."

Despite being just a half-year older than Howard, whose mechanical post moves and poor free-throw shooting have remained stunted, Young has showed he cares about growing his game—something Bryant fundamentally respects.

When Bryant, who admits copying everything he can, was asked by B/R if he has ever stolen one of Young's moves, he laughed and said no—but then pointed out that Young has stolen all of Bryant's.

Bryant didn't mean it in his often self-aggrandizing way; it was a real tribute to how Young, urged by Bryant to study more video last season, has economized his game.

"We worked on that stuff a lot last year, worked on it a lot over the summer," Bryant said. "It has been a big change in his game. In the past, he used handle the ball a lot, dribbling five or six times. Now you see him catching, one dribble, pull-up shot. Two dribbles, pull-up shot."

Bryant was clear about his goal for Young and his streamlined game this season.

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

Young returned to the court two weeks ahead of his scheduled recovery time after suffering a torn ligament in his hand before the season.

"Have him be Sixth Man of the Year," Bryant said.

Young's defense has also improved, and he hustled on close-outs better than Bryant repeatedly Wednesday night. It's to the point where Young's mistakes are the clear exception, not the rule: Scott came up with just "one time" when Young got caught not helping on defense against the Rockets.

Young also came back early from this injury, his first surgery ever, and beat his medical timetable—a longtime Bryant hallmark. Projected out eight weeks with a complete tear of his radial collateral ligament, Young returned in six and is playing with the thumb still wrapped.

They make for an odd couple, Bryant and Young. They have so many reasons not to want to play together considering the similarities in their shot-happy games.

Yet here they are.

It just goes to show that even to someone who loves to shoot, there are things more important than shots.

And to someone such as Bryant, whether you're soft or swaggy in the stuff you enjoy doing, you'd better find time to be serious about the effort you put into your craft.

Kevin Ding is an NBA senior writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @KevinDing.
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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...rship-he-failed-to-develop-with-dwight-howard

five6two · Nov 20, 2014

I like the Kobe/Swaggy combo. As much as people were saying they wouldn't mesh together based on them both taking a ton of shots, looks like it works. And I think one of the main reasons is because the rest of the team can't shoot well and has no confidence. Nick brings both of those things to the table (they don't call him Swaggy P for nothing) and that gives Kobe confidence in him which makes for great chemistry.

pound4pound · Nov 20, 2014

great read...shows you can be a goofball and Kobe will still respect you...as long as you take your game seriously...unlike the other goofball

lakerfan2 · Nov 20, 2014

tl;dr even though it was a good read:

Kobe respects hard work...and skill of course. Doesn't matter who you are off the court, as long as you bring it on the court.

(Looks over at Dwight).

SamsonMiodek · Nov 20, 2014

Great read, thanks.

I know it is not important in this conversation, but I found this quote from Kobe pretty odd:

"Heat of the moment. You guys have all been in arguments. You guys who are married, you guys know how that goes. You argue; sometimes you say things that you want to take back, that you don't really mean. But it's in the heat of confrontation, and sometimes things come out."
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When I think about things like confrontation and being in argument, my wife is literally the last person that comes to my mind. On the other hand, we're talking about Vanessa, I probably shouldn't be surprised.

I'm extremely glad to have Swaggy back. This is the first time since Randle's injury that I feel somewhat optimistic about anything Lakers' related (as far as this season is concerned)

therealdeal · Nov 20, 2014

What a lucky man you are to never argue with your wife!

The Showtime Mamba · Nov 20, 2014

Of course it works. Who doesn't know that Kobe is one of the swag originators. He and Kobe are like Swag uncle and nephew. Swag is invisible, you can't see it but you can recognize when it is there in someone.

lakerfan2 · Nov 20, 2014

Nick's "swag" is definitely not invisible. lol

Battle Tested20 · Nov 20, 2014

lakerjones · Nov 20, 2014

Great read!

KareemtheGreat33 · Nov 20, 2014

So Coward could have played and decided not to because he is a coward. He feared what Kobe will do to him. Future Laker Superstar is correct, he is a p****.

trodgers · Nov 20, 2014

I don't think I've ever said anything to my wife in the heat of the moment that I regretted. That's your wife, bro (Kobe). Step up your game.

gcclaker · Nov 20, 2014

Young was willing to take advice on refining his game which he has. Howard? Not so much. He still looks like Tiny Lister out there with the ball.

Weezy · Nov 20, 2014

First, it's awesome to see Kobe and Young playing so well together, I hope it continues. I believe Kobe will continue to trust in Young on the court, so it has a great shot.

Second, Kevin Durant is my hero, that is awesome to hear.

alam1108 · Nov 20, 2014

Great read, love the question about Kobe stealing any of Nick's moves.

ElginTheGreat · Nov 21, 2014

Glad folks can now see it isn't just Kobe who does not like Dwight.

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Kobe Finds Uncommon Ground With Swaggy P (piece By Kevin Ding)

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