USC Football: 10 Reasons Why USC Football Beats the Lakers
When this assignment floated across my computer screen in the form of an e-mail almost a week ago I thought, "Whoa, this is going to be a tough sell."
After all, the Lakers were in the thick of a second-round playoff match against the Mavericks, and all of Los Angeles was locked in the frenzy of a possible "three-peat."
Talk about an uphill climb.
Then the Lakers fell flat on their face in a style that was both unexpected and frankly, embarrassing.
Now, just a couple days removed from the purple and golds ignominious exit, I feel better about what kind of reception this piece will get.
Before I receive any hateful comments, I should let you know I am a huge Laker fan, and their current plight pains me to no end.
But I am a Trojan fan first and foremost, and regardless of the horrible effort put forth by Jerry Buss's team, I would have attempted to make an argument that the Trojans beat the Lakers every time.
And here is why they do...
No. 10: Not Having a Reality Television Show about a Trojan Is a Good Thing
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Look, Lamar Odom is a great guy and usually an excellent player, but do we really need to crawl inside his everyday life?
For this writer, the answer is a resounding "NO!."
More to the point, from a results-based point of view, perhaps the distraction of filming this kind of expose` might have contributed to his poor showing in the Mavericks series which culminated with his being tossed for a flagrant two in the fourth quarter of the Lakers lay down against Dallas.
Though the quantitative effect of the TV show can't be ascertained, it couldn't have helped and will only lead to the conjecture that the Lakers didn't have their heads on straight this year.
Meanwhile, nobody is beating down Lane Kiffin's door to see how a typical day in the Kiffin household unwinds.
And believe me, that is a good thing.
No. 9: The Purity of College Sports vs. the Greed of Pro Sports
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I can hear the snickers now.
Some people are thinking, "can you believe this guy actually thinks college football is pure?"
Well, for the most part, yes.
Of course there are the bad apples.
The Trojans had the biggest "Granny Smith" of them all in Reggie Bush.
But for every Bush, there are 500 kids out there busting their butts and living on meager funds just to get through the week.
Meanwhile, the NBA has nationwide shows that feature such drivel as "I will be taking my talents to South Beach." while cruising around in a car that would take years for us to buy.
I'll take the kids, thank you.
No. 8: Cardinal and Gold Is a Cooler Color Combination Than Purple and Gold
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Since the Lakers are being bashed unmercifully, let's get on them about their "uni's."
Actually, there isn't anything really wrong with purple and gold, but for Trojan fans, even those who like the Lakers, nothing beats the cardinal and gold ensemble of the men of Troy.
Sports Illustrated recently ranked the Trojans uniforms as the ninth best looking in college football, and others have them ranked as high as fifth.
Personally, I would put them No. 1 but hey, I am biased.
Regardless of where they formally rank, memories of great Trojans and memorable games always include the iconic colors of USC.
And if the Lakers wore helmets, the Trojans would be cooler than those too.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 7: Football Is Just Better Than Basketball
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We all have our opinions, and mine is that given a choice, I would rather watch football than basketball.
Recently, a Harris poll survey had college football ranked as the third most watched sport in the country and the NBA sixth.
Now I understand that this does not specifically equate to Trojan football with Laker basketball, but it does reflect a general opinion of what people watch most.
And it ain't basketball.
Besides, I'm not even sure the Lakers were playing basketball against Dallas...
No. 6: Kobe Will Soon Be Gone
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Laker fans knew this day would eventually come.
Soon, Kobe Bryant will no longer be a member of their beloved team.
Already, his magnificent skills are beginning to erode and like it or not, he wasn't the unstoppable force fans in Los Angeles have become used to over the years.
Now the Lakers have been bounced from the playoffs, swept aside by Mark Cuban and his boys, and Kobe could do nothing but watch.
Laker fans will always treasure the memorable moments that Kobe Bean Bryant gave them, and no one can take the place of him in their hearts.
But all good things must come to an end one day, and that day for Kobe will be sooner rather than later.
No. 5: Lane Kiffin Stays, Phil Jackson Goes
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For Trojan fans, the notion of a long term of employment for Lane Kiffin is a welcome concept.
After all, lengthy employment in any endeavor is a tangible result of doing something well or being valuable in your vocation.
So if Lane Kiffin has a 10-year or more run with the Trojans, it means they have been successful.
And fans of USC fully expect Kiffin to be around for a very long time.
Not so with Phil Jackson. This is it for the "Zen Master."
Arguably the greatest NBA coach of all time, Jackson has said time and again that this is his last year with the Lakers.
Now the search for a new Laker coach begins.
Good luck Dr. Buss and Mitch Kupchak on finding another Phil Jackson.
You're going to need it.
No. 4: Trojans Are on the Rise, What about the Lakers?
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To be honest, the Lakers invited this conjecture about their demise by laying down in front of a national audience last Sunday.
In an instant, the mighty Lakers looked old and beat down as the Mavericks had their way with them.
With Dallas owner Mark Cuban revelling in the background, the Lakers could do nothing to stop the Mav's as their high screen offense worked to perfection.
Sadly, the lasting memory of this year's version of the Lakers was two flagrant fouls and the scowls of dejection from Kobe and his boys.
And unless Dwight Howard is on his way, expect it to get worse before it gets better for the former back-to-back champions.
The Trojans on the other hand, are climbing their way back up.
With one year of sanctions costing them a postseason bowl appearance behind them and a banner recruiting class coming in the fall, things are looking up for Lane Kiffin and his Trojans.
If the NCAA finally gets one right and reduces their unfair sanctions against USC, the rise will be even swifter.
Either way, USC's fortunes look better than the Lakers in the immediate future.
No. 3: The Trojans Will Be Playing Next Year, Will the Lakers?
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Regardless of what the NCAA finally (if ever) decides regarding the Trojans appeal, one thing that is for certain is that USC will be playing football in 2011.
This can't be said with any certainty about the NBA.
With a collective bargaining agreement set to expire, the chances for a work stoppage in professional basketball could be great.
Whether team contraction is the answer for the pros or some other form of viability from the owners standpoint will offered, one thing is for sure.
It will be a contentious and drawn out process.
And if the labor negotiations in the NFL are any indication, there may be no season at all in 2011 for the NBA.
And no matter how big a fan of the Lakers you are, if they aren't playing, they can't be better than the Trojans.
No. 2: Lakers Go Back Far, Trojans Go Back Further
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For those of you into history lessons, here you go:
The Lakers began their Los Angeles run before the 1960-61 season when dwindling attendance in Minnesota motivated their relocation to the West coast.
Now a 50-year run is nothing to sneeze at, and Los Angeles as a community was, is and always will be grateful for that move.
Indeed, a half century legacy of greatness is commendable.
But the Trojans go back further.
A LOT further.
Like 73 years further.
USC began playing football in 1888 when even leather helmets were an option, and the term "pigskin" was a literal phrase.
Thank you for the memories Lakers, but there are a lot more courtesy of the Trojans
No. 1: Trojan Tradition Is Like No Other
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I will be the first to admit that the Lakers have a lot of tradition.
With 16 NBA championships under their belts, the Lakers are tough to beat when it comes to heritage.
But for Trojan fans, no one has more tradition than USC.
Whether it is one of Howard Jones legendary Trojan teams of the 1920' or 1930's or John McKay's juggernauts of the 60s and 70s, USC football has the kind of tradition very few teams can match.
But if there is a team that could make an argument, it would be the Lakers.
I will grant you that.
But for Trojan fans, that argument would ring hollow.
That's one of the advantages to playing for 122 years. You stockpile tradition.
Especially if you are USC.
Conclusion
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As stated before, I am a Laker fan, and it pains me to kick them when they are down.
However, given the fact that the Lakers' dismal performance in these playoffs demanded some sort of retribution, it might as well be why the Trojans are just plain better than the "Lake show."
Always the optimist, I feel the Lakers will get back on track soon, but no matter how quickly that occurs, they will never be better than the Trojans.
Subjective? Sure. Biased? Absolutely.
But for those who live and die each Saturday with USC, it is simply the way it is.
So do the Trojans really beat the Lakers?
Sure, just ask any of us.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
