Lakers Nation: Top Teams To Beat
Originally Published March 12, 2010 America loves winners—except when it comes to sports. America loathes teams that preside over their sports like overlords. The Lakers, due to their history and prestige, are despised from sea to shining sea in America.…
Standing Up for Kobe: Cooling Off Yahoo’s Over-Heated Miami Fan
So, I’m at work tonight—working hard, obviously. During a moment of respite, I turn on my BlackBerry. I’ve been away from my phone for a few hours, so I need my CrackBerry fix. Naturally, I’m expecting to be flooded with…
Like It or Not, the Lakers Wagon Is Hitched to Ron Artest
Two summers ago, Mitch Kupchak had a decision: Trevor Ariza or Ron Artest. Both could bring what the Lakers truly needed (tough perimeter defense from the 3 position), but they were different players. Artest was seen as the better overall…
Why Aren’t the Lakers the Hungriest Wolf in the Jungle?
I can’t lie to you guys; for the first time since June 2008, I lost faith in the Lakers. The haters, they finally cracked me. I mean, have you watched the Lakers lately? First, they coasted out the gate. Then,…
The Case For Shaquille O’Neal Never Having His Number Retired
I know many in the Lakers Nation will read the headline and instantly think I am a moron. Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most dominant ever—a man who was the cornerstone of one of the most indomitable dynasties in NBA…
Phil Jackson, Ron Artest, and the Never-Ending Quest for Motivation
I can’t lie: I miss the old Ron Artest. The guy swigging Hennessey at half-time? Sounds like a guy I’d want in my fox-hole. The guy whocan be enraged to the point of starting a brawl in an arena of…
Another Christmas Beat-Down. Another Ripple in the Ocean.
I think my Heat-Lakers experience was summed up with Mario Chalmers, of all people, dropping the dagger into the sternum of my favorite sports team during a game I had been anticipating since LeBron James dropped his own jewel-hilted dagger…
For the Lakers, the Sky is Most Definitely Not Falling
When I was a freshman at the University of Montana, I used to hate my life when it involved waking up before noon. If it happened to be cold outside, and I was up before noon, I hated my life…
Sweeping Generalizations Made Off 48 Minutes of NBA Basketball
I'm getting good at watching Lakers basketball. I was doing some school reading during the start of the game and it didn't take me long to figure out what I was about to see. The Lakers started out sharp and…
The Lessons of Trevor Ariza, As Taught By Mitch Kupchak
(Note: In the original publishing of this article, I wrongly wrote Ariza was acquired by the Lakers in February of 2008. As pointed out by our readers, this was incorrect. Ariza was actually acquired in November of 2007. I apologize.…