One of you asked whether Smush was officially gone yet? Well, not officially, but the writing is all over the wall. He will be an unrestricted free agent after June 30th and I’d put the chances at him being back in a Laker uniform next season at about a billion to one. When asked if he wanted to come back — in a perfect world– Smush chuckled and then said, “No comment, next question.” Everyone in the room laughed.

He also said his meeting with Phil and Mitch was, “positive” and I got the sense, after Phil addressed the subject, that it probably was. Phil said he thanked Smush for his contributions the last two years, praised him for winning the job, but added that he was very upfront with Smush that the Lakers are looking to upgrade at point guard.

Smush was very candid today and I have to give him credit for that. He did try and say that the situation with Phil was blown out of proportion, which I’m not sure I believe, but you have to respect him for standing up there, in front of all the cameras and microphones, calmly answering every question and trying to get out of there without taking any cheap shots. Parting shots, yes. His crack about not everybody liking Zen was pretty pointed. But he never seemed defensive or combative, when I’m sure a lot of guys would’ve, especially with some of the questions he was asked.

Anyway, he’s not gone yet, officially. But it won’t be long…