Lakers Wild-Swinging Block Party Provokes Dynasty

LOS ANGELES--As a glamorous parade crowded and journeyed through Figueroa Street, on an overcastted afternoon that suddenly brightened into sunny skies, the Lakers superstars rode down the street, waving and expressing their appreciation with thousands of Lakers faithful.

There were vibes wandering in the players, coaching staff, and rabid fans' minds that Team Hollywood can repeat.

There's a probable chance that the Lakers can return to prominence and win back-to-back-to-back trophies. Confetti would fall from the rafters at Staples Center, the team would loft a gleaming trophy and add a 17th banner inside the much-publicized scene in Los Angeles.

Wearing a stylish Black Mamba T-shirt, Kobe Bryant waved and gestured genially and lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy, delighted and impressed with the turnaround. He shared a memorable day and a piece of historic masterpieces with the gracious populace who jubilated in peace and unity.

It’s always a surreal dream to witness Bryant, whose hospitable smile warmed the emotions of lifelong Lakers fans who've never had the privilege of seeing the greatest player on earth in person.


For all the heart and talent they showed, the Lakers were discovered Monday afternoon touring the town in a well-deserving joyride, maneuvering in two flat-bed trucks that hijacked most of the streets in downtown to give way to the festivities.

In the wake of sustaining back-to-back triumphs after winning their 16th title in franchise history, pulling closer to their nemesis the Boston Celtics 17 championships, the most among any NBA franchise, the Lakers are focusing on repeating again.

Judging by the depth, size and talent, Team LA can remain famous in a town where celebrities are embraced and overexposed at times.

And of course, we want to disconnect from all the shame and heartless idiots who are spiritless in a community where dumbasses riot the town instead of celebrating with pride and dignity.

If the hardest thing in sports is to win three times in a row, then the Lakers are stuck with high expectations. They're already predicted as next year's team to beat.

It surely was an indicator last week, when Bryant had an abysmal shooting night, missing numerous jumpers in a particularly poor performance.

But with the contributions from his lofty supporting cast, the Lakers survived and outlived the reinforced Celtics with perseverance and stamina, strengthening all blemishes to erase frailty that almost devastated a promising season.

This could have been the season that the defending champions were dethroned for apathy and botches during an obscure playoff run.

Fact is, if the Lakers blueprint is to avoid another season of fiascoes and remain in the postseason picture without suffering the early ouster, the Buss family may want to persuade Phil Jackson to remain Lakers head coach and would be wise to retain the Zen Master.

As we know, he’s the most accomplished coach in sports history, owning 11 championship rings, more than any professional coach throughout history. In his exquisite career, he has been fortunate to mold and cultivate big-name superstars with incredible talent and unparalleled achievements, in the legendary Michael Jordan and now the intellectual Bryant.

The Lakers are assembling a dynasty during an era where stars are burgeoning as primer megastars and competition is steeper than ever. In reality, it’s common to believe that the Lakers are the favorites entering next season, and are bound to repeat glory as top contenders with Bryant looking for another ring.

If so, he’ll become the most decorated player in the NBA among a unique core that is recognized for the number of championships and superlative competitors who never back down without a hard-fought battle in the postseason.

For those adoring the Lakers, a franchise with mystique and fame because of its purity and astounding wins over the years, realistically tells us that they are contending at the highest level, starving and energized to add another prize to a beautiful collection of hardware.

It's true that Bryant and Pau Gasol are under contracts for a long time, and a flourishing supporting cast continues to develop and mellow, thriving as an invincible and uncontrollable core, finally releasing the softness and inactiveness conscience.

Yet there’s no other team in the league with a pair of skyscrapers in Gasol and Andrew Bynum, a seven-foot center who has been hindered a bit with injuries, but has come on strong for the Lakers in the postseason by establishing as a dominant post player in the middle.

He blocked shots, bullied opposing players and grabbed rebounds, making the contest easier for Gasol, who seemed more efficacious whenever Bynum had a stellar performance. The issue is whether Jackson will return next season or sign a deal elsewhere or even retire and call it a career after accomplishing more than the average coach.

Before he announces a return, he’ll take a couple of months to ponder his decision and monitor his health status. His natural motive would be to care for his health issues, which have battered him mentally and physically as his age and body language plays a role.

If he decides to retire, he’d depart on top, a rare scene transpiring in sports. Jackson is proving to be ailing and fatigued from an 82-game regular-season. But he’s accustomed to all the road travel and would strangely miss coaching or sharpening the minds of players with his psychological mind games.


By his presence, it motivates his players and helps controls Ron Artest, the weirdest and funniest man on the roster, leaving us with memories of his indelible press conference after clinching Game Seven of the NBA Finals.

More than any other Lakers’ megastar, he was excited to soak in his first championship and partake in a parade while flaunting his silliness during the celebration. This was arguably Jackson’s greatest season ever, one year folks will never forget, accomplishing the most accolades by grabbing 11 titles all-time.

You sense another celebration at the end of next season. But today alone, the Lakers shared the gratifying moment with well-behaved and delighted fans, witnessing the greatest player amid an exciting generation in Bryant, who wore his sunglasses with a knowledgeable persona.

“They’ve been fantastic,” Bryant said Monday following the parade. “I had a chance to relax and enjoy these old bones.”

He can recall hearing undying “Thank yous” for avenging the devastating 2008 Finals loss to their foes Boston. The screaming fans were filled with happiness and really touched Bryant.

“It was more emotion,” Bryant said.

One fan lofted a sign that read “This is Kobe’s Town!” “Back 2 Back Without Shaq!”

If the Lakers anticipate more emotion and unforgettable moments, then bringing back Jackson is in the cards.

Team Hollywood Thrills, Captures Revenge: Lakers Wins Indelible Classic

It’s almost titillating when a town embraces the top franchise in Hollywood, living in a town accustomed to winning championships, a triumphant ritual happening in a diverse community that assembles as a unified atmosphere, once the Los Angeles Lakers captures greatness and takes in euphoria.

Suddenly, the ideal ending came in a low-scoring Game 7, but a memorable showdown among two of the most hated rivals in sports as the purple and gold confetti fell, the team’s anthem was heard and the Lakers celebrated another glorious moment at home.

It’s a town famous for watching championship banners rise to the rafters, gazing at the sky to witness the purple and gold confetti fall from the ceilings, and now observed Kobe Bryant jump on the scorer’s table, shaking his fists and extended five fingers advertising that he won his fifth ring after the Lakers clinched its second straight championship.

“I just got one more than Shaq,” Bryant said after he won his fifth championship. “You can take that to the bank. You know how I am. I don’t forget anything.”

Thereafter, he leaped off the scorer’s table to meet and shake hands with Boston’s legendary Hall of Fame center Bill Russell, mostly smiling without revealing his frighten and intimidating scowl.

In the finest moment, a historic time in the existence of the Lakers, they were overjoyed and rejoiced as a team, releasing dismay and agony after a doleful 39-point loss in a distraught Game 6 at Boston two years ago.

At last, he’s not furious or has a bitter aftertaste about the Celtics, never erasing the memories of a depressing defeat that obliterated aspiration last time these two teams encountered a showdown.

Finally, the Lakers experienced heartfelt emotions, shedding tears of joy and uncontrollably jubilated in front of a boisterous crowd of non-celebs and celebrities.

This was a moment Jack Nicholson, the team’s cheerleader who has a personalized seat on the sidelines, applauded the Lakers and cheered loudly for his home town franchise.

This was a moment the enthusiastic town cherishing its basketball gathered around the inner and urban community to engage in a fairly pleasant celebration when Lakers supporters jived and party at the local sports bars and restaurants, despite the soulless idiots who poured onto Figueroa Ave., Flower Street, and Olympic Boulevard.

Shame on rowdy fans for such rebellious behavior by pathetically vandalizing vehicles and lighting one car on fire, refusing to celebrate with pride and dignity. Aside from all the embarrassment shaming the town, Bryant, who was named the Finals MVP for the second straight season, stood on the court with his wife, Vanessa, and had his two daughters on his shoulders, while accepting congratulations and embracing the moment.

For the first time in a seventh game of a series, he was frustrated and shot the ball poorly, harassed and forced to shoot as the Celtics defenders plotted the double-team and obstructed his mental toughness and capability in facilitating and burying shots during sequential shooting.

For a man who had an abysmal night, which included 23 points on six-for-24 shooting but an essential 15 rebounds, he still proved that he’s an authentic leader, the fiercest scorer on earth, and a godlike specimen with five rings, quickly moving closer of surmounting pass Michael Jordan.

Fact is, he’ll never be like MJ, but in this generation, he’s definitely the well-known brand name in professional basketball and glowing as the ravishing megastar within his prime on pace to win at least eight rings before he calls it a career.

As a beloved athlete and a rare breed in a league when his presence has magnetized the NBA, he’s an admirable icon who isn’t selfish or egocentric, but selfless and willing to lead by example and as a sophisticated leader.

But it’s fair to assume that he would not have won his fifth championship without a poised and powerful supporting cast.

Nevertheless, his legacy would have been in tatters and lofting another Larry O’Brien trophy would have been delayed, had the Lakers failed to beat the Celtics twice in his career during the finals.

Once known as the most polarizing figure in sports, he's now known as a noble symbol in the Lakers franchise, and probably will go down as the greatest player in franchise history, if not league history.

We now know he can win without Shaquille O’Neal. We now know he can reach a crescendo in his career with his transcendent title runs, aiming to surpass the legendary Jordan for the most titles as the greatest player to implement worthiness.

At times, it appeared that the Lakers weren’t worthy of winning because of awful shooting droughts and unwisely over dribbling on possessions, but eventually recovered and came back to salvage an 83-79 victory over the Boston Celtics to win its 16th championship, completing the final chapter of a thrilling rivalry in Game Seven.


Because the Lakers played with much heart and guts, they rallied from a 13-point deficit in the second-half and managed to overcome a potential nightmare of falling to the Celtics again in the most storied rivalry showdown. Had it not been for their toughness, bravery and earnestness, the Lakers could have loss out on sustaining its 16th franchise title.

Doing so, however, Derek Fisher won his fifth ring, Pau Gasol won his second, Ron Ron won his first after taking a pay cut and signed with the Lakers to win a championship, Lamar Odom won another won, and as a core the Lakers captured vengeance and redemption.

“We wanted it more,” said owner Jerry Buss.

There were towel-swinging fans chanting, “Kobe, Kobe,” imploring for Bryant to get involved and take over in a nerve-racking and tense showpiece. And with the Celtics leading by double-digits in the third quarter hope quickly dwindled.

Because the archrivals looked as if they were the stronger and hungrier team than the soft and passive Lakers throughout the game, Team Hollywood trailed by four points at the start of the fourth and trailed by three with fewer than seven minutes remaining.

“I’ll be really honest with you, I didn’t even hear them,” Bryant said of the crowd. “I was so tired my ears were ringing. They really were. It felt like it was six in the morning and I was on track running. I was just drained.”

The high-energy and deeper star power of the Lakers, including frequent trips to the charity strike, diminished any acceptance of likely beating and dethroning the defending champs.

While the team in L.A. had immeasurable talent, proving that it could purge the Celtics, Fisher’s heroics were useful when he lofted a three-pointer to tie it, Bryant’s late rebounding was a factor in the comeback when he converted on a pair of huge free throws and buried a jump shot over a pesky Ray Allen.

Yes, he was urged not to shoot. But in this game alone, Artest was the MVP, firing one risky three-pointer with 1:01 remaining to clinch a miraculous night and pop the champagne corks and wear the goggles before squirting the champagne in the locker room for a well-deserving victory party.

“I want to thank my psychiatrist,” said Artest who had 20 points.

Dismissed as an awful shooter, but cheered for his exemplary defensive-minded tactics, he told fans if the Lakers failed to win a championship, that he was the one to blame. Turns out, no one is to fault.

It was a disputable signing by the Lakers front office when the Buss family brought aboard Artest for his defensive theories, while fans were perturbed about the departure of Trevor Ariza and the Lakers lack of interest in re-signing an energetic and younger defender.

Very impressive was the leadership of Pau Gasol, who is rapidly flourishing as the second-leading scorer on the Lakers, scoring 19 points and had 18 rebounds, finally eradicating his soft and attenuated trends. In other words, he fought and abused Kevin Garnett, who spent much of the night in foul trouble.

“We fought extremely hard,” said Gasol. “We kept our minds and our hearts into the game at all times, and we hustled…we hustled.”

This season, Bryant has broken down a bit for his aging and injuries. It wasn’t a day that past without the man playing with a taped-up right index finger and his sore right knee that he had drained after Game Four of the first-round, often monitored by team’s physician Gary Vitti.

He has been candid about his health. “I’m obviously going to have to look at the knee and figure some things out, said Bryant. “I can’t play a whole entire season the way it is now…Without the tape (on the finger), I can’t grip a basketball.”

His injuries are the least worry, I assume, after winning it all.

Now that the town is fueled over the win, the Lakers are delighted than ever after accomplishing revenge against the archenemies and unfriendly rivals. What an indelible classic the Lakers endured and excelled, capturing unforgivable triumph.

Celtics Won't Beat Lakers As Vengeance Is Almost Sustained

The scoreboard posted the ending results at Staples Center, and quickly, an enticing scene in a sudden-death situation erupted an electric crowd that never had to shut their eyes or bite nails, but loudly cheered the Los Angeles Lakers to an 89-67 victory in a crucial Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

If you felt a jolt or heard a rattling sound, it wasn’t an earthquake that shivered Southern California recently, but it was the Lakers rising above a disappointing loss to force a Game Seven, refusing to stumble in an elimination game.

It hasn’t been a spectacular series, but a nerve-racking series for the defending champs by meeting the Boston Celtics, it’s archenemies in a rematch seeking to avenge a miserable 39-point loss two years ago.

In theory of the Lakers, it’s very clear that Team Hollywood knew much was at stake, performing brilliantly and responding with urgency and fortitude, to survive a redemptive series in which the Lakers tries to mount a legacy.

Late in the fourth quarter, he walked to the bench and received a standing ovation from the crowd before he sat on the sideline, wearing a towel and a pleasant facial expression, delighted with the recovery in a must-needed game.

It was Kobe Bryant, who was faulted for the Lakers’ mental lapses and physical inadequacies to implode chemistry and disrupt the energy and drive of his supporting cast, facilitating and involving his teammates by spreading the floor and drilling well-advised shots.

The timing couldn’t be better for a composed and smarter Bryant, the greatest closer in the game known for obliterating defenders with his sequential scoring and miraculous shots.

It isn’t often in sports when a man with a selfish modus or arrogance, accepts an applause subsequently being described as a pompous, self-centered hypocrite who ultimately abandoned his teammates and hurled too many irresponsible shots.

For all the abuse he took, from the no-call when Paul Pierce snatched the ball out of his hands in Game 5, from the doubters constantly scorning the greatest player in the game, from the media blaming him of the Lakers recent falters, he was absolutely the man setting the tone early.

He almost took most of the finger pointing for deranging the Lakers offense and defensive commitments, but now he’s not hearing the displeasing questions from inquisitive reporters in the interview room, commended for minimizing his shooting percentage and playing the specific role of a virtuous overseer with cultured leadership.

They were a baffling unit, almost committing championship suicide as a championship-caliber team and the most talented franchise, without any discipline, toughness or star power.


But suddenly, the Lakers were serious about staying alive and protecting its title by repeating glory once again, persevered and fervent to symbolize the symmetry of valued mystique and tradition.

Here were the Lakers again, escaping a soft, indolent and complacent attitude, as fans supporting purple and gold believes in the home team, believes there’ll be another parade on Figueroa, believes that Bryant will obtain his fifth championship, and believes purple and gold confetti will fall from the Staples Center rafters when the Lakers hoist the trophy Thursday with a win over the Celtics.

For the first time this series, they exploded with much parity and urgency, to pull away midway in the second quarter and never blew a large margin. Normally, the Lakers lose huge leads for becoming to comfortable and inattentive, but not on the night a credible season was endangered of missing out on a title.

At least once, a glorious journey almost ended wasteful, dropping Game Five in a hostile territory, booed and badmouthed by the unfriendly Celtics fans. It’s a different unit avoiding the same type of mistakes that cost them the last game, with a new makeover after returning to Hollywood invincible and unbeatable.

Turns out the average citizen was granted their wish after all, prepared to witness a Game Seven of the NBA Finals, following a triumphant performance that gives the Lakers an advantage with home court advantage and the greatest closer.

If the Celtics dares to win and travel home with the trophy and celebrate by marching in a parade, they may not outlast or outwork the Lakers in the final game of the season, when L.A. dictated the ultimate standpoint of the series and seized all vitality, realizing they are a win away from sustaining back-to-back triumph.

By avenging consecutive losses in Boston, the Lakers forced a seventh game with the series tied at three games apiece.


So now, the latest chapter in the NBA Finals is a historic and bitter rivalry, in which two storied rivals will meet on the hardwood for a crazy, tense showdown that will write an epic classic as one memorable event in ages. In desperate moments, winner takes all. Amid a pair of legacies, each opponent is craving a taste of the hardware.

“This is definitely a special treat for the NBA,” said Ray Allen. “We’re going to Game 7, and this is the finals, and it’s the Celtics and Lakers.”

Even though the Larry O’Brien trophy was ready to be presented to the Celtics, it has to wait a few nights before the worthy one wins it all, whether the Lakers avenges its failures two seasons ago or the Celtics shatter the hearts of Hollywood.

In present, was the Celtics legend Bill Russell, who couldn’t bear to glance at the painful rout and left for the exit with three minutes remaining.

For most of the night, he watched the Lakers push and abuse the archenemies, he watched the entire team dominate the villains, he merely watched Bryant have a stellar game with 26 points and 11 rebounds, and he watched Pau Gasol come close to a triple-double, bouncing back from a dreadful contest with 17 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.

If Celtics center Kendrick Perkins never had collapsed with Andrew Bynum midway in the first quarter, departing with a sprained knee, maybe Boston might have stayed within double-digits. It’s unfortunate to loss Perkins, a muscular center with incredible strength and size in establishing as a post defender and slow down the Lakers from overworking the Celtics in the paint.

“It’s a big disadvantage,” said Bryant. “He’s a big emotional leader for the team. I’m sure it didn’t help them, him going down.”

It’s often bad to dismiss the Lakers, but a loss in the next game will probably go down as one of the biggest upsets in NBA history.


Meanwhile, the Lakers raises closer in capturing redemption and vengeance. And if Bryant is ever described as one of the greatest basketball stars of all-time, he immensely need contributions from his supporting cast, similar to what his teammates exploited when Ron Artest finally wasn’t confused and had 15 points and badgered Pierce with his defensive mentally.

But the bigger factor was Gasol, who shot 19 times in 40 minutes, finally stood up to a sluggish Kevin Garnett and played with much toughness as his soft demeanor quickly vanished.

When the Lakers come out with high-energy and urgency, it usually stimulates the bench, as Shannon Brown electrified the crowd on a pair of high-flying dunks that were created off of two of the seven turnovers the Lakers forced.

“We want to carry everything we did tonight to Game 7, and then I think we’ll be in very good place to win,” said Gasol. “When you bring the intensity we did tonight, good things are going to happen.”

The capacity crowd chanted “BOSTON SUCKS! BOSTON SUCKS!” after averaging 67 points, the second-lowest in NBA Finals history. Early on, the Lakers slaughtered the C’s, cruising to a 22-point lead in the first half as the Lakers sturdy defense forced Boston to shoot a horrible 33 percent from the field and had only 13 points from the bench. On positive terms, all the Lakers need to fulfill a wonderful and memorable moment in a potential epic showdown is another win.

For now, the Lakers are meaner, fiercer and hungrier than the Celtics. At least it looks that way.

Lakers Fall, but Kobe Bryant Isn't to Blame

Kobe Bryant, who walked into the conference room flustered from another outraging defeat, sat gloomily in the midst of an elimination game answering the unassuming questions at postgame interviews sarcastically and angrily. Later, he emerged from the interview room speechless with a bitter stare, then down the hallway reflected on a 92-86 loss in Game Five of the NBA Finals.

If there’s a petulant superstar irritated in an unpredictable and startling series that the Lakers are bearing unfamiliarity by being on the verge of elimination, it’s Bryant losing his swagger and composure, despite shooting from the field brilliantly without faltering.

The Black Mamba, as we call the greatest finisher and scoring menace with four rings and the most frighten facial expression in sports, is very indignant following a loss that was considered a much-needed win, traveling back home to potentially close out an alluring series.


As the season winds down for the Los Angeles Lakers and a winner will very well soon be crowned the champs, the main feature of the Lakers is calmly representing much optimism in Game Six on Tuesday, ready to harass the Boston Celtics with his distributions and selfish ethics to score as a dictator and unstoppable force.

By meeting with the media lately, he proffers merely short-answered and dissatisfying remarks about the culminating results. As anticipated, the Lakers place any road woes in perspective at home, greeted by the celebrities and non-celebs as the cast emerge from the tunnel and are introduced by the PA announcer during the players’ introduction.

It’s apparent they like the savory taste of home cooking, instead of room service. It’s obvious they are comfortable sleeping in their own beds, instead of sleeping in a luxurious suite in Boston, a hostile environment where the Lakers are insulted and disliked.

For the first time in the postseason, L.A. trails 3-2 in a series and needs to survive in the next two games in order to host another parade on Figueroa Ave., a crowded street with the craziest activity.

In a sense, the Lakers could miss out in all the festivities, without staring skyward at the rafters to glance at purple and gold confetti fall from Staples Center. The finest scorer on earth, I suspect, is only a loss away from missing out on one objective in a series when the focal point is surrounding his legacy as he has an opportunity, a viable chance to strengthen his legacy by winning his fifth title.

With a lingering scare, as the Lakers are faced in an unfamiliar scene, the supporting cast is outworked by the Celtics' raw bench, outplayed by a hungrier and coveted starting unit, and more passive and softer than Boston. If there is a bigger letdown in sports, it's the lethargic sporting cast of the Lakers, considering that Kobe’s teammates have relied and comfortably watched the public airing of the Kobe Show, not realizing much is at stake.

It’s unfortunate that the Celtics are manipulating the tone with resourceful method, downsizing the style of a vintage Bryant. Unlike ever before, he’s hesitating on every attempt and draws defenders, frustrating his mentality and minimizing shots from the field on a night he scored a game-high 38 points in Game Five while the four other starters had 34 points combined and scored 19 in the third quarter alone.

There’s one thing certain about the esoteric Lakers previously discovered in Game One, a night the tenacious unit seemed worthy of winning a consecutive title with the fearless size, powerful depth, and a talented roster.


But now the Lakers are simply not championship-caliber, needing adjustments to rise above the Celtics’ superiority recently, with an incompetent supporting cast deteriorating and deranging at the moment a championship is on the line.

And this time, he’s not to blame for such collapses or back-to-back road losses in a significant showdown, putting on a shooting clinic and keeping the Lakers within a double-digit deficit.

While he’s ostensibly faulted for disrupting the chemistry and incapacitating the elements, selfishly taking over without involving his teammates into the offensive groove, he’s getting criticized for being too selfish and overly occupied. Early on, he wasn’t a facilitator, but an unconscious shooter.

Early on, he failed to spread the floor and share the ball with teammates, but realized his supporting cast has been shaky. So again, it’s damned if he does or damned if he doesn’t. For the time being, no one simply can dismiss the Lakers having a clutch finisher who seems helpless, even when he’s the most lethal superstar since Michael Jordan.

Near the end, Bryant screamed angrily and Ron Artest was befuddled and complained, and Pau Gasol was softer than ever, all bringing back the dreadful memories of two years ago when the Lakers were murdered badly by the Celtics in a 39-point loss, the worst blowout in NBA Finals history.

At this point, Kobe’s teammates are no longer the scariest one, nor are they the favorites to win the series for all the defensive lapses and lack of productivity.

The Celtics are a well-rounded squad coached by Doc Rivers, who utilizes his deeper bench, a second unit that has outworked and pestered the Lakers. It’s fair to say the Celtics are scoring on second-chance points, out-rebounding a taller frontcourt, neutralizing confused defenders, and badgering a perturbed Bryant.

The strongest heavyweights are the C’s, demonstrating toughness and potent balance. It wasn’t until late in the game when Rajon Rondo slashed the lane and levitated over Lamar Odom and Bryant for a tip-in. Even though he was born and raised in Los Angeles, Paul Pierce, who overly worked his defensive nemesis Artest, has no sympathy in beating down his childhood team, the Lakers, finishing the night with 27 points.

In the meantime, the L.A. team is still optimistic heading back home, realizing the series is sudden death and that a helpless Bryant needs team contribution if they expect to force a Game Seven at home. And without a sense of urgency or a stronger mindset, the Lakers won’t survive the potency of the Celtics. Asked about the fear of elimination, Bryant once again had a short answer and responded in sarcasm.

“I’m not very confident at all,” he said, laughing.

He is fearless, I’m sure. But he’s also earnest about winning a fifth title.

This is no longer the same Lakers, demoralized with injuries, softness, and passiveness. This is no longer the same Lakers grabbing rebounds or loose balls.

This is no longer the same Lakers pushing and sending bodies to the floor. And this is no longer the same Lakers with enough fight or heart, coming back home where the heart is, but certainly not for the purple and gold team, unless they turn things around. Now is the time Phil Jackson may want to make minor adjustments and escape the softness that destroyed aspiration two years ago.

Perhaps, the supporting cast could use extra practice and adjustments very quickly.

It’s very apparent that Kobe doesn’t need the practice or adjustments, just as he is not to blame.

I Speak Prematurely: Lakers-Boston Celtics in an Epic Theater For the Ages

Before the NBA season comes to a closure, the people obsessed with sports are anxiously ready to see an epic showdown among two franchises with bad blood, and wishing to badmouth each other in a physical clash.

This has been an uninteresting postseason of ills and very little excitement, besieged with all the uncertainty and uncompetitive series that lasted fewer than six games.

So save the best for last in the NBA Finals, a contest that will last approximately seven games, based on all the talent and poise each team presents. The world gazes at Kobe Bryant, arguably the preeminent shooting guard of this age, despite that he was teased previously in a Los Angeles Times photo for wearing a headband, bow tie, and a top hat, becoming the latest model in humiliating photos.


The world also stares at the Boston Celtics, a reviving franchise with three aging star players finding ways to survive and outlast opponents by playing unstoppable defense and enduring the improbable pursuit.

As of recently, the tradition and mystique has gradually resounded Celtic Pride, and the Celtics has endured the probable thoughts of winning its second championship in three seasons, en route to capturing its 18th championship possibly against the archrivals.

It would be interesting to see if the Lakers can beat the Celtics, avenging and erasing the devastating loss in the Finals two years ago. To this day, the Lakers still have a bitter and ill-natured psyche after the series ended badly in a disheartening 131-92 loss in Game Six at Boston.

Now, two years later, the Lakers have a personal vendetta against its archenemies, dating back to the ‘60s era when Wilt Chamberlain feuded with Bill Russell, then the ‘80s era when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird engendered the spotlight on the hardwood with non-stop, thrilling masterpieces.

So now, in a modern generation, one of the greatest rivalries in sports lives on. Every now and then, the Lakers-Celtics battle ascends eternal rivalries, upon gazing at the physical bouts and feuds between a pair of franchises with much animosity. It’s fair to assume that the captivating scuffles and competitive series creates a dislikable sequence, and when the two encounter each other for an eye-popping matchup, the world stares at the Lakers-Celtics.

Either way, for some, it’s good versus evil or evil versus good, whichever team fans prefer.

But it’s clear evidence that the Lakers are resentful over the way it ended, after they were humiliated and finished the season miserably, seeking revenge to remove the misery of a dreadful ending amid a winnable series.

Two years ago, Boston, a long-time nemesis, dismantled Los Angeles in the entire series, winning in a lopsided fashion by out-playing, out-hustling, and out-coaching the Lakers. In a sluggish postseason, Bryant is verified as the toughest and greatest basketball player of a modern generation, enduring injuries and severe pain in all parts of his body.

From a bad knee to a fractured index finger to back spasms and tweaked ankle, he has withstood a variety of pain, but is portrayed as the sterling finisher in the game. He’s a rare athlete nowadays, compared to the legendary great Michael Jordan, becoming a facilitator and the fiercest scorer in the game. Even though he’s hampered with injuries, he still dazzles and scores 30 to 40 points, leading the Lakers to a 2-0 lead against the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals.

As it stands, he’s aiming at a second consecutive NBA championship for his fifth ring and would ease closer towards validating a superlative legacy, one shy of Jordan in the rings category. Perhaps in this era he’ll become one of the most decorated players in the league, but will also transcend popularity as he currently has the top selling jersey among NBA stars. It’s always good to beat the archrivals, especially when it contributes to adding another championship banner and tie the Celtics for the most titles in league history and reach a peek by winning it all.


In what has the makings of an epic theater, the Lakers and Celtics are both top-level franchises, assembled with depth, willpower, firepower, and talent to ignite a heavyweight war. Truth is, this will only become bloodier in a few weeks, with one of these teams suffering mortals. But it’s unknown which team poses as the villainous and deadliness enemy, when all of us will finally see an infatuating rematch. It’s simple to predict that it will be the Lakers and Celtics in a collision course at the finals.

This brings us to believe that it will go down as one of the most compelling series in sports, all while watching if the aging Celtics can outlast and compete against the younger Lakers or if the invigorated Celtics can obstruct the Kobe Show with constant double-teaming or defending the four-time champ of facilitating.

But now, Boston is playing like an unbeatable force that can win another championship and toy with the minds of the Lakers, just as Phil Jackson mocks opponents with his physiological mind games.

This time, the Celtics may get the last laugh, especially if the Lakers enter the series sluggish and unalarmed, then the Big Three devours Team Hollywood like a JV high school team without enough talent or self-motivation. By now, they’ve learned their lesson after getting defaced and belittled by the fans and media for a casual and unconscious performance in the finals two years ago. With much doubt, the Celtics weren’t even considered to advance to the finals this year, based on Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen's aging bodies breaking down mentally and physically.

When skeptics dismissed the Celtics of returning back to championship form and were labeled as the oldest and slowest team, all people clearly forgot that they had depth, size, and experience, which is seen in the Eastern Conference Finals as Boston isn’t a match for the Orlando Magic. Months ago, the Celtics weren’t even in conversation of sustaining triumph, but there were speculations of early retirement for Garnett and Doc Rivers was considering on taking hiatus to spend time with his kids.

But make no mistake, if the Celtics win again, he’ll be given a long-term contract and Garnett will play for a few more years. We can argue about whether the Lakers can beat the Celtics, two teams overachieving and endeared for uplifting the souls within a spectacular sport. But the Lakers consist of the Kobe Show, airing nightly at Staples Center.

He’s admired as a finisher, clutch superstar, an unstoppable shooter, and as the greatest player since Jordan retired and left his throne. With the supporting cast and contributions of the eccentric and weirdo Ron Artest finally making shots, the size and athleticism of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum and the resurgence of Lamar Odom, the Lakers are unbeatable, but understand that Boston will not surrender without a fight.

My inclination is that the Lakers-Celtics is a final all basketball loyalist wishes to witness. Obviously, that’s the way it should turn out in the end. And if the Lakers win, it would be a shot of redemption, but if the Celtics win, it would be a proven theory that they weren’t so old after all.

Either way, prepare for a bloody skirmish.

It’s where amazing happens, remember.

This Isn't the Team To Beat: Lakers Perish, Too Lackadaisical

Never mind it being the best, most well-rounded basketball team in Hollywood, the most entertaining team in a community where movie stars crowded the streets of Hollywood for the Oscar awards Sunday evening. Deep down inside, witnessing Sandra Bullock win an award for leading actress was more galvanizing than watching the Los Angeles Lakers’ continuous struggles to win games.


It’s both fascinating and mind-blowing to watch arguably the most talented franchise in the NBA unravel and fade away from title conversions. All that said, the defending champs recent disastrous stumbles raise concerns as to whether the Lakers can repeat and defend their title.

In a big town such as Los Angeles, the well-known basketball franchise is the town’s trademark, a way for L.A. sporting fans to interact and cheer on the purple and gold. Whether or not the Lakers have been deteriorating because of lethargy and careless lapses, the team still embodies humanity and essence within a diverse and hysterical environment.

Fans still believe in the Lakers, a championship-driven team with all the components to amass its 16th title and move closer within their archenemies the Boston Celtics for the most championships in NBA history.

Fans believe it’s a team to be reckoned with, simply for its experience and depth.

Fans believe the Lakers remain invincible and impossible to beat, only because they possess the most dangerous and finest finisher in the game, Kobe Bryant. In this way, the Lakers are unique and have been one of the NBA's most amazing franchises.

Where amazing happened (not to mention thrilling heroics whenever Kobe’s buzzer-beaters fell) hasn’t been too amazing recently. Its dreadful to think that the Lakers aren’t described as fierce villains any more. If anything, you’re staring at an enigmatic team that seems unsure of themselves and fails to find its rhythm. Go ahead, feel at ease, but no team is afraid of them or intimidated by them at the moment.

Without the fear of suffering a dispirited loss, teams are beginning to test the Lakers toughness and mentality, raising questions as to where L.A. stands as far as being able to muster another championship banner and parade on Figueroa Ave.

Here’s a memo to the Buss family: "this might be the end of the magical rebirth we saw a year ago." In reality, that is how fans feel about our team right now, even though the Lakers usually find their mojo during the postseason by playing with a sense of urgency and energy. But as of now, the Lakers are perplexing and seem doomed.

Oh no, the thoughts of TERROR!

As we know, mystique plays a huge role in Los Angeles. Mind you, this is the team that possessed Magic Johnson’s unbelievable performances and Kareem Abdul-Jabber's ideal skyhook during the Showtime era. They are the most compelling franchise in all sports, with all-time legends like Wilt Chamberlain imprinting a spot in Lakers’ history, as well as Jerry West, the long-time floor general who also assembled a potent nucleus when he traded for Kobe in the 1996 NBA draft.

So there’s no question it’s a franchise with a great deal of mystique.

But things are different of late. There is a sense of unfamiliarity with this team, losers of three consecutive games for the first time in more than two years.

Nonetheless, the Kobe Show isn’t cancelled from its regularly scheduled program. Unfortunately, this funk has affected Bryant’s teammates who aren't getting involved in the now-stagnant offense. Blessed to have an exemplary guard in Kobe, all his lackadaisical teammates look to him to orchestrate a dramatic comeback, which happens often despite their underachievement.


None of this is good for a primary shooter, overloaded and fatigued by the end of the first half. It’s important that Kobe remains healthy and energized for the postseason, a moment when Kobe usually dominates and carries a heavy burden. Without him, the Lakers lose their killer attack and fall out of the playoffs much earlier than imagined. Truth is, minus Kobe’s ripple-effect the purple and gold is unable to survive a competitive bout in the playoffs.

In a shaky matinee Sunday, the Lakers stumbled again and were unable to find an escape from the dismay of the last three games. In what turned into a miserable ending, the Lakers faltered in a 96-94 loss to the Orlando Magic, in which they trailed by 10 points after three quarters, even though Bryant scored 18 of his game-high 34 points in the fourth quarter.

All of the sudden, the Lakers cannot close out a win, and they continue to defy the odds as to why they are called the best team in the Western Conference. Maybe it’s the moment to panic, bite nails and shut eyes. And maybe the L.A. faithful are scared to realize the possibility of suffering a heartbreaker in the postseason.

As a team, the Lakers had a team meeting to make a few tweaks and adjustments. No surprise there, because it’s a work in process after the Lakers finally improved at defending the pick-and-roll, a weakness that has created misery for years. The turnovers were also reduced a bit, finally protecting the ball anytime they had possession.

Most importantly, the defense is shaping into an unstoppable force, limiting the Magic to 34 points in the paint and creating misery for the physique Dwight Howard. Almost identical to when the team had minor flaws last season, before turning it around in the Western Conference Finals against Denver. Any ill-feelings or bad vibes in Lakerland could soon vanish, as the Lakers are accustomed to returning to form when necessary.

Ever since Kobe returned from the injury, Pau Gasol is not shooting as effectively, Shannon Brown misses more shot attempts, Lamar Odom is inconsistent, Artest is having his worst offensive season of his career and well, Bynum is an overpaid bust. No disrespect to Kobe, but it was a fun, exciting team without his presence. Still, there’s no one more frustrated than Gasol, who has to be tired of his offensive deficiencies as he's averaging a mere 14 points in the last three games.

“Kobe is a great player, the best offensive player out there…but at the same time, we need to find some balance with our interior game, develop it a little more, moving the ball and changing sides.” Gasol said. “We need to get focused on that a little more, to find balance, to find some flow.”

But now, it’s hard to figure out if the Lakers are potent to win back-to-back.

My guess is no.

If Lamar Odom Leaves, Lakers' Title Runs Fade Away

Why aren’t people sporting purple and gold apparel nervous and furious at the Los Angeles Lakers?

The Lakers are spending too much time speculating on if they’ll repeat their triumph next season, rather than focusing on retaining players who have had the most impact on their recent title.

If the Lakers expect to return as heavyweights and feel the gratifying elation of their 16th title in franchise history, or if Kobe Bryant plans on surmounting a tiebreaker to amass one ring atop Shaquille O’Neal, or if Phil Jackson presumably sustains a historical 11th title in his final season before taking off for a permanent vacation, the Lakers will have to retain Lamar Odom, the team’s second option whenever Kobe is not around to relieve occasional droughts.

Almost all in the land of movie stars, music stars, Capitol Records, and the Walk of Fame are nervous and, more than anything, surprised to learn that other teams are interested in the versatile forward.

In retrospect, Los Angeles might be experiencing the end of Lamar Odom wearing a Lakers uniform. He emerged as a vital superstar and celeb, putting his imprint on his first title and improvising as a precise aide to the Black Mamba.

So why are the multitudes in Los Angeles surprised Odom is listening to what other teams have to offer, and weighing options in the market? At the end, when the Lakers clinched a championship, Odom informed everyone that he wanted to remain with the Lakers, and desired to “stay home.”

At the moment, he’s an unrestricted free-agent, and now a frustrated free-agent whose exodus could weaken the Lakers frontcourt and turn their bench into a disaster if he and the Lakers can’t compromise on an agreement soon.

Shouldn’t he be their main priority after being such an integral piece to their title run? Shouldn’t he earn valuable profit after he was an essential nucleus to their jubilant celebration?

Shouldn’t they be more aggressive in trying to retain Odom, after he bolstered the team's vitality and promise? After he altered Kobe’s facial expressions, which progressed from that hideous scowl to a blissful smile as he hoisted the Most Valuable Player award and the Larry O’Brien trophy?

You would think the Lakers front office has enough sense to re-sign Odom, realizing they couldn't have won a championship without this forward who developed into a multi-dimensional player and avoided defensive lapses, especially when Andrew Bynum accumulated fouls and sat out countless minutes in foul trouble.

As Bynum continues to mellow and still hasn’t dominated as expected, injuries and lethargy have hindered incisiveness. The Lakers aren’t trying to keep a championship-caliber team intact. They are running players away as Jerry Buss fails to match enormous and superordinate deals for them.

As these two parties wrestle with ego, presuming stubbornness and avarice in the other, they can't find a way of accommodating each other's desires.

Of late, the narrow-minded boss, Buss, is ticked off and angry, which prompted him to pull out offers he already extended. No longer are the Lakers negotiating with Odom, and it has turned into a drama that can perhaps last the entire summer.

It is not unlike Kobe’s trade demands two years ago. For an entire summer, all we heard were insensitive remarks, criticism among teammates, and Bryant demanding to be traded off the Lakers.

Doesn’t this sequence sound a bit familiar? There might not be public announcements made from Odom’s mouth, but understand that there is conflict swirling around. As markets heat up in trying to obtain Odom, this situation is becoming increasingly dramatic for the Lakers.

When Buss wrathfully withdrew his contract offer six days ago, the Lakers started looking less like a championship-bound team and more like an average one. If the Lakers want to taste another season of resplendence, they can’t afford to lose a player of Odom's brilliant caliber. Odom was the team’s catalyst, the miracle worker, the sidekick, the defensive force, and champion of well-rounded play.

Don’t forget that he was a tremendous factor in the playoffs, having a solid run where he averaged 12.3 points, third best on the team in that category.

Was there anything else? Indeed.

Odom was committed to rebounding, and was considered the Lakers' most efficient and dedicated player in grabbing boards and blocking shots. During the playoffs, Odom collected a team second-best 9.1 rebounds, and was a crucial piece to trapping and defending the middle to contain Denver in the Western Conference Finals.

The last thing they can't afford to happen is losing Odom. Come to think of it, it would be heartbreaking to see him leave, after he has done so much in the community and for the Lakers, accomplishing something many players will never grasp.

I guess the Lakers have forgotten about all this. That certainly seemed to be the case on Tuesday when the team confirmed they had rescinded any and all offers already presented.

One of the teams interested in Odom is Portland, a young team that’s emerging into the limelight with explosive guard Brandon Roy, center Greg Oden, and forward LaMarcus Aldridge. It would be too bad if Portland signs Odom to an enormous deal, acquiring an experienced veteran to complement that young talent. You could only imagine the type of trouble they’ll pose, particularly since the Lakers never beat Portland at the Rose Garden.

Other teams are expressing interest and willing to scrape up money and invest in the savvy defensive and energetic force. Miami is willing to give Odom a five-year, $34-million deal, and of course it might take a trade to attain him. Rumor has it that Carlos Boozer is a target among teams, and perhaps, the Heat could possibly trade for him as well or instead.

Either way, Odom is seeking a long-term deal, at least five years. Logic tells us, since the Lakers dropped negotiations, another team will be more than delighted to pick up where they left off and grant Odom a long-term deal. Odom passed on every deal the Lakers presented and still expects a deal that will keep him locked up for at least half a decade.

This is why neither side could agree on the three-year, $30-million offer or the four-year, $36 million offer, which appear to be the best available deals on the table for Odom. It isn’t the money Odom is contemplating, it's the benefits for his future and family, which is why he's looking for more dollars and years.

The Lakers ownership has lots to deal with and lots of stress to cope with. GM Mitch Kupchak has to do everything he can to retain Odom, or else he’ll start getting vicious abuse from critics. It is understandable Kupchak has huge burdens and tremendous pressure in finding the correct deal to appease Odom. Earlier in the week, Bryant mentioned that he has established a sturdy relationship with Odom as well as his teammates.

It is bad enough that the Lakers lost Trevor Ariza, the team’s defensive force, to Houston. Now, other teams could outbid them and sign Odom, a player any fan at the beginning of the summer assumed would be returning. This prolonged negotiation can only serve to stir up chaos, causing turmoil that will only hurt the Lakers in the long run.