The Lakers were on fire Sunday - almost as much as the Nuggets’ pre-game bus ride - as Kobe & Crew clobbered Denver 128-114. Pau Gasol notched 36 points in the win, his first-ever playoff victory - which isn’t too hard to fathom, since the Spaniard’s previous 12 visits were with the Grizzlies.

While Gasol was having a gas, Carmelo Anthony wasn’t having as good of a time. As the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER reveals, some Staples Center spectators reminded #15 of his recent adventures behind the wheel:

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So, Charles Barkley, Stuart Scott & Mr. Belding walk into a bar…

• Drunken Jaguars DB Brian Williams rants & raves & threatens arresting officers - then offers them to have sex with his date.

• A pair of Portland State basketball players were accused of brutally beating a tour worker in Mexico.

• When out on the course nowadays, John Daly needs to have his nipples kneaded.

• Diners get medieval in trying to obtain Rashard Lewis’ autograph.

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We all have a show or two we don’t want to admit we watch - when we get the chance. National Geographic Channel’s “Dog Whisperer” is that show for us. We really, really love it, mainly for the unintentional comedic content (which is why we’re also obsessed with late night infomercials).

True Hoop’s Henry Abbott comes through with a classic clip of Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson on the show, doting over their dogs (Princess Cujo?) in the eternal quest for “dominance.” Read more…

PHIL STAYING AT STAPLES FOR AT LEAST 2 MORE SEASONS: Although their star player may or may not be heading elsewhere, the Lakers’ coach will be sticking around for at least two more years:

The LOS ANGELES TIMES reports that Phil Jackson has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him in the Staples Center for two more seasons.Already the highest-paid coach in American pro sports, the new deal is expected to fetch Phil up to $12 million a year.

The extension means Jackson cam devote more time into developing his young team back into an NBA contender, and trying to smooth things over with a disgruntled Kobe Bryant.

Not to mention getting material for another book.

Jeanie Buss can now breathe a sigh of relief that her man won’t be slipping out on her anytime soon, unlike a certain ex-tennis star.

JIM BUSS BASHING NOW NOT LIMITED TO FAMILY MEMBERS: More of the bizarro dysfunction that is the Los Angeles Lakers’ front office was on display this morning, and this time it involved former Laker player and current Assistant Coach Kurt Rambis.

Rambis, who often makes it plain that he is a Phil Jackson loyalist, guested on KLAC-AM’s “Roggin and Simers Squared” and took the opportunity to defend Jackson on multiple fronts.

During the interview, Rambis denied that Jackson was ever fired by Jerry Buss (”Phil wasn’t fired the last time he left the Lakers“), which is fact that is disputed by Jackson’s girlfriend Jeanie Buss (the daughter of owner Jerry, who also defended Jackson last week on the same show).

And then things got really good, as Rambis lit into defacto team President Jim Buss, who recently criticized Jackson on KLAC-AM’s “Loose Cannons” midday show.

Rambis: “Jim Buss was puffing up his chest a little bit and trying to take charge and make his voice heard and make his voice known. But some of the comments he said (about Jackson) … flat out weren’t right. Like when he said Phil doesn’t know how to work with young players or coach young players. We’re working with our young guys.

“We’re working with our young guys constantly on a daily basis to improve them. But Jim doesn’t know that because he doesn’t come to practice. So he doesn’t see the amount of time we spend working with the young ballplayers.”

(Audio of entire Kurt Rambis interview on KLAC-AM - Buss comments begin at 6:30)

JEANIE BUSS SLAMS BROTHER JIM FOR BOYFRIEND BASH: It’s well-known (at least here in L.A.) that the son of Jerry Buss, Jim, has already essentially taken over the basketball operation of the L.A. Lakers from his father.

Last Friday Jim Buss guested on KLAC-AM’s “Loose Cannons” midday show and said that