RyanKantor.com

The NBA, my first sports love, just became fun again. It’s not that I’m a fair weather fan, I love the Lakers through thick and thin, it’s just that… Winning is fun isn’t it? And that’s what the Lakers look poised to do next season.

Despite David Stern’s best efforts, the NBA’s biggest fan base–that of the Los Angeles Lakers—is exuberant (based on a sample of one, me) and their team may suddenly be new favorites to win the NBA Championship. With the Lakers now in the mix with the Thunder and Heat, the 2012-2013 NBA season will be worthwhile after last year’s predictable, 66 game season.

If you’re late to the party, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired the NBA’s top center, Dwight Howard, from Orlando and will send Andrew Bynum to Philadelphia as a part of the huge four-team blockbuster involving Denver, Philadelphia, Orlando and Los Angeles. ESPN LA has tons of coverage. 

I had heard that the Lakers were in discussion with the Magic about acquiring Howard, and that there was interest in Bynum rather than Gasol. I was hopeful that we could keep the uber-talented Gasol and rid ourselves of Andrew Bynum, who lacks the maturity, durability, and desire to be a star Laker, but that seemed like nothing more than wishful thinking. It’s not official yet, I’m sure they all have to pass physicals and of course, you have to get it through the commissioner’s office, which isn’t always as easy as it should be, but what a bargain it would be to keep Gasol, and add Dwight Howard to a starting lineup that already features Kobe Bryant and newcomer Steve Nash.

The NBA continues to be the sports league with the most interesting trades year in and year out (MLB is a close second while the NFL trails miles behind). This one will top the 2012 off-season.

Below are three videos that pretty well explain why I’m thrilled to have a new Center in gold and purple. I need not explain why I’m excited to see Dwight Howard be that new center.

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