It wasn't long ago that I was a young boy cheering on the Lakers from my home in SoCal. I watched in awe as one of the great dynasties in NBA history dismantled one opponent after the next. Kobe Bryant was a young superstar being called the next Jordan and Shaq was making his defenders look like Sunday brunch. Those were the days when I was a diehard fan, watching countless games, idolizing the skilled athletes, and wishing to be in their shoes someday. In recent years, however, I've lost all interest in the NBA and the disgrace of a league that it's become. So, how did this all happen? How did I go from being the biggest basketball fan I know to one who hates the league and everything it represents?
             Let's go back to the days when I was first followed basketball. I was in elementary school and some of my friends were Lakers fans. I watched a few games with them and really got into the action. I loved everything about the Lakers, from their players, to their history, to the color of their jerseys. I followed the team religiously as they won multiple championships. I couldn't believe the team that played just an hour from where I lived was experiencing such tremendous success. They'd just won their third straight title and I couldn't have been happier. The year they signed Payton and Malone was when my love for the game reached its peak. Watching five future Hall of Famer's on the same team was incredible. Of course, the Lakers lost to the Pistons in the finals that year, and everything went to hell. Karl Malone and Phil Jackson retired, and the Lakers traded fan favorites Shaq, Payton, and Rick Fox. A year later, Kobe publicly demanded a trade and the team was quickly collapsing. I knew then that I had to give up on the Lakers and follow another club.
             Since Shaq was always my favorite player, I decided to become a fan of the Heat. Ironically, they won the title that same year. It was great seein...