As It Stands II: Basketball Jones laments loss

I was once a very active Basketball Jones and played at every opportunity. I played for a half dozen organized teams included the 101st MPs (1971 - while in the Army) and a city league team in Cleveland, Ohio in 1972. After that came decades of men’s pickup-leagues until my accumulated injuries finally stopped my game in 1995.

I’ve been a fan of basketball since the 1960s. My team, from day one, has been the Lakers. My hero Jerry West. My favorite centers will always be Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain.

So, it was with agony that I followed yesterday’s Christmas “Beat Down” by the Heat on my Lakers! Fate may have been with me however, as the local cable network (Suddenlink) experienced technical problems and Channel 7  - ABC – was not available yesterday (Still isn’t today) and I didn’t actually view the slaughter. I just followed it on my computer. That may have been a Godsend, as I probably would have got more upset seeing it happen live.

I’m officially concerned about the Lakers now. At this point in time, I simply can’t see them repeating. As bad as I want a Three-Peat, it doesn’t look like it’s in the cards. As far as the Heat go, they are showing what they’re capable of now – and the scary thing is they’ll probably be better in June.

If the Lakers don’t get their defensive game going, I expect a disappointing season. They look so bad right now, that even their offensive looks anemic! Regardless of how they do, I will follow them like a good Basketball Jones as I’m a fan forever…

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