T2TB Week: Smush and Kwame?

Sure, it’s not a Finals moment, but we just have to know …

I would want to talk to the ball from Game Seven of the 2006 First Round, also known as the game when Kobe Bryant stopped shooting in the second half as the Lakers were blown out 121-90. Did the ball say something mean to Kobe at halftime that made him decide to pass it to Smush Parker and Kwame Brown, players who treat the ball like an irresponsible 16-year-old rich kid treats his new BMW? Did the ball have some kind of odor problem that Kobe passive-aggressively dealt with by passing it whenever possible? Did they need to spend time apart? The secret to a healthy ball-player relationship is communication and mutual kindness. Exactly what went wrong between these two best friends?

Eric Freeman contributes regularly to Yahoo!’s Ball Don’t Lie NBA blog. He also co-authored FreeDarko’sThe Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History. Follow him on Twitter.

—Photo AP/Chris Carlson

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More from “Talking To Talking Balls Week” at the Good Men Project:

Week One Links

Charlie Zegers: Shades of Willis Reed

Ryan Jones: Zeke’s Ankle

Andrew Sharp: 2 for 18

David Matthews: The Logo

Nick Mancini: The ‘94 Knicks

Yago Colás: Nasty Infinities

Max Ornstein: Walt Clyde