First we lose Chick, now we lose Hal Fishman. The LA media landscape will never be the same.

In case you haven't seen it, here's a major TiVO alert: We're about to hear from Kobe for the first time since his encounter with TJ Simers. Bryant is making his first appearance on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Wednesday.

This blog will be burning up with commentary on whatever Kobe says, to be sure.

The New Jersey Nets, Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers are all looking for things that could very well be acquired all in one complex trade. Here is a simple trade that works for all three teams.

New Jersey receives Andrew Bynum, Vladimir Radmanovic

Indiana receives Jason Collins, Nenad Krstic, Brian Cook, Kwame Brown, Jordan Farmar and Cash (Approx. $1mil)

Los Angeles receives Jermaine O’Neal, Jeff Foster

It is my belief that all parties would accept this transaction. Considering the earlier transactions that have taken place this summer, this trade is definitely in line with all of them. It provides most, if not all, of the things each team desires. However, it doesn’t cost any of them, more than they would be willing to give up in exchange.

Nets New Depth Chart
Point Guard – Jason Kidd, Marcus Williams
Shooting Guard – Vince Carter, Bernard Robinson
Small Forward – Richard Jefferson, Bostjan Nachbar, Antoine Wright
Power Forward – Vladimir Radmanovic, Josh Boone, Sean Williams
Center – Jamaal Magloire, Andrew Bynum, Mile Ilic

Pacers New Depth Chart
Point Guard – Jamaal Tinsley, Jordan Farmar, Darrell Armstrong
Shooting Guard – Mike Dunleavy, Kareem Rush
Small Forward – Danny Granger, Marquis Daniels, Shawne Williams
Power Forward – Troy Murphy, Ike Diogu, Brian Cook
Center – Nenad Krstic, Kwame Brown, Jason Collins, David Harrison

Lakers New Depth Chart (Includes additional signings of Chris Webber and Melvin Ely)
Point Guard – Derek Fisher, Javaris Crittenton, Coby Karl
Shooting Guard – Kobe Bryant, Maurice Evans, Sasha Vujacic
Small Forward – Lamar Odom, Luke Walton
Power Forward – Jermaine O’Neal, Ronny Turiaf, Melvin Ely
Center – Chris Webber, Greg Foster, Chris Mihm

*If the Lakers are unable to make this trade happen, the suggested secondary plan would be the following.

New Jersey receives Jordan Farmar, Andrew Bynum and Kwame Brown
Los Angeles receives Nenad Krstic, Jason Collins, (Jeff McInnis Trade Exception - $3.6mil)

This would then be followed with the signing of Chris Webber and the waiving of Sasha Vujacic.

Lakers New Depth Chart
Point Guard – Derek Fisher, Javaris Crittenton, Coby Karl
Shooting Guard – Kobe Bryant, Maurice Evans
Small Forward – Lamar Odom, Luke Walton, Vladmir Radmanovic
Power Forward – Nenad Krstic, Ronny Turiaf, Brian Cook
Center – Chris Webber, Chris Mihm, Jason Collins

Nets New Depth Chart
Point Guard – Jason Kidd, Jordan Farmar
Shooting Guard – Vince Carter, Marcus Williams, Bernard Robinson
Small Forward – Richard Jefferson, Bostjan Nachbar, Antoine Wright
Power Forward – Kwame Brown, Josh Boone, Sean Williams
Center – Jamaal Magloire, Andrew Bynum, Mile Ilic

JJ,

I wouldn't want Webber anywhere near my Lakers, especially at the Center spot. Kwame is a much better option at center than Webber in my opinion.

I would never trade Bynum and Kwame for Krstic and Collins!!
If we won't trade Bynum for Kidd, do you think we'd trade him for Krstic?!!
I's rather stand pat.

i wouldnt want webber anywhere near the lakers either. i've heard some ugly rumors about him with the kings

I like J.O. but if we have to give up Lamar and Bynum for J.O. then it not worth it, we are just in the same situation...

I hope we can give up Bynum, Kwame and draft picks..

For Jo? Not Lamar and Bynum together. We could POSSIBLY use either player for trade bait.

Jo= Bynum + Kwame and another throw in to match salaries.
Jo= Kwame + Lamar.

If they want LO and Bynum, then add Vladimir and Cook or Sasha to match salaries to acquire Granger to LA...

Peace Party People.

24/10 Mamba you don't stop.! JJ, I like the line up and trade, but do we have enough $ to sign Ely and Webber?

Would Kwame, Bynum & Cook for JO & Granger work?

Mamba24/10:

Nice post dedicating the day to AK. Got to give the man some credit for the great job he does. Also liked the 55-Win Bandwagon leading into the roll call. Great job as usual.

Tom

I have decided that this week I will be running my own advice column. To get us started off, I thought I'd answer some letters that Abby just didn't get right at all.

Feel free to write in on anything you'd like!

****************************************************

DEAR GENERIC:

My intelligent, wonderful daughter is determined to develop a sense of humor in her own 8-year-old by responding to her queries with, "Are you crazy?" or, "Have you lost your mind?" I think this is detrimental and damaging to the child. Please advise both of us.

-- ANXIOUS GRANNY IN RENO

DEAR GRENO:

I decided to combine "Granny" with "Reno" whilst addressing you purely for my own amusement. I encourage all members of your family to call you "Greno" as well.

You are indeed correct to assume the worst, but not all is as you think. Your daughter and her 8-year-old are attempting to drive YOU crazy. It is a conspiracy against you. Watch out for the garden gnomes - they aren't what they seem.

-- G1

DEAR GENERIC:

My husband and I were recently asked to join another couple, "Johnny" and "Brooke," at an upscale restaurant that we would not ordinarily frequent. We decided to join them and had a lovely, if extremely expensive, dinner.

When the check came, Johnny took several gift cards out of his pocket and applied them to their half of the bill. (They covered the majority of it.)

We had no idea that this was the reason Johnny and Brooke wanted to eat there and were shocked that they had not said something earlier. We might have declined.

Of course, we paid our portion of the bill, but when we discussed it later, we both felt that we had been duped. Had the tables been turned, we would have applied the gift cards to the entire bill. Were we duped, and were they cheap?

-- AM I STUPID IN POMONA, N.Y.?

DEAR STUPID:

Yes.

-- G1

DEAR GENERIC:

I just learned through a good friend of mine that "someone" sent out a mass e-mail to all my friends complaining that she wasn't invited to my wedding. Abby, this person is a friend of a friend. I do not have her phone number, e-mail, address, etc., and we haven't seen or spoken to each other in more than two years.

I never enjoyed hanging out with her because she loved to lay guilt trips over every little thing. This is just another classic example. How should I handle her behavior?

-- ANONYMOUS IN NEBRASKA

DEAR NEBRASKA:

First of all, I normally don't accept letters from people in Nebraska. That's bat country. Or is that Nevada? I can't remember. Regardless, I'm sure there's some reason that I don't like Nebraska.

You should write in to an advice column about it; complaining and whining and making sure to be consumed with self-pity. Maybe you'll learn to be a better friend next time and just invite her to your wedding. Yes, I realize you're already married, but I guarantee it won't be your last time at the alter. You're a divorce waiting to happen.

-- G1

DEAR GENERIC:

My son came home from school the other day with bruises on his body. When I asked her how he got them, he told me a little boy beat him up at recess. I went to the school to talk with his teacher, but nothing was done, and my son came home with another bruise yesterday. What should I do?

-- WORRIED MOM

DEAR WORM:

Congratulations! You have officially ruined your son's life. Now that you've ratted out your son's attackers, they will hunt him down and make the remainder of his days at school miserable. Teach him to man-up and start taking him to Ninja school - it's the only way he's going to get respect.

-- G1

DEAR GENERIC:

My question is a simple one. Which way should a woman wear her engagement and wedding ring set? I wear mine so the wedding band is inside and the engagement ring is outside. My friend wears hers the opposite way. Which is correct?

-- NEEDS TO KNOW CLOVIS, N.M.

DEAR CHEATING VILE WENCH:

Why even bother? You're just going to cheat on him anyway. Probably with his best friend or maybe an old flame when you go to your high school reunion. Just leave the ring off and tell him that you'll probably be making adult movies within the year. It'll save a lot of time and trouble.

-- G1

DEAR GENERIC:

I was dating my girlfriend, "Gwen," for about a year and a half. After my birthday last April, she began acting weird. She became very negative and seemed unhappy about everything. After attending a family vacation in June, Gwen told me she wanted to "take a break." She said it was nothing I had done, but she needed time to figure things out because she didn't know what she wanted. That was her only explanation.

I have talked to Gwen only a handful of times during the last few months. I still love her, but I find myself wondering if she still loves me back.

She mentioned that she had been hanging out with a friend who recently came back from Iraq. She told me they have gone camping and done other things, like attend a concert. She also said they have kissed -- but nothing else. I know this isn't cheating, since we are on a break, but I can't help feeling mad and upset at the same time.

Should I try to contact Gwen so we can talk, or should I let her be and hope she comes back?

-- SAD AND CONFUSED IN PITTSBURGH

DEAR PITTS:

I have one word for you, dear Pitts: Zombie. Stock up on aluminum bats and military rations. The Zombie Outbreak is upon us.

-- G1

IT’S BYNUM THAT BIRD WANTS, NOT KRSTIC!

The demand to include Lamar and all the other stuff is just smoke and mirrors to get a better deal. In the end, Bird needs Bynum. And that’s why Mitch needs to hold firm and not agree to give Indy Lamar as part of the deal to trade for JO. He can almost throw anybody else that Bird wants – with the exception of Kobe, of course – into the deal but not Lamar. It is Bynum that Bird has identified as his center of the future – and he may be right. That is what is going to lead him to accept a deal without Odom. That is why he will make the trade to the Lakers when McHale wouldn’t. In the end, he thinks the Lakers will regret trading Andrew Bynum. And if Andrew becomes a dominant center, Bird may have his ultimate laugh. But he is going to have to blink first to get that chance.

In a way, not getting KG might end up being a blessing for the Lakers. I never really wanted to trade Lamar. He is the kind of team player with a warrior’s heart that you build championship teams with. Getting JO WITHOUT giving up Lamar may give the Lakers a stronger team overall. One thing I think should not get overlooked is the attitude that JO has shown versus that of KG. Jermaine has come right out and said that he wants to be traded to the Lakers and that he thinks he and Kobe can take the team to a championship. I know it raises the stakes again for us Laker fans as we anxiously await news of a deal. Jermaine’s comments want to make me tell Mitch to make the deal at any cost. But we need Lamar if we are really going to rise to the level of an elite team. JO is definitely an upgrade but not enough alone to elevate the team to the elite. For sure, JO looks like manna sent from heaven right now. He is proof that God is a Lakers fan. If the devil in shamrock doesn’t screw it up, the Lakers may have an answer to their prayers.

Tom

That poker playing experience should come in handy for Jerry Buss these next few weeks ...

I still think the number one problem that holds up trades to the Lakeshow is..... Kobe. Who wants to play with a guy who dominates the ball, fails to pass in any vial situation, and rips his teammates when things don't go his way? Talk about relationships influencing trades. Name me one difference maker Kobe has lured to LA since the Shaq trade. One? Vlad? Knucklehead. Kwame? Washington would have given him away for a few buckets of Gatorade. Who WANTS to play with Kobe and has made the effort to get here? No one.

The only way Kobe stays next season is if KupKakes can do some damage next off season when guys like JO opt out. Lets see, how likely is that...? Bu bye, Prima-Diva Kobe. Don't let the door... well you know.

Maybe they can convince Kobe to be the new hero for Atlanta and we can get Joe Johnson and Josh Smith for him. I'd do that trade right now.

The thing for me is the question: Is JO even an all-star in the West? Probably not. In fact, in terms of ranking I would put JO at about the Lamar/Gasol tier in the West:

Tim Duncan, Dirk, Melo, Lamar, Gasol, Josh Howard, Marion

Basically, in the West JO is a fringe all-star...same as Lamar. So all this talk about getting a ‘proven all-star’ doesn't strike a very good note with me. Plus he would have to learn the triangle (which took Lamar 2 yrs to do). Plus plus, the dude has a big time contract.

Another question I have is, if one puts JO on a team with Lamar, will Lamar’s game get sucked up like it does by Kobe. Kobe and Lamar never seem like a “one-two combo punch”. It is more like a big uppercut by Kobe followed some time later by a pretty jab by Lamar. So with both JO and KB on a team with Lamar, would his impact be even further eroded?

So, we know KB and Lamar is NOT the answer, and…

KB and JO is likely not the answer either, and…

I have some reservations about KB, JO and Lamar together…

Can’t Mitch get KG somehow???

If the lakers are going to make this deal to get J.O they should not give up Lamar or crittenton to get him.
I think this team that we have will be fine with some adjustments of course I would like to have J.O to I
just hope the lakers use wisdom if they are going to make this deal with Ind.

Dear Generic,
I see the entire world through the prism of my "I hate Kobe" glasses; no matter what the subject is, I am able to twist it in my mind so that Kobe is at fault! I'm really proud of that, and would like to share my skill with others. Do you know if there are any chat rooms or internet sites where I could find people with a similar viewpoint?

Point Guard – Derek Fisher, Javaris Crittenton, Coby Karl
Shooting Guard – Kobe Bryant, Maurice Evans
Small Forward – Lamar Odom, Luke Walton, Vladmir Radmanovic
Power Forward – Nenad Krstic, Ronny Turiaf, Brian Cook
Center – Chris Webber, Chris Mihm, Jason Collins

I guess we weren't slow and unathletic enough last season.

C.S.

All we need and all lamar wants to do is run the offense. When he was on the team with Caron and Wade, all lamar did was run the offense and got Wade and Caron in position to do their damage on offense. That is what we need from Lamar if he pairs up with Oneal and Kobe. We need him to run the offense to get those guys in position to do what they need. We need him to get a rebound and sprint down the court and get guys in scoring position. Lamar will be the first to tell you he doesnt want to be the main guy, just the guy that makes everybody's job easier.

Phil and the rest of the guys know that lamar is great playing as the set up man. Hes not comfortable being a scorer. He will get his points but you cant predict how he goes about getting his point. With Kobe and JO, you know where they like to attack to get points, their offensive games are set. This is the same reason why lamar doesnt know if he wants to attack primarily from the post or the perimeter. In a team with him and just Kobe, he has to pick one of those two. He cant have it both ways. But with a team with Kobe and JO, he can play what offensive game he feels like, which is just to be free, set people up and put up points when he is comfortable.

When lamar had Wade and Caron, you knew Wade was the perimeter guy, and Caron was the post guy, and lamar was able to put both players in a situation when they made havoc on the court. Lamar, Wade and Caron were one of favorites team of all the time. I actually thought they would be together for a long time, until the trade with Shaq broke that team apart. And the year they went to the playoffs, and actually did alot of damage, nobody saw that coming at all. I loved watching all three play, and they were an exicting team.

DMack,

In case you have not been reading the latest headlines, let me just give you an update. JO: "It's time for me to move on," he said. "And the Lakers are the team I want Indiana to trade me to." Jason Kidd: "Vegas was the first time I got to play with Kobe during practice and games. He's an amazing talent, the best offensive player in the game. All I can do is wish, and think what it could've and should've been like to play with Kobe." You pose the question "name one knucklehead that Kobe has lured since Shaq left?" I counter by saying name one knucklehead that Lebron has lured? Point is anyone would love to play with those two, but bringing in players is mainly the responsibility of management. Don't spew biased nonsense because it makes your argument that much weaker.

DEAR GENERIC_ONE
I once was a handsome prince, but some vile wretch of
former humanity turned me into a Zombie. Is it wrong for me
to want to turn my former girlfriend into a Zombie also so
we can continue our relationship. As a further compliction
I'm also a vampire so I"m and Undead, undead. Should I
worry about my future children if I turn my Girlfriend.

So I see the Celtics picked up Pollard on the cheap. I wish we had done that - I've always liked the dude. Not sure why we didn't just wait for training camp to bring in Coby Karl.

re: JO, maybe it's just a matter of Bird wanting to wait and see what kind of shape Kwame's repaired ankle's going to be in. If Kwame comes out banging bodies and playing with energy this fall, it might raise his trade bait value. As it stands, he's got a rep around the league for getting hurt too often.

Dave M

After reading all the JO articles yesterday about him wanting to be a Laker, I am trying to figure out what day he signs with the Nets.

HOW IT SHOULD GO DOWN:

Magic : Hey Larry, its Earvin. How you doin?
Larry: Good to hear from you man, its been too long
Magic: So listen man, Dr Buss is tryin' to get this thing done to bring JO to the Lakers. What can we do?
Larry: Well we had talked about Lamar and that young center of yours Bynum.
Magic: Yeah Bynum is gonna be real real big in this league, but he's still a year or so away. Listen, we need to hang on to Lamar, but maybe there's another way we can do this
Larry: I'm listening
Magic: Well Kwame can fill in the middle for you this year and when Bynum is ready next year you get 9 million in cap room
Larry: Sounds good, but we'd need more than just Kwame and Bynum
Magic: Well what can I do for you my friend?
Larry: Now we could use some help at guard - I like that white kid Sacha - he's a good shooter - and also that new point guard you drated.
Magic: You mean Farmar?
Larry: well.. I was talking about Crittenton
Magic: I don't know, he reminds me of a young me - he could be a great one someday
Larry : Well Earvin I'd at least need him or the deal wouldn't make any sense for us.
Magic: You drive a hard bargain Larry but you always did play me even so I suppose I'll have to give this one to you my friend
Larry: Great, it's a deal. Hey we'll have to get together for dinner or golf sometime soon.
Magic: You got it brother, and I'm buyin'...

SEE HOW EASY IT COULD BE????????

C.S.,

Well, let's be fair about this. There are guys that have made the All-Star Team out west that would be hard pressed to make it in the East. It goes both ways. Plus, the All-Star selections are so subjective even with the ones determined by the coaches. There are always guys left off the list that really deserve it.

The bottom line is simple, O'Neal and Odom, although similar in stats, play entirely two different styles and impact games entirely different. IF Lamar is going to be slated as a power forward and is then compared to O'Neal as a power forward, I'd take O'Neal any day. Plus, is it not possible that part of the Lakers inability to truly function correctly is because Lamar and Kobe still don't mesh effectively as they are currently positioned?

Laker Tom,
Again, I like your analysis. However, with JO, we will have a 3 headed monster and 3 salaries totalling $55M - practically at the salary cap by themselves. We will be luxury tax h*ll for two years, but could probably compete for championships.

After that time we probably lose Lamar, unless he takes a significant pay cut. Also, Kobe and JO have to take a little less for us to be able to surround them with something besides Smush Parker.

Unless the FO gets some of this long range planning done before the trade, we could be completely gutted by the 3rd year (Kobe's first availability to leave).

Just a little thing to think about while we are thinking of celebrating an NBA title.