The Los Angeles Lakers finally have a legitimate team again and the winning mood apparently brings the singers out. Queen has always been a strong influence in my life as well as the lives of many others. They have plenty of top hits and amazing songs that are constantly being played throughout the world. Queen is well known for their song “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Apparently, the “Bohemian” version may not be there only version; maybe not even the best. The best edition of this song could easily be the one about the Los Angeles Lakers. Take a look at this and enjoy the show produced by the Dave Dameshek Show.

Perhaps today is the begining of a new chapter. Although there still hasn’t been an official report of the fact that Pau Gasol may make his Lakers return today against the Washington Wizards, all these losses are beginning to make things quite difficult. The Phoenix Suns have now caught up to the Los Angeles Lakers for first place in the Pacific Division. Thankfully, the Lakers hold possession of the tiebreaker between the two teams in will probably beat out their rivals for the #1 spot.

The Western Conference is tight and the Lakers can really use a full roster to secure their position. At this point, even their playoff hopes aren’t safe considering how strong the other teams are and the lack of injuries in the conference. The Los Angeles Lakers seem to be the only team in the NBA today, besides the Dirk Nowitzki injury to the Dallas Mavericks, that still has a bunch of injuries.

I hoping that today is the big day that Pau Gasol decides to boost the confidence of this team, at least for a few minuted in each quarter, not necessarily as a starter. If Pau can log about 4-5 minutes per quarter and play a total of 15-20 minutes, I will be very happy. Chris Mihm’s body is available to plug the lane if necessary but he isn’t capable of doing a very good job like Pau Gasol would for example.

There is one significant upside to the injuries the Lakers have had. If somehow coach Phil Jackson can manage to make this team bond well enough to become strong within the last five or so games of the regular season, then the Lakers can have a very strong team come playoff time. The only teams that may get a preview of what the Lakers look like with both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum in the lineup are the New Orleans Hornets and the San Antonio Spurs, as they will both face the Los Angeles Lakers right before the regular season comes to a close.

The short break in between the regular season and the start of the playoffs is surely marked on the calendar by the coaching staff as the most important part of this season. It will be a pivotal part of the season as the time comes to really step up the team game and especially the defense. Mini training camp will make this team into a championship contender. Today is the beginning of the end…

The Los Angeles Lakers injuries have been quite extensive this season and have hurt the team’s chances of securing a top seed dramatically. It’s easy to argue that had all these injuries not occurred, the Lakers would be sitting pretty at the top of the Western Conference.

The key injury of the season has been to Andrew Bynum, the strong young center that will hopefully be the future of the franchise. With plenty of hard work and determination, Andrew Bynum is back in the weight room, on the treadmill, and on the court preparing for the playoffs. Bynum has never been known for his hard work or determination but he is clearly out to prove something this year.

After a tremendous start by the 20 year old star center, his future was hit with a big blow to his right knee. In a win over the Memphis Grizzlies back in January, Bynum injured his knee and has been out since. It’s been over 35 games and the best case scenario for his return would allow him to have a few games to catch up during the regular season.

Bynum is continuing his rehab and the Lakers have released a video of his rehab together with a Q&A with team doctor to discuss Bynum’s injury and rehab process.

With about a month and a half gone to the history books since the season changing Pau Gasol trade, the Lakers prepare to face the team that has set them up for a championship run for years to come. Back in February, the Lakers traded Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Marc Gasol, and two first round draft picks for Pau Gasol. The trade was considered lopsided and the team records have proven so as well. The Lakers are competing for the #1 spot in the West, the Grizzlies are competing for the #1 spot on the draft board.

The famous folks at 3 Shades of Blue, who are quite brilliant I might add, have volunteered to answer a few questions for me in regards to the Memphis Grizzlies franchise as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Lakers. Please enjoy and be sure to visit their site for great basketball analysis and commentary.

LA Ball Talk: Pau Gasol was traded for Javaris Crittenton and Kwame Brown, sending shockwaves throughout the league. Kwame hasn’t been playing very much in Memphis, but I’ve noticed that Javaris has logged some good minutes. How has he been looking in a Grizzlies uniform? What kind of potential do you see from him?

3 Shades of Blue: J-Critt has been very hit-or-miss, which is to be expected for any 19-year old rookie, but especially one who switched teams mid-season. I like his athleticism, size and willingness to put his head down and drive to the basket. His shot selection and ballhandling still need plenty of work and he’ll need to work on his defensive fundamentals to earn consistent playing time from Coach Marc Iavaroni. His position in the NBA is most likely at SG, rather than PG as he was projected when drafted. He may be able to develop into a combo guard, but it will require a lot of work on his part, as he has not shown the necessary tools to be a facilitator at the NBA level. I think he can become a solid role player over the next few seasons, but I don’t know that he will ever start for a playoff-level team.

LA Ball Talk: As far as trades go, any word on why Grizzlies management decided to hold on to Mike Miller? He’s a bit older and it seems like his prime is going to pass right as the next generation of players finally find their mojo.

3 Shades of Blue: My sources tell me that the primary reason the front office passed on the myriad of offers they received for the long-haired, long-range bomber is that several season ticket holders flooded them with calls threatening to pass on renewing next season if the Grizzlies traded Miller for pennies on the dollar (i.e. an expiring contract) in the wake of the poorly received Pau Gasol trade. I won’t be surprised to see Miller moved next season or possibly even this off season if the right deal comes along. Mike is too much of a professional to ever demand a trade, but you have to think that for a competitor like him, these past two seasons have been very difficult to deal with.

If they do hang onto him long-term, it will be because they feel they need to retain some veteran leadership on a team that is among the youngest in the league and about to get younger with the addition of at least two rookies in the upcoming offseason.

LA Ball Talk: The Grizzlies visit the Lakers on Friday… will Memphis fans watching the away game be happy to see Pau Gasol or will they shut off the TV because they hold a grudge against him for never taking the Grizzlies as far as the Lakers may go this season?

3 Shades of Blue: Very few Grizzlies’ fans will be happy for Gasol and the success of his new team. First of all, many of them feel betrayed by the fact that Gasol was never able to lead them to postseason success. Secondly, most of those same people feel that Gasol misled them about being a franchise player when he accepted a maximum contract extension. Third, all real Grizzlies’ fans hate the Lakers. Sorry, but that’s just the way it is. Finally, there is the perception that Gasol has played better since the trade than he did prior to being dealt. I haven’t found any actual evidence of this, other than the fact that he smiles a lot more in Los Angeles than he did in Memphis. If smiles = productivity, then I guess those conspiracy theorists have a valid point. Either way, they won’t be turning off the TV because Memphians love to find new ways to make themselves miserable.

LA Ball Talk: How did fans view the job that Jerry West did in Memphis? Did they feel that he came in and accomplished what he was suppose to by turning the team into a playoff team, or are they disappointed that he couldn’t take the team beyond the first round and then called it quits?

3 Shades of Blue: Like most issues in Memphis, the votes are split on this one. Many fans feel that West did a poor job in acquiring talent during his tenure in Memphis and simply rode the players that were here from the previous regime to 3 straight playoff appearances. Others insist that it was the coaching hires that led to the Grizzlies making the postseason, as well as the moves to acquire vital pieces like James Posey, Earl Watson and Bonzi Wells. I suppose that both sides have valid viewpoints, but I still believe that the arrival of Jerry West brought legitimacy to a franchise that had the worst winning percentage in the history of professional sports when he took over. They might have ended the West Era on a down note last season, but don’t forget that the players many are looking to rebuild around now (Rudy Gay, Hakim Warrick, Kyle Lowry, Mike Miller) were acquired by West. So will he get credit for them being on the roster as the naysayers gave to his predecessor? Or are they just looking to disparage him because they think he left the job unfinished…..and believe he’s going to take over the foundering Knicks franchise this offseason? That’s something worth contemplating, in my opinion.

In last nights game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors there was plenty of complaining from both sides. The Warriors stole the first game of the home and home set on Sunday at the Staples Center and the Lakers were prepared to battle in Oakland last night. The Warriors came out strong, again, took an 11 point lead at halftime, and again, managed to blow the lead in the 3rd quarter. Warriors fans have decided that this game was decided by a last second negotiable call by referee Bob Delaney.

For the second night in a row, a great basketball game ended in the most unexpected way. The first game was capped off by Stephen Jackson taking a shot from way beyond the arc and nailing it to secure the victory. This time around, Fisher and Odom took over to bring the Lakers ahead in overtime. Lamar Odom has finally grown into a dominant player in a Lakers jersey. He has finally done a great job to find his role on this team and his recent outbursts of 20+ points and 20+ rebounds has been amazing. Last nights line of 23 points, 21 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 5 assists and 2 steals made some fantasy owners quite happy.

After being subjected to watching the NBA TV broadcast of the game, I became so furious that I couldn’t believe the Lakers had won. I usually only get this mad if they lose…

The game ended on a questionable call against Monta Ellis with 4 seconds remaining in overtime. The Lakers were ahead by 2 in the extra time, after being behind by 11 at halftime, and were playing man to man defense against the Warriors. Baron Davis set a strong pick in which he is clearly holding on to Kobe Bryant so that he can’t go anywhere and essentially setting a screen for the actual clutch shooter of the night, Monta Ellis. Monta was being guarded by Derek Fisher and as Fisher attempted to stay in front of his man while back peddling, Ellis bulldozed him at full speed. Although Fishers hands were wrapped around Ellis, it is clear that he did not pull him down. Perhaps it is time that analysts look at the big picture and not just the portion that is controversial. As the NBA TV commentator said last night, he has never seen a game decided by such a horrible call. Let me just say that man is an idiot.

Derek Fisher was in no position to “pull” Ellis down because that strength comes from your legs, the same legs that were stuck in between Ellis’ legs that caused him to lose his balance with the slight shove from Monta. The game was incredible throughout but I can’t stand to hear people complaining about losing a game due to one call. Even if the inbounds pass had gone through, the Warriors still had to make the shot, and lets assume the person that takes the shot is one of the 5 guys on the floor at the time, well, the Warriors shot a combined 43% from the field last night, so they had about a 40-50% chance of making the shot. Had Monta Ellis been freed up to take the shot, be my guest, he was already 7 for 20 last night, let him blow the game on his own.

CLARIFICATION: I DO NOT SUPPORT THE CALL MADE AT THE END OF THE GAME. I BELIEVE A NO CALL WOULD’VE BEEN BETTER OR A DOUBLE FOUL TO ALLOW PLAY TO RESUME.

Golden State Warrior’s fans are obviously some of the most dedicated fans in the NBA. They are also respectful and deserve lots of credit; at least they didn’t throw a beer on the court and boo Derek Fisher like the Utah Jazz folks did last week. The unfortunate thing is that the Warriors fans have obviously forgotten how many calls they got away with throughout the game prior to the final play. Al Harrington, Stephen Jackson, and Baron Davis are the three guys that tend to get away with a bunch of offensive fouls. I’m wondering if its Don Nelson thats teaching these guys how to get away with calls, but for some reason, these three players continuously use their off hand to push the defender off of them, they take a step back, and end up getting a wide open shots. Trust me, it’s not because these three happen to be the three best players in the NBA at creating an open look, it’s simply because of the off arm that they use every possession.
By the way, I’m not even going to bother mentioning the offensive foul where Baron Davis ran straight through Kobe busting his face open with a cut below his left eye that was bleeding throughout the night. Not only was there not a call against Davis, but the blocking foul went against Kobe… that makes a lot of sense. There you go Warriors fans, there are your 2 points… enjoy your loss either way!

The Lakers are moving on with life and are prepared to battle for the remainder of the season. They are currently sitting atop the Western Conference with a 1/2 game lead over the New Orleans Hornets with what is definitely the easiest remaining schedule in the conference. Hopefully with the return of Pau Gasol this week, and Andrew Bynum in the next few weeks, the Lakers will show how dominant they truly are with a full lineup.