The Exuberance of Youth Doesn’t Impress Laker Fans

The Lakers’ loss Wednesday might be the turning point of their series against the Spurs. Instead of being tied, 1-1, and having the home-court advantage, they are on the brink of elimination.

Everybody knows who made this possible: the young, overconfident and cocky Kobe Bryant. Two turnovers in the first two minutes of the game, two missed free throws and a bad pass in the dying seconds.

Now they’re down 0-2. Ask Kobe how he feels and for sure he’ll say: “We’ll be fine. No problem at all.” Didn’t your mother teach you the meaning of humility?

RUDY D. ALISCAD

Los Angeles

*

Here’s why I have a hard time liking Kobe, the Lakers and the NBA. In Game 1, San Antonio breaks open a close game to go up by 12 with under four minutes left. A heartbroken Kobe gets a steal and goes in for the old reverse slam. Hey, thanks for the highlight, but we already know how good you are with no one around you and all the pressure off.

GARY FENTON

Beverly Hills

*

Sure, K.B. made a key three-pointer in Game 2, but he also blew two free throws that would’ve put the Lakers up by three. And then he smiled as he walked off the court. He smiled. You never would’ve seen Magic or Bird or Michael or Dr. J smiling after missing free throws that cost them the game.

What is this kid thinking? What a choker. And what a child.

DANA ANDREWS

San Marcos, Texas

*

To all you Kobe bashers out there, jump off the ship right now. I’m sick and tired of reading bad press and listening to moronic callers bad-mouth him. Did he choke Wednesday? Yes. But without him, there is no game. Think about that. No game unless a 20-year-old kid is playing.

We learned three things Wednesday:

1. Kurt Rambis and the entire coaching staff should be fired after the season. There is no excuse why Tim Duncan wasn’t fouled. Period. Everybody on that team should have known.

2. The Lakers will never win a title unless Shaquille “Superman” O’Neal makes his free throws.

3. Kobe Bryant right now and for as long has he plays is the superstar on this team.

GENO APICELLA

Burbank

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Why put the blame on Kobe, who misses two free throws at the end of the game, when you have a center who makes two of 10?

RAMON ANGELONI

Los Angeles