The Lakers Assemble Their Monstars.

For a while it seemed as though the only Championship LeBron James might get in LA was one he'd win in Space Jam 2.  That his coming to LA was going to be about making movies and money ratherer than making making a contender.

But now, as the Lakers trade a young core group of players as well as draft picks for the promise of a second mega-star, it seems destiny has come to fruition out on the west coast.

There is no more glamorous a team in basketball than the Los Angeles Lakers. 

They play and win with a certain flair. 

Magic.  Kareem.  Shaq.  Wilt.  Kobe.

Star upon basketball star has resided with the team and genuinely added to the legacy of one of the most winningest franchises in sports.

They have been the picture of success for decades in the NBA, and while they may have struggled for the past ten or so years since the injuries of Kobe Bryant took their final toll, they now have the stars that they so often covet in James and Anthony Davis.

The acquisition of  Davis for some very good, but very young pieces could pay huge dividends in the short term, and if they can get consistent play and shooting from some of the surrounding pieces, almost certainly puts the team in contention for a wide open Western Conference next year.

The Lakers have their dream pairing again and it seems like destiny that they will find themselves back on top of the NBA sooner rather than later.  There will be highlight reel passes, great dunks, incredible three's and  hard-nosed defensive plays.  In short, the Lakers are expected to look like the Lakers of old, if not better.

While Durant joining the Warriors might have been a move that nearly broke the NBA, the Davis trade and potential subsequent signing of a notable free agent such as Kawhi Leonard or Kemba Walker make the Lakers look like a team moving from lottery team to title favorites.

There are moves still to be made, as finding consistent shooters and defenders will become a priority.  But now the Lakers two stars who are versatile, effective, and play with enough flash that all of the eyes will be on them to start the year.  But without question, the Lakers have two players that will cause huge headaches for the opposing team night in and night out.

I think the roster will need to come together and understand what works best for them and how to play as a group, but the talent at the very top has a great balance to it.  Anthony Davis is just 26, with his best years about to come up.  LeBron is probably not in his athletic prime but still has an incredible skill level and is still one of the top players in the league.  And still waiting behind both is Kyle Kuzma, a young player who has the makings of a potential all-star.

The Lakers cannot afford injuries though.  The health of LeBron and Davis is paramount to their success.  There is no safety net at the moment and any help will have to come from unheralded and undrafted players.  If one of the big stars goes down for any serious amount of time, the team risks imploding on itself again, and thoughts of doubt and failure may creep into the psyche of the group.

There are those that do not want the Lakers to go back on top again.  They can be fairly viewed as a pretentious and arrogant organization with pompous and unlikable players.  These moves and the ensuing storm of media coverage will become a source of resentment  for some who see the Lakers as an evil empire that uses money, fame and geographical location as a way to gain a huge advantage over smaller markets. 

I'm excited.  I think they have an opportunity to be something special for the next few years of Lebron's  contract, but also longer if they can retain Kuzma with Davis into the future. They may also still attempt to sign Kemba Walker who is coming off an All-Star season, or even Kawhi Leonard, fresh from an NBA Finals MVP run.

It's still a bit hard to see the very end, but it's clear to see that the shine is coming back to LA far sooner than anticipated.  The last season that ended with dysfunction and turmoil is already behind them and the optimism of a return to glory is already here and now.

Welcome back to the fun of watching the best players in basketball playing in the southern California sun. 

Welcome back to the stories of drama and intrigue, where sports and Hollywood mix with big contracts, big egos and big trades.

Welcome back to the Lake Show.

The Season Of Now

It has finally become warm here in State College; the winter finally retreating with its dreary monotone color palette and being replaced by the deep blues, greens and yellows that seem to bring the world back to life.

It's a time to relax and enjoy the longer evenings with a libation of choice. 

It's a time to get up early and do that early morning exercise routine.

It can be a time to fall in love for either the first or the thousandth time.

It's summer.

I have mostly seen this season through the eyes of an adolescent. When I hear "summer," it's usually synonymous with "break," an interlude to the rest of the yearly toils and generally living care free until fall, when typically, school started again. 

The fact that I reside in a major college town only reinforces the dynamic as the economics of State College are driven by the university.  If you've ever been around the town in the summer versus while school is in session, you become acutely aware that this town can become a low key suburban oasis that hinges on a group of people that care about one another.

I think most people want to leave our cares with our winter clothes and focus on the time at hand, because we know that this season of the sun, great as it is, will not last. 

We vacation in the summer, embracing the relaxing cool, blue waters of the beach or pool.  Maybe fly from the peak of a tire swing into a creek or lake.  We invest in the stories of the blockbuster movies or dive deep into the prose of a favorite new author.

There are those projects around the house that need done; the garden needs tended, and fresh vegetables from the store or garden need grilled.  We enjoy going out to the restaurants and bars that specialize with outdoor seating and seasonal drinks.  Life seems to overflow at times, and it feels like you can sense it in the very air around you.

It's THAT time of year.

A time to take that trip that you wanted to take.  Put time into your projects that you say you want to do, and do them.  Take a lazy day and go to a park and just take in some nature.  Do what feels good to YOU, and feel fulfilled at the end of a summer's night. 

Take pictures of the memories you make, even if you chose not to share them on social media.

Take the chance on something new and different.

Don't look back, and don't second guess yourself.

Enjoy the now. 

Enjoy the summer.