I could probably leave this post blank and let the title do the talking, but there's more to it than that.

Kobe Bryant scored in single digits for the first time in over a year. Okay. So what? Well, hell froze over tonight because not only did Kobe finish the game 22.5 points under his season average, but he did it with the biggest smile I've ever seen KB24 don.

I couldn't help but smile myself. I just witnessed a team on the brink of falling to mediocrity just one week ago, make the trade of the year, gain confidence from the sentiment, then preform well following the deal. What more could I ask for?

Oh yeah. Andrew Bynum in 4-5 weeks.

Now, I hate to gloat, and I'd like to think that I keep it fairly unbiased over here at VHP, but is it too much for me to say that I'm honestly happy right now? I know I sound like a tool, but coming home from a pretty crappy day at school, this game MADE ME HAPPY.

It might just be Pau magnifying the situation, but the Lakers appear to on the right track... and Kobe's attitude is the most telling indicator.

Kobe interrupted KCAL 9's interview with Pau to say "si me gusta!" ...It's definitely not a stretch to say that Kobe is giddy. Giddy = good.

Lakers 105, Nets 90 | Don't let me downplay D-Fish's performance tonight. Fisher lit up the Nets, posting 28 points, 16 over his average. Vlad Rad scored 16 and Lamar chimed in with 14 and 15. Kobe's six points came on the dislocation of his pinky finger, and reported numbness early on. On the other sode of the ball, Vince Carter dropped 27, while Bostjan Nachbar posted 24 and 10.

Lakers 105, Nets 90 - Game Trax [Fox Sports]

Derek Fisher Postgame Interview [KLAC AM 570]

Gasol Dominates in Lakers Debut [KCAL 9 Video]

Because I had to | Kwame made his Memphis debut tonight, posting four points and three turnovers in 15:47 in a 97-102 loss. J-Critt chimed in with five points in just under eight minutes. Because I really had to | Kwame on practice in Memphis: “It was pretty good, different, a lot of running, we run a lot more than we did in L.A.”

via: NY Daily News by way of Ben Maller's NBA Rumors
"As has been the case in recent years, trade rumors are swirling around the team. After his controversial "headache" last week, Jason Kidd's name has popped up in those rumors most often. Team president Rod Thorn has admitted to receiving numerous proposals involving Kidd, but is unlikely to pull the trigger on a deal unless he gets an overwhelming offer. Although sources have indicated the Lakers may be interested, they may be reluctant to give up the player the Nets want most, Andrew Bynum, despite coach Phil Jackson's recent harsh criticism of the 20-year-old center's conditioning. Bynum reacted to Jackson's remark by matching his career-high with 20 points against Golden State Sunday night. It seems there are very few other teams that might have what it takes to land Kidd. Though sources have indicated that Nets officials are upset with Kidd's recent actions, including his missing a game against the Knicks, Thorn never has been one to act quickly."

I was pleased to find this information this morning. I don't want to Jason Kidd in a Lakers uniform any time soon; especially if Andrew Bynum is the price to pay.

The idea seemed somewhat sensical over the summer, you know, when Kobe freaked out about it on video in front of an Orange County strip mall. But now is not the time; Andrew has proved the doubters wrong this season, and fresh off of a 20-point game against the Warriors, I don't see how you could not love him.

Adding to the fire is the sole fact that the very man who detested Bynum's existence over the summer; Kobe, now seems to be gelling with him better than anyone else on the team.

I know people will disagree with me here, but Bynum has the potential to be a Shaq... and if you look at it, a Shaq has been the missing link for this team since 2004. Bynum is only 20 years old. This is the same kid that played his first preseason games as 17 a year old child. We love him here, and getting rid of him for an old, yet proven veteran just might anger some people.

Finally, there's no place for Kidd on the Lakers. The Lakes have one of the most solid point guard staffs in the league. Derek Fisher has the experience and talent, Jordan Farmar carried over his leadership qualities from the UCLA team that made it to the championship game in 2006, and finally, Javaris Crittenton has proved to hold his own as a rookie. I honestly don't see where Kidd could smoothly fit into the roster without essentially backtracking on the offseason work to improve the PG position.

Well, that was just one of those games.

The Lakers came into tonight's match up with the Nets after a tough couple of losses on the road, hoping to maybe get things rolling on the home court... Maybe.

It was just four days ago that the Lakers were sitting pretty at 7-3; a respectable looking record, despite whatever was going on on the floor.

Look at it now. A tough loss to Milwaukee, and loss that was supposed to be a loss in Boston brought the road trip to a screeching halt... But tonight? What happened tonight?

It's too late (2:00am?) to get into any real analysis, so here it is in a nutshell. If you didn't watch the game, this might be difficult to understand, so bear with me.

The Lakers took a good lead into the half, only to blow it in one of their historic third quarter collapses. Then in typical fashion, Kobe saves the day in the fourth (or does he?), only to miss a third free throw after getting fouled behind the arch (which was really just a good acting job). With the game on the line and three seconds on the clock, the Lakers turn to the 0-10 from the field Vladdy Radmanivic to net the winning three! Bad move... obviously. Nets 102, Lakers 100.

There you have it. This was the most frustrating game to watch so far this year, and something tells me that if the Lakers don't beat Seattle on Tuesday, not only is this season doomed, but you might as well forget about good old Phil Jackson, who still hasn't inked for next season.

[edit] 5:41pm; Monday: I've been thinking about that whole scenario quite a bit today... It honestly leaves me questioning Phil Jackson's desire to coach. Vladimir Radmanovic didn't even deserve to be on the floor with the game on the line last night. I said this in a comment, but if ANYTHING, Vladdy should have been inbounding the ball on that play. His height could have been used to the Lakers advantage. Instead, you take the shortest guy on the floor, who also happens to be 8-10 from the field, and have him inbound the ball? I understand that Kobe got tied up, and that Bynum made a young mistake with his back to the ball at the inbound, but Jackson could have choreographed that play in a number of ways that would have had better odds than what actually happened. Giving Fisher a chance to take that shot as the third option is clearly more efficient than putting the game on the shoulders o####uy who went 0-10 with no rebounds. Even if Fisher would have missed it, the people wouldn't be as pissed. BAD CALL PHIL.

The icing on the cake? Unconfirmed reports last spotted Vladdy at 2am  at one of Hollywood's many trendsetting night clubs, the night before the game. Vlad was seen all over Los Angeles drinking it up until the wee hours.

Finally, To the LA Media: STOP CALLNG THIS GUY VLADE. Even if he was as good as Mr. Divac, the bottom line is the fact that his there will never be another Vlade in Los Angeles unless someone specifically named 'Vlade' were to come around. It just bugs me.