A little more background on Tot's discrimination claim: "[Byears] claims that shortly after joining the Sparks, Kristal Shipp -- the team's communications director -- told her to avoid speaking to gay and lesbian magazines and to use "discretion" about what nightclubs she frequented."

The gay press, meanwhile, has picked up the story, as have a bunch more papers around the country today.

Timber argues that it's ridiculous to compare Latasha Byears to Kobe Bryant.

Not having seen the complaint, and not knowing anything about the truth of the factual allegations, it's impossible for me to say whether her case has any merit. But I will say one thing: this could get ugly.

Byears will try to unearth as much evidence of homophobia in the Sparks organization (and the league?) as she can. She may also try to dig up some stuff on how the Kobe matter was handled internally.

The Sparks may respond by attacking Byears -- exposing her whole history of behavior and substance abuse problems -- to show that they fired her not because she was a lesbian, but because she was an ill-tempered pain in the ass.

And we may find out sordid details about what happened on the night of June 5, 2003, at the crazy, throw-down, sleepover party at Byears's apartment. Sex and drugs, maybe some rock'n'roll? Photos from the camera phones? We'll see.

We'll see how much of this gets played out in the media. And we'll see whether the parties really go through with the whole thing, or whether the Lakers decide to give her a couple hundred grand to bury the publicity.