Oh, to be Great (Once More)…
Posted by VeRonda Wicks May 10th, 2011Yeah, I’m feeling a combination of shock and wonder… I can’t help but be in shock about the literal break down, before my eyes, of one of the longest running and most prolific dynasties in American professional sports history. No matter how you feel (those of you shall remain nameless), you cannot deny the superb outfitting of fundamentals along with the essentially talented group of semi ever-changing men that made up the L.A. Lakers.
I don’t think it’s saying too much to feel and discuss the deep and ominous hole that surrounds the subject of the Lakers and where they are to go from “here”… For me, “here” is this itchy, head-turning-of-the-dog feeling of what happened? What happened to the cool and smooth sailing they always played with, never becoming bothered by the pre-season win-lose columns (inferring that it would all work out in the wash of the post season)? This gigantic question bumps right up against one of the last questions for their season, of inquiring what exactly happened to the grace and maturity with which the Lakers always possessed… They were the studious ones that other teams immolated (or tried to at least). The Dallas Mavericks’ win over the Lakers (a 4-0 broom stroking in the 2nd round of the NBA playoffs) was one for the record books, but one also that the Lakers should be quite ashamed of (for the varied violence that ensued, not the loss).
With Phil Jackson retiring and the roster in flux, what can I count on (Crack up!… My mind just went to, like, five things that were off the subject)? After reading a few articles on this subject, there was a slight tone in the air that Phil wasn’t the biggest fan of this latest group of guys he was coaching. That speaks volumes from a coach who has seen the likes of perfection in Michael Jordan and the skill and cunning in Dennis Rodman.
I can’t lie, I’m a Lakers fan. And while I know Kobe’s rein as the centerpiece for the team may be (may be!) coming to an end, I’d still like to see them rebuild and quiet as kept, for Kobe to win another one… More importantly though (Uh, maybe just as much rather), I’d like to see the continuity of seamless play and the chaotic calm they once had reborn once more.
May 10th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
The Lakers went out like spoiled brats (Bynum and Odom). My guess is that there’s a lot of underlying issues among members of the team. Bynum’s statement about a lack of trust spoke volumes to me and I think there are things going on with the team that are deeper than just basketball issues. That’d be my guess. We may never know what the real deal is (though I bet someone will speak up at some point out of frustration) but regardless, it seems plausible to me that considering this was probably Phil’s last game ever, they’d have at least went out without showing the poor sportsmanship that they did.
It’s one thing to get blown out, it’s another to get blown out and act thuggish and do things that could potentially hurt other guys (I’m speaking of Game 4 and the Bynum situation specifically).
Out of respect for the organization’s history and legacy alone they should have had more composure.
It’s kinda disrespectful to the Magics, Jerry Wests, and Kareems, etc. to pull that crap, let alone the best pro basketball coach of all time.
May 10th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Well Well Well… As you know, I have no luv whatsoever for Kobe and whatever team he is playing for… Needless to say, I am jumping for joy they got swept (emphasis on the “T”)… I must agree with you that the Lakers franchise in general has been at the top or near the top for years. The players they have today don’t seem to have “Laker pride” as teams in the past. For Phil to not to be a fan of his current cast of players speaks volumes. Like you said… he has coached the closest thing to perfection (in some opinions) to step on the court to a madman in Rodman. (now Rodman was my boy).. How many of us remember when Rodman and Shaq would go at it… Ok I’m bringin it in. I see the Lakers main problem is they have aging all-stars and youth. There are no “tweeners” to bridge that gap and make the unit more cohesive. I shall end my post by saying, I hope the powers that be don’t follow Magic’s advice. I would love to see this team stick together.. Why you say??? Kobe and Gasol not speaking during the playoffs…Bynum calling the team out in the media… Artest…well he is what he is… Bynum breaking ribs…CMON MAN!!!! Oh wrong sport but you gets (yes I said gets) my drift… I don’t need to watch another game… for I know there will be no 3-peat and I will sleep well at night with that knowledge!!!
May 12th, 2011 at 10:12 am
So many things to comment on, where to begin……First, there may be no NBA season next year, so we may be talking about a 2012-13 season. Next, shock and wonder? Really? That was a roller coaster ride season for the Lakers, at times they were very good and others very bad! They didn’t do anything in the regular season, as a team, to make me feel they had a shot this year. The only reason you would have a glimmer of hope was because of Kobe. I am not a Kobe hater, and I enjoy greatness when I see it on the basketball court (e.g. James). Hindsight is 20/20, but when you break down this Laker squad there are some GLARING holes. First and foremost a legit point guard. Not Fisher, not Steve Blake, not Kobe trying to do it all, a point guard who can ball. The NBA has become point-guard centric, shifting from big man dominance of the past. The dominant teams have dominant point guards (I know what you’re thinking, besides Miami). The Lakers also need a true wing player, that is versatile with a good balance of shooting, ability to take it down low and playmaking ability! At this point in his career Kobe is only a 2, with occasional flashes. He can still be damn good if his supporting cast, does just that, support.
Bynum and Gasol: their inconsistent play reminds me of one, Andray Blatch. NON-DEPENDABLE! You can’t have more than one head case on a team, that tend disappear in big moments, and expect anything more than a playoff birth. They had 3 (including Artest), who was more consistent than the other two (think about that for a second). I think having Bynum in the lineup, as good as he is when he is playing good, was counter-productive to the team, and Gasol. This team had no playmakers that they could lean on besides Kobe and Kobe can’t handle that load anymore. He needs to be able to share it and there was not a consistent guy to share it with.
I don’t think the Lakers need to “blow it up” as Magic thinks (see panic button comment below). I think having Kobe and those bigs is a damn good core to work with, but they need a dependable shooter and a point guard. I don’t think they need Dwight Howard, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him come. Go out and get a guy like Jeff Teague who is lighting it up for Atlanta, get Raymond Felton from Denver, doesn’t have to be a superstar (Chris Paul), and get a wing who can shoot and create and they will be right back in it (which I don’t want). They could have had Peja for virtually nothing for the playoff run and I think he would have been a difference maker (partly because he helped demolish them by shooting lights out along with Jason Terry). Perhaps the Lakers should trade Bynum while he will still command good value.
Let’s talk about this question you posed, “what exactly happened to the grace and maturity with which the Lakers always possessed?”
History is history and not always representative of the present–The grace can leave quickly when maturity takes a step toward older (Kobe, Fisher, and Joe Smith on the bench, really?) or maturity takes a step back to immaturity (Bynum, Artest, Gasol), which both led to this Lakers implosion. As nice of a ride as it can be when they are both intact, it can disappear in a blink of an eye. This is what makes all sports so intriguing. Like in business, you can never get comfortable with being great, you have to have vision and looking to the future, while the current product is dominating. The Lakers have fallen into a trap with Kobe’s expiring greatness while praying for the development of the next Shaq, Bynum. They have stood still while others are storming past (e.g. OKC/Chicago).
Finally, your post is littered with high brow, greed. No need to sound so depressed when your team is bumped from the second round of the playoffs. There are a lot of fans who would kill to have their team make it that far. Think Wizards fans (since you are surrounded by a few). Being a UNC fan, I am used to following a winning basketball team with multiple championships to their name. I hate when we lose, however, I put the situation in to perspective and don’t look for a panic button to hit. I will stomach a few blips in the radar here and there because I know my team will be back on top soon enough. The same will hold true with the Lakers as history has proven. Why should I complain? I have had my time and I have a great shot of more in the future.
An analogy could be taken from the current NFL situation, stay with me here. Me, a middle-classer (Dallas Mavs, Atlanta Hawks) is disgusted when I see NFL owners and players (Lakers and Celtics) arguing over a 9 billion dollar pie. Math lesson: 1/9 of that is 1 billion; 1/10 of that is 100 million; and 1/10 of that is 10 million. That would set my family up for life. It’s nothing to the rich, Lakers/Celtics. And, I am the middle, let’s not talk about the poor (Wizards, Cavs). Imagine what they think, they are just striving to get a fraction of what I got.
This leads me to my parting question, is it really that big of a deal that the Lakers got booted in the second round?
Let me answer for you, NO!
May 12th, 2011 at 10:56 am
One more thing, didn’t the Lakers’ last series resemble the actions of Allen Iverson you mentioned in an earlier post of yours?
May 12th, 2011 at 11:13 am
WOW I am bowing to you Mr. Falcon… As the Mickey D’s commercials say “…I’m loving it”
May 12th, 2011 at 11:48 am
Wow, I may need some time to digest and come back at you, David, and OMG you, Black Falcon…
David, you are predictable with your Lakers hatred. I expected more from you in that your arguments don’t really fly. Artest and Gasol (and even Bynum), “They are who we thought they were”… Inconsistent, Impatient, and Injury pone. That doesn’t spell out a championship team to me. And that goes for you, too, BF (Can I call you that for short?)…
You said you don’t know where to begin. And, neither do I. I think the best statement I read from you and that resounds with me is the general life principle, and one that is a chief concept to take note of and that’s, “…you can never get comfortable with being great, you have to have vision and looking to the future, while the current product is dominating.” Now, with the niceties out of the way, lets discuss a few of the things you mentioned.
I do like the history lesson… and economics lesson for that matter, oh and wait, I think I got a little math, too. But, what’s wrong with stability and reliability, and can we discuss the flip side of what you were referring to in tradition? All of these things make for the honor of being called a dynasty and hall of fame worthy. No, I don’t think the dynasty started with Kobe, but I do believe he carried the torch. These bammas (PG shoutout) aren’t thinking of the privilege it is to wear those colors when they commit a stupid and immature foul ’cause a defender comes down the lane.
My shock and wonder falls more into the realm of letting an opportunity slip through your hands like that. Odom said, after the game, that he has a lot, but would trade it all for this opportunity again. What! You had it and what did you do with it? This, for me, feeds into the fact of how ungrateful folks are for opportunity. How you deal in these areas announce how you deal in real-life matters. Now while I think Odom’s response was a bit much, that Hindsight 20/20 deal is what I believe is one of the most pronounced problems.
David, I’m not concerned with your agreeing with BF… Your hatred is for personal reasons and I’m talking in between the lines, baby. And with that mindset, you can’t do anything but give Kobe his props.
Now BF, I will echo your real talk about the hoppers (Wire shout out) and the aging players… I don’t think I saw Fisher at all during the post season and really wasn’t expecting to see him during the regular one. I don’t completely agree with your argument about the Lakers preseason; however, because their pre-season game has long been one to question. But, they always pulled it through in the end… Kobe has a lot of Jordan’s qualities and one of them is to isolate and call out his teammates who aren’t living up to his perfection-style ball play. I’m good with that… I was a fan in that he (Jordan) expected and if you didn’t bring your A game, he was going to call you out. And, he wasn’t asking for anything he wasn’t doing himself. I just think it boils down to what I started with… these young guys are not there for the pride and tradition of a thing. They’re there to get paid, get tattoos, and get a reality show. And while Kobe is aging and we can see that on the court, his work ethic is one that no one can put their mouth on, haters. Now, let’s see what James can do… I was never a hater of his game. I just wanted the gold (rings) to pile up before he was crowned the next 23. There is so much more to say, but let’s see where this will get me…
May 12th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
And yes, the actions were very Iversonic…
To bring together what I was saying earlier, I wanted to drive home about the Lakers situation, since this is a bridging the gap site resource, that emotions and how you allow them to rule you (reactions et el) is a sign of maturity. Let me share a brief story, I recall a young man, who was heartbroken by his college team not winning the big game… their color was representative of his attitude and disposition for days thereafter. With many trying to brighten his day, speak words of encouragement, and yes, there were those who gave him a hard time… He was still inconsoleable. Does that story sound familiar, BF? How does that story fit in your well-contrived soliliquy of sorts?
May 12th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
Oh, to be Great (Once More)… | Professional Sports – Top Professional Athletes’ Stories!…
Yeah, I’m feeling a combination of shock and wonder… I can’t help but be in shock about the literal break down, before my eyes, of one of the longest running and most prolific dynasties in American professional sports history. No matter how you feel (t…
May 18th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
VeRonda, first off like the site very much. Secondly, while I took to referring to you know who as “that other team in LA” because ESPN simply would not stop talking them up even though 15 other teams were playing…I want very much for them to regroup and be back in the hunt whenever they start ballin’ again after this year’s Finals. I think they will. No need to panic and make wholesale changes IMHO.
June 1st, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Thanks SA,
I’d prefer “the team formerly known as” as a suggestion for alternate names. Changes will have to be made SA, it’s inevitable. We’ll have to see if wholesale is needed…