Alright, the wounds seems to be finally healing. I think I’m ready to write about the Lakers now.

First things first, the Celtics deserved that trophy. I still believe that the Lakers were the better team skills-wise even without Bynum. Only, the Celtics had the biggest heart. If Bynum, Bryant, Odom and Gasol are not injured in next season’s playoffs, the Lakers will be a beast. OK, I’ll even say they will win the championship.

But enough of stupid boasts/predictions. Let’s talk abou the situation at hand. What do the Lakers need to do to win it all? Trade Odom?! Bring back Kwame?! I think we better keep our emotions in check.

It wasn’t only Odom’s fault the Lakers lost. The whole team stunk! We have to exclude Kobe since he was being quintuple-teamed. (Wow, first time I used that term. I had to look it up to be sure I picked the right tuple.) Kobe gave it to Sasha. Clang! To Fish. Clang! To RadMan. Clang!

I can’t blame the Lakers supporting cast. I think they just need to experience defeat in order to start “winning” - this means winning it all, not just win a lot of regular season games.

Odom is still a good player. In fact, he’s a very good third option. Odom is long and agile and doesn’t mind being the third option. Most star players think they are superstars and sometimes clash with the real superstar of the team. Odom fits just right in - he’s the ideal Batgirl to Batman. Just in case you don’t know, Gasol is the Robin. Odom passes well too and is a great fit to the triangle offense. The only knock on Odom is his shooting ability - and he said he’ll work on it in the offseason. I believe him.

Here’s another thing: Odom is in the last year of his contract next season. In other words, it’s contract season - he’s going to want to play good to get a fat contract. Just look at Bynum’s and Vujacic’s performances this season.

I think the Lakers should stay put and let this team grow. They are ripe for a championship next season. Of course, the usual signing of free agents and trade of role players is happening all around. If they can get a solid point guard and a power forward bruiser, it won’t hurt. Fish is getting old and was missing in the recent finals so he might need a veteran backup/alternate. Farmar is getting good but he may still be subject to playoff jitters from time to time. A veteran shooter won’t hurt either - think Posey or Brent Barry (whom they are allegedly pursuing right now).

All of those being said, if the right trade comes along, the Lakers should pull the trigger. For example, Odom for Marion makes sense to the Lakers. Marion is athletic and defensive-minded. He has the better range and is as versatile as Odom. Odom’s advantage is rebounding and Marion’s his range but with Bynum back, rebounds won’t be an issue.  Marion is an outstanding rebounder for his position too, I almost forgot. I will have second thoughts on Artest however. He’s great on defense and good on offense but he’s just too unpredictable off the court and in the locker room.

Also, if the right trade for Radmanovic comes along, the Lakers should go for it. The only positive that Radman gives the Lakers is shooting, and surprisingly he’s not that consistent. I remember dreading him when he played in Seattle.  I’d rather put Sasha in because of his peskiness. If the Lakers can get a Posey or a Barry, they are in a position to get a bruiser and a solid point guard for Radmanovic.

And Ronnie Turiaf? He’s an energy guy so re-sign him and make him work his midrange jumpers. He must emulate Horace Grant who had a solid midrange jumper in his prime.

And what’s this Kwame being waived by Memphis? If Kwame will sign for the MLE, he would be great in the Lakers rotation.  He is the kind of bruiser that Los Angeles needs. Suddenly, I miss him - he would’ve pushed Garnett around. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t give back Gasol either but imagine if Kwame backed up Odom. (Am I totally nuts? I’m missing Kwame!)

Lastly, they need to keep themselves healthy in order to romp through the finals. Phil Jackson has to limit the minutes of his starters in the regular season and yet claim the overall homecourt advantage. I know it’s tough but they have the best team in the league so far (this coming season) so they have the tools to do it.

You don’t have to believe me. I guess I just have the hangover of getting wounded from finals defeat.

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