Lakers TV announcer John Ireland sent over a note today that gave us a smile:

“I just checked www.linesmaker.com and for what it’s worth, the Lakers are now the favorites to win the NBA Championship at 2-1. The Celtics are 5-2; the Spurs 6-1 and Pistons 15-2. Suns are 7-1 for now. How crazy is that?”

Yes, for Lakers fans, like us, that’s good news. But not necessarily for the reasons you may think.

Read more…

The LOS ANGELES TIMES points out news that Kobe Bryant has a torn ligament in his finger. But the Lakers leader will forgo surgery for now.

Bryant hurt his right pinkie in a Feb. 5 game against New Jersey, and happened to re-aggravate the injury in Wednesday’s win against Minnesota. Originally diagnosed as a dislocation, further examination on Thursday revealed much more digital damage. Read more…

• Hot dog! FOX SPORTS grills up news that the Cleveland Indians have signed Kobayashi to a 2-year deal:

No, not that Kobayashi, you wiener.
• SPIRIT OF JAKE PLUMMER tries to help Jerry Buss by offering these Kobe trade proposals.• CNBC’s Darren Rovell follows the loon-acy of the currency exchange rate and its effect on the Toronto Blue Jays.

• SAMMY’S SPORTS SERMONS circles the wagons to present their photo essay of Sunday night’s Bills tailgating:

• LION IN OIL is all abuzz about official MLB playoff game-used bug spray on the auction block.• PANTHER RANTS isn’t so bullish about South Florida’s upcoming visit to Pittsburgh.

LAKERS CAN DRIVE KOBE CRAZY, BUT CAN’T DRIVE CARS: For the Los Angeles Lakers, driving the lane is an easier concept than driving on the street:

As Lamar Odom had his head examined after a car collision Tuesday, owner Jerry Buss is in the middle of a two-game suspension stemming from drunk driving charges.The LOS ANGELES TIMES drinks in the news that Buss was fined $25,000 by the NBA and forced to stay away for the first two games of the Lakers’ season.

Because of his September DUI arrest, Buss didn’t hold court during Tuesday’s loss to Houston, and he’ll be out of sight for Friday’s contest against Phoenix.If Kobe’s going to be driven out of town, he may want to get a chauffeur.

SAC KINGS ABDICATED FROM POSSIBLE KOBE-BULLS DEAL?: The ongoing saga of Kobe coming to Chicago has been given a little Sacramento flavor:

SACTOWN ROYALTY decrees that the latest trade rumors involve the Kings in a three-way deal with the Lakers and Bulls.As compiled from various sources, the deal would have Bryant being Bulls-bound, with current Chicagoan Kirk Hinrich and current King Ron Artest joining the Lake Show, while Ben Gordon and Ben Wallace would venture to Arco Arena - in addition to a cast of thousands on the possible move.

Right now, all of this is speculation, as Kobe continues to unhappily twist in the Santa Ana wind. After the rude reception the Lakers star received Tuesday night, he probably can’t get out of town and out under Jerry Buss’ thumb soon enough.

And if Sacramento won’t cooperate, they can always try asking the Los Angeles Kings.

KOBE-FOR-DIRK TRADE DEFLATED; BULLS STILL AN OPTION: A SoCal paper reports that Kobe could end up in Dallas, but only if Dirk Nowitzki starts suiting up at Staples Center:

The SANTA MONICA MIRROR reflects news that L.A. owner Jerry Buss would consider shipping the sullen superstar to the Mavericks, but on the condition that the gargantuan German center would be sent to the Southland in return.

However, fresh off his exit from “Dancing With The Stars“, Mavs owner Mark Cuban has said he’s “not interested” in a Kobe-Dirk swap.

Just down the I-5, Randy Youngman of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER adds to the trade rumors by suggesting that Bryant will be with the Lake Show until at least mid-December:

The speculation is that by then, the Lakers’ front office may be able to get a favorable deal from the Chicago Bulls, one of the few teams Kobe has said he would play for.

The Lakers’ regular season begins next Tuesday against Houston. Many sets will be tuned into TNT that night - not for the game, but to see if Kobe shows up in gold & purple.

• SI’s EXTRA MUSTARD relishes this video tribute to dearly departed Yankees skipper Joe Torre:

• Meanwhile, THE BIG PICTURE ketches up with the man behind the Mustard, Jimmy Traina.

• AWFUL ANNOUNCING reports that ESPN is bringing their SportsNation to the radio airwaves.