He Is Still There

And that is a good thing if you are a Lakers fan.

I must admit, I thought for sure that KB24 would have been traded from the Lakers this NBA season. But, after watching the Lakers move to 19-10, I think Kobe may be thinking of a permanent stay with the purple and gold.



Andrew Bynum has blossomed into the big man that the Lakers brass envisioned and have solid leadership in veteran Derek Fisher. Kareem Abdul Jabbar needs to be considered for coach of the year award, or at least assistant coach of the year based on his work he has done with Bynum.

Like I said before the season started: Bynum for most improved player of the year.

Mitch Kupchak has to be sporting a small smile because he did not trade Bynum, even though Lakers fans were calling for it when word came out that Jason Kidd was available at the cost of the young center.

The Lakers have beaten some of the Western Conference's top teams: San Antonio, Denver (twice), Golden State, and Phoenix (twice).

Lets not get ahead of ourselves though. The Lakers started last season at a 27-13 mark through the first 40 games, before stumbling to a 42-40 record due to injuries/motivation. But this squad will not fall down like last year.

Not with the tough bulldog that is Fisher in the locker room, or with Bynum becoming an elite NBA center.

Ask the Lakers if the regular season victories over the Western Conference elites mean anything, and you will get an answer Belichick-like: "It does not mean anything unless we can do it in the playoffs." Even the opposing coaches that get beat by the Lakers will agree.

But do not be fooled, the mental strength that is being built during the season with their big wins will make this Laker squad dangerous come playoff time. Western Conference champions dangerous.