Over and Back: A Very Kobe Christmas

Dec 16, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) poses for photos with kids during the team Jason Mann and Rich Kraetsch celebrate Christmas and the career of Kobe Bryant with a very special episode of the Over and Back Classic NBA podcast called “A VERY KOBE CHRISTMAS.” Jason and Rich provide commentary while watching Kobe’s 61-point performance vs. the Knicks on Feb. 2, 2009, in Madison Square Garden. They also make it a drinking game, taking a gulp of beer every time Kobe takes a shot.

During the episode, Jason and Rich tackle many, many topics, including how the Lakers became a juggernaut with the addition of Pau Gasol, the enigma of Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher’s steady veteran leadership, the rise of Trevor Ariza, Luke Walton’s steadiness, and the beginning of the end for Vladimir Radmanovic on the Lakers. They also discuss the rebuilding 2008-09 New York Knicks with new leadership from Mike D’Antoni and Donnie Walsh, Chris Duhon’s career season, Al Harrington’s license to shoot, David Lee’s leap, Jared Jeffries’ perpetual disappointment, the well-traveled Quentin Richardson, future Nuggets centerpieces Wilson Chandler and Danilo Galinari, the puzzling Tim Thomas, and Nate Robinson being Nate Robinson. Jason and Rich also make many detours of conversation, including their choices for the best wrestling match in Madison Square Garden history.

If you’d like to follow along with Jason and Rich, you can check out the game on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8edPRyyZCA&list=PL2D89F24437CF907F