{image1} Kobe Bryant is the one charged with a crime, but according to the fans at the Bradley Center, Gary Payton was the bigger villain in the eyes of the Bucks fans Tuesday.
Both players were soundly booed. Bryant is getting such reactions around the entire NBA because of his high-profile sex scandal in Colorado. Signs reading, "Watch Kobe's back door move" and "Kobe raped me", the latter held by a guy with a 5 o'clock shadow, were briefly displayed before BC ushers took them away from the fans.
Bryant said he has grown accustomed to the boos. "I don't let that stuff bother me once I'm on the court. I love to play this game so much, I just get into the game. This was about what I've been getting in every town on the road."
But, Bryant also received some cheers, primarily from teenagers wearing No. 8 (his number). Many of them were females.
Payton had virtually nobody cheering for him. He was acquired from Seattle in a deal for the popular Ray Allen late last season, played a couple months in Milwaukee and then went as a free agent to L.A. Many fans see him as a carpetbagger who never intended to stay in town. Some even feel he packed it in during the Bucks' first round playoff series last spring.
"Fans don't understand what's going on," Payton said. "I live on the West Coast. I just thought L.A. would be a better fit. I have my life too. The boos don't bother me."
Both Bryant and Payton played key roles in the Lakers' 113-107 comeback win over the Bucks. Bryant, who has missed practices because of court appearances and other things, played 40 minutes and scored a team-high 31 points. He made two crucial 3-point shots down the stretch.
Payton made a big defensive play, tying up Tim Thomas, and had some key free throws in the closing minutes.
"We won that game primarily on our experience," Lakers' coach Phil Jackson said. "Some of our veteran guys made big shots and key plays."
The Bucks outrebounded the Lakers - despite the presence of Shaq and the absence of Brian Skinner, the most effective Milwaukee big man to date. Skinner will undergo surgery on his knee Thursday and miss six weeks.
Michael Redd scored a game-high 36 points. Thomas and Joe Smith had 11 rebounds each. The Bucks led by 10 at one point.
But, in the end, two players whom Bucks fans felt they had good reasons to boo pulled out the game for the bad guys.
College hoops preview
The three Division I teams in the state that made it to the NCAA tournament last season all look strong again this season. UWM already started its season and was impressive in a 99-76 win over Southern Indiana last weekend.
Dylan Page, who missed a bunny that would have given the Panthers a win over Notre Dame in the tournament, scored 34 points, despite suffering from a hip pointer. Several newcomers also showed they could contribute to the point of filling the gap left by Clay Tucker's graduation. Look for the Panthers to be favorites again in the Horizon League.
Marquette already made big news by announcing it will join the Big East Conference for the 2005-2006 season. Tom Crean's Golden Eagles meanwhile should be a force again in Conference USA, despite the loss of Dwyane Wade, who is lighting it up for the Miami Heat in the NBA.
Several other players return from the Final Four team of last season and will undoubtedly benefit from the experience of playing in such huge games.
Bo Ryan has several experienced players returning at Wisconsin. The Badgers will miss Kirk Penney, who recently joined Wade with the Heat. But, Devin Harris and Freddie Owens - two Milwaukee area products -- have another season under their belts and should form one of the best backcourts in the Big Ten.
Harris was picked the conference player of the year in pre-season polling. The Badgers were picked to finish third in that poll, but should have a shot at winning another conference title.
The Name Game
Three Brewers' farm hands won MVP awards in their leagues. Huntsville third baseman Corey Hart was picked in the Southern League. Beloit first baseman Prince Fielder was selected in the Midwest League, and Helena catcher Louis Palmisano in the Pioneer League...Doug Kickbusch had two key interceptions as Saz's beat PM Pub & Grub, 24-3, to win the City Touch Football Championship. Saz's win came five days after Pub & Grub had beaten it for the County title.
Beyond Milwaukee Sports
Andrew Mocadlo rushed for a school and conference record 391 yards in UW- La Crosse's 47-33 win over Stout. The win pulled La Crosse into a tie at 5-1 in the WIAC with Whitewater, which lost 60-30 to Stevens Point. Scott Krause passed for five touchdowns and ran for two more for Point...St. Norbert clinched at least a share of its fifth straight Midwest Conference title with a 57-17 win over Grinnel. The win also clinched a NCAA Division III playoff berth for the Green Knights, who are 9-0...Teams from all over the state convene in Madison Friday for the WIAA football playoffs. See a list of the champions in this column next week.
Hot Tix
The Bucks host the Knicks at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Bradley Center. The Wave hosts Monterrey, Mexico, in indoor soccer at the U.S. Cellular Arena at 7 p.m. Friday.
Marquette will play two exhibition basketball games at the BC - against Team Nike at 7 p.m. Thursday and the Wisconsin All Stars at 7 p.m. Sunday.
Wisconsin plays football at 11 a.m. Saturday at Minnesota. The Badgers' basketball team plays an exhibition game against the EA All Stars at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The Admirals are off for the weekend.
The Packers host the Philadelphia Eagles at 8 p.m. Monday night. See coverage in On The Pack on Tuesday on OMC.
Gregg Hoffmann writes State Sport Buzz every Thursday for OMC.
