My Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Why I Follow Them - Like everyone else, I collected NBA cards in the 90's - often picking them up at the local markets, etc. However, it wasn't until June 14th, 2000 that the Lakers became my team. Why that date? I was 13 years old and at my grandparents house for dinner, who had just acquired Optus Cable TV. While channel flicking I discovered the pre-game intro of the NBA Finals, Game 4 - Lakers @ Indiana. Kobe had just missed Game 3 due to injury and had was returning and Shaq had put the team on his back despite a 9 point loss without his sidekick. I sat and watched the game unfold, including Reggie Miller drop 35 points (6-9 3P), followed by Diesel fouling out (36 points, 21 rebounds) and Kobe (28 points) stepping into the role of hero for (what I didn't realize at that moment) the first time as the game went into
OverTime! Eventually the Lakers prevailed 120-118 and Purple & Gold began running through my blood.
Why I Am Looking Forward To The Season - #LABron . Whilst I've been a spoilt Laker fan for the last 18 years with so much success, the last 4-5 years has been gut wrenching to sit through with very few bright spots until last season. Seeing Lamar, Bynum and Pau all slowly leave one by one, the death of Jerry Buss and the arrogance and failures of Jim Buss almost rip this once great franchise to the ground has been a tough pill to swallow however I'm fully on board the #InMagicWeTrust movement, it makes perfect sense that the franchises greatest ever player returns to lead us back to the top of the standings and it starts with his first recruit - Lebron James and the youth movement in Ingram, Kuzma and Ball.
Best Lakers Card - Whilst technically not one card, I have a hard time passing up this. All 1/1 letters of
LAKER
S
I know where the E is and I'm trying to make a deal for it so if anyone finds the K & R let me know!