In Taking an A for an A Lakers Become NBAs Super Villains

As we Laker fans begin to ponder Los Angeles’ acquisition of Ron Artest at the expense of Trevor Ariza, a sense of dread came over me.

Not that the roster shakeup is necessary a bad one, but that now I’m a full-fledged fan of the NBA Villain.

The Lakers now are the Evil Empire. They’re Darth Vader, Lex Luthor, Dr. Evil and Rush Limbaugh rolled into one purple basketball mass — the team the NBA will love to hate.

Most people outside L.A. and Laker fandom have a considerable dislike for Kobe Bryant. Even with his renaissance this season as a world champion.

The rape allegations. The feud with Shaquille O’Neal, with many people believing an arrogant and selfish Bryant drove O’Neal out of town and coach Phil Jackson into retirement in 2004.

The outburst in the summer of 2007 when Laker general manager Mitch Kupchak wouldn’t trade Andrew Bynum to Indiana for Jermaine O’Neal.

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