I talked with Von Wafer after the game and what seemed like a brouhaha at half court was actually nothing. He was just trying to head over in LO's direction and security, who likely didn't recognize him in street clothes, wouldn't let him past. If there was even shouting, I imagine it was simply to be heard over the noise. He said it was no biggie and seemed quite surprised I even noticed. But as you all know, the K Brothers see what mere mortal reporters miss.

Also, in the locker room, Laron Profit may have had the best line to sum up the game: "It's like the NCAA times 5."

Oh, and I wanted to set everyone's minds at ease. About 20 minutes after the game, it may have felt like the Earth briefly spun backwards on its axis. No need to worry. It was simply T.J. Simers complimenting Devean George. Repeatedly.

AK

Hey y'all. How's it going? Just waiting for the action to start up. And happy birthday to Zen, by the way. I have a feeling I know what he asked for when he blew out the candles.

As I walked into Staples, I saw a guy with a pretty sweet Lakers tat on his shoulder. Which got me thinking. Now let me say off the bat, I ain't mad at Kobe for changing his number. As far as I'm concerned, a) Dude's earned the right to do whatever he wants with his jersey and b) It doesn't adversely affect my life in the slightest. But if you're a fan who got some kind of "Kobe-8" ink, how freaking pissed are you at the guy right now? I mean, what are you supposed to do with it? Yeah, you can turn into some kind of "8 X 3 = 24" design, but it's gonna be an obvious cover job (unless you're a prideful math teacher, I guess). There's gotta be at least a few people across the nation who are seriously bummed right now.

Also, how great would it have been if Kobe just changed his number to "9," just to play up the whole "nobody can tell if it's me or Laron Profit on the court" confusion?

First Quarter

By the way, the "hoarse parrot woman" from Friday night is back and right behind me again. I'll give her this. She's a fan. But the smelly reporter isn't here, so that's a plus. My eyes were practically watering from the stench.

Sweet pass from LO to Luke in the paint.

Now this is going to be interesting. Kobe's supporting cast has done a great job complimenting Kobe while he's been on the floor. Let's see what they can do while he's off the floor. I'm also glad the refs didn't fall for Nash's "fall" at the hands of Luke in transition. Academy Award material? Yes. Actual foul on Luke? No.

The Lakers really need to focus on controlling this pace better. As it stands, they're flirting rather heavily with playing "Suns Ball."

The refs are calling it rather tight today. The Lakers are going to have to put their kid gloves on and tread a little more lightly. I wonder if they're looking to cut down on the physicality after Friday's pair of skirmishes.

2 minutes left. Kobe and LO both on the bench. This would be a real test of potential storm weathering.

End of the first: Lakers, 25. Suns, 26. Considering Kobe and LO were both sitting for a stretch and the pace was mostly all Suns-centric, not too bad at all. But it's imperative that the Lakers get the tempo back to their taste. A track meet is a rather dicey proposition. At the same time, though, they gotta find a way to do it within the ref's standards for today, which appear to be on the conservative side. I really hope this doesn't turn into too big of a whistle-fest. Did any of you watch game 3 of Clips-Nuggets? Good lord, man! I think that game just ended an hour ago.

There's gonna be a rumble at Staples this afternoon and there's a lot of stake for the Lakers. A potential 3-1 lead over the Suns would make Phoenix sweat from more than the humidity coming back to the desert. But if it's all the same to Phil Jackson, he'll keep his own squad in need of lathering on the deodorant. He's telling the boys to stay tense and they're keeping nerves frayed. Of course, the team would probably play in traffic right now if PJ ordered it (FYI: He won't, so don't worry). The team might actually appreciate Phil ordering them to tank it today to stretch the series a little longer, because they're having a blast right now (FYI: He won't, so don't worry). Between the newly nutty Staples Center crowd and the chances for former castoffs like Kwame and Smush to strut their stuff, what's not to like? Kind of ironic, since that's actually an ingredient largely missing from the Suns' success formula of the past: Fun. By returning to a sense of normalcy, Phoenix remains confident they can get their groove back.

In Kobe Bryant's entire 10-year career, I don't think I've ever enjoyed three consecutive games of his more than this opening trio against Phoenix. But even if a back-to-back-to-back I dug more is simply escaping me at the moment, this I know for sure: In Kobe's entire 2005-2006 season, the Lakers have never looked more like a true team than during these same three games.

Coincidence?

No way in hell.

Kobe seems like an entirely different player right now. He's focused, but also relaxed. He's hard nosed, but approachable. He's completely aware of the stakes at hand, but giving up more control than he's ever willingly relinquished. And doing it with a vibe that feels unconditional. He either trusts his teammates to the nth degree right now or he's the greatest actor this side of DeNiro in his prime. I'm personally leaning towards "trust." But even if this whole thing's a sham, don't matter one bit. His teammates buy it, which is taking their play to a whole other level. His coaches buy it, which allows them to design a varied game plan. And most importantly, the Suns buy it, which is making them rather nervous. Now that Kobe's dictating tempo, but letting his fellow starters and the bench do damage as well, the Suns seem at a loss for answers. Kobe's empowered his teammates. They're playing with power. Funny how that happens sometimes.

It's kind of interesting. A Kobe vs. Nash match up (even though they're not truly going head to head) has naturally sparked more "who's the real MVP?" jabber. Makes sense, even though I'm sick of it. But as the series progresses and (in my mind) Kobe outplays Nash, I'm feeling more confident I was right not giving Kobe my "MVP vote that doesn't actually count for squat." These playoffs have validated my opinion that there's so much more Kobe can bring to the Lakers besides being the league's best pure talent. The benefits of Kobe's silly ridiculous skills were sometimes offset by a tendency to keep his teammates at bay. Not the case right now. And in my opinion, he's now proving how truly lethal he is. These three games are the potential beginning of a irrefutably MVP career.

Slowly and steadily... getting closer.

Got staying an iota of the "try to get it inside/we're not gonna stand around watching Kobe" plan, the Lakers came out on top 99-92 in a very spirited match against Phoenix. "Spirited," FYI, is often just a friendly way of saying "testy," which certainly describes the vibe. Between Luke Walton's flagrant, Kwame Brown's pro-rasslin' toss of Boris Diaw, plus Kobe and Steve Nash's constant jawing, two teams with no previous history aren't thrilled to be in each other's presence. Actually, the Suns aren't having much fun, period. The Lakers, however, are having a blast being around each other. And why wouldn't it be a love fest, since everybody's getting a chance for a pat on the back? Who's chipping in? Try, "roughly everybody."  Want a collector's item box score? When's the last time you saw Smush and Luke lead the team in scoring and attempts, respectively? Must be pissing Kobe off, right?

Not even.

And Kobe's eagerness to involve his teammates has been the story of the playoffs. Only a curmudgeon wouldn't like it. Phil Jackson's also getting major props for the collective output of his roster. PJ's known for playing head games with opponents, but the psychology he's used on his own squad's been the real difference. The Suns may not need a shrink, but they definitely could use a stint with a guru of sorts.  Somebody to provide some answers, because right now, they're a sparse commodity in D'Antoni country. And if they find said soothsayer, send the guy Chris Mihm's way. Dude would love to know when his ankle's gonna finally heal up.

AK's note: Last night's victory was not without a little input from Mom. Within two minutes of the game ending, the following email arrived: "They got a push from Smush!" Mom was obviously excited that her favorite Laker had a big game. When I told Smush about the email in the locker room, he seemed quite flattered. He asked me to tell her hello, thanks, and to continue the support. I emailed Mom the message when I got home from Staples and this morning found another email: "I love Smush. He is the future."

Clearly, our mother is enjoying the series thus far.

(Post From the Road- Gotta sneak 'em in when I can!)

Assuming reports are correct, Steve Nash will take home the MVP for the second consecutive year.  My understanding is that you guys aren't thrilled about that?  Maybe I've been reading too much into your comments?  I'm usually pretty perceptive about these things...

Anyway, what's interesting to me is that before the playoffs, people talked about the MVP as a way for Kobe to slam an exclamation point on his comeback and take his rightful place back among the brightest stars of the NBA galaxy.  But it was interesting how the debate was framed.  It was still generally "love him or hate him, Kobe deserves the MVP."  His backers pointed to the sheer ridiculousness of his offensive output this season as evidence that he just couldn't be denied.  But even had he won it, there still would have been lingering animosity from many, the way people feel when Barry Bonds would win MVP after MVP. 

Then the playoffs came, with the expectations that Kobe would go for 50+ a game and generally try to put the Suns on tilt.  Instead, he's become the ultimate team guy, as the Lakers have seemingly overnight evolved into the NBA's most balanced team.  He's getting in the face of guys who pick on his teammates.  He was barely able to get full sentences out of his mouth after Game 3, because he was so excited at the team's performance.  I'm thinking that this series, win or lose, has done more to resurrect Kobe's image than any hardware ever could. 

Opinions?

BK 

Just about to get started, people. And let me tell y'all, the media area is a freakin' cricus. Everyone network except that one All-Korean station seems to have a reporter here. And the Country Music Network. I don't see anyone with a ten gallon hat and a pad of paper.

As is the custom (24 years and counting), Jeffrey Osborne just did the National Anthem. Let me tell y'all something. Dude can make anyone feel pretty freakin' patriotic. I may actually enlist. Them is some pipes.

Just so everyone knows, I'm probably gonna chime in less and concentrate on updating your comments. Or at least make that the top priority.

It's already louder up in here than I've ever heard a Lakers game. And good,becuase the crowd ain't always enought of a factor.

First Quarter

Not a bad little job of knifing through the D by Kobe.

And, that just got interesting, huh? In the caetgoty of "people you don't expect to see in the middle of a brawl," Luke Walton is a pretty good candidate. And for the record, the refs got this right. Luke deserved the flagrant. And Diaw was a little unnecessarily chippy. And the funny thing was, I think Kobe inadvertantly caused the scrum by accidentally pushing Diaw into Smush, who fell, hence the chaos.

I'm not saying I didn't like Smush's reverse jam. I'm just saying, he'd have been cut on the spot if he missed it.

I'm not sure I've ever seen Steve Nash take that many steps. Although he's got the right idea. If you're gonna travel, get your money's worth.

On the jumbotron, they just showed highlights from a Lakers bowling night for kids with Cook and Smush. They just showed Smush roll. I'm pretty sure they cut away right before it ended up in the gutter. Ball was drifting very right.

They are doing a very nice job of getting Luke freed in the post for some easy buckets. Which is good, because they're unfortunately doing a terrible job guarding the three.

Tell ya, Smush may lack in perimeter D, but he's got to be one of the more athletic PG's out there. In terms of just athleticism. Guy can really get up there.

End of the first. Lakers, 31, Phoenix 27. Probably letting in a little more points than they'd like (especially around the arc), but I don't think the Lakers can be all that mad. It's going a little quicker than they'd like, and they're actually outscoring the Suns. If it's gonna move fast like that, it's a nice sign that they're ahead.

Lakers Bloggers-

Hey.  Two big games this weekend.  Massive.  Gargantuan.  No question, the kind of games you'd normally have two live blogs to from which to pick and choose.  Unfortunately (or fortunately, if that's what you'd rather have anyway) you only get one.  Some long planned, unchangeable, unavoidable, unbreakable travel plans with my fiance will keep me out of LA on Friday and Sunday.

So bring home a couple winners, and I'll be guaranteed a shot at Game Six... or better yet, take two at home and Game Five in Phoenix, and hopefully it'll set up a Lakers-Clippers Round Two that will create more buzz in Los Angeles than news of Brad Pitt leaving Angelina Jolie for Billy Bob Thornton.   

Okay.  Enough on programming notes, more on hoops.  Here's today's question.  Phil Jackson has developed a game plan that has managed to, paraphrasing PJ's own words, stymie and befuddle the Suns.  In Game One, the Lakers had a chance to steal the game with a better showing on D and a couple clutch shots.  Didn't happen.  Game Two was another story entirely- an often dominating performance forced Phoenix to play catch up, no fun for even fun-and-gun NBA teams. 

So here's the question.  You're Mike D'Antoni.  What adjustments do you make going into Game Three?  How would you break the Lakers D, or force the Lakers offense to play to your tempo.  Would you try to force the purple and gold to rely on Kobe?  Would you have to see a shrink just for thinking of that sort of strategy? 

And more importantly- because no Lakers fan wants to think of a good idea and give it away to the enemy- afterward, after removing your sombrero de D'Antoni, put on your PJ hat.  What adjustments should Jackson make in anticipation of D'Antoni's moves?   Or is it a question of, "You know what we're going to do, but we're betting you can't stop it?"

If cliches have taught us anything, it's that the playoffs are a chess match.  What moves are coming next?

BK

Know that groovy feeling after a long, grueling business trip is finished and you finally walk through your casa's front door? Well, that sums up the Lakers' mindset as they're back in Staples. And with that sense of comfort, they're hoping comes a W in tonight's pivotal game 3 against Phoenix. The overriding concept thus far has been "team," with the Lakers making a conscientious effort to work as a unit.  Yeah, there have been folks who've stood out. Lamar Odom's play has been sick and Shawn Marion is really sick of keeping track of his whereabouts. The whole thing's been noteworthy enough to capture the stat-riddled mind of John Hollinger. Kwame Brown's stepped it up, on and off the court. And really, you can go around the horn and find something nice to say about everyone logging minutes in L.A.'s rotation. It's easy (and likely quite accurate) to credit Phil Jackson for the united front's that been forged. But props must also go to Kobe Bryant for wholeheartedly buying in and trusting his boys. Ironically, as Kobe's become less compelled to pull out all the stops, the more the accolades keep piling on. 

photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty

This kid rules.

Question: If Magic wins an Oscar for producing this film, will he keep the trophy in

a) His home

b) The Lakers Offices in El Segundo

c) The Magic Johnson Foundation offices

d) His TGI Friday's

e) One of his Starbucks

f) One of his movie theaters

g) One of his Burger Kings

h) One of his co-owned banks

i) A business location to be acquired later

j) None of the above 

k) All of the above, with the golden man in a steady rotation


AK