It has been quite an interesting beginning to the new year in Tinseltown, to say the very least. However, as we all now, the Hollywood glitz and glam is surely always to come with its fair share of drama. In the short week of 2011, Laker fans saw a still ring-less Mark Cuban fire shots off at 11-time champion coach Phil Jackson, who alongside girlfriend Jeanie Buss, playfully brushed it aside.
Ron Artest announced his yearly gripe with the head coach on how the media perceived him during post game interviews, which also ultimately fizzled. Kobe Bryant was the subject of criticisms from both Jackson and forward Pau Gasol, all having to do with his shooting volume. Many fans have been ready to abandon ship on the season, but to any seasoned Laker fan, we wouldn’t expect anything different.
Few Laker championship seasons have been completely free of contention and drama. Last year Ron Artest constantly butted heads with Phil while trying to fit in to the triangle offense. During the Shaq and Kobe years, their championship photos often camouflaged the growing tension between the two that ultimately ended in Shaq’s departure to Miami.
