And for Laker News Not About Mrs. Rice . . .

The Lakers are finally going to win a championship. It has nothing to do with Del Harris, defending opposing power forwards, Phil Jackson, or even Kobe Bryant.

I have finally fulfilled a promise made to my brother in 1996 when Shaq became a Laker: I watched “Kazaam” . . . twice.

JEFF SHIH

Las Vegas

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Congratulations to you and your staff for the fine coverage of Laker playoff activities. The depth and breadth of that coverage is most impressive, especially in view of the short preparation time available.

Here is a suggested headline for an article in the sports section for your consideration. Assuming the Lakers win the championship, the headline could be a possible lament by Larry Bird or perhaps by a specific Pacer player about the Lakers:

“Awesome Powers: The Guys Who Shaq’d Me.”

JOE SROUR

Manhattan Beach

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As the announcers repeatedly pointed out that Kobe Bryant, had he chosen to go to college, would now be a senior (assuming much, such as his staying eligible), my thoughts drifted to those big-time college coaches watching this game, who might be wondering how they were going to convince their athletically gifted players to stay in school. And also to those clueless kids, one in several million of whom has any hope of pulling an NBA paycheck, thinking, “Who needs college?”

Change continues, but for the better?

JEROME S. KLEINSASSER

Bakersfield

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I’m heartened for my early retirement possibilities to learn that my 10-year-old son is taller than Shaquille O’Neal was at 10--5-4 1/2 to 5-3 3/4--weighs nearly as much--129 pounds to 139--and has bigger feet, size 8 to size 7 1/2.

However, my son has a number of liabilities: His father grew to only 6-3, 185, and could neither move, shoot, hit the boards, rap, nor coin nicknames. On the other hand, both my son and I mastered early an immutable free-throw truth: In order for the ball to have any possibility of descending into the basket, it is necessary that said ball first be shot in an arc above the basket.

BILL HOFFINE

San Diego

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In today’s paper [June 10], you devote a 10-page section to Laker coverage, and another 10-page section to coverage of all the other sports in the world. Don’t you think you overdid the other sports coverage?

KURT TRIESELMANN

West Covina

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Maybe you should change The Times Sports Section to The Times Laker Section.

JOHN BESSENT

Downey

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I wish somehow I could tell Kobe how much he is admired, apparently by all age groups. Being a senior citizen, it’s hard to accept men with earrings and tattoos, even though they admittedly make significant contributions. Kobe’s conduct is so naturally nice, it must be at least somewhat due to the influence of wonderful parents.

Godspeed, Kobe, I hope life gives you the happiness by way of a wife and family and friends that you seem to deserve, and thank you for the excitement and joy you give to us.

HUGH MARTIN

Nipomo

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Now maybe we can stop hearing how great Reggie Miller is supposed to be in the clutch. Kobe Bryant, injury notwithstanding, keeps his mouth shut and drills pressure shots in OT. Despite officiating designed to extend the series (i.e., Jalen Rose pulling Rick Fox to the floor and being gifted with a free throw), the Lakers have proved they deserve every bit of respect Indiana has denied them.

SEAN BONAZZOLA

Bellflower

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If the Lakers win the championship and the victory parade is along downtown Figueroa Street, I have a suggestion: Throw open the Staples Center doors and let the unlimousined luxuriate briefly in limousine land.

JOANNE GAMLIN

Santa Monica

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I guess Doug Collins must be disappointed that Reggie Miller and the Pacers are just about dead the way he has been carrying on in his commentary. Sorry, Doug, no ring for you.

TED BOURNE

Colton

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After seven games with Portland and four games with Indiana, NBC commentator Doug Collins still hasn’t figured out a way to beat the Lakers.

RAY VAN BUSKIRK

Los Angeles

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If Bill Walton makes a comment and no one is around to hear it, is it still moronic?

GEOFF HUNT

Newport Beach

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When Miller’s shot missed in Game 4, Bob Costas sounded like Tom Kelly at the end of a USC loss and Doug Collins said nothing because he couldn’t talk through his tears.

CRAIG DUNKIN

Tujunga