Let the raucous chants begin. Let the banners go up and watch the home court advantage disappear. With the extinguishing of the Nuggets at the hands of the Clippers, what we could possibly have here is a first. A playoff matchup between two teams, from the same city. Barring any mindblowing setbacks that would give the Phoenix Suns three wins in a row, which I doubt would happen against a Phil Jackson coached team. We could have the first series ever in the history of the NBA where the two teams drive the same distance for home and away games.

Oh to be in L.A. at a time like this...a Clippers team that finally gets it. What has gotten into Donald Sterling? Obtaining Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley seems to be the move that actually has the NBA writers thinking that he actually wants to win with his team. No more cellar dwelling lottery fodder. Thirty years since the organization's last playoff series win, Donald Sterling and NBA Lottery permanent resident, Elgin Baylor, have actually done good this season making a playoff contender with tons of upside ahead.

And what of the Lakers? A year after missing the playoffs all together. And a whole season's worth of guessing if this team has enough to make this year's playoffs...we've seen the transformation of Kobe Bryant just in this current series alone. From a shot happy gunslinger to a true leader on a young squad that seems to be filled with tons of confidence. Confidence enough to rout a very good Phoenix Suns team to three losses and a very possible first round exit. Kwame Brown actually becoming a legit big man...actually getting it?! Lamar Odom, totally shutting down Shawn Marion for pretty much four straight games?! Who would of thought it would be like this....Only in L.A.

This is a once in a lifetime scenario. And yes, the Lakers still have to pull off one more win. But I think that we are on our way to what Billy Crystal predicted a while back as a true hallway series. And I think the rivalry between these two teams, and the fans of this great city...will have the basketball gods frothing at the mouth for this one. Oh to be in L.A. when this happens....