King James, Kobe, Zambrano, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---The Lakers cruised past the Nuggets in Game 6 to clinch a spot in the NBA Finals, and yes, I have to give Kobe some credit.

---I make no secret of my disdain for Bryant, an extraordinarily talented player with a horrible track record as a teammate. However, I have been very impressed with the unselfish way the Black Mamba has played in the last two games. Prior to Game 6, I can't remember the last time Kobe had double-digit assists. When Kobe gets his teammates involved, the Lakers are incredibly tough to beat.

---Still, make no mistake about it, LeBron James is the best player in the world. King James delivered yet another masterful performance in Game 5 to keep Cleveland's season alive. We have never seen a player with this type of sheer strength, skill, and athleticism.

---As great as James has been, however, the supporting cast needs to step up tonight in Orlando if the Cavs want to force a Game 7. I'm strongly rooting for the Cavs, but if Mo Williams, Delonte West, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas fail to make shots, Dwight Howard and the Magic are going to the Finals.

---Once again, I must give credit where credit is due: Stan Van Gundy, I know I've been hard on you, but I can't argue with success. Job well done.

---The Denver Nuggets ended their stellar season in embarrassing fashion last night, but this franchise made significant progress this year, and George Karl's team will be one of the elite teams in the league next season. Let's hope Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith, Nene, and Chris "Birdman" Anderson all make a healthy return next season, because when this Nuggets team is clicking, they are fun to watch.

---"Inside the NBA": Best. Show. Ever.

---The Philadelphia 76ers have hired former Wizards coach Eddie Jordan to be their next head coach. Solid hire. Jordan got a raw deal in Washington, where he was unfairly blamed for the poor play of a team with very little talent in the absence of Gilbert Arenas.

---Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies have fired manager Clint Hurdle. The Rockies downfall, from National League champs to cellar dweller in a span of only two years, has been startling. However, I don't think firing Clint Hurdle, an above-average manager, is the right answer. The reason the Rockies are losing isn't because of Hurdle, it's because of the declining play of players like shortstop Troy Tulowitzski and third baseman Garrett Atkins. Tulowitzski and Atkins were key members of the 2007 team that went to the World Series, but they are experiencing a Big Papi-like slump this season. And frankly, Jim Tracy is a step down from Clint Hurdle.

---Whoa, Carlos! Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano went all Bill O'Reilly on us this past week, unloading a frighteningly chaotic, wildly entertaining verbal tirade on home plate umpire Mark Carlson, an explosion of anger that earned Zambrano a six-game suspension. The Cubbies had been scuffling, and you always want your players to show passion, but Zambrano clearly crossed the line. Big Z is a great pitcher, but he must stop wearing so much emotion on his sleeve. I mean, my goodness, his meltdown made Lou Piniella look like a saint.

---Go Giants! The pitching is spectacular, and the hitting has been productive this past week. After Matt Cain led the Giants to victory over the Cardinals last night, Bruce Bochy's team has won four straight. Now if only the hated blue can start losing.

---And finally, enough with this Tom Brady nonsense. Brady is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, that much is certain. But please, does he really need to be on the front cover of every magazine known to man just because he has recovered from an injury?