MY MERRY NBA CHRISTMAS
By Nicholai R. Roska
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 28 Dec 2011
LOS ANGELES -- I spent most of Christmas Day at Staples Center covering Opening Day festivities between the host Lakers and the visiting Bulls from Chicago. It was, to me, the most wonderful time of the year.
Some 18,271 screaming fans were "Home for the Holidays" at Staples rooting passionately for their new-look Lakers. They were loud and eager, carrying signs, most notably one that read "Mom, I'm coming home for dinner, but I'll be late."
Not me. I was in time for dinner, which the Lakers kindly provided for to all credentialed media. The Holiday treat was special -- turkey, stuffing, mixed greens with cranberry, sweet potatoes, and pecan pie that was out of this world.
With a full belly, I proceeded to my assigned seat for the hoops business at hand.
Moments before tip-off, the NBA Cares logo was unveiled on the Lakers parquet floor. It's a testament to the league's commitment to extending a generous hand to worthwhile endeavours such as helping the elderly, supporting the youth, feeding the homeless, plus a stream of other notable causes.
In his 16 years as an NBA pro, this was Kobe Bryant's 14th Christmas Day game. All eyes were on the superstar, although mine drifted occasionally to the fabulous Laker Girls, who were extra giddy and wrapped with Holiday cheer.
Kobe wore a new Nike footwear from his signature Black Mamba collection. It was a purple and lime green version of the Nike Zoom Kobe VII system with red laces, and it had special graphics representing the speed of a leopard.
Kobe, with his new Nikes, went on to post 28 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. But neither Kobe nor Nike could stop the Bulls who came back from 11 points down in the final 3:44 of play to score an improbable 88-87 win.
That guy Derrick Rose is some Bull. The reigning MVP finished with 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field. He drilled 4-of-6 3-pointers and calmly sank a 10-foot floater that sealed the Lakers' doom.
Pau Gasol had a decent 14 points while Steve Blake chipped in 12. But it was abudantly clear that the Lakers missed Lamar Odom's versatility on both ends of the floor. Odom was shipped to Dallas prior in the off season while Andrew Bynum stayed at home, serving a four-game suspension which he incurred after mugging JJ Barea in the playoffs.
Had the Lakers beaten the Bulls and kept the score under 100, everyone at the arena would have gone home with two Tacos courtesy of Jack in the Box. Oh, well.
I did get an extra treat, though. I got to interview Kobe and the Lakers and Derrick Rose and the Bulls inside their respective locker rooms.
As I scurried between two locker rooms, I met perhaps the world's most famous Arnold -- Mr. Scwarzenneger, The Terminator and former governor of California. I introduced myself to the Gubernator, as he is fondly called, and the cultural icon was kind enough to pose for a photo-op.
What a blast it was indeed, to have spent Dec. 25 at Staples Center.
And that being said I'd like to thank this site's Web Editor, Boss Dong Secuya, for supporting my NBA pursuits. Without his blessings, my NBA dream would have been just that, a dream.
Photos: The author with former California governor Arnold Scwarzenneger (top) and Laker Pau Gasol (above).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Nicholai R. Roska.
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