Sometimes being a fan just isn't enough, even when your team kicked butt in the NBA Finals. If you think you've got the right stuff to sink them like the best of them, consider registering to play in the Inaugural Lakers 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament which takes place on August 14-16 on multiple city blocks around LA (at about 70 outdoor basketball courts).

Lakers 3 on 3 is open to the general public and free for all fans. The event is set to feature a slam dunk contest, other basketball themed activities and competitions, food and drink, live music, and of course the best part: appearances by members of your favorite winning team, The Lakers.

You've got until July 31 to register your team through the event's website. Do it for Kobe!

Photo: Elsa/ Staff/ Getty Images

I just experienced the Michael Jackson memorial firsthand for four hours on-air as a guest on NBC LA's digital cable channel News Raw. Host Mekahlo Medina and I commented, play-by-play on the mammoth event at The Staples Center. It was quite the incredible star-studded spectacle culminating in an unforgettable group performance of "We Are the World." Mayor Villaraigosa is now asking for donations for the memorial whose price tag was upwards of $1 million.

Also, it has been brought to my attention that there is no email (or bio) for me on this site. Rest assured, About.com's tech folks are working on fixing this. In the meantime, please note my email address: losangeles.guide@about.com.

Michael Jackson's public memorial service takes places at the Staples Center tomorrow, July 7. More than 1 million people have put their names in a lottery to get the chance to attend. But only 17,500 will actually be allowed in. Public officials are warning the rest to stay home. I heard the police department has a budget for the event but the city's broke and will have trouble getting enough employees to clean up after it.

Realistically, most Angelinos will not be able to attend the gathering for the King of Pop. But there is another homage to the performer in LA, that's a lot more accessible to the public. Artist Jeff Koons' ceramic sculpture "Michael Jackson and Bubbles" (1988) sits at the LACMA as part of Eli Broad's collection.

LACMA's Unframed blog is calling it a "monument to the king of pop." the LA Times' Culture Monster blog chimed in with a more general post on Jackson's influence on artists, throwing Andy Warhol into the mix too.

Personally I prefer the Koons piece (pictured above). I think he and Jackson shared a whimsical, childlike energy. I remember interviewing the artist a while back. He posed for photographer Terry Richardson peek-a-booing behind one of his art pieces, sticking his tongue out and waving his hands like a little kid.

The Broad Art Foundation, Santa Monica / © Jeff Koons

As is the usual tradition in LA, everyone complains that there's nothing to do on the 4th of July. Of course that's not true; it's just part of the ritual.

Beyond the loads of private barbecues taking place all over town, Jason Bentley, Music Director and host of Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW (89.9 FM) will be spinning at The Wet Pool Party. Other talent on the line-up are Colette, Zack Hill, Adam Auburn, Eduardo Castillo and Franky Boissy.

The big splash takes place from 1 p.m. on the 4th until who knows when, at the Custom Hotel (8639 Lincoln Blvd.). Tickets are available online but sales stop at 11 a.m. on Saturday. You can also buy tickets at the door but there is limited capacity so your best bet is to buy them online tonight.

Photo © KCRW