http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_7133.shtml
Rumors of a Chick Hearn curse have been floating around the internet. Chick was the stuff of legend and is widely considered the all-time greatest Laker. Shaquille O’Neal and Laker owner Jerry Buss did not attend the Hearn’s funeral before the 2002-3 season . . . thus the origin of the “Chick Hearn Curse.” Shaq was in Orlando, apparently ill. Dr. Buss was in London and told the press that he doesn’t attend funerals. Those who believe such things assert that Chick is in fact avenging the snub from beyond the grave.
2002-3
Let’s look at the history. After winning three straight titles since the turn of the millennium, Chick passed before the run at the elusive Four-Peat. The season began in disaster as Shaquille O’Neal sat out the start of the season after foot surgery. The Lakers expended just about all the energy they could to get playoff position only to grasp the fifth seed without any home court advantage.
During their first series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Rick Fox tore a tendon in his foot . . . taking him out of the lineup until January 28 of the current season (nine months of rehab). Also injured was Kobe Bryant who tore something in his shoulder on a failed dunk attempt over Rasho Nesterovic. The injury hampered Kobe’s shooting and ultimately led to surgery in the off-season.
In their second (and last) playoff series against the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs, Devean George badly sprained his ankle. After missing a game, he returned effectively after treatment, but was really unable contribute as the ankle couldn’t take more than the single game.
The series essentially concluded when Robert Horry’s three-point shot for the win went halfway down the cylinder before rimming out in game five. After that moment, the fight was gone from the Lakers and they succumbed to defeat.
Bad luck?
Had the Lakers’ run their course?
Or was there supernatural force at work?
The Chick Hearn curse?
Still skeptical?
Let’s take a look at what happens next.
2003-4
In a combination of luck and rare generosity, Gary Payton AND Karl Malone both decide to join the Los Angeles Lakers for well below market value. Who believes in curses anyway?
In what looks to be perhaps one of the best Laker teams of all times is quickly eclipsed as Kobe Bryant decides to be unfaithful to his wife. Depending on whom you believe, Kobe either picked the wrong girl to get involved with (bi-polar, suicide attempts) or he forced himself upon an innocent young lady.
Now there’s court visits, media invasion, the diamond ring . . . a complete mess. Kobe Bryant’s usual summer regimen is destroyed by two surgeries, a pending rape trial, stress beyond what most of us could imagine, etc. Not a pretty picture.
Even with all that, the Lakers storm the league with a great start . . . looking the season is merely a formality. Get the Larry O’Brien trophy ready for it’s return to LA.
So rookie Brian Cook is out a while with a dislocated/broken finger and Slava Medvedenko can’t play with a hurt foot. The teams winning so what does that matter?
Well when Shaquille O’Neal went down with a calf injury, the Lakers noticed that.
When Karl Malone who had never been on the injured list his entire life tore his mcl, that was a setback.
When Kobe Bryant sprained his shoulder, that hurt.
When Shaquille O’Neal returned to the injured list with a re-aggravated calf injured, was that Chick Hearn exacting revenge?
What about Brian Cook’s broken pinky?
Kareem Rush’s sprained ankle?
How about Jamal Sampson’s?
Don’t forget Horace Grant missing a few games to tend to his ill father.
Rick Fox did eventually return, but January 28th was not quite the November/December return that was planned now, was it?
Oops, almost forgot Kobe Bryant’s freak accident “moving boxes in his garage” that resulted in a laceration on his finger (shooting hand) that required somewhere in the neighborhood of ten stitches. Yeah we believe that’s what happened, especially with that Celebrity Justice report coming out with an alleged “other” woman Kobe was involved with.
Gosh, did I leave any out? There’s so many to keep track of.
It doesn’t help having Gary Payton thrown out of games every so often, should that be packaged in as part of the curse?
What about Shaq cussing on camera after a WIN? That’s right single game suspension.
The Bottom Line
The Lakers are currently 29-18, good for the fifth seed in the West. They’re on the heels of Dallas and San Antonio and within five games of Sacramento and Minnesota. In other words, with nearly half a season left, they have plenty of time to grab even the top playoff seed.
Kobe Bryant may be acquitted. Will he stay a Laker after this season? There’s a very good chance he will.
The rest of the injuries will heal. In the meantime, the young players have gotten more minutes on the court than they would have ever expected.
Perhaps the troubles this season will lead to a stronger team with a deeper bench.
The championship may return to LA this June!
Then again, look over the list of troubles again.
Uncanny, huh?
So you tell me . . . is there really a Chick Hearn curse?
Chick Hearn curse...who pays these guys to come up with this bullshit? I could do it 24/7. 
Every year they get screwed, and we talking over 50 years LOL
