In addition to my PER Diem column on the Suns’ efforts to trade Amare Stoudemire , I want to mention another important team to watch heading into the trade deadline: the Memphis Grizzlies. With $3.2 million open, the Griz have more salary-cap space than any other team and can take on a player making as much as $7.5 million if they put Steven Hunter’s expiring $3.6 million deal and Marcus Williams’ $825,000 contract into a trade.

Kobe Bryant is only the third best Laker of all-time according to Bill Plaschke. “The most points doesn’t make Bryant the greatest Laker any more than driving in the most runs makes Steve Garvey the greatest Dodger. It is about more than that, and Bryant may get there yet, but he’s not there now.

ESPNLosAngeles’ Dave McMenamin has just published a diary from the Lakers’ long road trip . There’s all kinds of interesting stuff. One fascinating moment comes when the team met the President: 1:54 p.m