Sishir Chang: You are correct: This should be in the D&D. However, that was a lucid and thought-provoking analogy. I, for one, appreciate the sentiment.
As an international citizen and a basketball fan, I gotta say, lot of the points in Shishir's post are true.
In a recent LA radio inteview of James Worthy, the host talked about how the Lakers were able to avoid the dangerous Dallas team by getting the division title. Worthy replied, "Since when do the Lakers try to avoid anybody?" I understand his point that trying to avoid certain opponent is a weak way of thinking. But the resounding pride in that statement again invoked my hatred toward them. Unlike college teams, pro dynasties are supposed to be cyclical. College teams can keep on attracting good players thereby continuing a long winning tradition. The pro system is design to balance the league's powers. The Lakers, however, take it for granted that they can get star players whenever they want simply because they are the glamorous Lakers. In other words, they are above the system.
You are implying that Houston is like Iraq and Yao Ming its information minister. Who the hell is the Rockets' Saddam Hussein? I declare you an enemy.
Yes America owns the world because they dominate at the Olympics. Whoever dominates at the Olympics owns the world. It's been written. The only reason I can think of on why people hate the U.S. is because they are jealous!
Dude, great point, I didn't read your post because it was too long but I think I know what you are talking about.
Shiites hate the Sunnis and kill them. Sunnis hate the Shiites and kill them. US comes in and unites the Shiites and Sunnis in hating and killing those from the US. Then the US leaves so the Shiites and Sunnis can go back to hating and killing each other. Same with the Lakers, they unite all other NBA fans in hating and trying to kill them. Then they go away and we can go back to hating and killing each other.
Thanks alot. I really appreciate that. I hope you remember this when I put up some really stupid and dorky thread in the future like "The Rox would be so much better if John Amaechi was still here."
Would that be JVG or CD? As for information minister Yao's already got to play, so maybe he's the Chemical Ali but I will gladly nominate myself to be the Al Sahaf of the Rox. The Rockets have defeated the Lakers already and have already defeated the Spurs and the T-Wolves. Or should I say the Slurs and the T-unclean infidel dogs! We have already won the championship!
Rick Fox's thugishness? I'm guessing everything else has been discussed, so i'll talk about this. Since when has Rick Fox been considered a thug? The guy is probably the most metrosexual basketball player ever. I'll bet his hair gets salon treatment and I'm sure he gets facials.
lol its freaking basketball. and even though you feel that the lakers are arrogant and cocky, they are pretty well loved abroad.
I agree with you, and I have gota say, I am tottally surprised that there wasnt some kind of uproar in the bbs.
Why hate that statement? The Lakers are one of the favorites for the title this year. Should they come out and say who they would rather not play or should they decide to man up and take on any opponent? I didn't really want them to play Houston and SA in the first two rounds. Dallas and Minnesota probably would've been easier, but to their credit, they went for the 2nd seed like they didn't care. Re: the farm system - It's hard to argue that there's not something to their power to attract considering that Kareem and Shaq both wanted to go there during the prime of their careers. However, no one was pissing and moaning when all they could manage a few years ago in free agency was Samaki Walker. It's when Payton and Malone come for the same money that opposing fans get their panties in a bunch.
Americans have no class? That's great. For all the stupid things Shaq has said, he's been a great citizen to the community, throwing fund raisers and donating time and money to children's groups. Shaq likes to cry, but it's basketball. He's won some championships, what more do you want from him? The hype: Kobe was hyped, but what has Grant Hill won? T-Mac? Vince Carter? Lebron James? These supposed Jordanaires recieved just as much endorsements and coverage. Kobe's the only one that has rings. That is a fact. Everything else are excuses. Would you buy Tim Duncan's shoes? Are you such a great Tim Duncan fan, or was that a point to fill in? Just because you might not heavily follow into endorsements doesn't mean the buying masses have the same preference. Shaq had the endorsements, a rap and movie career before he went to LA. Unlike Jordan's twilight years, Shaq's coverage has gone down in LA, not more. Malone and Payton came to La to play with Shaq, not because it's the Lakers. If the supposed Lakers made it through cash, glitz and glamour, why are the Knicks the Eastern Conference powerhouse? The Knicks outspend almost every other team including the Lakers; they're located in the media capital of the world, and they have a decent history and a world famous arena. Oh, but the Knicks shall win the next lottery.... The Lakers are arrogant, but they have been managed well enough to win championships and cheat a rebuilding cycle. So following through on your analogy, you can't use stereotypes to base your opinion on something.
