Nice. I do like soccer, but those horns -- vuvuzelas -- are annoying.

I wasn't too bothered by Letterman's lack of mentioning the NBA Finals, but I found it interesting tonight that he talked again about New York's hope that LeBron will join the Knicks. The graphics team superimposed the Lakers colors and logo over a Knicks jersey.

Paul, Gasol was on Lopez Tonight and Kobe is supposed to be there tomorrow.
I'm amazed at the number of people, including Lopez, who pronounce his name, "Paul."

Letterman`s writers ignoring da basketball playoffs while including alot of James 2 the Knicks talk had 2 be deliberate. Oh well. Their loss, right? ***Looks like Phij is NOT going 2 come back for a chance at a threepeat. I hope the Lakers choose one of the assistant coaches-+ just in case a year off rejuvinates Phil`s health and/or desire-sign the new coach on a year 2 year basis. Too bad the NBA will lose Phil AND Doc Rivers at the same time. ***On the Boston discussion boards and blogs-about 90% of the posters are crying about Perkins being out and whining that da referees robbed Boston, instead of showing class, they whine that the back2 back World Champions title is `tainted`. Typical+ low class. Only a few were graceful enough 2 admit da Lakers earned it w/ defense even more stifling than Bostons. Also- REBOUNDING. KOBE-56 BOARDS GARNETT-39 GASOL 80 PLUS BOARDS. SWEET. ***Parade on Monday was fun- not as fun as last years parade AND rally. This years game 7 superior 2 2009 game 5!

I do know some Celtics fans and Lakers haters who give due respect. They would have preferred that the refs not call as many fouls, but they admit the calls were fair. The thing the whiners seem to ignore is that both teams played exceptional defense in game 7. In the end, it came down to 2 things: rebounding (Perkins' absense as a big factor), and those Celtics who remained standing in the second half were exhausted to the point where they couldn't avoid fouling.
The next time you hear a Celtic fan complain about Perkins' absence, ask them how tainted their 2008 championship was when the Lakers played the entire series (not just a game and 3 quarters) without Bynum.
Here's an amazing stat: Just 3 participants in this discussion, and we're on page 7.

There's some noise that the Lakers might try to get Chris Paul. I don't know if that's feasible without a major luxury tax hit.
But most scenarios I've seen for any kind of deal has Bynum going elsewhere. Some of the suggested deals are ridiculous.
I'd love to see Chris Bosh in a Lakers uniform, but they're not going to trade him for Bynum. What, lose a center and gain a power forward to play alongside Gasol? Not realistic.
The Paul deal, as suggested, would send Bynum and Odom to New Orleans for Paul and Okafor. Ridiculous.
On the other hand, Raja Bell would be a nice fit. He's a good defender and can shoot 3's better than most (if not all) current Lakers. The only thing that concerns me about that is Bell is no spring chicken. Remember, he was on that 76ers team the Lakers beat 4-1 in 2001. He'll be good, but what kind of contract? 1 year? 3 years?

Sometimes the best trades are the one's never made. Remember Drew for Jason Kidd??

A a 40 per cent Drew was invaluable this year post season, in two of the series especially. Without Bynum, even on ONE leg, we most likely do not beat Loston.

Scary for the rest of the league: Kobe, finally copped to playing so much of the second half and the playoffs with a bad anklr, knee and two bum fingers. If he has a healthy year next year and Bynum can just end END the year with two healthy knees, that is a scary though. That is a good gamble that the Lakers can afford....that Bynum can get into a post season raring to go. Dude is may I remind you all, only 22 years of age!

Why trade him??? We won with him at 40 percent, and he is a good gamble that he may have a relatively healthy year. Maybe Phil or the new coach can treat him like Fish...play him 20 minutes a game until the playoffs, to protect his stregth and have him at 100 percent....then ratchet up his minutes post season.

I am convinces that you do not trade a guy that young who averages 17 and 10 when he IS healthy, and is only 22.

I agree. And there's no one available who plays his position nearly as well as he does. The team does need to upgrade at point guard. Most opinions believe Farmar will be gone, so that leaves Brown or bringing in somebody. But Kupchak basically stole Gasol from Memphis. Surely he won't get retarded overnight and trade a 7-foot center for a point guard.

pPau Gasol has been all over the southland makimg personal and promotional appearances. Newsmen are covering him-finally-like the star that he is. He says he definitely does not want to lose Phil, but will accept it if Phil`s doc`s recommend that he NOT coach next year. We find out this week.

I think it actually may be a positive. I don't have a problem with the triangle offense, but this team, even when playing well, gets away from it far too often for it to be effective. I'd like to see more motion, more screens.