Roy Tarpley reportedly suspended for positive cocaine test

[Findog]

He was a blue chipper. He just lost his soul.

I've always wanted to try that stuff just once to just see wtf is so attractive about it, but, when I broach the subject with the wife she just says: "Dale, you have your Lakers, and your 'Nemo' Cakes. That's enough."

Those Nemo cakes are awesome! They have them at Walgreen's.

As for cocaine, tried it a couple times in college. Didn't see what the big deal was, one way or the other, and never touched it again. Didn't have a traumatic experience, didn't have a mind-blowingly awesome experience, it was just kind of...meh, don't see what the big deal is.

[Culburn369]

Those Nemo cakes are awesome! They have them at Walgreen's.

Yes. The Carrot Cake Nemo is my favorite, followed by the chocolate one. You have to pick over the selection of Nemos to make sure you don't get one that was cut from the side of the pan. A center cut Carrot Cake Nemo left on its own to assume room temp with a glass of milk will blow your freakin' shorts off.

[SenorSpur]

Oh wait, should've posted this in the 1988 forum. My bad.

I know Dirk is widely considered the best player in Mavs history. However, I could argue that Tarpley, during his tenure, was on track for that honor. Many forget this guy was a walking double-double, and a 20-10 guy, in his own right. While Dirk is by far the better perimeter shooter, Tarpley was, by far, the superior low-post player that many Mavs fans wished Dirk was. Thoughts?

[Culburn369]

I know Dirk is widely considered the best player in Mavs history. However, I could argue that Tarpley, during his tenure, was on track for that honor. Many forget this guy was a walking double-double, and a 20-10 guy, in his own right. While Dirk is by far the better perimeter shooter, Tarpley was, by far, the superior low-post player that many Mavs fans wished Dirk was. Thoughts?

Both players are innately flawed. Tarpley, by his addiction. Dirk, by his good nature. You're not going to change their genes. You can treat the symptoms, yes, but, you have to have a willing "patient." Tarpley wasn't willing. Neither is Nowitski.

[Findog]

I know Dirk is widely considered the best player in Mavs history. However, I could argue that Tarpley, during his tenure, was on track for that honor. Many forget this guy was a walking double-double, and a 20-10 guy, in his own right. While Dirk is by far the better perimeter shooter, Tarpley was, by far, the superior low-post player that many Mavs fans wished Dirk was. Thoughts?

He was definitely the biggest talent in Mavs history until Dirk showed up. I dunno, given the career he's had, albeit mostly in another team's uni, you could say Kidd was the best talent the Mavs had until Dirk showed up. Then again, 20/10 bigs are considered more valuable than All-World PGs.

[Culburn369]

I remember that series. I dont know about you, but just the thought of Majic on the floor brought a calming to all the chaos of that series.

Yes, by then the calamity (Magics & Worthys breakdowns) in the '84 Finals was erased by our triumph in the '85 Finals at Boston. It was our greatest triumph as a Franchise and one of the, if not the greatest victory of 20th century sports.

And the newbie Laker fans on this Board, and every Board, and across this nation need to realize and honor Magic Johnson. He made reality in that '85 Finals what we now take for granted today. The young Laker fan was not there in the early days when our franchise was beaten time & again by Boston. It destroyed the psyche of Jerry West. It made Jabbar wither and Worthy & Scott fade. And that was the position that Magic found himself in-in the bitter aftermath of the '84 Finals. He & Worthy had conspired to expose themselves to the Boston Celtics for yet another execution of Laker spirit. Mental errors plagued Magic in that series and finally Worthy completely broke with reality and made that ill fated pass to Gerald Henderson.

So on that Tuesday nite in June of 1984 the Celtics strove to end Magic Johnson as a threat and compe or. They knew he was our only hope of true salvation, of ever slaying the diseased simian who we carried on our backs as Boston had commanded thru the decades.

We went quietly into the night that evening. The Celtics waving their white towels at us and eyeballing us to drive home the point of our humiliation yet again.

But, Magic did not go where Wilt and West had gone afore him/to the corner and inward, lamenting outrageous fortune. No. Uh, uh, Magic declared a 100 game grailed quest, gathered the flock around him (Jabbar shivering) (Worthy blubbering) (Scott unable to comprehend) and started.

That quest ended on a Sunday afternoon in Boston, with Magic going left to right across parquet and dropping in a hook. Out of the TO Riley had called his number and Magic never hesistated as Fisher would not hesistate near quarter century later at Jackson's command.

Magic cut mid thorax the diseased simian and we were all delivered. Every one us, the Lakers fans before us and the Lakers fans to come. Magic Johnson delivered onto us the light, and we all crossed the bridge together.

It's 24 years since that Sunday afternoon in Boston and each of us should pause and give thought & thanks to Magic Johnson. He is our greatest Laker.

[Culburn369]

Thanks, Luva.