It was the summer of 2007 and Kobe was demanding. he wanted kidd, he wanted bynum to be traded. the Lakers were at a pivot point. I myself wondered if Kobe would stay and if the Lakers would ever "BE BACK" in my lifetime. I remember feeling melancholy about the fond memories of The Lakers of old. when Magic and Kareem and of course Worthy seemed to play together and like each other. All I saw was a team torn apart. But then the Lakers Got Derek Fisher back. My wife and I always liked his Defensive style play and thought he was great to have for the Dynamic duo to pass to for a 3 pointer. we would watch the warrior and jazz games, just to watch Derek Fisher be more of a main player. but let me get back to the Lakers. what I think Derek gives to the Lakers can not easily be shown on the stats sheet. but when he came back. Kobe stopped ####ing, Andrew started playing and the Lakers started winning. I truly believe Kobe listened to Derek more then others and on the other side, other players saw that Kobe could be right on how much you have to give this game. Derek might have softened Kobe's comments and lessened the conflict between the rest of the team. I don't pretend to be a big basketball expert. all I can claim is being a dedicated fan that just wants what will help us win and I always love good hoops. but since we came out of nowhere last year and actually got a west conference championship out of it. and this year is really exciting. we have a TEAM now. and the name has changed back to the Lakers from the LA Kobe's. (no disrespect. Kobe Is the best player overall in the NBA in my opinion). but I love the new Kobe, I love the new Lakers.

Kobe Bryant , Pau Gasol , Andrew Bynum , Lamar Odom , Trevor Ariza , Jordan Farmar , Sasha Vujacic , Vladimir Radmanovic

this IS a deep team,  come on Luke Walton is our new coby karl. now that's deep.

But there will always be a special place in the hearts of my wife and I for the guy that helped spark the teams assention. one whom is not forgotten and I believe still the president of the players union.

Derek Fisher

But maybe my name gives it away :p

A response to NBA files for rights to six nicknames

OK, I read the blog on the six names for the OKC team. they don't want the name to stay the sonics. Many teams have kept the name of the previous city. my team The Lakers was from Minn. where there are lots of lakes. But what would be a more appropriate name for them.

I invite Laker Fans and Lakers haters alike. Just some fun in the off season for me. also if your team kept the name but you think you have a better one. (flattering or non-flattering) what about the grizzlies, hornets. they saved the names.

anyway back in the 60's the Lakers could have been called "The deadly noxious fumes" ."The Black lungs" or simply "The exaust" three years ago I called them the LA Kobe's because he seemed to be the only one playing. (take this in jest Lakers Fans. I will alway love the Lakers. just for fun. anyway just my first post and not even really basketball related. except OKC has just related it. :)