I write for both thelakersnation.com, and glorifythepast.com, Lakers and Chargers respectfully.Each time I piublish a new article I will update this article page in order of relevance, please feel free to give me feedback by emailing me at dbricks33@gmail.com
Save Bynum 'till next season
DAVID BRICKLEY - thelakersnation.com (April 24th, 2008)
When Bynum went down we told ourselves, as long as he’s back for playoffs we will be fine.
Which was understandable and perfectly logical at the time, we needed Bynum to compete with the elite teams. But we didn’t know how good we would become without him in the lineup.
Fact is, this team is currently healthy and ready to go, to win a NBA championship. It should be considered a failure, if we do not win the Gold.
Having Bynum and Ariza back 100% would almost not be fair, too good to be true. Can you imagine?
The lineup we have been talking about since the trade. Andrew Bynum at Center, Pau Gasol at PF, and Lamar Odom at the small forward position.
Then we round of the starting 5 with the veteran savvy, Derek Fisher, and then at the 2 spot will be the best player in the league, the M.V.P. Kobe Bryant.
Heck of a lineup, to me the obvious favorite to go all the way. Excluding Fisher, four players that could be the go to guy on a lot of teams. Give another year for Bynum, and have Odom be this consistent for 82 games. We might have four All-Stars come next February.
Last time that happened Van Exel, Eddie Jones, Kobe, and Shaq. But this foursome would be even better.
Most likely, we will have to wait till next season to see this impressive lineup. But fact is, we don’t need Bynum or Ariza. Let them heal for next year so we can challenge our back-to-back.
Now again, let’s not get ahead of ourselves as Kobe always says, “We take it one game at a time,” but can you fathom winning the NBA championship, not even at full strength, then come back next year better than ever?
That’s too far into the future, but right now with the Kobe - Gasol duo, and how deep our bench is, we talk, walk, and act like champions.
I haven’t seen our guys this confident since the championship years with Shaq, this team looks destined, I can already see some of these sound clips ending up on those Sports Illustrated Championship DVD’s.
Some may be mad; some might say I’m looking too far ahead. But all I’m saying is this team looks like it’s ready to be crowned. Has all the pieces, has the coach, has the MVP, and has the experience to go all the way.
I never would of thought I would say this but we really don’t need Bynum or Ariza back, sure it would be nice, but I think with this current team were almost selfish to rush back a future All-Star.
So yes, Im saying it, we don’t need Bynum. We have two All-Stars, the best third option, and have the deepest team in the league.
Not to mention a coach with 9 Championship rings. I can feel it, this feels like our year, it’s our time!
We’ve followed because we believed, since Game 5 against the Suns last year, we all came together and knew this wasn’t okay for our Los Angeles Lakers to be bounced in the first round with little talent to compete.
So we followed, and then fell when Kobe demanded out, but somehow kept following knowing this Laker team would go back to what it’s known for, competing for NBA titles.
Were back, what takes other franchises decades to re-build, were back, and look like we have a great shot at winning a NBA title.
I said it earlier in the year, and I’ll say it again; I totally plan on driving down to Figueroa street in June,
Yes, that means I would be at a Lakers Championship parade.
And yes that obviously means that the Lakers would be 2008 NBA Champs.
There I said it… again!
No Question, Kobe is the NBA's MVP
DAVID BRICKLEY - thelakersnation.com (March 8th, 2008)
Kobe Bryant has finally done everything to earn the honor of becoming the leagues undisputed Most Valuable Player.
The checklist is finally complete.
Kobe makes the players around him better, and is the best player on arguably the best team.
Best player offensively and defensively, performs on a true contender, the best closer in the league; he’s on a team that is going to win over 50 games. Has his best game in important match-ups (Most recently see 41 pts vs. Suns, 52 vs. Dallas, and 17 in the 4th quarter vs. the Kings).
He usually guards the best player on the opposing team, and countless times, puts his team on his back and wills them to victory.
Averages 28.3 ppg, 5.3 apg, 6.1 rebounds, and 2 steals per game.
Kobe shoots 84% from the free throw line. 47% from the field, and 35% from behind the arc.
Phil Jackson has already claimed that this is the best he has seen Kobe play. That is a big statement considering the seasons Kobe has had in the past.
If Kobe Bryant does not win the MVP this year, it would mean complete chaos in La-La land.
If I have too I will march to the NBA front office myself and protest harder than anybody has ever protested before.
As I child I asked my dad how good Larry Bird was, how good was Dr.J, and the greats before my era.
Those children not born yet, will not have the privilege to watch Kobe Bryant at the peak of his career. They will indeed ask us Laker fanatics. How good was Kobe Bryant?
What will the average person say? Well he was pretty darn good, but not as good as Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki .
Please, Kobe Bryant is the best of this era. Whether it was the case in Colorado, or the misconception that Kobe forced Shaq out of L.A. The writers have not given Kobe Bryant the benefit of the doubt in the last few seasons.
He is the only player in the league last year that received both All-NBA 1st team offense and All-NBA 1st team defense. Statistically he had the best season, and if you would have taken Kobe Bryant off that Laker roster the team would have been lucky to win 20 games.
Yet, no love for 24.
However, this year you can’t argue it. Even If the voters don’t like Kobe. This year is finally the year when he has done everything right and has to be voted as the MVP.
Yes, Chris Paul and LeBron are great. But Kobe is having the best overall season. Offensively, defensively, and quite possibly could lead his team to the best record in the league.
Oh and I’m sure this won’t be considered, however he’s doing all this with a torn ligament on his shooting hand.
I’m not trying to judge, but didn’t LeBron sit out 5 games earlier this season with a “sprained” finger?
Now, I know the MVP award doesn’t judge a players heart or will to fight through an injury, but hey, it at least has to be considered.
Kobe has been the MVP for more than a couple of years. However, you can always make the argument that he is not on team in which is a serious contender for the Championship.
But, this time it’s different he actually is and is obviously the main reason why the Lakers have been so successful this season.
So a note to the writers/voters we all know Kobe Bryant is the best in the league, ask LeBron James that question. He has been for several years, now since he is finally on a contender that is going to win over 50 games there is no doubt that he has to be awarded the MVP.
You can’t hide behind anymore excuses, finally the time has come and you have no choice. Whether you like him personally or not…
Kobe Bryant is the NBA’s 2008 MVP.
Lakers: Your 2008 NBA Champs
DAVID BRICKLEY - thelakersnation.com (February 25th, 2008)
The Los Angeles Lakers will win the NBA championship.
I just wanted to put it in wording, make it official and let everybody know that this is not a possibility, nor is it a estimated guess, but it’s fact.
When it’s all said and done and the dust settles David Stern will walk to the middle of the floor and say. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to announce your 2008 NBA Champion, the Los Angeles Lakers!”
I was trying to look at this Lakers team from a different perspective, a non fan, and a person that doesn’t have a bias. Trying to figure out the negatives of this team, something you can say that would be a legit argument why the Lakers can’t win the NBA championship…
There isn’t any.
We are currently number one in the Western Conference, next to Houston; the hottest team in the league and if it wasn’t for a Tayshaun Prince last second 3 in Detroit, and a loose ball from Kobe at the end of the Hawks game we would be on a 14 game winning streak and undefeated in February.
However, let’s look at reality which is still pretty darn good. 9-1 since getting Pau Gasol, they have only lost one game in the month of February and are currently on an 8 game winning streak.
For the first time in years, analyst and “experts” are finally giving our team the credit that it deserves and saying the truth, the Lakers are the best team and are the favorite to go to the NBA Finals.
Oh, and did I forget to mention all this has happened without Andrew Bynum.
If Bynum would have stayed healthy I have no doubt he would have been an All-Star, the way he was on a tear throughout the league it couldn’t have gone unnoticed.
This current team could win an NBA championship. But in a couple of weeks we get another All-Star.
That’s right, not through trade or free agency but our own guy is coming back and adding to what already is an historic season.
The only thing Laker haters are saying is when Andrew Bynum comes back it might ruin the chemistry, or Bynum might not be 100%.
Please, if that’s the only thing we Laker fans have to worry about, I’d say that’s a good problem to have. Plus, let’s not forget that Phil Jackson is coaching this team, 9 NBA Championship rings speak for themselves and I think he will know more than any, how to re integrate both Bynum and Ariza back into the lineup
We are the best in the league right now and still don’t have arguably the best up and coming center next to Dwight Howard in the league.
So if you’re a betting man, or simply want to make a prediction let me urge you to make it now. You think this Laker team is good, Hah! You haven’t seen anything yet.
Kobe said, “All we got to do now is walk the walk”, and that is what they are doing. This Laker story dating back to the Years with Shaq, to the 1st round exits against Phoenix, and I’m proud to say that we are back and better than ever!
So I am here to guarantee that I will see you all somewhere on Figueroa Street for the Championship Parade, we might not bump into each other but just know that I’ll be somewhere in that crowd yelling, and cheering right with you.
Kobe Bryant will be regular season and Finals MVP at that point. Phil Jackson will have a ring for every finger, and Kupchak will be General Manager of the Year.
The league is scared right now, you heard Greg Popovich crying, the Suns traded Shawn Marion, Dallas tore apart there team to get Kidd.
All in hope to compete with the Lakers, well I got a news flash the other teams, your not better than us now, and when we get Andrew back were going to be damn near impossible to beat.
I’ll see you guys at the parade. 
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Revenge Game for Lakers
DAVID BRICKLEY - thelakersnation.com(January 27, 2008)
The Lakers have lost 3 out of their last 4, and are 2-3 without Andrew Bynum in the lineup.
The Lakers not only need this game to get back on track, but I doubt anybody forgot what happened last time these two teams met.
Sure they need this game to get back on track, stay towards the top of the Western Conference, and pull closer to Phoenix for the Pacific Division title. However, more then anything they need a W for revenge.
Back on December 20th, The Lakers faced the Cavaliers on what was the 2nd of a 4 game road trip. They had won 6 of their last 7 and were firing on all cylinders going into that game.
After a close game throughout, the Lakers were down 92-90 with seconds to play and young Andrew Bynum got fouled. However, Drew missed both free throws.
By no surprise, Mr.Clutch came through at the end. Kobe Bryant got away from LeBron, soared above the basket, snatched the rebound and called timeout with 10.3 seconds left.
As Laker fans, we felt we were in the driver seat.
After the timeout, Kobe got the inbounds pass, squared up and fired off a beauty from beyond the arc that didn’t go. However, with still 5 seconds left, Derek Fisher went up and grabbed the offense rebound.
He was then called for a loose-ball foul after the smaller Daniel Gibson flopped to the ground.
Gibson made both free throws and the game was over.
As Laker fans we felt that was our game! The refs screwed us over and getting that game would of been huge, going out east and completing the road trip winning all 4 games.
This is not only a game that the Lakers need to win on their home floor, this is not only a game that the Lakers need to gain momentum for the up and coming 9 game road trip.
For those of us that watched it, we feel that this is a must win game, and the Cavs should be delighted that they were lucky enough to win the first meeting.
Because the Lakers aren’t going to let the Cavs come into Staples and steal a victory again, that is for certain.
But again that’s why they play the game!
Tonight the Los Angeles Lakers (27-12) will face the reigning champion San Antonio Spurs (26-13), a big game for both teams.
For the Lakers, they are trying to prove that they can keep the ship afloat while Andrew Bynum is sidelined and still be able to beat the elite teams in the league.
For the Spurs, they are trying to get a big win. Making it the first win over an above .500 team since December 15th.
Although we are in January this is still a big trip in Texas. Especially with the long road trip ahead. If the Lakers can go in and beat both San Antonio and Dallas without Bynum, it will prove that this team belongs and can still contend even without the big man in the middle.
The most important thing for the Lakers is to continue to progress while Bynum is injured, and more importantly have no more significant injuries. Remember the Lakers were 26-13 last year too, and Andrew had little to do with that start. So with this current lineup which still features Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom, I am certain we can still beat the elite teams and be considered a contender.
We have yet to see Kobe take over a game and shoot fade away jumpers over triple teams. Last year that was probably our best bet. Now with the sharp shooting of Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar, Kobe no longer has to go 1 on 5.
As I once dwelled on the injury to Andrew, I see new light of this mishap. I see an opportunity to grow, and I see a definite opportunity to continue our success while he is out.
After the two games in Texas, we go back home with games against the Cavaliers and the Knicks. The Cavs game is definite going to be a payback game for what happened in Cleveland earlier this season. The Knicks on the other hand, pardon me why I etch a mark in the win column.
Then we embark on the longest road trip of the year. A nine game road trip that last from February 1st to the 13th, nine games in 14 days. With 3 back to back games. This will be the Lakers true test to see if they can keep their top 4th seed in the West alive. However, with 5 of the games being teams below .500 and playing the two worst teams in the league, Miami and Minnesota. The Lakers do have that in their favor, but they will be tested in Toronto, Washington, and Orlando.
Kobe Bryant, stated that “It’s important to gain momentum especially going out on a big road trip”. So with two big games in 3 nights against two of the best teams in the league, this is when you gain momentum and confidence as a true NBA contender.
All Championship teams battle adversity, and it ultimately shapes the team and prepares them for the struggles in the playoffs. Maybe the injury to our biggest surprise of the season will actually help this Laker team become even better. Every player, one through twelve.
If you find out how to win different ways early, then you will be prepared for the road ahead.
And as Frank A. Clark once said, “If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.”
We’ll the Lakers have an obstacle, and conquering that might just lead them to an NBA championship.