Tobey Maguire.
In 2014 the Lakers tried to use their Spidey-sense to try and lure then superstar free-agent Carmelo Anthony to LA using a career highlight package video narrated by Peter Parker himself. Straight out of a Hollywood playbook, it was an attempt as desperate as fans trying to find out whether Maguire reprises his role in the multi-verse of Marvel’s new ‘Spider-Man’ movie ‘No Way Home’ this Christmas. Especially as at that time the current Spidey was Andrew Garfield.
Next time get Batman.
But none of that matters now as the web has gone crazy off Carmelo’s latest performance in a Laker uniform. Stealing the show and going for 28 in a Laker win against Memphis (121-118) after all those loses. All whilst parting Moses Malone’s record to move to ninth on the all-time list of NBA scorers.
They tried to tell us he wasn’t a bucket as he sat home for a year. Now LeBron is passing to him on the perimeter and tapping three-fingers to his dome in ‘Melo celebration even before the 7 to his 6 lets it fly from downtown. It’s just that assured as the former rookie rivals reunite like all the ex-Lakers this off-season. The latest being defensive maestro Avery Bradley.
In Lakerland when the team is losing the social media sharks see blood in the water and the feast begins. Even those who claim they love the Lakers love to hate. It’s always directed towards one of them. The King, the former young core. They’re all hated and debated until they no longer wear purple and gold. Just see how much they embrace Kuz, Lonzo and them now like Caruso.
The latest Laker to become victim to this is of course Russell Westbrook. The explosive superstar who always looks primed for trolling. He struggled with his start for the Lakers getting used to coach Vogel’s system and sharing the Wilson with more big names than a movie marquee. But his 13 points and 13 assists to go with 8 rebounds against the Grizz showed out.
He even flexed at Dwight Howard in loving celebration after a perfectly picked play. Showing us it was all love after Howard and Anthony Davis got into it at the bench over the weekend. Sure this season Russ may have to sacrifice his triple-double average if he wants to win, but when the thing becomes a ring, why worry about anything else?
Westbrook didn’t have to give up a whole lot last night though in his best game as a Laker. In a 125-121 winning OT thriller against San Antonio he had 33 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals. Not to mention 55% from the field. It felt like a home game the way these fans were cheering for the LeBron-less Lakers in Texas. So much so they were even wearing gold.
Although tonight in his OKC homecoming game Russell got tossed after not only recording his first Laker triple-double, but a quadruple-double to go with that. 20 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists AND 10 turnovers. All as the Thunder rained all over a 26 point Laker lead and ended up with a 123-115 final forecast in their favor.
A Los Angeles hoops superstar like Kobe or Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker went home to Chicago and took the Sky to their first ever WNBA championship in the W’s 25th anniversary. The wide gap she left in Los Angeles in her wake shorted the Sparks like the loss of Point “Gawd” Chelsea Gray. Yet it was the injury loss of the Ogwumike sisters that really took the Sparks out of the playoff act.
Because the other team in Los Angeles is fuse ready for an explosive run like Westbrook coast-to-coast. Why not? They have players that belong like Erica Wheeler, Amanda Zahui B., and defensive specialist, so close to the award Brittney Sykes. Not to mention former lottery pick Lauren Cox and new Dallas Mavericks assistant like Jared Dudley, Nia Coffey for your substance.
But it’s guard Te’a Cooper that could really change things like the Showtime of former Sparks coach and Lakers legend Michael Cooper. Hanging with Te’a Cooper you know she has the potential to be the next big star in not only Derek Fisher’s squad, but the WNBA as a whole. That’s why she’s been signed to another legendary team, Jordan Brand.
And Nike honoured the purple and gold of Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook and Te’a Cooper with a magnificent mural between skyscrapers and palm trees at their Jordan Family court in a city full of Kobe dedications.
A canvas of graffiti and paint designed by Los Angeles based artist Gustavo Zermeño Jr. The man who has given us many Laker and Dodger murals to go along with a Nipsey Hussle memorial court and even the infamous ‘Kawhi Not’ purple and gold free agent pitch. Cue the Leonard laugh.
Zermeño Jr has the last laugh though as he gives it up for a whole new city of stars in Lakerland.
When it comes to the future of LA basketball these three are just doing it.
