By: Dustin Chapman

Dethroning the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, the Lakers closed out their Western Conference Finals series 4-1 at the Staples Center on Thursday night. The Lakers dominated the second half of the ballgame, as they had all series long, with a 58-44 advantage. League MVP Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 39 on an efficient 16-30 clip, and elevated his play down the stretch to put his team over the top. Pau Gasol struggled on both ends of the floor throughout the majority of the game, but managed to grab 19 rebounds, some big ones coming in the closing minutes.

Additionally, the LA supporting cast rose to the occasion as well. Lamar Odom led the charge with 13 points, eight rebounds, and a level of enthusiasm that he rarely puts on display. Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar provided needed energy off the bench, and combined for 17 points and four steals on 6-13 shooting.

Phil Jackson’s club will anxiously await their NBA Finals opponent, as the Eastern Conference Finals series between Boston and Detroit is still undecided. Game 1 of the Finals will take place on June 5; all games will be aired on ABC.

ESPN reports that Lakers center Andrew Bynum will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — More than four months after Andrew Bynum injured his left knee, it’s been decided the Los Angeles Lakers center will undergo arthroscopic surgery.

The Lakers made the announcement Sunday, saying Dr. David Altchek will perform the procedure in New York on Wednesday — the same day Bynum’s team entertains San Antonio or New Orleans to begin the Western Conference finals.

An estimated timetable for Bynum’s return will be provided following the surgery.

“I just hope for the best for him,” teammate Luke Walton said following a light practice Sunday. “He was a huge part of our success early on and he’s going to be a huge part of our future.”

The Lakers said the procedure will entail a cleanup of some rough spots and fraying on the underside of Bynum’s kneecap.

It’s a shame that Bynum’s “breakout year” had to end this way, as the promising seven-footer was playing as well as any young center in the league not named Dwight Howard before his injury. Number 17’s double-double averages of 13.1 points and 10.2 rebounds are remarkable for a 20-year-old looking to make his mark in the NBA, but those don’t even necessarily tell you the rapid improvements he continued to make week-by-week.

Throughout his final six games of the season, all within the first two weeks of January, Bynum took his game to a whole ‘nother level. Holding averages of 17.3 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game throughout that stint, the young center was even receiving All-Star consideration.

It’s a shame that his Al Jefferson-esque progression had to come to a definitive halt just two and a half months into his third professional season. Here’s to hoping that Bynum undergoes a successful surgery, recovery process, and comeback to the court next season.

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Posted By: Dustin Chapman

It has been reported on numerous sites, and has even been brought up by announcers on TV. So the question is, will Kobe be the NBA’s 2007-2008 Most Valuable Player?

And also, one particular statement - “Kobe Bryant is winning this as a lifetime achievement award” seems to pop up every now and then when discussing anything about MVP award.

Personally, I don’t disagree with that statement if it is referring to a possible influence as to why they are handing it to Kobe over Paul, but I don’t like it when it is used by people to discredit Kobe and say that is the only reason why he is winning the award.

Don’t make me say this folks, Kobe Bryant is as deserving as he will ever be for the MVP award. I do not know why people can’t get over the fact that Kobe actually changed into a team player and helped his team to the #1 seed in the West. Some people just love to hate. First he gets criticized for most of his career accusing him of being selfish. Now that he is a teamplayer because he has some decent talent around him, people are saying the Lakers are only winning because of Gasol.

I just think it’s ridiculous that people find the need to look for stupid reasons to go against Kobe.

He is the best player in the league.

I feel much better getting that out of the way. It’s been said a million times by a million people but some ignorant fans still have a hard time understanding.

So to all you Kobe-haters and Paul4MVP supporters, you can cry all you want because the fact of the matter is, Kobe WILL receive the MVP trophy.

SEE YA