As I sat there and watched our Lakers struggle on defense against the Pacers last week, I began thinking about February 22nd.

It's obvious that KOBE needs help. The trading deadline is coming up and the other GMs in the league are evaluating rosters at such a rapid pace it makes Mike D'Antoni's Suns look like Pat Riley's Knicks of yesteryear.

If there's ever a deal of the century that you need to make, it would be a three-team swap involving Showtime, the Grizzlies, and the Timberwolves. The centerpieces of the trade I mention here...

GRIZZLIES would get:  Lamar Odom (F), Kwame Brown (C), and Brian Cook (F), Lakers. Memphis would add LO, Kwame, and Cook to a roster that includes ####, Warrick, Atkins, and Stoudamire. Not too bad for what may be Jerry West's last major transaction before calling it quits.

TIMBERWOLVES would get:  Pau Gasol (F/C) and Mike Miller (F), Grizzlies. Building around Gasol would be an excellent project for low post legend Kevin McHale, who has gotten a lot of scrutiny for not being able to field a contender. Miller also gives them a deadly shooter to add to an athletic group that includes Ricky Davis, Randy Foye, and Mike James.

LAKERS would get:  Kevin Garnett (F/C) and Mark Madsen (F).  KG finally arrives in L.A. after all the speculation, and Minnesota gets at least something in return knowing Garnett would have opted out. The return of Mad Dog Madsen brings forth the ultimate question: Who will be the best dancer at the parade, Ronny or Mark? I dig it.

Sometimes it takes the biggest risks to accomplish the most desired results. I know how much you love Lamar's game, his versatility, and his personality. I know how much Phil values Kwame's size and potential to be a consistent defensive presence. But we already have Bynum, who's a walking double-double. Garnett is arguably the best forward in the league over the last 6 years!! Odom has been in the NBA over six years and hasn't proven to be consistent enough to be considered a legitimate all-star. What is that telling you?

We don't have time to wait til next year because you decrease the chance of landing KG. Plus McHale can decide to ship him to Boston or Indiana because of his ties to Ainge and Bird. But if you made a call to Jerry West right now proposing this deal, then maybe McHale would listen knowing he would get Gasol in return. Now is the chance since Memphis is actively shopping Pau. And I'm sure Mr. West wouldn't mind helping out the Lakers in any way as well.

Thank you for the kind consideration.

Very yours truly,

J-Dizzle

'Twas the night before Christmas and all thru the house,

Shaq begins to wonder how this all came about;

The championship banner hanging high up in the air,

Another ring for the Diesel, but who really cares?

'Cause the Heat keeps losing all but left for dead,

While visions of Kobe winning continue to haunt O'Neal's head;

And the Lakers are ready to be put on the map,

While Shaq plays Santa with his 20 kids on his lap;

When out in the East there arose such a chatter,

Shaq is out of shape again he's getting fatter;

So away he went to leave it all up to Flash,

You're on your own kid while I collect my cash.

The Suns are shining in the West and there's a new Jazz show,

but we all know that there's still San Antonio;

Then all of a sudden in Denver, the Answer appears

Just in time for Garnett to say the end is near;

And just like that Buss calls McHale quick,

He thought for a moment it must be a trick.

Buss asks if he liked last night's game

"I don't know" McHale replied. "Ask what's-his-name."

"Now, Blount! now, Davis! now, Hudson and Griffin!

On, Jaric! on, Foye! on, James and Madsen!

To the bottom of the Northwest! to one last call!

Now go away Garnett! I'll take the fall!

As the speculation continues and the rumors fly,

Isaiah Thomas insists he's a nice guy;

So up to Stern's office Thomas flew

to request more players 'cause he was down to two;

I'll cut this short so I can shop at the mall,

Maybe it's on sale... that is, the new ball;

Shaq don't like it so he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to O'Neal's career - good night."

This is where bloggers and the rest of you sports freaks can spread more rumors. We all love to speculate about potential deals just as much as we'd like to know if there are aliens residing somewhere near the Kuiper Belt. Last I heard, the aliens did not create the rings around Saturn...

In L.A. word around town is that Maggette will be dealt soon. But to whom? Golden State has some moveable pieces, as does Sacramento who would like to reunite Bibby with Webber. My Lakers have a chance at a number four seed if they continue improving but could win it all if  Buss finds a way to land K.G. and managing to keep Odom at the same time.

Rashard Lewis may be on the move in Seattle. Minnesota may look to add someone to help Garnett instead of trading him if only they could find takers for Ricky Davis, Mike James, Mark Blount, and Troy Hudson, who are all locked up long term. Portland always has pieces to move since they haven't won anything since the infamous 4th quarter meltdown against the Lakers in Game 7 of the 2000 West Finals. Jerry West and Mike Fratello don't see eye-to-eye so a shuffling of personnel may be imminent in Memphis.

The East is loaded with trade-bait. Ty Lue in Atlanta, Antonio Daniels in Washington, Stephen Jackson in Indiana, Luol Deng and Ben Gordon in Chicago to name a few. There is also talk that Paul Pierce is getting impatient, and Richard Jefferson isn't feeling the same way anymore. In Gotham you can trade just about anybody, including Isaiah Thomas. If Herb Williams is still there, trade him too. Milwaukee needs help and is one solid player away from making the playoffs. Who will go and who will stay?

Let the fun and games begin...

I wouldn't be surprised if the A.I. deal backfires on the Nuggets. Don't be too quick to elevate Denver into elite status just yet. George Karl not only has the egos of 'Melo and Iverson to tame, but he still has that ever-lingering  headache called Kenyon Martin. And more importantly, how will J.R. Smith's and Earl Boykin's roles change and how many minutes and touches will they lose? Many questions but is there an "answer"? We'll see...

Meanwhile in Minnesota, K.G. is upset that Glen Taylor and Kevin McHale have failed once again to bring in that much needed support. The best chance for Garnett to win is in L.A. or Boston. The Lakers have more to offer. The T-Wolves can pick any three plus a draft pick between  Andrew Bynum, Kwame Brown, Lamar Odom, Smush Parker, Sasha Vujacic, Vladimir Radmanovic, Aaron McKie, Brian Cook, and Chris Mihm. The Celtics would most likely part with Wally Sczerbiak, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, plus a scrub or two. The choice is K.G's. If he wants to win bad enough, all he has to do is demand it.