I was looking throughthe Lakers website, i came across a bio- for Jeanie Buss. For those of you who don't know who she is, she is the owner's daughter and the Head coach's girlfriend. Besides being upper Lakers management,she has also posed for playboy. Lakers fans really owe Jeaning a great deal. Rumor has it if it wasn't for her inter-office romance with Phil Jackson, he never would have come back. Although the Lakers still aren't winning any championships, one has to admit that they have shown some improvement.
Thinking of the whole Jeanie/Phil romance, made me wonder if any other Lakers fans feel as if they are watching a soap opera unfold. I used to think that the Lakers provided entertainment through basketball, but after the last few seasons, I can at least be greatful that they have given me good gossip. Think about the last couple of years... There was the Shaq/Kobe feud in which Kobe took the brunt of the blame for running Shaq out of LA. There is the office romance previously mention. Gary Viti and Kwame's sexual harrasment/rape charges were also news. Oh let's not forget Kobe's rape case. There was that time that Phil dissed Kobe in his book. What about the time Karl Malone allegedly made "inappropriate comments" to Kobe's wife? There was the death of Lamar's son and Kobe being called a "dirty player" by the press. There is enough material hear to last longer than all the seasons of All My Children. Could it be the LA water?
Friday, May 11, 2007
Kobe tired of losing
In an article posted in the Los Angeles Times, on May 5th, Kobe Bryant voiced the frustration many Lakers fans have been feeling. In a press conference after being kicked out of the playoffs for the second straight year in a row, Kobe called out management publicly:
As he stated he's not getting any younger. I know many fans are thinking ahead to the next couple of years. He's turning 29 this year and while that may seem young to some people, many forget that he has been playing NBA basketball straight out of high school and that takes a toll on the body. What's going to happen when his body starts to give out? He as a supporting cast that is not very intimidating to other teams. And the Lakers haven't won a playoff series since Shaq left. I totally agree with Kobe, we need better players. This fact is very clear, when I have friends calling to tell me that the Golden State Warriors made it farther than the Lakers in the playoffs... THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS?!!!!! Something has gone terribly wrong.
As he stated he's not getting any younger. I know many fans are thinking ahead to the next couple of years. He's turning 29 this year and while that may seem young to some people, many forget that he has been playing NBA basketball straight out of high school and that takes a toll on the body. What's going to happen when his body starts to give out? He as a supporting cast that is not very intimidating to other teams. And the Lakers haven't won a playoff series since Shaq left. I totally agree with Kobe, we need better players. This fact is very clear, when I have friends calling to tell me that the Golden State Warriors made it farther than the Lakers in the playoffs... THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS?!!!!! Something has gone terribly wrong.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Chick Hearn
For my multimedia final project I decided to do a mini biography on the Laker's former play-by-play announcer Chick Hearn. Although, he may have not been well known throughout the rest of the the country he was a fixture in the Los Angeles Sports community.During his 42 year career with the Lakers he broadcast 3,362 consecutive Lakers games.
So many people have grown up listening to him, and when researching for my project and listening to his old play-by-plays, I couldn't help but tear up. His voice reminds me of my childhood, when i would sit on the couch and watch games with my dad. Or when I would sneak a radio into my room and listen to him call the Laker games when it far past my bedtime.
I know that many others feel the same as I do when I say that he is truly missed. I think that this was evident during his funeral a couple of years ago when hundreds of people showed up and thousands more watched his funeral on T.V Listening to Lakers games now a days is just not the same for many Lakers fans. I think that when the Lakers have blown an opponent out of a game, many are still wishing they could hear Chick's famous saying "This game's in the refrigerator, the door is closed the lights are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter's gettin' hard and the Jel-lo's jigglin!!!!"
For those of you who have not heard "Old Golden Throat", here's a sampling:
So many people have grown up listening to him, and when researching for my project and listening to his old play-by-plays, I couldn't help but tear up. His voice reminds me of my childhood, when i would sit on the couch and watch games with my dad. Or when I would sneak a radio into my room and listen to him call the Laker games when it far past my bedtime.
I know that many others feel the same as I do when I say that he is truly missed. I think that this was evident during his funeral a couple of years ago when hundreds of people showed up and thousands more watched his funeral on T.V Listening to Lakers games now a days is just not the same for many Lakers fans. I think that when the Lakers have blown an opponent out of a game, many are still wishing they could hear Chick's famous saying "This game's in the refrigerator, the door is closed the lights are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter's gettin' hard and the Jel-lo's jigglin!!!!"
For those of you who have not heard "Old Golden Throat", here's a sampling:
Lakers Out in the First Round
Some say that change is inevitable, that every dynasty must fall. It feels like just yesterday that the Los Angeles Lakers were racking up championships. I remember the yearly victory parades down Figeroa, Mark Madsen doing his crazy little dance, and Slava, shouting "I love LA!". Watching Mark Madsen dance brings me back to happier days...
So it's surprising when one realizes that they have won anything in over five years.
It's disappointing to have such a good start, peak in the middle and fade into the end of the season. After they surprisingly took Pheonix to seven games last year, I thought surely they would improve upon their performance and make it into the second round this year. I mean they weren't even predicted to make it into the playoffs last year.Yet, this season was a let down. They played 82 games to make it into the playoffs then the Lakers exited before I had a chance to blink.
Injures seem to be a common storyline, every season, I used to think that it was a case of bad luck. However, there are other teams in the league who suffer injuries and somehow keep winning. Perhaps,the Lakers lack the tallent and depth to make it deep into the later rounds.
So it's surprising when one realizes that they have won anything in over five years.
It's disappointing to have such a good start, peak in the middle and fade into the end of the season. After they surprisingly took Pheonix to seven games last year, I thought surely they would improve upon their performance and make it into the second round this year. I mean they weren't even predicted to make it into the playoffs last year.Yet, this season was a let down. They played 82 games to make it into the playoffs then the Lakers exited before I had a chance to blink.
Injures seem to be a common storyline, every season, I used to think that it was a case of bad luck. However, there are other teams in the league who suffer injuries and somehow keep winning. Perhaps,the Lakers lack the tallent and depth to make it deep into the later rounds.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Kobe Haters
I don't think that there is a more hated man in the NBA than Kobe Bryant. There are so many Kobe Hater Blogs out there on the webI guess there are a lot of people out there who hate greatness. I mean there aren't many out there who can put up the numbers that he does. He's averaging 31.3 ppg, 5.4 apg, and 5.6 rpg; while averaging, over 40 minutes a night. Let's not for get the 81 point game last year, or the string of 50 point games he had this year. The list can go on and on and still people choose to hate.
I understand if they don't like him because of his personality. They might think that he's the reason why Shaq is gone. I'm not going to deny that that could be the case. But in reality the weren't getting along anyway. There's really no use dwelling in the past either because nothing is going to bring him back. They might say that he has a huge ego. Who in the league doesn't? So people, hate him, that doesn't bother me. What does bother me is when those same people say that he isn't a great player.
The numbers don't lie. He's leading the league in scoring for godsake. You can't deny his dedication; he's in there day in and day out. You can hate him as a person, but it is idiotic to deny his greatness as a basketball player.
I understand if they don't like him because of his personality. They might think that he's the reason why Shaq is gone. I'm not going to deny that that could be the case. But in reality the weren't getting along anyway. There's really no use dwelling in the past either because nothing is going to bring him back. They might say that he has a huge ego. Who in the league doesn't? So people, hate him, that doesn't bother me. What does bother me is when those same people say that he isn't a great player.
The numbers don't lie. He's leading the league in scoring for godsake. You can't deny his dedication; he's in there day in and day out. You can hate him as a person, but it is idiotic to deny his greatness as a basketball player.
My return to the Southland...
So, the last time I wrote in this blog the Lakers were on the 7 game losing streak. The longest losing streak under the Phil Jackson Era. I had hoped that my return back to the LA are would produce a little win streak. So what happend?
During my stay at home the Lakers played five games. Guess the number of wins during that time span. Yeah that's right five. What happend when i left? Two losses in a row. Coincidence? I think not.
And despite the loses seems to be looking up. The Lakers are about to enter the playoffs and will probably have the seventh seed.
During my stay at home the Lakers played five games. Guess the number of wins during that time span. Yeah that's right five. What happend when i left? Two losses in a row. Coincidence? I think not.
And despite the loses seems to be looking up. The Lakers are about to enter the playoffs and will probably have the seventh seed.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Lakers 7th Straight Loss
Wow, so I haven't really been able to watch many of the Lakers last couple of games, so I was surprised when i looked at their website a couple of days ago and noticed that they had accumulated five straight losses. I though wow this is as bad as it gets. However, as I sat here in the airport waiting to board my plane I took a quick gander at the Lakers homepage and noticed SEVEN straight losses. Please allow me the indulgence of thinking that it is because I have not been in front of the television to cheer them on. A girl can dream, can't she?
With the way things are going I'm not so sure that they will make the playoffs. A disappointment since they started off the year with such promise. I've always heard the NBA season is a marathon and not a sprint.
Well I'm happy to say that I'm heading back to the LA area and hopefully I'll bring them a little luck.
With the way things are going I'm not so sure that they will make the playoffs. A disappointment since they started off the year with such promise. I've always heard the NBA season is a marathon and not a sprint.
Well I'm happy to say that I'm heading back to the LA area and hopefully I'll bring them a little luck.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Lakers/LA Miss the Big Fella
These are words I never thought I would type: I miss Shaq.
No, now don't get all worked up. Sure, the Lakers have not won a championship since he left, and he has gone of to Miami and gotten himself another ring. But that's not why I miss the "Big Ego". I miss him because of his media presence. I remember getting excited to wait for the 11 o'clock nightly news to come on back home in California. I could always count on Fred Rogin or Rob Fukazaki to relay some stupid quote that Shaq had said during practice or in an interview that was made after the game.
Now with Kobe trying to show the public what a stand up guy he is, I very rarely see any moments as entertaining as this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU8tDAzpuNw
No, now don't get all worked up. Sure, the Lakers have not won a championship since he left, and he has gone of to Miami and gotten himself another ring. But that's not why I miss the "Big Ego". I miss him because of his media presence. I remember getting excited to wait for the 11 o'clock nightly news to come on back home in California. I could always count on Fred Rogin or Rob Fukazaki to relay some stupid quote that Shaq had said during practice or in an interview that was made after the game.
Now with Kobe trying to show the public what a stand up guy he is, I very rarely see any moments as entertaining as this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU8tDAzpuNw
These are words I never thought I would type: I miss Shaq.
No, now don't get all worked up. Sure, the Lakers have not won a championship since he left, and he has gone of to Miami and gotten himself another ring. But that's not why I miss the "Big Ego". I miss him because of his media presence. I remember getting excited to wait for the 11 o'clock nightly news to come on back home in California. I could always count on Fred Rogin or Rob Fukazaki to relay some stupid quote that Shaq had said during practice or in an interview that was made after the game.
Now with Kobe trying to show the public what a stand up guy he is, I very rarely see any moments as entertaining as this:
No, now don't get all worked up. Sure, the Lakers have not won a championship since he left, and he has gone of to Miami and gotten himself another ring. But that's not why I miss the "Big Ego". I miss him because of his media presence. I remember getting excited to wait for the 11 o'clock nightly news to come on back home in California. I could always count on Fred Rogin or Rob Fukazaki to relay some stupid quote that Shaq had said during practice or in an interview that was made after the game.
Now with Kobe trying to show the public what a stand up guy he is, I very rarely see any moments as entertaining as this:
Monday, February 12, 2007
A Long Way From Eagle, CO...
I was out with a friend this weekend, when the new Nike ad with Kobe Bryant popped onto the television screen. It triggered a memory of a conversation I had with another friend a couple of years ago when the rape allegations against Kobe first arose.
What a difference a couple of years make! It was just a few summers ago that Kobe Bryant was facing rape charges; that's when my friend and I had a conversation in which he told me that he didn't see how Kobe's image would ever fully recover.
Fast forward to the present...Now, nearly four years removed from the accusations, Kobe seems to be just as popular as he ever was. The NBA announced that Kobe's #24 jersey was the top selling jersey in the league. Staples Center crowds have been chanting "MVP" during his trips to the charity stripe for the last two seasons. Nike has him front and center in their "AF25: Second Coming" ads. Sony placed him on the cover of their NBA video game... the list goes on.
I remember when it was big news when Nutella (yeah, the chocolate hazelnut spread company) dropped Kobe as his sponsor; now I see his face everywhere. It might just be that the public is a lot more forgiving then a lot of people predicted it would be. After all, no one ever hears mentions of Marv Albert's sex scandal. He's back to commentating on nationally televised basketball games.
I must admit that I often forget about the rape charges. Is it because we are able to separate moral values from sports heroes? I mean come on; the guy can drop 81 in a game, has the face of male model, and is able to make moves on the court that just shouldn't be legal. Plus, he now regularly mentions the love he has for his daughter, wife and God in his interviews. Isn't that enough to forgive small indiscretions like rape and adultery?
What a difference a couple of years make! It was just a few summers ago that Kobe Bryant was facing rape charges; that's when my friend and I had a conversation in which he told me that he didn't see how Kobe's image would ever fully recover.
Fast forward to the present...Now, nearly four years removed from the accusations, Kobe seems to be just as popular as he ever was. The NBA announced that Kobe's #24 jersey was the top selling jersey in the league. Staples Center crowds have been chanting "MVP" during his trips to the charity stripe for the last two seasons. Nike has him front and center in their "AF25: Second Coming" ads. Sony placed him on the cover of their NBA video game... the list goes on.
I remember when it was big news when Nutella (yeah, the chocolate hazelnut spread company) dropped Kobe as his sponsor; now I see his face everywhere. It might just be that the public is a lot more forgiving then a lot of people predicted it would be. After all, no one ever hears mentions of Marv Albert's sex scandal. He's back to commentating on nationally televised basketball games.
I must admit that I often forget about the rape charges. Is it because we are able to separate moral values from sports heroes? I mean come on; the guy can drop 81 in a game, has the face of male model, and is able to make moves on the court that just shouldn't be legal. Plus, he now regularly mentions the love he has for his daughter, wife and God in his interviews. Isn't that enough to forgive small indiscretions like rape and adultery?
Friday, February 9, 2007
Hello World
I have been a life long Laker fan and it has been hard being away from home during the school year (aka the NBA's regular season). Living in the dorms with its awful cable package, has made it hard to keep up with my favorite team.
This blog is just an excuse to allow myself to keep updated on how the team is doing and discuss what's going on with Lakers; because honestly, that's hard to do in a town that hasn't seen a championship since the 1970's... and come on, who wants to talk basketball in a city that the Knicks call home?
This blog is just an excuse to allow myself to keep updated on how the team is doing and discuss what's going on with Lakers; because honestly, that's hard to do in a town that hasn't seen a championship since the 1970's... and come on, who wants to talk basketball in a city that the Knicks call home?
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