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A Lakers Blog. Thoughts, reflections, and the odd rant on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA (even the Clippers).

Just Be A Fan

by


We’ll stay cautious and level-headed, right?

DrRayEye asked that after the Lakers best win of the season last night, and it’s a fair question.

On one hand, my head keeps reminding me that they don’t award any NBA hardware in January; that beating Dallas in one game and in a seven-game series are two very different things; and that the Lakers still have the 21st-ranked defense in the league (in terms of defensive efficiency) and that could well come back to bite them; that based on point differential the Lakers look more like a 48-49 win team.

But I’m a fan — I want my team to win and by extension am naturally optimistic about their chances. Rose-colored glasses look good on me. And it’s hard not to be excited about this Laker team today.

This is what being a fan is about, enjoying wins like the one over Dallas. It’s about seeing a team come together before your eyes. It’s about seeing guys you’ve watched struggle — like Sasha — blossom when you least expect it. It’s about guys with great stories — like Ronny Turaif — stepping up and making big plays when maybe they shouldn’t even be in the league. It’s about watching your biggest star grow and mature.

…This team has been a joy to watch this season. Seeing the ball work its way around on a set has been fun instead of excruciating (see 2004-2005).

Rob L. said that and he’s right. We can break down all the numbers and plays (and we will), but there are times to just sit back, watch it all unfold and be a happy fan. Today is one of those days.

I’ve been a Lakers fan since the ’60’s; Baylor was my one of my role models as a kid. But I haven’t liked them much in the post-Magic era, though I tried when Phil came to LA a year after I did. But early on this year, I saw a huge change in Kobe, and started tuning in. Even bought a Laker’s jersey last month. Loved what I saw Friday night; great camaraderie and everyone having a ball.

The comparisons to the first Bulls’ 3peat squad are obvious. Nobody’s getting in the way of the team so they can show up on ESPN. They’re playing the game, and I’m lovin it!
—Chicago Al


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bryan says

    I went in to work this morning (I live in northern california now), and went right up to the other transplanted Laker fan in the office and just smiled. He lit up, smiled back, already knowing what I was so happy about. And we both know the chances of winning 15 post-season games aren’t the best, but right now? Ear to ear, baby. This feels great! We beat the best, that makes us the best today.

  2. ian says

    You now need to win 16 games for the championship. You win 15 and you lose in game 7 of the finals.

  3. Jason says

    I saw on espn a John Hollinger comment dismissing the idea that Kobe makes his teammates better. His support for that was that VladRad & Evans have not performed better this year. (Jan 9 Daily Dime on ESPN)

    This neglects a few things. First it punishes Kobe for the learning curve of the triangle offense. It ignores playing time issues. And worst of all – and this possibly more supports the reverse of his suggestion – only 42% of VladRad’s minutes have come alongside Kobe, while that number is 39% for Evans.

    I continue to wonder why there’s so much hype surrounding this Hollinger character. (Didn’t he once say something along the lines of he couldn’t give Kobe an MVP after what “he did” to Shaq?)

  4. Kurt says

    Hey guys, some of the comments from this post have mysteriously gone missing. I’m not sure what happened but I’m looking into it.

  5. Kurt says

    And by the way Jason, a couple things about Hollinger (from a guy who likes what he does). First, it’s not just Kobe, Hollinger is dismissive of the general idea of one player making the players around him better, he doesn’t think that Steve Nash makes the guys around him better.

    Second, because of where he is getting his paychecks from, part of his job is to stir the pot a little. If you slight Pau Gasol, all three Griz fans may get ticked but so what. But slight Kobe and…..

  7. Jason says

    5 – With his history of Kobe marginalization and with him citing Vlad & Mo, it smacks of lazy Kobe-hating, which I can’t respect ESPECIALLY coming from a “stathead”.

    And, yeah, you could be right. Just stirring the pot. But I’m never paying for ESPN insider to get tweaked. Whether that works for other fans, I wouldn’t know.

  8. Bryan says

    Kobe should know: it’s his job to teach Vlade and Evans the triangle, as well as to heal Vlade’s injured wrist with his blue-and golden touch.

    Kobe doesn’t bring about world peace, either, but last I checked that wasn’t his job. Still, I’d rather hear from Hollinger than from Stephen A. (shuddering)