The long tease ended Thursday, and preparations for the long, raucous party to come began.
Karl Malone finally committed to the Lakers, 48 hours after Gary Payton did the same, and a dynasty on pause just hit play again.

Soon, the best tandem in the NBA will double in size, and the Lakers will pursue their next title behind four probable Hall of Famers: Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, Malone and Payton.