Does Jack know jack?
Last night, much of the Laker Nation was convinced they'd somehow smoked some serious crack, despite having no recollection of ever sucking on a pipe. But how else could one explain seeing one Jack Nicholson, a Lakers fan nobody can accuse of faking the funk, sitting courtside in Phoenix to cheer on the Clippers? For many a card carrying member of the Laker faithful, this sat worse than Lindsay Lohan trying to negotiate her chair after an 11th appletini. The only thing worse than bandwagoneers wearing newly purchased "Bryant" jerseys come playoff time is seeing a theoretically "true fan" putting his Ocho jersey in a drawer and throwing on a red afro wig. Such actions prompt cries of "unpardonable sin!" But does it actually deserve such wrath? Can a Laker fan, their team now done until October, actually hold his head high while yelling, "Go Sam I Am!" Would you be okay with it?
My personal opinion? No worries. The Lakers are hands down my favorite team in the NBA, but the Clippers have always been my runner up, other than a brief phase when my appreciation for KG made me a semi-Wolves rooter (unless they battled the Lakers, of course). I've always had some love for the Clips. Truth be told, there's not a ton to hate about them, especially with the Kandi Man now on the east coast. Dunleavy's a good coach and a pretty nice guy. Great young players like Maggette, Kaman, Livingston, etc. And as my MVP vote made clear, I certainly admire Elton Brand's game. But even if I didn't appreciate any of those elements, I still don't think there's anything about the Clips worthy of prompting Lakerdom fury. Yeah, there's a legit rivalry in the making. A few years (and a few heated series) down the road, I may snarl at Sterling's Soldiers the way I rooted against Team C-Webb/Bibby/Mr. Jackie Christie. But for now, I don't understand how a Lakers fan could truly hate the Clips. They've been too harmless. I totally understand why a Clippers fan would hate the purple and gold. The franchise has (rightfully) made anyone rooting L.A.'s "other team" feel somewhere between eighth class citizen and delusional masochist. It's enough to make you hate yourself, much less an organization in the same area code that's contintually flirting with dynasties. But a Lakers fan hating the Clips? Why bother? It's like a St. Louis Cardinals fan actually loathing the Cubs. Chicago's been to the playoffs 4 times since the first Reagan administration and remains powerless to the curse of a goat. They're hardly worth mustering up the energy required to hate them. And when it comes down to it, the Clippers are representing your city. They make noise. L.A. makes noise. Simple as that.
Unless you'd prefer silence, thank you very much. Many folks believe a Lakers fan roots one team and one team only. The Lakers. From the start of the preseason until the season ends. Then said fan goes into hibernation until Bynum and Wafer are suiting up for Summer Pro League. And if you did somehow justify rooting for a second team, it ain't gonna be no squad sharing quarters with the purple and gold. That's borderline incest, man! You wouldn't root to hook up with your cousin, would you? (And if you would, just keep it to yourself!) Besides, the further the Suns advance, the more street cred the Lakers get for losing to them. It's a lot easier for some to handle losing to the Western Conference champs than some clowns eliminated in the semi's. By osmosis, the better the Suns postseason, the better the Lakers postseason. Hell, let them win the whole thing. Yeah, it would really suck to see Raja Bell slip some bling on his finger. But if it somehow grants more credence to the Lakers' '05-'06, there's comfort to be had.
So where do you come down on all this. Happy to see Jack in Phoenix representing L.A.? Or pissed enough to toss out your DVD of A Few Good Men? Be sure to explain either opinion.
AK
It is a mixed emotions, but why not? it's still an LA team. The only problem is that LA fans like Jack might spread "Goatism" to the Clippers. It happened again last night before the 2nd OT, the Clippers were leading 3 pts. same scenario of Game 6, the game is on the bag presumbly Mike Dunleavy knew what to do because he has seen this a week ago. No worry cuz' Tim Thomas was fouled-out. OMG, if not Tim, it's Raja, the Squid again who tied the score. (that's what I mean, by switching allegiance, hopefully the Clippers will not get the Lakerian Flu!)
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 17, 2006 at 03:30 PM
Perhaps TNT contracted a few Hollywood stars to offset the fact that Doug Collins was the color man for the Clips games...
His bias against LA (Lakers or Clips, take your pick) is so blatant...he wouldn't know "Objective" if it landed on his head in the form of a 400 pound gorilla.
Blah!
Thanks for blog updates guys!!!
AC
Posted by: acjunglist702 | May 17, 2006 at 03:33 PM
eh, who cares. If I could afford to fly to Phoenix and sit courtside for that game, I would've done it too, good for Jack supporting his town.
Posted by: Kevin McK | May 17, 2006 at 03:38 PM
A little vindication from ESPN Page 2 on my well-known hatred of moving screens - Bill Simmons provides a list of changes the NBA has made to increase scoring over the past few years, and here's his #5:
"5. Referees were ordered to allow moving picks as long as the player setting the pick didn't stick a knee out to trip the defender."
"I have more than 200 games on DVD, including just about every relevant game from 1984 to 2004, and players were never allowed to set moving picks before last season. They had to approach the dribbler, come to a full stop, and remain still as the dribbler made his move. Watch an old Jazz game some time -- remember how Stockton and Malone were considered the masters of the pick-and-roll? Well, the Mailman held those picks every time. He never moved. If he did, they whistled him."
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060517
The only reason Phoenix is any good at all is because they use moving picks CONSTANTLY in their offense, and it's also the only reason Steve Nash is a force in this league (and it's no coincidence he's suddenly 2-time MVP the 2 years moving screens stopped getting called). I wish they'd clean that part back up, it really irks me as an NBA fan to no end.
Posted by: Kevin McK | May 17, 2006 at 03:44 PM
AK,
Jack was not there to represent LA or the Clippers for that matter. He was there because his friend a producer that won him two oscars invited him, that's all. IF you watch TNT's broadcast when they interviewed Jack, the reporter asked him if he was cheering for the Clippers, his answer was that he was there because he wanted to be there during half time to see if Chuck was going to say something to Kobe, he said "MY MAN KOBE".
Obviously he found an opportunity to defend Kobe, but he later said that he was there because he was invited, plain and simple. Now the Clipper fans are trying to say that even Jack is cheering for them, please that's not true. If you watched the game Jack was simply enjoying a basketball game with no alliances. I saw him when the Clippers were almost winning and he was like whatever and also when the Suns were almost winnig he had de same expression.
Obviously he was standing up just like everyone else, it was an exciting game. I watched it but that doesn't mean that I'm cheering for one team in particular. I'm just a basketball fan.
Jack's agent said today that Jack is an NBA fan not a Clipper fan. See how this hurts Jack that even his agent said he wasn't a Clipper fan or cheering for the Clippers, his friend invited him and he went out of gratitude that's it.
I only answered your post not because I care Jack was there or not, but because Clipper fans are taking this way way out of proportion. How desperate are they to have someone like Jack cheer for the Clippers?
I tend to believe that his friend took him for that same reason, to promote the Clippers and say look people Jack jumped in the bandwagon and he's a Clipper fan. But Jack didn't even mentioned the Clippers, the first opportunity he had he in some way defended his man Kobe. Jack likes basketball, not the Clippers. He is like many of us. I think he's a true Laker fan, but when the Lakers are not playing he likes watching games, just that nothing in particular about the Clippers. It just happens that his friends loves the Clippers and he invited him, that's why he went to a Clippers game.
Posted by: lakofan | May 17, 2006 at 03:48 PM
Everyone sports fan knows that there is a hierarchy. If the Lakers are out, you can cheer for the next in line. If that one gets eliminated, you can cheer for the next one in line. You just can't cheer as fervently as you do for your number one squad.
Posted by: Blind Worshipper | May 17, 2006 at 03:51 PM
Lakofan,
Okay, that explains quite a bit. I didn't actually get to see the broadcast, so that's news to me. And I appreciate you clearing up that end of it.
But let's remove Jack from the equation. If "Joe Average, The Honest To Goodness Lakers Fan" (who could seriously use a nickname, FYI) flew to Phoenix to root Clips, would that bother you?
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 17, 2006 at 03:53 PM
I have no problem with Jack at last night's game. Why should you care either? It's not like he traded in his Lakers season tickets for Clippers.
Heck, I'm cheering on the Clippers. It's a nice story in the NBA.
GO SAM-I-AMn and the Clips! By the way, that wasn't an 8 second violation!
Posted by: nyla | May 17, 2006 at 03:53 PM
again, i always chime in as the midwesterner who grew up a lakers fan but was never on the "inside" of this southland dynamic...
i do know this, the clippers are like the little brothers to the lakers, jack is the father of laker fans and it's like the father has abandoned his home and kids to go screw around with the hot and avaliable blond next door... i do think it's hard to "hate" them but for jack to fly out to PHX and cheer them on... that's kinda bandwagonish.
i can count the times (two) when jack flew out for one of our road playoff games* and jack actually used the words, "We'll be okay" when referring to the clippers... 'We'?!?!? when did all this 'We' mess start?
maybe b/c it's the summer and i officially have nothing to gripe about but imagined disloyalty from a hollywood type...
or maybe b/c i'm an outsider and am too passionate about my lakers, whatever the case, i can't understand a los angeleno serving two masters... pick thee now, forever, whom ye shall serve ... not exactly biblical, but i tried
and btw, clipper fans... don't they pride themselves on being the normal, anti-hollywood fan base? so what say you now about all these actors jumping on your bandwagon? feeling kinda laker like?
* - denotes road playoff games i can think of
Posted by: CBuck | May 17, 2006 at 03:54 PM
Hey AK and BK, though this has nothin to deal with today's post, but in the upcoming draft who do you guys think the Lakers will pick? I personally think that Dee Brwon would be a great draft for the Lakers but I don't know if that could happen. Can u guys give me an opinion about my pick too?
Posted by: Gui | May 17, 2006 at 03:54 PM
well darnit, lakofan... if i would've seen your post before i broke out my monologue it would've saved me a half hour
good info. i didn't see that interview, i just saw jack standing in the fourth quarter with his blue cardigan on and it surprised the heck outta me
Posted by: CBuck | May 17, 2006 at 03:56 PM
Right on, AK.
Nice for you to come out of the closet and admit that you're a Clippers fan.
GO CLIPPERS!
GO LAKERS!
GO L.A.!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | May 17, 2006 at 03:58 PM
Jon K.,
I never really considered myself hiding that fact, since there's no question as to my allegience when it comes to choosing one. But I appreciate the props.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 17, 2006 at 04:03 PM
" I still don't think there's anything about the Clips worthy of prompting Lakerdom fury."
I think you hit it on the head. Its just not worth it. When I was young and foolish I hated Terry Dehere. My friend said "DEHERE? WHO THE F CARES?" and I realized my error of expending energy to hate something not worth even pondering.
But I have to say it did not sit too well with me seeing Jack there. Im not gonna doubt his loyalty, so he can do whatever he wants to. But I'll just say that I wouldnt be able to do it. I couldnt watch any basketball for a week after the game 7. (let alone having trouble sleeping for 2 days!) I would not want to step into that crappy building and root for either the Clips or the Suns.
I despise the Suns now, so they cannot win. On the other hand, the crappy Clips winning will put them on the map, and then I'll have to look at a sudden rise of fake Clipper fans walking around LA. Thus, they cannot win either.
Dallas/S.A. shouldve beaten both these teams and met in the Western Finals.
Posted by: wiZo | May 17, 2006 at 04:11 PM
There's not problem with him attending a Clipper game at all. What's the big deal with enjoying a basketball game?
There's no way Jack is enjoying the Clips as much as a Laker game.
Posted by: York | May 17, 2006 at 04:20 PM
I would love to see the Clippers win this one. And I also think that they are a very likeable team. Sam Cassell really instills a winning mentality in these guys' heads.
Go Clippers!
I can't stand watching an average player with a terrible attitude (Raja Bell) get so much hype. He takes out our best player and his fans glorify him for it. THAT is enough for me to want to see the Suns go down in flames.
Posted by: Dan | May 17, 2006 at 04:25 PM
i have nothing against the clips. frankly i'm rooting for them to get past phoenix, so that cupcake and buss would take it personal, and get some help for the squad out of shame and envy. that's about it. clips have never been rivals, more like the lil' brother living up to the big brother. may be in time they could be rivals. so go clips, who cares! but only a loss by the laker could hurt me, or may be a championship by the heat.lol! go lakers go.
Posted by: emman | May 17, 2006 at 04:26 PM
Jack just probably wanted to see the Suns get their a**es KICKED!!!
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | May 17, 2006 at 04:32 PM
Who cares about the Clippers? I just wanna see the Suns get their a$$es kicked!
Nyla,
I agree with you... that was no 8 second violation. I timed it. Clock was started before Cassel caught the ball. Lousy officiating.
Posted by: SamII | May 17, 2006 at 04:37 PM
Personally, the season for me is over. I no longer watch, nor root for anyone, since my beloved lakers are done. However, it would be nice for the clippers to advance just cause they're doing something they've never done before. I too think Jack wasn't necessarily rooting for anyone, and if he were, I'd be okay with that. I know he's a lakerfan through and through, and watching the clippers play doesn't negate that (in my opinion), as long as next year he's still at courtside haha. It is great blog fodder though, props.
Posted by: Faith | May 17, 2006 at 04:47 PM
Yeah Jack Said Kobe is My Man And that The Lakers are his team forever. He was crossing his arms and shaking his no when Craig Sager Was trying make it seem like he was there to support the Clips. And Hell naw I'm not supporting the clips, I think im acually going for the suns a little. (Even though they are a bunch of hoto's).
Posted by: CJW | May 17, 2006 at 05:00 PM
I'd be pissed to see the Suns anywhere near the Western Conference Finals. To hear that freaking bell's name again for another series is just plain torture. I don't mind the clips, since they are in LA. Why don't we try to swing an Odom for Brand trade?
Posted by: Dave Chen | May 17, 2006 at 05:04 PM
AK, Lakofan,
I saw the interview, well you can't really rely on the response of Jack. Knowing him on his famous lines in one of his movies: "You cannot handle the truth." - Here, he was looking for a way out on this bandwagon image. He was not invited to join in the station where Barkley, Smith and Johnson are doing the commentaries, so it was just an excuse. By the mere fact that he accepted the invitation of his director in Phoenix, he was there to cheer for the Clippers to win. It has nothing to do with abandoning the Laker identity, it's more of going against a common enemy which is the Suns. Jack didn't change colors, while the Director was wearing a Clipper Jersey with a long sleeves covering it, Jack was wearing a skyblue sports coat.
I really don't have a problem of cheering our 2nd team in LA and yet I consider myself a die-hard Laker fan. Outsiders always find ways to intrigue us, cuz' where in NBA can you find two teams playing under one roof representing the same city? The fact is, if we can get back our Laker Hall of Famer, Elgin Baylor as our GM plus two Clippers namely: Elton Brand and Sam Cassel - that would be great wish upon a star!
PS. They showed the face of Kobe on TNT at 5:05 pm.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 17, 2006 at 05:05 PM
those damn phoenix suns! that damn raja bell!
it's good to see jack in phoenix supporting the OTHER L.A. team. los angeles will again be the city of champs!
SAM-I-AM! he looked so funny last night. he was smiling bringing the ball down the court until, PEEP! 8 sec violation...i loved his face last night! he was smiling then suddenly, frowned! haha! it was so funny!
*GO CLIPPERS!
Posted by: shaq_hater | May 17, 2006 at 05:05 PM
can anyone youtube the segments when kobe is on tonight? i got class. thanks-hopefully.
Posted by: kobefan | May 17, 2006 at 05:20 PM
Man when Kobe talks about the game...he sounds like Magic a little. Has he been taking Magic lessons? lol
Posted by: Faith | May 17, 2006 at 05:21 PM
Damn that Raja Bell!
Damn! I wished Mitch signed him last year.
Posted by: p ang | May 17, 2006 at 05:23 PM
As long as Jack doesn't start wearing anything remotely orange.
TAKE THE SUNS DOWN!!!!!!!!!!
GO LAKERS!!!!!!!
Posted by: befuddled | May 17, 2006 at 05:23 PM
The Piston's are disappointing. I had them winning it all. Now I see the Mavs and Miami in the Finals.
Posted by: nyla | May 17, 2006 at 05:29 PM
The LAKERS will always be the LAKERS and the clippers will always be the clippers.
LAKERS: 14 RINGS
clippers: 0 rings
I don't hate the clippers. It's indifference on my part. It's like when sucky atkins was on the LAKERS and gary payton too. I just don't care one way or the other. I don't cheer or boo them. The only basketball team that matters is the LAKERS. We are the NBA. We are the logo.
Posted by: MAGIC=GOAT | May 17, 2006 at 05:44 PM
Hey, Guys.
I hope you caught Kobe on TNT and heard his side on why he did what he did in game 7. Now I know that he's an intelligent student of the game. He recognized that Phoenix is not a team that can be demoralized by scoring a lots of points against but instead they had to be stopped in order to give the Lakers the best chance to win. Unfortunately they weren't able to do that so they lost.
Posted by: SamII | May 17, 2006 at 05:53 PM
Thoughts on some viable palyers...
If we want to stick to the 07 plan:
We should sign Toni Kukoc next year to replace Devean. He's a free agent and economical as far as salary goes. He's proficient in the triangle and can score off the bench. I know he's a little weak defensively, but the guy is a cagey veteran.
Sign Sebastian Telfair from Portland. This guy is an up and coming point guard. He just needs minutes and structure. His contract is also peanuts and can provide us w/ some speed and penetration at the point. I know he's a little small for Phil's liking, but we need someone who can attack at the point.
Sign Kareem Rush. Great shooter and familiarity w/ Phil and the Lakers. He would also cost peanuts.
If we scrap the 07 plan and go for broke:
Maybe we can make something happen w/ Boozer, KMart, or some of ther Knicks guards (Francis or Marbury)? I know some of these guys have a questionable attitude and/or an expensive contract, but Phil can deal w/ that. I believe any of these guys can take us over the top. With the right package of Mihm, Devean (sign and trade), Mckie, and some draft picks, we can make it happen.
What do you guys think?
Posted by: MAGIC=GOAT | May 17, 2006 at 05:55 PM
man, i liked tayshaun's game since he killed us in 2004
he's bringing detroit back
i'd take him on my team anyday
Posted by: CBuck | May 17, 2006 at 05:55 PM
Well folks the way LeBron and the Cavs are whooping up on the Number One seed Detroit Pistons, looks like Shaq and DWade need to get some advanced ring fitting.
Watchout Bill Russell,... FOUR RINGS for Shaq!!!!
you heard it here FIRST!!!
OUT!!!
The Truth
Posted by: Steven | May 17, 2006 at 05:57 PM
I hate Raja Bell.
I hate him like I hate Detroit.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | May 17, 2006 at 06:57 PM
steven,
they have to beat the red hot Mavericks first. They've amazed me.
Posted by: nyla | May 17, 2006 at 07:36 PM
The Mavs are playing great basketball as are the Cavs. In my 10 or 11 years watching NBA Basketball I've never seen the playoffs like this. Anyone no longer watching the playoffs is definitely missing out this season. There hasn't been a boring game since the Mavs-Grizzlies series.
MAGIC=GOAT,
I'd like to see Toni Kukoc in a Laker uni if they could sign him for the mid-level exception I think he'd be great. Toni's one of my favorite guys in the league and for those who don't remember Phil tried to bring him in back around 2000 or 2001
Posted by: Xodus | May 17, 2006 at 08:14 PM
Oops I said mid-level exception in my last post I meant if the Lakers could get Toni for the veteran minimum.
Posted by: Xodus | May 17, 2006 at 08:15 PM
I'm not even from L.A. and I always had love for the Lakers. That's my team since Magic, although I will admit when the Lakers were down until they got Shaq and drafted Kobe I was a Sonics fan all the way and remained that until the ugly Kemp break up. And I had love for the Rockets too. Had to when they were good being from Houston and all, but old Barkley for Horry and Cassell. Well I've hated them since then, I just stopped hating them when they got eliminated in the playoffs a few years back by the Fab 4. The year Wade was drafted I started showin love to the Heat and Lamar Odom, and also the Clips. Although Wade has become less appealing. He seems to have developed a big head playing with Shaq. Take note, you need a jump shot to have a big head. But I like Jaric and Q Rich was alright, but I really like Livingston's game and he's only going to get better. So while the Clips aren't one of my teams, I still got love for them. But I don't really like the Heat anymore. And it might just be cause I wanna see Kobe win it all again before Shaq, but whatever. Go Clips, they're the last team I like left. The Lakers were my only team this year and will always be my number one with the exception of those Sonics - Rockets years. Purple and gold for life.
Posted by: Rubin | May 17, 2006 at 08:50 PM
Kukoc is way past his prime. That would be a waste of the mid-level exception.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 17, 2006 at 08:58 PM
AK,
It would bother me a lot, I honestly don't like the clippers at all. I don't care if they are from LA, to me it doesn't matter. I could like many teams(as I do) like the pacers, the sixers, mmmmm I even liked the suns not anymore, after they showed their true colors against the Lakers.
I like watching a good game, but I'm sorry I just cannot like the clippers.
I find it dishonest to cheer for a team just because they are "good" right now. If you're a fan you're a fan through the good and the bad, you don't jump in the bandwagon just cause it's "in". That's my take on it.
Posted by: lakofan | May 17, 2006 at 10:48 PM
Jack what were you thinking?...
ima try, ima try real hard to not loose the respect i held for him...
Go Lakers
and only Lakers...
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | May 17, 2006 at 11:07 PM
RE: SAMII's comment that there was no 8-second violation. In fact, there was. The 8-second count starts when the team gains possession of the ball, in this case before the Clippers called timeout. So, when Cassell got the ball and started upcourt, he only had about 4-5 seconds left. The clock didn't start early. That's the rule, folks. A legitimate call by the refs.
Posted by: Chucky | May 18, 2006 at 12:03 AM
I'm not sure why there is a debate. Any person in here would have gone to the game in Phoenix if they got invited, got flown over, and had killer seats. The only difference is that Jack is famous. But I'm sure many will probably say they wouldn't go IF they were famous like Jack since he represents a Laker fan. I then say, stop worrying about what everyone thinks if you are a fan of the game.
p.s.- no on Toni Kukoc. no on K-mart (his game is one dimensional without J.Kidd). and no on Knicks guards... unless we want to just turn into the trailblazers
Posted by: fanofdagame | May 18, 2006 at 01:32 AM
lakofan,
"I find it dishonest to cheer for a team just because they are "good" right now"
Being a fan of a particular team doesn't rule out enjoying watching other teams/players play.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 18, 2006 at 07:41 AM
Wow.
Mark Heisler's article "Building Character" in today's Times is quite good.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | May 18, 2006 at 07:47 AM
exhelodrvr,
I know that there is nothing wrong watching other teams, I pointed that out, I love watching other teams, not the Clippers.
Posted by: lakofan | May 18, 2006 at 10:21 AM
Chucky,
Thanks for the clarification. I always thought that the clock started when a player receives the ball inbounds. I must have missed the inbounds play in all the excitement but I did note, however, that the clock showed 16 secs. when Cassel was still about 5 ft. from the half-court line.
Posted by: SamII | May 18, 2006 at 11:08 AM
Now I get it. I looked at the video highlight again and the Clippers had actually called a timeout after 2 secs. had expired. Dunno what the previous play was and why they called timeout after only 2 secs. - a Suns player tapping the ball out maybe. Cassell had only 6 secs. left to advance the ball after play resumed.
Posted by: SamII | May 18, 2006 at 04:07 PM