Why Are There Celtic Fans In L.A.?

I would also like to add: Yankee fans, Cowboy fans, Spurs fans, Raiders fans, Red Sox fans, Steelers fans etc. etc. etc.?

There are a couple of legitimate reason that I’ll accept: Your a transplant from another city/state (1st and even 2nd generation) and you still root for your original home team. Or in the case of the NFL, there is no L.A. team and you gotta root for some team right? But I still say you Raider and Rams fans have gotta go. Other than that, I will not accept any other excuses.

Growing up in L.A. I was brought up to be a Dodger, Lakers, Rams (when they were here), Raiders (when they were here), Clippers, Angels (I grew up with them as the California Angels), Galaxy and Kings fan. I root for the Ducks but wouldn’t consider myself a die hard fan. How in the world someone could of have been born here and not be a fan of a local team just drives me crazy. Not only that, some people here actually hate L.A. teams. I don’t get it. In fact, I want you to leave. Now.

I run into these people all the time. I see jerseys being worn of non-L.A. teams everywhere. None of this happens when I go to New York (Unless worn by an obvious tourist). In fact when you go into a sports appearall store in New York it’s damn hard to find rival teams stuff there. Not to mention that when I do wear a Lakers or Dodgers item someone somewhere always will have to have something to say. For the most part if you are a New Yorker your a New York fan. There is no other way. Why don’t L.A. fans feel the same way?

Maybe we are too laid back. Maybe we should care more. Now I’m not saying we need to go off the deep end and just lose it (ahem, Dodger Pavillion fans) . No, not at all. What I am saying is that more passion is needed. More pride is needed. I don’t want to see jerseys or a whole store dedicated to the Raiders. A team that left L.A.. Let me repeat that, a team that left L.A. You wont believe the number of Raiders fans here. It’s out of control. I can gaurantee that there were no Ravens fans in Cleveland when Art Modell moved the Browns in 1996 to Baltimore. In fact I bet to this day that the name ‘Art Modell’ is not spoken of in that city.

Just a note before I sign off. I have noticed a growing number of Celtics fans. This is very disturbing to me. When I was growing up there wasn’t one Celtics fan amongs’t my friends and I. You would have hada fist to the face if you were a Celtics fan. Not that I condone that type of behavior but you had it coming.

So if you root for another team and your not a transplant get the hell out of L.A. It just means more sunshine for the rest of us.

Lakers Stop Three Game Slide, But Not Problems

Last night the Lakers ended their longest losing streak since acquiring Pau Gasol on Feb.1 2008. They defeated the Toronto Raptors 109 - 107 when Kobe Bryant bailed them out for the 7th time this season, hitting a game winning shot with seconds left in the game. I'm one Laker fan that hopes no more game winning shots are needed for the rest of the season, or at least not until the playoffs start.

Here's my two cents on the Lakers problems: No one tight now can hit a mid-range jump shot, they wait for the third quarter to save them, Pau is playing with his back to the basket too much, they rarely run their triangle offense correctly, and they don't seem to have that swagger or killer instinct to bury a team when they get a chance.

I'm glad this is happening now instead of when the playoffs start. I just hope they right the ship when the time counts.

Like now.

Laker Fans: Bring Chick Hearn Back to Staples Center!

Growing up a lifelong Laker fan I remember watching Magic make a behind the back pass, Kareem make a sky hook over the arm of an outstretched defender, Cooper block a shot, Byron Scott make a jumpshot, and James Worthy make a spin move and leave his defender in the dust was amazing. The only thing that made that better was hearing Chick Hearn make the call.

It’s time to bring back Chick. It’s time to honor him everytime the Lakers win. It’s time to hear one of the many great Chick-isms he was famous for. Please take a minute and sign this petition to bring Chick back to Laker glory. Imagine going to a Laker game and hearing Chick Hearns voice come over the loudspeaker saying “This game is in the refrigerator” and then hearing crowd go nuts. The Red Sox have “Sweet Caroline” and the Dodgers “Don’t Stop Believing”, let’s give the Lakers Chicky baby!

Chick Hearn was one of the greatest announcers ever and we were lucky enough here in L.A. to hear him call the Laker games. We miss him and if you’re a Laker fan your signature should be on this petition.

Bring Chick Back