Phil Jackson and his "Boys"

"Not this year, Pop. I'm getting too old and busy to keep doing that..."

It always comes at some point in a relationship... the time when what was important no longer is remembered.

That "it" has happened with these Lakers.

Call it lazy, call it tired. But "it" has infected this team.

The 2010-2011 Lakers team we're watching fall apart in front of our eyes has decided they've been on enough trips.

Three straight Finals runs, two of which ended with a Larry O'Brien trophy, and a lot of memories.

Phil Jackson is the father figure of these now men, who he has grown to love. Jackson and his "boys" have gone on fishing trips every year. Sharing mini-battles and laughs ... hitting the highest highs and enduring the lowest lows.

But this year is different. The "boys" are older, now men. These boys don't think the fishing trip is as important.

When Jackson decided to embark on this final journey before the season began, he had a vision of going out with that huge fish on the line. And sharing that final special fish with his boys.

Problem is, the boys forgot these young memories as they've developed into men. These boys, don't remember why they take this fishing trip every year. These boys, are too lazy and too caught up in their own lives to realize what lies ahead. Or should I say, won't lie ahead next year.

Right after the All Star break, Phil had his brand new fishing gear ready for his annual trip with his boys. But these men, who used to be his boys, forgot the importance of the trip. These men, are too busy, too lazy and too short-sighted to see what they're missing.

Yes, Jackson has made some mistakes in these playoffs, but these boys that he has turned into men are supposed to help him cover those mistakes. When the Father falls in the river, these now grown men are supposed to remember all those times he picked them up. And return the favor.

Somewhere between the All Star break and these playoffs, these "men" have forgotten who helped them get where they are today. These "men" are worse than those boys. Because those boys knew who guided them. Those boys wanted to impress their Father. Those boys, were more excited for the annual fishing trip than their leader.

It's been lost. But these men still have the opportunity to become boys again. Time is short, but the highway is still open.

One more time, to save Poppa's favorite annual fishing trip.

Band together, to share the joy of landing Phil's final fish, and send him up a Montana river ... to rest, knowing his men never forgot what it was to be his boys.

All-Snooze Fest

At some point in time, all-star games turned from celebrating the accomplishments of athletes in the particular year, to a popularity contest. Reputation matters more than what has been done in the current year of play.

When did all the commissioners of the professional sports leagues come together and determine that the all-star games of their respective sports would all turn to crap? And was there ever a time when all-star games actually worked?

There are flaws in all the systems.

NBA: fan voting has too much influence. NFL: no one wants to play in it. MLB: again, fan voting messes with starting lineups. NHL: fan voting, but I am not going to pretend that I know what I am talking about in regards to hockey.

As we approach the Pro Bowl for the NFL and the NBA's all-star game I try to remember when I really cared about an all-star game. For me, I care more about the preceding events than the actual exhibition games.

David Stern has gone wrong with the NBA in that the fan voting system doesn't work, especially with worldwide voting. Tracy "First Round" McGrady almost got the starting nod for the Western Conference this year, due largely to Chinese fans voting him in because of his allegiance to Yao Ming's Rockets.

But fans aren't the only ones to blame on this one, coaches are guilty too. The reserves are determined by them, and are the coaches are being influenced by reputation more than looking at players' success for the year. I grew up a Lakers fan and I am all for seeing more purple & gold laced sneakers on the hardwood. However, I have to disagree with the selection of Pau Gasol this year. That was purely a reputation call by the coaches.

Chris Kaman is having a solid year and should have been selected. Gasol's reputation coupled with the name of the team on the front of Kaman's jersey didn't allow Caveman to be on this year's squad.

Look, I understand that this happens; there are only a certain amount of roster spots and for the most part coaches and fans get it right. And I don't want to go into a rant about every sport and have a post that takes you 20 minutes to read, but on a quick note about MLB...

Why have a requirement that every team needs a representative? If a team doesn't have a player deserving of an all-star nod than why have them there. Most of the time that particular player given the sympathy bid doesn't even get into the game.

And the fan voting totally messes with this one in that Red Sox and Yankees players are always voted to start due to their huge following (also see: Yankees and Red Sox nations need a life... I kid, but not really).

I don't have the solution nor do I believe that anyone does, each sport is different and the leagues want to sell tickets, jerseys, and TV rights. It gives us something to discuss allowing more attention to be paid to the all-star selections and games.

As a beginning point to a fix, give the votes for the starting rosters to the players in the leagues. Who knows the players better than those that are actually competing against them? Next, give the rights to the reserves voting to the coaches.

Where do the fans come in? This is the fun part: allow us fans to vote for a lineup that plays for a quarter, period or couple innings together. Create our own dream team to play together based on the rosters created by the players & coaches of the leagues, and ensure that the coaches stick with the lineup the whole predetermined time. Finding the most common lineup selected by fans would be tricky for a human, but plug it into a computer system and let it do the work. Hell, the BCS determines the college championship game, it can determine the most wanted lineup to play together.

Cry, cry all we want, we'll still tune in.

Oh, and Allen Iverson for all-star game MVP honors.

Tonight's post was created while listening to Dam Funk's "Toeachizown" album. Go get it.

Marion to the Lakers, Jazz?

In today's edition of high-paid, whining NBA players, we have Shawn Marion asking to be traded from the Phoenix Suns.

I wish this could happen in real life: "Hey RLH Industries, I am sick of working here and would like to be sent to the OC Register for a sports writing job... make it happen."

Anyways, back to the subject at hand... There is speculation that Marion could go to the Utah Jazz (for fellow whiner, Andre Kirilenko) or to the Los Angeles Lakers (for Lamar Odom). I know Marion thinks he does not get the respect he deserves with the Suns, but he is making plenty of money in Phoenix and is part of the "big three" which includes Nash and Stoudemire.

His best shot at an NBA ring is to stay with the Phoenix Suns based on the two possible teams he would be traded to. I think both the Lakers and Jazz would take that trade any day of the week.

With the Jazz, Marion would bring just as much defense (if not more) as Kirilenko and has speed to run with point guard Deron Williams. Plus, you are moving Kirilenko to a place he would thrive and would probably be happy with the move.

With the Lakers, Marion would be teamed with his friend Kobe Bryant. Both players would welcome the change and Marion would not be as intimidated by Bryant on the team. That is the one problem Odom has with the Lakers offense, he differs to Bryant too much.

Marion would bring defense and 3-point shooting, along with an attitude that he knows he can create his own shot.

But would he fit into the triangle offense? No doubt Phil Jackson would have to make some adjustments in the offense to allow some run-and-gun with Bryant, Marion, and newly acquired Derek Fisher.

If I am Mitch Kupchak, I look at this as an opportunity to get a little forgiveness from the Lakers fans. Some.