Notes, quotes and things picked up on the run from coast-to-coast and all the stops in between and beyond.

It was a long time coming—but a change did come—exactly seven seasons after—Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher and Coach Phil Jackson—won their last National Basketball Association (NBA) title together—and their fourth NBA crown all together. It was a 99-86 title clinching victory and a 4-1 series triumph for the Lakers’ 15th NBA title in history; and for Coach Jackson, his record-setting tenth all together—moving one ahead of the legendary Boston Celtics’ Coach Red Auerbach, who produced nine NBA Kings. And Kobe did it without Shaq—Shaquille O’Neal. The record should show Shaq won one in Miami with Dwyane Wade, for his fourth NBA title.

The change did come. It came in all of its splendor, excitement and glory—and with a victory parade down Broadway, like a cherry on top, to the Staples Center, the founding piece of “L.A. Live,” and on to the Coliseum yesterday (Wednesday). Again Kobe performed like the best player in the league, if not in history, better than Michael Jordan and all the rest as he produced a line of 30 points, six rebounds and five assists as he shone like a bright and shinning star on a darken sky enroute to his first playoff Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Kobe had a number of helpers, Pau Gasol (14), Lamar Odom (17), Derek Fisher (13), Andrew Bynum (6) and Trevor Ariza (15) in putting Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard (11), the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year and his little helpers—Rashard Lewis (18), Rafer Alston (12) and Courtney Lee (12).

Is Kobe Bryant the greatest NBA player of all-times? Ex-Lakers General Manager Jerry West made the mistake earlier in the playoffs, when LeBron “The King” James had the Cleveland Cavaliers riding along with the NBA’s best record of the season and unbeaten in the playoffs at the time, gave “The King” that distinction. However, West, who brought Kobe into the Lakers organization from high school, reneged on this pronouncement after “The King” and his Cavaliers were knocked out of the Eastern Conference Finals by Howard and his Orlando Magic, 4-2.

Before the playoffs the trio of all-time greats was listed in the following order: Michael Jordan (1), LeBron “The King” James (2) and Kobe Bryant (3).

Shouldn’t that order be reversed now after the championship play of Kobe? The MVP of the NBA Finals in everybody’s book. There is no question LeBron “King” James deserved the regular season MVP award.

James and his Cleveland Cavs didn’t only lose to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals, James personally lost $25,000. Reason: For skipping the post game interviews.

Professor Jack Ramsay, the ESPN Finals radio guy, is an Andrew Bynum fan. The 84-year basketball authority, told the L.A. Times’ Diane Pucin: “Bynum has some good foot moves, better than Dwight Howard. He just needs to get confidence, needs more experience, more touches. He’s only playing 20-minutes a game. But Andrew’s got some skills.”

Don’t just call the Lakers’ Derek Fisher “Mr. Big Shot” for his two crucial three pointers in Game 3—the first one with 4.8 seconds to tie the game and send it into overtime. Fisher’s three-pointer in overtime clinched the game, 99-91.

Hall of Fame center Bill Russell, who won 11 NBA titles (1957-69) with his legendary Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach, has written a book. It’s entitled: Red And Me: My Coach, My Life Long Friend.

Lakers assistant coaches Brian Shaw and Jim Clemons would like to be the next men’s head coach at USC. Will one of them win Athletic Director Mike Garrett’s nod?

Switchreels…

Scout Toney Howell, a special assistant to Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti is a former Ohio State all-American baseball and football star. Howell, 50, and about to enter his 25th-year in baseball, third year with Dodgers, says he will forever treasure his years being groomed as a scout by Negro League legend Buck O’Neil. Howell told USA Today Sports Weekly: “I think (the athletic background) it helps me evaluate players. It’s watching their instincts, their determination, their poise and attitude. You have to see if they have it in their heart to play the game.” By the way, Howell was an alternate in the 1992 Olympics as a third degree black belt in taekwondo.

Should ex-Chicago Cubs star Sammy Sosa be in Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Hall of Fame? USA Today conducted a survey to get the fan’s answer. Here are the results of the poll: “No I think he took steroids—48%. Yes. There is no proof he cheated—33%. Maybe–waiting to see if there is more evidence—19%.”

The Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz is having a terrible year both on and off the field of play. At the moment he’s batting only .197 with two homeruns and 22 RBIs. Off the field things aren’t any better and he can’t sleep. Ortiz added: “My body is resting every night, but my mind is spinning with all of this stuff. This is hard. I’ve never been through something like this.” In six years with the Red Sox, Ortiz averaged 39 homeruns and 122 RBIs.

The Milwaukee Brewers’ first baseman Prince Fielder is one of the most consistent hitters in the majors, at the moment. Prince batted .234 in April, .305 in May and .462 in June. His next stop should be the All-Star game in St. Louis.

Everybody seems to keep picking on “Homerun King” Barry Bonds. Now his wife, Liz Watson, has filed for legal separation from Bonds. Reason: “irreconcilable differences.” In papers filed by her lawyer in a Los Angeles Superior Court, Watson is seeking spousal support and joint legal and physical custody. The couple was married in 1998 and they have a 10-year old daughter, Aisha.

Switchreels…

Serena and Venus Williams head to Wimbledon ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the tennis world. Venus has had some of her finest and most victorious moments at Wimbledon. Venus has won the last two Wimbledon titles and three of the last four.

Serena was briefly ranked No. 1 earlier this year and has a 24-2 report card in Grand Slam competition. Serena has won two crowns since the last Wimbledon.

Yes, Venus and Serena are the two most famous products to come straight out of Compton.

Tiger Woods starts defending his U.S. Open title today (Thursday) at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, N.Y. where he won the Open in 2002. Woods will be shooting for his fourth U.S. Open championship and 68th career win. Tiger has 14 career major crowns. Tiger says in March he was kind of limited as to what he could do. He says: “There were a lot of don’ts and not a whole lot of dos in March. I was pretty limited in what I could do. I feel good now. I’m not hurting.”

Why do TV people at CBS and other stations love Tiger Woods? At The Memorial on June 7 Tiger’s win doubled the ratings from the previous year. Tiger should up the ratings in the U.S. Open this weekend.

There is another boxing Foreman coming along. He’s 26-year old George Foreman III. Young George won his pro debut as he stopped Clyde Weaver (0-2) in 1:16 seconds in the first round in Kindler, La. Yes, he’s the son of George Foreman, two-time former world heavyweight champion.
Will America’s Dwight Phillips be the next owner of the world’s long jump record? Phillips leaped 28-feet, 81/4 inches in the recent Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. Phillips’ mark was the longest since Mike Powell set the world record with a mark of 29-41/2 inches in 1991.

Will the third time in marriage for 42-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson be the charm? Tyson and his girl friend Lakiha Spicer, 32, married in a private ceremony in Las Vegas, a couple of Saturdays ago. Tyson wed two weeks after the accidental death of his 4-year old daughter, Exodus.

That’s all of my time. Thanks for your time. This is BPJ reporting. Have a ball.

Brad Pye, Jr., can be reached at Switchreel@aol.com.