I'm gonna say something crazy. At first I thought this thread was just going to be about Bynum, but having everyone chip in with players and moments they personally miss is really cool too. There was some mention of Odom and Artest. I could write paragraphs about how much I appreciated what they did for us, but I think all of us have a soft spot in our hearts for those players. So I started racking my mind for someone I personally miss who not many would think of ... and then I remembered Luke Walton. Hear me out, Luke's contract was crippling and on our championship teams, he was completely useless. But I just can't help but love the player he was during his contract year. He was such a great glue guy when he was at his best. I don't think anyone would deny that he was a very good passer with high basketball IQ, but he surprisingly had a good offensive arsenal aside from that. Before he got hurt, he was near the top of the league in 3PT% and he had a solid post game for a SF. I distinctly remember us feeding him in the post where he'd score for us with these little fadeaway shots from about 10-12 feet out in the Phoenix series. Overall, obviously he was one of the most hated Laker players in the past 10 years or so because of his terrible contract and rapidly declining play. I know this is crazy, and I'm mainly just posting this because I'm bored, but I can't deny it; I was a big fan of Luke's play in his prime (however short it was).
Another thing I miss is this... I grew up in PA, and I worked early and/or had school and/or kids to get ready early, so I often watched only until halftime of games. What I miss is going to bed with the Lakers down and not even worrying because we had Shaq and Kobe, and I knew they could get it done. Even the roleplayers on that team were awesome at what they did - Fish, Harper, Fox, and Horry weren't winning any awards with LA, but they sure won some rings.
This dunk by Bynum was also one of my favorites. Playing on one leg and giving everything he had during those runs. If he had health on his side, we would still be contending because he was THAT good when healthy. When he was on his game, there was no one better since Shaq.
I was just thinking about this yesterday, but I miss everytime Shaq would score with his left hand he'd just stare at his hand running back down the court...that was hillarious.
I would give you a double-like for this post if it was available. This transformation you described is the main reason why I have slowly become less and less interested in the NBA. I just can't root for all the uber-athletic, non-IQ superstars who flop their way all through the regular season and sometimes even up to the finals. I also miss Odom. Outside of all the things that were already mentioned, I always loved his play with Gasol, I have never seen two bigmen as skilled as these two play together, it was a thing of beauty when they were "clicking".
Aw man lol that's harsh! He was a smart player, just not all that talented. I also loved his voice. He's got a great voice for radio. Maybe as one of those breathy love-song people.
When Gasol got traded here, the chemistry between he and Odom was immediate. Watching those 2 on the court together was a thing of beauty. We really had a trio of extremely talented big men with Odom, Gasol and Bynum. We were really blessed as Laker fans. I guess now we're paying for it.
^ I was just thinking about that the other day. In a season that is over and done with when we have nothing to do but tank for a better pick, I would've for DJ to be apart of it and be given the green light. I'm talking at least 12 shots a night.
From this perspective we have a lot to pay for . for almost my entire time as a Lakers fan this team has been great and/or had Kobe freakin' Bryant in his prime on the roster. I miss Phil, his humor and how he dealt with the players and media. I miss Shaq calling the Queens Queens and then kicking their butts. I miss so many things... Did I mention I love this thread? I'm getting nostalgic
I miss Phil Jackson. We all knew he was as good as there's ever been. We had life before him and a short forgettable stint without him before he returned. But you don't truly appreciate him until he's gone and you knows he's never coming back to that elevated chair. And then to remind you just how good he was, we had to suffer through two of the worst coaches in the entire NBA and are now with one who the jury is still out on.
Phil's press conferences alone made him such a fun guy to have leading our team. Dang I miss those times.
^ he's always been a phenomenal sound bite even if it's at the detriment to the player he's discussing. I just wish he would've gotten into social media sooner and that social media was bigger, earlier. Would've made for some interesting times.
What's wrong with a 2 time NBA champion who shot 100% from 3pt land during the regular season in 2000?
