They're Playing Basketball (breaking records and blowing interviews)

Kobe passes West as Lakers scoring leader in loss to Grizzlies
Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Kobe Bryant got the Los Angeles Lakers' franchise scoring record, but the Memphis Grizzlies spoiled the celebration.

Bryant scored 44 points, passing Jerry West as the Lakers' career scorer, but it wasn't enough as the Grizzlies got 22 points and 17 rebounds from Zach Randolph to defeat the Lakers 95-93 on Monday night.

"It's a great honor to say the least [because] of the great players that have played here and the tradition we have," Bryant said of becoming the Lakers' career leading scorer. "[West] taught me so much when I was 17 years old. He showed me a lot about the game, the jump shot and spin moves and all the others.

"Even though it's me passing him in the record books, it's still us, and it's still Magic and all the other great players."

While the focus was on Bryant and the Lakers' record, Memphis held on for the victory. Rudy Gay led the Grizzlies with 25 points, and his 3-pointer with 29.5 seconds left helped Memphis end its two-game losing streak.

While Bryant got the franchise record for scoring, the loss prevented Lakers coach Phil Jackson from passing Pat Riley as the winningest coach in regular-season games for Los Angeles. The two are tied at 533.

With Kobe passing Jerry West as the All-Time leading Lakers scorer the discussion this week has been whether Kobe is now or ever will be considered the greatest Laker of All-Time. While Kobe had a head start on West in scoring, I still think he's better than West. The question is whether he's better than my childhood hero Magic Johnson. Magic certainly would have scored more points had he not had to retire early from HIV infection. But Magic is also near the top All-Time in assists. If Kobe wins another NBA title he'll tie Magic in championships and then will likely be the best Laker ever.

I got lost in all the Lakers/Celtics/Kobe hub bub and totally missed out on this odd interview with the Raptors' Hedo Turkoglu. The player is usually a decent quote but he's either distracted or high on something in this interview. It picks up at the 20 second mark.