Lakers Claim Division Title

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Lakers clinched the Pacific Division title with a 107-104 victory over the Western Conference-leading New Orleans Hornets on Friday night. It was the first division title for the Lakers since 2003-04 - the team's last trip to the NBA Finals and the last season that superstars Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant played on together. With the win, Los Angeles (55-25) also moved within one-half game of New Orleans (55-24) for the top spot in the crowded West standings.

The Lakers became the second team to wrap up its division in the West, joining the Utah Jazz, who are champions of the Northwest Division. The Lakers assured themselves of no lower than a No. 4 seed in the process. The top nine teams in the West standings are separated by just eight games entering Saturday's play.

It has been a whirlwind season for the Lakers and Bryant, who highlighted the offseason with on-again, off-again trade demands and reported rifts with teammates. He has brushed that off thanks to a blockbuster deal on February 1, which gave Bryant an All-Star-caliber running mate in center Pau Gasol. Gasol joined a frontline with emerging big man Andrew Bynum, who currently is sitting out with a knee injury.

As such, Bryant has a had a refreshing season - free of controversy and full of fulfilled potential. The two-time defending scoring champion actually has improved his game, allowing his all-around skills to prosper.