I was really and truly excited when the news leaked that LA was dealing Odom and Gasol in a trade to land CP3. I sat there and had wonderful images in my head of Garnett having to guard a 4 that wasn't as offensively talented as Gasol. Loved knowing that LA's second unit would be without super-sub Odom. And in exchange for these two matchups departing LA, they were bringing in a point guard that Rondo matches up well against.

Don't get me wrong, if LA had shipped off Kobe, kept Gasol and brought in CP3, I'd be terrified. I'd be mad that it happened. But it didn't. LA was keeping Kobe. And putting Kobe with a wing as talented as CP3 is scary to think about. But nowhere near as terrifying as the thought of Gasol having a pick and roll teammate that actually knew how to pass. So I was elated. Overjoyed to see that LA was blowing up the core and keeping Kobe. Overjoyed.

But the trade was nixed. Why that trade was nixed specifically? Hard to say for sure. Not even really that important now because it got nixed and now LA is pulling the strings on their roster in other directions. And now I'm disappointed. LA as currently constructed might be able to beat the Celtics (as currently constructed without David West). Wait, they lost Odom, scratch that. That's a shame. It really would be a more fun season if the Lakers could hang. I mean, what's the fun in beating the Lakers by thirty? Well, actually, I think that's one of those questions where the answer is within the question itself.

So now that the Paul trade has died the miserable death of misery, I have my fingers crossed that LA can find a way to trade for Howard. Because if they can't. If LA can't bring in an upgrade somewhere . . . well, I hope they can play basketball in padded pants.

Because the Celtics are coming, ready or not.