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Author Archive for Davey Da

The Pack is Back

Published by Davey Da on November 10, 2007 in Davey's Take. 30 Comments

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In ancient times, 1991, a great leader and teacher, Phil Jackson, observed that the nature of his team, the Chicago Bulls, was similar to a pack of wolves. Before Chicago engaged the rival clan, the New York Knicks, in playoff battle, it was Jackson’s task to band his team together and bring them to self awareness. Jax borrowed from Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book 2 and gave to each player, at the top of their Knicks scouting report, the following quote…

Now this is the Law of the Jungle – as old and as true as the sky;

And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk, the Law runneth forward and back-

For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.

That pack went on to create NBA legend, cruising through the playoffs, winning the 1991 NBA finals, three-peating twice.

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10 Essential Laker Questions

Published by Davey Da on October 26, 2007 in Davey's Take. 17 Comments

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The Lakers are at a crossroads. One troublesome fork with three main paths. On the left is the path of trading Kobe Bryant, keeping Andrew Bynum and the rest of the Laker party intact. On the right is the path of dumping Bynum and his potential future for a chance to win and win now. The middle path is the path of continuing forward, maintaining the current high tension conditions, hoping individual growth or minor additions will significantly improve the team. Which of these roads will lead to Laker treasure? How can we gain the necessary vision to reattain Laker glory? The crossroads we have come to is not a simple one, but here are ten essential questions to break things down and give the Laker situation sight.

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Body Up

Published by Davey Da on October 16, 2007 in Davey's Take. 11 Comments

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I can’t stand it. I can’t stand the not knowing. If this year’s Lakers team doesn’t perform up to an elite level Kobe’s outta here. Heartbreaker!

Jerry Buss warned him he’d break all our hearts. Kobe doesn’t seem to care. Hey. That’s ok. That’s ok. I’ve gotten through the tough times before and I can again. Remember that beautiful blonde in Santa Cruz? She didn’t love me. And I survived. I’m still here. Listen, I can start envisioning new Kobe-less futures now. . . Josh Howard. Zach Randolph. Luol Deng. The Lakers, we’re a good lookin’ team, right?

We won’t be alone. We’ll rebound.

It’s just the. . . the not knowing. I can’t stand the not knowing. That’s why I’ve devised a specific, scientific methodology designed to answer the most pressing question before us. Can the current Lakers climb to elite status fast enough to satisfy Kobe?

The answer has more to do with our own self-image than you might think. The methodology? A thorough, investigative look at one of our team’s least investigated areas. . . Body type. Yes. Body type. Only an earnest self-evaluation of the Lakers players’ physicality will enable us to scry into our teams’ immediate and long term future.

So let’s take a closer look. . .

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Ten Reasons for Faith in Laker Nation

Published by Davey Da on October 9, 2007 in Davey's Take. 15 Comments

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Kobe wants to leave us. We lost Garnett to Boston. We exited last year in the first round, again losing to the (more and more hated) Phoenix Suns. And here we are, dying for the season to start!

Behind the scenes Lakers management are still considering a major move. Mitch Kupchak’s line, however, remains the same, that the Lakers as currently composed can be very good. Guess what Laker Nation? He’s right. Get psyched, because here’s ten powerful reasons why now is not like then, and why you should share Kupchak’s optimism.

1. The Fish

Yes. Derek Fisher is back. Experienced. Heroic. Need I mention this moment from the 2004 playoffs. . .

How about Fisher’s dramatics in Utah. . .

For years now, Kobe has been forced into the role of one of the few elder statesmen of the team, the wise old man, the teacher, the mentor. That’s not Kobe’s natural strength, and now Fisher can fill that role, he’ll settle the offense, provide experience and triangle guidance. Kobe, meanwhile, can go back to being what he naturally is…a killer.

2. Kobe Giveth

Phil is moving Kobe back to the top of the key instead of the wing. This was his position for most of the Lakers’ threepeat. Defenses will have more problems keying in on Kobe. He’ll be more able to facilitate, find open shooters and thread the ball down low.

3. 26-13

This was the Lakers record last season before a rash of injuries crippled and plagued them. Down went Odom. Kwame, by seasons end, didn’t even jump tips. Luke got injured. Maurice Evans hurt his knee. Radmanovic went from injured in training camp to incapacitated by seasons end, and the Lakers went from an excitingly deep team to being stretched thin and ineffective. Now, the Lakers’ health is returning. They are excitingly deep once again. The forcast for this season? Look for another tantalizing start with a high probability of strong finish.

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