The Yin, The Yang, and The Zen

If you’ve never studied Eastern philosophy, fret no more, for the Los Angeles Lakers roster for the 2005-2006 season is starting to shape up like PHIL 115: A Practical Application. With the first significant move for a starting player made, GM Mitch Kupchak is shaping up to be a great student.

We all know that the Yin and the Yang exist as polar opposites. Light/dark, complacent/aggressive, introversion/extroversion, even/odd. The two form a full, whole circle through their interdependence upon one another. Holding the other in balance, the opposites support each other; as one increases, the other decreases, maintaining the perfect form of the circle. The dots serve as a representation that there will always be traces of one in the other.

The style of play between two new Laker big men can be seen as a similar relationship. Ronny Turiaf is a player most would agree isn’t the most athletically gifted cookie in the cookie jar, but his heart and passion are unparalleled. In Summer Pro League action, games that don’t mean as much now that Ronny has earned a contract, he’s putting his body on the line, pumping up his team mates, and pounding the ground like a silverback orangutan with emotion. Turiaf is the prototypical motor guy, working constantly and earning everything he gets, already a fan favorite at the Pyramid for his hustle and tenacity.

The Yin to Ronny’s Yang is Kwame Brown, an athletic freak with great leaping ability but a questionable attitude, causing fans to boo him in the MCI Center. Brown’s detractors claim he has no heart, has given up on the team, and has not lived up to potential because of his deficient work ethic. He has been called the poster child for the NBA age limit, considered a constant cautionary tale against drafting high risk teenagers who may lack professionalism. Brown has missed practices, argued with coaches due to his hypersensitivity to criticism, was “mysteriously” suspended (presumably because of playing time issues) from the playoffs, and has made questionable (to say be kind) decisions off the court, such as speeding his car while under the influence. Last I checked, no vertical can avoid fact.

Just because Kwame Brown is putting on the gold armor doesn’t give him a pass. What I am willing to say, however, is that Washington and Kwame weren’t good fits for each other. The “tough love�? approach of former coach Doug Collins and former team President Michael Jordan obviously failed with Brown, hindering his growth. Kwame was a kid, not ready to be a man, but was expected to be something he wasn’t at the time.

Its different now, Kwame. You’re 23 years old. You can’t use the “I’m just a kid�? excuse anymore. You’ve hopefully grown up. You’re on a team with arguably the hardest working player in the League.

Oh, and you’re practicing against Ronny Turiaf everyday.

The optimistic Laker fan can only anticipate that the enthusiasm, zeal, and hard work Turiaf displays on the hardwood can be picked up by Brown. And let’s not paint this picture as if Ronny can’t learn from Kwame too – the offensive skills Ronny significantly lacks are already a part of Brown’s repertoire. Together, these seemingly opposite characters can sustain a significant growth for each other, supporting and learning from their supplement, creating the perfect circle – or in this case, a succesful tandem at the 4.

The professor for our philosophy class is none other than Phil Jackson. Adjusting his syllabus to the needs of his students, Jackson can be seen as a bit of an oddball when it comes to motivational practices – giving his players selected books to read during road trips, adding popular movie scenes into game films to further communicate his message, meditating regularly and having players participate with him on occasion. Although frustrating for fans to watch, Jackson wasn’t one to call a panic timeout during games when his team looked to be struggling – Phil doesn’t allow the players to rely on him, as he would much rather have them rely on themselves and each other. When push comes to shove, it’s the players that win games; Phil Jackson trusts that his players can accomplish this without his meddling.

It is this very confidence in his players that will help Kwame Brown continue his growth. Beaten by his father and tormented by his mentor, Brown has never had the benefits of a supportive family and solid upbringing. Its easy to see how he has become mentally fragile, and rather than chalking the frailty of his psyche up to being a lost cause, the Lakers must help Kwame deal with his past for him to flourish in Los Angeles. Jackson seemingly has already put Kwame under his wing, and according to Brown’s agent, “was one of the biggest advocates of this deal.�? The Zen Master knows how to deal with delicate egos – Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant immediately come to mind – and will undoubtedly build Kwame’s confidence with his superior understanding of humanity.

The Laker experiment is one still in progress, however, as Kupchak prepares for PHIL 115 throughout the offseason in pursuit of bettering the roster. Gaping holes in the backcourt and questionable depth issues still must be taken care of. We’ll see how well our student GM prepares.

Don’t forget your No. 2 pencil, Mitch – class starts in October, preparation starts on July 22nd.

- bhatta

How do you think Kwame Brown will do in LA? Will he and Ronny Turiaf be a formidable combination for the Lakers? Sound off on the CL.com Forums!