Lakers vs Kings game 4, Horry's 3-pointer and my last palpable sense of destiny and lore that surrounds a team on their march towards a championship. I think that with each Laker dynasty that pass, so goes a chapter of memories-like a bundle a kindling binding together-stored away for those times when my soul needs a warm reminder of when times where better than okay.
The 80's were all about being a kid. From my elementary years and beginning of middle school, it was all about showtime! The fluidness and tenacity of Magic, Byron, Coop, Rambis, Kareem, and Big Games James was only over shadowed by their teamwork and will to overcome all odds.
When I was a lad, my mother remarried. It was into a Laker loving family that I currently call my own. Consider me a Mychal Thompson if you will or a Mitch Richmond as a kid. I joined something bigger than I was. I recall gazing up into my step fathers eyes with glee and mimicking his respectful applause for the other team as Lakers dispatched a western conference foe.
As a teen I recall being ridiculed for wearing an Eddie Jones jersey. Being a Lakers fan meant verbal torment and hazing from fellow classmates. But I stayed tried-and-true to my love and respect for the Lakers. My heart sank year after year as the Van Exel lead Lakers exited the playoff. Because at Long Beach Jordan in the mid 90's, you were either a Bulls or Orlando Magic fan. I could never sell away my loyalty for an single player, not even the, "***greatest" ever.
About the time Phil Jackson came to town I head off to serve my country. I joined the Air Force as a way to pay for school. I was an F-15 fighter jet mechanic in Okinawa Japan. I'll never forget the day I launched my jet out and came back to the break room to see Shaq & Kobe capture what would be the first of three world titles. It was a special time. As time went by and I later fought in Iraq, they fought with me and kept my spirits up. The '04 team was coincidentally the same year I left the military to continue my education. With the dismantling of that team came a shedding of my old persona.
For a few years, like the Lakers, I learned and struggled through life and its bitter lessons. It hasn't always been easy but I've always believe in my ability. And I know this Lakers team has suffered through the trials and tribulations of growing into their roles. But we got here.
I now am a comedian and write funny things on the internet and tell jokes for a living. Concurrently, this whole season I've hear Kobe describe the team as a, "loose bunch that jokes around a lot." It's funny, I'm not big on assuming familiarity, but somehow I think I know exactly what he means and how they feel. It's how I feel right now.
***How much is it worth to be the greatest player in a TEAM sport? It's like comparing how great your tires are on a car. Eventually they need changing if the car is to continue moving forward.