#PoetsCorner THINGS JUST AIN'T THE SAME FOR LAKERS

Things just aint the same for ballers! With the NBA commissioner hoping to resume play mid July and only around 8 games left of the regular season what are the playoff brackets gonna look like come post season?

Look! One thing that is clear in my mind is Bron and AD lead Lakers will reach the Finals! Now I know what your think how can you know for sure? Fact is we can’t in a time of uncertainty for sports fans and the world in general, we can't be sure about much. Here come the big BUT and like MC Hammer I can not lie (Poet don't hurt 'em-Tim), the Lakers have a different drive than other teams this year to get it done. The tragic loss of in my eyes the greatest of all time Kobe Bryant. It’s a must to channel that Mamba Mentality and win it all. It' s a big ask for Bron and AD and the rest of this new look Lakers that still own the top spot in the West, but the odds are in our favour. No matter which team you support basketball fans want to see 'Bron lift that trophy and say “this is for Kobe.” Now if you ask me I don’t think there is any greater homage we can pay to the Laker and NBA legend!

So what of the East? Who is going to stand against us? Will it be the mighty Bucks lead by last season MVP Giannis? Or maybe arch rivals Celtic? Or maybe a wild card run for Philly? Or even maybe a Jimmy lead Heat? Nothing is certain right now in any case all I know...in fact no all I BELIEVE is the Lakers will achieve what they have to for the city and most importantly for Kobe.

Teams from the West that stand in our way consist of you know that other team in LA (sorry really can't remember their name even though they have two All-Stars on their team). You can’t rule out Denver who want Nuggets of gold. All round they are a strong team who could pose a threat in the Western Conference Finals or even semis for the Lakers and let’s not forget the fuelled up backcourt of the Houston Rocket. Can Harden and Westbrook bring it home? Or will they crash land in the final stretch? As for Curry and Golden State though they returned before this COVID pandemic fireing on all cylinders. I think like the JoJo classic its 'Too Little, Too Late' this season.

So many if ands or buts. I know the fact is time will tell, but every fan has to admit (even if you’re a dirty Celtic), that the Lakers are a must for the NBA finals to finish off what has been a strange and heartbreaking NBA season. DAN STOCKER.

#TheKobeSeries KOBE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD

Dear Hollywood. 

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

Dear Basketball,

We all know what the late, great Kobe Bryant (it still tragically doesn't feel true) could do on the court. Treating the dear basketball like a rolled up tube sock. From the coliseum of the Great Western Forum (how you going to sell that to the Clippers? It's bad enough they cover our banners with their selfies), to being a Los Angeles STAPLE. Everyday of his 82 plus, 365 day yeas a Laker. From 'fro dunks, to Caruso bald, Black Mamba fades. 8 to 24 in the rafters like the 2 of GiGi should be. Like Quinn Cook trading for the 28. Sorry D-Fish we will just put 0.4 up in the rafters for you. Basketball man. He fell in love with you. Like you did him. Mutual even if some times were hard like any marriage or Diesel dynamic duo like Shaq. Mind and body. Spirit and soul. We gave him all our time. He gave us all his all. Up and down the court. Every loose ball. Hustle. Heart. Asked. Gave. From rocking the cradle to what we can't believe now in a 2020 so grave. Sweat. Hurt. The calling. The good. The bad. He made US feel so alive. From the pounding to the grind. Our hearts wish it wasn't time to say goodbye. We're not ready to let you go. Like everytime we roll up a ball of paper towards the wastebasket letting it fly and saying your name like Destiny's Child or Jay-Z on Timbaland's, 'Lobster and Shrimp'.

"KOBE!"

California dreaming courtside however you only need to see that this La La Land city of angels is one of stars. From the bleachers to mopping the floor, just check the seats like an Usher (8701...he's been here too like Diddy and the Family Ma$e's, Bowie 'Let's Dance' sampling 'Been Around The World', featuring The Notorious B.I.G beginning Netflix and ESPN's 30 For 30 Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls documentary 'The Last Dance' now streaming). From Dyan Cannon to Sly Stallone and the number one die hard fan (no not Bruce Willis), Jack Nicholson who treats the Lakers house as his second home. Let's hear it for Jack on the week of his birthday in that opening 'Been Around The World' scene of 'The Last Dance' congratulating Chicago coach Phil Jackson the moment his team beats superfan Jack's Lakers on their Forum floor in the '91 Finals. Little did he know a decade later Jax would be starting the same thing in STAPLES with someone like Mike. Life is beautiful. And how about the recent report that Kobe filmed footage for a potential documentary too? Like if we see him in 'The Last Dance' like the late commissioner, also lost this year, David Stern, there will be tears. Lakers.com the day before yesterday shared a video of Kobe's first All Star Game in New York at Madison Square Garden in honor of Nicholson's birthday. Whilst Kobe is being interviewed by the legend Jim Gray pregame Jack appears out of nowhere like "Heeeere's Kobe" with a just brought basketball still in its box and a Sharpie, jokingly (and probably somewhat seriously) asking a young 8 bean for his John Hancock. As Kobe autographs the Spalding, Nicholson praises his dignity saying he's not like these other stars like "Jack Nicholson who won't even go on T.V." as he tongue in cheek looks at the camera in his trademark wrap-around shades, letting the haters have it. Laughing, Gray asks Nicholson if he has any advice for the kid. "For Kobe?" Jack replies. He looks up to the 6,6 Kobe and pats his arm, "HEAT UP" he repeats...and then knowing grin and wink flashes that signature smile that was so sinister in 'The Shining' and as The Joker, but feels real friendly in real life..."and get loose".

Hotter than July before all the leaves were brown like grey skies. Little did a watching Hollywood know that the sign of this wonders times would point to a post career that mirrored their reflection as they watched the reflecting waxed wood floor like their swimming pools in the hills, behind their celebrity shades (you guys are indoors...you know this right? Not you Jack. You get a free pass). Little did they know that the next star of their Tinsletown own would be the one they were gawping at from their seats like he was the celebrity and they the fans, gifted from the basketball Gods like these hoop dreams in what was once Magic's town after Wilt and West's were scripted. But who could write it better than Kobe? Even before the King of LeBron James took his G.O.A.T. debate like talents to Lakerland for his last waltz and a 'Space Jam' sequel too like he was the next one after 23, not 24. And when he was backing up his 'Bron brother (remember that courtside image of Kobe and LeBron laughing and embracing from last December, before the tragedy, before COVID? Oh to go back to that time) and hitting out on politicians like Trump. Making speeches for other award shows about how he should probably just "shut up and dribble", the same kid who used to stay in his hotel room and watch 'Star Wars' as a rookie when his teammates would hit the next town and party was receiving Oscars off Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill. Kobe Wan Kenobi. We all know the beautiful 'Dear Basketball' penned Players Tribune poem turned into an artistic animation sketch, scored by the legendary composer of classics, John Williams. This has gold all over it like Kobe at home for his Kodak Theatre moment from a purple heart to the red carpet in what he hope were rolled up tube socks under that tux. But how about what else Kobe was writing for his Wizenard series like a Harry Potter meets sports like Quidditch series of books from the man who once dressed up as Voldernort for Halloween and used to cold call legends like J.K. Rowling for inspiration and that advice? Under his Granity platform and like the Detail he brought to his ESPN analysis videos from Taurasi to Sabrina like the WNBA ambassador he was, Kobe knew how to write all his dreams into reality. From hoops to Hollywood. This town got this kid. Just like the one writing this now somewhere in Japan. Coming to America by way of Hollywood for the first time at 21 in '06. From a small seaside town in England near Liverpool, to all these beaches. Seeing his beloved Kobe and Lakers he's supported since age 11 live. Just amazed that he even got the chance to see him whilst he still could...even back then or in his last dance a decade later in 2016. It was like something out a movie. Leaving Los Angeles with La La Land, city of star studded dreams...and a pad and pen. Writing rhymes as a rapper during his 'fro young playing days Kob' had 'Visions' of a hit single with Tyra Banks like taking Brandy to the prom (after his appearance on 'Moesha' Like 90's sitcom staples, 'Sister, Sister' and the "hustling is wrong" revenge of 'Hang Time'). Before K.O.B.E. jumped on Shaq tracks, a Brian McKnight remix ('Hold Me'. Remember him suited and booted in the iconic video clip?) and Destiny's Child (Can you guess which one? That's right. 'Say My Name'), doin' work like a Spike Lee joint.

When Kobe was going through one of his worst times, he got cold called. By M.J. No not Mike, but someone like him in Michael. Jackson not Jordan. Inviting him to his Neverland ranch and giving him some advice on dealing with adversity and the alienation. As the moonwalking King of Pop showed and gave Kobe all the Fred Astaire videos that influenced those legendary dances that took the world's stage by a thriller like storm. In turn inspiring the footwalk in Kobe's ever evolving game (this is a court scientist who used to study nature documentaries and mimick how a cheetahs tail moved when it struck its prey with his leg when he took off for a shot, adjusting mid-air for the clutch. Talk about perfecting your craft) and probably his life's storytelling after he hung up the sneakers like tap dancing shoes too. Just another Hollywood moment in the life and Los Angeles times of legendary Laker, Kobe Bryant. Now even if he was one of the greatest to ever play this game, top five, dead (he really can't be. Tell me it's not true) or alive, it looked like Kobe Bryant's post basketball career that really looked to be something was still being written. Hollywood's not ready to say goodbye. As the author of the Andrew D. Bernstein photo assisted book, 'The Mamba Mentality: How I Play' for your coffee table inspiration posthumously released 'The Wizenard Series: Season One' volume in March, two months after his passing, with more to come. What was and what could have been. Still if only we could read the children's book aimed at underprivileged youth he was working on with Brazilian author Paul Coelho, which Coelho deleted in draft form after Kobe's death with respect. "It didn't make sense to publish it without him", Paul beautifully said in tribute for a book that will always remain out there...in spirit. But more tragically then what could of been in the Mamba's world of entertainment from bookshelves to in cinemas. Or the fact that the Mambacita of his Gianna would have one day carried on his basket torching legacy in the WNBA, probably of fate would have fittingly had it with the Los Angeles Sparks for this child's destiny. What's most tragic is on that cruel twist of fate day like all the lives that were lost, a father and a daughter lost theirs like the rest of their family heartbreakingly did. That's the real tragedy here. But just like we know that up in the hoop heavens GiGi will be beating daddy with all of the tricks of the trade he taught her. Once they call game and she takes a rest, Kobe will be right there beside her with a pad and a pen. Writing their next chapter.

Heat up Kobe...and get loose.

"And we both know, no matter what I do next. I’ll always be that kid. With the rolled up socks. Garbage can in the corner. 5 seconds on the clock. Ball in my hands. 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1."

Love you always Kobe.

#TheKobeSeries

#TheKobeSeries GOOD CHARLOTTE

Charlotte's Web.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Some schedule in 2002, Foxy as Chick Hearn affectionately called him looks to inbound the ball in North Carolina against the Charlotte Hornets with clutch king Derek Fisher in prime 0.4 position and less time left than future Buzz City owner Michael Jordan had to decide which hand to lay it up off the glass with for that infamous, iconic play back against the 80's Lakers that was true Showtime.

2016 was supposed to be the best year. I met a wonderful woman and that was truly beautiful and we got to see LeBron win it for The Land. But in that same year we lost Prince, Ali, Bowie and a whole heroic host of other G.O.A.T., out of this world talents. And all we got back was Trump and Brexit. Even Kobe retired from the NBA as a Laker for life, 24 and 8 to be in the rafters. 20 years. 81 points amongst more. Two jerseys. One team. At least we had each other.

Fox finds Shaq downtown in a position the most dominant ever has no business being like the free throw line or players in clubs the night before a big game, gone three ("what it do bay-bee"). He looks for Robert Horry whose had more big shots than anyone without Air before their name in the logo.

2020 was supposed to be that year of redemption finally recovered from the depression. Finally lost in translation in Japan for a teaching gig on my way to writing for the Tokyo, 2020 Olympics in any way I could. This was supposed to be the new roaring twenties in a new Fitzgerald, Gatsby age of decadence. But then the morning I got here, somewhere in Yokohama my phone was buzzing in the middle of what was my night from back home like someone I cared about died. Turns out they did. To begin this year we lost Kobe and GiGi and all those people that tragically lost their lives in that horrific helicopter crash. Rest peacefully. And all we got back was Corona. Turns out in the end it's the worst year. Stay safe.

Big shot Bob gracefully gives it off to the young 'fro of Kob who on the ball at the same center court Charlotte logo he could have owned (and still did as he was about to) is aggressively marked by former '96 Laker teammate George Lynch, who is on him like 41 on Glen Rice whose three throwing left the Lakers last season.

Rocking the same teal and turquoise Kobe cleats I copped the same year I fell in love with someone of the same name in tribute, now I walk in them to honour the man who joined the team I started supporting a year earlier and began a beautiful twenty year fanship that felt like a friend too. And the rest was hallowed hoops history I hope haunts every night for the rest of my life. The 'Charlotte' Kobe's imagine in imagery what it would have been like if Kobe took to the floor in Larry Johnson pinstripes too.

Kobe drives like Ryan Gosling in LA. Straight for the perimeter like a Raptor towards a weakness on the fence. Then on the world's smallest dime he stops on what looks like the smoothest, slipperiest when Bon Jovi, classic Hornet honeycomb court in all the association as he bobs and pump fake weaves. Turns out it is for the ankle breaking defender he's just lynched and the G.O.A.T like M.J. as the future number 24 fades away like 23 and falls to the floor.

With the unlucky for them and all the other teams who passed up before like a Sam Bowie (or Todd Fuller(?)! Who? I know right!), 13th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft the Charlotte Hornets selected Kobe Bryant, a 6 foot 6, 215 pound guard out of Lower Merion high school. As fellow twenty/twenty gone before his time, late, great legend David Stern shook his hand. Even future teammate Samaki Walker-with all due respect-was selected before him.

As 8 watched his wonder of a clutch shot like an Oscar winning 'Dear Basketball' scrawled and rolled up tube sock, it would have been a prayer if it was from any other player. But Hail Mary this is Kobe who the Basketball Gods called to their hoop heavens with the Mambacita Mentality of the first name Gianna, who would have grown up to be the greatest WNBA player of all-time like her father Hollywood's greatest storyteller like a Harry Potter wizard, Wizenard with Voldemort Halloween fancy dress killer instinct.

But then as the draft day deal goes down, the logo Jerry West redefined the NBA once again as he shipped centre Vlade Divac (who came aboard from abroad post-Showtime as part of Basketball's new European evolution and revolution and ended up actually playing with the man he was traded for, Kobe back on the Lakers before he retired) to the Hornets nest for Charlotte's new basketball buzz. The kid called Kobe with sunglasses uptop his Jordan dome, "taking his talents" to the NBA like future Laker LeBron to South Beach as the King. Add a Shaq sized center and the rest is hoops history engraved in the legend of Larry...O'Brien like a storied Bird and Magic, Celtics rivalry.

As Kobe falls and slides across the same teal that could have been his in Laker purple on his bum, the ball falls through the twine right at the perfect timing, second moment of 0.00 without a tenth to spare. The city of Charlotte can you tell me how his a## tastes? Word to Shaq's raps. Kobe has barely stopped sliding when he's pumping his fists in celebration like that was helping him move along the floor like a western handcar across the tracks.

What could have been seems these days more of a heartbreaking question, than a Twitter timeline debate one, as our feeds are full of tributes in testimony. If Kobe as a Hornet ruled the world (imagine that). Imagine one G.O.A.T. under another with Kobe and Jordan, 23 and 24. Imagine a backcourt with Baron. David Wesley in reserve. In the 24's of his later career Kobe and Kemba. 2K like a video game. Imagine him in that classic, iconic white with teal and purple pins (and those switching colour alternates) instead of purple and gold. Imagine the Buzz City Jersey purple. Laker fans would shudder. Charlotte would shiver. Kobe would have brought trophies. Put North Carolina on the NBA map as well as UNC college like Jumpman, Jumpman, Jumpman. If he moved to New Orleans with the team after Katrina via an Oklahoma home it would have been Mardi Gras. This guys no Bobcat. They would have never given up the name to the future Pelicans, only to take it back years and deals later. Let's not even get started with the Hornets six degrees of separation. Still we think Bryant would have ended up in Hollywood one way or another. It just seemed scripted by the Basketball God's. So much so. Meant to be. Just like Kobe trolled the Hornets on Instagram on his draft day anniversary. Yet Kobe almost ended up with Charlotte for life and sometimes it's just as heartbreakingly close as that. Or the final, life changing seconds before he cock, loaded, adjusted his sight and sniper pulled the trigger. That's a bullseye.

"THE DAGGER! THE DAAAAGGER," the commentator keeps crying as Kobe pumping his fist like this, drives the knife through the heart of the city that could have been his if they had him. We are far from the playoffs for the defending double champions in 2002, but the master of those ceremonies Robert Horry runs to pick him up in an embrace like he just D'Angelo vein iced Game 7. A suited, screaming Samaki Walker celebrating at the camera leads the bench off the pine on to the hardwood. There's muted, humbled boos as Kobe raises his hand in iconic, jawing celebration for the first of many infamous Laker Jersey thumps. Hugging Shaq like when he leapt into his arms after just another game in the year 2000. Keeping his arm up, reaching for the sky like the Wild West, Kobe is the first to run off the floor like the wrong sort of fans were about to hit it. But the Hornets have to give it up. That sting in his tail was one of young Kobe's best. So much so my 17 like Rick Fox year old self wore out the tape on my VHS like it was something I shouldn't watch gone four o'clock in the morning across the pond. I still remember the joy of the shot that I knew was good the second it left Kobe's hand, like it was yesterday. Not almost 20 years ago. I still remember him like he's here. It still doesn't seem real.

Now like Joel and Benji or 'Lifestyles Of The Rich Famous', that was good Charlotte.

#TheKobeSeries

#Forever24

GLEN RICE FEATURE-RICE THROWING

Right On Rice. 

By TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

"Good shot. Rice. I got a feeling about him tonight Stu", legendary play-by-play Lakers anchor Chick Hearn said from the water of the first bucket. Like the man who invented the term "Slam Dunk" knew it was all jello cooling in the refrigerator coming true. 41 for 40. On the last "party like its 1999" night between the coliseum like pearl pillars and carpet red of the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, CA, someone showed out for the Los Angeles Lakers one last time on that hallowed hardwood like history. Before the remnants of the 80's Showtime and those old trim throwback uniforms gave way to the STAPLES of a new millennium. But it wasn't Shaq or Kobe. A Robert Horry, Rick Fox or even a Derek Fisher. Instead it was the one man that was meant to turn this dynamic duo into a big-three like LeBron James before he teamed up with Anthony Davis, Glen Rice. But we all know with the Shaq and Kobe beef there was no room at the table for another star in this classic team of legendary role players. Just ask former All Star big names like Isaiah 'J.R' Rider and Mitch 'The Rock' Richmond. But Glen was still a big three, from being a three time All Star (and shooting his way to MVP one weekend like the 3 Point Contest) to making 1,559 three-pointers in his 15 year career. Throwing rice like weddings in matrimony with any team he was engaged with good fortune. The prosperity and symbolism of making it rain like Lil' Wayne. Umbrellas up. You can't stop the reign like the rap of former three-peat teammate Shaq.

MMA marks this sportsman's post Basketball career. Taking his Don King fight promotion talents to G Force Fights and the South Beach that was the sand of the prime of his career like LeBron James for the 6,8 guard/forward who won both NCAA and NBA titles before he swapped courts for canvas like a sports artist.  Born in Jacksonville, Arkansas, the Flint Northwestern high schooler graduated to the maize of Michigan like a Chris Webber, Juwan Howard or Jalen Rose Fab Five with his terrific three. Glen's college alumnus raised his iconic 41 to the rafters as he helped fill the trophy cabinets and write records like leading Michigan in all-time points (2,442) and also still holding the record for a total 184 points in tourney play off 25.6 points per game and averages of 58% from the filed and 52 from three. As this consensus All-American and Big 10 player of the year also became the 1989 Final Four Most Oustanding Player. No wonder he made the iconic cover of Sports Illustrated like a Wheaties box. Clawing twine with the Wolverines like Logan was enough for this cat to go forth as the 4th pick in the 1989 draft, were he was born into the 90's golden era of the NBA with the Florida franchise and a Fresh Prince fade. Welcome to Miami, it was summer, summer, summertime everyday for the spark of nostalgia. Basketball courts in the Summer had girls there and they all saw Rice rain like a rainbow.

Expanding in the league into the 90's the Heat went straight to Rice like Curry. And like Steph Curry with the shot Rice had that splash. Today you could imagine him as a brother across the Golden Gate from Golden State to San Francisco. He averaged 13.6 points per as a rookie, but the unlucky number belonged to the Heat's 18 wins. Still, this was a young team and "give it a few years", and Rice was joined by Miami Heat legend Steve Smith and future Laker teammate no stranger to the perimeter himself Brian Shaw. This team had the makings of a young big-three, but Rice now far from a rookie or even a sophomore (no slump) was the one. Averaging 22.3 leading the pre-Wade and LeBron, even pre-Mourning and Hardaway Heat to their first playoffs before a certain number 23 gave them as quick an exit as their entrance. In the mid-90's like a Jonah Hill movie he won the Long Distance Shootout at the All Star Weekend like a moneyball and was straight cash for his 56 point career high against the big future he would have with Shaq. But Miami didn't make the playoffs this time around. And this would be his last year bringing the Heat with South Beach.

Good Charlotte would be where Rice would find his grain next from the seams of the Spalding to the hardwood he bounced the ball off as he set up downtown were the high-rises found him open. One of those sky scrapers wouldn't be Mount Zo however as Mourning made it to where he was always meant to be...Miami. Rice was the trade piece that made Zo so. But he was also the buzz in the downtown city of Charlotte that put up numbers in North Carolina like 2 and 3. With the grandmama of Hornets legend Larry Johnson, Glen Rice lead the teal to 41 wins...which seems as fitting as his classic Charlotte pinstripe throwback. The following season however with the shortlived but successful one/two gone like that (L.J. left for N.Y.C. and that perfect four point play), Rice threw in 26.8 teaming up with a new big three in late, great point forward Anthony 'Mase' Mason and Vlade Divac who was traded from the Lakers for the draft rights of none other but Kobe Bryant. It seemed like Glen would be forever subtly linked with his future with the Lakers where he would finally, one-time become a champion for the three-peat, new millennium beginnings of the year 2000. But not before becoming the 1997 All Star Game MVP off 26 points with a record 20 points in the third and 24 points in the second half. Breaking records from Philly legends Hal Greer and also Laker Wilt Chamberlain. You see the number? When Jerry West made the Laker move for Rice he traded fan favourites Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell. But with the combo wings of Eddie and Kobe and the twin peaks of Elden and Shaq for a four All Star year that also saw Nick 'The Quick' Van Exel with the fan vote, it was clear there wasn't room in Hollywood for the two of them...in both partnerships as Rice made a better three fit for at least a couple of years before the Lakers tried to ride with Rider or Richmond. Leaving Rice bobbing for Big Apples in New York with the Knicks as a Sixth Man, before journeyman-to Houston and finishing his career back in Los Angeles with the Clippers. But, still like pure water Rice was the thread pass wet jumper that was as integral to the Lakers first post Showtime, new millennium championship to the dynasty just like the vets of Ron Harper and A.C. Green (no stranger to the M.J.s of Magic and Michael) or former teammates and Miami men B. Shaw and Bad Boys own John Salley for life. But with the rival Clippers he would become only the 48th player in NBA history to amass 18,000 career points...against the Lakers of all teams. All before a career crippling knee injury called it a career after just 18 games. But forget a Sarah Palin rumor, Glen Rice's legendary legacy lives on in hoops-despite the mixed martial arts left turn like Darko Milicic-in his son Glen Rice Jr. The former Philadelphia 76ers draft choice and Washington Wizards player now balling in Saudi with Al-Fateh. And somewhere throwing rice, you know this kid shares more than a name, but the game with his dad. They say a look like that is hereditary junior.

#TheLeBronSeries-THE CROWN

King Back.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY.

"They can't keep a good man down/Always keep a smile when they want me to frown/Keep the vibes and they stood my grounds/They will never ever take my crown."-Sizzla: Solid As A Rock.

Courtside-holding it down as a sight even more rare these days than the star shining, other previous every game mainstay and Hollywood legend, Jack Nicholson-Kobe Bryant is in the STAPLES house. Dapping Dwight like it's all Shaq squashed beef alright. Hugging Anthony Davis like every other Laker fan knowing that Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and even the ballin' Brandon Ingram was all worth it (providing he stays on the floor this season...and next. Kobe knows all about Chicago rumours blowing in the wind of a Bulls snout breath blow). And then there was 'Bron. All Magic smiles. As the two greatest players of all time, outside of M.J. showed each other the same love they both have for the game. Number 23 and 24. A former 8 and future 6. You could clearly see it in the crown jewels of the five rings on Kobe Bryant's hand. Like a waiter being handed a not so subtlety folded bill for a tip, like something out of LeBron's favourite book 'The Godfather' ("just a little something for you and the family. Ya know. To tide you over."). You could see the Black Mamba handing King James something. Passing him the torch. Handing him...The Crown.

By royal appointment, the coronation of LeBron James' young Land and South Beach, Claire Foy years saw him walk the moon like a 'First Man' with his record breaking numbers that Armstrong sky rocketed like his Lady Liberty statuesque dunks. Just as if he had the U.S. Deceleration of Independence under his right arm. This constitution, this national monument. An icon. A decision rewriting free agent revolutionary. A superstar in the age of the superteam who created the later and still keeps the former late into his career. Now 35 like this writer...and Alex Caruso-ing some of his hair too...like this writer. But that all doesn't matter. That's just for the trolls who should stop brushing theirs up (that's how you lose it too ya know...trust me). In his Olivia Coleman season, LeBron is still the favourite and like another Oscar winner worthy of gold with his own 'Dear Basketball'. No not 'Space Jam 2' like M.J. But like Mike a sequel with Larry O'Brien too. Sure he really made the wrong decision with his careless Twitter on the Hong Kong problem, instead of voicing his protest with the people. But he's seen his jersey burnt before. This is a man who is still one of the people. He built a school for crying out for the needs of education loud. Before you Trump up your troll rhetoric realise a mistake for the misunderstood...and how we all make them on an everyday basis. All just not as public as this...not even on our own social medias, were we are famous among our audience of friends and family following. Sure he needs to give that taco cry a rest-not just on Tuesday-but appropriating this isn't all he's done. He also provided a taco truck to first responder firefighters who needed food-something-whilst battling the Getty fires in Los Angeles, California. LeBron has lasting intentions no matter the impression. He's still an Ali or Kap like icon for America. M.J. refused to be...as did Kobe. They shut up and dribbled, but 'Bron is bigger than Basketball. Yet still giving every ounce of the formidable frame and the heart of his soul to this game. Like playing through the pain last year when he should have sat out to only be met with critics and hate. Well it's all crickets and love now in La La LeBron and Lakerland. The city of stars are shining just for he...and A.D.

Year 17. Our 10th episode of 'The LeBron Series' to crown a decade in this writing game, LeBron James is the one like another number 23. Or one more. Because what's a one/two punch without another one like B.I.G. or what Pat Riley in the 80's promised again before Kareem could towel off his mouth? It's Showtime again now as LeBron isn't only the next Mikan, Baylor, West, Wilt, Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin Johnson, Big Game James Worthy, O'Neal, Bryant and Gasol Laker legend in legacy making line. He's also already has the perfect partnership next definitive dynamic duo already dominating in storied purple and gold AND red, white and blue NBA history. With Davis, 'Bron and the 'Brow, L.B.J. and A.D. stand next to the fire and ice of Elgin and Jerry, Wilt and West, Magic and Kareem and Shaq and Kobe, or Mamba and Pau as one of the greatest double acts in league legend. There's not enough double teams you can throw at the two offensive powerhouses in defence of their own fates. Anthony Davis clutch blocking his way to being the 'Defensive Player Of The Year' conversation and LeBron locking it down like a bruising bully with every sack. When he's not quarterbacking the offence (like when he plays with that pass in the pregame practice) from the pure point position he wants to bring back like carrying the 6, rocking the headband, or throwing the chalk. Or running back the break. Bulldozing the lane. Leaving defenders like Stormtroopers. He on the hunt like 'The Mandalorian', Skywalking in these Star Wars. Built like a linebacker. Before touching down with one of those Run-DMC 'You Be Illin'' jams like that one against Sacramento the last game. That King on Kings may be his greatest crowning of all time yet for the All Star running the lane like a runaway freight train. And the Jay-Z Carter Administration President's basketball blueprint is breathe easy, filling up every statistical category right now like a lyrical exercise too. At press time today he Kareem-ed 33 points, old Dwight Howard rebounded the ball 12 times and dished out an Odom or McGee 7 assists to his dime diamonds of teammates. And let's talk about all the kings men too even if that is another sequel edition of our article series this season. There's the Heat hot like big-three of the Lakers three-headed Ghidorah blocking monster machine of A.D., the emphatic energy of JaVale McGee and the redemption reunion of star Dwight Howard (and just wait until D.C. Boogie Cousins comes back). The big three finisher of a smooth like Jaamal Wilkes silk, or Worthy of big cigar smoke like Red Auerbach lighting game next to James in Kyle Kuzma (the one core young member they wouldn't trade). A legend at the point in Rondo. A reigning champion from downtown Toronto in Danny Green. The Bruce Bowen D of Avery Bradley. The ace in the hole clutch guards changing in Quinn Cook and Troy Daniels. The unfairly underrated and undeniably always unquestionable in his worth for praise, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (although that Tyrese "KEEP IT THAT WAY" meme reaction to KCP playing just 8 minutes was hilarious...even if inaccurate). The fan first heart and jersey/ticket giveaway of Jared Dudley. The next Antetokounmpo. And the one and only Alex Caruso. And who knows maybe even Iggy once he's bought out now 'Melo with a new Blazer is no longer on the table for the rookie rival and banana boat brother, an Anthony coveted for even longer than Davis. Still even if we are talking teams like Toronto Raptors superfan owner Drake, this one man wrecking crew is doing it all this season shot to lay-up like the one, true King now Kobe is walking off the floor with the WNBA's future like Bronny Jr. this association. Off to inspire the next with his Harry Potter magic meets sports world Granity books, as the man he pounds his heart and points to, 'LeBron writes his next chapter with this King James version verse for his Basketball Bible. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

#PoetsCorner SHOWTIME REBORN

Well ….. I mean, well…LOOK! It's an honour to be a Laker fan at this moment in time. Season of hurt, all the lights finally shine bright and this hungry Laker team are ready to eat!

Lead by the new pairing of the big man Anthony Davis and a King on his road to redemption sporting the purple and gold, we look like a playoff final team in the making right now, seven games in with a six game winning streak and only one loss. The road may be long to that 17th championship, but let me ask you this...

Can we start to believe?

From the flash passes between 'Bron and A.D. and Kuz as that James Worthy like third piece a NEW Showtime looks like it's on the verge of being born again and a new promising era for the LA Lakers has begun. We all know it's been a long fall for us over past years, but the climb looks like is has started and 'though the mountain is steep and rough, with additions off the bench to add to that big new look Showtime 3, we look East Coast tough.

Howard stands out as a big man determined to erase the number 12 and make us only remember the number 39 and Avery Bradley brings that ground and pound defence. Then all you do is sprinkle a bit of rain from Danny Green from the three point line as well as the returning bench mob of KCP and well the man, the myth, the Alex and we have no plans of slowing down on the road to a championship. I for one can’t wait to see what happens next just like the Showtime of old. Shades of Magic in LeBron and Kareem in A.D. Kuz like Worthy makes three.

But time will tell and positions in the league change as quick as a camera flash. But pictures of the new look Lakers are ones that will last like a ripple from the past. DAN STOCKER.

#PoetsCorner LIKE I SAY THE DROUGHT IS OVER IN LA

Look it’s a fresh new look in LA and I think it safe to say the sun always shines in the city of fallen angels. Six years of hurt, not making the top eight in the west. The drought of a playoff run could well be over for the Lakers. At times it seems like only yesterday that Metta World Peace shot that three that won us a back to back (two-peat) championship against the (Dirty Boston) Celtics. But times have changed and what a whirlwind offseason it has been for us so far. We got our man in Anthony Davis, arguably the best centre in the league today. He has wanted this move since last season and finally we got it done, while also keeping hold of the best player out of our young core (the man, the myth, the Kuz). What sold me on AD was the fact he gave up is $4 million trade bonus so we could build a strong new look Lakers. When asked why he intends to do this his reply was this “money comes and goes, your legacy is forever." I mean wow that's what every Laker fan needs to hear. A guy that want to build a legacy and how is that done in the game of basketball? Winning championships! Something that the 26 year old centre is yet to do but his vision is clear and well if he means what he says then maybe one day I will see his number 23 hung from the rafters.

Now let’s address the elephant in the room... Kawhi Leonard. Yes it would have been good to have him in the purple and gold but I think he wanted to be the man somewhere else. And just to make it interesting chose to go to Clippers and they wasted little time in getting his partner in crime in Paul George. But this aint about them we will let the ballin do the talk next season.

So without Kawhi we had to build an epic bench to help King James and AD in the goals and we have wasted no time in doing that. Bringing back some familiar faces and standout players from last season in KCP, McGee and Rondo (let not forget my brother Tim Harvey’s mate Alex Caruso as well).

But we didn’t stop there. Like I said this is a new look for the Lakers so we have also added Jared Dudley and shooter Troy Daniels. All I can say is last seasons depth was a problem but with these two guys as well as the addition of Danny Green as well could this be the return of the bench mob?

Wait…hold up...LOOK. I couldn’t forget the sharp scoring rookie shooting the lights out in the summer who has signed a two-way deal, Zach Norvell Jr. Leading the Lakers Summer League team in scoring, I see a bright future for this kid.

But this next and final signing I want to talk about has really go me hyped up for the new season. We have signed the big man DeMarcus Cousins! This guy is tough in the point and has got the three-point shot on lock as well. Now who remembers when the Kentucky alumni of him, Rondo and AD played together? There was Showtime like plays being ran in New Orleans. Though now it is different. Because they didn’t have King James and the Kuz with them.

I just have a good feeling about next season and like I say I think the drought is over in LA. DAN STOCKER.