This Thanksgiving I sit around and gather my thoughts… what am I truly thankful for this year?

With an economy that has gone to shit, a family life that has fallen apart, and a love life that has been full of drama, there are truly only two things I am thankful for.

The first is of course my friends. The people that I see everyday and make memories with on a daily basis. There is always somethign interesting going on and always some random event that takes place tha truly makes you think, “wow, I’m lucky to have these people in my life.”

But there is also a second thing to be thankful for. The Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers have been a passion of mine for years and I can truly say that this year, the Lakers have been a really big part of my life.

As I started LABallTalk.com midway through last season, I have watched the Lakers fan world embrace me as a source for Lakers media, news, opinions, analysis, and commentary. I have found that people trust my thoughts and opinions when it comes to their beloved team. I have caught myself watching games not just from the perspective of a fan, but from the persepctive of a general manager.

I seriously believe that this experience has given me a different mindset and has given me the opportunity to mature in so many ways. Keeping such a close tab on every occurence involving the Lakers, my life is sent into a spiral daily as I wait to see what happens next. Early this year, the Pau Gasol changes everything entirely.

The always kind Memphis Grizzlies surrendered the services of Pau Gasol for an expiring contract that we couldn’t wait to get rid of. The Lakers instantly turned things around and the Kobe-Pau-Bynum trio was built. Bynum didn’t return last season, but did have the chance to watch the success of a young Lakers team.

After playing together for less than half a season, the Lakers finished 1st in the Western Conference and made it to the NBA finals where they eventually lost to the Boston Celtics in six games.

This year’s team has experienced the return of Andrew Bynum as well as a fully recovered Trevor Ariza. Both players have been superior in the Lakers lineup and have helped propel the Lakers to the best start in the league currenlty holding a 12-1 record. It’s been a real pleasure seeing this team come together.

I read every blog, especially the Lakers blogs, on a daily basis and wonder what everyone talks about. I see a bunch of people writing articles about how the Lakers keep blowing games open in the 3rd quarter by locking down on the defensive end and not giving the opponent room to even breathe. But how many times can one possibly write about the same topic.

This is one of the reasons that I have taken some time away from reporting directly on the Lakers wins. I don’t feel the need to report that the Lakers beat the Nets by 27. Everyone saw the game, and for those that didn’t, saw another headline on SportsCenter, ESPN, LA Times, or one of the other millions of sports news sources. What’s the point of me talking about the same boring thing over and over again.

With that said, I hope the Lakers continue to win. I hope that the Lakers continue to motivate themselves to do even better than they already are. There is always room for improvement, and until they go 82-0, there is no excuse for not working their asses off.

As the season goes on, my passion will continue to increase. I would like to invite all of you to join me in writing articles. Leave your true thoughts on the Lakers. If you are interested in writing for LABallTalk.com and leaving some opinions not only on the Lakers, but on the NBA in general, please contact me. Either comment on this article or e-mail me at LABallTalk@gmail.com.

I encourage everyone to get involved. Leave your thoughts with us. Let others here what you have to say. Express to everyone your knowledge and your opinions.

With that said, I’ll leave you with two quotes of what others are thankful for as left on ESPN’s Daily Dime:

That Kobe Bryant is the star player for the Lakers, and not the general manager. – Casey

I am thankful to Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace. He gave the Los Angeles Lakers the greatest gift of them all! – Jake (Santa Barbara, CA)