Quoted: Barack Obama was on his way to the Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn on Tuesday when a reporter shouted a question. The topic: Who is going to win the NBA championship, the Los Angeles Lakers or the Orlando Magic?
...
Said the smiling president: “Lakers in six, I think.” In sports terms, that means the Lakers will win the best-of-seven series in six games.

Quoted: "The Lakers paid $50,000 to win that game. They got their money's worth," said a Denver player, not wanting to be identified for fear of retribution from the league.

The Lakers' big man Andrew Bynum was named player of the week. He's the new Shaq people.

Quoted: The Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers' Andrew Bynum today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 19, through Sunday, Jan. 25.

"It was an awkward game tonight. Offensively we were very ragged. Our timing was off and we tried to do too much."

-- Phil Jackson

Tonight's win ties the Lakers' best start in franchise history (17-2). Let's pause and reflect on that. The Lakers are an old franchise, 61 years, and this is their best start. The Lakers are historically a good franchise, with 14 NBA championships, and this is their best start. Do you think the expectations for the season are high?

Final score: 105-92

Quoted: The Lakes signed Andrew Bynum to a four year $57.4 million contract extension today, apparently convinced that there are no complications from the arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Mark Heisler of the LA Times has the full report. Click on through.

Quoted: SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Kobe Bryant hyperextended his right knee in the second quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers' exhibition game Tuesday night.

Quote: Kobe Bryant & Co. plus Bynum in the first two months of the 2007-08 season equaled the top team in the Western Conference. Kobe & Co. plus Pau Gasol in the second half of the season equaled the Western Conference championship. Therefore, Kobe & Co. plus Gasol and Bynum should equal NBA champs, right?

ESPN's J.A. Adande analyzes the Lakers' upcoming season with a healthy Bynum added to the Bryant-Gasol powerhouse.

In Laker news, Trevor Ariza may get the starting spot at the 3 in place of Lamar Odom.

Quoted: Odom will be given every opportunity to show he can flourish at the small forward spot, but Jackson said he would not hesitate to replace the veteran forward with Ariza if it becomes necessary. Ariza lacks the physicality, experience or scoring touch of Odom, but the 23-year-old's length, quickness and athleticism make him much more adept guarding opposing players on the perimeter.

Quoted: "Everything's ready to go. I'm 100%. I think I'm the only guy who wants to see the season start tomorrow. I can't wait to play with the fellows. I haven't done that in so long. I'm excited."
...
-- Lakers' Andrew Bynum
...
Steve Springer of the LA Times reports on the Lakers' 20 year old big man Andrew Bynum. Have a read...