LOS ANGELES LAKERS Feature-DOUBLE TEAMS

One-On-One...Two-By-Two.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

Laker lore would have it that the legend of Los Angeles legacy is rooted in the Converse of big-men that scale higher than the rafters where they belong, or even the iconic, landmark Hollywood sign of Southern California. Hey, even their best Point Guard was 6 foot 9. Still, speaking of Magic the Lakers real history lies with the tricks of the trade of a two man team. One big guy, one little man. This hasn't just come about with the big man Jahil Okafor passing small-ball revolution of D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson following the California king crowning of Steph Curry's Golden State Warriors as NBA champion. The Lakers have experienced a changing of the guard already a half century ago in the post Minneapolis Mikan age. Now in this big-three generation that sees the taller Julius Randle forming with a young backcourt to hopefully have the success Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard could have had, it's time to look at who is really the most dynamic L.A.L. duo of all-time. Especially in the wake of Shaq Week that saw O'Neal and Kobe Bryant getting together and hashing out over podcast that reopened the debate at whether they where the best to ever do it, Lakers or otherwise. There's only one way to find out. Let them fight (erm...we mean play)!

Shaquille O'Neal & Kobe Bryant vs Pau Gasol & Kobe Bryant: Say what you want about the Spanish Bull, but if it wasn't for Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant wouldn't have one more than Shaq. Gasol is a Hall Of Fame, jersey retired worthy Laker legend in his own right. Even in the big-man stakes, albeit in a different form. That being the European revolution that he and Dirk Nowitzki brought to a new millennium league. Popular consensus would have Shaq throwing Pau around the paint like a rag doll. But this cricket, rickety post player would have the skill to slice and dice the Diesel's D. His range would allow Gasol to bring O'Neal out of his comfort zone and to the perimeter, but once it got back to the paint a few dominating dunks would devastate Pau's defence and confidence. The real intriguing match-up would be number 24 against number 8. Kobe vs Kobe. Like those like Mike debates, old money versus new money. Old Kob' is a hell of a lot smarter and more experienced than his young afro self, but that doesn't stop number 8 from unleashing a repertoire of moves that Vino just can't age with anymore as the Black Mamba is looking out for his own snake in the grass. When it comes to the most competitive player since Jordan many think the only guy that could take Kobe one-on-one in his prime is himself. So maybe these two cancel each other out...or even explode. Luckily for young Kobe back then he has Shaq on his side...and no David or Spanish version of Paul is toppling this Goliath.

Wilt Chamberlain & Jerry West vs Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Magic Johnson: Wilt Chamberlain is the most dominant centre of all-time. Maybe even more than Shaq. But we'll never get to see that particular match-up. Because Kareem proved he could handle his own literally in history against the man that once scored 100 points in a single game. No one could guard Abdul-Jabbar and his signature sky-hook, which reeled him in enough points to become the all-time league leading scorer. Even 100 points in a single game is a shade of someone who has totalled 38,387 for his entire career. Although nobody could wilt Chamberlain's dominant averages of around 50 points and 25 rebounds per. Kareem certainly wouldn't stunt The Stilt, but the man who could go toe-to-toe with Bruce Lee could certainly endure this epic 'Game of Death'. And nothings stopping that shot. That just leaves the logo and the man that may as well have redesigned that NBA one the way he saved in redemption and succeeded in the revolution the league in its golden era alongside Boston Celtic Larry Bird. If you though Wilt against legendary Boston Celtics big-man and big-time defender Bill Russell was huge just wait until you saw what really made the Lakers/Celtics NBA rivalry so storied in the 80's. That was just Magic and even though Jerry West was the Mr. Clutch that could launch desperation shots from mid-court with an ease that made them look mid-range and good, no one is pulling anything out the hat against Earvin Johnson.

Shaq & Kobe vs Magic & Kareem: Ironically, in beating Jerry, Magic faces the one, two punch that West (as more than an NBA logo, but Lakers owner) got to sign for the new Lake Show on the dotted line that lead to so much more to come. And with all due respect to the fire and ice of Jerry West and Elgin Baylor it really comes down to these two in this purple versus gold scrimmage through history. Besides so many teammates are big three and game "Worthy" but none quite like this. Now today they may say that even with the drama, Shaq and Kobe are the best double-act ever-even more than the Chicago Bulls Jordan and Pippen-but are they really the partnership of perfection? Maybe you could call Phil, but I'm sorry Mr. Jackson we call it like this; Shaq may be the enforcer but the kung-fu finesse of Abdul-Jabbar would finish everything else off. Besides Shaq's baby-hook may have been a sweet shot, but its just a junior to the iconic Sky-Hook move that nobody has been able to emulate to this day, just like the same amount of players who have been able to cap Kareem's totals. Now when it comes to holding guard from the Forum to STAPLES, opinion is divided. Shaq introduces the closest to M.J., Kobe to us as "the greatest Laker of all-time", but perhaps the M.J. number 24 is really close but no Shaq cohiba to is number 23 backwards. Because to some even Magic is better than Mike, the man who passed the torch to the greatest of all-time just like he passed everything else. Now surely Kobe couldn't play these assist lanes. Kobe may demand the ball more than almost anyone that's ever played this game and with good reason, but Johnson could change the game without even taking a single shot. And THAT is why he'd be the one left holding the ball...if he'd even let you see it. Now tell us you don't believe in Magic?!

#LakerLegacySeries

#ShowtimeSeries

#TheMagicSeries

#TheKobeSeries

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL & KOBE BRYANT Feature-THE DYNAMITE DUO

Batman & Batman.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

"Shaq made his own way and Kobe made his own way and in doing that and understanding how to stay within the system they where successful and they where able to be considered Hall Of Famers."-John Salley (1999/2001 Lakers Championship Teammate).

Fabulous Forums of fans flock to watch a formidable, dynamic duo for the dynasty ages. One man a Goliath Giant, so notorious and B.I.G. they had to build a Tony Stark, Iron Man, side of the Hollywood Hills, marvel of a mansion in Los Angeles especially for him and the thousands of broken hearts he averaged each season, night in, night out. The other a guarded guard who held the changing of the court in his clutch hands so tightly they remodelled and designed the logo of the NBA and the game itself after his very image and likeness. One big number 33 with an unmistakable, giant and iconic look and hook shot that sank every opponent everytime it dived through the twine...which was everytime down the line...without fail, like factory clockwork. The other a number 32 who was Showtime like no other and a man who may as well have been the redesigned logo of this brand of Hollywood ball as he went to change the game again with the top hat and cat tricks of his trade. It was something like magic for this man and his captain oh captain. Sound like anyone you know? Well this ain't the Wilt/West of The Stilt Chamberlain and Mr. Clutch, Jerry, the logo. Or the Magic/Kareem of the goggles of Abdul-Jabbar and the one and only Magic man Earvin Johnson. Nor is it the golden era 90's, before the big threes, dynamic duos of the pick and roll of the Utah Jazz playing Stockton and Malone. Or the original 'Lob City' Blake Griffin and CP3 of Seattle's original Supersonic Gary 'Glove' Payton and Shawn 'Kamikaze' Kemp. It's not even arguably one of the best one-two punches ever of Phil Jackson's Chicago Bull greatest of all-time Michael Jordan and the most underrated "sidekick" in the history of the game Scottie Pippen. This is the Zen Masters other calm before the storm classic three-peat championship cocktail. This is the Diesel and the Black Mamba. Batman and the Dark Knight (or should we say 'Batman v Superman' in the dawn of 'Civil War' superhero in-fighting. Now forget whose side to choose, whose Captain America and whose Iron Man?). Neither wanting to play the tweet, tweet games of a Robin. Before the Oklahoma Thunder storm of Durant and Westbrook. Before todays Twitter feuds...or even a punctuated podcast, the original quotable, exclamation marks of this words and names in lights National Basketball Association was the STAPLE of the Los Angeles Lakers; Shaq and Kobe.

Blow the dynamic duo! These two where more like the dynamite duo! A fuse ignited that was ready to explode at any given second. But was it a Tom Cruise like mission to prevent the possibility of two of the nations and top Hollywood stars from going rogue? Boom! Its 2001 and young 'Frobe Bryant is dribbling through all the West's defences like the eight wonder his world best selling jersey reads. A blazing trail of red, white and black engulfs his new purple and gold signatures. Gone is the trim of the forlorn Forum days that where swept away by the air of shots that even missed the rim and the balloon empty arena that couldn't be spurred on by the storied success of the past. If Shaq and Kobe where the Wilt and West or Magic and Kareem of the future, All-Star back-ups like Cedric Ceballos, Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel as great as they were, were not your Elgin Baylor's and Gail Goodrich's or Jaamal Wilkes and James Worthy's to these guys. That was the past, but now in this moment young Kob' has what looks like even every Portland player off the bench at him. Forget a triple-team, this next generation Jordan commands more. If Mike was God, than Kobe has so much game he's Jesus...with all due respect to the Shuttlesworth of Ray Allen. Right now J.C., K.B. is looking for Goliath and the most dominant player this sport has ever seen since the 100 point man his 81 could never eclipse Chamberlain wilted everyone in his painted path. Number 8 is flanked by a lot of legacy making Lakers open because there's no one else possibly in this STAPLES Centre to mark him unless the away fans got involved too. To his right, his mentor Ron Harper. One-time before a career crippling injury considered to be the next Jordan himself, before being reinvented as his teammate and a valuable veteran for Chicago's championship campaign, a former Bull joining Phil Jackson's new postseason stampede like Shaq back-up John Salley and former 80's Showtime Laker legend A.C. Green. Alongside and almost behind him, number 41; Glen Rice. A three-ball purist who was meant to be the final piece in this triangle for Hollywood's new top-billing, big-three, despite not making it past this season. And ahead of him in the left corner some Big Shot called Bob. More than a "whipping boy" until the fourth quarter when he was the Mr. Clutch of the Lakers and NBA all-time, Robert Horry. The new Showtime saviour who along with fellow back-seat but big-time players of Rick Fox and the loss to a win in 0.4 seconds Derek Fisher, formed a role playing big-three that was all Shaq and Kobe's Lakers needed to be once, twice, three times a dynasty. Still, Kobe wasn't interested in this triangle of Phil's, all he saw was the big circle of O'Neal in the paint canvassed by the best big-men the Blazers could burn from their rotation of Rasheed Wallace, Dale Davis and future Laker via big Caron Butler and Lamar Odom trade Brian Grant. Up went the lob, tear-dropping like the French flair of a Tony Parker, leaving everyone not in Lakers purple crying. And there came a floating mountain in the pound for pound flesh form of "Little" Warrior O'Neal who got some air-time like Mike, with Godzilla force as his palm met peach. And the rest was...BANG!

Eyes wider than if a script landed like a thud on his doorstep labelled; 'Kazaam 2', Shaq couldn't believe it running back down court with even more energy reserves in this epic moment than the euphoric one in '92 when the Orlando Magic drafted some young number 32 who mouthed the words; "me"(?) when his one of a kind name was called Sternly. Shaq kept running, mouth wide open with both arms and indexes kept up in the air towards Kobe until the Lake Show ran all the way through the postseason and the Pacers to the arms of Larry O'Brien and the tears of champagne. All until Kobe ran right back to him and leapt into Shaq's huge arms and bear hug, crying the tears of a gentle giant after all these years finally showing all the Davids that Goliath could win no matter how many rocks they threw at him. And even before todays crowned King in this game of thrones had his own people throwing rocks at his burnt effigy billboard and castle, Shaq and Kobe held this chair and court together, season after treason, until one day the kid that ran into Daddy's arms became a young Prince of a little red Corvette that ran into a brick wall in South Beach! And you thought LeBron brought Miami some Heat!? After the coronation of their classic crowning series, the back-to-back Lakers could have even given the 72 game winning Bulls a gallop for Money's record books as they swept almost everybody en route to an almost perfect postseason if it wasn't for the unquestionable MVP answer of Philly's Allen Iverson giving the Sixers more stake. Next year as the Lakers made it three for their crowds they made sure they brought the brooms this time as their carpet trick on New Jersey made the Nets all theirs as they vacuumed away all of Jason Kidd's hard-work like Brooklyn did New Jersey or the former legendary Point Guards coaching tenure. Where the Lakers getting cocky? Could they go fourth? The next year out in the Wild West which always back then determined who was best the Lakers couldn't click against the evergreen and ever-old Tim Duncan and his San Antonio Spurs who upset them once again like they where back in the Forum in '96. Even another Big Shot of Bobby Horry went in and then all rimmed out as his last clutch for L.A. was nothing but straws. The following season he'd look to sip champagne again one day with the same Texan team that just drew first in this saloon shootout showdown. If you thought Shaq and Kobe where creating fallouts in Hollywood when these guys where winning award in a town full of actors then you hadn't seem anything, or the final twist yet!

Scripts flipped in their final year as this dynamite duo was joined by a dynamic legendary, veteran one in the form of two big free agents. The gloves where off for the Seattle Supersonics as top Point Gary Payton joined former Utah Jazz player Karl Malone in the Mailman's new Hollywood delivery for their escape to L.A. Even with all this there was still a Hollywood divorce on the horizon with one superstar playing Kurt Russell. Even with a new Tango and Cash, buddy cop like partnership in downtown L.A., even behind those indoor sunglasses, Sly Stallone and other celebrities courtside could see something wasn't quite right with all that was left in Lakerland. Even beyond the individual stresses of Shaq's little toe problem and Kobe's big court to court one of catching rape charges in Colorado. The two, better for worse stars where fighting again like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in 'Mr & Mrs. Smith' in a marriage of celebratory and commiserating matrimony. It all came to a head when Karl Malone went down on one knee and a team of certified Hall Of Famers where beat down by a team of so-called role players as the assembly line of Detroit Pistons motored past the Los Angeles Lakers taking the throne to the Palace Of Auburn Hills and proving that Bad Boys or Motown wasn't dead. What was however was a double act that got crowded after three. In a death of a dynasty bigger than that of Jay-Z and Dame Dash, Kobe was left holding the rock on his own as Shaq took his talent to South Beach in the twilight of a break up even bigger than one in the direction of vampire film stars. After Kobe and the Magic of Penny before him, Shaq got his revenge on the Lakers and not just at Christmas, but for all seasons, winning another championship running with the Flash of Dwyane Wade. Success at last again, before closing out the second half of his career on the veteran side of riding with the King in the wine but no champagne of Cleveland, before becoming the Big Shaqtus in Phoenix and a shamrock mascot in Boston, his career ended by age, injury and seemingly hilarious Nate Robinson pranks. The Doberman Kobe on the other side endured the dog days of Kwame Brown and Smush Parker, before Spanish legend Pau Gasol joined guys like Lamar Odom, one of two failed, albeit formidable Shaq replacements Andrew Bynum and old friend Derek Fisher in leading the Lakers back to the promised land over Boston and in the end getting "one more than Shaq"! Now after the ravages of injury and father time, in what might be Kobe's last year he looks like a long way from matching Mike again as he passes the torch to number 2 D'Angelo Russell and the small ball big-three of Julius Randle and a new Jordan called Clarkson as the purple and gold tapes remix passed on a future big-man in Jahil Okafor in their long legacy that began with Mikan in Minneapolis. Possibly because they just know they could never replace Shaq. It took the Superman returns of Dwight Howard in Brandon Routh sequel, sophomore slumping form for Kobe Bryant to realize that. And as the pair politic over podcast in a revealing and redemptive moment they show its all love and no hate as they lament a loss and wonder what could have been in the win column. You could see it in the Western reunion of the 2009 All-Star Game when Shaq and Kobe teamed up again for some signature moves, winning once again as Co-MVP's and a moment where fans and rumours hoped would result in one last purple and gold ride down the California coast of Lakerland. But sadly a storybook ending wasn't made out in a big deal...we'll just have to settle for the audio, what was and what could have been. That's just life, sometimes even perfect partnerships don't work out, but that doesn't mean that it wasn't all love and in the memory of their greatest moments something beyond beautiful. Just like this game. Now maybe one day if these guys are immortalised in bronze off court at the Lakers entrance (may we suggest some sort of Portland piece?) it should be like it always should have been...as one. Just like when Kobe joins Shaq in retirement and is welcomed by the Big Fella in a ceremony that sees his number 24 raised right next to his number 34, right next to rafters of all the banners they put there...together.

#ShaqWeek

#TheKobeSeries

KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR Feature-SALUTE TO KAREEM (SIDE B)

Sky Captain Hook.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

Rock between the fingertips and palm of his hand, this young man stands in a circle that seems like a spotlight of circling pressure, in a capacity arena that feels like the millions that are tuning in on their television sets around the nation and globe. In this moment this kid Lew Alcindor feels like an Olympian as he moves with the athletic grace somewhere between the bounty of ballet and the beauty of knowing kung-fu. He holds the rock for a moment slightly stretched to the side of him, before bringing it in to his body...slowly, carefully in one perfect pirouette of a pivot. Then he steps back, dancing with his spot, striding forward and in one creatively, crafted crane moment, elevates his arm to the outstretched stature that even the record books can't reach. Making proud and perfect flamingos out of all the goose-necks before his wrist snaps in one downward, almost deflated motion that sort of tells the opposition; "never mind"! As the ball flies high towards its one goal, the world record and more than just another point proved. They check the tape and its off the charts and when it lands...it's his personal best perfection. It's the gold! The top of the podium. It almost looks like a shot putt, but this shot is put down as a sky-hook and this young Lew Alcindor is the name at the top of it all; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Floating like a butterfly and stinging the net like a bee, this ball pollinates the nylon like it was a beautiful flower in basketball bloom. And it all comes from the hands of the greatest, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The most famous name change in sports and entertainment since the artist formerly known as Cassius Clay became some Louisville Slugger who went by the red corner name of Muhammed Ali. Young Lew may have changed his name to the mighty Kareem, but one thing number 33 didn't change in reflection was his tried and tested signature shot that no one could block. If it ain't broke, just hone it! Make it work like shot clockwork. Until after all the seconds are out you're the highest score with your arcade like move. One that leaves you leading all the second placers first and foremost in history and legacy of the books of legends. No, no Mike, Kobe, Shaq or Wilt. Even 'The Mailman' of Karl Malone couldn't deliver as many points as the storied Abdul-Jabbar did in the history of the National Basketball Association. And it's all thanks to that shot. Hook, sky-line and net sinker. But that wasn't the only thing this hoops grandmaster and godfather of the hardwood possessed. There where the devastating dunks, the brutal blocks battling, the bountiful rebounds rallied and of course the flawless post-up game that lead to all of this. All of this that lead this perfect prototype of a player in the centre position to be the best big-man in not only the history of the Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O'Neal dominated Los Angeles Lakers (not to forget the Minneapolis master of George Mikan, the NBA's first superstar), but the NBA as a Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing and of course Boston Celtics ring bearer Bill Russell whole. Let alone the greatest all-round player on a Laker team that featured the Big Game of James Worthy and the Magic of Earvin Johnson and one of history and legacies all-time best like Laker luminaries from the classic logo of Jerry West to the modern day icon of Kobe Bryant and all the LeBron's, Jordan's, Bird's and Oscar winners.

Before the 7 foot 2, 225 pound, 68 year old number one pick in the '69 draft with a 20 year career of 6 rings, 6 MVPs and 19 All-Star selections racked up all those 38,387 points (good luck Steph Curry and your shot) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was rolling in the Bucks with Milwaukee and the Big O of triple-double dream Oscar Robertson. Yet even, before all that Lew Alcindor was making immortal basketball history way before the NBA even called his name. When most kids in high school were waiting to be saved by the bell, Lew was playing 'till the final buzzer making power plays for Power Memorial and leading them to a huge 71 game winning streak during the Harlem renaissance in New York City. Then from the Big Apple to the Hollywood sands, Alcindor made the transition to college hoops in Los Angeles, becoming a Bruin with UCLA and uniting with classic coach and hardwood forefather John Wooden for a perfect partnership and coach player combo that outside of Hollywood was the hoops alternative of a Scorsese and De Niro director and actor. Yeah we're talking to you! Breaking every UCLA record, Lew was barely scrapping the surface of his basketball career whilst scratching his cornea in what later on in his playing days would resort to his goggle wearing look being iconic as his balding afro and beard. In L.A. before L.A. a young L.A. converted to Islam before changing his name, trained with martial arts legend Bruce Lee, played in the 'Game Of The Century' and even got the art of the dunk outlawed due to his dominance. Standing next to Wooden with three NCAA titles under the drawstring of his warm ups and strings of nylon around his neck was this young man ready for the NBA?

With the first pick in the 1969 draft you where damn right! After winning a coin toss tip against the Phoenix Suns the sophomore Milwaukee franchise was just the first round ticket, despite the legendary court circus act; the Harlem Globetrotters offering Lew a million bucks to travel the world with them. The hometown hero would also have to disappoint the New York Nets who thought they had secured his services with the ABA drafts first pick. Even if number 33 did have an afro he wasn't going to roll his socks up for anything trying to scale higher than the original and one, true basketball league. Or more aptly the "flesh" bidding war that he saw as so degrading to all parties involved he was prepared to literally turn down millions. With defensive legend and Boston Celtics lord of the 11 rings; Bill Russell sharing a last retirement cigar with Red the only thing standing in Alcindor's way was the rivalry of the most, 100 point scoring dominant ever; Wilt Chamberlain. But before number 33 would replace the lucky 13 in purple and gold he replaced him in the post as the NBA's centre of attention. Winning Rookie Of The Year honours off 28.8 points and 14.5 rebounds per game, before teaming up with Oscar in his second season to win the biggest award in basketball. The day after he became an NBA champion, Lew Alcindor became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the rest was National Basketball Association and Los Angeles Lakers history. The iconography of the goggles came next, put on by two broken hands as after injury a trade waved goodbye to the Wisconsin wonder who hit the coast for the Californian sun. Adding a purple heart to his gold standard career, rewriting the script with a casting call from Hollywood. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a Laker...it was Showtime without the Apollo!

But Hollywood was bowled over and before Magic and the Boston Bird saved the game and brought all the Nicholson actors into the superstar seats, Captain Kareem was the era director of this epic, with the slick Pat Riley running the screenplay. Battling all sorts of big-men from Bill Walton to John Salley and all sorts of eye erosion problems. It wasn't until the dawn of the Showtime L.A. and blue collar Boston era of the 80's that Cap and the Lake Show would win and pull real Magic out the hat when they selected the everlasting enthusiasm and smile of Earvin Johnson from the 1979 draft. After winning the season opener, Kareem shot and shouted a young Magic down after number 32 embraced 33 like they just won game 7 of the last day on the basketball calender. But by the end of the season when this Rookie Point Guard showed that the only man that could possibly replace Jabbar at center was the 6,9 pass first magician himself, Kareem would have bear hugged the next Lakers star himself if there wasn't a planes distance from the injured big and Philadelphia. In the storied Lakers and Celtics rivalry of the ages, Kareem was avenging Wilt Chamberlain's finals heartbreak to the ring hands of Bill Russell's Celtics. They could put balloons in the rafters now thanks to a team of greats like fellow google sporting James Worthy, the silk of Jaamal Wilkes, future millennium champion A.C. Green, future general manager Mitch Kupchack, future coach of today Byron Scott and the dynamic duo of dynamic duos. The inside and outside, one-two punch of Magic and Kareem, took over that of West and Wilt and nothing from the legendary legacy of the Los Angeles Lakers or the NBA as a whole since has topped this. Not even the second most dominant player of all-time Shaq and the second Jordan G.O.A.T. Kobe...this dynamite duo comes in second place too. Nothing could top the vision of Johnson's passing that looked to the sky of Jabbar's hook. And when a 40 year old Kareem bulked up and practiced yoga to muscle up and lean with a younger, post big-man dominating career the show just went on like Hollywood Lakerland's version of Shakespeare. Back to back and that again. Jack wouldn't give up his courtside chair marked like a directors one for nothing...not even the next big budget movie. Even the Pulitzer of legendary sportswriter Jim Murray saw a new prize everytime his typewriter slid back the moment Chick Hearn's jiggling words closed the refrigerator door.

When the retirement chair came rocking and hoop heavens door came knocking, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar left the game with all-time leading totals of 38,387 points, 15,837 field goals and 57,446 minutes played (only to be perished by Parish). Averaging a legendary line of 24.6 points,11.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks a game, en route to the top 50, his number 33 up in rafters on each coast, the corridors of the Hall of Fame, the header in the history books and finally a statue outside STAPLES. A fond farewell to this gentle giant between the Lakers and their love to hate them Celtic rivals saw all players participating rocking the goggles and attempting a sky-hook, a move that nobody like this man can duplicate. It belongs in a basketball museum next to the exhibits of Jordan's fade-away and Allen Iverson's crossover like these holy grail, signature moves it's a pioneer play. Following the last streak of sky to be hooked, Kareem has done anything but retired. The man who has shown that even at seven feet and two nickels change he is agile enough to go toe-to-toe with Bruce Lee, fought him in the movie 'Game Of Death' and sent his serious self up in the hilarious 'Airplane' spoof that saw his star stock soar. Surely he couldn't be anymore than serious?! Well, even if a Shirley Temple was his drink of choice, this actor knew how to lighten the heart in the Summer, after giving his soul and sole to the season. Following his playing days retirement the history books engraver has proved to be a wonderful writer beyond his amazing first-name self-titled autobiography. Cap has capped off many basketball books, including children's ones with an off court message off the playbook. The regular columnist for leading, world newsstand famous magazine of the day 'Time' has gone beyond being a cover star to writing critical columns of issues of inspiration and influence too. Yet his most intriguing creative venture comes this year and we're not just talking about the HBO Abdul-Jabbar documentary. Kareem is set to look into legendary writer Arthur Conan Doyle's magnify glass to write the next pipe dream for Sherlock Holmes fans with an original idea about penning a story about the worlds most famous detectives brother 'Mycroft Holmes'. Now how's that for the most anticipated book of the year outside of Harper Lee's 'To Kill A Mockingbird' sequel 'Go Set A Watchmen'? That's elementary my dears. This old Cap is still involved in basketball operations however and the two time NBA champion as an assistant coach is now tutoring the next line of Laker big men in the central position of this franchises legendary legacy like he tried to do with stars Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard. Now its sophomore Julius Randle, technically speaking in his rookie season after injury and troubled but talented defensive presence in the block Roy Hibbert, after the Lakers couldn't buy a free agent big-man after passing on so many in the draft for the small-ball future of D'Angelo Russell. A Ewing, Mourning and Mutombo following Georgetown Hoya who could go from role player to star again thanks to the mentoring of the master that when it comes to years as a Laker even Shaq and Wilt can't reach and touch. You want to really grasp the ceiling of number 33's classic court contributions? Then in this city of stars-with even 16 circling the centre of the court-you can't just hook the billboards bearing his name in the rafters. You have to reach for the sky...

#LakerLegendSeries

#TheKobeSeries JOE 'JELLYBEAN' BRYANT Feature-THE ITALIAN JOB

Bean Around The World.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Like father, like Bean. This is a league full of extraordinary gentlemen...and the fathers that raised them. The Curry's. The Ewing's. The Hardaway's. So many like the Barry's. The Jon's, Rick's and Brent's. The Dell's. The Seth and Steph's...and of course the Riley's. Who one day could have a life in the WNBA, the way she looks like her dad and the same way this family shoots from three. But what about the Bryant's? Kobe's got a couple of girls himself, but the casual fans among us may forget about his true parentage. Like one of the greatest the rap game has ever seen, Nas having the hip-hop jazz roots of his father, Olu Dara, one of this games greatest came from another hardwood classic. The world may be his now, but one day Kobe 'Bean' Bryant was watching from the sidelines (complete with court sweeper like rapper Common back in Chicago for the Bulls) as his father Joe Bryant, know to most as 'Jellybean' was popping with his sweet hops and shot. Now, hey Joe! How about a taste?

Kobe used to be on his dads back all the time...literally. Or so the 'Muse' says, in Kobe's latest career documentary for 'Showtime' which is really the curtain call review of quite the champion and competitor. Kobe tell us straight up to the camera that when his father would come home with a training table list of injuries and ailments and more cramps than 80's style after a game, he and his siblings would walk up and down their daddy's back to work that stuff out. Who needs Gary Vitti hey? Not when you've got what then was a young Kobe's favorite nightly ritual. Watching his hero come home after a night fighting for his dream and looking up to him with pride and awe. Young Kob' was used to doing whatever it took to help his dad and his hoops career. Philadelphia 76er born and raised, it would be in Europe however that Kobe would spend most of his childhood days. Chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool. Shooting some bball outside of school. Until this Fresh Prince of L.A.'s life got flipped-turned upside down. But still, Kobe wouldn't go live with his auntie and uncle in Bel-Air, or West Philly? Instead when the plane landed and he came out, it was Europe where his new throne would belong. An Italian job and wherever else his fathers great game and time would take him. 'Hang on lad...I've got an idea'. If the NBA wasn't going to give pops his props, he was going to scour the earth to find it. Taking this game overseas and revolutionizing and doing what all the young Jennings and WNBA stars he coached are doing today. Adding more stamps and approval to his passport and scouting report. Basketball without borders...only blowing more than the doors off.

And we all know what that European exposure and soccer skill did to Kobe and his game. From the savvy way he see's the floor, to the lost in translation way he play-call communicates on it. Like basketball's equivalent of baseball's facial-gesture and grimace, sign-language play-calling. Even if he doesn't have as much of a nose and ear for it these days now the likes of Gasol and Vujacic are gone. Maybe it's time to learn Chinese with Lin? A little bit of culture is good for anyone...even if at the beginning it does seem like too much of a permanent vacation and not just a world tour that the likes of Aersomith would rock and roll with. Still, before Bean senior took the seed of his junior overseas he gave NBA basketball a little bit of his own culture on these high seas of National Basketball. At 6, 9 and a star at Philly's John Bartram high and La Salle University, the Golden State Warriors drafted Joe Bryant in 1975 when Kobe was barely three years old with the 14th pick in the first round. Still after Golden State's lottery ball came up big, they switched tickets with Philadelphia as young Joe himself was given a Sixer cap on his way to career averages of 14.8 points 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists capped off per contest. After hitting the big stage, Bryant was going home...and boy did it feel so good. To play in front of his family and friends for four years alongside some of the games greatest like Doug Collins, George McGinnis and some doctor called Julius. It was just the prescription for J.B and on Ering's unit he was the right tonic for an operation that took it all the way to the lifeline of the NBA Finals, where they eventually flat lined against the Portland Trail Blazers 4 game to 2.

Still this Joe was one hell of a smoothly skilled player, running and dunking the floor with American abandon. Especially for his tweening Power Forward and Center position. When he headed to the West Coast-like his own son did on his 1996 draft day, over 20 years later when the Charlotte Hornets stupidly shipped him to some team in Hollywood-Bryant senior played for the Lakers neighbors Clippers. Still, he'd never see Los Angeles as a player, because this was back when the Clips where in San Diego and probably having their nightly sports bulletins read by Champ Kind of the 'Anchorman' Channel 4 New Team or something to that effect. After a "whammy" of a play-by-play each night, Bryant ended up flying high with the Rockets for a few years in Houston, before he'd really take flight. To Europe that is. Seven seasons in Italy made Bryant senior fluent in the European game and Bryant junior fluent in the culture. Just listen to the way he pronounces the names of the places he'd grow up in across the Italian A1 and A2 leagues. Playing for AMG Sebastiani Rieti, Viola Reggio Calabria,, Pistoia, and Reggio Emilia a decade after his NBA draft, from 1984 to 1991 this guy was a star that brought the peach to the vines of Europe as a young Vino was fermenting. If you thought this was just about collecting the zeroes on the end of a cheque, than the numbers of two 53 point games will read you differently. The 60 year old would play into his fifties as smooth as the day he rocked the young mans beard and fro. From a quick bonjour in France (for FC Mulhouse Basket) to a series of stints in the ABA that his early, Sixer game seem catered for (with the Boston Frenzy). Coaching is now this dads staple as he one day may head back to the NBA he's still connected to by being married to Pam Cox (sister of former player Chubby (Joe's nephew John Cox IV also plays pro in France)). In fact he's been in STAPLES with Los Angeles sister team the Sparks of the WNBA two times. Leading them to a 25 and 9 record (before a certain 80's legend called Michael Cooper ran the show), as well as coaching his resume in the ABA and now Japan (you're all familiar with the Tokyo Apache). Where he is the current coach of the Rizing Fukuoka. No wonder Kobe keeps coming back to Asia each Summer. He'll always have the inspiration of his elder statesman as well as his own pride and awe...even in his own winding down father time. This folks, is how number 22 and 23 influenced 24. Because without Jelly, there's no Bean.

#TheKobeSeries

LUKE WALTON & BILL WALTON Feature-THE WALTONS

Father Time

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

Parquet floor erupts in celebration like those infamous splintered and cracked dead-spots on court that are now being pounded into submission by many a plimsoll and work shoe. These soles belonging to the souls to the sold out Boston Garden that are rushing to the arenas floor. This can only be a sign of one thing...another Celtic championship. It must be the golden era of the 80's. A time and tide of titles that if it wasn't for the Magic of the Lakers would have clearly flown the way of the old Irish's Bird from French lick every year. Now on this day in 1986, a year after falling to the purple and gold like avenged Forum balloons dropping to a lights out aftermath arena of a Wilt beating Russell led Celtics of decades back, the Boston boys are back in the rafters of the real Garden of basketball. They and Bird not paying the Lakers revenge just yet, but soaring over the Houston Rockets team that caused them so many problems with the twin towers of Ralph Sampson and some young dreamer called Hakeem. Six parts of a seven game series was needed for the C's to overcome H-town and maybe more than just the Larry legends of Kevin McHale and the late, great Dennis Johnson. In overcoming Houston's problematic post pair they needed something a little bigger. The 'Sixth Man Of That Year', Bill Walton who overcame more than just some strokes in the paint to rise above it all to glory. For what was riding on and against him made that season possibly the best year of Walton's playing career. Still with his red, Scalabrinie, Celtic leprechaun hair soaked in the same champagne or sweat his jersey was, he made his way through the shaking microphones and hands to find some people that meant more when it came to sharing this special moment of glory. He had to get to the locker room. He had to share this moment with his family and his young son staring up at him, beaming at his hero. A kid called Luke.

Luke Walton's father was a lot better than you think LeBron generation. The purists know. Post big-man age you know about your Wilt's, your Russell's. Your Kareem's and Shaq's. Even your Ewing's, Robinson's and Olaujawon's. Still amongst all these trees its hard to see the real forest of formidable foes. One in particular sporting the lumberjack shirt and blue collar jeans and Springsteen boots ready to chop wood. Bandana wrapped around the long hair that the soul of Marvin Gaye wouldn't judge. What's going on you ask? One of the greatest centres the National Basketball Association has ever seen! A man they called a hippy, but was really the hip to hoops hop. A guy that bridged the iconic fashion and passion play between the Knicks' Walt 'Clyde' Frazier's pimp game and Phil Jackson's Zen one. The man in the middle that dunked and blocked with a force that could shatter the glass he cleaned the opposite end to how much he shaved. A number one draft pick that was a Clipper before that franchise ever made it to Los Angeles. But before San Diego and even the Trailblazing Portland team that drafted him their was the Los Angeles times of UCLA. Times like these where this bold Bruin was a three time college player of the year, making John Wooden's side a powerhouse to the tune of two, perfect 30 and zip, net cutting, championship seasons. Then as the devout Grateful Dead fan and 'Worlds Tallest Deadhead', honour roll member took his band posters down from his dorm and put up the vinyl on the road, this man dropped the needle on a Hall Of Fame career. Even though his PDX beginnings where marred by a career crippling sick note, scrub laundry list of injuries for the ever ill-fated Blazers that kept him at bay like San Francisco. Still a warrior, rising from the cast concrete in the city of roses this man became a Portland legend down the trail like Clyde Drexler. Greg Oden take note! A superstar before he played a game in this league, a suit and tie for the shirt and board shorts guy may have prevented a few more, but an MVP block and rebound leading championship season would help raise his number 32 to NBA ceilings like NCAA ones. Outstanding in his Oregon opening, multiple foot injuries may have prevented him from getting his in the G.O.A.T. door, but one of the best B.I.G's still got to close his final chapter with another bookending for the association's most storied side. Leaving this game with his own footnote in the history books of being the only player to win the big three honours of season MVP, Sixth Man of the Year and Finals MVP. Throw it down big man...throw it down!

Little Luke couldn't be prouder. Growing up watching his pop play, whilst listening to his dads old records. Only to then become a man himself, tattooing Grateful Dead, skeleton arms holding orange and leather seams to represent his basketball brotherhood with Adam, Chris and Nathan, whilst inking a deal to draft him into the association of National Basketball himself. Although the current Golden State Warriors assistant coach who brings brilliant basketball I.Q. and experience (some with the Lakers D-League affiliate D-Fenders) to that job description at 34 is a little too young to have already retired for years, ever since swapping his Lakers champagne and trophies for Cavalier wine and gold. I guess injuries are as common as Teddy, presidential, fatherhood middle names in the Walton's household. Its all familiar like two championships each in the family trophy cabinet that put them in the exclusive, most successful championship company of the Barry family and the first father and son duo in the NBA to win multiple chips. And I bet you thought two Gasol's in the All-Star game was awesome. Named after old man William Walton's former Portland Trail Blazers teammate and friend Maurice Lucas, Luke grew up in California's San Diego, before making it to the University Of Arizona for a real gown graduating, capped off year of academics and textbook hoops. Averaging nice numbers across the board in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, Luke was a steal when he was taken with the 32nd pick in the second round of the draft. A long way from his father times pole position, but still a drive to downtown L.A. for the Lakers team his dad once appealed to playing for before Red's Celtic green snapped and signed him up. Although a Small Forward and not the big block and dunk shy 7 footer his Walton senior was, Theodore junior was a dominant defender and perfect passer that even underrated dishing big man Shaq didn't need to assist...just like Kobe. This 6, 8, 235 pounds of Small Forward, role playing prototype got his rings and proved to be a great, young replacement for one of the Lakers best role players and champions of all time in off-ball genius, opponent wrestler Rick Fox. Switching with Deaven George for fifth Beatle duties in the billboard, Hall of Fame year of Shaq, Kobe and the Glove and Mailman of Gary Payton and Karl Malone.

Parquet felt like something else under the soles of Luke Walton's sneakers as he walked off the Gardens famous floor in a Finals over 20 years since his dad stepped off his to meet him head held high. Head down for Luke this just didn't feel right as ticker tape fell around him. Maybe it felt off to walk off like this because it wasn't the original basketball Eden of the Boston Garden that bloomed under his fathers feet before it was mowed down by a wrecking ball. Or maybe it was more like the fact that walking off a Finals floor just never feels right when its off in defeat. Its just how it is and how surreal it gets when you're a Laker and your dad was a Celtic. Its the equivalent of someone bringing the finest cut of steak to a vegan dinner party. It makes for one hell of a conversation over dessert. Still as this game was in Hearn's refrigerator, but on the wrong jello jiggling temperature, down in defeat Walton needed to change the pace of his walk. Just like Kobe did in his own Forum fall balloon moment. Inflated with motivation the following year, it was all Finals Magic like Earvin for surviving Shaq era Lakers, Kobe and Walton as they rung the changes of full circle champions. Still in beating Orlando for O'Brien, it just wasn't the same for the Lakers (although in todays hindsight, beating Dwight Howard must be sweet) like when the Celtics they wanted to play beat the Rockets and not their 80's Showtime incarnation in Bill Walton's time. 365 days and seven gruelling games of a repeating NBA Finals later would make everything right however. Through blood, sweat and baskets. Every position burned and every possession earned, the real, script flipping, storybook ending was rewrote in these David and Goliath, Ali and Frazier, Superman and Batman's latest legacy making chapter of legend. As Kobe ran down the STAPLE of a Hollywood, basketball red carpet on his home floor he cradled the ball in his arm and reached for the stars that couldn't touch him. Behind him though was a man that made all this matter. One of the key cogs, off the bench splinters in this role playing machine made of wood and championship gold plaque. Walton's son was a lot better than you think Larry generation. Clapping and celebrating a capped off championship that he helped champagne certify. Still in this moment of man in the mirror, like father, like son, career reflection, Luke had to get to the press box of commentators. He had to share this moment with his family and his old man staring up at him, beaming at him proudly. A man called Bill. The Walton's story complete. Goodnight Bill. Goodnight Luke.

#Forever24

This photo says it all! Down but not out! Struggle builds character! One young, future star out for a year and not one, but two of the greatest players of all time injured and possibly done for good and you say your all about the game when you laugh & ridicule on here? If you want to beat us...then beat us straight up, 100%, full strength. Fair and square. That's true competition. Real sport! Otherwise this is not a game. One of these guys comes from a place that's like a second home. The other practically started and gave me a career in writing...not just basketball writing. Oh wait that's right we haven't made it yet...but we don't give up! Ever! Rookie year or last one. Stand beside us or behind us! It ain't over until we give up! Laker fans aren't supposed to be really fans right? First or worst still here supporting! This isn't my job...its my passion! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

COURTSIDE COLUMN-Throwback Court

The Purple & Golden Years.

"Motherf###### Ass####"! That's how Steve Nash sums up his Los Angeles Laker backcourt mate Kobe Bryant as reported by top Sports Illustrated writer Chris Ballard of 'The Beautiful Game' in his latest Mamba Long Form. Truer words have never been spoken right?! What on paper is the worlds worst insult is actually a crazy compliment to one of the greatest basketball players of all time and still one of the best in the Association of National Basketball. That's right Kevin and LeBron...and that's right you guessed it! Kobe couldn't love Steve's comment any more, because just like Bryant replied, Nash is an ass#### too! Real recognises real and a motherf##### knows another motherf##### when he sees one. Originally this column was reserved for the instant vintage like a Saadiq C.D. How this was the league and maybe histories served best backcourt ever on paper. The best Point since Magic and the best player since Mike in the same backcourt, suited up in purple and gold for the same time. Just imagine what it could have been like when they had the best international player since Dirk and the most dominant big man since Shaq! You saw the 'Sports Illustrated Kids' superhero Justice League comic-book cover. Now its just Flash and the Batman. Now Pau Gasol's Green Lantern and Dwight Howard's Superman are gone...and lets not begin to get into the Cyborg of Metta World Peace.

In the dusk of justice (I promise that was another nixed Chris Paul swipe...honest) we miss this assembling of characters for one of the greatest teams ever...again on the dry-erase. Having Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher was actually championship certified better though. You don't have to believe it! The history books wrote it. Still with Kobe and Nash's oldest and greatest backcourt you better believe they still have something. Especially with the Fantastic Four new academy of heroes to marvel at in Nick Young, Xavier Henry, Wesley Johnson and Jordan Hill. Along with the All-Star veteran and worldwide insanity famous big names of Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin respectively. Plus the post future of Wildcat big man Julius Randle from Kentucky makes this team look a hell of a lot better than what is read in critical ink. Especially with former Showtime fastbreak finisher Byron Scott running show. Clipper superstar Blake Griffin is right. In this battle for Los Angeles, the Lakers are still the alpha team with the history behind them and the whole world in front of them. Originally we said this column was going to be like a eulogy. An epitaph article of apprehensive appreciation to two legends and modern day idols about to lace them up one last time together before they hang them up. Still its not over yet for this throwback court. Not with a hardwood classic show on a preseason in Denver that was truly an exhibition. It's not over yet!

Just look at that photo for example. The smiles, the jokes. The chemistry, the camaraderie. I know! What a bunch of A-holes right?! That knowing glance like that knowing smile between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan as they passed each other like this in the 2002 All-Star game where Kobe owned his hometown Philadelphia as a dunk missing Jordan told him, "don't be taking over the whole game now", smiling. To which Bryant beaming even more at his idol, winked, "don't talk me to death" (don't you just love it when they mic All-Star games?)! This look between Steve and Kobe that they know something that we don't. They've still got it, despite injury or father time! Nerve damage or Achillies be damned. Not only are these two of the associations greatest competitors, playing together instead of dunking and dribbling over and around each other. They are two of the most dedicated. Kobe Bryant tore his Achillies and then tried to excruciatingly push it back into place before hitting what where two mere consolation free throws before walking off court to show they really meant something. This guy, not injuries decides when he's done. Then if you thought that was painful Nash's extensive nerve damage, still playing professionaly at 40 was like a root canal for the whole body. You cant see it, but boy if you where in his sneakers you would feel it. Yet he's still playing all to honour a contract that the Lakers could have simply put to amnesty for the Canadian international. Yet they wont. Now that's dedication. Isn't that right Dwight? Sure the afro and floppy hair may be gone but the heart and souls still there as they run and run all the armchair fans social media hate out of trend. You may have seen our last articles on Kobe and Steve Nash 'The Winter Soldier' with pictures of them walking back into the tunnel lie they are done, but no. They are not. I still believe in Kobe Bryant and I still believe on Steve Nash. If only they had more Denzel time these men on fire would be one of the greatest Laker duos like Magic and Kareem, the fire and ice of Baylor and West and of course Shaq and Kobe. Still with Bryant saying he's got more years in him then the 'S' ends of his Mamba 'Ringsss' t-shirt and Nash even contemplating staying on another year there's more Hall Of Fame moments to come before the corridor calls. Yes these guys are crazy and maybe these ass##### will have even more time together. After all they deserve each other. I know the rest of the league right? It's a motherf#####! TIM DAVID HARVEY