#TheLeBronSeries-THE CROWN

King Back.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY.

"They can't keep a good man down/Always keep a smile when they want me to frown/Keep the vibes and they stood my grounds/They will never ever take my crown."-Sizzla: Solid As A Rock.

Courtside-holding it down as a sight even more rare these days than the star shining, other previous every game mainstay and Hollywood legend, Jack Nicholson-Kobe Bryant is in the STAPLES house. Dapping Dwight like it's all Shaq squashed beef alright. Hugging Anthony Davis like every other Laker fan knowing that Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and even the ballin' Brandon Ingram was all worth it (providing he stays on the floor this season...and next. Kobe knows all about Chicago rumours blowing in the wind of a Bulls snout breath blow). And then there was 'Bron. All Magic smiles. As the two greatest players of all time, outside of M.J. showed each other the same love they both have for the game. Number 23 and 24. A former 8 and future 6. You could clearly see it in the crown jewels of the five rings on Kobe Bryant's hand. Like a waiter being handed a not so subtlety folded bill for a tip, like something out of LeBron's favourite book 'The Godfather' ("just a little something for you and the family. Ya know. To tide you over."). You could see the Black Mamba handing King James something. Passing him the torch. Handing him...The Crown.

By royal appointment, the coronation of LeBron James' young Land and South Beach, Claire Foy years saw him walk the moon like a 'First Man' with his record breaking numbers that Armstrong sky rocketed like his Lady Liberty statuesque dunks. Just as if he had the U.S. Deceleration of Independence under his right arm. This constitution, this national monument. An icon. A decision rewriting free agent revolutionary. A superstar in the age of the superteam who created the later and still keeps the former late into his career. Now 35 like this writer...and Alex Caruso-ing some of his hair too...like this writer. But that all doesn't matter. That's just for the trolls who should stop brushing theirs up (that's how you lose it too ya know...trust me). In his Olivia Coleman season, LeBron is still the favourite and like another Oscar winner worthy of gold with his own 'Dear Basketball'. No not 'Space Jam 2' like M.J. But like Mike a sequel with Larry O'Brien too. Sure he really made the wrong decision with his careless Twitter on the Hong Kong problem, instead of voicing his protest with the people. But he's seen his jersey burnt before. This is a man who is still one of the people. He built a school for crying out for the needs of education loud. Before you Trump up your troll rhetoric realise a mistake for the misunderstood...and how we all make them on an everyday basis. All just not as public as this...not even on our own social medias, were we are famous among our audience of friends and family following. Sure he needs to give that taco cry a rest-not just on Tuesday-but appropriating this isn't all he's done. He also provided a taco truck to first responder firefighters who needed food-something-whilst battling the Getty fires in Los Angeles, California. LeBron has lasting intentions no matter the impression. He's still an Ali or Kap like icon for America. M.J. refused to be...as did Kobe. They shut up and dribbled, but 'Bron is bigger than Basketball. Yet still giving every ounce of the formidable frame and the heart of his soul to this game. Like playing through the pain last year when he should have sat out to only be met with critics and hate. Well it's all crickets and love now in La La LeBron and Lakerland. The city of stars are shining just for he...and A.D.

Year 17. Our 10th episode of 'The LeBron Series' to crown a decade in this writing game, LeBron James is the one like another number 23. Or one more. Because what's a one/two punch without another one like B.I.G. or what Pat Riley in the 80's promised again before Kareem could towel off his mouth? It's Showtime again now as LeBron isn't only the next Mikan, Baylor, West, Wilt, Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin Johnson, Big Game James Worthy, O'Neal, Bryant and Gasol Laker legend in legacy making line. He's also already has the perfect partnership next definitive dynamic duo already dominating in storied purple and gold AND red, white and blue NBA history. With Davis, 'Bron and the 'Brow, L.B.J. and A.D. stand next to the fire and ice of Elgin and Jerry, Wilt and West, Magic and Kareem and Shaq and Kobe, or Mamba and Pau as one of the greatest double acts in league legend. There's not enough double teams you can throw at the two offensive powerhouses in defence of their own fates. Anthony Davis clutch blocking his way to being the 'Defensive Player Of The Year' conversation and LeBron locking it down like a bruising bully with every sack. When he's not quarterbacking the offence (like when he plays with that pass in the pregame practice) from the pure point position he wants to bring back like carrying the 6, rocking the headband, or throwing the chalk. Or running back the break. Bulldozing the lane. Leaving defenders like Stormtroopers. He on the hunt like 'The Mandalorian', Skywalking in these Star Wars. Built like a linebacker. Before touching down with one of those Run-DMC 'You Be Illin'' jams like that one against Sacramento the last game. That King on Kings may be his greatest crowning of all time yet for the All Star running the lane like a runaway freight train. And the Jay-Z Carter Administration President's basketball blueprint is breathe easy, filling up every statistical category right now like a lyrical exercise too. At press time today he Kareem-ed 33 points, old Dwight Howard rebounded the ball 12 times and dished out an Odom or McGee 7 assists to his dime diamonds of teammates. And let's talk about all the kings men too even if that is another sequel edition of our article series this season. There's the Heat hot like big-three of the Lakers three-headed Ghidorah blocking monster machine of A.D., the emphatic energy of JaVale McGee and the redemption reunion of star Dwight Howard (and just wait until D.C. Boogie Cousins comes back). The big three finisher of a smooth like Jaamal Wilkes silk, or Worthy of big cigar smoke like Red Auerbach lighting game next to James in Kyle Kuzma (the one core young member they wouldn't trade). A legend at the point in Rondo. A reigning champion from downtown Toronto in Danny Green. The Bruce Bowen D of Avery Bradley. The ace in the hole clutch guards changing in Quinn Cook and Troy Daniels. The unfairly underrated and undeniably always unquestionable in his worth for praise, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (although that Tyrese "KEEP IT THAT WAY" meme reaction to KCP playing just 8 minutes was hilarious...even if inaccurate). The fan first heart and jersey/ticket giveaway of Jared Dudley. The next Antetokounmpo. And the one and only Alex Caruso. And who knows maybe even Iggy once he's bought out now 'Melo with a new Blazer is no longer on the table for the rookie rival and banana boat brother, an Anthony coveted for even longer than Davis. Still even if we are talking teams like Toronto Raptors superfan owner Drake, this one man wrecking crew is doing it all this season shot to lay-up like the one, true King now Kobe is walking off the floor with the WNBA's future like Bronny Jr. this association. Off to inspire the next with his Harry Potter magic meets sports world Granity books, as the man he pounds his heart and points to, 'LeBron writes his next chapter with this King James version verse for his Basketball Bible. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

#PoetsCorner IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

It’s the most Wonderful time of the year! No not Christmas, I'm talking about the NBA Playoffs. The first round like Tiger Woods is in full swing, however I don’t think this year will be golden for the soon to be San Francisco Warriors. With rumours about key players like Klay Thomson and Kevin the snake...I mean Durant on the move in free agency this summer, the team has a very big rival to face to make the finals. But Who?

LAUNCH in 5 ….4…3….2….1 Lift off!! That right James Harden's Houston Rockets are the team who could go all the way this year. The way they are dominating the first round and with James Harden having an MVP season and CP3 running the plays alongside him, I think they are sure to crash land themselves in the finals this year. But which beast from the east will they face?

The east is a lot closer than to just pick one, with the Raptors having one of the best season runs in the regular season. And then on top of that the Greek Freak has the Bucks getting W after W. It really is too close to call and with the Boston scum (oops did I type that out loud that’s not like a diehard Laker fan to say), lead by Uncle Drew being on their way to a sweep in the first round, you really can't rule them out in sneaking their way to the finals. But when all is said and done the titan from the east Raptors and Bucks will be the ones clashing and fighting for survival for the eastern team bringing home that trophy this year.

But basketball is a sport where impossible happens and you never know. What if the Thunder and Philly meet in the final what will that mean then? A long overdue championship earned, or the start of a new era. Either way I can’t wait to see who's going to the finals and I'm not stupid to put money on it this year. Let's see how it all unfolds. DAN STOCKER.

#SuperheroSeason ZION WILLIAMSON Feature-ZANOS

Devil In A Blue Jersey.

By DAN STOCKER.

It has been said that with a slam of a dunk he can erase any NCAA teams dream of the championship. This weekend I have seen him live up to that with out any infinity stones and some new shoes from Uncle Drew. I'm sorry Thanos who? It’s all about the young record eraser Zanos, AKA Zion Williamson who came back from injury to help lead his team to an other NCAA title. It mustn't be the shoes.

What a March Madness it was for the Blue Devils and their shoe breaking dunk artist. But soles weren't the only thing Zanos was breaking this weekend as he became the first player ever in NCAA history to be crowned ACC Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year and last but not least tournament MVP. I'm sorry it would take a lot more than The Avengers to stop this young marvel.

Zion started playing Basketball at Spartanburg Day School were he was ranked in the top five players in the country hailing from North Carolina....WAIT! STOP! Where have I heard that before....not sure maybe another announcer used to say it at a Bulls game for a player whose number was 23. Anyway where was I? Ahh yes after high school ZION chose the Duke Blue Devils as the collage team he wanted to play for. The season has come to an end but even thought Duke has birthed some great NBA players such as Kyrie Irving, J.J. Reddick, Elton Brand and the Lakers very own Brandon Ingram just to name a few, I would go as far as to say he is the best play Duke has ever had and you can quote me on that Tim.

Zion is predicted to be the number one draft pick in the NBA Draft this year and I think it’s safe to say he will have a bright future in the NBA ahead of him. One that I personally can’t wait to watch. As for every team in the NBA, they're in the endgame now. But who will Zanos click with?

#TheLeBronSeries L.A. KING

King Of The Hollywood Hills.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

"Make sure he doesn't get Zydrunas Ilgauskas"! No disrespect Zee. You're one of the greatest bigs of our generation. But I got to touch the hem of the garment of the chosen one. It's 15 years ago and my dad whose away on business in New York has put me on the phone with a customer in the NBA Store. He's running the floors trying to get a number 23 jersey in Cleveland wine and gold. You see some kid called LeBron has just become a Cavalier and this sought after James jersey may be the most wanted since...well another 23, Jordan. Or at least a 24 Kobe. Who knows what this teenager will do. The champagne he will drink. The decisions he will make. The schools he'll build. How valuable he'll really be. He's just a kid from Akron, Ohio. But I'm just one the same age from a small seaside town in England, a train ride away from where The Beatles were born. I got to have a piece of history. Fast forward a decade and a half later to this summer and this writer is on vacation in Hong Kong, pre-ordering a number 23 purple and gold jersey, trimmed like Showtime in sunday white. Waiting for me when I come home. I don't need to youtube the unboxing. Like Tom Hanks talking about his wife in 'Saving Private Ryan', this moments just for me. Wish came true like the right lapel. He's just done it like Nike and left. The seams finally make it seem real. And on the other side of his beloved since age 11, '96 class of Eddie Jones and Nick Van-Exel pre-Shaq and Kobe Lakers, the name reads James.

Block. Missed shot. Buzzer. Love embraces. Red eyes. Hit the deck. You did it. Vows are vows. Two Summers ago. It's gone past half-three in the morning but on the other side of the water "Believeland", Cleveland is awake. Have you seen Ohio rise? As this writer is up all night in his living room with a special someone watching LeBron James bring the championship back home just like he said he would. Reversing decisions and all the hate that comes with this type of wrote off talent. But you can't erase engraving, no matter how Leonardo long it takes. Everyone gets their chance for 'Revenant' revenge. You just got to claw that bear. A lion would. That, or more likely the beautiful girl is why I'm up this late, or early with work the next day. Because you only get this type of moment once in your life. And I aint even Cavalier. But tonight I'm all in for Cleveland. All for one and one for all. And not just because my Lakers are never getting past those Steph Curry with the shot Golden State Warriors, who in just a few weeks in second place is the first loser, runner up reaction will add the second best player in the league, Kevin Durant to spell dynasty. And don't scoff but I aint one for League Pass. We're like six or seven hours ahead of the U.S. over here in the U.K. So your evenings don't even get started for us until way after the mid-nite hour. And I work minimum wage...what else did you expect I'm a writer?! And I'm not going to pay hundreds of dollars for something I can't even watch without the outcome being either spoiled on Twitter the next day like 'Game Of Thrones'. Or resulting in me being fired for being a no show like the only other Laker fan I know in this town (Just playing. You're still the man Stock. Just checking you're reading). Besides I got Netflix. But still I'll pay for this one. There I was lying on the floor, she got the couch. Running around in circles wooping like Homer Simpson when Mr. Burns told him he could have free health care or something of that nature. You don't want to miss your "where were you when" place in history. That's why I booked tickets for two games this November for the King's debut in La La Lebronland for what was the Lonzo Angeles Lakers even before I booked my flights that didn't even cost half as much. Much like the steal deal I got on a room at the iconic Hotel Figueroa looking over STAPLES across the way, whose three pillars I'm sure by then will be a monument to the King. The last time I saw him play live was as a rookie in Toronto. Heck, I did the same for Kobe's retirement tour. Number 23, number 24. Seven days a week, three hundred and sixty five times a year. At the risk of 'Kamikaze' sounding like an Eminem revival, this opportunity comes once in a lifetime. Lose yourself in this game. Like Pistons in Detroit it'll take you further than 8 miles Bad Boy.

2012, year of the Olympic Games in London. Both Team USA's are in the Giant city of Manchester about to play a tune up against the British home representative and my sister is on the phone from a bar in the Spinningfields area. "Get your a## over here now! You just missed two basketball players"! "Who"?! I replied a quarter in disbelief, three in hope they're still there. "LeRoy Jones and Karl Bryan"! She was a little worse for wear. A lot taking the p###! "LEBRON JAMES AND KOBE BRYANT" I replied like Monica off 'Friends' correcting Phoebe's French pronunciation of Nestle...the secret to her Grandma's cake recepie. "Your idols"! Well little does she know that's actually her. But still I can't believe it. You won't believe how much I was kicking myself like this was football. I missed Kobe and LeBron. By a couple of drinks. I wish I did. I'll say it again. I can't believe I missed them. Just like I can't believe there now both part of the same family franchise and fraternity. Los Angeles Lakers legends and hopefully banner worthy ring bearers and champions. Bleeding purple and living gold. The number 23 on media day that will likely meet the rafters like he did the press yesterday makes it more believable, but still. The King in the same club as Big Game James. You know he's worthy. All the bigs like Shaq, Wilt, Mikan and Kareem. Not to mention the logo, the player he most resembles in Elgin and the actual Magic man who pulled a lion out the crown and brought him here for the President Johnson and Rob Lowe, Hollywood dream of Jeannie off the bus administration himself. Number 32 gives us the 33 year old leader of the best young Warrior like death line-up core. A nucleus that's only missing the cleared cap space of new Cavs, Jordan and junior. Who were switched in return for little running mate Isaiah Thomas who you know wasn't going to make the final cut like Michael K. Williams down the wire in 'Solo'. And sadly of course the power of Randle (but who knows maybe another Kentucky big from New Orleans will Pelican fly over next summer. Now a dub migrating Cousins can't relate). But this is us. LeBron's number 2, number 2 jersey and draft pick Lonzo Ball, who is set to blow aswell as set the table. The real rookie of the Lakers last year in the Kyle Kuzma steal who has bodied up this summer like Beyonce's 'Ape####' raps body beau Jay-Z in Paris' Louvre. And the Durant skinny on Brandon Ingram who LeBron simply tells us to "watch out" for because he's got next. Who better to take these kids to the promised land of the basketball bible than King? And then there's the misunderstood mob on the bench. Warrior champ McGee following former friend of the Miami Heat parade Michael Beasley. The cerebral Rajon Rondo whose vision will help guide Lonzo and whose a###hole competitivness matches only Kobe (who he sadly even after a Boston breakfast never got to get down with) and 'Bron who is starting to mirror the Mamba muse in the frank microphones of his press conferences. And who could forget the huff and puff of wildcard Lance Stephenson as your and one?! This "dog" is about to blow the house down. Lend us your ears.

Why I love this game. I could count the ways like I was going to for a 'Why I Love' feature that would stretch across all my movie, music, travel and book blogs which I still may do one day when I get the time. I could tell you I loved it because of the greatest. My M.J. I'm sorry Mr. Jackson. Or because of the Lakers who I supported since 11 because my big sis did (told you she was my idol). As besides I couldn't just glory Jordan's Bulls and who knows who my closest geographical team was back then (Boston! Can you believe that?). Or because Shaq was the most entertaining man in all of Hollywood. Or number 24 was my 23 before this one. Or how I was dazzled by Earvin's true magic behind the back, Rabbit out the hat like no Blaine card could pull, play, cut or ace in the hole be my king of hearts. Or how Kareem now inspires me at the same age as his jersey more as a journalist and autobiography writer than he did as an all-time points leading player. And I think nothing sinks like the line of the sky-hook. Thank you for your 'Becoming' and 'Coach Wooden and Me' audio description Kindle company during the toughest times of my life away in China. Or Wilt's 100. Not to mention Bean's 81. Or how the symbol himself Jerry West showed me you could still fight for victory, despite being a victim of depression. Or the last lines of Elgin Baylor's signed autobiography I hold on to, sitting next to an autographed photo framed by defensive specialist, Michael Cooper. Who I cut a rug with before one of Kobe's last dances. Or any of the jerseys hung in my room like rafter tributes. The good doctor. The Jordan Bullet repping how much his Washington term meant for the families of victims of 9/11 (look it up. If you don't know. Now you know. Now that was B.I.G. from the G.O.A.T.). Or anything to do with him and his game. The shot. The shrug. The crossover...on him. The answer. The step over. That I shouldn't love like how much I do the Boston Celtics. What's up Walt McCarty! So glad I met you in LAX. Big shot Bob. Rick Fox. John Salley. Brian Grant. Shake it 'till you make it champ. Or just about anything to do with the ball and basket. From here to overseas. Jordan to Drazen (Rest Peacefully). From the squeak of the sneakers, to the swish of the net, the only thing better is sex. I could go on. And I promise I will in longform one day. But the real reason I love this game belongs to a kid in France whose name I'll never know. But he was rocking the basketball Jones number 6 purple and gold (that's how good a Laker he was before Kobe). So lets call him Eddie. Anyway my school trip classes coach is passing the tarmac of a local court near our hotel and I sitting on the one seat on its own not 'Forrest Gump' taken (bullying is a b####) look out the window to see Eddie trying to hang with this group of older kids scrimmaging. Only for him to be pushed away and mocked as he takes his ball home. A sorry sight. He's just a kid. He just wants to play. Until later that night I look out the hotel window at the end of the dining table eating alone to see this same kid, same jersey back on his own. Under the last lights of the court, bullies gone home, they can't hang, playing with the love for this game glee. And you know what? He makes every shot! Every. Shot! And THAT'S why I love this game. Not because of number 23 or number 23. But Eddie. Here's to ya. He's all of us. He's the game. Which can be played one on one. Or just one. As a matter of fact he's the chosen one too. He's LeBron. The one who did it all kingdom come. Put the game on his back and broad shoulders like the Carter. "Take off the blazer, loosen the tie. Superman is alive!" No matter who witnessed the burning of his robes, or those who tried to throw rocks at the throne like he tossed up chalk. Can you believe there is even Los Angelinos wanting to mark the King's regal mural dedication? No matter what they said. Remember how they all wanted to hang Tiger for something that just maybe all his peers do when no ones watching even before this toxic Twitter trend of a cancel culture? A master of history. A great of his game like Mike, or Ali who like all of us are human and have made mistakes and paid the price. Well now Woods was back on the fairway for 80 this Sunday gone, killing everyone after he put on that red shirt like 'Star Trek' it's all cheers. The ultimate victory. Like L.B.J. carrying his home to the throne after South Beach decisions (or how about how his choice redefined player power and rights that need to extend to the WNBA in this locked out league of collective bargaining over chips?) when they say he never could go home. And when did he hear that...when he was back home. And now going West like Kanye or a Pet Shop Boy, Hollywood is home now and another 23 can ball with Bugs and make another 'Space Jam' too. This ones for all the credits. Warrior Monstar's beware. You better get some more powers in that ball you all share. And this mogul like Magic has got more than money (or movies like Kobe) on his mind when he gets down to business. Shut up Trump and the cabinet like! He's going to do more than just dribble out the locker room. This trophy like Oscar is for the real walk of fame. All the way to the hall call. And in leading the next generation with a forever 21, Ronaldo like durability as a thirtysomething he can do this and more all on his own. Because he's the one like the kid from a small seaside town a train ticket from John, Paul, George and Ringo. The kid from France balling until the floodlights fade. Or just the kid from Akron. Just witness. Like we all will.

#RoleReversal KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE Feature-THE YOUNG POPE

K.C.Plenty.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

Our series feature #RoleReversal flips the switched up script and gives it up for the unsung role players of this great game. After all you don't have to be a superstar to become a champion.

Vegas baby! That's how it's rolling in the Hollywood City of Angeles for the Los Angeles Lakers right now. You know what they did this Summer League. And now this fall like a gift from the Basketball God's, all hoop heads and purple purists looking for gold are following the Ball boy like he was the second coming in this post-Kobe, young Showtime generation. The 'Lonzo Angeles Lakers' look to be the real deal. And the lost angels are pinning this kid as a Christ like figure of the hardwood so much so that if he doesn't measure up they'll likely nail him to a cross. That's what number 2, Lonzo Ball has to bear.

But even Jesus had his disciples. And in this storied hoop heaven that's not for a Celtic. The Chick appealing franchise that found greats like Mikan, Wilt, West, Baylor, Goodrich, Magic, Kareem, Big Game, Shaq and Kobe is more than just Ball too. Look at all those he can pass the Spalding too. Top ten picks like Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, but not the exiled D'Angelo Russell who looks to give the Lakers no sleep as he loads up the ice in his veins for their set-to with Brooklyn. Late round steals like Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., Ivica Zubac and even two this rookie season in the form of the surprise of Kyle Kumza and the defensive doberman Josh Hart. The youthful revolution televised Lakers have even more heart in their hardwood collection of veterans like big-man with the big-shot Brook Lopez. But even this seven footer wasn't the Lake Show's biggest signing this Summer.

Praise to the lord always comes from those holding court in a church or cathedral. And it doesn't get much higher than Kentavious Caldwell-Pope when the holy ghost is running through this one. The Young Pope K.C.P. is made for Hollywood like Jude Law. And this young veteran backcourt brother of Ball is somewhere between a role player and an All-Star when he scores at will from downtown and on the perimeter fence opposing end makes sure the opposition doesn't do so, so easily. The number one former eighth pick of the draft is a wonder to behold and like a spark plug off the bench just on the court from the start, K.P. is nuts when he's worth his salt, making you sit up from breaking your shells courtside.

Once Pope gets mobile like bulletproof glass there's no stopping him. K.C.P. has plenty in the chamber when it comes to his lethal three when he's open. And when it's open range on the open court, this speedy shooting guard will leave you in the polished parquet dust as he races down the court like a dragster, before lifting his back wheels for a smooth chicane and hand changing lay-up to the cup. That's what happens when you come off the Motor City assembly line like a Piston that this former Ford Detroit star did and just fill it up from green means GO! He found his place next to Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson, but now with these kids it's time to take all that learned and mentor and teach like a bad boy too.

Kentavious clutch enthusiasm is contagious. Caldwell could probably well get a pretty good smile from Larry David sitting Jack Nicholson courtside. The man that came to this seasons Halloween's game dressed as Urkle is a basketball X and O geek who knows defence matters like his new family does. And just aswell as this microwave can score he can go nuclear on D too. He's the type of dry-erase dream that's a nightmare for the man he's marking. So purist passionate about his coached craft that he slaps the hardwood floor with both hands in anticipation for the other teams best player coming down the floor (which tonight may be the former number one for the Los Angeles Lakers). It's the kind of play that has fans rubbing their hands together with glee. And Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the kind of hoop heaven sent player from the Basketball Gods that no longer has this city putting their hands together to the sky every night.

GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO Feature ALPHABETICAL SLAUGHTER

Alphabet Streak.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

Giannis Antetokounmpo. You know the name, but it's time to spell it right as we take you down Alphabet Street and give you all the letters that make this NBA player what he really is.

A-Amazing. Aerial acrobatic assaults again and again.

B-Beautiful. Borderless basketball. Buck battle born.

C-Captivating. Camera catching court creativity.

D-Dominating. Defiantly, definitively different. DUNKS! Dear deer.

E-Epic. Effortlessly exciting. Effervescently engaging. Enthusiasm engrossing.

F-Formidable. Fantasticaly flawless. Fabulous force. Freak founder. Fear. F###!

G-Greek God. Greece great. Gentle giant Greatest?

H-Happy. Hysterically hyper. Honourable. Hands holding hearts.

I-Inspirational. Influential. Incredible.

J-Joyful. Jovial. Just J's. Juxtaposition.

K-Kalidescope. Kinetic. Kamikaze killer. K?

L-Legend. Legacy. Long lasting. Levitating lineage. Lateral. Lion. Love.

M-Mesmerizing. Man-made. Maddeningly magical. Majestically massive. Meaningful. Milwaukee moment. Most...

N-Natural. Nice. Narcasistic? Never!

O-Outstanding. Openly outgoing. Opaque. Obliterating opposition. O.M.G.!

P-Power. Pine predator. Prototype player personified. Personable. Pretty.

Q-Quintessential. Quirky. Quarter qualified. Quotable. Questions?

R-Real. Raw. Reality. Ravishing. Rolling rock. Ready?

S-Superhero. Superb. Sensationally so. Sweetest saccharine. Scintillating. So, so soulful.

T-Titan. Terrific. Tantalisingly tireless. Tenderly taught. THE...

U-Unbelievable. Uniquely undeniable. Unaminous! U Understand.

V-Versatility. Velvet veneer. Viking. Valiant. V for Vendettas. Valuable...

W-WOW! Wonder. Wonderful. W.T.F. Wowza! Wait...

X-XXX. X(citing). X(traorinary). X(pectations).

Y-You. Youth. Youngest yet. Yet...

Z-ZZZ...just kidding!

Most of those letters come together to form the name Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the only three that matters to he and the NBA right now are M-V-P.

LONZO BALL Feature-BALL'S GAME

Lonzo Angeles Lakers.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

BIG

"With the second pick in the 2017 NBA Draft the Los Angeles Lakers select...Lonzo Ball from the University of Southern California". This is it. Pandemonium to the podium. You know what it is. It's everything father Lavar guaranteed it would be as he bragged about his big three family of LaMelo, LiAngelo and Lonzo Ball being the greatest like some sort of Ali. But hows this for a first round knockout? In a draft watched by everyone from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers on tour (with Flea armed with a purple and gold Lakers bass), to Jack Nicholson in his Hollywood home, the Lakers selected Los Angeles native Lonzo with their number 2 lottery ball pick from U.C.L.A. Just like everyone with a B.B.B. on their shirt and tie wanted. K.O. Now the only way the Lakers could top this is if they nabbed top L.A. born free agents Paul George (who wants to play in purple and gold) and Russell Westbrook (also a U.C.L.A. alumnus) from the Oklahoma City Thunder next summer for their new Purple reign. Or even the King for some 'BronBall' top trending for the new superstar team generation. Big Baller and Laker nation stand up. This is just like it was all meant to be. Or just like he told you so. Sure Lonzo might not have gone first. Or have the same jersey number as Brooklyn traded D'Angelo Russell, but he is the one. And just like the last Laker to wear number 2 on his chest, this number 2 pick, but first choice is looking for numbers that carry more weight. As just like Derek Fisher, Lonzo Ball knows it's all about the name above the number...on the front of his jersey. Not the back. Sure this kids second name may be Ball but he knows the most important one is the one he passes to his teammates en route to the basket. This is what Basketball is all about. And this is what the pass first, win MVP later Lonzo Ball is all about too. No wonder Magic wanted the tricks and trades of this Jason Kidd like Point Guard. The purest this draft has blown in in recent memory. Sure he looks like Drake but he plays like last name Ever. First name Greatest. This new Lake Show may be the youngest and best core of a future franchise, from Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson to Larry Nance Jr. and Brandon Ingram. And let's not forget Ivica Zubac or Kyle Kumza too. But Hollywood's new leading man wants a statue like Shaq. Magic, Kareem, the logo and all of them. The new icon of new Showtime will pick up where Kobe left off until they put his jersey next to Big Game James Worthy and the 100 point dominance of Wilt Chamberlain in the retired rafters with all those banners he hopes to put up there. This is real, no Kardashian reality show with all due respect to the Sixth Man great Lamar Odom. This is the Ball generation. Welcome to the 'Lonzo Angeles Lakers'.

BALLER

But the proof of a player is in the playing. And in the words of the late, comedy great Charlie Murphy talking about the purple king Prince, "this cat can ball man"! Haters will try and photoshop his debut numbers all over his big chip Las Vegas tournament like Twitter troll torment. But the Most Valuable Player of Sin City lead his new Lakers to their first Summer League Championship. After his 11/11/11 triple/double proved on this date that B.B.B.'s flagship athlete really was the one, no matter whos shoes he was wearing (the Mamba even serving as a muse), Ball really hit the jackpot. With casino numbers of 36 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks and 2 steals, the legend of Zo cut his way into the lane and Hollywood star Walk of Fame frame like Zorro. Marking his spot like X, but with a big 'B' from Z. And if numbers better than LeBron and Steph Curry when they were in their Summer days wasn't enough, then L.B. also tore up Vegas with Kyle Kumza like Kobe and D-Fish's class of '96 for their self-dubbed "lightskin connection". Summer League Championship MVP in Lonzo's stead, Kumza showing the luck of the late first round Lakers extends further than their Jordan, Nance and Zupac choice picks. Looks like there is more to this young core than a few top tens. These kids are off the charts. And it all correlates from Lonzo setting the ball and table floor so all the Lakers can eat as he passes the peach. Those Lonzo laser, precision perfect to the point passers are more accurate than that camping sniper you just wish would respawn on another game in 'Call Of Duty'. This guys dimes are the bomb. Throwing assists like grenades with the J-Will, 'White Chocolate', freewheeling pin out and when they hit their target off the glass...BOOM! You know Randle, Ingram and especially Larry are going to love this. And if the double teams come you know an open 2K, K.C.P and Jordan on the wing can just do it from downtown. Looks like these Sports Centre bound highlights of the week are about to be the young team of the year...and decade to come. If you liked how Ball balled this Summer...just wait for the fall.

BRAND

Ball big all you like but this kid is more than a brand. Adidas, Nike and Under Armor know that. Even Lavar knows this, as B.B.B. is about his three boys before it's about his name brand. Say what you will about Lavar Ball, but he cut his slice of the American Dream and he did it all for his kids. As a matter of fact for someone who has stirred up so much controversy surrounding himself he actually has always made it about his sons and not number one. He wants LiAngelo and LaMelo to play for the Lonzo/Lake Show too. It seems like an impossible dream. But it's a California one in the La La Land city of stars that could only happen in Hollywood. The impossible has already happened once. Mission accomplished. Time to do it twice like Jay-Z's 'Blueprint'. Because this purple tape is all about legacy, family integrity and not gold brand strategy. No matter how expensive the shoes must be. If all three L.A. raised boys want to be King in their own city why not shine together for college and club association? Because U.C.L.A. is more than a name across a campus t-shirt or institution. It's a way of life. And the Los Angeles Lakers are more than just the National Basketball Association's most famous and flashiest franchise. They are the most storied one second to the Boston Celtics like in this years draft. From way before the seventies to 2017 and with all the Irish pride in Beantown, these L.A. lost boys could make Lakerland legacy legend. So long as in this lottery like league the Balls bounce the right way. But right now it's about Lonzo and all the places he and his Ingram and Randle big-three plus more team of the future, lead by this franchise face can go. Potential? The playoffs? The promised land? Let it all spin on Lonzo Ball's fingertips. This team and their collective future is in the palm of his hands. Now come opening night once the Spalding goes up, you know what's going down.

Let the Ball games begin...