Laker Nation columnist Jason Riley takes a look back on Derek Fisher’s 0.4 second shot to beat the Spurs in the ’04 Playoffs.

Laker Nation columnist Jason Riley examines the current state of the Lakers by taking a look into the past.

The Odom to Dallas deal was just a precursor to a bigger, better trade (I.e. Howard). I mean, it had to be, right? Why else would the Lakers trade one of their glue guys with a bargain contract to a team that swept them out of the playoffs last year? Why else would an $8.9m trade exception (plus a ’12 first rounder) be something worth acquiring at such a steep price? Why else would Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak risk evoking ill-feelings from their superstar, Kobe Bryant?

That was my initial reaction to the news that Commissioner Stern had exercised his power to be as brainless (and irresponsible) as his little Grinch-heart so desired. And while much as this made-for-TV drama has centered around Chris Paul, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol, this really has nothing to do with them, or the three teams directly involved.

LakerNation.com editor-in-chief Jason Riley reviews Jerry West’s upcoming autobiography “West by West: My Charmed and Tormented Life”. In it, he describes a tormented and conflicted man whose many successes were often overshadowed by his own internal demons. Jerry West also shares his thoughts on Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Jerry Buss and others.

The NBA thrives on addicted customers who have integrated basketball into every area of their life (like most of us). If we miss games this season (we will), that will be the NBA sending every one of us to rehab, forcing us to detox from our addiction and face the world without the NBA. How many of us will relapse when if they work out a new CBA in the near future? That remains to be seen, but I can guarantee it won’t be anywhere near the 100% return rate they are counting on.

I know, and I get it…

The LeBron James column writing party (indirectly sponsored by Dan Gilbert) ended 72 hours ago.

Fortunately for me, this is Los Angeles, where 6pm means tomorrow afternoon and I’ll touch base with you next week means I’ll most likely never call you again.

To be honest with you, I never wanted to write this column for two reasons…

Most people wouldn’t define themselves as a person of faith. One of the reasons for that is because faith has always been one of those taboo topics nobody is allowed to talk about. Of course, there are always exceptions. If something terrible has happened in our Country (e.g. 9/11, Katrina), faith is suddenly an acceptable social ritual, and one that perplexingly becomes a general sentiment shared by the majority of Americans. This makes about as much sense as anything Doc Rivers has said this decade.