Payback sure is a b!*#* When spoiler Sacramento was up 71-60 over the Lakers at halftime, I turned off the television. I knew right away the purple-and-gold did not come ready to play.

The Lakers were scoreboard watching. They saw that San Antonio had lost  to Phoenix earlier in the day and they relaxed.  Above all, they thought the Kings would fold flat like a lawnchair and instead it was Los Angeles who folded. Just like a lost poker hand.

The symptoms of the old Los Angeles Lakers began to show up in the third quarter. The old tentative Kobe was on display tonight and it was not pretty.

And believe me, I know exactly what Kobe Bryant was thinking and his play tonight sure wasn't indicative of how an MVP player should perform and lead his team to victory.

He scored 20 points in the first half as he attacked aggresively through the Kings defense yet his team was down big. So what did Pinkie Bryant do? He deferred to his teammates in the second half and it hurt the team immensely. I'm pretty darn sure that's what was going through his mind in the locker room at halftime. He felt he needed to stop shooting so much and get his teammates involved and he paid a huge price. He let his team down.

His serious lack of aggressiveness on both sides of the ball led him to become cold in the fourth quarter and because he stopped shooting he didn't have that same killer instinct that we have grown to become accustomed to all season. In the last three minutes of the game Bryant missed an easy driving layup and missed a critical free throw, which consequently decided the outcome of the game.

And the last shot of the game in which he was falling away 22 feet from the basket? That was a result of Bryant's poor judgment and court vision. With 4.6 seconds left, he got the ball at the top of the key, drove to the right, directly into a double-team with Mikki Moore waiting on the wing. Bryant chucked it with the 6-11 Moore flying right at him causing him to fade away from the target and his shot fell short.

Wanna know what Lebron James would have done? The King would have driven left away from the double team and James would have either dunked the ball or gotten to the foul line. James said it himself recently that when time is running out, it almost seems as if everything is in slow motion and he takes his time and looks for the best way to score or find an easier shot for his teammates. That's the mentality of an MVP-type player.

Not to say that Kobe doesn't have it because he does. In fact, Kobe is a better closer and defender than Lebron. But Bryant still has a lot of growing up to do because sometimes he gets away from what he really needs to do, much like James on occasion. The point is that we still aren't able to expect Kobe and Lebron to lead their respective teams on a nightly basis the same way Michael Jordan did for his Bulls time and time again. Michael was an immense threat every single minute on the floor, much to the dismay of his opponents and that in itself broke his adversaries down mentally before they even stepped on the court with him. The psychological advantage that Jordan had over his oppponents is what separated him from the rest of the league. Teams knew when Jordan had that 'look' in his eyes, it was all over. Magic had the same quality. So did Larry Legend and Isiah Thomas. They did whatever it took to win a game. And accomplished it with intelligence and court savvy, not just on sheer talent and will. The legends of the game knew how to mend it all together to form the most complete basketball weapon. Kobe is on his way, but he isn't there yet.

Bryant the MVP? Maybe that's the popular vote but I am not that impressed yet, especially after tonight's contest. This was one Bryant surely would want to take back 10 times out of 10.

Instead of deferring his offense, what Kobe should have done was increase his intensity on defense to set the tone for the rest of his team. Because in the second half, the Lakers defense did not improve any better than the first half. They led 113-112 with about 15 seconds left and after the Kings called a timeout to set up a play, Beno Udrih and Brad Miller broke down the Lakers mediocre defense with a simple back screen cut that got Derek Fisher lost and caused a foul by Sasha Vujacic.

Every time the Lakers made a mini run in the third and fourth quarters, the Kings would come right back and run their predictable pick-n-pop with Brad Miller, who'd easily find a cutter or two leading to layups and dunks by guys like Udrih, Moore, and Francisco Garcia. The Lakers played so poor defensively that it overshadowd another excellent effort by Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.

Now if I'm the MVP of planet earth, I would have guarded the Kings' best playmaker and Kobe was nowhere to be found near Udrih in the Lakers' final defensive stand. Where were you Mamba? Where was that leader in you we all thought you had become?

Now I'm sure this is just a temporary setback and the Lakers will once again be true to form in their upcoming games, but this loss will be tough to sw@llow for Lakers fans simply because there is absolutely no reason why L.A. should have given this game away. And it was the way they lost that is so discouraging. At least the Spurs lost to the Suns playing their style of ball. There was nothing positive whatsoever that the Lakers could have taken from this game.

But this is all part of the growing process for Bryant and I'm sure that after he watches the tape, he will realize how he was solely responsible for losing this one for the team. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird never would have let this happen. And we all know how Michael Jordan would have never allowed his teammates to relax one bit. Not at home in front of a raucous crowd. Not with first place in the west and home court advantage on the line.

Kobe has been a vocal leader all year long but throughout tonight's game his lips were as sealed as a cd case straight out of the factory.

If the Lakers want to stake their claim as the best team in the league bar none, Kobe has to play with a sense of urgency. It starts with Bryant because ultimately his teammates will follow his lead. They tried to do that tonight but unfortunately, Bryant wasn't there to lead. For once, he became a follower.

It's time for Phil Jackson to use the force and work his zen magic on his young padawan because by the looks of their recent performances, I'm beginning to think maybe Pinkie Bryant and the Young Guns haven't meditated in a while.

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.

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.

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...