A Question For The Lakers Fans in Bruin Nation

by Nestor on Apr 22, 2008 5:00 PM PDT in Football Comment 45 comments

So in the world of professional basketball things are almost back to normal. Lakers once again have the best record in the Western Conference. They are well set up to make a run for banner number 15 in next few weeks:

Yet as I was watching the Lakers drubbing the Nuggets (who IMHO has the best colors in the league) on Sunday, a hypo was running through my head. I know the answer to the question. Now I want to hear it from all other Laker fans.

Let’s say you found yourself one day in front of the Sports Gods who asked you to pick one of two options for granting your wishes in next 12 months:

Option 1: UCLA football finishes its first football season with under CRN with a 10-3, which ended with a 6 game winning streak (which would include wins at the Rose Bowl on December 6th and one on New Year’s Day). The season blows ups CRN’s recruiting efforts setting the program up for BCS runs in the coming season(s) resulting in UCLA’s first National Championship in college football (since 1954) in next 5-10 seasons.
Option 2: Lakers bring home their 15th World Championship this spring.

Here is the catch. If you pick Option 1 not only will you have to sacrifice the Lakers for this season you will be giving up a Laker world championship title for next 30 years. If you pick Option 2, it will mean you are giving up any chances for a UCLA football championship in next 10 seasons.

I know ... tough. Right? But not so much for this die hard Laker fan living in this nation.

I am ready to give up titles for my Lakers in return of UCLA FB championships. In my life time I have been fortunate to experience a number of Laker banners. I enjoyed all of them. However, I have never tasted a UCLA championship in college football. So picking the Bruins over Lakers is easy for me.

How about you? Which option would you pick? Answer this question only if you are a Laker fan.

BTW – you guys over there, the Warrior fans from BN (or Kings fans - do they exist anymore?) – don’t LOL too hard. You can only dream of getting questions like this.

Looking forward to reading the responses. This should be fun.

GO BRUINS.

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Comments

It would have been option 1 easily

because the Lakers are well positioned for the future, but 30 years!? I refuse to participate.

by Tydides on Apr 22, 2008 5:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You've got to step up

The Sports God demand it T. Otherwise, you will have nightmares. This is not suppose to be an easy choice!

by Nestor on Apr 22, 2008 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then I'm going to have to apply

more objective measures.

Now, I realize that college programs can turn around very quickly, but even given that, chances at national titles are still largely in the hands of voters and perception is everything. Who knows how long it will take for that to turn around. The short term future of the UCLA Football program is still very much uncertain on the level of competing for national championships. Giving up 10 years of that where it's possible that a majority of those years won't be title contending teams anyway doesn't seem as bad as the alternative.

Giving up 30 years of the Lakers' future is to wipe out the young core nucleus they have that could contend for the title right now as well as years down the road. The window is open now and for the foreseeable future, and even after that we're talking about 20 something years.

Given the above, I'd really hate myself for picking option 2 (although the 15th championship would blunt that a lot), but I absolutely could not pick option 1.

I'd take option 2 and be much happier 10 years from now.

by Tydides on Apr 22, 2008 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Option 2

We're talking about 30 years of Laker struggles. Not signing up for that. I'd take 10 years of UCLA football struggles as opposed to 30 years of Laker struggles. Now if it's 10 years for both or 30 years for both then you're asking me far too difficult a question.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 22, 2008 5:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Also

I still get that bittersweet feeling every time I hear Chick's jubilant voice with his signature "refrigerator" line. It's been six years and I still can't believe he's gone.

Best part of the video starts at 55 seconds. Farmar also feeds Walton and Ariza.

by Tydides on Apr 22, 2008 5:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I have to go with 2..

30 years of bannerless seasons for the lakers would really be tough, so heres why i go with 2.

In option 1 you guarantee a bruin football championship in 5-10 years, and by taking 2, you get a 10 year guaranteed drought in football. I take the Laker success, especially as it would mean we probably beat the Celtics this year, and hope that by the time that 10 year drought ends, CRN is on the verge of winning a NC.

For me though, I'm hungrier for Dodger success being that the Dodgers have a bigger spot in my heart than the Lakers. Throw in a third Dodger option and things could get interesting, but right now we're not even worthy of an option 3 after playing so poorly in Atlanta.

My main point is though, that by taking 1: (best case) a UCLA NC in 2 years and Lakers in 30 years.(but it could also be 9 years for the bruins and 30 for the lakers, with option 1.

and in option 2: a Lakers banner this year, and 11 years for bruins)

O.A.

by Ollie on Apr 22, 2008 5:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Keep dreaming about the Dodgers

UCLA football has CRN at the helm = hope.

UCLA basketball has BH at the helm= a proven winner.

Lakers have a core of Kobe, Pau and LO= a couple banners on the way.

Dodgers have Ned putting their team together= a bumbling fool leading us nowhere fast.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 22, 2008 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea but i thought

we were finally headed in the right direction this year. I mean most fans I think were optimistic. Young guys finally being given a shot at everyday starting positions, A big bat in center field to fix juan's weak arm and poor hitting, and although injury plagued, a strong pitching staff starting rotation through closer.

I really thought this was going to be good. Young guys and veterans actually getting along under the beloved Joe Torre, and finally a strong middle of the order with guys like Kent Jones Kemp and Lone star giving run support to our starters.

I mean if we just hit consistently, we'd be seeing 7-8-9 with Beimel, JB, Proctor, Saito, and co. every night. Its just so infuriating, of course as i type this we go down 5-1

O.A.

by Ollie on Apr 22, 2008 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

thank the brilliant ned colletti

for trading away young talent and signing guys like pierre and andruw jones. even furcal at $14 mill per year.....pujols makes less!!! it's ok though, luckily they have joe torre who's never had a decent team with a salary of less than $200 million, and who has never been a winner in the NL. frankly at this point i'd rather hear vin scully talk about the AL so i could listen without having to hear about the dodgers.

by jjreicher on Apr 22, 2008 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

While Ned certainly

hasn't made the best decisions in the past, in the last 9 months he has made it known that the young guys will play, and that he will keep and develop the players from our amazing farm system.

In raffy's defense, in his first year healthy as a dodger, he's started out the year putting up pretty great numbers, plus still having the best arm at the shortstop position.

This team is just not living up to expectation, or gelling, or guys have just burned out, I dunno its just not working right now, I'll give it a few more months before we get an idea of what this team is really made of though.

O.A.

by Ollie on Apr 22, 2008 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

From a Kings fan...

Replace the Lakers with the Kings and I'd take option number 1, easily. The Kings already had and missed their once in a century chance at a title, so I wouldn't have to give up much.

by cabz on Apr 22, 2008 5:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Now go try this on UCLA Bruins from Chicago..

..betcha they'd give up on the Cubbies' success for 30 years in a heartbeat. I mean, they'd probably say things like, "only thirty years?" and "you don't know what misery is until you enter your second century without being in the World Serious."

God, it's great to be a Bruin!

by whp68 on Apr 22, 2008 5:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The important thing for me.

When I look at those 2 scenarios, I have to look back at the last time the Lakers won it all. That was only 6 years ago. Add 30 to that and you are still a decade and a half behind UCLA Football's drought. Where as, if you add another 10 years to football, we will be looking at 64 years since UCLA Football has won even a share of a title. That to me is unacceptable. The Lakers have had a couple bad decades (the 90's) but their 15th Championship verses the 2nd for Bruin Football...there can be only one answer.

Fortunately we do not have this type of power.

by isodore on Apr 22, 2008 5:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

As a Warriors fan

I'm picking Option 1, because Warriors fans don't lose anything but have everything to gain.

In all seriousness, I'd probably choose Option 2 if I were a Warriors fan, unless it's 10 years for both (or 30 for both). When it comes to tiebreakers, my loyalty goes to the Bruins.

Class of 2010. GO BRUINS!

by Yoyo on Apr 22, 2008 6:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Since we are dreamin'...

I prefer to choose between the Laker Girls or the Bruin cheerleaders. I'm just sayin'...

by bruin75 on Apr 22, 2008 8:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Option 1, and its not even close for me

I'm a lifelong Laker fan, dating back to Wilt and West. However, I've generally lost interest in the pro game in favor of college hoops (and Ben Ball) and really only start paying attention at playoff time. Laker fans have enjoyed two glorious runs with multiple rings in recent memory, so I can be satisfied with that history.

However, college FB is my #1 sport. The last time we hung a banner was 10 yrs before I was born, and it wasn't undisputed at that. Given the level of competition in CFB, a banner would be astronomically huge. I'd have a smile on my face in perpetuity. So I take option 1 easily.

"Make each day your masterpiece" - JRW

by UCLAMD89 on Apr 22, 2008 8:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

A no-brainer

Option 1.

I am undoubtedly in the minority on this, but if the NBA folded, it wouldn't bother me. If the Lakers became the equivalent of the Washington Generals it wouldn't bother me.

by Fox 71 on Apr 22, 2008 9:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

no-brainer

Lakers.

I'm a huge basketball fan. I watch all the football games because that's what's on in the fall.

Of course, a UCLA football championship would put me on a high--but frankly I'd rather win now than later. Then again, what's wrong w/ both?

Go Lakers!!!

by jjreicher on Apr 22, 2008 9:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Option 2

I pride myself in being a loyal, diehard fan. But 30 years of guaranteed futility? That is absolutely too much to take.

by uclabruin07 on Apr 22, 2008 9:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

2

I want a UCLA championship in the worst way but I cannot even fathom the idea of going belly up without ever seeing another Laker championship.

by BlueReign on Apr 22, 2008 10:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Option #1

i can't support a team that employees rapists

by Daselfish14u on Apr 22, 2008 10:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Daselfish

by Tydides on Apr 22, 2008 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Options

I understand that this question was only directed at Laker fans, but if the question was directed at my pro teams, I would still come out in favor of option 1.

My vote is based on the fact that the players wearing blue and gold are representing my alma mater. For those who did not attend UCLA, but still support the Bruins, hats off (sincerely). The choice for you can be more objective.

But for me, nothing can replace my loyalty to my school. I will always take UCLA victories over the success of any professional team which I support.

Go Bruins.

by islandbruin on Apr 22, 2008 10:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I am a Laker Fan

And I'd have to choose my Bruins. My Lakers lose and I'm sad for a day. My Bruins lose and I can't get outta bed for a month.

by bruin8uclap on Apr 22, 2008 10:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Option 1 for me

I've never seen a Bruin national championship in football, so I can't summon memories to get me through the rough spots. I've seen enough wonderful Laker moments to get me through 30 years. Besides, I'd be so deliriously happy if the Bruins won a football title I might not even notice another sport for a few years. As much as I love the Lakers, I would choose option 1.

by McNown to Farmer on Apr 22, 2008 11:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Got to go with...

Option 1

We are so close to hanging that 12th banner in PP and the thought of having a football and basketball championship in the same year would be amazing. To see that in my life time would bring a lot more joy then seeing the lakers win this spring (even though I can't wait to watch the parade and see all that purple and gold confetti flying in the air).

GO BRUINS

by jseago on Apr 22, 2008 11:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Seen

8 Laker Championships.

Seen 0 Bruin Football Championships.

So I'll take #1. (Presumably these 10 years include at least 8 victories over SUC, right?)

"You don't make it to the Final Four three straight times for no reason..Obviously coaching has something to do with it." Darren Collison

by godblesstyus95 on Apr 23, 2008 12:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Interesting Breakdown

If I'm correctly estimating people's ages here, it seems like the responses from the younger set prefer the Laker championship while the "wiser" set are overwhelmingly in favor of the UCLA Football championship.

This actually makes a lot of sense when you think about it and you consider the reasons given by each side.

by Tydides on Apr 23, 2008 12:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think

another factor to take into consideration in looking at this answers - being an alum.

I am going to guess lot of people opting for number 2 (without thinking about is) didn't go to our school.

by Nestor on Apr 23, 2008 4:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another Thought

Excellent points by you and by Nestor in his following post. Another factor which might come into play for the "wiser" vs. younger breakdown, coming from a member of the "wiser" set-

During one season in the 49ers Super Bowl string, Cal had a good football team. I asked a Cal alum if he would trade the 49ers next Super Bowl for a Cal win in the Rose Bowl. He said no, and I realized that part of the problem might have been that a Cal win in the Rose Bowl was too hypothetical, the last one having occured in 1939.

For the younger group, UCLA BCS-caliber success in football has been all too infrequent an occurence (the last two Cade McNown years being the only time I can recall in recent memory).

When I was at UCLA (grad in 71), UCLA was the #1 team in the country going into the $C game my freshman year (the Beban-Simpson game 20-21 game). During my junior year, UCLA was again undefeated (one tie) going into the $C game, and lost on a bullshit pass interference call on 4th down. So UCLA was playing at the top levels in football during the later Prothro years.

In the early 80's, UCLA won 4 consecutive New Year's games, 3 Rose and 1 Fiesta (although the Fiesta Bowl at that time had less prestige than it does now). They dominated $C, and beat 3 different Big-10 teams with a different redshirt senior at QB each season (CRN being part of that string).

So in my experience, UCLA has played BCS caliber football. This is not a hypothetical question, as it presumably is for a lot of the more recent grads and fans.

by islandbruin on Apr 23, 2008 6:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would have to say Laker championship!

Fans have been very frustrated, as has Kobe, and we need balance back in the Lakerdom.

CBH: 3 straight PAC-10 titles, most since CJW!

by Lakers Bruins Fanatic on Apr 23, 2008 12:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

forget all that

I just want the Dodgers to finally win one. its been 20 long years!

by blinkshot on Apr 23, 2008 1:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm Sorry

But for me this is a no brainer. I WANT LAKER CHAMPIONSHIPS. I admit basketball is my sport and my #1 is the Bruins winning titles, but the Lakers top everything else. I want Kobe to claim his rightful spot in history, I want Lamar to have a title, and most of all I want L.A. relevant again. Please give us Lakers Celtics and lets us win in 7

by dijonplease on Apr 23, 2008 1:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I am VERY surprised at these comments

Sure, it's a nice, fun hypothetical. Sure, we really don't have to live it. Sure, it's all just pretend.

But how do you suppose Coach Neuheisel and his staff would answer this? And how many of you Option 2 people were gushing about Coach Neuheisel and the Passion Bucket? To me, it sounds more like some of you have a Passion Thimble.

Think about your choice of options on September 1 at 5:00 p.m. Or better, think about them next December 6.

(I'm surprised I generated a mini-rant on this question.)

by Fox 71 on Apr 23, 2008 4:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I take Option 2...

... because as long as CRN and our Bruin win the Rose Bowl in the years when it's NOT for the NC, and we can keep beating $C, that ain't bad.

Figure in 10 years, we're looking at, what, 7 years when the RB is NOT the NC? IF Option 2 does not preclude us from winning those, that's still not bad.

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Apr 23, 2008 7:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Easy Choice

I'm a much bigger UCLA fan than Laker fan.

Option #1

by artybruin on Apr 23, 2008 8:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Trick Question.

Who cares about the lakers anyway.

Kobe will be seeking a trade soon.

by rfirpo on Apr 23, 2008 9:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

er what?

i thought after getting gasol, and having bynum waiting, kobe said he wants to stay a laker til the end now

by blinkshot on Apr 23, 2008 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Option # 1

I love the Lakers, but most of my cherished Laker memories come from a time when I regarded pro basketball as an enjoyable sport. Sadly, that time has passed.

I'm not all the way with Fox in not minding if the Lakers went the way of the Washington Generals, but I'm not too far off.

Option #1 all the way.

GO BRUINS.

by Menelaus on Apr 23, 2008 10:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Option 1

Reason 1 - I have seen 8 Laker championships in my lifetime, 0 UCLA national championships.

Reason 2 - No Laker team can replace the Showtime Lakers in my heart.

Reason 3 - I really don't care much about the NBA. I'm happy for guys like Baron Davis and Jordan Farmar, but I won't watch a complete NBA game that doesn't have the Lakers. And even if the Lakers are playing, I just watch a little here and there.

by bruinbabe2000 on Apr 23, 2008 11:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Option 1

It's not even close, though I'm not much of a NBA fan anymore. But for me the reason is simple: I AM A BRUIN. And I have never been, nor will I ever be, a Laker (though I am a fan). I really couldn't care less if they never win a championship again.

Unless things change in the NBA, my interest will keep waning year after year. Too many teams, too many overpaid mediocre players, too many games. The whole thing has been watered down.

A UCLA national championship in football will be far more meaningful and memorable than anything accomplished by a team of professional millionaires. But that's just my opinion.

by tasser10 on Apr 23, 2008 12:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Bruins Football

considering the hypothetical nature of this question....I think I'll take Bruins football....because I know for sure if Lakers don't win it this year.....they'll crush everyone with Bynum, Ariza back next year and league's best bench led by Farmar....

by brewinn04 on Apr 23, 2008 12:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

OPTION 1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1!!!! Did I say option 1!?!

Someone said it best earlier in the post. I do get sad when Lakers lose but it only lasts a day maybe but when my Bruins lose, oh boy, my entire family stays away from me for at least a week.

by burculian on Apr 23, 2008 4:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs