Post by DB on Jul 10, 2007 16:29:19 GMT -5
The streets of L.A were once again filled with wild Laker's fans celebrating their UOSL2 Championship. The first of hopefully many championships for the Lakers came in a game seven showdown vs. the Boston Celtics. In a battle that will be remembered forever on ESPN classics, the Laker's point guard Jason Terry was the show, and took home playoff MVP honors. Shawn Marion, starting small forward for the Laker's for three seasons can be seen holding the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy over his head, yelling “number one”. What had been the most impressive season yet for the Lakers organization was not over at the end of the regular season, winning 59 games and claiming 1st in the western conference the Lakers held the best record in UOSL2. What led to this glorifying moment for Basone took a lot of criticism and a lot of bad feedback, but he stuck with it.
It was 2006 and GM Dan Basone had built this team surrounding L.A king Kobe Bryant. But after a poor performance in the 2006-2007 UOSL2 playoffs, and seeing an early exit in the second round, Basone saw what had to be done. He dealt LA star to the Hornets/Jazz in a surprising move that left many fans shell shocked. Kobe and Baron Davis were dealt away for basically Jason Terry, Jokim Noah, Emeka Okafor, Mehmet Okur and other tangibles along with it. The lineup was not as fierce as before, it did not have the offensive weapons that most people thought were needed in order to take them far, and in the 2007-2008 seasons the Lakers once again were met with defeat. They lost in the conference finals to the Champions of that season the San Antonio Spurs. That one piece was missing and Basone was ought to find it.
In trade talks with GM Duce, Basone finally felt like he found that missing ingredient. The Laker's sent Jokim Noah for Leandro Barbosa and got that last piece they have been missing. Barbosa brought offense and defense that was needed at the 2 position. He also had a knack for finding open teammates, he was a well rounded player, and that was the piece that brought the miracle season. The Laker's won 59 games in the 2008-2009 seasons, and beat the likes of the Mavericks, Spurs, Rockets and Celtics in the playoffs to win their championship title.
It is on to a new year for the Laker's, many new faces, some old, but that same feeling of a team and your team comes first. Basone shipped off some of the championship winners creating a whole new lineup, younger, fresher. A lineup that is ready to compete, ready to defend their title, something that was passed on to them. The odds were against them for many seasons, no body believed that defense would take you so far. But it did. The odds will be against them again this year, even as defending champs, but do you think that bothers Basone. Think again.
Mark Kelley reporting live in L.A.
It was 2006 and GM Dan Basone had built this team surrounding L.A king Kobe Bryant. But after a poor performance in the 2006-2007 UOSL2 playoffs, and seeing an early exit in the second round, Basone saw what had to be done. He dealt LA star to the Hornets/Jazz in a surprising move that left many fans shell shocked. Kobe and Baron Davis were dealt away for basically Jason Terry, Jokim Noah, Emeka Okafor, Mehmet Okur and other tangibles along with it. The lineup was not as fierce as before, it did not have the offensive weapons that most people thought were needed in order to take them far, and in the 2007-2008 seasons the Lakers once again were met with defeat. They lost in the conference finals to the Champions of that season the San Antonio Spurs. That one piece was missing and Basone was ought to find it.
In trade talks with GM Duce, Basone finally felt like he found that missing ingredient. The Laker's sent Jokim Noah for Leandro Barbosa and got that last piece they have been missing. Barbosa brought offense and defense that was needed at the 2 position. He also had a knack for finding open teammates, he was a well rounded player, and that was the piece that brought the miracle season. The Laker's won 59 games in the 2008-2009 seasons, and beat the likes of the Mavericks, Spurs, Rockets and Celtics in the playoffs to win their championship title.
It is on to a new year for the Laker's, many new faces, some old, but that same feeling of a team and your team comes first. Basone shipped off some of the championship winners creating a whole new lineup, younger, fresher. A lineup that is ready to compete, ready to defend their title, something that was passed on to them. The odds were against them for many seasons, no body believed that defense would take you so far. But it did. The odds will be against them again this year, even as defending champs, but do you think that bothers Basone. Think again.
Mark Kelley reporting live in L.A.
