The agony of defeat...

...is a sour grape. A purple grape.

The Lakers do not deserve to win a championship after blowing a 24-point lead in game 4. Period.

Blame it on the Europeans: Turiaf, GaSOFT, Vujacic, Vlad Rad, and Slava, even if he's no longer on the squad. And, who the hell gave Sasha the nickname "The Machine?" Any man who wears a rubber band on his head during a basketball game should be shipped to the WNBA for two packs of ketchup and three sports bra.

Kevin GarNOT can savor the victory while it last, and Ray "Coattail" Allen should thank the graces for LA's own, Paul Pierce. He is "The Truth."

KG is as clutch as a 87 Supra with a broken transmission. Dude missed two crucial free throws and countless tip-ins in game 5. He should have stayed in Minnesota and gone fishing with Marco Jaric a long time ago.

Mitch Kupchak needs to pull another Cooperfield and find a way to get into the NBA Lottery and draft Russell Westbrook out of UCLA. The guy is a ball-hawking point guard reminiscent of a young Glove, Gary Payton. He has the size and strength that The Zen Master loves so much in his guards, à la Ron Harper.

The core of the team remains solid with Fish, Kobe, Odom, Gasol and the return of Bynum. Farmar gets a pass from criticism because he was a former Bruin. But, Luke "I am your father" Walton needs to step up and play like pops. Ariza should bring great energy and athleticism off the bench after a full recovery from a broken leg. Ronny will be Ronny. But after that, the GM should get rid of the rest and find replacements who won't play frightened down the stretch when it matters.

Some say the Lakers ride and die with Kobe. I say the Lakers go as the system goes. The boys in Purple and Gold play best within the triangle -- when everyone touches the ball -- as a team.

Stay optimistic. Stay Groundid.