Greg Archuleta's Los Angeles Lakers fan blog

It started out as an extended family reunion -- not mine. It turned into an invaluable tale of the habits of the Nextel Cup groupie.

In four days, I saw first-hand rural America's loyalty to NASCAR.

Imagine, if you will, a summer vacation based on a celebration of family event: the baptism of my nephew, Blaise. The 5-month-old is the son of my wife's sister, Amanda, and her husband, Joe.

Joe hails from rural Nebraska, son of a farmer. He's the sixth of seven children -- five boys and two girls. Joe and Amanda were hosts to a family gathering at their four-bedroom home (with a basement). Four of  siblings and their families, as well as my family all communed there -- a head count of 20.

I knew I was about to partake in a weekend to which I'm not accustomed almost immediately. When all the guests arrived, the second task to be determined after sorting out sleeping arrangements was setting up stakes in Joe's backyard for horse shoes.

Continue reading "The Secret of NASCAR's Popularity Revealed"

Even in victory, Kobe Bryant can't win.

In the days immediately following the Los Angeles Lakers' clinching of the 2008-09 NBA championship, two columnists were all to eager to try to undermine their accomplishments.

One writer said he couldn't be happy for the Lakers because winning does not make unlikable athletes likable. This is the same writer that gets paid to bash the Lakers if he so chooses, and he chooses often enough.

Another writer complained that L.A.'s post-championship celebration didn't appear genuine because he didn't think Bryant's teammates truly like him. This from an admitted Boston Celtics fan.

Yeah, and Kevin Garnett's "Anything Is Possible!" roar in the postgame celebration of last year's Boston title was completely spontaneous and had nothing to do with adidas' slogan, "Impossible Is Nothing."

Continue reading "Forget Jordan; Let's Compare Kobe to Jesus"

Trying to separate the five best Los Angeles Laker championship teams (sorry, Minneapolis, I'm putting your rings aside because I have no concept of the NBA in its infancy) is kind of like the Octomom trying to pick her five favorite among her 14 children.

Oh, wait. I probably treasure the 10 L.A. titles more.

First, a tip of the cap to the current Purple and Gold, who won the franchise's 15th overall (and 10th in L.A., obviously) with their 99-86 victory over the worthy Orlando Magic on Sunday night for a 4-1 series triumph.

It was good to see this edition make good on its vow that it needed to be tested to bring out its best. Seven losses, including three to the pesky Houston Rockets, certainly toughened the Lakers.

But does the latest title even make the Lakers' top five?

Continue reading "Ranking the Top 5 Los Angeles Laker Championship Teams"

If the Los Angeles Lakers need someone who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it with dew, cover it with chocolate and a miracle or two, then Lamar Odom's their man.

Otherwise, opt for Trevor Ariza.

NBA Finals play-by-play announcer Mike Breen posed the question during Game 4 against Orlando on Thursday night: Which of the Lakers' free agents should be the higher priority in the offseason? Ariza or the Candy Man?

Sorry, Sammy Davis Jr.

To be fair, when the 6-foot-10 Odom is on his game, the Lakers are a dominant basketball team. He has the ability to grab a rebound and lead a fast break -- a rarity in the NBA. He's quick, he's proven to be a solid shot-blocker and he's capable of going strong to the basket.

Continue reading "Ariza or A Candy Man? Trevor's Looking Sweeter to Me"

Dear Derek Fisher,

I'm sorry. I never should have questioned your play in these playoffs.

After Thursday night's heroics that lifted your Los Angeles Lakers to the 99-91 overtime victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 4 of the NBA Finals and gave your team a seemingly insurrmountable 3-1 series lead, you have earned a Laker Benefit of the Doubt card. For life.

Like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, James Worthy, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Robert Horry, and George Mikan (though he was a bit before my time) all have. You're officially a Laker immortal.

To review: I have constantly hammered coach Phil Jackson for leaving you in the game when your defense has been what I considered subpar against the likes of Derron Williams, Aaron Brooks, Chauncey Billups and Rafer Alston.

Continue reading "The Fisher King"

What has transpired in the last two NBA Finals games has made it clear: Kobe Bryant is not the best closer in the league.

Not right now, anyway.

For the second consecutive game, the Los Angeles Lakers put the ball in Bryant's hands with a chance to beat the Orlando Magic and he failed to deliver.

On Sunday, Hedo Turkoglu stripped him of the ball with 0.6 seconds in regulation, and only the "Alley-Oops!" from Courtney Lee prevented the Magic from evening the series at one game apiece.

Tuesday night, it was Dwight Howard's turn to make Kobe look mortal. Superman saved Orlando by tapping the ball away from Kobe with 30 seconds left and Orlando ahead 104-102.  Pau Gasol valiantly dove on the floor to save the ball but couldn't get the ball to Bryant as Mickael Pietrus stole the ball and preserved the Magic's first-ever Finals win.

Continue reading "Two Strikes and Kobe's Out as the Closer"

Lamar Odom's offense in the fourth quarter was a huge reason the Los Angeles Lakers escaped in overtime of the NBA Finals' Game 2.

Odom also was the reason they didn't put the game away a lot sooner.

The Lakers survived what has become the Orlando Magic's typical bounce-back game, winning 101-96 Sunday night to take a 2-0 series lead. You just knew the Magic weren't going to lie down after getting thrashed 100-75 in Game 1.

It was Odom who hit the game-clinching free throws with 22.1 seconds in the extra session to cap a 19-point performance.

Thanks, L.O. Now, apologize for making your team have to scrap for five extra minutes to avoid going to Orlando with the series tied at 1-1.

Oh sure, the stats look nice: 8-of-9 shooting, eight rebounds and three crucial blocks. He also scored L.A.'s first four baskets of the fourth quarter.

Continue reading "Lovin' Lamar Odom ... NOT"

Earlier in the NBA playoffs, a 25-point Los Angeles Lakers victory would have been a source of concern heading into the ensuing game.

Fortunately, the Lakers now have two things going for them following their 100-75 blowout of the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night.

No. 1: Witness LeBron James.

Who?

You know, the Silent Chosen One? The one who stole what should've been a glorious week for the Magic after winning the Eastern Conference Finals in six games on Friday. Instead of praising Orlando for reaching for its second NBA Final in franchise history (Shaq, tell me how Magic bleep tastes), all the focus out east was on LeBron's "competitor" mentality that explained his absence of sportsmanship to the Magic and abandonment of his teammates during postgame interviews.

Continue reading "How Will Lakers Handle Prosperity? We're All Witnesses"

When will we learn?

Many cocky Laker fans welcome the news of point guard Jameer Nelson's possible return to the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals that begin Thursday at Staples Center.

"His timing will be off. He'll only disrupt the playoff rotation the Magic have already established. He'll do more harm than good in the Orlando lineup," these Laker fans foolishly prattle.

Normally good arguments, except when it comes to L.A. in the NBA Finals.

May I present the Willis Reed Curse. For those too young to remember or too shattered to bring it back to their stream of consciousness, Reed was the center of the New York Knicks who hurt his right thigh muscle in Game 5 of the 1970 Finals against the Lakers.

Yes, the Knicks were once good even before Patrick Ewing and Pat Riley tried to physically beat up the rest of the league.

Continue reading "Lakers Beware The Willis Reed Curse With The Possible Return of Magic's Nelson"

Yes, yes, Andrew Bynum's defense in these NBA playoffs has been lethargic at best. But will no one else stand in defense of Andrew Bynum?

From the moment the NBA playoffs started, everyone has put the young Laker center under the microscope and proclaimed him mentally and physically unprepared.

He's not playing defense. He's out of sync offensively. He's not focused.

To that, I respond: Why is Bynum being singled out?

At least he has an excuse. He missed three months with the knee injury, for Jiminy Cricket's sake.

After watching the Nuggets outhustle, outsmart and outplay L.A. in their 120-101 win in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals on Memorial Day (a Memorial Day Massacre mini-me?), what Laker is focused, in sync and playing great defense?

Lamar Odom's play has been non-existent for a 7-foot (or 6-foot-10 or whatever he is on that given night) player on the interior. He's not rebounding or playing much defense, either. He's provided zero inside presence (where at least Bynum has been a threat).

Continue reading "Bynum Is NOT The Problem"