it's good to be an angeleno

the lakers and the bruins started their respective games at the same time in different cities. but, there was a point during tonight's game where the bruins and the lakers had scored 57 points and their opponents were at 43 (asu) and 45 (miami) respectively. both bruins and lakers, of course, went on to victory.

to me, that was kind of an eerie moment. so, i was reminded of this column.

Too many Saturdays to count. So many that we sometimes forget that in other cities -- in places such as Chicago and San Francisco, New York and Philadelphia -- college games with this kind of magnitude and talent rarely take place.

And Pauley is just the start. You look at what's happening with the Lakers now -- a team on the rise -- and you think, again?

Yes, again. Of course.

You grow up, as I did, in a city such as Seattle and you've got one NBA title and two heroes: Gus Williams and Downtown Freddie Brown.

You grow up in this sun-kissed place and where do you start? 1972 or 1985? 1987 or 2002? Who hangs in your memories? Kareem or Wilt or Shaq? Jerry West or Worthy? Kareem or Kobe?

The Lakers might on occasion have lean and fallow seasons. But always they return. Same goes for the Bruins.

i know that it is too early in the nba season to see if the lakers will go to the championship game (the nba really needs a catchier title a-la "final four" or "superbowl"). i also know that the big dance is too unpredictable to assume that ucla will get to the final four and beyond. although i can only hope.... yep, it's not just la weather, it's basketball too.