But the game hadn't even started.
The players were just having fun and the fans in Los Angeles are loving it.
Jeanie Buss was recently posed this thought: There's something about this team that is very likable. Laker fans are having a lot of fun particularly with this roster. Not to say anything negative about those championship teams of the early 2000's, but it just seems to be more enjoyable than even those Shaq/Kobe teams.
Apparently Jeanie is part of that Lakers crowd. "I agree with them and I can't put my finger on it either," she echoed, "I just love this team. I don't know what it is but they're just lovable."
Looking up and down the roster it's easy to find endearing about each player.
Lamar and Pau are both talented, multi dimensional players who haven't been able to carry teams on their own but are finally in the perfect positions to flourish as complimentary players.
Sasha's on court passion borders on hilarity. His teammates teased him about a particularly warm embrace he gave to Pau Gasol during the Phoenix game, when cradled himself into Pau's bosom like a young child. His boy band appearance, over exaggerated expressions whenever a foul is called on him, and unexpected eastern European accent add to the charm.
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Farmar's a local sensation and is thriving. He's becoming the steady floor leader that Fisher was on our championship teams. And the fans love Fish. They 0.4 bucket, the charge taking, and his baby daughter's eye cancer story is heart warming.
Ronny's endless energy, Caribbean vibe, and big toothy smile make him Mark Madsen version 2.0, with better dancing and actual basketball playing skill. His impressive comeback from life saving open heart surgery makes him the most lovable Laker of all.
Speaking of survival stories, Coby Karl's bout and victory over cancer, coupled with him going undrafted has made him another feel good story. His little boy haircut makes him the team's little brother, and Lakers fans are rooting for him to make it in this league. They chant his name whenever he appears on the floor, despite very limited minutes. Those aren't KO-BE chants, they're CO-BY chants.
The fans don't chant Kobe's name. They chant MVP. Bryant is still a polarizing figure, but his youthful cockiness has been replaced with deserved respect even among cynics. Fans are excited for him to finally with his first MVP, a necessary milestone in a remarkable career.
Fans are watching Andrew Bynum's development with arrested fascination, although his big baby face reminds us that he's still a boy. In fact, this team's inexperience and youth is why we love them. The 2000-2002 teams were stacked with crafty veterans, but it's a different feeling watching players who have never done it before try for the first time.
We also love the quick turnaround. It was just four years ago that Shaq was dealt and now we're already back up top, right where the Lakers should be, no matter the generation. Lakers fans embrace the new look Lakers like Sasha embraces, well, everyone.
Kobe loves Mitch Kupchak, after publicly throwing him under the bus. The city of Los Angeles loves Jerry Buss, after publicly doubting his decision making. The players love each other, despite a training camp saturated with uncertainty. And Lakers fans, who have been spoiled by great team throughout the years, love their team, perhaps more than ever.
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6 months ago
wow this is an incredible read. as a longtime laker fan it's great to know that i have other laker fans out there who enjoy the game the same way i do. the nostalgia of past teams and championships coupled with still fresh memories of eliminations in the first round of the playoffs the past two years with a dash of excitement in wanting it all for the team because they deserve it, Kobe deserves it, and we've got the ingredients for something special. during trying times like these where the world is seemingly in turmoil we need to have darn lovable teams like our Los Angeles Lakers.
big up to this article
6 months ago
Great article
6 months ago
a 30+ year Laker - and NBA - fan here and I have to agree with the article. This group might not be the best Laker team of all-time, or have the talent of Magic-Kareem-Worthy-Scott-Cooper etc. But it is probably the most LIKEABLE Laker team. I think the fact that many of these players were drafted and came up together, and is also a charismatic group, the types of persons that most would like to have as friends, seemingly real down to earth. There are no ego trips, no squabbling for PT (playing time), no stat hounds. This is a real laid back team that seems to really like each other, as demonstrated by the number of times they rise from the bench during games to cheer on a good play.
One other thing, so many of this teams players have gone through one type of adversity or tragedy, from Lamar's son's tragic death to Ronny's heart surgery, to Fisher's daughter's eye cancer to Coby's cancer. Throw into it the fact that this is an underdog team that no one was picking to do anything, and Phil Jackson being a great coach that is almost 'grandfatherly' in some hip way that mixes just the right amount of witty comments and barbs at opposing cities / teams /players. Plus these players have stayed away from getting into trouble.
It's been a lot of fun rooting this team on, and it will be even more fun seeing these players stay together and grow as a team, especially if like many people are predicting they have a championship run(s) in them.
It's great to be a Laker fan right now!!!
6 months ago
PROUD TO BE A LAKERFAN! :p
5 months ago
pick of the day! pick of the day! pick of the day! GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!
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