Scene is Different for Lakers-Celtics Rematch

Lakers and Celtics. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

As Los Angeles prepares to host rival Boston for Game 1 on Thursday, the endless chatter about LeBron James will switch momentarily to just which team will walk away with their second trophy in three years.

There's the Lakers and their home-court advantage.

There's how much Andrew Bynum can contribute. Bynum, who missed the entire 2008 playoff run due to a freak knee injury. Bynum, who has another freak knee injury limiting his playing time right now.

There's Ron Artest, who will replace Vladimir Radmanovic from two years ago as the starting small-forward. Artest, who has turned heads with his incredible Game 6 performance against the Suns. Artest, who was added to be the lock-down defender the Lakers lacked.

There's the absence of James Posey, Sam Cassell, and Eddie House; Chris Mihm, Ronny Turiaf, and Trevor Ariza. There's the additions of Nate Robinson and Shannon Brown.

There's the increasingly declining Kevin Garnett, the rapidly rising Rajon Rondo, the slow-but-still-lethally-clutch Derek Fisher, and the always-energized Kobe Bryant, who walks into this series ready to crush all memories of his embarrassing 2008 Game 6.

There's still a series to be played. A series the Lakers know will be very similar, but very different from what they experienced two years past. They know the scene has changed. Now they just need to change the ending.

RonRon with the BankBank

I love this guy. He's nuts in the head, but I love him. As Wes Mantooth said, today we spell redemption R-O-N.

Five Things to Look For in the Lakers' Season

The defending champs are back. The Los Angeles Lakers look prepared to defend their crown in the 2009-10 NBA season, and the entire gang has returned (minus one Trevor Ariza and plus one Ron Artest). Kobe, Pau, Derek, and the boys appear better than ever, and with the addition of Artest, the defense just became one of the best in the league. With the newest season preparing to begin, there are five things to watch as time progresses:

Ron Artest: The controversial small-forward has received a warm reception, but he has big shoes to fill in Trevor Ariza. He also needs to know he is at best the third best player behind Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. No funny stuff, no crazy antics, just plain basketball.

Andrew Bynum's Knee: In an effort to compensate for his right knee which was injured last season, the young center has opted to wear a brace on both knees. His regular season play was outstanding; his postseason play was far from it. He enters this season as he did last year: having to prove his worth.

Lamar Odom: Odom's tempermental play was thrown aside when he returned after his stunning playoff push. He will still most likely work off the bench, but now that it's a role he is acquainted with, his on-again-off-again play might be a thing of the past. Might be.

The Bench: The bench received some added depth when Shannon Brown was resigned. After abysmal seasons, both Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic have to return to their former glory. Luke Walton needs to remain consistent, and Josh Powell needs to take a few lessons from Odom on how to be versitile. We saw a glimpse of Powell's potential when he sank a 3-pointer in the Finals. He needs to capitalize on that.

Phil Jackson: The NBA's winningest coach was in limbo this year. His health remains an issue, his right-hand man left for Minnesota, and he will be tasked with keeping Artest in check. There has never been such a strange combination for Jackson in his career as a coach. The way he handles the new frontieres he must face will set the tone for the rest of the team.

T-Wolves Introduce Rambis as Coach

The Minnesota Timberwolves inked their deal with former Laker assitant-coach Kurt Rambis, making him their newest head coach. Rambis will succeed Kevin McHale, a former Boston Celtic. The two engaged in an altercation after McHale fouled Rambis in the 1984 NBA Finals. The former Laker will get the chance to build a team around players like Ricky Rubio, Kevin Love and Al Jefferson.

Rambis with 'Wolves?

The Minnesota Timberwolves came to an agreement with Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis today, according to ESPN, that would make Rambis the T-Wolves' newest head-coach. However, President of Operations David Kahn denied the report, claiming no deal had been reached. Rambis was the only candidate for the job with experience as a coach. He won four NBA Championships as a player with the Lakers, then went on to win four more rings as an assistant to Phil Jackson. There was talk that Rambis could coach away games for Los Angeles, while Jackson would only coach games at Staples Center.

Rambis a Possibility for T-Wolves Job

The Minnesota Timberwolves are looking for a new head-coach, and according to Yahoo Sports they are leaning towards the Lakers' assistant-coach Kurt Rambis. Rambis was a possibility for the Sacramento head-coaching position just a few months ago. The T-Wolves are also looking at Mark Jackson and Elston Turner.

NBA Schedule Puts Clips and Lakers at Beginning and End

The NBA released it's 2009-10 season schedule today, and the Lakers will start the season on October 27 against the Clippers. The two teams will also battle in the last game of the season. The marquis game though will be the Christmas Day spectacular, as Kobe and the Lakers take on LeBron, Shaq, and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Staples Center. The Clippers will also have their own Christmas game as they take on the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers' ring ceremony will be held on Opening Night.

It's Official: Odom Returns

The Los Angeles Lakers finalized a deal with free-agent Lamar Odom and held a press conference to announce the agreement. During the conference, Odom explained that while he considered Miami, he always wanted to remain in Los Angeles. He also revealed that a team gave him a lucrative offer but he turned it down; Odom did not reveal the identity of the team.

Lakers Decline Sun's Option

The Los Angeles Lakers declined their option on Chinese guard Sun Yue, according to the LA Daily News. Due to the immense depth of the roster and luxury tax purposes, the Lakers felt it was wise to let the young guard pursue other opportunities in the NBA.

Odom Returns to Lakers

J.A. Adande and Marc Stein of ESPN have reported that the Lakers and Lamar Odom came to an agreement. The contract is for four years, with the fourth year at the Lakers' option. The deal guarantees $27 million, the original amount the Lakers offered to Odom, and could reach as high as $33 million. While GM Mitch Kupchak declined to comment, agent Jeff Schwartz confirmed an agreement had been struck in principle, though he "declined to discuss specifics".

Odom Will Make Decision Soon

Lamar Odom is close to making a decision as to which team he will sign with. Odom is stuck between the Miami Heat and the Lakers. Dwyane Wade traveled to Los Angeles to talk with the power-forward, while many Lakers have publicly expressed how much they would want him back. The Heat's deal is approximately $34 million over five years with an opt-out clause after the fourth year, according to ESPN. The Lakers restarted talks after pulling their deal from the table, but their proposal is reportedly less than the three-year, $27 million deal they previously offered.

Odom Restarts Talks with Lakers

Negotiations between the Lakers and Lamar Odom are back on according to the LA Times. The Lakers pulled their offer of "three years and $30 million or four years and $36 million, with the fourth year only partially guaranteed". Teammates such as Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher have publicly expressed their desire for Odom to return, and the talks have been deemed "productive".

Editor's Note: Odom and Lakers Staring at Lose-Lose Situation

The LA Times is reporting the Lakers have pulled their offer to Lamar Odom of three years, $27 million. Odom's agent wants five years with a base salary of $10 million a year, but that's really just a pipe dream. In a situation vaguely similar to the Dodgers' tumultuous negotiations with Manny Ramirez, Odom's best, and as it stands only, option is to return to the Lakers. He could get the five years he wants with Miami or Dallas, but the salary would be nowhere close to LA's offer since the two only possess their mid-level exception. Odom would be a key part of a dynasty-bound team in Los Angeles, but with the Heat or Mavericks he'd only be part of a one-and-done franchise. The Lakers need Odom to be their best player off the bench; if he leaves, the sixth-man role goes to Luke Walton. Both sides need the other to succeed, and if money splits the two apart, they both could face struggles that will make them regret their stubbornness.

Lakers Having Trouble with Odom

The Los Angeles Lakers have reached an impass with free-agent Lamar Odom after his agent rejected their latest offer. The Lakers offered the forward a 3-year deal worth more than $9 million each year. However, Odom is looking for a five-year deal worth $10 million each season. GM Mitch Kupchak was interviewed at a Lakers' Summer League game, and said he was feeling less confident that a contract could be reached than he felt on Friday. The Purple and Gold originally offered $7 million, then raised it to $8 million. The LA Times reports Miami, who still hold's their mid-level exception, could become involved.

Lakers Still Negotiating with Odom

The Los Angeles Lakers are still negotiating a contract with Lamar Odom to resign him. The power-forward was a key part of the championship run after Andrew Bynum injured his knee, and later in the playoffs as Bynum piled up fouls. Portland is the only team with enough salary-cap space to sign Odom, but so far their interest has been mild at best.

Artest Formally Introduced as Laker

Last night at 9 o'clock, free-agents were allowed to officially sign with teams. The Lakers wasted no time, making deals with Ron Artest and Shannon Brown as the clock struck nine in Beverly Hills. Artest was introduced at a press conference earlier today, and fielded questions from the press. His jersey number was also revealed; Artest chose 37 after fans requested it via Facebook and Twitter to honor the late Michael Jackson, whose album "Thriller" was number one on the charts for 37 weeks.

Lakers Resign Brown

The Los Angeles Lakers resigned PG Shannon Brown to a two-year, $4.2 million contract with a player option for the second year, according to the LA Times. Brown was acquired mid-season in a trade with Charlotte that sent him and Adam Morrison to LA and Vladimir Radmanovic to the Bobcats. Brown initially sat on the bench for most of the season, but his minutes increased in the playoffs after Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar struggled. He reportedly turned down more lucrative offers from other teams to take this deal.

Jackson to Return as Coach

The Lakers announced today that Phil Jackson will return to the sidelines and fulfill the final year in his contract, rather than retire. Jackson previously said he would return as long as his health permitted it. Jackson has manned the helm of ten different championship teams, winning the trophy six times with Chicago and four times with the Lakers.

Editor's Note: Artest for Ariza?

Trevor Ariza took a gamble, one that ultimately did not work out the way he thought it would. He thought that he could get the Lakers to up their offer, to put more cash on the table. Unfortunately for him, the Lakers found a more cost-effective substitute with Ron Artest. And now it looks like an old-fashioned swap, with LA taking Artest while Houston signs Ariza. In the long run, the Rockets have a better investment. Trevor is young and athletic, and can help a team that struggled to defend at times last season. Artest gives the Lakers a helping hand, a trustworthy defender who can take pressure off Kobe Bryant. He's a tenacious player who will leave it all out on the court. Both teams have much to gain from their respective transactions. How much though will be seen during the season.

If Ariza does leave for the Lone Star State, the Lakers are now in a prime position to resign Lamar Odom. One of the most versatile players the league has ever seen, Odom grew up playing basketball on the streets of Queens with Ron Artest. Artest's arrival, coupled with Ariza's departure, makes Odom's return almost inevitable.

Ron Artest to Sign with Lakers and Fill Ariza's Void

Ron Artest is close to finalizing a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to CBS Sports. The controversial player was previously seen as a trade-target for the Lakers during the off-season last year. The news of Artest's impending arrival came just hours after word broke that Trevor Ariza was dissatisfied with the Lakers' offer, and would look to other clubs even if their proposal's equaled LA's. Ariza also reportedly met with Houston Rockets officials in Las Vegas. The deal could also help the Purple-and-Gold bring Lamar Odom back, as Artest and Odom know each other from their days growing up in New York. ESPN reports the deal is worth $18 million over three years.

Trevor Ariza has reportedly agreed in principle to a deal with the Houston Rockets, according to ESPN.