Ho, ho, ho? Fans more embarrasing than Lakers
At least Lakers fans aren’t known for being “soft” any longer.
Now they’re simply childish, impatient and spoiled.
The foam-finger frivolity at Friday’s game was the most ridiculous fan behavior I’ve seen in six seasons of covering the Lakers. If not for Philadelphia Eagles fans infamously booing Santa Claus, this would be the lamest holiday hijinks in sports history.
True, fans didn’t throw paperweights. Instead, they heaved their pride. On Christmas, no less.
As my brother, Chris, pointed out, those foam fingers came from the expensive seats. The promotional items were about 14 inches in diameter and probably weighed six ounces. Any flings from the upper deck would have landed harmlessly in the laps of Boss-wearing, Coach-toting well-to-dos. It was up to the wealthy ones, the privileged few thousand, to throw them from there.
(Full disclosure: My mom was at the game, sitting about 25 rows behind the basket by Cleveland’s bench. She didn’t throw any foam fingers. She had already left the building, which she was entitled to do because of the staggeringly poor effort put forth by the home team.)
Let’s not forget the fools who threw plastic bottles onto the court. I mean, really? Has society gotten this angry? Hopefully those people pay stiff fines, even if $1,000 is what some of them make in 30 minutes of work.
Lakers fans will blame the refs. Or maybe their team’s sad effort in a totally one-sided loss. Let’s not be silly. If you threw one of the foam fingers on the court, you’re as lightweight as the promotion itself.
--Mike Bresnahan
THE Most Valuable NBA Franchise: $$$$$$$ The Freakin World Champion LA Lakers
The Best Team – The Best Owner - The Best Coach – The Best Player – The Best Blog
Sat dec.26, 2009..- LAKERS VS. KINGS
The Force is Unstoppable - The Lakers are Unbeatable - The Rings will be Uncountable
*
Good Morning To: Sir Charles(The Soul of LakerNation) & LakerNation (Rulers of the NBA)
JustAnotherMambaFan(Head of Mamba Clan)Jon K (Blog Undercover Agent Supreme)
SegeBoy aka Taliq (Blogs SHERIFF) - utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER (Blog Chaplain)
SBPimp & tSBPimp Twins.,OutLAW & Baby OutLAW, Mini Banner Holder & Holderette
The Morning “CRUE’ ( LakerTom, phred, Rocky, Dave M., #4, Rick Friedman,Faith, pAng
Edwin Gueco, HugoBoss, YellowFever, HBMatt, EastCoastJessie, Zaira-Amaterasu, Otis
Floyd, YellowFever, KB-Blitz, WesJoeNixon, Thirty2, Benjamin, Oucchh, Exhelodrvr )
WELCOME TO: LakerBullDog, HectorArtM, SHA, SZ, JMIOFF, JIM, SCOTT, TONI,
Gary WhitAcre, CERVEZA, AllNET, MoonStar, KARL, ASPLATO, Mr.Terrific. Joe Smith.
Scott Lowe, JBW, JWALK, DJ, DOUG,
*
http://tinyurl.com/ya28eu9 - Kobe Jumps over speeding Aston martin
http://tinyurl.com/9sz6h2 - Bynum Dunks on Shaq
*
ONE LOSS 2.0
One loss does not a season make, unless as a Laker Fan you are a fake
What did you think you'd win every game, cmon now don't be that lame
An off day happened on a big night, Aint no need to get all up tight
The Lakers are the Lakers & Phil is Phil, when it's time to win the Lakers will
This was the Cavs. Superbowl, For the Lakers this Christmas thing is getting old.
How many Christmas's do they have to play, before with their family they can enjoy a day
Darth Stern that %^%$$^ did it again, He sent his FREAKIN hitman Ref's In.
But I'm not blaming Ref's the Cavs won. They won one game now let's MOVE ON!
As someone said we have bigger fish to fry, So on this win let the Cavs. Get high
They won’t get out of the East you know, While the Lakers continue with Dybnasty #4
well that's about it until Chat I'm thu, I'm Mamba24 Happy Holidays to you.
*
We Got This & We Want More! Nothing but another title will suffice.@ JustAnotherMambaFan
*
No matter what universe or alternate reality I’m in I AM A LAKER FAN!! @ LAKER LASS
*
*When Kobe (Bryant) or Pau (Gasol) or Lamar Odom are initiating the action, it's different than anything you've ever seen anywhere else in the NBA @ Jerry Sloan
*
Its simple: Our boat doesn't get rocked as easily. @ #4
*
The target on our backs may be getting bigger but the bullet holes we leave after games are
leaving massive exit wounds...@ Thirty2
*
History repeats to the same patterns, but evolving from them to a more perfected reality, round after round. So we are the same: just better than last time. And we are getting better with every step more we take within the future. @ : ZairaAmaterasu
*
What Do We Play For, More Rings!!! @ Jon K.*
*
ROLL CALLLLLLLLLLLL:
(1) FAITH, BOB, LakerTom, #4, Keifo,, Charles, EdwinGueco, Fatty, JonK, SegeBoy, Tha-SHow
WesJoeNixon, Xodus, SBPimp&Twins, EastCoastJessie, Dice8UP, RDLee, VMAN, Rocky, BD
Jay Jay, utzworld_THEBANNERHOLDER, AmazingHappens, SixOneZero,THeD. FEARLESS,
OUTLaw, BabyOutlaw, EXHELODRVR, JustAnotherMambaFan, OTIS, FLOYD, EJK, P-ang, TP
LOLO, STARGAZIN, MIKE T. BronxLakerFan, Yellow-FEVER, phred, TheHoopsFreak(PIG Miller)
David-WHANG, Never, Troy, Zen, Bozz, TSphere, KB-Blitz, THIRTY2, TOM-K, OUCHH, KOREY
Tim-4-Show, The-Lake-Show, LakerBandit, Jester-GURU, ZAIRA-AMATERASU, GENERIC-ONE
Rick-Friedman, KIWI, Laker-MAN-420, PSYCHED-LakerGirl, LakerGurl, Laker-LASS, Eagle-BOY
LakerLarry, LAKERSth, PSLakerFan, TOAD, HARIYAHU, CORNER-J, DAVE M, Tom-DANIELS
JamieSWEET, Zakee, JOHNNYP, Mr.NANO, OPHELIA, CAPS-GOOGLES, BENJAMIN, RIZZO
Comptons-Finest , Cali-Philosopher, CBuck, WeaveMan, HugoBoss, Justa-Laker-Fan, OMEGA
AngryLaker, LakerJustice, LakerTruth, LakersRydeOrDie, Anna-IN-Bondi, 2PHATT, PFUNK36
SFLakerGirl, BocaLakerGirl, SimiLakerGirl, LakerGirl1980, HoustonLaker-Girl, VA-Laker-Girl
SAMLL, Nemia-Faletogo, Bonez, RockinDA-300-Section, THE-INFAMOUS-EL-GUAPO, IGGY
FREDDYP, Laker-HOLIC, ChickNSTu, TOM-K, HOUSTN-LAKER, FKILLAH, HOBBITMAGEe,
BAYwood, Complex-BROTHA, t-SENSei, PUDDLE, PASSIONATE-Laker-Fan, WALLACE
HELLRaiser(certifiedmambafan), Let’sGoL’s, TWoody, TMELT, JUSTIN, GRAIL, JQ, HUBIT
LongTimeLakerFan, MayorOf-KobeTown, LAKER-Mike, Wondah-BAP, KOBES-Bad, LOTEQ
JANAYA, ISSANG, Laker-Guru_From_India, HUGO-in-SPAIN, LEONARD-Bast, NEWSC2
MrBarneyDangles, JANDRO, She-Kobe, JCool, JayDen24, SNAKE, Laker-In-BC, JEFE101
WhiteMamba24, BlackMamba24, FanOfMamba, Mamba24Fan4Life,KT,SONNYBELFAST
ChristopherBlake, Purple&GOLDRein, Purple&GOLDForever, HUMANOMaly, TMELT
LongTIimeLakerLover, Kobe-Fan-in-CUPERTINO, HBMatt, ERIC-M, LAKER-NORTH
NAJA-aka-BONUS, JONINin_JAPAN(InCanada), DEXTAH, CHEMA, RIDING-PINE
TULLY_Moxness, PAUL-Lee, The-Dude-Abides, LAFan88, PIPOY, BANGDANGVN
Lionel-Hill, Red-BLuff-Pete, JIM-Joyce, GENERAL-HOOPER, BUTLER,
Laker-Dawg, MIKE-Floss, Pkin-the-MESA, NBA4Ever, Laker-FAZE, LAKERBULLDOG
LakerLEGACY, DaveROSENZWEIG,Stay-Thirsty-My-Friends, Laker-Down-Under, t
Rhon SALMON, TruLakerFan, VIOLATER, B4HOOPS, HE-Who-Hoops, Parker, TEEJ
LAKER-Hopeful, LakerBAKE, ALEXHIN017, Staples24, TSIRY, SCOTT, BRANDON
Dan-The-Man, BLAZE1BX, BZAR, KENE-Slow, Head-MBanga, CHRIS-H., Epic-Mess
S_TAN, MICHIGAN-Laker, CHICK_4EVER, CNZ, XTRO,KAT, DAVE-in-HillsBorough
CACTUS-Berry, Outsider-GUA, LAL-Fan, RAFANICO, DJ, WILL-in-Seattle, TINIDOR$
LAKALover, AFRO Joe, Drew_Pau_Kobe, CALI-KING, KARYNANAR, Marty, Mitchell
REALITY-Bites, REALITY-Check, Chi-Town-LAKER, Dan-In-ChiTown, John-MORRIS
Vi_Laker_Fan, 1978, Laker_FAN24, DK, Bobie, ROGER-B, TCB427, JACQUELINE
70’s LAKER_Fan, Linda PINEDA, Lakers-World, Drew-Pau-Kobe, SCHLIEREN, TIKI
Laker4LIFE, East_NYBoer, Lake-Show-Sam, Marky-THE-Arky, Loi-REYES, SLO-Gal
Laker-Fan-In-Canada, DOC4daLakeShow, GDCHILD, NINOY, TITEJ,LAKERS-World
BerkleyLaker, SMOOTH_D, MCGarnagle, DOWNTOWN-Laker-D, TIFFANY, TODD
EMarcheseWriter, C.Santana, Brian Aufderheide, BYNUM-FOR -STARTER ChinaLake,
James Katt, Disco Vietnam, PsyCorp, Mark, Riding Pine, LakerFaithful72, SIVA, HTP
Alan, DMC, Laker- Rus Styles, LakerFanInOregon, EastBayBullDog, ERIC M., RICH B
HectorArtM, ChrisVasquez, (You-Ever-NOTICE…> Holding The Line Against CHAOS)
*
ALL TOGETHER NOW –
We’re the World Champion LA Lakers , we’ve won 15 Rings
10 of the 50 Greatest players played under our wings
We’ve had 3 Laker Dynasties and now are starting on 4
That’s 2 better than any NBA team ever had before
The best Winning Percentage in History, yeah that’s true
You want Hall of Fame Coaches, Check it, we’ve had two.
We got the Finals MVP, You know the Name Kobe Bryant
He scored more points than an entire team without even trying
He scored 81 points in a game & could have scored more
But number of Rings not number of points is what he plays for.
We got The Logo Jerry West & The Great George Mikan
The smooth one Elgin Baylor & Magic Johnson the Icon.
We’ve had great centers like Shaq, Wilt & of course KAREEM
Great guards like Worthty, Silk & Goodrich played on This Team
Karl Malone & Gary Payton, A glove & Mailman we just leased
A 10 time Title Winning Coach who mastered Zen in the East
Chick Hearn the Legend, Broadcasted our Lakers Games
Now he’s Broadcasting from Heaven & is in the Hall of Fame
We got Sports Winningest & Best Owner, Thanks Dr. Jerry Buss
We play for Rings & Rings only , which is why all teams fear us.
That’s just a summary of our Resume, we don’t talk we Do.
We’re The Freaking Champion LAKERS, Who the Hell are You
Posted by: mamba21 | December 25, 2009 at 02:39 PM
Posted by: MAMBA24 | December 26, 2009 at 11:02 AM
I was shocked when I saw people start throwing things on to the court. From a fan's view I can see why they did it. They paid lots of money to see the game, the Lakers were expected to beat the Cavs easily according to us fans. The Lakers never pushed back so they fans were fed up. Plus the refs and LeBrick James showing everying how his life looked soo easy added to the madness. I was fed up myself watching the game, I couldn't believe the team was down 21 in the second, family members were telling me they will come back because they are the Lakers. But I had the feeling they were going to lose because the Lakers were struggling against weaker teams like the Bucks and Thunder. The Lakers really did not show up and as defending champions, these teams are coming out every night to knock them off. Hopefully this is a wake up call to the bench, they need to start picking up some slack. They have to start making points because it was a disappointment seeing Kobe Bryant play the full fist half, trying to get us back in.
Posted by: Javier | December 26, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Mamba24,
Just what Laker Nation needed to bring us back to earth after a disappointing loss. Thanks for being the voice of reason and bringing us back to center.
Posted by: HoustonLaker | December 26, 2009 at 11:22 AM
You guys have to make up your minds - the fans finally get into it and now they're spoiled. I'd be sick if I paid that much for a game and then got that kind of effort.
And you mom is no fan for leaving the game early. That's no fan! Just like the other rich snobs who left the Bucks game early.
We want fans who stay the whole game and cheer on the team until the end. Screaming their heads off - not sitting on their hands in silence.
I was glad to see them finally wake up in Staples and show some emotion!!!
Fans should not have to pay that much money and then see a pathetic game like that.
Posted by: Ventura Highway | December 26, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Mike Bresnahan,
It seems that you are not a Lakers fan. Annoying.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | December 26, 2009 at 11:40 AM
You're right, the fans were horrible and displayed poor sportsmanship, but I have to say, you have a double standard here. You say its ok for your mother to leave the game early, but you condone fans being upset and throwing foam fingers onto the court.
At least they stayed the entire game to support the Lakers.
While your mother is probably a great woman, and I am not here to take any jabs at her, I just wanted to point out that she could have stayed and supported her team from the expensive seats as well.
-B
Posted by: Brandon T. | December 26, 2009 at 11:52 AM
lumps of coal all around for Christmas.
I'm not too concerned BUT the tendancy of the Lakers to lose high profile games against competition doesn't make me feel very good. In year's past, when the Lakers were under-rated, they'd lose to terrible teams, but win 80% of their big time competition.
Now it's the other way around.
Hey, it's one of those mid season lulls - it takes a season to grow a champion.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | December 26, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Being from Akron but having lived in California the last 30 years and as a lifelong Lakers/Cavs fan I was more embarassed by the Laker players than the fans. Check out the replay of Kobe's cheap shot on Mo Williams during the game with no foul called. The only thing missing was a 2X4. It looked like he was trying to injure him. Does it get worse? Kobe usually gets the call because he's good but expecting a foulcall for driving into the Shaq brick wall when he's tatally stationary is sad. I like Lamar but he dropped a couple notches because of the way he expected calls while he elbowed Anderson in the face the entire game. I'll be rooting for the Kings tonight.
Posted by: Tom Bralek | December 26, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Ok, so how do you expect fans who payed a few hundred dollars per seat to react to such blatant favoritism by the refs? You can't get your money back, so might as well get your money's worth I say.
Posted by: Mayor of Kobe Town | December 26, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Once again, another clueless writer that has no idea about the booing santa and the story behind it. This was not an upstanding santa..this was a drunken, slovenly person trying to dress as Santa and that is why he was booed. Of course, in LA, you only get things 3rd hand like the third rate Newspaper you are. This was a shameful display by your fans. Admit it and go on.
Posted by: ebcinpa | December 26, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Enough of this "holier-than -thou" nonsense. They were FOAM FINGERS.
I was at the game and I saw ONE water bottle thrown and the fans quickly pointed that clown out and security escorted him from the arena. I didn't throw mine because I was in the cheap seats and I'm too cheap to just toss something like that away. I had no problem with other Laker fans showing how outraged they were at the officiating by tossing these peices of foam out on the court.
The officiating was not the only reason the Lakers lost, but it was certainly a contributing factor. Obviously the Lakers should have been able to ignore it and deal with the frustration better, but the overall lack of calls was silly.
A point had to be made about the officiating. Fans throwing a foam finger onto the floor is no reason to overreact.
And "At least Lakers fans aren’t known for being “soft” any longer" ?
That is one of the single stupidest things I've ever heard. How are the Laker fans known as "soft"? Do they refuse to take contact in the bleachers? Utterly ridiculous. It seems that you just made something up to make your post sound better.
I thought you were better than that Mike. I'm not angry. I'm disappointing in your silly little post. I know you don't care what I think, but I'm just letting you know that the fans that tossed their souvenirs don't care for your nagging arrogance either.
Posted by: Bizzle | December 26, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Unfortunately, I think poor sportsmanship is becoming the norm.
Fans throwing things onto the court is inexcusable. It could lead to dangerous objects being thrown. Injuries are problem enough that we don't need idiot fans throwing things at athletes.
Am I the only one who thinks it's unsportsmanlike to wave objects to distract the shooter during free throws? True, the players are used to it and probably not much distracted by it, but then why do it at all if it isn't trying to gain an unfair advantage?
And I've also wondered about whether noise from fans, shouting, cow bells, whatever, prevents players from communicating verbally about switching on defense or pending shot clock violations.
I don't want to think that home court advantage boils down to misbehavior by fans. In sports, as in life, do we want a win at all costs mentality or fair competition?
Posted by: James | December 26, 2009 at 01:02 PM
Just one question LA fans.......how would you feel if it were Cleveland fans winging water bottles at your "beloved" Lakers......we will be seeing you at "Q" . We realize that it probably was the action of one fan who did this and I hope you all realized that this could bring about the halt in bottled water and soft drinks at pro venues>>>>after that little display of stupidity maybe the NBA, NFL and major league baseball will institute the LA rule, no bottled anything of any kind on premiss. Thanks Again A Cleveland Cav Fan
Posted by: frank hubler jr | December 26, 2009 at 01:05 PM
Leave the fans alone, dammit! They were only responding to the horror they were witnessing at the hands of Dan Crawford, the bastard. People pay money to see a competitive game, not an embarrassing farce. I'm glad the LA Fans showed some backbone and pride. Where's it written that we always have to be polite?
Posted by: troy | December 26, 2009 at 01:07 PM
Mike Bresnahan.......
One thing a true fan should never and would never do is leave a game before its over....You stay till the end when you win and you stay when you get pounded...
My very old uncle who started taking me to football games told me that....
The very first game i went to,my team was getting thrashed and he said these words to me.."We stay here for the good times and we stay for the bad times as well"........Your team needs your support.....I dont agree with throwing things onto the court..That not on.......
You dont leave games.....FULL STOP........................
In good times and in bad......Entitled to leave.........What the hell is that from a fan...
Posted by: Thirty2 | December 26, 2009 at 01:08 PM
The fans have always to' support the team. Show that through chants and screams.
True fans don't leave the sinking boat. They stay till the last horn.
Pissed.
Angry.
Rebellious at a bad spectacle like the one of yesterday.
But they stay.
True fans though won't make Laker Nation look like a bunch of spoiler, immature, unclassy and childlish kindergarten attendees either.
Throwing stuff on court was hideous and made the whole night look like a nightmare even more.
Show your disappointment without being ridicolous.
Pricey seats don't give anyone the right to' put a shame on the Lakers name.
Yesterday that was done both by the team, and also by those fans Who think their anger can be' channeled in a stupid way, just because they pay.
Lakers team is better than that and so I hope the real fans Are.
Posted by: ZairaAmaterasu | December 26, 2009 at 01:10 PM
Hey, ease up on Bresnahan. He's not paid to be a Laker "fan", he's paid to be a reporter. And I for one am thankful he's taken on the extra duty to periodically share his views with us on this blog.
WE can be passionate, excited, supportive, crazy, angry, whateva. Mike's job is simply to call them as he sees them.
Mike, thanks. I think I speak for the majority of the long-timers here. Carry on.
Posted by: CornerJ | December 26, 2009 at 01:10 PM
I'm glad the fans did what they did. The Lakers and the especially the refs deserved that display. I know it's difficult to officiate game, especially with the pressure from all the fans and the players and coaches. But that was terrible. I don't know if it's me but every time a Joey Crawford led officiating team refs a Laker game it feels that it's almost a guaranteed loss. The Lakers were terrible. They continued to get out hustled and settle for outside jumpers. Their defensive rotations were late. Again, Phil Jackson fails to call timeouts to stop the bleeding, fails to make the proper adjustments, and fails to draw up an actual effective play out of a timeout. It didn't help that these refs were atrocious. I've seen better officiating from volunteer youth league referees. Joey, how about you and your cohorts go back to reffing those adult amateur or intramural leagues. You and the Lakers should be ashamed for that display yesterday.
Posted by: John | December 26, 2009 at 01:15 PM
Mamba24:
Outstanding roll call! Thanks for keeing up together, in good time and bad time. True Lakers fan would stay behind their team and of course, Kobe!!
I'll putting by purple & gold paint on my face during the game. My wife has already certified me as a Lakers's Lunatic so if I kick it up another notch, I don't think she would mind.
Wallace
Posted by: Wallace | December 26, 2009 at 01:34 PM
I agree, fans should not be throwing anything on court b/c lack of free throws, they should throw on their players for lack of efforts. Gosh, these guys are being paid 91M per year for that kind of Christmas bonus on National TV is unLakerlike. What more can you say, a loss is a loss and nothing can be done on it but to move forward.
Still, we lost by the small man's game, Kobe & Shannon was not able to handcuff Moon; West was on rampage on the perimeter and lastly, Williams was leaving Fisher and Farmar by 2 yard dash, so fast and accurate shooter too. Will Cavaliers make it to the Finals in the Eastern Conference? I don't think so and that's the irony of it. Lakers lose games b/c they don't take care of business as it is, they don't recognize the symptoms of their weaknesses and always have a lackadaisical attitude that things will just take care of itself. It is endemic with a fair weather attitude from fans, coaches and goes down to the last player.
It shows that they did not prepare for this game. They prepared for becoming a Santa but not playing on Christmas Day. Kobe was depending on Pau and Drew. The other two were depending on Kobe. The three PG's were all depending on Kobe. Kobe was fully guarded and the Cavs were all playing on zone clogging the lane, no Drew, no Pau give that credit to Cavs scouting report. Lakers don't have perimeter jumpers. PJ does not trust Ammo nor Sasha, so Lakers don't have outside shots and could not execute the inside games, therefore we lost. It is a simple as that. So why blame referees?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 26, 2009 at 01:51 PM
Oldtimers were welcoming SonnyBelfast in the previous threads saying that Kings are doing great this year. I looked at the standing, they are 13-15 hehehe, Sonny has been out of the country for quite sometime so he found some guiding light on those rookies and for going an OT against the CAvs. But to say that Kings is a good team, that's a longshot for this season. i would bet they will be behind the record of the Clippers once Griffin get into the game. After a terrible embarrassment on Christmas Day, they don't need RonRon to win against Sacramento. However, they can lost if they show no pride and play lackadaisical basketball.
Some were also against any trade at all on idle bench warmers. Hope we are convinced in the game yesterday. Lakers are not good enough from 1 -12 and have 20M worth of players as idle assets sitting on the bench. Jerry Buss will pay double for their pay for another 20M as luxury taxes. They did not help these starters so why not change them now with someone who can help immediately. The 2nd was the reasons for all our losses; the 2nd unit was the weakness of this team in losing leads against sub .500 teams. Fisher is old but he's the still the most reliable among the PG's. That statement is a huge problem that needs to be addressed to. That our best guard is not at par with the competition. If our objective is "repeat", the Lakers F/O should try beef up the 2nd unit, if the objective is to be in the top 4 in the league, then status quo is ok.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 26, 2009 at 02:09 PM
THEY WERE FOAM FINGERS!
WHY DO REPORTERS LABEL !@#& LIKE THIS WITH A HOLIER-THAN-THOU ATTITUDE?
The people sitting near the court expressed their displeasure by expediently returning their souvenirs in disgust of the performance and the officiating. No one could have been hurt by a foam finger. Even a plastic water bottle wouldn't do any damage were it lobbed in the general direction of another person.
It wasn't disco demolition night or anything. Get over yourselves reporters!
Posted by: TheHoopsFreak (a.k.a. Pig Miller) | December 26, 2009 at 02:14 PM
I actually enjoyed watching the Staples crowd react that way about ANYTHING.
I mean short of tight playoff games and Shannon dunks, we as a crowd tend to be less than involved with the game being played.
I'm not advocating throwing things per se, but rather acknowledging it was nice to see people caring passionately about the game, even if said passion was manifested in a childish way.
Mamba24,
any particular reason for me not being included in the roll call?
Posted by: Nicolas Cage | December 26, 2009 at 02:24 PM
I actually enjoyed watching the Staples crowd react that way about ANYTHING.
I mean short of tight playoff games and Shannon dunks, we as a crowd tend to be less than involved with the game being played.
I'm not advocating throwing things per se, but rather acknowledging it was nice to see people caring passionately about the game, even if said passion was manifested in a childish way.
Mamba24,
any particular reason for me not being included in the roll call?
Posted by: Nicolas Cage | December 26, 2009 at 02:24 PM
Mamba 24 is more enthusiastic that Sasha Vujacic, if only he play pro basketball I would rather put bet on his attitude than Sasha disappearing act. I don't know what Maria Anna Sharapova did to the machine, indeed he became rusty, rustier in every game.
On some games, we applaud Farmar and LO. yesterday they were horrible. What more can we say about our inconsistent players we have seen them since 2006. Someone said we need Luke, the best IQ that made me laugh! I say we need to change some players before it is too late. Laker fans don't get contented on the products just because we are the defending Champs. It is hard to defend if the boat is unbalanced. We didn't get this Williams when we were on a hunt for a PG, we slipped on Jamario Moon when he became available from Miami. Moon and Williams are just example of players in perspective. There are a TON OF PLAYERS out there better, faster and cheaper but skipped from our attention. Our focus was purely on our rotten eggs and occupying space on the bench.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 26, 2009 at 02:26 PM
" I don't know what Maria Anna Sharapova did to the machine, indeed he became rusty, rustier in every game."
- Edwin Gueco
Easy. Sharapova's causing him to dribble too much before he shoots. But hey, she's do that to any of us.
Posted by: CornerJ | December 26, 2009 at 03:05 PM
how nice for the gucci set to get off their overpriced asses and show a modicum of emotion...good show. the promotion was a joke - all the money this team makes and FOAM FINGERS is the best they could do for Christmas? Pathetic- but predictable. And how nice of grandpa Phil to to his usual scapegoating of the refs. "When we play well, it's because we're the better team. If we suck, the refs made us suck." How zen-like. This too shall pass and those of us with lives will move on - the rest of you can continue to drool uncontrollably about...a freakin' basketball team.
Posted by: tim | December 26, 2009 at 03:09 PM
Fans have the right to come late, and leave early. They don't have the right to throw things on the court.
And over the years, plenty of you have commented about turning a game off early, or switching to another game and then coming back to the Lakers game. I suppose that means that you're not true fans, too.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | December 26, 2009 at 03:43 PM
Corner J,
Maybe he misunderstood her when she was yelling "Focus!! Focus!!"
Posted by: exhelodrvr | December 26, 2009 at 03:45 PM
It's nice to see the foam fingers are still promoting "a modicum of emotion".
Twas but one game folks. We fans move on with the team.
GO LAKERS ! ! ! ! ! !
Posted by: Stockton Showtime | December 26, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Bush league LA fans deserve cheap shot artist Kobe.
Posted by: John | December 26, 2009 at 04:06 PM
The 'it's okay to throw things at people because people pay for things' mantra is naive, entitled and ridiculous. For player safety, for fan safety, for timeliness, for everything. I dont care if fans were throwing paper, you are interrupting a game, and showing disrespect for the Lakers and home court in general. We aren't Detroit people. Imagine if every time someone wanted to throw something on the court it was allowed. I dont really care about foam fingers, I just dont like the precedent set. We are 23-5. One bad game and we are throwing things? And that's just fine? No wonder people call generation Y spoiled.
Grow up. If nothing else, respect the home team.
Posted by: Steve | December 26, 2009 at 04:24 PM
I'd say it's more "embarrasing" (sp) that a professional writer doesn't know how to spell "embarrassing" and nobody notices 24 hours later.
Posted by: Luke | December 27, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Nicolas Cage,
"I actually enjoyed watching the Staples crowd react that way about ANYTHING."
Agreed.
They were foam fingers after all AND it was nice to see that kind of passion out of Lakers fans at Staples. I have bemoaned the lack of passion from the fans at Staples for years and stated that the REAL fans are the ones screaming at the television at sports bars.
Well, fans protested when they should have. Should we keep this up in the future? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! But still, nice to see some passion when the Lakers sleepwalk through a key matchup and referees called the game like David Sterns stooges.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | December 27, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Roll call?
Posted by: cerveza | December 28, 2009 at 12:00 AM
I liked seeing the foam fingers thrown. I would have felt like it had I been at the game. I understand those that condemn it. You don't want people throwing objects that could injure someone, and throwing foam fingers might encourage some to do so. It was a poor effort from the Lakers, and I can understand the fans being upset - I was.
Posted by: rc | December 28, 2009 at 09:03 AM
Come on. Really? We're talking FOAM FINGERS!
As a few of you pointed out, and I agree, it was nice to see some passion from the LA fans. And the "classless" fans illustrated their frustration of a passionless team, and horrible officiating (which is has become a staple of the NBA) with innocuous FOAM FINGERS. The fans were so "classless" that after one punk threw a water bottle on the floor that EVERYONE in his section immediately turned and pointed him out to security.
No, we shouldn't be concerned with the dangerous foam fingers, we should be concerned with the Lakers' ability to lay down such an emotionless egg on such a big stage. Bynum has lost his edge, and his will. He looks like a zombie out there without any real ambition (same with the Sacramento game). Pau looked timid against Cleveland. Farmar is so full of himself he can't see the forest for the trees. Fisher is becoming as careless with the ball as Farmar. ANd The sports media has turned Sasha into a sniveling third tier sub who's actually (yes I'm referring to Sasha) afraid to take a shot.
These are the things to be concerned with, not FOAM FINGERS!
We're talking about FOAM FINGERS man. We're talking about FOAM FINGERS. We're talking about FOAM FINGERS. We're not talking about water bottles. We're talking about FOAM FINGERS.
Jz...
Posted by: Joel | December 28, 2009 at 10:33 AM
The fans made a mistake and made an ugly loss even uglier. Once again like I've been saying even when they won the title last yr, the Laker management needs to improve this bench instantly and find a combo g/f who can create his own shot off the dribble. And they need this g/f to be able to play defense by sliding his feet (not reaching in) and open things up outside for the inside game. Andrew Bynum please grow up man!!!! They gave you the contract you whined about last year and now its time to earn your money. And to Mr. Gasol, please stop all your whining, you're starting to remind me of how you did that in Finals against Boston all the time. You have the game to dominate night in and out so get it done and stop crying like a little ****h. Laker fans it will be ok. They have some more losses coming also so get ready. The key is to have home court advantage when its all said and done.
Posted by: Jag in Dallas | December 28, 2009 at 01:28 PM
First let me say, we have the best damn team in the NBA. So any complaints I've made above, or I make here are just nitpicking because we aren't going undefeated, or are in fear of somehow getting beaten in the finals. But again, this is an AMAZING Laker team that unfathomably could even be better.
Arrogant: Farmar (Leads to too many turnovers)
-> Passes that should never be attempted, and too many 1 on 5 shots from 17 feet out without anyone under the basket after not even a single attempt to pass, much less pass it inside. That being said, I watch this kid playig ball at UCLA and I know what he's capable of. He shows flashes of his brilliance from time to time. But unless he gets control of his head, he's destined to start bouncing his way around the league, on his way to obscurity
*** Honorable Mention: Derek Fisher (More as of late)
-> Too many lazy, I can't be bothered passes that are being tipped and intercepted. But outside of Kobe, can't think of anyone, on this team, I'd rather see taking the final buzzer beating shot.
Lazy: Bynum (Leads to lazy fouls and early foul trouble)
-> This also is something that is REALLY rearing its ugly head lately. Bynum just seems like this is all beneath him. He is believeing his own hype. Lazy lazy lazy. Instead of moving those big feet of his, he is reaching, and bumping guys, then rolling his eyes at the refs. Then you see him on the sideline, laughing and smiling even when the team is down. The other night against Sacramento, in overtime I believe, Phil popped him out into the lineup for a moment and I thought, "Oh yeah, Bynum and Gasol out there. This should be over". And boom, Bynum takes another stupid off the ball foul, even as Sacramento is throwing up an off-balance end of the shot-clock prayer. And immediately I was praying Phil would take him off the floor. He did. Where is that enthusiastic kid that bumped Shaq after making a sweet move past him for a dunk. As EVERYONE keeps telling this kid, he COULD be great. I think he needs to stop hearing it.
Bonehead: Lamar (Come on, gonna be a long time until I forgive dribbling in from out of bounds during a playoff game)
-> Lamar has been doing a lot to erase this moniker. But he stills acts as if the alarm clock has gone off yet sometimes when he is on the floor. But Lamar, in my mind, is finally worthy of a starting roster spot on the Lakers, just when everyone wants to relegate him to the second team. Personally, I think Artest would be a good leader for the second team.
Delicate: Gasol
-> Hard to criticize Gasol's game much, but I can guarantee one thing. If Gasol isn't hitting his little chippies (baby hooks, and inside 5 foot banks) the rest of his game deteriorates pretty quickly. If he's not hitting those shots, he becomes pretty meek inside, on both ends of the floor. Thank god he doesn't have too many off nights.
Honey, I think the press shrunk the ego: Sasha Vujacic
-> Hard to imagine Sasha V afraid to take a shot. But that is exactly what it appears. I see this kid making passes when his alter-ego, himself 2 years ago, would have been draining 20 footers. Yes, he's even turning down 20 footers. I would much rather see Sasha attacking the open opportunities the defenses are starting to give him. He needs to build that confidence back up, and he ain't going to do it feed Shannon et all all night.
I have no complaints: Kobe, Brown, and surprisingly Adam Morrison
-> Obviously there is not much you can complain about one of the greatest players to ever play, still near the top of his game. And Shannon Brown is such a pleasant surprise, I'm still giggling that we stole him. But Adam Morrison, he's a bit of a surprise. I love that Phil is starting to give him real minutes, and we're beginning to see flashes of what made him such an amazing player in college. During the Sacramento game, he came across the key and tried to make some fall-away touch shot that I believe was blocked, or tipped as he was going up. He got the ball again and you could see it in his eyes. He made a real move to the basket, at that same player, and ended up getting fouled (I believe - I remember the effort clearly, not the result). Looking forward to another Laker's steal being revealed as Adam Morrison comes into his own.
Well, that's it for now. Felt good to get all that out, even if this is a dead thread, and no one will probably read it.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Joel | December 28, 2009 at 05:23 PM
I can't believe how bad this writing is. This is the absolutely worst entry I have read in the years I have been reading this blog.
Posted by: Laker Justice | December 30, 2009 at 09:16 PM