Bring on the Nugricks or the Maggets

It has been quite a year for the Lakers. The dreadful off-season began with the Lakers' star player demanding a trade, retracting, his demand, then demanding it again (and he continued to demand it through the first part of the season). On camera, the that same star player mercilessly ripped into younger teammates, demanding they be traded. When the season began, many pendents predicted the Lakers would miss the playoffs. Even fans figured their team would be fortunate just to make the playoffs. Most of us were preparing several more years of mediocrity.

To everyone's surprise, the Lakers won the Western Conference last night - the most competitive conference that the NBA has ever seen. It's a good time to be a Laker fan.

Oh, as a Laker fan, I extend my sincerest thanks to the Memphis Grizzlies for trading us your star player in exchange for the equivalent of a two hot dogs and can of soda. The Laker Nation thanks you, and we will continue to thank you for years to come.