i guess the jazz players are so desperate to make it look like they beat the lakers with a healthy kobe.

i mean, even if kobe was still attacking the rim and shooting, it was obvious to millions of viewers out there that it wasn't the same kobe on the court- he was obviously much slower, less accurate, and less able to make his usual spectacular moves to burn the jazz defenders (which is why all the jazz defenders had the rare chance to actually keep up with him that game)

Charles Barkley said " Kobe hurts when he misses shots or on defense." He tried hard to be hero aka MJ but did not workout that way and Lakers paid price.

dont matter none if we beat you with kobe in the lineup or with kobe out of the lineup, IT'S STILL A W!!! When we are in the conference finals we will send y'all a get well card. Have fun w/ that BACK injury, doesn't sound too serious, hee hee hee.

Excuses, excuses.

What an actor. This is as bad as the article a couple of days ago saying he is now humble. Give me a break!!

Don't you feel sorry for the poor guy? Haven't you ever gone to work when you didn't feel good? Weren't you expected to do your job just like any other day? I hate this guy. he should be in jail for what he did in Denver.
Oh, I forgot, another famous, virtuous athlete, OJ Sompson, said, "No doesn't always mean no."

please don't hurt kobe further, i need him in the finals healthy to go against that wonderful boston team with 3 super stars of that fabulous king james in cleveland....utah you've made your point, you are a tough team, but lets get things back to normal...i have 'discussed' this situation with the referees and they have assured me anytime kobe is touched they will act accordingly...thanks for a great season though!

I just hope we don't have to watch Cobe wince anymore.
What about Boozer? his back has been sore for 3 months. the point is a lot of players are hurting.
SO WHAT?

At least he didn't pull a hammie. If he had he might miss not only game 5, but all the games until next March or April. Just ask Boozer.

Even Kobes mom said; "kobe as a young boy used to fake sick, when he didn't want to eat his veggies"

Too many times a "hurt" or "sick" super star has won the game against the Jazz. The Jazz players MUST play Kobe, and everyone else that steps unto the floor, as if that player is playing with 100% of their capability. If the Jazz players do not do this they will lose.

When AK can Block Kobe's shots without jumping, well there goes the "I dind't know" excuse.

In response to the first comment: I guess Lakers players and fans are so desperate to give themselves some other reason why they got beat. Not because the Jazz could possibly have out-played them, no, never. "The only reason Lakers didn't win is because Kobe was hurt. "

This is just one more way to cheapen the Utah Jazz, and refuse to give them credit where credit is due.

Kobe having a hurt back did not make a difference in the game when he is fully healthy true he is more explosive, gets to the rim, and hits jump shots but since he was in pain he took his game to the post in which he scored at will just like he did any other way he still scored over 30 points so Laker fans cannot use Kobe having a hurt back as an excuse Michael Jordan had the flu when he beat the Jazz that would limit you in the same ways

I am sick of hearing the excuses about why the jazz won for example Kobe being hurt. The jazz does not have the home record out of luck. 5 losses all season including playoffs is not luck!!!!!

Danny Ainge played his best ball when he was sick and MJ beat the JAzz when he had food poisoning. Bryant might be able to shoot and dribble, but he'll never be great!

Phony... just an excuse for a solid beatdown in SLC !!!!!!!!

So, the only game in this series where both teams main stars were playing well was game three and we all know the result of that game - lakers could barely stay in it.

Fakers are excusing themselves because of Kobe. At the same time Boozer hasn't been himself either. Let's see what happens when both stars show up to play - I think we will see more of game three and the Fakers will go home crying from Utah after being eliminated in game 6.

I can already hear the excuses coming if the Jazz win the series. It's ONLY because Kobe had a sore back in Game 4. Nevermind that every other player on the court is banged up. Williams is playing with a bruised tailbone and an ailing wrist (shooting hand) and you don't hear people making a big deal about that. Barkley nailed it. Kobe only hurts when he's embarrassed about missing a shot or something and wants to give the media an excuse as to why he missed a shot or missed a play on defense.

He looked like he was faking the whole game. Yeah Maybe he had some pain but he looked like he was milking it when things didn't go his way. Anyone could tell his wincing and slow to "get ups" was him pouting. He'll come 100% in game 5 and Jazz better be ready.

Did Kobe know he was hurt? Then he is the reason the Lakers lost. Why are you being selfish and taking the game on your back when you are hurt? What about the coach, you say? Okay.

Did Jackson know Kobe was hurt? Then the coach is the reason the Lakers lost. Putting the game on his back in game 3 didn't work with a good back, why would it with a bad back? What about the players, you say? Okay.

Did Kobe's teammates know he was hurt? Then the Laker players are the reason for the loss. Why are you standing around with the game on the line, letting it all be on Kobe's bad back? Blame the Jazz!

Why should the Jazz think Kobe is hurt? The Lakers didn't change their game plan, why would the Jazz? As far as they know Kobe is the person to stop regardless of his condition.

The Lakers are beginning to implode. They are running out of excuses. The refs can't help. The coach and team can't. So when trailing in the fourth, Kobe is their last hope. Have a nice offseason. He can't do it alone, good or bad back.

Kobe made sure he was on camera before showing pain, I think he was hurt but he also didn't hide it from the public. Dramatic just like T-Mac. Hope the Jazz send Kobe home just like t_Mac

I have a question. Why was Byron Russell not called for a foul when MJ shoved him past and out of the way for his famous last shot. When Kobe shoved AK down and out of his way, the refs called a foul on AK. Is it possible the refs are treating Kobe even better than they treated MJ?

Am I the only basketball lover who hates the show-business farce they call the NBA? From coaches to players to media announcers; all play "let's pretend" that this is legitimate. The head office keeps them all in line, but they can't keep the rest of us in line. Let's call a spade a spade! This is as big a joke as TV's professional wrestling, where all those making money pretend it is real, but the rest of the world know it is not.

Kobe got his Academy Award for acting; called MVP. What a role model his is for all the boys. Keep eating it up, Suckers!

Since Kobe wasn't crying for himself, neither does anyone else have to do it for him. Give us breath of fresh air instead of the boobing and let them play ball.

how much money does kobe get paid to play an extra... 2 games? i'm not sure if they get paid by the games in playoffs... but i'm sure the tickets and other things make millions per game,including tv. i think he was faking it, making money might seem more important than winning, just a thought...

NBA and media just wants a hero story with Kobe, it could even be fabricated, it did happen on Sunday afternoon. This series could be over 4-2 Lakers with Kobe fighting through his "back injury" to lift the Lakers to the Finals.

You call an overtime win a solid beatdown. Smoking that tuff again. And "Pathetic" please dont quote Barkley, he's a hater that has never won a title. He's a perfect spoksman for the Utah Jazz, who have never won anything either!.

MJ played the old lame duck routine on the Jazz by claiming that he was deathly ill with the flu and then followed up with a nearly 40 point game against the Jazz. Colby and the LA media are doing the same thing. Yes he did tweek his back but expect Colby to be 100% on Wednesday and ready for blood. The Jazz best not fall for the ole lame duck routine or they will be blown out in LA.

As much as I hated losing to Jordan and the Bulls those two years, you didn't see Jordan act this way. That time he was sick he just went out there and played to win and did not complain. You could see he was gray sometimes on the sidelines, but when he was on the court, he didn't show a thing.

Kobe is the same kind of physical talent that Jordan was, but he isn't half the player.

Isn't everybody hurting this time of year?

I don't think AK or Brewer have been the same since they were flagrantly clothes-lined a few weeks ago and out for several games each. AK, in particular, had found a shooting touch he still doesn't have back.

Boozer and Williams also have nagging injuries that have slowed them down and, don't kid yourself, Williams is playing in pain.

I'd say we could all learn a thing or two from that famous basketball philosopher Charles Oakley who said: "Just shut up and play."

Bryant wants to be Jordan. He wants to be "the show" all the time. He wants the headlines. He wants to be called the best. Kobe is not the best ever, he is the best player now but not the best ever. I believe he was hurt, I just think he put too much emphasiz on the fact he was hurt instead of just playing ball. He made sure the cameras pointed out that he was hurt. So I am not calling bs on the injury I am saying that Kobe wanted the headlines, the media and the hero story for gutting it out and hitting all the big shots that he did not make. Fisher did not get even one more shot after his late game heroics and Odom got 1. Sorry to destroy the hero story Kobe. You truly are a piece of work. Jazz in 7. You heard it here.

The Jazz won't win for money reasons. Nobody wants to see the Jazz in the Finals except for about 3 million people that live near here. There are 40 million Laker fans that bring big money to television. Go Jazz!

reread the comment there bud- it said that game 3 was the game with everyone playing fairly well, etc. and it was the beatdown. It did not go to overtime.

The fact that you are all mentioning MJ everytime you talk about Kobe, tells me you do believe Kobe is great. What I can't figure out is what does MJ have to do with beating the Lakers, get into the new century!. It's funny you mention MJ since he is the guy that kept you from your coveted NBA championship. It still hurts after all these years.
Who cares who the greatest is, I just want to win the next game. Any mention of MJ is totally lame.

Barkley never won anything either pretty sure he was an MVP look up your facts before you post ridiculous comments

Jazz can't stop for a bad back. Ask D Will.

At what point did Kobe ever say his bad back was an excuse. In fact, I distinctly remember him saying he wasn't going to use it as an excuse. It was obvious he was hurting, he could barely jump. AK47 blocked his shot without even jumping. And when Kobe hurting like that, you know he must be hurt pretty bad because he will play through anything. You Jazz fans are delusional. Too bad the Jazz can't win on the road so you can have game 6 while the Lakers take games 5 and 7 and send the Jazz packing!!!

What's the matter? Not confident your "championship team" can win on the road. So as a die hard fan you are writing off your team in game 6. Just thought I'd ask.

We are Jazz fans,but I won`t let my boys watch the games,Cobe is a bad role model,a rapist

I dare say that when you combine the competitive nature of this series, combined with the underhanded comments by coach/all-around-class-act (it's so hard to properly convey sarcasm in plain text print) Phil Jackson, the general arrogance of Laker fans, and the suspicious discrepency in fouls called and free throw attempts, the Jazz hatred af all things Laker is reaching new levels.

No wonder Fish said he understood why Jazz fans boo him, he realized that walked away from being the small town hero of the year to join the franchise that stands as a symbol of all that is wrong with the NBA, if he was a fan he'd probably boo too.

I think as a Jazz fan the only thing more satisfying than beating the Lakers in the playoffs would be winning a championship. The thing is, right now I really don't care about the Championship, that dream can wait a week or two, I just want us to beat the Lakers.

Jazz in 6!!!!

Looks like Laker fans are quick to make excuses as to why their MVP jacked up 33 shots on a broken back. Kobe might be able to cure his back, but for you Laker fans and your championship hopes you better hope he can cure his ego and stupidity. You all laugh that Stockton and Malone never won a championship. Well I got news for you Laker fans Kobe has not and never will win a championship without the most dominant center with him. The one always getting the finals MVP's. Kobe has never actually guided a team to a championship and that aint changin'. Jazz in 7.

Bryant was faking it. He knew that the Jazz had to have a win to keep the fans interested. So he faked the injury which gave him the needed excuse to slow down on his normal astronomic basket accumulations. He'll be fit as a fiddle for the next game showing that he not only is an outstanding athlete but can super-humanly "recover" from serious injuries overnight.

From a Jazz Fanatic of 25+ years:

Please SHUT-UP and discontinue the trash-talk about Kobe or the Lakers. Kobe has proven his ability, leadership, and evolving maturity this year. Their record and Kobe's obvious involvement of his fellow team mates proves it. Writing disresepectful comments about the Lakers, or especially Kobe, just ticks them and him off and adds extra motivation to their desire to crush the Jazz. This guys doesn't need any more motivation. He is a freak of nature and the best player in the NBA right now. Shut-up, be nice, and give these guys no additional motivation to grind the Jazz (and their fans) into dust. Stupid, stupid, stupid behavior.

Please...SHUT-UP!

It`ll not be cause they are a better team,it`ll be all about the money a big market team pulls in,Kobee is a disgrace TO PROFESSIONAL SPORTS

Remember how in his mvp speech that he said its hollywood, it needs a hollywood ending. So is this the part where you hit the bad stride to overcome it? Ha ha, you are pathetic Kobe, its oh so obvious you are faking. When the shot goes in you can cheer and celebrate, but when you missed or got blocked, "oh my back oh oh". Faker, total and complete faker.
DWill and Booz will own your trash in game 5, bring you back to utah (that is if your back can make the flight) and send you back home to LA with the ugly Fish

Kobe haters you must be really scared
You should be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i watched kobe mid third quarter post brewer up twice,literally smash into him while turning/twisting mid air for a five footer, which by the way, he hit...no problem as he 'sprinted' back up court..the second he misses or puts up a horrible shot as when he went down the lane second half, tripped, fell but still tried to make the shot, then it's injury time.....as he lay on the floor, at first, it looked like he was going to grab his leg, than remembered it was his back....he's a great player, but thats bogus....

IF THE JAZZ SHOULD LOSE THIS SERIES AND EXIT THE PLAYOFFS, THEY'LL HAVE NO ONE OTHER THAN THEMSELVES TO BLAME....HERE'S WHY.....LOSING A PAIR TO THE LOWLY T-WOLVES LATE IN THE YEAR, ONE EACH TO KNICKS, HAWKS, HEAT ET AL COST THE JAZZ HOMECOURT AND I BELIEVE IT'S FAIRLY WELL DOCUMENTED BY NOW THE DIFFERENCE HOME COURT MAKES FOR THE JAZZ.....TO BE SURE, WE HAD SOME HUGE ROAD WINS THIS SEASON OVER PHX, BOSTON, DALLAS ETC, BUT HOME COURT, ESPECIALLY IN THE PLAYOFFS IS ABSOLUTELY HUGE...THEY HAVE IT AND WE DON'T...MAYBE IN THE FUTURE, THE JAZZ WON'T TAKE TEAMS LIKE MINNESOTA FOR GRANTED...IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO BITE YOU IN THE REAR END DOWN THE ROAD....

you guys have to be blind, every player in the NBA when he gets hit is hurting, it takes a minute to shake off 240 - 280 pounds of a another human hitting you, perfect example Williams wrist, I thought it was broken with the reaction he had, but apparently it is o.k. They are professionals and that is why they get up and keep going. As for the remark have you ever gotten up and gone to work hurt, the idiot would not get up and go to work if he just got hit my a small car. Be real!