September 7, 2008 – Dr. Browntorious
So it’s FINALLY here! Tonight is the Season 5 premiere episode of HBO’s Entourage. Doesn’t it feel like forever since the last episode of Season 4 when ‘Medellin’ bombed at the Cannes film festival, or when Johnny Drama found his dream girl and took her “to the beach”. Literally.
Aside from the fact that the Entourage producers regularly have visits to Lakers games written into the episode scripts, the show itself has very little do with with Basketball or the NBA. So why is it that I can’t help getting the two very distinct things out of my mind? Ah hell, why fight it. The more I think about it the more I realize the Entourage crew sort of reminds me of the LA Lakers. You’re probably thinking “Browntorious, what the hell are you talking about?” Bear with me for a minute.
Personally I think the big attraction for men to the show Entourage is how well the writers have a handle on the dynamic between most guys in a group of friends. The dialogue is spot on, and the roles and characters in most cliques of guys seem to mimic (to a lesser extent) the stereotyped personalities in Vincent Chase’s clan. Since the composition of virtually every NBA team these days (aside from maybe the Detroit Pistons) is a contributing cast and crew centered around 1, 2, or 3 big stars, you may be able work a comparison to the Entourage crew. But for me the LA Lakers are the most similar to “Vinny” and the boys, here’s why:
The Big Star at the Center of it all
Kobe Bryant is the engine that makes the Lakers go! Without the Black Mamba where would the Lakers be? Forget the NBA Finals, they would probably not even have made the playoffs last year. That is why he was the deserving winner of the Most Valuable Player award. Essentially what I am saying is Kobe Bryant is the Vincent Chase of the Lakers ‘Entourage’. Vincent Chase is not only a pretty face that is marketable, he has acting chops too! Skills to pay the bills, very literally in both cases. Kobe Bryant = Vincent Chase.
Some are Born to Lead, Coach, and Inspire
Phil Jackson knows how to get the best of out his players. He did it in Chicago for many years, and he’s been doing it in LA for almost as many. He is charismatic and charming, but at the same time egotistical and spoiled. Phil thinks outside the box, and will do what it takes to win. He’s not afraid to look silly in his methods, as long as he keeps on winning. Outside of basketball what better example of Phil Jackson than Ari Gold? Vincent Chase and Kobe Bryant could have all the skills in the world, but without Ari Gold or Phil Jackson would they be collecting that 10 million per film, or hoisting that Championship trophy? I doubt it. Phil Jackson = Ari Gold.
Staying out of the Spotlight Doesn’t Mean You’re Inneffective
Derek Fisher to outsiders will seem to be a quiet leader, but steady and consistent. He’s definitely a professional, and all about business. He’s a blue collar, hard worker, who’s clearly ‘in it to win it’. One of those guys that stays out of the spotlight, and behind the scenes. But he’s always there to fall back on when times are tough, and comes up with big shot after big shot to pull you out of trouble when the score is tight. Does this not spell E-R-I-C, or ‘E’ for short? Eric Murphy is Vince’s right hand man. His go to guy when times are tough. When Ari won’t back him for doing an indy film instead of a big studio project, Eric is there to have his back. Whether Vince needs a new director, a better deal, or even the phone number of Scarlett Johannson, Eric is there to “come through in the clutch”. Just like Derek Fisher for Kobe Bryant. Derek Fisher = Eric Murphy
It pays to Make a Living off the Exploits of Others
Pau Gasol always had above average skills in the great sport of basketball. But ever since coming into the league he has been unable to prove himself as a consistent and sustainable winner. He was talented enough to survive, but never enough to be the big star that hits ‘the big time’. Maybe he was always just one ‘Kobe Bryant’ away from being tossed into the limelight, or better yet the deep end of the pool to sink or swim. This year he swam his heart out. This screams Johnny Drama to me. Drama obviously has enough acting chops to land himself roles in shows like Viking Quest and Melrose place, but wasn’t a consistent winner. Eventually it took the wide spotlight of his big star, but little brother Vincent Chase shining on him to get the attention of agents, directors, and producers. Well it worked, Johnny Drama is now making a successful living on his own from his starring role on the new hit show “Five Towns”. In my world, Pau Gasol = Johnny Drama.
Being Ultra Loyal Can Have It’s Perks
Lamar Odom was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in one of the most talked about trades in recent NBA history. Coming to LA from Miami in the trade that sent a fan favorite Shaquille O’Neal out of town must have been a lot of pressure for Odom to fill the big void left by the giant O’Neal. The first couple of years were tough. The team wasn’t winning. Most of the blame fell on Bryant, but quite a bit of it was directed at Odom as well. Odom stayed loyal. Many players would have turned on their star player for taking so many shots, and often times not trusting teammates and playing selfish. But at every turn Odom praised Bryant. He told the media how lucky he was to be playing with such a star athlete. He told the media Bryant was the reason they had any wins at all. It turned out to be a good strategy, as Bryant has also had the back of Odom through tough times, and things have since looked up. Now Odom is reaping the rewards of NBA finals runs, and division and conference leading winning percentages. In the show ‘Entourage’ there is probably no character more deeply loyal to Vincent Chase than Turtle. Turtle doesn’t care if he got to the ‘good life’ riding the coattails of Vinny, cause that is his boy and if the roles were reversed he would have done the same for him. He’s living the good life. Turtle has learned how to work LA a bit though, from the party scene to the music industry he has become quite versatile and is a good role player. Hey may seem to be lower down on the pecking order, but without Turtle the Entourage Clan just wouldn’t be the same. Just as in Lakerland, the team wouldn’t be the same deadly unit on the court without the versatile Odom. Lamar Odom = Turtle.
And so on, and so on…
Now I could probably keep the comparisons coming but I have a feeling Laker fans may not want me to get down to the comparisons to Ari’s ‘feminine’ assistant Lloyd. I think we all know Sasha Vujacic would come to mind….
Entourage Season 5 Premiere. Tonight at 10pm E.T. on HBO. Don’t miss it.
