Hello there, old friend. It’s been a long while since you’ve seen me roaming these pastures, but I owe you one (maybe, maybe not!) last post here before officially riding off into the sunset…
First, a quick explanation for where I’ve been and why the site has mostly been dormant for so long. I won’t bore you with a long-winded spiel here because it’s really quite simple. As me and Pete (and eventually Mike) worked to grow the Laker Film Room Podcast, and as my responsibilities to my family and my day job remained as important as ever, I simply had less time (and RAM in my brain) to devote to writing. And then when Silver Screen & Roll approached me to write a weekly post (which I accepted and continue to do, if you’re interested in reading some of my work), I found myself with even less time.
So, I stepped away and to the side. In the middle of all this, some other very capable folks did write here when they could (and wanted to). And I very much appreciated them for it. However, as time went on, and those other contributors also had other responsibilities come up which meant they too stepped away, I did not pick up the slack and get back on that horse to keep FB&G running. Instead, like Tom Hanks watching his beloved Wilson at the end of Castaway, I just sort of let the site drift away.
I did this quietly so as to not cause a fuss, grieved a little to myself, and then went and recorded another podcast. Life, as it does, moved on. And that’s that.
If you’re still reading this far, you might be wondering then, why I’m posting this at all. Well, it’s because I have a small announcement to make and I figured I’d put it up here first because…well, FB&G is my site and I don’t need a reason beyond that! So, some personal news…
I’ve been hired by the Lakers to do some writing work for them at Lakers.com. I’m not sure how long they’ll decide to keep me around, but I’ll be doing some game previews, some recaps, and maybe a more long form piece if I find the right idea. It’s an exciting opportunity for me, a challenge that I embrace, and something that I never actually imagined would be possible for some random guy like me.
If you’ve been following my work at all over the years or have ever talked to me in a more relaxed setting, you’ll know that I have a very specific view of who I am as a writer/analyst/basketball observer/fan. I am, basically, just some guy. One day I showed up in the comments section of this here site, and I found a group of people in the community and, more specifically in Kurt Helin and the other writers here, that I liked to read and interact with. And, so, I kept coming back and kept commenting. And I’d email Kurt and I’d comment some more and sometimes some of my comments even made into game previews or recaps! It was quite the thrill, to be quite honest.
Then, one day, Kurt asked me if I’d like to write a post. Me? Write??? Sure, I thought. I’m not good at it, but I’ll try. And so I did try. And I tried some more. And then after some time of continuing to try, Kurt got the opportunity to run Pro Basketball Talk and I took over this here site. And over the years, I’ve continued to try to do my best. Until, well, the ability to try wasn’t quite there any more.
18 years ago this week Kurt founded Forum Blue & Gold. Eighteen Years. I’ve run it for the past 12 and half. Through championship seasons, lottery bottom-outs, and everything in between. I don’t know if this will be my last post here or not. But, if it is, I’d like to thank everyone and I mean EVERYONE who has had any hand in making this place what it has been and what it was for as long as it was. I won’t name names now because, honestly, I’d probably forget someone and feel terrible about it. But, if you find yourself reading this post right now and nodded along at any point or felt any twinge of anything, I guarantee my thank you applies to you.
So, goodbye…for now.
Anonymous says
Congratulations Darius this is super awesome for you. I’ve been a big fan of you and the pod for a while now and you definitely deserve this opportunity. I just hope writing for the Lakers doesn’t mean you can’t talk about specific free agents/trades because I can’t take any more Shmyles Shmurner or Shmuddy Shmield talk.
John Zaring says
Good luck!
Kenoak says
I wish you all the best of luck, Darius! Thank you for all the excellent analysis over the years…
Anonymous says
Congrats Darius!
Lance Donovan says
Darius, I know you don’t me but man I feel like I know you! Massive fan of the pod, have read your stuff everywhere, and consider you one of the brightest basketball minds I listen to. Hearing you’ve been hired by the lakers gives me great joy! You’re so intelligent, personable, and have such unique perspectives and it’s so cool to see that being picked up by such a historic franchise like the lakers. Keep doing your thing and seriously congrats man!!! I truly love your work.
nomuskles says
What an unexpected surprise, like Magic coming out of retirement. Thanks for all the cool sh*t here on this site and good luck!
Anonymous says
Congratulations! Very well deserved. Will have an eye out for your by-line at lakers.com.
Anonymous says
By far my most favorite and frequented site for Lakers news, comments, speculation and more over the past 7 years. It’s been a blast! I still listen to the Pod & follow your writing at SS&R. Good on ya. Keep chasing your dreams, Darius.
Stephen Ozawa says
I’m extremely happy for you. FB&G has always been the benchmark for the serious Lakers fan wanting to know more, learn more and gain more insight into the X’s and O’s of pro ball. I will always have a warm spot in my heart for FB&G (and Kurt), who always offered his advice and friendly help to a novice like myself. Much success in your new venture with the big team!
Anonymous says
Good luck Darius
Scott (Gatinho) says
Congrats, Darius. Hard to believe it’s been 18 years. You’ve done some amazing work here at FB and G. Best of luck!
Simonoid says
Congratulations on your new gig and best of luck in your endeavours – it’s been a joy to frequent this forum over the past 15 years, and I’ve learned so much from everyone here.
Anonymous says
Congratulations, Darius. Nowadays, I read posts here in a news reader app and so, hardly visit the site. But it is special today, so here I am.
Started frequenting FB&G about 16 years ago, during Kobe’s days of lighting up and polarizing the league. Enjoyed the posts and the discussions. Not many sites like this were around then, probably fewer still now, where people can be relatively objective even on our beloved team.
All the best, mate. Will look out for your bylines around.
Anonymous says
Congrats Darius!
For the longest time this site had been my go to source for balanced and detailed Lakers analysis.
Best of luck!
Anonymous says
Darius – Congratulations on moving up in the world of reporters and analysts. Your insights into basketball and the Lakers have been invaluable to my understanding of the games. Your other comments on life are equally helpful in putting things into perspective. It will be fun to read your takes when you start to get a better look under the hood of the team and management.
By the way, Peet’s Coffee was the place locals would go for coffee in Seattle and leave Starbucks for the out of town visitors.
Anonymous says
Congratulations and continued success sir.
Ryan says
Congrats Darius! Very happy for you
Thanks Darius says
Thanks Darius. This site will be missed.
I am a loooong time Lakers fan, a lover of basketball, and a very optimistic guy. But these times have even a guy like med losing faith. The Lakers front office is an embarrassment. With the Dodgers’ professional, progressive staff as a model, the Lakers built their team at a high school reunion. “Hey! I know that dude! Want to run an NBA franchise?”
It’s all of the Lakers’ bad habits come home to roost. Chasing big names instead of roster building. Obsessing about cap space instead of continuity. Undervaluing productive role players. On and on.
In the last ten years they have been competitive once. But they still behave as through they are some great franchise. The UCLA syndrome. Some humility, and some serious rethinking are in order.
Last season was my least favorite Lakers team. And then there is this year..
Ro says
Congrats on the big news! Love your analysis on the pod and always chuckle at the dated but on point metaphors. I’ve been catching myself say “get busy living or get busy dying” on a near daily basis. Glad to read that you are clearly busy living!
Todd in Korea says
Congratulations Darius. I have been reading FB&G since the beginning, it has followed me as I’ve moved from California to Korea. It was always the best source of informed writing about the Lakers as well as the site of some of the savviest Laker fans not employeed at Figueroa St – or maybe smarter than some of those employees even. Anyway, your take on the Lakers is the first I wanna hear. I nod along with you on the podcast and as it’s harder to follow hoops to such an extent living in a time zone where night games for you are next day lunchtime games for me, I have relied on you to keep me as informed as I could about all things Purple and Gold. You’ve never let me down in that regard. I’m a few years older than you and hearing you guys reminisce about the Showtime Lakers has always been fun too. I know your writing will be valued by the Lakers and wherever you go. Congrats and best wishes in everything.
Tony says
Darius. Please ? please don’t ever leave or cancel LFR podcast. Love you and Pete… and now Mike. When things are going well for the Lakers listening to you all makes it all the more exciting. And then on the years that it’s a bit rough ( like these last two years) having you guys to listen to makes it a little more bearable as Laker fans. Try not to forget that
Davidh says
Hey Darius; thank you for your thoughts and update and it’ has been awhile and a nice surprise hearing from you here at your forum blue and gold platform. If I remember correctly one of your last post was about mr. Westbrook; should they and why he should be traded. It took a while but seems it took this long to figure his place on the team and winning (as of late) has a way of justifying whatever is going on. I’ve always enjoyed this platform and appreciate whenever you have the time and take the time to write a few thoughts, good to see you here again, I thank god old habits die hard. Go lakers.
David h
Andy says
Hey Darius,
long time reader, long time listener here
Very thankful and happy for you.
Love all your work
Best wishes from germany,
Andy
…… (dont you dare ever stop doing the pod with pete 🙂
Ryan says
I’m way late to the party here, Darius. But just wanted to also leave behind a thank you. You were the first dedicated Laker blog I followed. And it was great considering back in the mid-00s, it was either the fluff on the team site, the mainstream haterade from ESPN and SI.com, or the 90% rumor speculation (bullshit) at Basketballnews.com. Finding your site was like finding an oasis of Laker real talk. It’s been a pleasure following and reading your material here. I’m glad I was one of the lucky ones to score a free copy of “Showboat” from you during Kobe’s swan song season. Best of luck to you, you deserve it.
Anonymous says
Thank you Darius and congratulations!
Xavier says
I don’t read Lakers articles nor comment for a long time, no time, I just see this current team as a sinking ship with a 5 to 7 year rebuild to deal with.
But I red this. You have been the most serious blogger covering basketball as an art in need of tutors to explain its intricacies and specifically our beloved Lakers.
You deserve the Lakers and SSR gigs.
Good luck, and a massive thank you.
When I see that an article is written by you I read. And i hope I’ll read you a lot more in the future when I’ll get more time !