Balls out...

So I wonder...Why in the world would the Lakers collectively decide to wear throwback shorts on the one night that the best Eastern conference team (the one who put a hurting on them the last time with a 107-94 spanking in Boston) came to town? And with a four game win streak on the line where they had just dispatched the Jazz and Suns (for the second time). It makes little to absolutely no sense. About as much sense as all black attire with a little red and white bowtie. 

Every single man out there, Kobe included, looked extremely uncomfortable. And they played miserably too. Kobe shot a putrid 6 for 25. Odom added a 6 for 17 night. Fish was 4 for 10 (though he did have that crazy last second shot at the end of the first half). And Bynum played only 22 minutes and fouled out.

Now, it's not like the effort wasn't there. I love how Odom was continuing to shoot shots in rhythm, how he looked to attack the basket. He just missed some gimme shots.

I love how Ariza continues to impress, diving around the court, anticipating steals, trying to tip back rebounds, coming up with hustle play after hustle play.  

But clearly, the shorts got to their heads. According to Stu Lanz, Mr. Bryant was first in line to sign on for the short short days. But after the game, his tune took a 180.

"I don't know what it feels like to wear a thong, but I imagine it feels something like what we had on in the first half. I felt violated. I felt naked. It's one thing to see films with guys wearing those things...I'd rather stay warm man."    

I'd rather have my troops, my surprising Lakers sitting at 5th in the overly crowded Western Conference, come into a statement game like that wholly comfortable, completely free of any outside influences or distractions, ready to play their tales off.

Instead, we had pretty boy ex-Laker Rick Fox laughing his Adonis head off, snapping photos of the guys, we had a lot of thigh action (of course, my wife loved Fish's shorter than tighty-whities shorts even thought they could've been shorter), we had a bunch of missed easy shots, we had the horrific officiating by everyone's favorite ref, Bennett Salvatore, who didn't call a foul when KG got bloodied up but did call a charge on Kobe and then a block on Fish in back-to-back game changing calls (I'm not apologizing), he also called a double technical following Lamar Odom's meltdown Bob Sapp-like tackle on Jesus Shuttlesworth (that's Ray Ray) the nicest player you'll ever meet. 

And we had Purple and Gold players playing like they had never stepped foot on an NBA basketball court before--IN THEIR OWN ARENA. It doesn't make any sense. The team is young enough. One of the youngest. They've already fought through the "Trade Me" demands of their best player. They've worked through uncertainty and have come together, gelling, playing excellent team ball. They have chemistry. The first time in three years that everyone who steps on the court looks like they belong, looks like they want to be there.

So why, with a 20-year-old kid who is still trying to worry about where to rotate on defense, why subject him to wear shorts that were literally too-hot-for television? Why give any reason to waiver the unwavering confidence that Jordan Farmar has shown thus far this season (he looked absolutely terrified to be playing)? Why try and generate publicity for the most publicized franchise in the sport, with the short shorts? 

Listen, I'm all for going balls out when you play the game, but,

Come on now. 

Let's not take it that literally.