The Lakers total humilation at the hands of the Suns this postseason will be a moment so full of sweetness and morbid delicity (I know..) for us, it will be hard not to consider that the victory we want.  

However, we should not be satisfied until we win the title.  Only then, as they choke on their bitter tears, will the Lakers realize that this season of hope for them was nothing but a misty eyed illusion presaging what will be a long off-season of misery, shame and a sense that their so-called best player just isn't good enough, however much help he has.

Then we take a good deep breath, and laugh our asses off.

Playoff time!

If kobe lost in the first round we wouldn't trash him cause no one would get trashed getting kicked out of the west. Dallas-denver are 50 wins teams. you guys are gonna be sixth do you think your gonna "upset" anyone. no cause your on par or better then the people you face and every west team believes that.

Five posts of just insults so no point on commenting on that. Windowclosed we still haven't done anything either so lets be quiet until we get some playoff series under out belt.

My last point is this. No one actually believes Dirk is an mvp. He was just the best player on the team that had the most wins. Its how the mvp goes now a days. Kobe actually is an mvp caliber player (not taking anything away from nash, he was a mvp caliber player too, so is cp3 for that matter, I still don't see amare but maybe cause I want to see his defense up a little more but hes improved from last year so another improvement like that and maybe I'll turn)

I think I got everything I wanted in that. Laker fan out.

But yes, their climb to the top will only make their coming fall taste all the sweeter.  I wouldn't consider the Nugs to be contenders, but that doesn't mean they can't pull it together for a few games and give Kobe a taste of Dirk's shame.  Much as I'd like to see the Suns end LA's season for a 3rd stright year, that does sound like a more enjoyable option, watching Kobe collect his MVP in a press room deep in the bowels of the Staples center after his team has been eliminated, well, words fail me...

Face it, the Lakers are loaded.  Now I know Kobe fans don't want to admit that, but they are.  It's easy to put down the rest of the team to prop up your favorite player. But Lamar and Pau are really good, and the others on that team are solid.

If you want to compare Nash's 2nd MVP season with Kobe this year, I'd point out that not only did Steve lose his center for a full season, but he also lost his backup midway through the season.

Basically, without a solid front-line, and with the help of some talented but flawed players, and a boat load of chemistry and solidarity, Steve got the Suns to 55 wins and the WCF.

Had Kurt Thomas managed to stay healthy, along with Raja, I have no doubt we would have won the title.

What I'm saying, and the record will bear me out, is that in the time between Bynum getting injured, and the Lakers receiving the gift of Gasol, the Lakers were mediocre, and they were to all intents and purposes dead in the water.  

There is no question whatsoever, that Gasol's arrival saved the Lakers season, given that the difference between top seed in the West and missing the playoffs is a scant 9 games.

Consequently, despite what Lakers fans may think, this season from Kobe, doesn't even come close to what Nash did 2 years ago.

To appreciate the difference would take an objective perspective that eschews the elevation of players into comic-book super heroes, and instead focuses on valuing a game where all the pieces of a team miraculously fit together, performing in concert, with metaphysical harmony and precision.  

If you ever watched and were a fan of the 80's Lakers, then I am certain you have witnessed this and hence have the capability to embrace such a viewpoint. To do so, would be a decision that would work to your long term advantage.

What KG has done in Boston, to spark the greatest single season turnaround (and it's not even close), is close to amazing.  What I really like about his game this year is he has taken what Nash and Paul do in running an offense, and has done a similar thing on defense.

Paul is 2nd, just because I really like that kind of point guard game.  Statistically, his season has been really good  (leading the league in 2 categories), but I think that's a false thing to focus on.

Kobe this year has been really good, where he's even been playing some Nash like ball in spots, and I love to watch him.  But I think he's still an inefficient player at times, and the contributions of his teammates has been vastly underrated this year, especially Lamar Odom (who is a much more self contained player than Shawn Marion, before you make the comparison).

LeBron has been the best individual contributor this season, but the Cavs are a 45 game team in the East, so while he gets a nod, he's really a joint 3rd spot.

Other players that would be in a conversation about MVP, to set the landscape but not be seriously considered are Ginobili, Duncan, Nash, Deron Williams, Paul Pierce, Shaq, and Rasheed Wallace.

Amare doesn't make my list because while he's spectacular, and possibly the best exponent of stunt basketball in the league, he has 3 flaws:
i)  He pads his stats, a lot.
ii) He benefits massively from Shaq being in the middle.
iii)  He often just takes games off, defensively.

Bill Shankly (and you may not know who he is) once said "Football.. It's not a question of life or death.  It's far more important than that."

Whatever you may think about the Lakers and their fans (and I'd like nothing better for each of them to be ravaged by a pack of horny, rabid psychotic badgers with a death wish), you have to respect their fandom, at this time.

Of course, half of these people were nowhere to be seen when the pre-Shaq Lakers truly sucked.  Even Jack Nicholson stopped watching Lakers games at that time, and could be seen courtside at Nets games.

MVPs, Lakers....

meh!