Laker Fans Positively Can’t Wait for Season

It really amazes me about the negative-vs.-positive in anything that happens with the Lakers. Case in point, Mr. Clark’s letter (negative) and Mr. Scheffer’s letter (positive) [Viewpoint, Sept. 2] on the Isaiah Rider signing. I side with Mr. Scheffer because I err on the side of optimism.

Rider is phenomenally talented, and his attitude is the only thing hounding him. Gee, I’d rather take a guy with talent and some problems than any guy who has a marvelous work effort with no talent. Plus the fact, this is the Lakers we’re talking about with Shaq and Kobe and the greatest coach in the game, Phil Jackson. You Laker negators out there think Rider isn’t in heaven right about now joining a team with those guys? I’m willing to bet he is on time for every practice and every game.

JOHN ROWE

West Hills

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Hey, J.A. Adande, way to show loyalty and faith in the home team [“Northwest Passage,” Sept. 2]. The Lakers haven’t even played one game of their title defense and you’ve already handed the title to Portland. They’ve never handed out rings in September, yet you and other sportswriters already have written the Lakers off. This is no different than last year when Portland also was crowned the preseason champs, but everyone underestimated Shaq, Kobe and Phil and the heart of this team. We’re still the champs until someone knocks us off.

TOM CHENG

Chino