I'm a Laker fan... I read LA Times just for the Laker section (don't live in LA) and most of the time I am REALLY disappointed. But usually I am disappointed with TJ Simers who seems to be on crack... I am sorry to say that, but there it is. Plaschke is usually ok...
That said, when I read the article you guys are referring to I was just stunned... It just seemed so off, so artificial and so
forced. I have no problem with Boston and neither do the Laker players. Kobe was talking after a practice yesterday that "most of us have known each other since we were 14, grew up together... there is no hate" (go to
www.lakers.com to check the video of yesterday's post-practice comments) and I think it goes like this for most Laker fans as well. Hey, the last time we played in the Finals was 20 years ago... You want to talk hate most Lakers would bring up the Spurs (freakin' Spurs... shake my fist at them) or the Jazz (now
that is a fan base Lakers and their fans can't stand).
I have no idea what Plaschke wanted to do with that article, but I for one lost respect for him after he wrote that. To tell you the truth, I am just in general sick and tired of all the "historical" references that the media is collectively salivating with. I watched Phil Jackson and Laker players give comments after their practice and the majority was about the historical significance. Jackson was interviewed for 5:33 minutes and only the last 15 seconds were about the actual match-ups... Same with the players... They asked Odom (was he even born in the 80s!?) about the significance instead of how he was going to guard KG!
It just all feels so forced... I think there is a level on which this is important (Boston with 16 titles trying to keep the Lakers with 14 from catching up to them), but on many contemporary levels this is complete media hype. And you know it fits so well with the current popular culture trends of trying to resurrect everything retro (from car designs, fashion to re-makes of popular 70s and 80s movies). But for me this is about the players themselves first... KG and Pierce wanting to prove that their stellar careers will be crowned with the ring and Kobe trying to redeem himself after years of being the public enemy #1.
P