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First, I owe an apology to all the good readers (and Heat fans) for not getting a report on Match 4 posted – I slept through most of the game. So it tips off at noon in New Zealand. What of it?
However, no such mistake was made this time, and today I was at my local sports bar with no intention of missing the festivities.

The first surprise was JJ Barea starting for Dallas in place of DeShawn Stevenson, shifting Jason Terry to Shooting Guard. An interesting move for sure, but one that didn't hurt their ball movement.

What I noticed about Game Four was how formulaic the series was becoming:
Phase 1: Opening. For the first half of the game, both sides played very evenly, with any leads that emerged quickly getting shut down. Dallas had veered slightly from what worked in Game Two, pushing the perimeter a bit harder, and that came at the expense of Miami looking better on the
boards.

Phase 2: Breakaway. Come the mid-late third quarter, the Miami Heat intensified their man-on defence, and started to take advantage of Dallas slowing down, resting players etc. Their transition play here was generally very good, and that helped them on a 13-0 run until early in the fourth.

Phase 3: Completion. To end the game, Dallas began rallying. Tyson Chandler stepped up his rebounding game, Jason Terry began to exert himself a bit more, and Dirk Nowitzki became "Mr Clutch" again.



What's defined every individual game in the series is how phases two and three went. Today during phase two, Dallas kept the game very tight, only trailing by four into the fourth. Meanwhile, phase three is all about how strongly they can claw back Miami's lead, or how well Miami can hold it.

During the fourth quarter, the Mavericks made some excellent stops to reclaim the lead, and really should have pulled away but found themselves unable to find that game-sealing basket. However, with about a minute left, Nowitzki brought the game to 84-81 with a clinical layup.

The Heat then surprised everyone by making it 84-83 off a Dwyane Wade drive to the hoop, before Jason Terry made two clutch free throws to stretch the lead back to three. This was actually a clever play, as it gave Miami the chance to pull a stop and take the lead off a second basket, instead of going for the make-or-break three-point shot.

But in the final play, Wade recovered a fumbled inbound pass only for Reggie Miller to miss the buzzer-beating equaliser.

With the series tied at 2-2, Game Five almost becomes the decider. If Dallas win, you'd think they can snatch a win in Miami, but if the Heat win, that places Dallas in all sorts of trouble having to win two very tough games on the road.

Looking ahead:

• LeBron James was really average tonight, even by standards of his "provider"or "defender" role. He only hit 8 points, complemented by 9 rebounds, 7 assists and turning the ball over 4 times.  Watch for him to step up in a big way in Game Five.
• As I said after the first game, the form of Tyson Chandler and Jason Terry is critical. If they're quiet or get into foul trouble, then Nowitzki and Kidd won't be able to carry the team.
• Dirk Nowitzki's been really unlucky these finals. As well as the ligament in his left middle finger, which still looks torn, he had an epic fever today and looked a bit off. Can he fully recover in time... or will something else befall him too?
• The most important part of the game, for me, will be during the Breakaway Phase. Dallas will need to keep the game as close as they can going into the final 10 minutes. Meanwhile, Miami will be wanting to pull as far ahead as they can during then. That could make or break the series.
• I think the Mavs will need to play more like they did during Game Two, focussing more on rebounding. The Heat aren't a stunning shooting side (good, but not Pete Maravich good) so they can afford to concede a few extra buckets from range as long as they work on dominating the boards.
• Speaking of dominating the boards, LeBron needs to start making a few more plays himself. With Wade, Chris Bosh and Joel Anthony already looking good when posting up, a fourth driving option should work wonders.

Bold Prediction:
LeBron James will step up with a triple-double, but a Nowitzki clutch shot will be the difference as the Mavs head back to South Beach with a 3-2 series lead.

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Word is that Ettore Messina has agreed to join the Lakers as an assistant coach.  Silver Screen and Roll's Ben R discusses it in depth, but in short it's a signing that addresses the shortcomings new LA head coach Mike Brown has on the offensive side of the game.  And then some. 
Whilst I was anything but a fan of LA taking Mike Brown as a head coach, I'm slowly coming around.  The possibility of Ettore Messina joining the Lakers coaching staff makes huge steps in this direction.

LA's not finished tho' - word is that possibly Mavericks Tim Grgurich, ex-Piston HC John Kuester, LA's own Chuck Persons are all possibilities of filling out the seats on LA's bench.  Will keep you posted...

Game Two of the Mavericks-Heat series will be marked as one of the games of the season after Dallas overcame a 13-point deficit in around six minutes to steal the game 95-93.

For much of the game there were signs that this would become the more attack-oriented cousin of the first. The Mavericks defended the key a lot tighter this time around, which led to more open looks for Miami from outside the arc (ie, attempting 30 shots) as the expense of an improved rebound game.

But from the second quarter it was the Heat who looked like they were about to run away with it, holding onto a double-digit lead after exploding with a run of 15-1. However, the Mavericks finally started making some stops and brought the game level again with about a minute to go.



It was the class of Dirk Nowitzki hitting a clutch three-pointer with about 47 seconds left that looked to have had the game sealed at 93-90. But off Jason Terry's poor perimeter defence that let Mario Chalmers coolly equalise 16 seconds out. To end the game, however, it was Nowitzki that stepped up, breezing past Chris Bosh to sink the final layup with his injured hand.

For around half of the game, the Miami Heat looked like the better team, employing a very high-pressure man-on defence that hustled well and forced the Dallas guards into some costly turnovers.
Dwyane Wade was the chief weapon of mass destruction, sinking 36 points with LeBron looking quieter on 20.

I was right about Kidd: Dallas started using him more when it counted. Meanwhile, he totalled six points, eight rebounds, and five assists, not quite the triple-double I had him in for. Jason Terry was rubbish until he needed to step up, picking up eight points in the fourth quarter (for a total of 16, so my Bold Prediction wasn't quite right). Between them they gave away seven turnovers, something that should really be rectified come Game Three.

What I want to talk about for now is Tyson Chandler. This time he picked up seven rebounds and 13 points on his way to looking much more dominant this time around. The other thing of note was the powerful screen he gave Nowitzki when he shot from the arc to take the lead. Meanwhile, Dallas had 11 offensive rebounds to six this time.

Looking ahead

• Personally, I think that Dallas will win the Texas series 2-1. I wouldn't be too surprised by a Game Seven. But I think that Dallas will now go on to win the series because of this comeback. They now have a psychological edge as well as the advantage of having stolen a game.
• Dallas REALLY needs to find a way to limit Wade's impact. They seriously struggled to contain him for pretty much the entire match. If they can do that without Shawn Marion, they could well go on a three-game winning streak. 
• Miami's athleticism really began to shine through. Their tight defence led to some easy transitionpoints (honestly, I think that even I could dunk on JJ Barea). Watch for more of the same.
• It's also worth noting that Miami were dismal from the charity stripe. They'll come back with marked improvement for the rest of the series.
• I'm sticking by my claim that no side will win a game by more than 15 points.

Game Three Bold Prediction
I'm sticking with the Jason Terry comeback for 20+ points.

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Yesterday we began to reach the pinnacle of the saga that has been unfolding since the waste of perfectly good air time that was 'The Decision'. In Miami's way were the Dallas Mavericks, eager to finally pick up that elusive Championship ring.

Essentially it was the first leg in the battle between LeBron James' "team-building techniques" and Dirk Nowitzki's lamented years of falling short.

Both sides started the game cautiously, playing some very strong man-on defence. It was the Mavericks who looked like they might edge the game, holding onto a 44-43 lead at the half. But come the third, it was the Miami bench that surprised commentators sparking a late 17-9 run –
the same bench that, on paper, would be absolutely torched by the superior depth afforded by not loading the squad up on three star players.

After Miami's bench did the dirty work, Dwayne Wade stepped up to finish the job. A block and five quick points ensured that even Dallas wouldn't stage one of their legendary comebacks, sealing the game 92–84.

Shawn Marion didn't do too badly at slowing LBJ down, limiting him to just 24 points, five of which coming when the game was effectively finished. But the main disappoments of the night for me were Jason Terry, who missed far too many clear three-pointers for this stage of the season;
and Tyson Chandler who seemed keen to limit his own impact by trying to foul out (9 points, 4 rebounds). Another key statistic was Miami's 16 offensive rebounds to six.

Personally, I thought there were some other interesting points to be taken out of the game that may give us an idea of where the rest of the series is headed:

• Jason Kidd is going to become a clutch option. His decision-making was good, and he was clinical when he had the ball. It's just a shame that he wasn't more of an option.
• LeBron James could easily have fouled out during that game. I suspect that there's going to be a bit of "star treatment" throughout the series. That said, Nowitzki should be benefiting from it too.
• On paper, the Dallas bench should have destroyed Miami's. Just like Kevin Durant after his poor showing in Game Six against the Grizzlies, they should come back strongly. Ultimately, I think that the winner will be decided by bench power.
• No game is going to be won by 15 or more points. This match was kept very tight for most of the way through, but it was missed opportunities that held Dallas back.
• Tyson Chandler needs to be kept in cotton wool or have an electric collar placed on him until the end of the game. Brandon Heywood is one of the last people Dallas fans/Miami haters will want to see on the court in the dying minutes. I can't say for sure if it's just a curse of those who's name fits nicely with "Hack-a-[Insert Name]." Case in point: We have Hack-a-Shaq, Hack-a-Howard, and for now, Hack-a-Heywood.
• Nothing can be taken for granted. If Jason Terry was on form, the Mavericks could have added another pelt to their collection of comeback victories. Likewise, the Heat will be extremely difficult to suppress.

Bold Prediction for Game Two
Game Two is almost a "must-win" for Dallas, as I can't see them wining all three games in Texas. In saying that, I do think they'll step up for it. They'll sort out their rebounding and the bench will take some more responsibility.
- Jason Kidd will pick up a triple-double, while Jason Terry will score at least 25 points off the bench.

That's my crazy call. You heard it here first.

First, allow me to start by admitting that right now, this is my actual photo:
Now we have that confession out of the way, here's why I think it might be an interesting possibility.

1) We already have this Big 3 story going on, and let's be honest, it's great for the NBA. They finally have a villain story and a powerful bandwagon tool. The amount of Heat apparel I've seen this season is outright nauseating. Meanwhile, as some newly-minted-yet-rabid Heat fans are pointing out, new records are being broken for the NBA's viewership.

2) It's been alleged that Michael Jordan's first retirement was forced by some NBA bigwig because of his gambling problems and the image of the NBA. Not directly relevant to my crackpot theory, but I'll get to this soon.

3) Some astute watchers have pointed out that the Drafts Lottery is probably fixed. And, in fairness, it was an inspirational coincidence that poor old shafted Cleveland got (arguably) the best result. Come the offseason, Cleveland get to pick up a couple of talented youngsters and develop them over time, whilst still being the pretty average object of pity among NBA viewers.

4) LeBron will eventually win a ring with Miami. I hate to say it, but it seems inevitable. He gets his sought-after prize, the NBA gets their story of the talented hard worker who finally got what was coming.

5) Come five years, LeBron will be getting older, probably no longer the best. It would be interesting if he "got nostalgic" and decided to head back to the team he rose to prominence with. He has his excuse to play for a reduced price, and all of a sudden Cleveland's younger starlets have begun to improve significantly.

6) The Cleveland Cavaliers are now the story of that poor whipping boy of a team who have finally had something go right again, after being shafted all those years ago by The Lyin' King. They are the NBA's darling story who would ideally steal the hearts of a nation.

7) Now, what if the NBA had facilitated all this to happen? Similarly to the Jordan conspiracy? It would make sense for them to do it, as in screwing Cleveland up at Miami's expense they have some quick flash-in-the-pan revenue. But come LBJ's glorious return home, they have another big story for raking in the wads of cash.

Like I said at the start, this is definitely in the realms of the crazy conspiracy theorist, but would we all really be that surprised if it did happen? All I can say is to keep the link for this piece in a safe place so I can say I told you so.
And I will.  Right after I deal with those damn Martians...

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Scottie Pippen renewed a debate that must have LeBron James fans absolutely giddy. 

     "...LeBron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game..."

Whoa there.
One'd think that this'd be sacrosanct territory, especially given that it's a former Bull making the statement, and one who is considered to have played Robin to Michael Jordan's Batman.  I guess Pippen has his own reasons for saying this - whether he believes it or not.

But basketball purists, never fear.  No-one will ever come close to touching MJ's legacy... regardless of actual on court talent.  For what it's worth, I think Jordan to be far superior to LeBron.  I think that the biggest difference is simply their passion, their hunger.  But these discussions, they all amount to opinion.  Kobe Bryant's much closer on that, but LeBron has the better all round game.

However, some things aren't opinion, and are facts that pretty much mean that Jordan will never NOT be GOAT because of the following...

• People tend to get nostalgic over the past. Our generation grew up with Jordan, and his dominance occurred at a perfect point in time. Bird/Magic had just made the NBA hugely popular, and Jordan took the torch from them, and it burned even brighter.
• Our access to athletes these days is far, far more comprehensive. The microscope's on players with far greater intensity these days than it was in Jordan's time: their flaws, their mishaps are on display, on a pedestal with a full array of spotlights on them - something Jordan didn't have to deal with to the same extent. The guy was a complete ass, and I doubt we'd hold him in the same regard if we knew as much about him as we do LBJ/Kobe (for example). Nowadays, I hear quite a few anecdotes of his own team mates wanting to beat the crap outta him after practice (most recently, Will Perdue saying so on ESPN's NBA TODAY).  With this in mind, any player reaching high enough on the lofty summits will never be deified the same way Jordan was.  No-one experienced this more than Kobe Bryant in his halcyon years.
  
• It's in the NBA's best interest, and marketing machines (such as Nike) to have Jordan approach more a godhead status, and sustain it over everything else. His mythology still fuels the game to an extent that I don't think we'll ever see again.

And I don't see LeBron ever reaching the popularity that Jordan had, thus whether we believe the legendary status of Michael Jordan's ability is reality or myth: it's completely irrelevant.

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I can't believe that, after going to the Eastern/Western Conference finals in their 3rd/4th seasons, that Rose's Bulls and Durant's Thunder need "re-building".
A plethora of blogs and worse yet, articles by the sports media are already hitting the "e-stands" claiming that overhauls are needed, players are not ready, and that "key free-agent signings" are required. Pure 'n' simple: it's complete and utter BS.

Jordan took 5 years to reach conference Finals, as he and his team grew up constantly disappointing set expectations. Robinson needed Tim Duncan to fall into his lap before he could master a ring.
Gary Payton needed to be semi-retired before heading to South Beach and getting a ring "ab-initio".
The long and the short of it is that young superstars seldom win championships straight away, especially without veteran superstar help.

So why are suggestions of Russell Westbrook being traded and the necessity of the Bulls "re-building" (which they did last off-season if I'm not mistaken...) now being throw around after they made it to the last 4 teams for the season?
It doesn't make sense to me, especially given that these teams are nowhere near their ceilings ala the Bulls of the late 80's and the Spurs of the late 90's.

Here are some home truths - the difference between the Thunder that took the Lakers to 6 last season and the Thunder that lost to Dallas in 5 in the Finals this season is Kendrick Perkins and Jeff Green.
That's it.

Sure players have improved (Ibaka, Harden etc.) but that's what players are supposed to do. 
If expectations were that the Thunder would shift to Championship calibre with a less-than-100% Kendrick Perkins on the roster we were kidding ourselves. The fact they almost forced their way into that conversation is a huge win - one that I'm sure has Scott Brooks smiling about as he heads off on vacation.
Same for Chicago - some of their young stars like Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson tripped along the way, whilst still showing flashes of brilliance.
But to suggest that Carlos Boozer was now a bad move and the Bulls now need to go and get Jason Richardson (I cannot believe this suggestion unless he accepts a vet minimum because he is frankly overrated) is plain silly.
You have a coach of the year, an MVP who is only going to get better, a PF who is decent, a backup who is constantly improving (Gibson), Two C's that are developing (Noah and Omer Asik) and Luol Deng who has had an awesome season.
What's not to be happy about?
Next year's lookin' good - if I'm not mistaken.

And let's get some perspective - the Bulls did not do a San Antonio (peak when it didn't count), nor are they in a situation mired with team politics ala the Hawks.

No... Chicago are growing, and if grown properly they will be a force to be reckoned with in coming years.

Want proof?
Ask LeBron James who had to go through his own "growth" and waiting... but now looks set to take the next step. And Durant, of all people, should be looking at LeBron and going "I have 4 years to get to that point".
And would anyone say Durant can't get there?  Heck Kevin Durant doesn't even have a post game yet, nor has he stopped growing - his ceiling is somewhere in the realm of cloning LeBron's athleticism with Dirk Nowitzki's shooting/height.
Now that's a scary proposition.

Same for Westbrook - if he bothers to learn how to shoot and works on his passing he'll be unguardable.
And Rose - well when he gets his own Steve Kerr/John Paxson/Horace Grant/Dennis Rodman, he'll either raise the level of his teammates to new places, or be the hardest iso-player to guard in the league bar none.

Until then I think patience and perspective are in order - with that in place, these two teams have long happy days of playoff runs ahead and hopefully, in the not too distant future... the odd Larry O'Brien for the trophy case as well.

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Let's get it out there right away: this draft is shocking...
If I were the teams with high picks I'd be doing a David Kahn and offering up straight away. And FYI - I totally agree with the draft being rigged. The narratives border on stupid and lets face it - the NBA have done similar things to create dynasties before. Anyways here is what I think will happen in the first 10:

1. Kyrie Irving - no brainer
2. Derrick Williams - traded somewhere (names jumping into my head are Ellis, Duncan, OJ Mayo...)
3. Enes Kanter - he's white....

So there is a massive drop from here on in and this is where, honestly, I don't think ANYONE can make a reasonable assessment of what's going to happen. I think there will be two major forces at work though - teams wanting to slash payroll will be trading for picks, and teams wanting experience will be trading their picks.

4. Brandon Knight - traded somewhere. This IS NOT Minnesota so it's conceivable that the Cavs won't be silly enough to pick two point guards. The Europeans are intriguing but honestly, you could get more assured value by trading down for a sleeper and getting a role model (i.e. getting a Morris twin plus an experienced role player). Knight has value which is why I think they'll pick him.
5. Vasulianis/Vesley - it's Colangelo and these guys are the best Euro's in the draft. They both have concerns though outside their contract buyouts --> Vesley is afraid of the key (reminds you of Bargnani...) and Vasulianis has no vertical leap (yes I've seen the videos - consider the opposition. Serge Ibaka would eat him.). I think they have more of a need at the C so Vasculianis could get the nod but Vesley is easily the most athletic and promising.
6. TRADED - Wizards are n a bind here because they were hoping to land a Derrick Williams type to grow alongside Wall. That said, they could always trade up by throwing in a player or two to Minnesota. Otherwise I honestly think that there are two choices - take a punt on Marcus Morris or Kawhi Leonard; or go get a second year type to come in. Jeff Green from Boston?
7. NOT Kemba Walker - I don't get the current narrative that "Evans isn't a point guard". I think everyone knew that he was a POINT FORWARD and bringing in a true point guard in Kemba Walker (pass first) is just illogical. Personally I think that Sacramento have done a nice job in getting Marcus Thornton to run alongside Evans and/or Udrih so for now their backcourt is relatively set with this draft offering little to assist.
My question then moves to the front line.
Sacramento are another team that could easily offer some pieces plus this pick to move up to Williams, or send this pick to a team like San Antonio or Utah that are in dire need of some young legs. Once again - I think this pick may get traded though I will put a disclaimer out pending workouts - if Kawhi Leonard does indeed show G-Force signs of play or Bismack Biyombo proves more than a one time phenom, then they are real possibilities here. The Kings need D.
8. Bismack Biyombo - great alongside the pleasantly surprising Greg Monroe. Given that this team need to be blown up this will be another nice piece to keep when the dust settles. Though a team like, once again, the Timberwolves may be interested in a Ben Gordon/Rip Hamilton so Derrick Williams may end up a Piston yet.
9. Marcus Morris/Jan Vesley - this will depend on workouts but the Cats need a SF and both these boys are ballers at their position. This pick will be held onto. Probably a good thing Jordan doesn't get to bits on Biyombo....
10. Marcus Morris/Jan Vesley - the consensus here is Alecs Burks. I am not sold (wait for workouts). There are 2 main reasons for this - the Bucks have a backlog of players at this position, and Burks is a liability on D something that Skiles doesn't like. This is why I think Morris, if still available (or his brother for that matter...) with his massive IQ for the game will be taken here in a heartbeat. If not Vesley will be a good payoff for 4 years whilst the Bucks try and move some bad contracts.

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Enough time's passed for the humiliation pain of the demolition... crushing... hammering... ummm... 'loss' to subside... at least, some what.
Time to look towards the future.  And the first thing I'm going to do is express surprise.
Surprise that the number of Lakerfans who are ready to throw Andrew Bynum under the bus.

That's not to downplay what he did, the hit he put on JJ Barea was pretty damning, especially when seen through the lens of him having committed similar fouls on Gerald Wallace and Michael Beasley.  But if were to define who 23 year olds are based on the worst they do, then pretty much every 23 year old would get our condemnation. 
And aggression... I like that Bynum's aggressive.  I don't like the way that aggression sometimes manifests itself.

Due to that unfettered aggression on display in game 4 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals, there's a very large element within Lakerland calling for the trade of the Lakers young center - both regular fans and legends alike.  Most notably, Magic Johnson called for a blow-up of the roster.

"He's probably going to have to blow this team up after the season if the Lakers lose this series because you have to come back with some fresh faces. You have to pick between the two big men with which one you keep and then you trade the other one."

I definitely do not agree with this.  Unless LA can somehow amazingly land Dwight Howard, there's no way on earth LA should entertain moving Bynum, or Pau Gasol.
Even looking at potential Howard deals is an exercise fraught with futility.  No way on earth Orlando make any moves until the dust settles on a new CBA, and even then: the Magic will be looking to move some pretty awful contracts alongside any outward movement of Dwight's papers. 

Even just looking at the personnel the Lakers have, making any headline deals is going to be tough - especially going into a off-season with uncertainty as to what the landscape even is.  No-one knows what the parameters of the off-season game are even going to look like.  Making blanket statements as to "blowing up a roster" is a bit foolhardy... respect for Magic not withstanding.
I'm not even sure the roster requires any major changes at all.  They've won the past two titles, competing for the last three.  Admittedly, the team didn't perform to expectations, but the sting of the way they exited this season should provide some ample fuel for the competitive fires.  LA could definitely look at working something around the point (not necessarily an elite point per se), but nothing should involve trading any of the key guys any time soon.
Certainly not Andrew Bynum.

Mitch Kupchak and Jim/Jerry Buss have proven themselves - over the years - to be pretty astute operators.  I cannot see them biting on any of the inevitable queries as to Bynum's availability. 
Why should they?  Bynum was considered one helluva commodity over the past few off-seasons.  This off-season (albeit, occurring earlier than the past 3 years), he comes into the summer having had the best playoffs of his young career, and is completely healthy - for the first time since becoming a regular starter. 
And he's hungry. 
His comments in regards to getting more of the ball were a good sign that a young guy wants to get better... and whilst Kobe Bryant's response was as expected,
"Ultimately, he'll have to fall in line. Because I'm gonna shoot the ball. We all know that. Pau is going to get his touches. He's No. 2. And then Andrew will have to fall in line."
Bryant & Gasol will have to step it up a bit - because what I saw post the All Star break and for the duration of the playoffs would be indicative of Bynum deserving a larger slice of that particular pie.

At any stage of the game (as in the off-season trade game), it's wrong to deal a player on a knee-jerk reaction.
This isn't the first time Andrew Bynum has been at the center of a controversy with the fanbase (and a certain superstar) wishing he was traded - not that long ago there was the Jason Kidd deal from the New Jersey Nets that fell through because of LA's reluctance to include Bynum in the deal.
If the LA front office wouldn't trade him then, why the hell would they do so now when he's so close to looking like the player we all hoped he'd be?
Thankfully, Kupchak & co. don't have the trigger-fingers some others do.

LA's loss, scratch that... LA's deconstruction at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks has left us all at bit of a loss.  It was the 2nd round match-up that the Lakers had chased after.  The one that we as fans quietly applauded the adroitness with which LA had avoided the old foe: San Antonio (who ended up with their own problems), and OKC - a team that had given the Lakers so many headaches both this season, and the last time the purple and gold had met them in a playoff series.

Yes: Dallas.
Boy... did we get that wrong.
Not even a week later, the Lakers of Los Angeles are reeling in a way that I haven't seen even after seasons where the Lakers didn't make the playoffs.
It wasn't so much the opponent, as the fact that LA were swept.
Not so much the sweep, as the way LA lost.
Not so much the way LA lost, as the images we're left with.

Like the after-taste of a bad curry, seeing JJ Barea prone on the floor, with a bare-chested Andrew Bynum storming off the Texas court... these are what we're to take away from the final game of the Laker-season.
Woooooh boy.
This is uncharted waters for a Lakerfan... at least those who's fandom of the LA Lakers is measured in post-Kermit Washington terms.

So, where to from here?
Well... the important thing for LA fans to realize is that perhaps no other franchise has the ability to rebuild like the Lakers.  And whilst a complete overhaul isn't necessary, there are some improvements to be made should LA wish to remain on the top of the pile.

Now... personnel - ignoring that no team is going to make a trade at all until the CBA issues are resolved - making trades is going to be impossible without knowing the parameters of contracts/caps, and whether there's litigation involved - let's forge ahead.

Of course, there's the coaching situation.  Phil Jackson as coach gave LA something that's going to be hard to replace.  No, impossible.  The Zen Master could do things many other coaches simply aren't going to be able to do, given his stature within the NBA. 
Who then, fills Phil's very large shoes?
That, will be interesting. 

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Keep the triangle, or dump it?  If it's to stay: then the list of coaches becomes very, very short.  One name in fact.  Brian Shaw.
However, Jerry Buss for a long time has favoured a return to a faster brand of basketball, to a return of the glitz of "Showtime"... but with the prior successes of Phil Jackson and the triangle - why fix something that simply isn't broken? 
But the departure of Coach Jackson, and the way this team ended it's season: now might be just the time to do it.
If LA looks towards a different offensive system, then it will be interesting what names start to crop up.

However, a different offensive system, a move away from the half-court?  It's doubtful as to whether the roster as currently configured would be able to do that.
So looking in that direction, it's important to note that regardless of how the season finished, this is still a very good roster.

But there are three things that need to be considered...

First of all: Dwight Howard.  Has to be covered, as that's where all eyes are.  And post "Debacle-Does-Dallas", there's a possibility that Mitch Kupchak's already been on the phone to Otis Smith, kicking the tires on that wagon. 

However, I'm not at all sure that needs to happen.  This might be an unpopular stance given the past few days, but unless a deal for Howard is extremely attractive, I hope that the Lakers stay with Andrew Bynum.  (more on Bynum in the next few days, but) He's big, athletic, one helluva player, and only 23.
Keep him around - unless Howard can be gotten without having to take on too much of the Orlando flotsam.  LA have enough of their own millstone contracts.

The next most talked about 'piece-to-get' is Chris Paul, but I really doubt as to LA would be able to fulfil any needs that New Orleans have.  As lovely as it would be to have Chris Paul help issue in a new era of a glorious showtime, it's simply not realistic.  Barring any amazing situations like the one that brought Pau Gasol to LA, I cannot see Chris Paul in purple and gold, as attractive as that would be.

Still, that's where LA must press.  Not with Chris Paul per se, but at the point.  Derek Fisher's been great, but support from both Chris Paul and Ron Artest not withstanding - and regardless of what he thinks, I think it's time for LA to move on from Fish starting at the point.  Far, far too often the Lakers are burnt at the one-slot by quick points.  This is not to say that the Lakers need a truly elite guard, but they have to step up and finish with the band-aid solutions that have been applied to that gash... a gash that's quickly becoming a gaping wound. 
Won't be easy, but if LA want to remain relevant - this is the most pressing issue.