"Can you help an obnoxious, know-it-all, loudmouth sports guy out?" the KCAL-Channel 9 Lakers sideline reporter and KSPN-AM (710) midday sports talk co-host asked in an e-mail sent out recently, in an attempt to turn a loss into a win over an on-air guarantee he made before the Lakers' recent game in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers, with the worst record in the NBA, had no chance of upsetting the defending champs, who were ending a seven-game, 13-day trip before the All-Star break. Ireland said as much on the KSPN Lakers pregame show to analyst Dave Miller, who insisted it could happen.

"You sound like an idiot," Ireland said. "I would quit my job and walk home from Cleveland if they lose this game."

Final score: Cleveland 104, Lakers 99.

Ireland decided he needed a bailout plan.

"I might have given myself some wiggle room," he said, "but the Lakers had no business losing to Cleveland. I had to do something."

He channeled it into taking part in the Walk Now for Autism event April 23 at the Rose Bowl, raising money for a cause that means a lot to him and his family. The goal was set at raising $2,344 - the distance in miles between Cleveland and L.A.

As of midday Thursday, his page on walknowforautismspeaks.org had nearly $12,800 in pledges.

"It's beyond anything I ever imagined," Ireland said. "I just thought it would be cool to get the number with a lot of small donations to that 2,344 number, but now it's taken (on) a life of its own."

Even if Ireland ends up on the road covering a Lakers' playoff game on that date, he plans to fly home for the event, or complete the walk in whatever city he's in during the time it takes place in Pasadena.

"I'll do it, either way," he said. And guaranteed it.