Nothing Is Quite Like Parading on Their Reign

For years I’ve worn No. 44 in my middle-aged men’s basketball leagues. Thank you, Kobe--my kids finally think I’m cool.

Jeff Kandel

Los Angeles

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The Laker victory parade in 2000: Double-decker buses proceeded slowly down Figueroa, stopping often so fans could hail their individual heroes. I could yell “ ‘01” at Coach Phil Jackson, for example.

The Laker victory parade in 2001: Quite the opposite. The buses whizzed by in a swirl of color. That left me to wonder why I stood in the blistering sun for more than an hour to await such a blurry, frustrating reward.

Joanne Gamlin

Santa Monica

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I guess Mark Madsen never saw the public service announcements by Laker players that asked the City of Los Angeles “to please celebrate responsibly.”

Alvin M. Okamura

Encino

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Let’s think about all the masses in that Laker celebration crowd: There were students on summer break, there were retirees, there were people that either worked the late or grave-yard shifts. So, they made up, what, maybe 10% of that throng? What about the rest of all those able-bodied in attendance? Don’t they have jobs? The rest of us were at work!

Such was the poignant demonstration of this state’s pathetic labor resources. I’ll bet most of that crowd was scheduled to be at work, but they instead chose to blow off their employers and their co-workers. Is it any wonder that employers continually complain that they cannot find reliable help? What a truly pathetic social commentary this Laker event was. Most everyone who purportedly was there to celebrate team excellence was personally demonstrating a lack thereof.

Scott A. Tucker

Monterey Park

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Bill Plaschke’s column “L.A. Needs to Celebrate Responsibly” [June 15] was moral grandstanding by the writer. The unlawful events that followed last year’s championship-clinching game at Staples Center is not a reflection of the City of Los Angeles, but of the unwise planning by the police department and the decision to show the game outside the arena. Moreover, the behavior of a few does not define the type of city Los Angeles is.

Secondly, the impact of this column is negligible. The people that commit the type of crimes witnessed last year would not be stopped by Mr. Plaschke’s words, if in fact they read his column at all.

Derek L. Builteman

Riverside

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Physicians previously identified common symptoms of Laker Fever as: a sudden infatuation with professional basketball and a newly developed affection for yellow and purple.

Ten days ago, a more powerful and resilient strain was discovered. And this one is a doozy. Ebola is a hangnail by comparison.

The 2001 strain of this malady causes fits of dementia, hallucinations and a bizarre, dreamlike optimism.

Kobe and Shaq have permanently shelved their egos in the name of team success? Three-peat? Dynasty? Best team ever?

In the barrage of hogwash about “heart,” it seems everyone has forgotten about the importance of one’s head. Watch a postgame interview with Kobe Bryant and you can see his grow right before your eyes. (Witness Shaq’s embarrassing rap act, and you might wonder if he has lost his altogether).

How many times do you think Kobe will hear, “But Jordan didn’t have Shaq . . . “ before he decides he wants to try it alone somewhere else?

I don’t know, but I’d bet my life it’ll happen before the “dynasty” tag is earned.

Oliver Lang

Los Angeles

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In regards to your article on June 15 stating that Jerry Buss is somehow considered the most successful owner, I would like to respectfully disagree.

How could anyone be more successful than Donald Sterling? He bought the Clippers for $12 million and they are now worth more than $300 million. He has managed to accomplish this feat without wasting any of his hard-earned money on exorbitant player salaries.

David Hatcher

Glendale

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To John Amaechi, Charles Oakley and Kendall Gill, you all had a chance to come to the world champion Lakers, but you decided against it. Oh well, your loss is our gain.

Kent Kishi

San Gabriel