It has only been three months since the Memphis Grizzlies handed over the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 FIBA World Championships.
But so much has changed since the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol the trade seems to have gone down in the distant past, rather than Feb. 1.
Who even remembers that it's been well less than a year since Kobe Bryant belittled Andrew Bynum in the parking lot of a strip mall?
In these days since the big and skillful Spaniard arrived, the Lakers, previously destined for another forgettable first-round playoff exit, have evolved into the team to beat in the NBA Playoffs.
Reportedly, Bryant has already been voted the NBA's Most Valuable Player.
Even if the Most Valuable Laker has proven to be Gasol, who was 0-12 during three playoff series with the Grizzlies.
In his debut first-round series in purple and gold, he shot 58.2 percent from the floor.
The Lakers are now 33-9 since acquiring Gasol. The Lakers open the Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz today having won 12 of their last 13 games.
Injuries to Bynum and Trevor Ariza muddy the waters. But other reserves are taking their place.
Luke Walton, coming off a rough season, averaged 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists in the Denver series. Also Derek Fisher shot 50 percent from 3-point land.
The Phoenix Suns, who have proven to be so much trouble for the Lakers recently, are already eliminated, as are the Dallas Mavericks.
And the Boston Celtics, who gave the Lakers two of their 25 losses and have eliminated them nine times in 11 NBA Finals, have to win today's Game 7 with the Atlanta Hawks to even cause trouble in June.
The road looks clear.
