Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine the Lakers winning the Pacific Division this year. This season looked to be as bleak as the last with Kobe demanding a trade, Kwame Brown and Brian Cook still in the lineup, and Andrew Bynum still filling the roster spot which should have been Jason Kidd’s.

Things have definitely changed over the course of the regular season, and after a few good trades by GM Mitch Kupchak, it looks like the Lakers are legit contenders for the title. Kwame Brown was traded for Pau Gasol, Brian Cook for Trevor Ariza, and Andrew Bynum turned out to be a keeper after all.

With the playoffs just days away, Kobe and the Lakers have hit their full stride with convincing wins over the first seeded New Orleans Hornets and the current NBA Champion’s, the San Antonio Spurs. All thats left to do now? Win the next game against Sacramento to guarantee the Lakers homecourt advantage throughout the Western Conference Playoffs. Thats right! My Lakers are just one win shy from winning what is perhaps the tightest race to playoffs in NBA history. (the warriors look like they will miss the playoffs even at 48-32) Life is so sweet right now for us Laker fans.

Oh Yeah. Kobe for MVP!