db

[db @danielbuergela]

@CountOnVic “Firm but soft” wait is this about the lakers?

[db @danielbuergela]

These folks, who never embraced LeBrongeles to begin with, felt it flew in the face of everything they had been telling themselves (and everyone within tweeting distance) for a decade and a half.

These folks, of course, are the Kobe Fans™.

Read more: https://t.co/uWao5QNRV3

[db @danielbuergela]

After LeBron announced his intention to play elsewhere next season, one of the most surprising sports marriages of the century reached its inevitable conclusion.

It isn't surprising. LeBron has left distaste and dysfunction in his wake at the end of every chapter of his career.

[db @danielbuergela]

Most seem similar to Miami.

Thanks for the memories, LeBron. It was fine, it was fun, it wasn't meant to last forever.

And, for the record, that’s pretty much where I am.

But there’s this subsection of Lakerdom that has, seemingly, been waiting for this for quite some time.

[db @danielbuergela]

@vincesince91 During the day we let the gods solve it. From 8p to 8a it’s a sharp 70 regardless of what’s going on outside

[db @danielbuergela]

Is LeBron’s run better than Derek Fisher’s? Michael Cooper’s?

It’s certainly closer than I expected.

And I guess that answers the question.

Read more: https://t.co/RzlXYowf7M

[db @danielbuergela]

If I’m being honest, it’s a wash.

If I’m being a homer, Pau had a better run.

I’m not trying to discredit Bron, not even a little.

But if the goal is to contextualize a legendary player’s run with a legendary franchise, it isn’t always easy.

[db @danielbuergela]

Pau was the second best player on a team that won back-to-back titles and went to three straight.

He didn’t set an all-time scoring record, didn’t win Finals MVP.

But, Pau changed the landscape of the league and prevented the most annoying Celtics team ever from winning twice.

[db @danielbuergela]

Put the Covid asterisk next to it, with the 'AD only won when he had six months off before the games matter' thing, and it gets even trickier.

And, though I will die declaring the Covid rings are more impressive, is LeBron’s run better than, say, Pau Gasol’s?

I'm not sure!

[db @danielbuergela]

Now that LeBron's time with the Lakers is over, what does his Los Angeles legacy ultimately look like?

If we’re stacking rings, obviously the count is one.

But, like, that’s kind of table stakes?

For this team, in this town, one ring in eight years is nice but not noteworthy.

[db @danielbuergela]

This was forest against flame.

Person against plague.

Beast against bug.

Matt Geiger against Shaquille O’Neal.

It was, undoubtedly, over before it began.

And then it wasn’t.

Read more: https://t.co/XQbW08K9Mo

[db @danielbuergela]

It has been 25 years since the greatest playoff run in NBA history.

I remember Game 1 of the Finals.

Laker fans were showing up with brooms.

To Game 1!

That audacity is astounding.

But my goodness it’s hilarious.

I can’t believe people hate LA fans.

I just cannot solve it.

[db @danielbuergela]

But then they saw Laker fans calling sweep before a series even started and said “we at least have to make these assholes wait 5 games.”

So that’s the mood going into Game 1.

Even saying David against Goliath is unfair.

That implies David has a chance.

[db @danielbuergela]

Which, as we’ve established, is possible!

But, if we remove the other variables I mentioned, is this even a conversation?

I doubt it.

Read more: https://t.co/sT7DdTDbTs

[db @danielbuergela]

I’m going to preface the rest of this with one thing - I am not some kind of Dalton Rushing superfan.

I don’t feel particularly passionate about him one way or another.

He’s just the backup catcher on my favorite team.

Nonetheless, I remember the first time I saw him play.

[db @danielbuergela]

But how much leeway does a punchable face give us for hating a guy? Shouldn’t he have to be more offensive to warrant such venom?

Now, the professional haters will tell you it isn’t his face. It isn’t his performance. It isn’t his franchise affiliation.

It’s just him.