Nice to finally have you back Brent! I hope you weren't too offended, annoyed, or frustrated with our temporary banning of you from JD. Fortunately, it doesn't sound like it...
![Grin ;D](https://www.jedidefender.com/yabbse/Smileys/classic/grin.gif)
We just thought it would be more fun that way, so that when all the mudslinging, coercion
![Roll Eyes ::)](https://www.jedidefender.com/yabbse/Smileys/classic/rolleyes.gif)
, and fun was going on and being directed at you and the paltry Celt's, you would have no ability to retort and defend yourself in a fair and proper manner whatsoever.
![Cool 8)](https://www.jedidefender.com/yabbse/Smileys/classic/cool.gif)
And really now... if Jim and Dale are truly your friends, you should allow them to root for whomever their hearts desire. If that just so happens to be the best team in the NBA, and 3-time defending World Champions, then more power to 'em. Always nice to be a fan of the Champs! You can hold your head high wherever you go! To suggest that anyone was rooting for the Lakers here with anything other than purely honest intentions is just silly...
![Wink ;)](https://www.jedidefender.com/yabbse/Smileys/classic/wink.gif)
Well, even if we don't get our long awaited classic 80's rivalry revived in the Finals, it at least looks like you'll be able to do that in the first round in the Eastern playoffs vs. the Sixers. That should be fun to watch. Meanwhile, the Lakers (resting comfortably in their # 7 spot) will be dispatching of the whiny babies known as the Sucramento Queens!
I am glad to hear that it wasn't you defacing Shaq's 20,000 point ball there Brent. I know you have a lot of pent up hostility towards the always winning Lakers, but grafitting vulgarities on someone's special ball just really didn't sound in character for you.
Close, but not quite...
BTW, I think Chris R. (
dustrho) has been converted to a Laker fan now as well, after I sent him a real nice (and unexpected) Laker banner as part of our recent trade. He told me he
really liked it and put it up in his Living Room window for his whole Chicago area neighborhood to see... I think I even heard him chanting "Ko-be, Ko-be, Ko-be" clear over here the other night. Looks like you and Scott now stand alone. I'm still working on him though. I'm sure he'll eventually come around and recognize the true roots of NBA hoops in the state of Minnesota...
![Cheesy :D](https://www.jedidefender.com/yabbse/Smileys/classic/cheesy.gif)
So, with all that in mind, who do you guys all think the Lakers will face from the East in the Finals this year?