KEVIN DING

8/23 Kobe’s birthday. 8/24 Kobe Day. 8/25 Still remembering.

Maven has earned an athletic scholarship to Georgetown, the wonderful destination after this rich journey of softball life she and I have shared. A top academic institution + Division I in the Big East = one exclusive combo. Seeing Maven so proud of herself makes me so, happy!

I brought up this Jerry Buss quote a lot back when Dwight Howard was brought in and was a thoroughly inadequate leader. Despite the complaints out of Dallas, Luka is clearly a generous teammate and a relentless competitor. And his love for playing basketball is irresistible.

My early but impassioned endorsement for J.J. Redick to be the next Lakers head coach: “Let’s look for greatness, absolutely.” — The LakeShow podcast for @SpectrumSN

On @SpectrumSN now with @geeter3 and @Mike_Bresnahan … within a month of training camp!

Glad you asked!

Who should step up tonight in Game 6?

My top three Lakers coaching candidates—and a lot of other honesty—on @SpectrumSN at 7 tonight!

Much love from @geeter3 to my wife and kids on @SpectrumSN, and some love from me to Carmelo—but not so much Russ.

On the anniversary of his death Tuesday, the inside story of Kobe’s 81-point game from me on @SpectrumSN and what we should understand about it:

Some perspective on Ingram-Ball-Hart for A.D. (and thus Kuzma and Caruso) regarding small steps on this journey back.

Knowledge droppage and peeks at what's ahead all in here with @LakersReporter, @LakerFilmRoom and @AaronLarsuel in advance of the Western Conference Finals: youtube.com/watch?v=zGjbcOWq…

From The Point earlier this month, in light of how much the NBA is again looking to LeBron for how to proceed now, much is placed on those who can carry it ...

Kobe Bryant Day 8/24: From the earliest years, he was the most fascinating study in ambition. Kobe's commitment was to make the most of his moments. Is yours?

All the pieces are at The Point home page. See what you might’ve missed: nba.com/lakers/news/the-poin…

A bit of Hall of Fame perspective from 25-year-old Kobe here in my January piece on Anthony Davis:

The latest from The Point: on.nba.com/3dITjgK

Photo context: In OKC before Kobe's second-to-last game ... me telling him Bleacher Report wants me in Oakland to cover Warriors' 73rd victory instead of his last game ... Kobe warning me of the mistake, LOL. My final takeaway from a career covering Kobe: nba.com/lakers/the-point-200…

Much respect for Harden and the season he is having, but opportunity missed for Trae Young—who was told by Gigi that he was her favorite player to watch—to wear her No. 2 jersey in the game.