It’s been said that you can live your whole life in one manner, stray from it for just a single moment, and be judged by that moment for the rest of history. History is not a record of lengthy accounts; it’s a record of defining moments. If you think about it, we only read a story if the ending is worthy of enduring the journey it took to get there. Why suffer through the expedition if the destination is never realized?

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the threshold of history – A chance to erase the bitter memories of last years’ NBA Finals. Perfectly interlaced in the Lakers story looms a surplus of subplots anxiously waiting to be defined.

For once, can I please write this column after a Lakers’ win? I customarily have only one rule I adhere to when it comes to my own writing. Don’t write angry. And when we win this series on Friday (fingers crossed), I’ll be sure to follow that rule. Until then, this is just going to have to do.

During the pasting at the Pepsi Center last night, I couldn’t help but draw the parallels between this years’ Denver Nuggets and the Portland Trail (I.e. Jail) Blazers of the early 2000′s. Both teams were a collection of players whose talent was only paralleled by their idiocy; and I say was because that’s exactly what the Denver Nuggets will soon be. Check out the matchups:

Only Jeanie Buss saw less of last night’s game than Dick Bavetta. In between twitter updates on her friend annoying Adam Levine from Maroon 5 and Will Ferrell near the Lakers bench, Dick Bavetta was busy staggering around the court pretending like he was not on the Mayflower when it shored up in America for the first time. You know the Lakers were jobbed when Laker-hating ESPN analyst Bill Simmons said, “They (Lakers) blew Game 2 thanks to some typically brutal officiating in a league that’s slowly becoming defined by its typically brutal officiating.”

There are any number of things I could choose to write about here. The Lakers not showing up to another game in Houston. Phil Jackson’s curious coaching gaffes throughout the series. Derek Fisher’s disappearing act. Pau Gasol’s slow transformation into a marshmallow. That really tall guy wearing #17 and pretending to be Andrew Bynum.

The media has blamed Phil Jackson. They’ve pinned it on Kobe Bryant. They’ve pointed in the direction of the role players. Some fans have blamed the meager refereeing; others have cried conspiracy theory by the NBA; most have said the Lakers have no heart. The deplorable struggles of the Lakers have been dissected, re-examined and dissected again on radio broadcasts, TV shows, podcasts, newspapers and blogs from Los Angeles to Tatooine (Yes, that was a Star Wars reference).

Just for a moment, I want you to imagine a movie starring Keanu Reeves.

… I know, you’re right and I’m sorry. I should have given more notice. Hang with me here.

Let’s say that Keanu plays a cocaine addict who suffers from aspergers syndrome. In between emotionally riveting outbursts, he develops a friendship with a shrewd and astute psychologist, played by Dolph Lungdren, and suddenly becomes inspired to recover the lost pieces of his life. I see several captivating performances from Pauly Shore, Larry the Cable Guy, Steven Seagal and of course, the whole thing could be interlaced with witty and dramatic narration provided by Sylvester Stallone.

Now, let’s say that movie stopped by Wienerschnitzel, got really sick and couldn’t find a bathroom anywhere. The disgusting result leaked all over the car seat would look and smell a whole lot like the Lakers mortifying performance in game 4 at the Toyota Center.

Not the haunting loss in last years’ NBA Finals. Not a Christmas day rematch with the Boston Celtics. Not a regular season faceoff between Kobe and Lebron. Not the continuance of a four-year losing streak at the Rose Garden. Not a pesky Utah Jazz team in the first round. Not even a clich

Who says the NBA isn’t scripted? Excluding Kobe’s arctic performance in game 4, the same storyline was present in each game of this series:

Lakers build giant lead.
Jazz come storming back.
Lakers get it together just in time to hang on.

In just five playoff games, the Lakers have shown us an array of potential for greatness, and an equal capability for disaster. From the good to the awful, here’s what we can gauge from the Lakers first round victory over the Utah Jazz.

197 days ago, the Lakers kicked off the season, and the visiting Portland Trail Blazers, in the same night. 82 games, 65 wins and a few lethargic efforts later, the Lakers have finally arrived at the commencement of their journey. Sunday afternoon, the anticipation of an NBA championship quietly shifted from elusive to tangible, from future goal to present reality.

I spent the entire first half standing with one hand holding a cup of coffee, the other expressively fist pumping and high-fiving at every reasonable opportunity.

April is a great month.

Well, unless you’re a sports-hating woman (or man) who’s dating, married to or sleeping with a sports-loving man (or woman). If that’s you, you may want to navigate that little pointer thing on your screen to the “X” in the top right corner. Have a great evening, and by all means, enjoy whatever boring, non-sports things you like to do.

As for the rest of us, let’s get back to April. The Final Four is a hallowed 72-hours at the beginning of April. During those three astounding days have you ever truthfully said, “Wow, I really got a lot accomplished the last few days?” Yeah, me neither.

I couldn’t possibly be more excited that the playoffs are finally here.

It would be really easy to sit here and regurgitate the Lakers vs. Cleveland, Lebron vs. Kobe, The Now vs. The Future predictions and plot-lines like every other sports columnist in America. And, if I were a betting man, I’d confidently be placing my money on the Lakers to beat Cleveland in six games in the NBA Finals.

Instead, I decided to step out on a limb and present to you five bold predictions, err… possibilities, for the 2009 NBA Playoffs. In other words, here are five stories nobody is talking about that I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see during this postseason.