Our Zenmaster, maybe he'll get Ariza and Odom to return for less.

However, I think the biggest significance above all to me is the fact this time around, the championship was built not over night but over 7 years.  Phil’s return and patience to teach and mentor this young group to become eventual champions.  Kobe’s personal growth to teach and mentor and trust his teammates.  The comradery now seen evident amongst the entire roster starting with Kobe and ending with Sun Yue and Adam Morrison.

Lakers celebrating becoming 2008-2009 NBA champions!

It is beautiful in every way and Phil must be feeling the Zen of it all.  After years of not making the playoffs and being eliminated by the Phoenix, these young Lakers grew up.  Kudos to Mitch Kupchak for keeping these Lakers together and bringing in the necessary parts such as stealing Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown.  The audacity to a player named Trevor Ariza whom no one even had a clue what he was capable of.  I personally loved the Radmanovic trade for Morrison and Brown; just because Shannon Brown killed us when we played against them in the regular season.  That was a savvy move, we might as well bring back Von Wafer.  Joke aside, I want to state that I love our current team and roster and I know the potential to be even better is there.  We are set up to win multiple rings and host multiple parades.

Number 24, Black Mamba, Unstoppable...

As the celebration undertook at Amway Arena in Orlando after the final buzzer sounded, I couldn’t help but feel two things.  For one, I was relieved that we finally accomplished the journey to be champions again.  At the same time, I also felt a bit saddened by the fact that this beautiful sunset may be gone.  With the season over, there will not be any more relevant basketball to watch.  With the season over, this roster can potentially be separated if we do not re-sign Lamar “Candyman” Odom AND Trevor “Silent Assasin” Ariza.

Lakers celebrating with their new championship hardware.

So goes the business aspect of the game where the bottom line will determine the outcome of what the future will hold.  I hope it will not be ruined.  I hope I’ll have the opportunity to see this beautiful sunset once again next year.  That beautiful shade of forum blue and gold.

For the time being, I’m going to enjoy it like the rest of the fans.  Perhaps even safely participate in the Lakers day parade from the comforts of the television.  Lakers have shown true character on the way up to winning and becoming NBA champions.  Now its time to show us some character off the basket parquet floor.

Ariza, Odom?  Will you settle for multiple rings for lesser money?