Challenge to "The L"

The heart of a warrior, the quiet reflections that produce pearls of wisdom, slow talking that requires a belief that something important is going to be said, starting statements with, "Now," or "What you have to realize is..." are all torments that I've experienced at the hand of one with his own moniker - he even refers to himself in the third person. He has a disdain for the Los Angeles Lakers that could rival an Israeli, Palestinian conflict.

As much as I believe I've been blessed with the gift of gab, this guy is killing me when he says Kobe is a marginally great player, but he can't compare to just to fire me up. He's doing one helluva job, and that's what makes talking to my older brother fun. He loves the game as much as I do, if not more. How many people do you know who keep their own stats on XBox? He inundates my mind with the same taunting I used to dole upon my younger brother. For some reason, it's not as enjoyable, but remarkably nostalgic being on the other end. All his banter is rooting in the fact that he has no allegiance to any one team or player, but in his fanhood decides which one he believes is anointed to dismantle the triangle offense and Kobe's brilliance.

I believe that I will get the last laugh, I'll be the only gunslinger walking out of the saloon, I'll be the homie on the mountaintop screamin' "Holla!" when the Lakers, with the Black Mamba and the Zen Master at the helm come to win a couple more titles and the Big Aristotle will be left in basketball obscurity to ponder how much greater his career could have been had he made some free throws.