NBA Fast Break: Kobe Is Sonny, RGIII Is God & The Hornets Are, Umm, Pelicans

Usually we spend our mornings focusing on one highlight that epitomized the great games of the previous night. But since so much happened last night, here’s a more comprehensive recap of he big news and notes the NBA gave us on Tyra Banks’ birthday.

— Let’s start in L.A. Where the league’s most talked about mediocre team lost to the Houston Rockets despite (or maybe “helped by”) Kobe going for 39. The big news, though, is the drama with Pau Gasol as it’s quite apparent the Pringles man wants him out of town and Kobe calling him out for poor play as recently as two days ago. Well, Kobe took to the press last night to show support:

“I love Pau like a brother,” Bryant told ESPNLosAngeles.com on Tuesday. “I really do. I want him to dominate like I know he can.”

“I want him to dig in and be determined, not discouraged,” Bryant continued. “We should go to him more on the post because he can dominate from there as he has to the tune of two rings. I’m sure we will adjust and figure out a balance when he comes back healthy.”

Then, Kobe went over to Gasol, kissed him on the cheek and said, “You broke my heart, Pau.” Look, if you’re believing Kobe’s support after he gave Mike Brown a pre-firing stamp of approval then I have oceanfront property in Iowa with your name on it. I can’t wait until June when Kobe says he supports D’Antoni so much they may even go fishing together.

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— Washington, D.C., RGIII is your Lord and savior. What does this have to do with basketball? How else do you explain the Wizards pulling out a 105-101 win against the Heat at home while the quarterback just happened to be in attendance? I’m going to use Skip Bayless logic here and say his presence – if only for one night – put out the flames in the Wizards’ dumpster fire. Is there anything he can’t do?

— Meanwhile in Brooklyn, Russell Westbrook debuted the Air Jordan 28 in a successful campaign against the Nets. The main event was Westbrook against Deron Williams and they didn’t disappoint. Russ had 25 and 9 while Williams poured in 32 as they out each other through the wash every chance they got. Don’t look now but the Thunder continue to mesh and haven’t missed a step in Harden’s absence. No clue if that will hold up deep in the playoffs, but the Thunder are looking quite formidable so far.

— The Hornets may be no more as New Orleans owner Tom Benson may change the team name to…the Pelicans.

Literally, there isn’t a worse name. Hell, I’d take the New Orleans Gudda Guddas over the Pelicans. The NBA needs to just do what’s right and give NOLA the “Jazz” name back, give Charlotte it’s Hornets name and call Utah the Romneys or something. Utah having the Jazz is the dumbest naming on all of sports (minus, you know, all the racist Native American team names floating around but you get my point). Either way, Pelicans is just embarrassing. When reached for comment, Eric Gordon said he hates the name so much he may have to fake his injury for longer than he originally thought.

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