I know the both of you, along with Coach Jackson, Jeannie, Jerry, and Jim, have all been tired of hearing it. The complaints from Lakers fans. The whining from season ticket holders. The trash-talking from Laker haters. The infamous Kobe Video. And the speculation from insiders and sports-talk radio.

Right now I'm sure neither one of you really knows what will happen in the upcoming weeks of the free agency period. There has been so much of this Garnett trade talk circulating around the NBA that a new team enters the picture every week. Who's next, the Clippers?

Kobe, I have one thing to say to you so you better stop complaining. Be patient, young padawan. The force will be with you. Phil, the Jedi Master, has your back and that should be enough to let you know that the Lakers will do everything they can to build a title contender this year. Chick Hearn is watching and he too is probably sick of hearing it from you.

And what are you complaining about? It's not like you've ever led a team to a playoff series victory anyway since Shaq left. You make $136 million, you have the top selling jersey in the world, your reputation and image are vastly improved, and the Lakers have reiterated over and over again that they will build around you. You've made your point. Now's the time to be adult and professional about the whole situation.

And I have your back too. That's why I'm writing this piece. If anyone in the Laker organization reads this, I sure as heck hope you get a copy Mr. Kupchak. And please give one to Brian Shaw, Kurt Rambis, Tex Winters, Jim Cleamons, Frank Hamblen, Mr. Buss, his grandkids... whomever. You guys up there in the war room who make all the decisions, you need to be a  lot more creative when you pitch other GM's around the league about a proposal. How effective are you at selling the benefits of a Lamar Odom and an Andrew Bynum to other investors?

If Danny Ainge could pull off a trade to get Ray Allen for practically nothing, then why can't you execute anything of significance Mr. Kupchak? And  if you are calling the re-signing of Luke SkyWalton a major move of signifcance, then maybe you need to call me in for a job interview with your scouting team and let me show you what I can do with a desk, computer, and a phone.

If the reality is that you won't have enough to sign KG, then allow me to make a pitch to you before you pitch it to them.

Go after YAO MING. It's clear that the Yao and T-Mac experiment will probably not work no matter how many guards the Rockets acquire. Do the Rockets actually think that bringing back Mike James will catapult them to the second round? What a joke! Then they go out and sign another point guard in Aaron Brooks and bring in an undersized power foward in Carl Landry, who makes me wonder if he is just going to be another Juwan Howard, whom they dealt to Minnesota for James. Looks to me like the Rockets are either going in circles or are heading for outer space to explore Mars. One thing is for sure, Mitch. It's time for you to make the call and help them out.

It's obvious that the Rockets may be on the verge of adopting a high-tempo style offense with the addition of Brooks and the hiring of Rick Adelman, who run-and-gunned with the Clyde Drexler Blazers in the nineties. So why not offer them point forward Lamar Odom, who would thrive in Houston next to McGrady, and Andrew Bynum, who would give them a young, legitimate post replacement for Yao? Odom and Bynum for Yao and Rafer Alston. Done deal. Just go out and sell it.

Next on the list should be Ron Artest. You have two scenarios to throw at the Maloof Brothers. They may not want to listen but you have to be aggressive. Since the King owners are in the casino business, you may want to have Jerry initiate the talks as well. 

Scenario #1: Vladimir Radmanovic and Sasha Vujacic for Artest. The contracts match. All you have to do is find a way for the Maloofs to believe in the idea that European sharp shooters are good for their franchise. It worked with Hedo Turkoglu, it'll work with Radman and Sasha.

Scenario #2: Kwame Brown and Jordan Farmar for Artest. The contracts again will match up. Sacramento gets to unload Brown's contract after next year and they receive a solid defensive big man as well. Farmar is an easy sell because the Kings get a Pac-10 replacement for Mike Bibby in case he leaves.

As far as the midlevel exception is concerned, Steve Blake would be my choice for starting point guard. He is a team player who played for a contender in college and he is a sharp-shooting specialist as well. You won't have to worry about any egos with this addition. Everywhere he's gone he's played with a top notch two-guard (Juan Dixon, Michael Redd, Allen Iverson) so there won't be an issue playing with Kobe. Blake has veteran savvy, and above all he reminds me of a combination between a young Steve Kerr and Mark Price. 

Last on the list, Mr. Kupchak, will be your $1.3 milliion veteran exception. If everything above happens to come to fruition, you will certainly need another big man. There are two viable candidates with this slot. Former All-Star veteran center Jamaal Magloire could help fill a huge need as backup center. Another player worth calling is Chris Webber, who strongly considered the Lakers last year and may actually leave Detroit after a failed half-season experiment.

In sum, here are my new starters for 2007-08: 1- Blake, 2- Kobe, 3- Artest, 4- Webber, 5- Yao. Bench rotation will include Evans, Crittenton, Cook, Turiaf, Gasol, and either Farmar and Brown or Radmanovic and Vujacic.

So there you go. I've put on my Laker GM cap and made my moves. Kobe and Mitch, it's time to make yours.

Otherwise, give me a call and TO the file to me. I'll close the sale.

Sincerely,

JDizzle.