If LeBron James’ future employment options were threatening to take attention away from this season’s Playoffs, then the events of the past 48 hours have closed that book for now. The Phoenix Suns have “taken care of business” at home and now have the chance to steal the lead in that series against the Lakers with a win tomorrow night in Los Angeles. Add to that the Orlando Magic’s comeback bid against the Boston Celtics and you find yourself “smack bang” in the middle of an extremely captivating and exciting time to be an NBA fan!

Firstly, let’s look at the Phoenix vs Los Angeles series.

I want to start by saying that this series will be over in 6 games, I cannot see any reason to believe otherwise. The Suns have been sensational to date but I’ve seen too many Laker teams, and more importantly Phil Jackson teams get 2-0 leads in the past and often finish up 4-2. With the home court advantage, the Lakers will win a home and then win the one game they need in Phoenix. Kobe Bryant has been sensational in this series also. His numbers are sky-rocketing and it almost feels like that “you’re nothing without me” swagger has truly disappeared for good. Player like Shannon Brown, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum are being empowered by their leader to score and Bryant’s assist numbers are reaping the benefits.

The Suns have been great and Amare’ Stoudemire is certainly not doing his free agency value any harm with his play. The Lakers always seem to have trouble guarding quick/smart point guards though, and given the right cards falling on the right night, this may go to Game 7 but honestly I doubt it. Even my boy Channing Frye found a way to break out of his slump. Good to see the Doubting Thomas Award is getting a good run in Phoenix this post season. (Note: Paging Danilo Gallinari and Corey Brewer?)

Now for the East, and all I can say at this point is…

WTF?

Some of Rajon Rondo’s play in Game 3 was arguably some of the best and most entertaining Basketball I’ve seen, ever. The diving on loose balls, the drives, the pull-up jumpers.. Amazing! It turned a blow out into an entertaining game somehow! Sure, the Celtics dropped one in Game 4 but surely they would just steam roll their way over Orlando in Florida? Right?

<insert 2nd WTF>

Orlando win comfortably, Kendrick Perkins gets ejected, picks up his seventh Technical foul and subsequently may have suspended himself for Game 6, Glen Davis gets knocked out by a D12 elbow and Marquis Daniels is concussed! What else???

So for the first time in recent NBA history, we have a team that has been down 0-3 now genuinely holding the advantage in the series if they win on Friday night. Unbelievable.

If I am Doc Rivers, I am very concerned with what’s going on here. Now you know I don’t rate Orlando and probably never will but the Celtics are such a good team that if they are without key players, things don’t turn out so good for them. If they lose Perkins AND Davis for Game 6 I actually think the Magic, and more importantly Dwight Howard will completely overpower them. I believe this game, (if Perkins and Davis are out) will be a career-defining moment for Dwight Howard. If he cannot put his team on his back and lead on this particular stage, then my theories about him (and other Magic players) holds up and Dwight will never lead a team to a Championship. If he steps up now, OWNS Game 6 and then leads in Game 7, I will forever be impressed.

Ladies and Gentlemen, stepping to the stage…

Mr Dwight Howard.

No matter how this thing shakes out, we’re going to imitate history or create it:

Los Angeles vs Boston – The 2008 Remix

Los Angeles vs Orlando – The 2009 Remix

Phoenix vs Boston – The 1976 Remix

Phoenix vs Orlando – The first NBA title for one of these franchises.

Who else is excited?

Results:

Orlando def Atlanta 114 – 71

Los Angeles def Utah 111-103

Whether you follow the Lakers the way I do, you’re a die-hard fan or anything in between, you have to be more than a little concerned with the current Laker funk. I know it’s only two games but this current Laker stew that’s being cooked stinks of failure and complacency. The only player excelling since Gasol’s hamstring injury is Lamar Odom. This is great for Lamar but seemingly horrendous for the Lakers as no one else seems willing to step up from the bench crew.

Jordan Farmar had a nice scoring night against an average Dallas squad but apart from that there’s no spark from the bench at all. Sasha Vujacic, Derek Fisher and Josh Powell are just horrible to watch. (With the exception of Fisher’s defense… I can handle that!)

They make me cringe when they shoot the ball these days and they make it look like they’ve been sitting out of Basketball for a year.

Sasha and Derek putting their heads together is like watching two hippos try to walk a tight rope. It's going to end badly...

There’s no underestimating the value of Pau Gasol in this equation. Now I’m not saying he’s the “hardest” guy in the League but I certainly think the inside-outside game that he is a catalyst of, certainly holds the Lakers in better stead.

As for Kobe, well it’s easy to consider the finger injury, the knee injury, the elbow injury etc. The only trouble is, Kobe still continues to shoot tough fall-away jump shots during the 4th quarter of close games. Surely his brain isn’t injured too?

It’s the Milwaukee Bucks that visit the Lakers tonight in LA and after only emerging victorious by one point in overtime last meeting, the Lakers are vulnerable at best. It kicks off an interesting week for the Lake Show with a visit to San Antonio, Dallas and then back home to attempt to avenge their latest loss to the Clippers.

Milwaukee present a definitive challenge to LA. The Bucks have a good presence inside and the Bogut vs Bynum match-up will be great to watch. I’m most excited to see if Phil will give Shannon Brown significant minutes guarding Brandon  Jennings. I think Brown’s mixture of speed and strength will provide the perfect counter. Either way it will be entertaining! I’m predicting a triple double for Lamar Odom also… I see 14p, 16r and 10a for the lanky number 7.

Jennings could destroy the Lakers... or provide the perfect opportunity for Shannon Brown to arrive.

Buckle up no matter who you are, as when the Lakers experience the Blues, it seems everyone has a lot more to talk about.

Kobe Bryant was very lucky to have that opportunity.

The foul that was called on Andrew Bogut in the late stages was just a horrible decision by the officials. Bogut was completely set in place and outside the restricted area. Not only did Kobe travel on the play, but he also committed a charge. In reality however, it became the three-point play that kept the Lakers in with a chance.

The Bucks to their credit played very hard and got great contributions from Bogut, Ilyasova, Ridnour and a rather fresh looking Michael Redd. In fact Redd put up nearly as many shots (24) as Roko Ukic has all season! (30)

(Can you say “trade bait”?)

What a difference 4 days make...

We see with superstars all the time, and while it’s not right, these calls sometimes don’t go the way they technically should.

Regardless of that one play, Kobe has been simply amazing over the course of the past two games against Milwaukee and Chicago.

I know it’s only two games but Bryant was horrible against the Jazz whilst battling a broken finger and a stomach virus. He’s certainly bounced back with the following averages:

• 40.5 points
• 14-27 shooting @ .518
• 23-27 from the line @ .851
• 4.5 rebounds
• 3.5 assists
• 2 steals
• 7.5 turnovers

I mention the turnovers too because it’s fact and I don’t want to look like a “Mamba” fanboi. But no one can say that Kobe hasn’t made a statement in his last two games.

Needless to say, Courtney Lee will likely feel worse than June ‘09 this Saturday night in East Rutherford.

Some would say the Lakers are running away with the lead but let’s not forget that the Lakers have enjoyed the home court advantage for 17 of their first 22 games. Incredible really when you think about it.

Considering the talented Lakers’ recent years of dominance, isn’t 18-4 exactly where they should be?

The big test comes now as they embark on a 10-game stretch that includes 7 games on the road. They have already failed the first test in Utah with a stomach virused and finger-broken Kobe Bryant trying to shoot his way into good health. You’d think a guy with a stomach virus and broken finger would shoot less?

Not Kobe.

He took 24 shots to get his 16 points, and as disappointing as that is, I would be feeling a little nervous if I’m a Shooting Guard for the Chicago Bulls right now. United Center might be the perfect venue to not only kick-start the Lakers Roadshow but also for Kobe to make a nicer statement.

Kobe may have been down in Utah, but I'd doubt he'll be out in Chicago.

I see the most dangerous games for the Lakers throughout this run to be the matchups in Detroit, Milwaukee and Phoenix. The small guard matchups are what kill the Lakers and these teams not only have good guards, but they’re playing well right now.

If LA can take care of this stretch with solid play from their bench and opportunities to rest their starters for the big games, I think coach Phil Jackson will be satisfied. If the Lakers come out the other side of this stretch with a 25-6 record, that will be a great result.

First move is to fire Kurt Rambis. I’m not saying he’s doing a bad job, it’s just that this plan of mine does not require the services of a filthy LA Laker in any capacity. The next move is quite obviously to promote Bill Laimbeer to Head Coach. This not only fills the Minneapolis air with a stench of brilliant arrogance but also reminds us that anything with Bill Laimbeer in it is better than without.

Next on the list is jersey number changes. Kevin Love will immediately be switched to Laimbeer’s famous #40, Al Jefferson will sport goggles and a switch down to John Salley’s #22 and Jonny Flynn will be bumped up a notch to the famous #11 of Isiah Thomas. (Like Sasha Pavlovic has a leg to stand on!) Finally, as all transitions take time, the Wolves will switch Damien Wilkins from his current #3 to Vinnie Johnson’s number 15. He will only be referred to as the “Human Microwave” from this day forward.

Introducing the "Human Microwave" and the new "Zeke"!

Some other roles will develop as the season progresses of course. There’s room for a stingy defender and tireless scorer to wear Joe Dumars’ #4, a rebounding bruiser to wear James Edwards’ #53 and if the cards fall right for the Wolves they can perhaps acquire a recently re-vitalized Ben Wallace from Detroit to wear Dennis Rodman’s infamous #10. Hell, I’d even give Nathan Jawai the #44 jersey made famous by Rick Mahorn and tell him to just “smash people and rebound”. It’s the least I could do seeing as I just gave the heavy-set Australian’s number away to a guy I’ve nicknamed the “Human Microwave”.

All games will be played in the retro uniforms such as those worn at the Wolves last home game against Utah. Tube socks will be compulsory and shorts will need to be shorter.. not necessarily “80’s short” however. Thanks for the memories Derek Fisher. The most important thing is the physical presence. The Wolves need to beat people up. They need to hurt people. Now before you write hate mail I do not mean in a broken leg or ruptured knee ligament kind of way, but just in that “aches and pains” way where teams will not want to come to Minnesota.

The style will be fresh, different and a pleasure to watch as no one has really adopted this style since the Knicks of the late 90’s. It’s time a team took the hard nosed approach again in this era of re-inventing things and calling them your own.

The time is now Minnesota. You can finally break away from the Minneapolis Laker ties from your past and forge yourself a new future under the guidance of a former Detroit Bad Boy.

Will Trevor Ariza bring a special surprise back to L.A. to trade for his Championship ring?

All of these games are intriguing match-ups and all will provide ample entertainment in Los Angeles and Colorado respectively.

Will Ariza continue to score for the Rockets to a level he never achieved when wearing gold and purple? Will Ron Artest play a team game or try to make todays matchup all about him? Will the Rockets unorthodox lineup (and Aaron Brooks) give the Lakers problems yet again?

Will Ron Artest play nice or go psycho?

The Lakers should win easily, but then they should have won easily in last years playoffs too. I really have no idea what will happen, and that’s why I’ll be watching.

Washington @ Cleveland: There’s a big rivalry between these two teams and this game will be no exception. The Wiz are on their way upwards while the Cavs are finding their feet. Prediction: Cavs by 4. Result: Cavs by 12.

Denver @ Indiana: These two teams played each other in China during the pre-season. I think if Indiana get to within 10 points, they can consider it a win. Prediction: Nuggets by 14. Result: Nuggets by 18.

Boston @ Philadelphia: The Celtics aren’t going to lose this… there is no way. Philly have some nice emerging talent but the Celtics are WAY too deep and will win easily. Prediction: Celtics by 18. (Side bet: Rondo to have a triple double by 3/4 time to celebrate his contract heist!) Result: Celtics by 31.

This is Rajon showing you how many millions he's going to be earning per year from now on. Also, how many points, rebounds and assists he's likely to get tonight.

Orlando @ Detroit: The Pistons have had an indifferent start and the Orlando Magic are trying to look as deep as Boston. They’re not doing a bad job thanks to Ryan Anderson and JJ Redick. I think Ben Gordon will be the only thing that keeps this close for three quarters. Prediction: Orlando by 14. Result: Pistons by 5.

Phoenix @ Miami: A hard one to pick in my opinion. Both teams have a perfect 3-0 record and I really wouldn’t have said either of them would be 4-0 to start the season. One of these teams has to be however and I’ll have to go for the Heat but only because they are at home. Prediction: Miami by 3. Result: Suns by 8.

Milwaukee @ Chicago: United Center. Where Derrick Rose will happen. Prediction: Bulls by 10. Result: Bulls by 2.

The Bulls need a BIG night from Derrick Rose tonight...

LA Lakers @ Oklahoma City: The Thunder do look exciting and there’s a few reasons to predict an OKC victory here but I’m sticking with the Lakers in a close one. Russell Westbrook has the opportunity to score 25 on Fisher and Farmar. I’m most interested to see if Artest guards Durant, and if so… the results. Prediction: Lakers by 8. Result: Lakers by 3.

Utah @ Dallas: I couldn’t care less about this game but in the spirit of equality and objective journalism, I will predict a 15 point win to the Mavericks. Mainly because of Okur’s gimpy foot. Result: Mavericks by 11.

Atlanta @ Portland: In my opinion the most exciting game of the night. I definitely predict a shoot out. If Oden and Aldridge can have a large impact, I see the Blazers doing it fairly comfortably. However, that is not a certainty. This one is ultimately a flip of the coin for me and I think it’ll go overtime. Prediction: Portland by 4 in OT. Result: Atlanta by 6.

Here’s to another entertaining day in the NBA!

Paul Pierce, 3rd quarter killer

The Lakers are also looking strong with Bynum especially active on both ends, which adds significantly to their defensive ability over last year. Orlando too look to have taken a leap with the additions of Brandon Bass, Vince Carter and Jason Williams. Let’s hope Cleveland and San Antonio sort themselves out after their rocky offensive starts to the season so we have some real depth to that upper crust, because at the moment it’s looking thinner than the paper skeleton hanging on my wall.