The Lakers began their basketball season on arguably one of the most historical nights in Los Angeles sports history, Tuesday Oct. 30.

While the swirling rumor mill speculated on whether or not star guard Kobe Bryant would begin this season as a Laker or Chicago Bull, the Dodgers, on the heels of hiring a Black assistant General Manager, played the game of high stakes poker and forced Grady Little into resignation while preparing to hire former Yankee manager Joe Torre.

Even if these events had unfolded on Halloween, it would have been difficult to believe.

Bryant’s economical impact on the Lakers and the rising entertainment capitol of the world in downtown Los Angeles is enormous enough to at least make the Lakers front office flinch.

However, after Bryant went on a public tirade this summer demanding to be traded and then softening his position when training camp opened, he became infused again when team owner Dr. Jerry Buss reopened the discussion and Lakers coach Phil Jackson blamed Bryant for dogging it on the court.

Jackson went as far as saying that if the Lakers are going to trade Bryant they should do it sooner than later, and if not let’s get on with what will surely be a rocky basketball season with egos filtering out of every manhole in Los Angeles.

Probably the most confused ONES about this is the fans whose voice is split between the most talented player in the league and Lakers ownership who apparently wants to appease them with a winning product.

Under no circumstances can the Lakers endure a season with Bryant on its team and there are few circumstances in which the fans don’t want him there. Exactly the way Bryant would have it.

I’m not sure that at this point Bryant realizes all of the fuss that he has created and furthermore if he really cares about the outcome.

In the meanwhile the Dodgers are attempting to change the face of the franchise with Torre, who would be an attraction to among other players Alex Rodriguez.

If the Rockies can advance to the World Series with a roster of kids and castoffs, imagine what Torre can do with a team that completely collapsed during the second half of the season.

Now, having written all of this Los Angeles is still Loserville until someone wins a championship and it remains to be seen if even the masterful Torre can pull that off.

Published in : Sports, Basketball