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They’re luxurious, they’re lustworthy, they’re fast– they’re also the world’s most expensive. These 10 cars are the most expensive models you can buy today, from Maybach to Mercedes, Bugatti to Lamborghini. While only the richest of the rich can afford them, we can still drool. Here are the 10 most expensive production cars available on the road today…
Before we get started, a few notes to remember. There are single or custom cars that may exceed these prices. For example, a 1961 Ferrari 250GT sold for $11 million this year, making it the world’s most expensive car. These, however, are recently produced cars that are available today in quantities of 20 or more. Without further adieu, enjoy!
10. Maybach 62 Sedan: $390,000
While the Maybach brand was initially founded in 1909, it was reintroduced by Daimler Chrysler in 2002 to compete with Rolls Royce and Bentley. Six years later, the “Luxury Brand Status Index” voted the Maybach as the #1 luxury car– ahead of both Bentley and Rolls. If price is any indicator, the Maybach 62 runs at $390,000, a good $50k higher than a Rolls Royce Phantom and $200k higher than a Bentley Continental GTC. What does that extra scratch get you? The ultimate in luxury, powered by a 5.5L twin-turbo V12 engine pushing 612 horses. But you won’t get behind the wheel– this extended cab model is intended for your chauffeur. You’re busy in the back with models like Rosie Huntington Whitley.
9. Porsche Carrera GT: $420,000
Going from luxury to performance in 3.5 seconds, the Porsche Carrera GT is a very different car than the Maybach above. The engines are quite similar– the Carrera GT is powered by a 5.7L V10 engine producing the same 612 HP as the Maybach. But with one glance at the Porsche, you know this beast means business. The Porsche Carrera GT hits sixty from zero in 3.5 seconds, as well as 100mph from a standing start in just 6.8 seconds. This mid-engine street machine was given the wheel base, air dams and carbon fiber body elements of a pro racer with street legal sensibility.
8. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren: $450,000
While production ended on Mercedes’ top roadster this year, a savvy (see also: rich) shopper can find one of the 3,500 produced available for resale. A bit more powerful than the Porsche Carrera GT, the McLaren SLR includes a 5.4L SOHC V8 that generates a maximum power output of 626 horsepower. That pushes this 2-ton Mercedes monster to 60mph in 3.6 seconds, topping out at 208mph.
7. Koenigsegg CCX: $520,000
By the time you pronounce the name Koenigsegg phonetically, this puppy is already at 60mph. The Swedish born Koenigsegg CCX is amongst the fastest street legal cars on the road, this one hitting 60mph in 3.2 seconds. It is powered by a 4.7L V8 engine with two centrifugal superchargers that help push this baby to 806 horsepower. If you’re in the market, we suggest the CCXR version– which is built to run on biofuels, which by nature gives this Swedish beauty a 25% increase in power…
6. Saleen S7 Twin Turbo: $585,000
One of two true American sports car on this list, the Saleen S7 Twin Turbo earns its place the old fashioned way– with balls-to-the-wall power. The S7 Twin Turbo is powered by a stunning 750 horsepower V8 engine with twin turbochargers. That muscle takes this California beauty to 60mph in 3.2 seconds, but it accelerates further by hitting 200mph in just 27 seconds. Rewind to the beginning of this paragraph and read it again– and the Saleen S7 Twin Turbo has passed 200mph from a standing start.
5. SSC Ultimate Aero: $620,000
It may not be the most recognizable name on this list, but it should be– the SSC Ultimate Aero is the fastest production car on the planet. Like the S7 Twin Turbo above, this one is manufactured in America by Shelby Supercars (SSC). The Ultimate Aero, however, holds the production speed record at 256.15mph– doing so with an 1,183 horsepower, 6.35L twin-turbo V8. It gets better– SSC has also produced the Ultimate Aero EV, an all-electric model which will eat Jason Calacanis’ Tesla Roadster for breakfast…
4. Enzo Ferrari: $640,000
What’s a top car list without a Ferrari? The Enzo Ferrari has rightfully earned its place among the world’s most expensive cars with one of the brand’s most powerful cars of all time. The Enzo, named after Ferrari’s founder, is a 12-cylinder mid-engine street beast that uses F1 technology for body construction, sequential transmission and braking. The result is a supercar that can accelerate to 60mph in 3.14 seconds toward a top speed of 220mph. Only 400 of the Enzo Ferrari were produced, and it isn’t likely any of its current owners would be foolish enough to let one of these go. But hey, these are tough economic times…
3. Lamborghini Reventon: $1,300,000
Lamborghini’s lone entry to the most expensive cars in the world is none other than the fiesty Reventon. The Lamborghini Reventon is a limited-edition, mid-engine sportscar that only 20 of the world’s richest racing fans can afford. This V12 street bullet has 650 horses under its hood, enough to push the Reventon to 60mph in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 210mph. If you ever see one of these 20-of-a-kind Lambo’s on the street, consider it a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
2. Bugatti Veyron: $1,400,000
In years past, the Bugatti Veyron would have been the world’s most expensive car, until it was unseated this year by the next model on our list. That’s not to lessen the importance of the Veyron– this is a dream car to best all dream cars. The Veyron is powered by a 987 horsepower W16 engine that achieves a top speed of 253mph. Getting there, the Veyron can hit 60mph in a stunning 2.46 seconds. It has muscle like very few others, fused with a signature style that is unique to the Bugatti brand. While the Veyron has finally been kicked off the peak of this toplist, it remains one of the most lustworthy cars in the world– regardless of its price…
1. Aston Martin One 77: $1,500,000
The new king of the world’s most expensive autos wears the Aston Martin logo. The Aston Martin One 77, revealed this summer, will be sold for 1,000,000 British Pounds Sterling, which converts roughly to $1.5 Million USD. Only 77 of the One 77 will be produced– and all 77 are already sold. This V12-powered Aston is a true supercar, exceeding 60mph in 3.5 seconds on its way to a 200+ top speed. If you’re one of the lucky 77 to get your hands on one of these machines, we’d love the generous offer of a test drive. Who wouldn’t?
2. Ronie Rose Capati Arevalo, Adamson University -- 86.40%
3. Michelle Alejandro Barberan, Arellano University-Manila -- 86.20%
4. Caroline May Rellosa Chamen, Philippine College of Health & Sciences -- 86.00%
Clarissa Leonor Tible Escober, Naga College Foundation -- 86.00%
5. Marco Magtulis Dometita, University of Santo Tomas -- 85.80%
Margaret Cheung Encarnacion, University of Santo Tomas -- 85.80%
Marc Bago-Od Marzan, University of Santo Tomas -- 85.80%
Lalaine Lim Perlas, Our Lady of Fatima University-Valenzuela -- 85.80%
Debbie Rose Uy Tanengsy, Velez College -- 85.80%
6. Lisa Angelica Vela Evangelista, University of Santo Tomas -- 85.60%
7. Adrian Patrick Patawaran Calimag, University of Santo Tomas -- 85.20%
Jed Asiaii Mariano Dimaisip, University of the Philippines-Manila -- 85.20%
Aaron Miranda Esporlas, University of Santo Tomas -- 85.20%
8. Mary Joy Sarreal Crisostomo, University of Santo Tomas -- 85.00%
David John Gabriel Egbalic Cristobal, University of Santo Tomas -- 85.00%
Libby Joy Recinto Evangelista, University of Santo Tomas -- 85.00%
Ma Paula Rhove Rivera Ortega, University of the Philippines-Manila -- 85.00%
Andrew Chua Tiu, Velez College -- 85.00%
Ginelle Marie Galarpe Visaya, University of Santo Tomas -- 85.00%
9. Helene Marie Mejorada Calderon, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.80%
Abigail Ann Borromeo Candelario, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.80%
Jan Benzon Tan Chan, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.80%
Anna Melissa Señga Lo, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.80%
Jernedell Geishar Tabugara Mabiling, Western Mindanao State University -- 84.80%
Von Vener Palicpic Miguel, Perpetual Help College of Manila -- 84.80%
Johanna Thomas Yu, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.80%
10. Angela Carmela Fernandez Agbay, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.60%
Pheelyp Edward Cruz Aytona, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.60%
Julienne Katrina Bulaon Beltran, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.60%
Maria Rosario Angala Brillante, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.60%
Jasper Quintana Castillo, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.60%
Diane Rachelle Cruz Crisostomo, Centro Escolar University-Malolos -- 84.60%
Jose Mari Niño Leonor Cuarto, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.60%
Salvador Isidro Buban Destura, Immaculate Conception College-Albay -- 84.60%
Abigail Joanna Uy Doluntap, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.60%
Rove Ann Tonolete Enguerra, Trinity University of Asia (Trinity-QC) -- 84.60%
Jana Flores Fragante, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.60%
Jan Igor Temple Galinato, Mindanao State University-Marawi City -- 84.60%
Divina Viktoria Pobre La Torre, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.60%
Vanessarose Delavin Lim, Far Eastern University-Manila -- 84.60%
Rachel Rañola Milante, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.60%
Loraine Ab-Abaen Payangdo, Benguet State University-La Trinidad -- 84.60%
Kristine Arcilla Ramos, Catanduanes State Colleges-Virac -- 84.60%
Robert Joe Isip Sagum, Far Eastern University-Manila -- 84.60%
Ingrid Buela San Juan, University of the Philippines-Manila -- 84.60%
Christelle Miracle-An Quizon Santiago, University of Santo Tomas -- 84.60%
Jian Laurice Ramos Sicat, Angeles University Foundation -- 84.60%
Miriem Paulle Beltran Soriano, Saint Louis University -- 84.60%
Teddy Jr Chan Untalasco, Lorma College -- 84.60%
For sure I will be there! see you there fellow bloggers!Date: Friday, July 31, 2009
Time: 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Lower Ground Floor, Foodcourt Hallway, SM City MandurriaoThis is the first ever bloggers’ event in Iloilo. Sponsored by SM City Iloilo. All bloggers and forum members are invited to join in the fun, win prizes and take home freebies!
This event is solely hosted by Sm City. Brian Miag-ao, one of the IT personnel in SM City, invited me and other bloggers and forumers in Iloilo to participate.
The Marketing people from SM City will be emailing forum admins and bloggers about this event and what it’s going to be about. Please wait for that email.
Source: FaceBook Event posted by Claire
UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE!
The event will be for the launching of FREE Mallwide Wi-Fi for SM City Shoppers.
Snacks will be served for FREE.
The only thing that bloggers will bring is a wifi ready laptop. For those who do not have laptop there are demo units from tenants for the participants to use during the activity, but very limited.
For those who will be attending, please confirm your attendance on Claire’s facebook post (see above) or comment on this post. Please do this ASAP. I need to submit your names by the 23rd.
Thanks gid!
Francis Magalona was a hero and an inspiration to those lives he has touched. I was in tears watching such artists as Gloc9 cry unabashedly in a televised tribute on “Eat Bulaga” on Saturday. My heart also went out to his children, especially the young ones who may not yet realize their loss.
I admire his wife Pia Arroyo-Magalona a lot because of her strength amid all the pain I’m sure she’s going through for the sake of family. Maxene likewise for her vow to continue keeping his dad proud.
Francis is special to most because of his passion towards whatever he does, be it as a rapper-musician, TV host, actor, and lately, as a photographer and entrepreneur. He puts his mind and soul in all his undertakings and do whatever it takes to make his creations something to remember.
There’s this one incredible performance he did as a guest in Gary V’s “Major Impact” concert in 1990 that changed my view of Kiko. Before this, I only thought of him as just another local artist mimicking American popular music, in his case, the emerging genre of rap at that time. But when I witnessed him first hand at the ULTRA, I had since been in awe of his talent and dedication to his work.
As Gary finished his set, the lights went out. Despite the darkness, the audience could see those on stage. It was Francis’s turn to perform “Mga Kababayan.” What we saw was a touching sight…Francis himself preparing his props, instruments, and other equipment for his number. Then when that familar ethnic-inspired beat was heard in extended play, people started to get excited. And when the voice “Ma-ma-mga-kababayan…” was heard, everyone was in pandemonium.
What surprised me was the crowd’s reaction to his music. Then when he stepped in to do his number, the crowd went berserk and danced and sang to his music as if it was a personal anthem. For a moment, I thought, it was a Francis M concert.
After this, he did an incredible duet with Gary that brought the house down. Gary shared this video on his “showdown” with Francis in his own YouTube channel and also presented it on “Eat Bulaga” last Saturday.
Since this concert, I thought Francis would become the biggest thing in Philippine music. He achieved even more–he became an inspiration that made other lives better, not only his own.
Just when you thought this NBA off-season couldn't get any crazier, comes news the Boston Celtics have reached an agreement with free agent forward/center Rasheed Wallace(notes) on a two-year deal that starts at the midlevel exemption of about $5.8 million. Globe don't lie!
The Celtics offered Wallace the contract during a three-hour meeting in Detroit on Thursday. Celtics stars Kevin Garnett(notes), Ray Allen(notes) and "Snake Eyes" Paul Pierce joined general manager Danny Ainge and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck at the meeting.
Wallace's agent, Bill Strickland, originally said his client would meet with other teams later this week, but that butter knife Garnett held to 'Sheed's throat apparently did the trick. (KG's very convincing!) Charlotte, Cleveland, Orlando, Dallas and San Antonio were said to be other suitors.
The 35-year-old Wallace can play the low post and also has exceptional shooting range. He averaged 12 points per game for the Pistons last year, before falling to just 6.5 points per game in the first round of the playoffs as Detroit was swept in four games by The LeBrons.
There is no rider who knows Laguna Seca better nor lives closer to the scene of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix than Wayne Rainey, former 500cc World Champion and MotoGP Legend.
The American gave his thoughts on what was expected of Sunday’s race just after qualifying, and was left impressed by the Yamaha new generation.
“I watched qualifying from different points on the track, and to me Lorenzo looked the best. He looked the fastest, the smoothest and the most consistent,” said Rainey, before emphasising that the rider’s late crash had changed his prediction. “Then he made a couple of mistakes, and now it looks as if Rossi is going to be the strong one and Lorenzo could possibly get second place.
“With those two being injured, and Laguna Seca being possibly the most physically demanding circuit out there, I would think that Rossi’s got the edge, and that Stoner will be up there.”
MANILA, Philippines – Still fresh from winning his fourth NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe
Bryant will make his first stop in the Philippines on July 21 and thereafter proceed to Singapore, Taipei (Taiwan), Hong Kong and Shanghai and Chengdu in China, according to a statement from Nike.
The Lakers star has toured Asia every summer since 2006 and last visited Manila in 2007. In 2008, he went on tour as part of the USA Basketball team leading up to the Beijing Olympics, where he and other NBA stars earned gold medals.
This year’s tour, according to Nike, offers Kobe a chance to check back in with the young players he met on previous tours and meet up and coming players.
“I'm looking forward to returning to Asia to see the progress the kids have made since my last visit,” said Bryant.
“I liked what I saw then and I’m planning to work the kids even harder to give them a better sense of the dedication and hard work it takes to be a champion.”
Nike is also this month the “Nike Dream Season”, which is part of Bryant’s signature shoe collection sold exclusively in Asia.
David Mikael Taclino
A pair of British twin boys has been born with different skin color, a rare genetic occurrence according to experts.
In an interview with Britain's Sky News program, mother Kerry Richardson said that the boys were both born white but as they've gotten older one of the boys got darker and the other lighter.
Today, she says, the twins attract attention wherever they go.
Richardson is of mixed race, with Nigerian and English heritage, while the father is white.
A genetics expert at Oxford University says such births are rare, as the genes that cause skin color normally mix together. In this case, he says, it appears the genes for skin color didn't combine for some reason and the boys may have inherited different genetic codes from their mother.
Cleveland will send Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, the 46th pick in Thursday’s draft and cash to the Suns for O’Neal.
Cleveland and Phoenix were both juggling multiple trade possibilities with other teams, with the Cavs involved with as many as six trade scenarios.
Yet the disappointing Eastern Conference finals loss to the Orlando Magic left Cavs GM Danny Ferry with incredible pressure to accumulate talent around James in the final season prior to his 2010 free agency. James has blessed the O’Neal trade, especially because it should give his overmatched frontline a chance to compete with Dwight Howard in the playoffs. Ferry and Phoenix GM Steve Kerr are close friends and had talked off and on about a Shaq deal since the February trade deadline.
O’Neal, 37, makes $21 million next season, and the Suns were determined to move him in a package that would save them money. Wallace made $14 million and could take a buyout to retire, and only $1.5 million of Pavlovic’s $4.9 million salary is guaranteed.
He started with Wilt Chamberlain and worked his way down. Bob Lanier. Bill Walton. Moses Malone. Artis Gilmore. Robert Parish, who delivered him three memorable championship battles. Hakeem Olajuwon and Patrick Ewing, representing the youth brigade, arrived in time to take their turns.
Over some 20 seasons, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stood across from them all. These were the men who helped form his training ground. If you wanted to be the best, to stay the best, you took on the best your peers had to offer. For a center during those two decades, the challenges came one after the other, the next only a night or two away.
“I understood that I had to keep my skills sharp,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “If I didn’t prepare and be ready to do what I had to do near the basket, I’d be embarrassed.”
Now 62 and an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar looks out on the NBA today and says, politely, “It’s a different landscape.”
Kobe Bryant(notes), LeBron James(notes) and Dwyane Wade(notes) have their MVP tug-of-war. Chris Paul(notes), Deron Williams(notes), Tony Parker(notes) and Rajon Rondo(notes) have given the league an ever-burgeoning crop of fleet-footed, game-changing point guards. For franchise centers, however, these are the days of climate change and tar pits.
“We’re like dinosaurs in the NBA,” Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard(notes) said of himself and his 7-foot counter for the Lakers, Andrew Bynum(notes).
2.Nelson’s return puts Alston in awkwardRafer Alston(notes) stood in front of his locker, neatly dressed in a crisp white suit. He was cool, he said. No reason to complain. No reason to march up to his coach and ask for his minutes back. He’d have to adjust, but he’s built a career out of adjusting.
Sitting one locker over, to the left, was Jameer Nelson(notes). A couple of ice bags were taped to his right shoulder. He had just played 23 minutes in the opening game of the NBA Finals, which were about 23 more than anyone had expected him to play five days ago. He said he felt good, aside, of course, from the 100-75 beating the Los Angeles Lakers had handed his Orlando Magic on Thursday.
Anyone watching could appreciate the irony, as awkward as it seemed. Alston standing, Nelson sitting a few feet behind his left shoulder. Starter and backup. One yielding to the other.
The Magic walked out of Staples Center thrashed and humbled, and now they must ask themselves this: By bringing back one point guard, did they lose another?
“It’s tough,” Alston said. “It’s tough.”
3.Kobe bullies Magic
The Boston Celtics started Kobe Bryant(notes) on the run in the NBA Finals a year ago, discombobulating him with a hellacious defense and a scoring star, Paul Pierce(notes), who played the part of the series closer. Pierce climbed out of a wheelchair, grabbed Game 1 and Bryant never dominated. Truth be told, the dirty little secret of the Celtics’ 17th championship coronation is still often overlooked: Bryant had a flawed, forgettable series.
Everywhere Bryant probed, there was a Celtic waiting to stop him. Bodies closed fast in the paint, space dissipated and Boston bottled Bryant into a solitary confinement.
So much chased Bryant into the 100-75 Game 1 victory on Thursday night. Shaquille O’Neal(notes) and LeBron James(notes), Michael Jordan and the Celtics. When everyone else plays for an NBA championship, Bryant’s burden hurtles him toward history.
Bryant had come to the Staples Center to take something back, restore his rightful place on basketball Olympus, and his performance turned out to be pure hellfire.
“I just want it so bad,” Bryant said softly Thursday night. “I just want it really bad.”
Here’s how Bryant started the final leg of his first championship without Shaquille O’Neal: He delivered the kind of spirit-breaking Game 1 obliteration of an opponent that Shaq mostly did in those three straight Los Angeles Lakers titles early in the decade.
In two of those series, Shaq dropped over 40 points. Bryant didn’t do it with Shaq’s brute force, but in his far more surgical way. Forty points, eight rebounds and eight assists burst out of Bryant, a barrage balanced between pick-and-roll jumpers and twisting, contorted drives.
4.Magic need more effective Howard
Hubie Brown first tried positioning two recorders and a knife on the table in front of him. When that didn’t work, he grabbed a reporter’s notebook and sketched his idea on paper.
Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy has his own equipment and undoubtedly spent his Saturday doing what Brown was doing: Trying to draw up ways to make Dwight Howard(notes) more effective.
After a lackluster start to the NBA finals, the Magic need Howard to play better—and maybe smarter and harder—when they face the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 on Sunday night.
“I don’t think I was patient enough in the post. I don’t think that they caused a lot of problems for me. I think it was just rushing and wanting to do so much without being patient,” Howard said. “I think out of all the games I’ve had in the last two playoff series, I was probably the most impatient the last game.”
Howard was limited to six shots—six Orlando players took more—made only one, and scored 12 points in the Magic’s 100-75 loss on Thursday.
After dominating the Cavaliers and averaging 25.8 points in the conference finals, Howard found things much more difficult against the Lakers, whose post players are stronger and much more mobile than Cleveland’s.
5.Lakers’ Bryant pushing toward title
Behind Kobe Bryant’s(notes) stone-faced mask and the icy grimace he’s wearing in these finals, his eyes are laser locked on one target: His fourth NBA title.
His vision is so narrow, so sharp that he can’t think about anything but a shiny championship trophy now close enough to touch.
To him, these two weeks are all that matters.
After that, it’s anyone’s guess.
As he and the Los Angeles Lakers practiced in advance of playing the Orlando Magic in Sunday’s Game 2, Bryant, as few as three games from wrapping up his 13th season as a pro, said he has not given any thought about giving up what has been the driving force in his life.
“I don’t know,” he said when asked how much longer he’ll play. “I just love the game so much still. “I just feel like there’s still so much out there for me to improve on and work on. My body feels great. God willing, I stay healthy, I’ll just keep going.”
These days, it’s all about the basketball for Phil Jackson. Well, he’s still dating the owner’s daughter, which has led to some memorable appearances on Jeanie Vision, but that’s also about the basketball, sort of.
Jackson gets his third crack at Title X, starting this week, and if he seems a little more urgent, his focus a little more narrowed, that’s because of the basketball, too. Seven years after his last championship, seven years after nearly everyone west of Causeway Street anointed him Greatest Coach Ever, or, at least, (Arguably) Greatest Coach Ever, Jackson has found himself with something to prove.
Specifically, can he still win this thing?
“I think even he misses those days when we carried off that trophy as NBA champions,” Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher(notes) said.
The Lakers’ loss to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals led to Jackson’s departure for a year, and their subsequent failings led to his return. But last season’s Finals loss to the Boston Celtics also led to some personal angst, even if Jackson was loathe to show it.
“We feel like we failed our team as a coaching staff in both situations,” Jackson said last week.
2. Phil Jackson
Phil takes the mic, first.
On what Orlando's two regular season victories over Los Angeles means to the Lakers ...
On whether or not his team is preparing for the possible presence of Jameer Nelson ..."We have a great deal of respect for them as far as a team. They played very well down the stretch to win these two games they played against us. Obviously [there are] mitigating circumstances, we had different people in the lineup, they had different people in the lineup, it was four months ago; but it certainly gives us a great deal of respect for them."
Was losing to Boston last year a motivating factor this time around?"We haven't gotten to that level of personnel, the guard personnel, other than [Dwight] Howard being a force inside. We're still identifying it as positions, more than we are as individuals, and Jameer brings another level of game to their team, but, you know, we respect [Anthony] Johnson. Also, [Rafer] Alston, as players.
"Someone's gotta do that job for them, and, you know, Jameer's going to come in and do it. If he does he'll just bring in another specific thing that's an execution skill."
3. Kobe Bryant"I think that at any level that once you get a taste of what it's like to be here, it's a motivating factor. Just to be standing, just to be left with that feeling of ‘we're the only ones here, and everybody else is home on vacation.'
"When you get to this level and don't win, you go home and you think about it a long time. It's something that is certainly a motivating thing for us. It's certainly pushed us."
For fifteen minutes, he had been hellbent on getting out of the Staples Center interview room with pursed lips and muttered clichés. He wanted to give nothing, and he was well on his way when it was asked of him about needing a championship without Shaquille O’Neal(notes), about validating his legacy. There would be no clean getaway on Wednesday for Kobe Bryant.
He was out of clichés, out of patience and damn near out of his mind. “It means … nothing,” he said, and now it was coming on the eve of Game 1, the window into Bryant’s tortured soul that reminds everyone that it means everything.
“People think Shaq would have won a championship without me on that team?” Bryant sniffed.
“They’re crazy.”
4. Pau Gasol, D. Fisher and the LA Crew
