In typical Hollywood fashion, the entire league was taken by storm when it was announced that former All-Star Pau Gasol had been traded to the rising Los Angeles Lakers. Once again the Lakers find a way to steal the spotlight at the right moment, in the midst of Super Bowl Weekend.

Around here in L.A., it was Super Brown Weekend. Thanks to Kwame, the purple and gold  might have just landed the missing ingredient it needs to become a contender for the NBA crown. Maybe the next time Kwame comes around to play against the Lakers in a Memphis uniform, the fans oughta give the guy a standing ovation.

Kudos to Lakers management. Taking a page out of the '95 Bulls, L.A. committs highway robbery much in the same way Chicago traded for All-Star Dennis Rodman by giving up only Will Perdue. As great as Michael Jordan was, he had his share of help to win another three titles. Who knows what could have happened had the Bulls failed to land The Worm? Now to see what Kobe can do with his team, which is primed and ready for big things. Will he equate the legendary Jordan? Will he surpass him or will he fall short of expectations?

I have three very key comments to say about how The Trade elevates the Lakers and how it changes the balance of power in the Western Conference.

1) Celtics of old leave a lasting impression on LA: Just when we think we're looking for Kobe's Pippen, the Lakers shift gears and add another low post threat. With Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, the Lakers have a very formidable frontline that is reminiscent of Boston's Robert Parish and Kevin McHale. I am not saying that Bynum and Gasol are as great as Parish and McHale. It is yet to be proven. What I'm implying is that the players' styles and tendencies are quite similar.

Bynum, like Parish, has excellent low post moves, commands a double team, is a decent free-throw shooter, an adequate rebounder, and changes shots. Gasol, like McHale, has an above-average mid range shot, can play with his back to the basket, grabs rebounds, plays intelligently, passes well out of double teams, and can block a shot or two. With Kobe Bryant playing Larry Legend and Derek Fisher providing the steadiness of a point guard much like Dennis J0hns0n, I have to say this Lakers team resembles the Celtics of the eighties.

If you still don't see it, you'll remember that Danny Ainge and Jerry Sichting were outside threats who were pests on defense, much like Farmar and Vujacic are for the Lakers. Gerald Henderson, Cedric Maxwell, and Scott Wedman had length and were above average defenders who could occasionally score when needed, much like Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza. Brad Lohaus, Fred Roberts, and Greg Kite? Well, they were gritty, less-skilled players who never lacked heart and did all the dirty work, the same type of contributions that guys like Ronny Turiaf, Chris Mihm, and Luke Walton provide for L.A.  All in all, it's Twin Towers plus a great clutch player and a bunch of savvy role players who can play defense, hit outside shots, and above all, hustle.

2) Matchups: LA is so versatile all the way around that playoff teams are going to have major difficulties matching up. Four starters - Bryant, Odom, Bynum, and Gasol - can command a double-team in the low post at any given moment. The team's length defensively allows the Lakers to mix it up on defense. Eight players - Bryant, Odom, Ariza, Turiaf, Gasol, Vujacic, Radmanovic, and Farmar can play at least two positions. Championship teams of the past like Chicago, Houston, Showtime, and Detroit won titles because they had extremely versatile players who played more than one position, making it harder for opponents to adjust since their players were exploited on both sides of the court.

3) Balanced Options: The days are over where you can double Kobe and leave other players open. Each player fits a specific role. Kobe is the alpha-dog. Bynum is the intimidating presence in the lane. Gasol is the consistent low post scoring threat. Odom is the best fourth option the NBA has seen in years. Fisher is steadfast, tough, resilient, and the enforcer. Ariza is your defensive lockdown player off the bench. Farmar is the leader of the second unit. Turiaf brings the energy. Radmanovic and Vujacic are three-point specialists. Walton gives you just about everything with minimal mistakes. Mihm is the best fourth string big man on the planet. And with sufficient playoff experience this team will be hard to beat, whether they finish third, fifth or eighth.

With the February 21 trade deadline fast approaching, rumors are abound. I have done some speculating and analysis, a little bit of ESPN Trade Machine, a lot of daily reading, had conversations with others who claim to be sources, but mostly introspective discussions with my left and right brains.

Feel free to critique the following trade scenarios, but I will remind you beforehand...

Back on February 2007, I wrote a piece that had this as part of the title: "Pau Gasol - Future Laker." And the day before the trade (right after the loss to the Pistons), I called in to a local sports radio show and proposed that LA should be going after Pau Gasol and Stromile Swift from the Grizzlies for either Kwame or Lamar and draft picks because I had a very strong feeling that Memphis was looking to unload salary and go in another direction considering they're season is just about done. Which is why when the trade was announced early Friday morning, I was the least bit surprised that it was indeed Gasol whom the Lakers acquired as I sat through my day long meeting with twenty of my colleagues. BTW, the talk show hosts responded to me by saying the Grizzlies would NEVER go for the deal.

Anyway, enough about the LAKERS. A number of players around the league are rumored to be dealt within the next three weeks. The prime candidates...

JASON KIDD, NJ:  Most of the talk has been centered around the Dallas Mavericks, but I would be mildly surprised if Kidd ends up with the team that drafted him. First of all, the Mavs have gained momentum of late so why fix something that isn't broken? Secondly, the nucleus of the team has developed a bond over the years so why break it up? Thirdly, Dallas would have to get rid of a majority of their valuable role players just to make the salaries match up. The only way Kidd goes to Dallas is if a third team is involved. Most likely destination: Portland, for a package that includes Steve Blake, Jarrett Jack, Raef LaFrentz, Darius Miles and/or Sergio Rodriguez. Why Portland: Kidd sees a future in teaming with Brandon Roy, Lamarus Aldridge and Greg Oden and the Nets get contracts that expire in a year or two and receive players who can help immediately.

MIKE BIBBY, SAC: Cleveland wants Jason Kidd but unfortunately the Nets won't trade him to an Eastern rival. Lebron James' consolation prize is Bibby. Because of Bibby's tendency to hit clutch shots, he is actually a good fit for the Cavaliers. Bibby, however, is the type of player who demands control of the ball in late-game situations. How this will affect Lebron is unknown. Either way, the Cavs get a scoring threat that Larry Hughes could never provide on a consistent basis. Cleveland gets: Bibby and Francisco Garcia. Sacramento gets: Larry Hughes, Daniel Gibson, and Donyell Marshall. Why Cleveland: The best place for Bibby to go is the East, where competition at the point guard position is not as tough as the West.

RON ARTEST, SAC: I don't think Ron Artest is going anywhere, especially if Bibby gets traded because Kings ownership loves Ron Ron. But Artest may force a trade especially if he can play for a contender. There is no doubt that Artest is a competitor and wants to play for a champioship. His $7.4 million contract is a bargain at this point, but next year he will certainly command top dollar. The question now becomes whether or not another team is willing to run the risk of signing him for big money with questions about his stability and all. Most likely destination: Sacramento. Second Most Likely Destination: Toronto, for Jamario Moon and Rasho Nesterovic's expiring contract. Why Toronto: The Raptors are desperate for defense, as evidenced by the undermanned Lakers' recent clobbering of Toronto in front of the Raptors' home fans.

KURT THOMAS, SEA: Thomas has an expiring contract and playoff teams are clamoring for him as we speak. In addition, what make Thomas even more attractive is his defensive toughness and playoff experience. I see Denver with George Karl (former coach of current Sonics coach Nate McMillan) making a huge push to land him. Teams such as San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Golden State, and New Orleans could all use his services but a lot of times it's who you know that can get deals done. Karl certainly knows McMillan, and will even get him to include a much needed point guard in the deal, Luke Ridnour. Denver gets: Thomas and Ridnour. Seattle gets: Kenyon Martin who, at the very least, will excite Seattle fans with highlight film material in the last bid to keep the Sonics from skipping town. Why Denver: Thomas really has no choice where he winds up, as long as its a playoff team. 

SHAWN MARION, PHX: In direct response to the Lakers-Memphis deal, Phoenix finally deals The Matrix in order to get the big man they need to stay competitive in the Western Conference.  The Suns receive center Eddy Curry from New York and they also bring back shooter Quentin Richardson  to address their long range needs. This is good deal for both teams - New York gets a proven All-Star who will bring hustle and defense to an underachieving unit, while the Suns add a legitimate center allowing Amare Stoudemire to play his natural position of power forward. Phoenix gets: Curry and Richardson. New York gets: Marion. Why New York: A trade of this caliber could be the only thing that can save Isiah Thomas and Marion's time in Phoenix has simply run its course.

I'm sure there are other lower profile players in the league that are likely to be moved before the deadline. I'd like to know your thoughts on potential trades and players whom you think may be on the move and why.

Thanks again for stopping by.