As a slightly amusing aside, here is a word for word from my personal journal, which I wrote last year in April… it’s sad that you could read it and think I was referring to this season because the complaints are the same:
“I don’t even know where to begin with the Lakers. They are so disappointing, and have been for the past two months. I don’t know what’s wrong with them. I feel like the only one that is passionate and cares is Kobe. Maybe Pau. They have the potential to be so amazing, like they were in the beginning of the season. It makes me sad. The season isn’t over by any means and they have time to recapture their swagger, but time is running out.
Part of me has unwavering, even blind faith in the Lakers; I believe in comebacks until we’re down more than 10 with 30 seconds left. Maybe that’s unrealistic, but that’s how I feel. The other part of me has serious doubts about their commitment, their passion and drive, their accuracy… I’m secretly scared about losing Game 6 or 7 to the Thunder. And if they make it past the first round, how far they will go with their current attitude and poor style of play.
And then of cours
e I feel bad about doubting, but faith and doubt are intertwined in a way. Haha this makes it sound like the Lakers are my religion! I guess they kind of are. I hope they pull it together.”
And as we all know, they did! Thank goodness. But yeah, it’s incredible how that exact statement could have been meant for 2008, or 2009, or this year in addition to last year. I guess that’s part of being a sports fan. The frustrations that come along the way… and they never seem as bad after the fact of course but it’s hard to see the forest through the trees sometimes.
So even though I take losses harder than most people and get frustrated throughout the season, I try to remember how lucky I am to be a part of Lakers Nation. The joy they have given me over the years (even in losing seasons) far far outweighs the anguish I have endured at the hands of my Lakers. Basketball is one of my favorite things in the world- it is fun to play, amazing to watch and makes me infinitely happy. I just have to remind myself of those facts every once in awhile!
