[Raider Assassin]

Just when things were starting to look up for the Lakers,they suffer another blow as it relates to rebuilding the team for the upcoming season. It's been revealed that the highly thought of rookie,Rony Turiaf whom the Lakers had drafted in the second round out of Gonzaga,will need open heart surgery and will be lost for the entire season or it could end his career forever.

It's amazing how this kid was able to go through all the pre-draft physicals by doctors in Chicago and they found absolutely nothing and it took the Lakers doctors to find out that the kid had a partial blockage in one of his heart valves which could've been potentially fatal at some point in his life. It makes one wonder what kind of doctors and to what degree are the physicals that are given to perspective draftees. This situation could've potentially been devistating to this kids family had the problem not been uncovered and he may have died as a result.

It is my hope and it has been stated by cardiac specialists and team doctors that the surgery should be successful and the kid should make a full recovery,but one never knows for sure when you're operating on a major organ as delicate as the heart. Secondarily,I hope that the kid is once again able to resume his career because he so badly wants to fulfill his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA. His hope,dream and desire to play in the league was primarily tied to his desire to provide for and take care of his family financially.

The kid is very bright and articulate in that he realizes that even if he's never able to play again,he has a college education and degree which will allow him to earn a living and still provide for his family.I hope that he is able to come back and play,as not only will it be of benefit to the Lakers,but will also serve as an example to young kids in that if you want and have the desire,determination and work ethic,you can overcome whatever odds are stacked against you.