When the Los Angeles Lakers paired a generational superstar with LeBron James, it seemed they had finally secured a long-term bridge from the James era to a new golden age. A 34-23 record and a tentative hold on sixth place in the Western Conference would ...

LOS ANGELES -- Purple and gold confetti raining down upon him, Kobe Bryant hopped up on the scorer's table, shook his fists and extended five fingers. When he hopped down, Boston's legendary Hall of Fame center Bill Russell was waiting to shake his hand.