Ooopah!!!
If Staples Center featured an Ouzo vendor (and if the powers that be thought outside the box a bit, they would), you'd have heard plenty of that chant getting hollered throughout the building on Wednesday. Twas a night for celebration in the ol' Staples Center shack, decreed underway by Kobe Bryant upon receiving his MVP trophy and hitting another level of "par-tay" with the Lakers' 120-110 win over the Jazz. 
In the case of the latter event, the home squad ensured a celebratory vibe by riding out whatever was thrown their way. With the benefit of a geeked crowd in his pocket, Kobe was met with a wide variety of defenders assigned to shadow. And while Matt Harpring was the most relatively effective, 34 points on 11-18 shooting reflects nobody really stopping The Mamba. They weathered a huge second half from Deron Williams, one that could have been more effective had D.Will's rocky opening not have helped keep the Jazz permanently out of sync. In particular, Carlos Boozer found the sledding tough, mostly dividing his time between taste testing Gatorade flavors on the bench and struggling to stroke nylon. But at least he found some company from his mates in the latter struggle. The Jazz entered a boatload of FGA's into the box score, but didn't find nearly the same numbers when it came to actual makes (45).
Not that Utah's misses prevented them from ever making a run. Quite the opposite, in fact. But the numerous pushes all shared one commonality: None ever really placed the Lakers in, as "Ocean's 11" fans refer to it, "Barney Rubble" (or "trouble," for the non-movie goers). Thwarting those efforts began with the tone set by Kobe and the super smart Derek Fisher, both steeped in successful playoff "been there, done that" (and the latter perhaps in the unsung hero in the Lakers' unexpectedly sweet season). Sasha Vujacic, Lamar Odom (especially gung ho and hitting the boards like a madman) and Pau Gasol all brought their basket prowess to the proceedings, doing their part to create an absurd 57% clip from the field. Whatever the Jazz brought was eventually answered twofold or greater, providing plausible reason Kobe feels an urge to avoid making vacation plans for early June.
Playing late into that month would be the perfect capper to what can be described as a magical season for the Lakers. What's not to like? The vibe permeating throughout a happy locker room. Pau Gasol's arrival bringing about Bowie-esque ch-ch-changes. The back story surrounding Kobe's eventual trophy triumph, one that involves a player once famous for keeping teammates at a purposeful distance, now a believer in creating roster bonds that never break (unless bread is involved, of course). Exhibiting trust towards teammates that blossoms into production beyond anybody's imagination. And as an added bonus, the good fortune all jives with David Stern's master plan.
Laker Land's only current bummer? News that Andrew Bynum may need surgery for his troublesome knee. Approximately another month will go by in waiting, and if there's no significant pain reduction, an exploratory session with the knife may be the next step for answers.
Caesar,
Expectations are the Bynum will receive a very similar contract to what Dwight Howard got - $75M to $80M over 5 years. He is already a top 3 center and only 20 years old. He is actually a better long term prospect than Howard and will be paid accordingly. JMHO.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 08, 2008 at 05:09 PM
I agree and it would be cheaper to sign long term. Every time you negotiate a contract with the way salaries are escalating you will end up paying more.
I say give him 80 mil try for 6 years and get Lloyds of London Insurance on his knees.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | May 08, 2008 at 09:11 PM
Caesar,
Expectations are the Bynum will receive a very similar contract to what Dwight Howard got - $75M to $80M over 5 years. He is already a top 3 center and only 20 years old. He is actually a better long term prospect than Howard and will be paid accordingly. JMHO.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 08, 2008 at 05:09 PM
I have to admit I didnt look at the Howard deal, but lets not forget Dwight started EVERY game for 3 STRAIGHT seasons for magic after he came into the league, and was averaging around about 17 and 12 when he got that deal. I dont think Bynum has shown enough durability to get that sort of long term investment.
Posted by: Caesar | May 09, 2008 at 09:08 AM
The Lakers do not play with heart, they are just whatever, and no game, i doubt they can step it up. I am a fan but champions do not lose on OT; All players need to look in the Mirror.
Posted by: Lakers Have No Heart | May 11, 2008 at 05:01 PM