They Want Lakers to Have Home-Paper Edge

So Diane Pucin thinks it would be “a great thing for the NBA” if the Kings beat the Lakers in the Western Conference finals [May 16]. Well, I think it would be a great thing for Laker fans who subscribe to this Los Angeles newspaper if Ms. Pucin stuck to penning nice little stories about tennis or hockey, and left writing inane articles about the NBA to the master of that trade, Mark Heisler.

Daniel E. Hartman

Los Angeles

*

I enjoyed reading Diane Pucin’s article as much as I enjoy watching the Sacramento Kings. I just love watching Vlade Divac flop to the floor and cry like a baby. I think “Vlade” literally translates to “he who falls down and cries.”

For her to say that the Lakers need to take the Kings seriously is understandable, but we’ve beaten them five out of the last six games on their home floor. We own them. And, sorry Diane, but Sacramento is not in the class of the Lakers. They will play us and they will lose. Period.

And why do ratings numbers matter more to Diane than team loyalty? Wow, the Sacramento-Dallas series was watched by 30% more people than any other series? Who cares? Hey, Diane, four out of five dentists recommend sugarless gum for their patients who chew gum.

Hector Reyes

Arleta

*

It is hard to accept Sacramento being in the same class as the Lakers--all I need to do is look up and count the NBA championship banners on the rafters of Staples Center and ask, how many do the Kings have? Sorry, Ms. Pucin, but you can learn a thing or two from Mr. Adande when it comes to basketball and basketball history.

Lina Roth

Los Angeles

*

Anyone think that the Spurs would do much better as a franchise by donning skates and sticks and morphing into an NHL team? What better team than San Antonio can play competitively for only three periods?

Carolyn L. Davis

Van Nuys

*

The Spurs’ fourth-quarter collapses against the Lakers reminded me of Phil Mickelson when Tiger Woods is nearby.

Chris Emerson

Studio City

*

I just finished reading Bob Huggins’ comments about Phil Jackson’s coaching ability [May 15]. What has Huggins done to make anyone think he is an expert? Let’s see, what round did his No.1-seeded team get knocked out of the NCAA tournament this year?

Huggins apparently has the same problem of no brains that the voters for NBA coach of the year have. How soon they forget that Del Harris had Shaq and Kobe and couldn’t get them to the NBA Finals, let alone a championship.

Mark Osborn

Rowland Heights

*

To all those out there who claim that Phil Jackson won his eight NBA championships not because he was a great coach, but because he was blessed with great players, two questions:

1. Has there ever been a coach anywhere who has won without having talented players?

How many titles did Jordan or Shaq or Pippen (or young Kobe, for that matter) win before being coached by Jackson? Answer: zero.

David Macaray

Rowland Heights

*

Sure, Kobe was great against the Spurs, but Shaq deserves major props. Despite injuries that surely would sideline any player during the regular season, Shaq is sucking it up and delivering a strong message to the Lakers and all of their fans. That message is, “We will not lose when we give all we have.”

You can see the grimace on his face when he has to extend and use an injured ankle, finger or toe. I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of Shaq than I am now. He’s an amazing guy and an unbelievable athlete.

Stan Shechtman

Irvine

*

The Humanity Hall of Fame should take notice of the kind of man Kobe Bryant is becoming, as evidenced by his kindness to Steve Tyson [May 15]. Neither Kobe nor his PR people boasted of his actions, for it was the senior Tyson who shared with all of us the experience between his son and Kobe.

A hall-of-fame act by a future member of the Hall of Fame (Humanity and Basketball).

Michael J. Miramontes

Monrovia

*

It must be playoff time. Kobe is taking charge in the fourth quarter, Shaq is making his free throws, and Allen Iverson and Larry Brown are acting like 5-year-olds. All is right with the world.

Ralph S. Brax

Lancaster