It was ok. They don't have the 3 rings anymore. They don't have all the animals like they use to It's like a watered down version from what it was a few years ago.

Yes, but were there clowns??

of course there were clowns

It's not that much different than a circus when the Cavs play, either.

No, I'm kidding... they're good. It was just too easy a joke to pass up.

Ladies, the day has come... Laker season starts tonight! I can't wait to see/smell/hear the Staples Center again tonight, feel all that energy again, after all these long months. And of course, obviously, see my boys play!! Kobe's apparently finally ready to go, after sitting out the whole preseason... he's starting tonight. Very exciting. And Sasha, I don't even have to say anything about him.

I've been watching the preseason on TV, but it's not the same as being there. I can't wait to see Jordan Farmar play, if he plays tonight. He's a rookie we picked up this summer, from my school. I've seen him play UCLA games, and he's really good... and it seemed like he was doing well in the Laker preseason, too. So we'll see how he does under the pressure of "real" games now.

Anyway, long story short: I can't wait!

By the way, my cousin sent me an email today saying Happy New Year, and that the start of basketball season is the real new year, not that January 1 crap.

I glad for ya Zia. I bet you will be spending alot of time at that Staples Center huh? If I get to see your boys on TV I'll look for ya in the stands

Thanks, Mig. Yeah, I hope to be at almost every home game.

Kobe ended up not playing again. Booo. But whatever it takes, for him to recover and come back stronger. Like they always say, better to come in too late than too soon.

And Sasha had a really bad night. Like really, really bad. He played 25 minutes and didn't make one shot. He got 3 rebounds, a few assists, but that's it. I don't know what was wrong with him, but it better have been a legit problem and not just crappy playing. Because it's gotta stop.

But the Lakers still won!! The first half was horrible, they even had like a 16 or so deficit... but then they picked up in the second half. We just kept saying, "Dude, our bench is beating the Suns!"

Zia, Whatever do you mean Sasha didn't play well?? It's because he was distracted by thoughts of YOU, don't you know that by now??

See, the thing is, the thoughts of me are a given. But I'm a lucky charm, I don't cause evil. I mean if he were thinking of me, he'd be sinking those 3's right and left, instead of being the only Laker who hasn't scored any points yet. Tsk tsk. I mean, Vlad Radmanovic's right hand is injured so he's shooting mostly with his left, and he's STILL scoring more than Sasha.

And this season there's more reason for Sash to shape up and start making his shots-- I have him on my Yahoo team and I'm getting real close to dropping him. Business, not personal, of course.

Also, he got a less attractive haircut, which could be adding to the problem. It's a bad week to be Sasha, I'm telling you.

Oh, man, a bad haircut COULD ruin his whole season. No wonder he's not playing well. You are so very fickle, though. You'd drop him from your fantasy team?? Wow, loyalty thy name is NOT Zia.

I miss baseball!! And it's only barely November. There are months and months ahead of no baseball. This stinks. However, in a few weeks they'll be naming MVP. Keeping my fingers crossed that it's Jeter.

I just wanted to say that I'm not a female, and I'm jealous of this thread

I wouldn't drop him from that fantasy team!! I meant the other one, with actual points.

Well, he didn't even play today. I don't know the scoop yet, if there's injury involved, or if Phil just sat him out for the hell of it, but whatever, I wasn't surprised.

But, the Lakers won tonight again!! So they're now 3 and 0, best record in the league so far. And Kobe played tonight! Not too well, he's not the same Kobe, but he's just rusty, he'll get better.

Oh, and I'll keep my fingers crossed for Jeter, SB!

Thanks, Zia, for your good wishes for Jeter. I read a teeny little item in the paper about Jeter winning his third consecutive Gold Glove, but that was it. Then, on the news and all over the paper today, is a similar story about the Mets' Beltran winning the Gold Glove. I think that the media just doesn't like the Yankees to get good press.

Maybe Sasha does have an injury, and that's why he's not playing well. But if he does, I'm sure it's a teeny, tiny, inconsequential injury that will amount to nothing in the long run.

What is the Gold Glove?

It's given to the outstanding player in a particular position - nine per league. Jeter won for shortstop in his league.

Wow, congrats on Jeter's Golden Glove! Are you sure it's for outstanding player and not based on hotness though?

And I know what you mean about the media hatin' on the Yankees... It's the same way with the Lakers. Even when they're doing well, it's hard to find an article that doesn't shoot them down or say that it was luck or say that it's just temporary.

Well, if they were going to give Jeter an award for hotness, it certainly wouldn't be in the shape of a GLOVE. Do they have a Golden Butt??

Don't you hate reading negative press about your guys?? Especially when it's so undeserved.

Or a different gold body part

I was trying to keep it clean, Mig, but you just had to go down that road, didn't you???

What do you expect when you are talking about a good looking man like Jeter

No need to feel jealous - it's just "fantasy sports" to us.

Do feel free to join in, though - it's mostly general chat, as long as you're willing to put up with a bit of chick chat about boys every so often.

Zia, your posts sound so familiar to how I feel in April...and now I feel sad.

But it's always nice to hear a true sports fan talk about their team, as it certainly keeps the spirit up around here - and I'm so happy they're doing well!! Tell Sasha to fix his hair and straighten up, or you might have to think about finding somebody else. (That's just what you tell him, of course...make sure he knows he's lucky to have you.)

SB, congrats to your man on his Gold Glove! Ausmus won one of his own, which was nice to hear. But SB...I can't last much longer just on miscellaneous news tidbits about baseball. I want the real thing.

Golden Butt award? And all this time, I thought you liked him for his personality, SB.

Chick chat... Never heard that before Gina. Good one.

And Zia, just wanted to let you know that cuteness is not a scoring category in the Yahoo game.

Wow...looks like we've had it all wrong about those fantasy games, gals.


And it looks like you've had it all wrong about our fantasy games, CS.

Any offseason news from the Lastros, Gina?

Biggest news has been the end of the Bagwell era, with the Astros deciding not to bring him back for the '07 season...but that was expected. What could he do? His career had a pretty depressing end to it, but I'm sure he'll end up with some kind of position as coach or in the front office.

How about you? Any news with...wait, what team are you following nowadays?

And look what I just came across - here...

NOOOOOO! Actually, it'll be interesting to see Sammy try to hit homeruns weighing 160 pounds, post-steroids.

What team am I following??? Well, I just asked about the Lastros, didn't I??

Any offseason news from the Yanks, SB? The Indians, Mig? How about the Dodgers, Zia?

You see!! I'm following those teams also!

Why do you tease me like this?!

I've got Astros fans in Houston that don't even give them any support or respect. I don't need this from you, too.

You've got a whole offseason to make up your mind, but I expect a decision by Spring Training. Until then...I'll do my best to give you as many guilt trips as possible.

Sammy and Bonds - why can't they just go away??? Ugh.

It should be... look at my players, I'd be in first place! But seriously, Sasha was doing so much better in the preseason games, that's why I picked him up. I'm giving him another week or so, and if he doesn't score a little better (or at all), he's out. Psh! Who does he think he is, trying to get by on just his looks?

By the way, Gi, I wasn't kidding about my hot team... you should see my roster. Manu, Sasha, Vlad, etc. And I didn't even pick them up only for their looks, these boys can actually play! And DB's making snide comments, but what he's not mentioning is that I'm beating him.

SB, the Golden Butt thing cracked me up!! I'm still laughing from it every time I think of it. And Mig, taking it one step further... tsk tsk!

Why do I alwasy find myself missing out on these late-night rounds of posts??

News of the Yanks, DS? Sure, they're not playing right now!! Actually, they have to decide today if they'll pick up Sheffield's option or let him be a free agent. Since I'm sure that they'll want to trade him, and control who he plays for in the future, I'm positive his option will be picked up. They're still voicing support of ARod, but I think it's all a line, and that they'd dump him pretty quickly for good pitching. And I think he'd go. There are just some players that are no cut out for NY, and I believe he's one of them.

Um, as for Jeter's personality, I can only go with what I've seen of him so far...

In case you guys are interested, here is Zia's "cute" team:

PG Allen Iverson - "What are we talkin' 'bout? Practice??"
PG Jordan Farmar - Laker
SG Maurice Evans - Laker
SG Manu Ginobili - Middle name: Flopper
SF Lamar Odom - Laker
SF Ronny Turiaf - Laker
PF Vladimir Radmanovic - Laker
PF Chris Webber - Went out with Tyra Banks
C Ben Wallace - Beware of the 'Fro
C Marcus Camby - Shaq looked at him funny and he got injured
Util Gilbert Arenas - Kobe trade bait?
Util Sasha Vujacic - Laker
BN Ron Artest - Psycho
BN Derek Fisher - Former Laker
BN Raef LaFrentz - Kansas product
BN Wally Szczerbiak - Couldn't get along with KG
BN Pau Gasol - We know how Zia loves them Euros

One thing about Zia... She really loves her Lakers! Don't forget to trade for Kobe!