NOTEBOOK NBA Finals

Girlfriend predicts coach's return: Phil Jackson seems likely to return to the Lakers next season after all -- at least according to somebody who probably knows. Jeanie Buss, the Lakers' executive vice president of business operations, told a radio interviewer there's a 95 percent chance Jackson will return for a sixth year with the Lakers despite a season of uncertainty surrounding his future. Of course, Buss has plenty of insight into the situation: She's the daughter of Lakers owner Jerry Buss, and also Jackson's girlfriend. Ever since the Lakers broke off contract talks last winter, Jackson has said he won't address his future until after the season. When asked whether Jeanie's comments reflected any special knowledge, Jackson didn't blink. "No, she freelanced on it," he said.
Still no glove: For the second straight game, Gary Payton was outplayed and outclassed by Chauncey Billups. Payton, who joined the Lakers last summer for a chance at his first championship, scored two points on 1-for-3 shooting while playing 28 minutes in Game 2. He had more fouls (four) than assists (three), and he made three turnovers. But the worst part was Payton's defense -- there wasn't any. The defensive stopper once known as The Glove couldn't get a handle on Billups, who scored 27 points and made 13 of 14 free throws while slashing past Payton nearly at will. In the second half, the Lakers mostly used Derek Fisher, who wasn't much better on defense but still hit two big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Payton played just 11 minutes after halftime and never got off the bench in overtime. He had just three points and three assists in Game 1.
Straight out of Staples: As a rapper and actor whose fondest dream was to wear a Lakers jersey, Ice Cube knows why performers seem to want to be athletes -- and vice versa. "It's a fascination I think we have with each other because we're both addicted to performing in front of a crowd on a big stage," the lifelong Lakers fan said before watching Game 2 of the NBA Finals. "And we both always feel like the grass is greener on the other side. "Deion Sanders once told me that I had the best job in the world because I didn't have to use my body to make money." Earlier this year, Ice Cube -- born O'Shea Jackson in Los Angeles in 1969 -- starred in "Torque" and "Barbershop 2: Back in Business." In addition to their huge Hollywood following, the Lakers attract plenty of hip-hop celebrities to Staples Center. Snoop Dogg, a Long Beach native, is among the regulars.
Owner on the fly: Forgive Bill Davidson if he's a little worn out. He's been crisscrossing the country in pursuit of an incredible feat. The Pistons' owner arrived in Los Angeles at about 4 a.m. Tuesday after watching one of his other teams, the Tampa Bay Lightning, win the Stanley Cup on the other side of the country. If the Pistons can win three more games against the Los Angeles Lakers, Davidson will pull off an unprecedented single-season sweep of the NBA and NHL titles. Davidson also owns the Detroit Shock, the WNBA champions. The 81-year-old billionaire attended Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Los Angeles on Sunday before traveling to Florida to see the Lightning's clincher. And there's a possibility that the Stanley Cup will show up at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Sunday for the Pistons' Game 3 -- a move that might not be popular with Red Wings fans.
Associated Press