Lakers 2010 Back 2 Back!

The NBA 2010 Playoffs began as well as the road to repeat for the Los Angeles Lakers. I started the hype in this small town of Midland, Texas, where I reside. It has been a tradition, and only this time we were the defending champions, so I had to take it to another level. My students got to see and witness it firsthand. Girls wore purple and gold ribbons on their hair on game days. Guys wore purple and gold shoe laces, wristbands, and jerseys underneath their uniform like me on game days. My flags were up on my car and I wore the 2009 championship ring on game days. I had a countdown that I constructed and laminated posted in my classroom. Different students filled with excitement volunteered to place an “X” every time the Lakers win. The Lakers needed sixteen wins total and that’s where it started.

The hate began real early. This year I saw the most Cleveland Cavaliers fans than I’ve ever seen in my life. James was the MVP of the league, the Cavs were the best team in the NBA, for the second year in a row, but this year they were stacked with the addition of Jamison and Shaq, but just like last year Cleveland failed to make it to the NBA finals and got eliminated in the second round. In Texas people love the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs. Houston, the team that gave the Lakers the most trouble last year taking them to seven games in the second round, did not make it to the playoffs. Dallas was the second best team in the Western Conference and many thought they were going to make a run, but San Antonio prove to them that they were once again the best team in Texas, but they were swept by the Phoenix Suns in the next round. This is where it got quiet many Texans went home fishing with their team. All of a sudden a teacher from Phoenix begins to trash talk and calls out a bet. I told him that I don’t bet for money, but the loser had to wear the opposing team’s jersey the next day to school. Many were hoping for the Suns to pull the upset including other colleagues. Nevertheless, this guy was a man of his word and wore my Lakers jersey to represent the Western Conference Champions and promote the NBA Finals match up against the Boston Celtics. I was excited, but the run had only begun.

Just when I thought that everyone had gone fishing with their team all of a sudden they became Boston Celtics fans and the trash talking was at an all time high. You were either a Lakers fan or a Celtic fan. Most were for L.A. of course, but a few haters were Boston fans. I told all these trash talkers, “Y’all said the same thing last year, aren’t y’all going to feel stupid when the Lakers win again.” This year, I could not make it to the first game of the finals like I did last year because school was still in session. That Thursday I watched Game 1 at my brother’s house with Phillip and Big Mike (undefeated in Lakers games). The Lakers won. The next day, Friday, was the Last day of school and it was interesting to see the reaction of the people the next day.

On Sunday I was in El Paso at my sister’s house watching the Game 2 with my sister Curru, nephew Tury, and nieces Aimee and Mercy. Lakers lost that night and with the series tied at 1-1. It was now a five game series and the Lakers had to regain the home court advantage the next game in Boston. I watched Game 3 in Los Angeles across the street of Staples Center at the Yard House with my niece Brittany and her boyfriend Dominic. The Lakers won! I was interviewed by a local Spanish news station.

I came out of TV after the Lakers game. Canal 62 (channel 62) They interviewed me in Spanish for the local news in Los Angeles.
They asked: "Are you happy with the win?"
I responded: "Happy? yes, but that's not the goal the goal is to win 2 more."
Lakers 2010 Finals Game 3

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For Game 4 I returned to downtown L.A. and watched the game at the ESPN Zone with Brittany and Susan. The Lakers lost. The series was tied once again at 2-2. The next game was the last game in Boston before they returned home. I seriously predicted that the Lakers were going to win this game and win the championship in the sixth game so I bought a ticket for the sixth game hoping to be there for the presentation of the trophy. I watched Game 5 at the Yard House across from Staples with Brittany and Dominic again. The Lakers lost and were facing elimination. I knew the Lakers were going to have to beat Boston convincingly in the next game. I predicted a blowout. I spent my life savings and I watched Game 6 LIVE in Los Angeles at Staples Center and witnessed the blowout firsthand. The Lakers were one game away from completing their goal.

I returned to Staples Center and had to watch the Game 7 across the street with my friend Aurora and her boyfriend Albert at Trader Vics because every bar and restaurant was full. It was one of the most exciting games ever. It was a tough game and the Lakers came back from a double digit deficit to win! We all went crazy in downtown Los Angeles. I will never forget that feeling I had when the final buzzer went off. The championship riots began and I was there finally for the first time. I didn’t vandalize the city, but was watching everyone else in delight. It was the best night of the summer. Back 2 Back!!!!!(5)* That night I could not sleep, just like the 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2009 Championships.

*the exclamation marks: For years, since 2002 – 2009, I would type 3 (!!!) exclamation marks because I supported and experience the first 3-Peat 2000, 2001, and 2002 championships. The Lakers could not win another championship until last year 2009. For an entire year I would type 4 (!!!!) exclamation marks every time I had the chance. I can now type 5 (!!!!!). One for the thumb ;)

Kobe wins his 5th championship ring, one more than Shaq, but one less the Jordan. This clinches his G.L.O.A.T. (Greatest Laker of all Time) status by beating their all time rivalry, and will chase Jordan for the G.O.A.T (Greatest of all Time) as he pushes for a 3-Peat next year giving him his 6th title, and more championships in years to come. Phil Jackson wins his 11th championship as a coach and could not pass up the opportunity to return and coach for another chance for another 3-Peat like he has done his entire career before he retires as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

1 gold medal, 5 championship rings, 2 Finals MVPs, 1 Regular Season MVP, and 3 All-Star MVPs.

Never doubt this man. Kobe has never let me down because just when you think you've seen it all, he does something incredible like win yet another championship with or without Shaq, knock down a tough game winning shot over multiple defenders, and so forth. I admire anyone who has overcome adversity and beat all odds especially when it seems like the entire world is against you. (I will write a blog about Kobe especifically and later date, but lets get back to this 5 championship, 16 total for the Los Angeles Lakers franchise).

The championship parade was a little different this year, but it was still an awesome experience. I decided to take my niece Stephanie and nephew Robert, plus Steve and his friend Koko, who also joined us real early that morning. All those hours waiting to see the Lakers for only a few seconds were worth it.

Kobe Bryant was going to make an appearance at the Lopez Tonight Show and I wanted to be there even though I did not have tickets. I showed up with my friend Steve after the crowd had died down and ask for tickets and the plan worked. Even though I was squeezed in with the last bunch and had to stand by the band, it was worth being there because I was able to see Pau Gasol which was aired in Wednesday and Kobe Bryant that was aired on Thursday. We got a free yellow shirt that Kobe had given us, and we had to wear it before Kobe was announced, it was great. He brought George Lopez a gift, which was a shirt that read cinco, symbolizing his five championship rings. Kobe was at his show in the first episode and promised to come back with the championship trophy and coincidently he shows up in the 100th episode with the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

This championship was special:
We beat Boston.
More people were inducted into the Lakers fan base.
My family was more involved this year.
Kobe wins one more than Shaq.
It silences critics in the Lebron bandwagon; debate over!
The trash talkers witnessed greatness.
I saw one of the biggest games of the year live.
I witnessed a riot in downtown Los Angeles.
I went to the parade for the second year in a row.
The bandwagon fans get to pick another team (Miami) next year for the 3-peat quest.

2010 Finals Game 7

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Off Season Moves (Quest for 3-Peat):
Re-signed head coach Phil Jackson for one more year.
Drafted two rookies, Derrick Character and Devin Eubanks.
Signed point guard Steve Blake.
Jordan Farmar walks and signs with New Jersey Nets.
Derek Fisher decides to re-sign with L.A. after meeting with other offers including Miami.

Josh Powell walks and signs with the Atlanta Hawks
Signed Matt Barnes and Theo Ratliff.
Re-signed Shannon Brown.
Signed the new Rookies.