This is no joke.

This is hardly an exaggeration.

But the way the Lakers have been playing, there is no doubt they can clinch the number one seed. Especially since San Antonio is in slump of misery.

However, Phil Jackson thinks otherwise, "It's still a real long shot. They only have to win a couple games here and we have to go perfect. So it's real difficult to see that [occurring]."

The Lakers play the Mavericks tonight, and it will be a showcase between Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki. And a vigorous battle between Lamar Odom and Jason Terry -- to prove who the 6th man of the year is.

Odom has played 39 of the games off the bench. He has averaged 14.3 points per game, 8.7 boards, and 3 assists. He has been the facilitator for the bench squad, and he has made a significant impact on the game.

Derek Fisher was charged with a Flagrant 2 foul in the previous game, he sat out during practice.

Kobe Bryant breaks another record. He surpasses Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor record of games played, 1,093. For all of you who don't know who that is, it's the great Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

I may be crazy for believing the Lakers can clinch the number one seed, but I'm not stupid.