LAKERS LATEST

NBA PLAYOFFS-WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS: GAME 4. LOS ANGELES LAKERS 86-122 DALLAS MAVERICKS

There will be a new NBA Champion this year...will it be Dallas? Finally shaking the 2007 best record/first round exit (we see you San Antonio, you'll be back too) the Mavs made the defending champs look like chumps as they blew out the Lakers 122-86 and sent Phil Jackson into retirement wit his first playoff sweep...on the wrong, receiving end. The most successful coaching tenure in NBA history ended with crushing defeat. Still Phil shouldn't and won't be remembered for this, he's done so much more and could only do so much as his Lakers fell apart to the incredible Texan team. Congratulations to Dallas who proved they are basketballs real mavericks. As Jason Terry, Peja Stojakovic and others rained threes the purple reigns end was highlighted by Bynum and Odom's ejections. As these Jacks hit the road and return home early to Los Angeles a lot of questions will need answering and a lot of problems addressed. As for Coach Jackson (as he'll always be known to us) it's time to put his feet up and relax...he's earned it, good luck. "It's been a wonderful run," he told press. It sure has Phil. Thank you. TIM DAVID HARVEY.