LOS ANGELES – It would be insanity to write off the Lakers' title hopes after just two losses. But even the staunchest of Laker lovers has to admit something is wrong.
It's not like they've lost the games by a hundred points apiece and haven't been competitive. It's the way they've lost. Ugly effort on defense, nearly 20 turnovers per game and pathetic play from the bench have put a lot of doubt in the minds of many.
And, of course, the first sign of unrest is the media and fans calling for the coach's head. I assume Mike Brown likes his head and would like to keep it – along with his $4 million per year job – so he needs to be open to making drastic changes to his offense. Yes, the Lakers shot 50 percent and scored 106 against Portland in the loss, but they did that on pure basketball-playing ability. The offense gave them very few opportunities for quick or easy baskets, which was supposed to be the reason for the switch to the Princeton offense.
Also, Brown has to find a way to motivate his players to give a better effort on defense. So far, they're getting out-hustled on almost every play.
They have a chance to turn things around against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.
Who’s Hot: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard.
Who’s Not: Every other player and the coaching staff, especially those in charge of defense.
Three Thoughts
1) If the defense doesn't improve in a hurry, it's going to be a long season. The effort has been subpar, and that's understating it.
2) The three best players on this team – Bryant, Steve Nash and Howard – are all hurt or recovering from surgery. Mike Brown has to find a way to win some games in an easy manner to keep their minutes under control, especially since he already conducts some of the longest practices in the league.
3) Rumor has it that one of the best offensive weapons in the NBA is now the Lakers' sixth man. And there is a warm body wearing number 4. As far as I can tell, though, Antawn Jamison hasn't arrived yet.
Quotes of the Week
"Luckily, it's not anything major or structural. It's just a contusion in a bad area. Maybe I'm too optimistic to say doubtful, but it's definitely touch and go."
– Lakers guard Steve Nash, whose leg injury will likely keep him out of Friday night's Battle of Los Angeles against the Clippers. Steve Blake would start in his place.
"You see flashes of us moving the ball well, you see flashes of us cutting well, you see flashes of us passing well. Even defensively, at times, we're doing the right thing. We have to put it together for 48 minutes in order to be good in this league."
– Coach Mike Brown talking about his 0-2 team
"Beat L.A."
– 19,980 Portland Trail Blazers fans Wednesday night at the Rose Garden
News and Notes
* Gasol has looked like the four-time All Star he was prior to last season. Other than Bryant, he's the best all-around player on the Lakers. He's averaging 19.3 points, 11 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Imagine if they were running the fast break or pick-and-roll instead of the slow-to-master Princeton offense.
* Lakers' Hall of Famer Magic Johnson even took a shot at the offense, saying he found it confusing.
* During Magic's final year with the Lakers before contracting HIV and retiring for the first time, he had similar problems with new coach Mike Dunleavy's offense. The Lakers started 2-5 during the 1990-91 season, and Magic had seen enough. He met privately with Dunleavy, asked him to let (Magic) run the team on the floor, and the new coach showed enough confidence to say yes. The Lakers won their next eight in a row and went to the NBA Finals that year, losing to the Chicago Bulls in five games.
Maybe it's time for Kobe and Nash to have a Magic-Dunleavy-type talk with Mike Brown.
* The Lakers have lost 12 consecutive games since Game Four of the Western Conference semifinals against Oklahoma City last May.
What’s Next?
Friday vs. Clippers (H), Sunday vs. Detroit (H), Wednesday vs. Jazz (R)
The Clippers (1-0) are deep and will be even better once Chauncey Billups and Grant Hill return from injuries. Defensively, the Lakers have no one to match up with Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. The Lakers should be 0-3 by late Friday night.
Tower of Power?
More like a Tower of Babble so far. Lots of talk about winning a championship from players and fans alike. But they've shown nothing – so far – to indicate they're a legitimate contender.
