Los Angeles Lakers: Before and After

"I really expected to be here, even with all of the questions at the beginning of the season." Derek Fisher, May 29th, after the Lakers beat the Spurs to go to the Finals.

"We were surprised we were here." Phil Jackson, June 17th, after losing in the Finals.

"Dr. Buss is an idiot." Kobe Bryant, in parking lot video, May, 2007.

"I have to tip my hat off to Buss and Mitch for going for it........We have a great bench. We have a lot of length, a lot of versatility. Now it's time to walk the walk." Kobe Bryant, February, 2008, after the Pau Gasol trade is announced.

"Andrew Bynum? What the (expletive)? Are you kidding me? Andrew Bynum? (Expletive) ship his (expletive) out. We're talking Jason Kidd here. They didn't want to do that. That's why we're in this (expletive) situation." Kobe Bryant, May, 2007, (Kobevideoguys.com) on his frustration with not getting Jason Kidd in a trade.

"Rebounding and a shot-blocker in the middle. He (Bynum) solves a couple of those." Kobe Bryant, June 17th, 2008, on how Bynum's return can help this team's problem's.

And finally, after the 2008 Finals ended......

"We have to get some players- if we're going to come and repeat- to have that kind of aggressiveness." Phil Jackson, June 17th, 2008, after losing to the Celtics in the Finals.

Is anyone paying attention to the Lakers Cybil-esque mood swings? Coach Phil Jackson excuses his Lakers from the Finals by saying, "We were surprised we were here."

If that isn't an insult to every Lakers fan, I don't know what is. Especially when other players have gone on record to say they did expect to be there. Especially after breezing through the "tough West."

The Lakers, like their fans, are in denial. They can point fingers and start whispering trades, but the bottom line is this: the Lakers have one great player, and that's it.

The offensive juggernaut was a myth. The assault was b**** slapped. Jackson's Zen was overshadowed by Ubuntu. Kobe can be stopped. The Truth hurts.

Kobe, for the record, can't win a ring without Shaq. Somewhere in Florida, a very large sheriff is laughing.

The offseason decisions made by management could stop the laughing. But what should they do?

Luke Walton? Trade him. He's just taking up space on the floor. If his last name was Brown, he would have been gone a long time ago.

Vlad Rad? Trade him. Except for his occasional 3-pointer streaks on offense, he's worthless on D.

Turiaf? Are you kidding me? He makes Rick Fox look good.

Fish? He is one of the most consistent players on the team, and should be more active directing the offense.

Sasha? Yeah, the chicks dig him and he plays tenacious D on the perimeter, but he folds like a lawn chair defending the paint. Either teach him better defensive skills, or trade him.

Farmar and Ariza? Keep mentoring them. They are your future.

Gasol? Teach him to finish a shot consistently strong and start plugging the middle. He's not a natural center, but at seven feet, should be a more effective shot-blocker. While he might go back to his natural position when Bynum takes over as center, didn't the Lakers' fans complain about Bynum a year ago?

Lamar? It's hard to get down on him when he has suffered so much tragedy in his family. Give him another year to play next to Bynum.

Kobe? Kobe looks like he wants to be traded. Again.

The fans? Time to take off the purple-hued glasses, and take a deep look at the state of Laker Nation. It's good to be behind your team. It's also good to recognize its limitations.

While you gotta love the passion of the Lakers fans, you can't help but notice one thing—they consistently were in denial about their team's defense, conference strength, and bench mob while disrespecting their opponent.

Newsflash—unless the Lakers learn better D and become more aggressive, they will be the same as this year's team.

In the Finals, but unable to beat a tougher foe from the East. Whoever that may be in 2009.

And unfortunately, the results will be the same. With or without Kobe.

Sometimes, it's better living in the past. The "before" was more fun than the "after."

The question is, should Kobe demand a trade? Should the Lakers trade him no matter what? Or, should everything just remain status quo until Bynum gets healthy?