CHAMPIONS RESPOND

When you go 0-3 on a road trip as the NBA’s reigning champion, it never suffices. Injuries, fatigue nor the fact that every team hits you in the mouth every night fail to qualify as acceptable excuses. The Lakers lost three games between last Thursday and today (Sunday Afternoon). But in spite of all the reviling epithets from Lakers fans that profusely riddle the radio lines, the guys who actually wear the uniforms have a mantle that should serve as catalyst.Until someone takes it from them, they possess the label champion.

As much as I enjoy Lakers games, my era of induction into Laker fandom was stained by the  guy in the picture taking over games. Don’t let the smile fool you. Earvin “Magic” Johnson was among the fiercest of competitors capable of pushing the break for show and for back breaking, will destroying effect. But lest we be deceived by a romantic reminiscing of Laker lore, Magic and his supporting casts laid eggs from time to time. They played down to competition on occasion.

Nevertheless, champions are resilient and in order for the Lakers of 2009-2010 to repeat, they’ll have to possess poise that reflects a team not rattled by a momentary lapse. People sound off about their favorite sports team losing because it’s scary. The average citizen is absolutely afraid to lose and furthermore, afraid to try in light of past failures. Wouldn’t it be grand to win all of the time? Possibly, but we, the Lakers and people everywhere face real opponents that range in nature from overeating, to pornography to outright laziness. How much of a microcosm is sports? A team goes 0-3 on a short road trip and fans come unglued. What about when you go 0-3 at work, at home or in your secret life you keep hidden? Your season doesn’t have to be over. Champions don’t win all the time; they just compete as if they do.