Bitter Laker fan rant

[LakersMC]

This is in the LA Times today.
At the same meeting, as questions flew about Bryant's presence and Shaquille O'Neal's absence and the wayward direction of the franchise, a season-ticket holder demanded Kupchak's resignation, citing the O'Neal trade to Miami as probable cause.

The Heat finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference and O'Neal has a strong shot at adding another league most-valuable-player award.

"It will be a real tough nut to swallow if they win the championship," a Laker official said. "It would be very, very difficult for this franchise after the trade and everything that went with it."

The thing that is ticking me off the most is that no one in the Laker organization will ever admit that they were wrong for trading Shaq. Just admit it!

It's pretty obvious that they realize down deep that they made HUGE mistakes.
- Wanting Phil Jackson back is pretty much admitting they made a mistake in letting him go.
- Saying Kobe gets no say in the coaching choice is pretty much admitting they made a mistake in letting him run the team.

But I don't see anyone saying anything about the stupid Shaq trade. At least Shaq has calmed down on the pot shots. On a tv special in LA, he said "Those were the best 8 years of my life."

I'm rooting for the Heat to win it all. Go Shaq!!!

[WilyWestbrook0]

It's unquestionably been a tough season for Lakers fans. I hear you about the Shaq thing - another thing I have found annoying is how Kobe always dodges big questions in interviews by saying hackneyed nonsense like "it just makes me stronger" or "it's another obstacle for me to overcome" - Kobe just cannot admit that he's made some mistakes and suck up to it. It's not all about him, but he doesn't seem to fully realize that yet, even after everything. It's rather sad because he appeared to have his head together earlier in his career - I remember having a web site for awhile called Kobe's Finest - but a lot of fans have long since grown tired of how he's acted in the last couple of years. A great player, yes, but his perspective and priorities are all wrong.

Ex: I remember him saying he didn't want to be a sidekick, that he wanted to win a scoring title. Well, he's no longer a sidekick, but he hasn't gotten his scoring title yet, lol. And for all those who thought Shaq "stifled" his game, just look at Kobe's turnovers this season compared to the last one, and look at how Dwyane Wade has "suddenly" improved so much this season as an overall player. Anyone who has played organized basketball at ANY level as a guard knows that dominant centers actually make it EASIER for the guards to get open looks, not force things, and conserve energy on defense.

[cardshark]

Go Heat! Love the NBA Playoffs!

[LakersMC]

Kobe just cannot admit that he's made some mistakes and suck up to it.

I read ya, JammingJames23. On Friday when the Lakers cleared out their lockers, Kobe was asked if he had any regrets this season. His answer was going after a rebound vs the Cavs (when he tweaked his ankle). He's in denial.

BTW, your posts (incl. this one) are well written. The only reason I mention that is that I'm used to seeing shorthand babble like: thnx 4 ur repli 2 my thred. I think it was your use of the word "hackneyed". I'm gonna have to look that up one day. Haha.

[WilyWestbrook0]

LOL, thanks. I am a dedicated English major. Apparently, my erudite habits are manifested perspicuously, even in colloquial forums. ; )