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The Future is Now for LA

The Los Angeles Lakers are one impact player away from claiming their spot along with the other upper echelon teams of the league. It?s clear that Kobe can?t do it everything on his own and that he is in dire need of some help. The month of December gave a glimpse of this team`s potential, but it was primarily Phil Jackson smoke and mirrors. Imagine what he could do with some actual talent?

This team is an impact player away from the elite of the league and you want to wait until 2007? Already gone are Amare Stoudemire and Yao Ming. LeBron James is telling the media he looks forward to extending in Cleveland. Is a chance at Chris Bosh worth all that time? If the Toronto Raptors threaten to match a Laker offer, does the 2007 plan become the 2008 plan?

Ron Artest is certainly a wildcard, but that`s why you have Phil Jackson at the helm. His market value is nowhere near what it should be. The Clippers won`t send Corey Maggette for him. The Mavericks vow they`re not in the chase. Phil Jackson will harness that passion in Artest, as he did Dennis Rodman. On the floor he`s more a Scottie Pippen for Bryant than Lamar Odom will ever be.