IN LOVING MEMORY OF ORLANDO

Orlando was magic.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

52 is no age. On May 31st the Lakers family lost one of its fondest members after his long battle with heart disease.

Rest in peace Orlando Woolridge.

Orlando was more than flash dunker. He was more than the guy with the cool name who was a journeyman that never played for the Magic but played alongside Earvin. He was a truly great player and let's remember him as such.

Born in Louisiana Woolridge took his college game to Notre Dame and the Cinderella halls of the Final Four, where March Madness and teammate (and future fellow Piston in Detroit) Bill Laimbeer got to see just how crazy his dunks where. Although Orlando never cut down nets he did hold the scissors and the fall away jumper that snipped Virginia's 28 game winning streak in 1981.

The pros and the Bulls followed, where Woolridge was drafted by Chicago together with some kid named Jordan. Together the two dunk contest darlings, wowed lay-up lines with their athletic slams and highlight worthy reeled off dunks. This number 6 draft choice showed he was much more than his jersey number of zero. From nothing to everything, Wool' really showed the association he was truly something. 'Ridge and Michael Jordan in their rookie years showed their gifts where more than above the rim as the downed a combined 51 points per average.

This 22.9 point average from the open floor specialist led to him being courted by the Nets, but just like Brooklyn he wasn't in a New Jersey for long. His Hollywood skill and bright light dunks where worthy of more 'Showtime' so in the late eighties he joined the greatest show on earth with Magic Johnson and the purple and golden era Los Angeles Lakers.

Boy did Orlando bring a show to California too. The scoring off the bench and the defensive assignments is what helped him make the grade as an option but the freestyle, freewheeling, alley-oop dunks where what brought his teammates and Jack Nicholson led fans off their seats with his stand-up play. Magic (who yesterday expressed sadness over his teammate and friends death) and the Lakers loved Orlando and Woolridge loved them right back once telling press "I just love it when we go up in the transition game, up and down the court, Magic looking for the open guy ... That's the way I love playing."

It was all love and it all played out over a top two seasons of sensational basketball work which culminated in a league ranked fifth field goal percentage (55.6%) in the last season of the eighties and first of the nighties. It was clear that this video star player had substance too, but still beyond the statistics Orlando was a great player off the ball and in the locker room. His presence in L.A. and the cities and country that followed (Denver, (a career high, league-leading scoring year) Detroit, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Benetton Treviso and Buckler Bologna of Italy) earned him a great professional and personal reputation that saw him slam home a second career in basketball after playing.

The former microwave bench-warmer heated up the sidelines when he returned to purple and gold Los Angeles to coach the WNBA's Sparks in the late nighties before becoming in charge of the Rhino's of Arizona and the ABA to close out the first decade of the new millennium. This player/coaches basketball resume read like a winning application The cousin of Hall Of Famer Willis Reed deserves his own place in NBA legacy for being one of those underrated spark-plug guys that electrified both his teams and crowds. Woolridge helped both his squads and the ratings of the NBA win over in a time where basketball's popularity was finally rising due to the tricks of Magic's trade. Orlando more than played his part in carrying the torch too and in his passing we should not overlook or disregard all the little things he's done that proved to be so big.

Thank you Orlando and take care. Rest peacefully.

KOBE BRYANT-THE SHADOW GAMES

I Wouldn't Doubt Kobe Bryant.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

“I’m not fading into the shadows, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m not going anywhere…We’re not going anywhere. It’s not one of those things where the Bulls beat the Pistons and the Pistons disappeared forever. I’m not going for that (stuff).” The Black Mamba.

Need we say anymore? Or did he paint the picture clearly enough for you? Easel, canvas, artists brush or mid-range stroke, how do you want it? Everyone may have predicted the L.A. Lakers would lose to the NBA favorite Oklahoma City Thunder but the ones who shed the same lack of confidence on this contending ball-club and their superstar leader can step back into the shadows of their doubt.

I wouldn't bet against Kobe Bryant.

Would you?

They're going to say it. They're going to say he's done. Not what we was, vulnerable, easy to beat. They're going to say he can't get it done. Too old, the venom's gone, the dobermans been made to sit. They're going to compare this to last years sweep and the slow, head-down walk off the Dallas Maverick floor, like his walk off the Boston parquet a couple of years and championships earlier. They're going to talk about the injuries, how money his clutch is really worth and his play with his teammates. They're going to put him further down on the list then eighth best player in the league.

They're going to be all wrong.

And proved as such. It's just in Kobe's nature. He's no gold and shrinking violet. This soldier has a purple heart. That competitiveness That killer instinct that no one else in the league has as deadly. Not Oklahoma, not LeBron. Not since Jordan. Kobe's still got so much to prove. He wouldn't have it any other way. To the fans, critics, haters and himself Kobe will always need to do more. That's just the way the curse is when your the greatest. Bean's been here all too many times before though. From the airballs to the catcalls. He knows struggle. He knows survival. He knows no rival...

...Well maybe a few.

Along with Oklahoma Kobe's still got Dallas to avenge. LeBron and Miami to beat and critics and his own demons to exorcise. Kobe won't stop to all negative notions of him are ghost. That's how much spirit he has. How strong, driven and resilient he is. As passionate and enthusiastic as a Rookie of the Year. Consistently in his prime like an MVP, no matter who gets the trophy. This legendary legacy is still lasting. Chapters are yet to be written to his verse in Basketball's Bible. He's still a few points behind Wilt (100 in a game to Kob's 81), still behind Kareem all-time (points recorded) and still behind Michael Jordan's all round game.

He's still beside himself with the desire to will it all away.

Still like The Beatles, to overcome 'The Heatles', the hammer of Thor Thunder (or any of the other supergroups or superteams associated with National Basketball) Kobe won't get by without a little help from his friends. His 42 points alone can't get it done. Thanks to the Buss bredrin some relationships with some family favorites became fractured. Kobe's already lost Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher and it will take some major LeBron like recruitment to get them back...if at all. Needless to say the Lakers need to look to keep young guns happy like Ramon Sessions and Devin Ebanks, as well as defending the spots for their old guards like Matt Barnes and Metta World Peace. Still it's Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum that need to show up in more ways than one next season. The Lakers lost the Chris Paul and Dwight Howard race and if they want to pick up anyone like Deron Williams or improve what they have they need to not point fingers and instead extend a hand.

No matter who stays or leaves like Phil Jackson or Mike Brown Kobe will be still here and still Kobe. Putting his team on his shoulders and proving what burdens wrong. Sure the Lakers window of opportunity may be closing but Kobe's career is far from the drawing of the curtains. Win or lose. The shadows can wait until the end of the Kobe Bryant story sees the light.

“I’m not fading into the shadows, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m not going anywhere." Kobe Bryant.

WILL DEREK FISHER MAKE THE LAKERS PAY?

Got Clutch?

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

I know making a big, team changing move before the late season trade deadline is a clutch decision, but you don't make a last second play by trading one of your and the NBA's greatest clutch players of all time. Here's guessing and proving the Lakers organisation didn't learn from losing Robert Horry to free-agency in the past. Now even though Jordan Hill is trying to prove he's a big contributor the Lakers could have given up someone else for him. Not Derek Fisher.

The Lakers are supposed to be a "family". Again did they not learn from losing Lamar Odom and all the problems (for each party) that came with that? Guess not. Even Kobe wants to play LeBron this Summer and be the best recruiter and get his boys back this offseason, but just like the signing rules that prevent the team from reacquiring Lamar, this 'aint going to happen yet...if at all.

Sure, all of this is no new news but it's going to make for one hell of an NBA Playoff story come tonight as the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder start their playoff series. David Stern couldn't script it or nix it better. The Oklahoma City Thunder are already the league favourites (the experience and competitive advantage of Fisher could be the final piece to this championship puzzle too) to win it all and many consider the Wild West torch already passed from the purple and gold grip to the former Seattle Supersonics.

Now after the Thunder stormed through and swept the reigning champions the Dallas Mavericks who of course swept last years reigning champion Lakers Oklahoma look stronger than ever. As for the Lakers unfortunately after an unnecessarily drawn out seven game series with the Denver Nuggets the dampened Lakers look like they're in for a real dry patch in their abilities to weather Kevin Durant and co's storm over a seven game series...if it even reaches that.

Sure, let's have some hope though. If Andrew Bynum can grow by the game and take on Laker hater Kendrick Perkins in the post and if Ramon Sessions can show more of his potential against Russell Westbrook then who knows. Player for player, bench for bench the Lakers can go toe-to-toe with the Thunder. Their perimeter defensive trio of Matt Barnes, the elbow artist formerly known as Ron Artest and the Doberman could really contain Kevin Durant and as 'Sixth Man of the Year' James Harden goes to war with Metta World Peace, as long as no more 'Ludacris' arms are thrown there will be another match-up to revel in.

Then of course there's Kobe. One of the Lakers and the leagues greatest champions and clutch players, despite some saying he's not as "money" as everyone else affords. There is nobody-you see-who many would want with the game-ball in their hands in the waning, critical seconds of a game. Except...Derek Fisher. Even Kobe knew when to defer to him, like he did this year as D-Fish downed Dallas in a revenge rematch this season. Sure the Lakers may have Steve Blake's threes on point but from the history to the legacy nobody beats Derek Fisher.

The buzzer time with the twine is Derek's major moments and when it comes to winning big games Fisher is king. From 0.4 seconds in San Antonio to silencing Philly, Boston and having more tricks in the bag for the Magic Fisher is THE man. While also taking charges and energizing his team from the locker room, Derek is also much more than a clutch-hitter, he's a big time team player. Still it's behind the three-point line with the game on a similair straight which is where Derek Fisher makes his bread and butter and championship gold.

Now 'the Fish that saved L.A.' could be 'the Fish that slayed L.A.' as these two teams go to battle. Fisher still has love for Kobe and the Laker fans, but when it comes to the court it's all business and in some ways personal. Revenge on the organisation which traded him will be a dish best served in the the fourth quarter. Kobe's going to play Fisher hard and the Lakers former number 2 will do the same in kind. No Laker fan wants to see the guy that helped them win so much be the playoff death of them but if it comes to the clutch can you see anyone else taking that big shot against the Lakers? The NBA powers that be, God's of sports story-telling and the rival Oklahoma Thunder wouldn't have it any other way.

Now the question is will Derek Fisher make the Lakers pay?

Only time will tell...the time that ticks down in the fourth quarter. The games are about to begin. Let's get it on!

NICK VAN EXEL-IN EXEL

A Quick Impact.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

After all the nixed Chris Paul trade and the eventual Clipper problems that came with it the Lakers finally made their point with the signing of Ramon Sessions a month and change back. What a change it was too. This star of the future was heralded as the next leading Laker and the teams first real Point Guard in years. With all due respect to playoff hero and ultimate team player Derek Fisher and all he's given the team (raise his jersey in honour Buss family) these people making that point about the new point may just have one.

Its been a long time since the Lakers had some Magic at the leading, quarterbacking Point Guard position...literally. Still for the last potential promising P.G. that suited up in Lakers purple you might have to look to 1996 or currently at one of the assistants on the Atlanta Hawks bench. At 40 Nicholas Van-Exel may have the young, soaring Hawks by the talons as a player development coach but in his younger days 'Nick The Quick' was the flash and fancy that looked to bring the gold shine back to the rebuilding, post 'Showtime' nighties Lakers.

Whether it be showing a Fisher like clutch in the playoffs even before Derek, by hitting an overtime and a deciding basket against San Antonio in the 1995 playoffs. Or putting the final nail and basket in by scoring the last Laker point in the fabled fortress of the Boston Garden Nick Van Exel is a part of Los Angeles Laker history. From "handling the rock well" as Jigga Man, Jay-Z rapped on his wife's massive hit 'Crazy In Love' to dazzling with his dribble drives, this kid left fans drooling and opponents schooled. Along with the All-Star all round game of shooting guard Eddie Jones, Nick formed a backcourt set to be at the frontline of the Lakers flashy future. It all looked so good for the mid-nighties, middle of the road Lakers. Until things got better for the team and worse for Nick and Eddie as Shaq and Kobe came into town.

This still resulted in an All-Star year where Shaq, Kobe, Eddie and Nick all suited up for the '98 Western team in the NBA's mid-February classic. Still when problems and disagreements ensued (even before Bryant and O'Neal got into it) the fabulous Lakers four before Malone and Payton suited up disbanded like The Beatles. Still this dream team woke up an otherwise dormant Lakers before the team picked up a Fisher, a Fox and a Big Shot Bob, moved to STAPLES and packed up some championships with them.

Nick's quick video game play made him and the Lakers an armchair, television fans favorite, whether for the remote control or the joystick generation. After exceeding the second round, 37th Draft choice selection with the Lakers Nick flashed forward through Denver, Dallas, Golden State, Portland and San Antonio, giving the Nugget, Maverick, Warrior, Trail Blazer and Spur ballclubs some real brilliance.

Whether wearing 9, 31 or 37 or 19, or hitting numbers like 14.9 points per, Van Exel put up the big numbers in excess of a decade in the game. The quick draw lefty shot opponents down in the Wild West and drew double teams and fouls the right way, leading to his unorthodox one foot behind the line free throw habit. Nick stayed ahead however, from being a top assist man over the seasons to leading all the Lakers in history with three-pointers made before Kobe took over him. Even before he was replaced in the Forum by new Laker talents, Nick earned his place in purple and gold legacy no matter how quick it lasted.

LET'S GO LAKERS-Playoff Predictions Round 1

Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets

Los Angeles Lakers

THE GOOD: Just when everyone thought the L.A. Lakers where down and out they upped the ante. To begin this lockout shortened campaign a trade for Chris Paul and the best purple and gold point guard since Magic was nixed by the NBA powers that be and after almost half a year and season of trying to lure Dwight Howard away from the magic kingdom the Lakers ended up looking like a mickey mouse outfit. Still Andrew Bynum showed everybody in the league that the Lake Show are more than alright without Dwight, whilst a mid-season trade brought in Ramon Sessions and the future of the Lakers point play. This young inside and out tandem can hurt other teams and that's still with the dynamic duo of Kobe and Pau Gasol and glue guys like Matt Barnes in reserve. No wonder they won a morale boosting double overtime game over West and league favourites Oklahoma.

THE BAD: With all that going to war however the Lakers don't have World Peace. Metta has received a 10 game suspension by the NBA for elbowing James Harden in said Thunder game. Many Laker fans hope to have him back. Some doubters think he's done for the season and possibly his Laker career. Either way if the Lakers make it past 10 games they'll need to the artist formerly known as Artest to take them further. Plus apart from players like Troy Murphy, Steve Blake and the potential of Jordan Hill, Josh McRoberts and Devin Ebanks the bench is wafer thin. Can the Lakers survive another potential breaking point?

Denver Nuggets

THE GOOD: The Nuggets know all too well about indecision situations like Dwight Howard. Or should we say the LeBron James syndrome. Carmelo Anthony left them hanging for a year before heading to the Knicks for a New York and an empire state of mind. Now purgatory isn't a great place to be, especially with a bitter taste in your mouth but the Nuggets have still managed to mine themselves some success. Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Timofey Mozgov all came over from the Melo trade and add that to the underrated star power of Al Harrington and Andre Miller to go along with good guys like Corey Brewer, JaVale McGee and Rudy Fernandez and you really have a good team here. Plus the birdman Chris Anderson is still here. What more do you want?

THE BAD: A franchise player perhaps. This really would make this franchise a top team again. The loss of Carmelo has calmed down the Nuggets competitive advantage and taken the air out of the team. Without Anthony how can a team like this go toe-to-toe with the Kobe's and the Durant's of the West, let alone the LeBron's. Even the famous rocky mountain thin air won't be as much as an advantage as it used to be. The Nuggets will have to get used to the fact that there are hills to climb and the road is going to be rocky and tough. Sure they secured a solid playoff spot but its trades like the 'Melo one that make the 'West best/East least' days a thing of the past. The Nuggets are going to find it real hard to get past Kobe and his Lakers.

THE SKINNY: The Nuggets have a chance of surprising the streaking Lakers like they did the top seeded Sonics back in the day, but Kobe's ready for war without World Peace looking to prove every critic wrong making the Lakers right for the second round.

Lakers 4-1

TIM DAVID HARVEY.

LOS ANGELES D-FENDERS-D-AFFILIATES

Call Them Up.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

The purple and gold Los Angeles basketball team have secured their place in the Finals! OK Laker Nation don't get your hopes up (just yet), you haven't slept through two months of basketball to the best awakening ever, instead the Lakers development team the D-Fenders are taking their really evolving squad to the Finals of the NBADL (the 'NCIS' to the NBA's 'CSI').

Not bad for a team that took last year off. Now you can call that a comeback. This year the experienced and great Eric Musselman led D-Fenders have had a record amount of players called up to the big leagues of the NBA and also have helped home and hone impressive Laker Devin Ebanks and currently newly signed Christian Eyenga become even better players.

The team this year has also featured NBA All-Star dunk participant Jamario Moon (recently singed by the Charlotte Bobcats), former dunk champ Gerald Green (now headed to Brooklyn with New Jersey) former NBA Indiana starting Point Guard Jaamal Tinsley and former Pacers guard Brandon Rush's older brother Kareem, who was a real sharp-shooter for the Lakers in the Shaq and Kobe days (wouldn't it be great to see him back in a Lakers uniform) and recently quite nicely had a foray into R&B During some of his R&R with the nice single 'Hold You Down'.

Its clear to see that the development league (which is also giving former All-Star Antoine Walker a second chance) is no shortage of talent. Especially on this team which once had both former Lakers Jordan Farmer and Coby Karl play for both them and the Lakers on the same day.

This D-League is definitely the place where raw talent gets whipped into shape. The National Basketball Association's Development League has really helped the league and players previously hurt by untapped potential. It shows just how much basketball potential is out there and just how expanse the wealth of talent is. A talent the D-League promises to turn into A students.

Now Mardy Collins, Zach Andrews, Elijah Milisap (brother of Utah Jazz top forward Paul) and the rest of this hard working, impressive bunch hope to show just how good this league and they are in an exciting finals with the top tier Austin Toros team. One that features NBA talents like D'Andre Blair and Ronald Murray, ready to show the big time of this league why they belong in the above one.

What a finals its set to be too. A matchup that promises great battle and grand games. Even though the D-Fenders have lost more players then New Jersey this year they could just do it against Austin after their inspiring and impressive season following a one year lay over. This could give the city of L.A. a winning basketball franchise before their parent team the Lakers try to make it a family affair.

Even if neither Los Angeles ballclub took home the gold this year they still show us just how an integral part of each other they are. After the final buzzer sounds after the final finals game, one outcome will be certain. That this great influential and developing league and its D-Fender team are here to stay. No matter who come and goes.

CLIMBING A HILL

Kobe's new Jordan.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Who would of thought that one day Jordan would play alongside Kobe?

Well that eventually happened when Laker coach Mike Brown finally gave Jordan Hill some burn during L.A.'s massive, double overtime win against West and league favorites the Oklahoma City Thunder and burn did he. Hot like fire Jordan shone so brightly, hustling hard with an aggressive double double of 14 points and 15 rebounds and showing along with young stud Devin Ebanks just how good he is no matter the time or team. The kind of big numbers that show that this kid could be another weapon for the versatile loaded Lake Show is he performs like this most nights.

These numbers where just in the spare change of bench minutes. can you imagine how much more he could afford with more time? This former Houston Rocket raw talent could soar and propel further. From the fresh locks to the high socks, he could give the Lakers a Renaldo Balkman type dirty work, garbage rim collecting, enthusiastic energy player. A guy this team has sorely missed since Rony Turiaf danced away from the STAPLES bench. Like his second namesake Jordan could be another Tyrone Hill type Power Forward. Slight in build but strong in heart and basketball smarts.

From being another big body off the bench to joining Josh McRoberts lay up line spark of plugging some dunks to energise and pick up his team and fans while Bynum and Gasol take a seat. Jordan Hill could soon get a standing ovation as a fan favourite. Not only that, he could also be an off the bench and surprise X-factor for those opponents who play Mike Brown and fail to realise at first just how good he is.

Let's just hope the Lakers utilise him the right way and right away too come next week after breaking him into the big time this weekend gone. If not it'll be Los Angeles not Houston with a problem. We have a different, outstanding option and power player here primed for the playoffs. One that could really tie some of the squads weakest links together before stronger teams wink them goodbye.

After all what did they trade Derek Fisher for?