After a month of play, the Los Angeles Lakers are who we thought they were.  A team that is only a few pieces away from being a legitimate viable threat to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy once again.

Unfortunately, the present day Lakers are going in the wrong direction, as they’re on a three-game losing streak, capped off by a 98-96 home loss to the Indiana Pacers last night.

The Mamba & Co. had a double-digit lead in the first half, and were up by as much as seven points midway through the fourth quarter, but couldn’t seal the deal against the Pacers, a team who by the way is having one of those aberration type of starts, posting a 11-4 record early on in this lockout shortened season.

The Mamba had a 33 point night, while Andrew Bynum scored 16 points, and totaled 8 rebounds (four boards under his average). But the big issue that keeps rearing its head is the consistency of Pau Gasol inability to be a solid number two option for the Lakers. The Spaniard finished with 14 points and 5 rebounds, and only took eight shot attempts. What happened to the Gasol of three nights ago in Miami that totaled 26 points? Gasol can not afford to have moments in which he spontaneously gives the Lakers his best “Ghost Protocol” imitation.

Offensively, the Lakers look fine through three quarters of play, but the fourth quarter is where the Lakeshow’s anemic offense reared its ugly head once again. Maybe it takes time for these players to fully adjust to this new offense, but I’m not sure how much patience Laker Nation will have as the season progresses. I had a conversation with a friend of mine a couple of days ago, and I think we accurately diagnosed the Lakers offensive woes. Simply put, it’s hard to score in coach Mike Brown’s offense with “Triangle Personnel.”

With three games on the slate this week, which includes a rematch with Lob City (Los Angeles Clippers), and two road games against the Milwaukee Bucks (who are fresh off of a victory against the Miami Heat) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (who recently beat Lob City). This by no means, will be a money in the bank type of week for the Lakeshow.

I know the Lakers and Laker Nation ask a lot of Kobe, but he relishes these kind of moments when the odds are against him. Sitting at only two games over .500 in this 66-game season, its now time for Bryant to get into Black Mamba mode once again, and like one of the lines in his latest Nike commercial, take this team “over the top.”

In the early of stages of a young and shortened season, elite level teams are still making adjustments as the season progresses. As of right now, teams are being judged by their recent play, and there is no way to hide the fact the Los Angeles Lakers are not a good road team, as they lose to the Miami Heat 98-87 in the first game of a Florida 2-step.

And to make matters even worst, their offense is so offensive, not only to Laker Nation, but  to basketball connoisseurs who love high level efficiency and productivity in the half or open court. When asked about the Lakers offense, here was the Mamba’s take.

“It’s under construction.”

And that was putting it lightly. You add there road and offensive woes together, and you have basketball squad that doesn’t resemble the team that made it to the NBA Finals 3 out of the last 4 years. Instead, you have a team filled with role players equivalent to the post Kobe-Shaq Era. This develops into a fan base that asks questions and make statements such as, who is that, oh I didn’t think he was still in the league and my new favorite, no Metta, don’t shoot it.

Right now, the Lakeshow’s “Big Three” is looking sharp, totaling 65 points in their loss to Miami. You can do the math on how much their teammates chipped in. The Mamba had an off shooting night, but still manged finish with a decent point total of 24 points, while Andrew Bynum had his normal double-double  of 15 points and 12 rebounds, but got in foul trouble, which hurt the Lakers offense early in the ball game. The surprise of the night goes to Pau Gasol, as The Spaniard had 26 points, to go along with 8 rebounds. I haven’t seen “this Gasol” since early last year, not to mention, now he’s letting it rip from 3-point land this year (1-3 in last night’s game). This could be the game that puts Gasol back on the track to playing like the elite level player he was a year and a half ago.

The Kobe vs. Lebron matchups never reall live up to the hype, as Lebron is 11-5 all-time against the Mamba. But thats in the regular season. An NBA Finals matchup could live up to the hype, but the Mamba needs some more arsenal before that happens.

Mitch Kupchak has to surround the big three with better talent ASAP, because this current team is on the cusp of being a legitimate contender, but realistically they are not there just yet. If Kupchak, had to do it over, I wonder if he would rethink the idea of trading all that length for CP3, and just went out and got an athletic combo guard like O.J. Mayo?

Well if, if was a fifth……you know the rest.

The Mamba and Co. head to the Magic Kingdom today to take on his possible future teammate, in Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. Sportscenter will be extra annoying this evening, over-analyzing the “Howard vs. Bynum” matchup. The Lakeshow are 1-1 this week, with a tough, but small payback victory over the Dallas Mavericks on MLK day, and look to get a much need road victory heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Indiana Pacers at home. They face a 10-3 Magic team, that’s under the radar and will not be easy to beat.

Will tonight’s ball game jump start the Lakers winning ways on the road, or will they continue to be inadequate away from Staples Center? I guess we’ll find out later on tonight.

In the midst of Kobe Bryant’s “40′s the New 30 Tour”, the first showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers took place last night, with the youthful Clippers outrunning and outlasting the veteran Lakeshow squad 102-94.

The Mamba had another 40-point night, but apparently his crew went all MIA (missing in action) on him.

The Mamba scored 42 points last night, with a ball-so hard type of 3rd quarter in which he scored 21 points, while Pau Gasol was the second highest scorer with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Really? It seems like The Spaniard is playing aloof when it matters most, dating back to last year’s playoffs. When you see The Mamba loading up with arsenal before the game, you know he’s heading to a proverbial gun-fight night in, night out and there will be a whole lot of shooting taking place. Obviously, Gasol hasn’t gotten it, that’s why he keeps bringing bats, knives or nun-chucks to the same gun fight…..SMH

Andrew Bynum is trying to go ”Andre The Giant” on teams, posting another double-double in which he had 16 rebounds, but 12 points won’t cut it. I know the Mamba is in takeover mode right now, but AB has to get more than 13 shots a game. I only have two words for Metta World peace’s play as of late. No comment! The rest of the Lakeshow was pretty much a non-factor in last night’s ball game, so they get no honorable mention.

Coach Mike Brown’s defense looked very penetrable for the first time in six games. Chris Paul’s 33-point effort is not necessarily a head-scratcher, but moreso how he obtained those 33 points. Not to mention his co-star in Clipper Land, Blake’s Griffin 22 points and 14 rebound night against a twin tower duo of Bynum and Gasol still leaves me somewhat puzzled. We know the offense is still work in progress, but I guess so is the defense when they play quick and shifty point guards.

Yesterday’s matchup began a four-game slate, in which the Lakers play the likes of the Dallas Mavericks,  Miami Heat and Orlando Magic. I know Monday’s game against the Mavs might be a little emotional with the return of Lamar Odom to the Staples Center, as it will be interesting to see these veteran clubs playing against each other for the first time after last year’s playoffs (Mavs swept Lakers 4-0). After that, the Lakeshow will hit the road for a little two-step in Florida. This by far, will be the most interesting week in La La Land, as Laker Nation awaits the outcome of a tough week, in this young season.

Two weeks into this abbreviated NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers are two games above .500, are in 7th place in the Western Conference (only two games out of first place) and as a team, still look like work in progress.

This version of the Lakeshow, appears to be more of a cohesive unit on defense, than offense. Which is a good thing, because the Lakers could easily see themselves on the negative side of .500 if it weren’t for their defense. Offensively, this squad  reminds me of the 2004-05 Laker team. Some days their offensive efficiency was solid, but on most days it was hard to stomach.

The difference, is that the 2011-12 Lakers are far superior than that 2004-05 team, but as of right now, they bear too much of a resemblance offensively.

The Mamba is having an MVP season early on, but he is shooting way too many shots, even with a banged up wrist that has to get injected before every game to numb the pain. His teammates have to be consistent and step up their play. The Spaniard (Pau Gasol), is still playing like a former shell of himself, which will not get it done. Andrew Bynum is beasting on the boards, but his field goal percentage took a dip last week (he still maybe playing his way into game shape). One of these two players have to average at least 18 or 20 points to help the Mamba out.

D-Fish looks like a mere shadow of himself, as he seems to have less of an effect on the outcome of ball games like he once did. Metta World Peace started the season off strong off the bench, but has regressed in a typical World Peace manner. Steve Blake has been there best player off the bench, but you kind of get the sense his play might just be an early season aberration. All in all, when you look at this team, they look like a “known unknown.”

With the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers and their Staples Center rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers aka Lob City  on the slate this week, they better take care of business, because next week’s matchups against the Dallas Mavericks (defending champs), The Miami Thrice and the Orlando Magic could have them drowning under sea level in the next two weeks. Hopefully, they will be able to stay afloat after the first month of the season.

The Los Angeles Lakers have yet to pick up a “W” in the win column two games into the season, as they fell to the Sacramento Kings on Monday night 100-91.

Fresh off of a last minute 4th quarter collapse, in a 88-87 home loss to the Chicago Bulls on Christmas Day, the Lakers fell behind early on the road to the Kings and couldn’t recover on the second night of a back-to-back. The Lakeshow still have one more game left to play of a back-to-back-to-back opening season schedule, being the only team faced with that task to begin the season.

L.A. is without big man, Andrew Bynum, who has two games left on a four-game suspension dating back to his actions in last year’s playoffs. The Lakers could use his services in tonight’s matchup, as they prepare to go up against the Utah Jazz. This game should be a guaranteed victory for the Lakers, but then again wasn’t last night’s game against the Kings suppose to bring about the same guaranteed outcome? There’s obviously a learning curve in getting adjusted to coach Mike Brown’s new system, and this version of Lakeshow better develop some continuity ASAP!

Kobe, aka “The Mamba”, has scored 28 and 29 points in the first two games, but has received little help from The Spaniard (Pau Gasol). Metta World Peace, the player formerly known as Ron Artest, has been the other lone bright spot with a 19-point effort off the bench against the Kings. With the subtraction of Lamar Odom, his play off the bench will be key to the Lakers developing a respectable bench.

The Lakers look to prevent an 0-3 start to an already shortened season. The Mamba needs help, and the Lakeshow are in dire need of regaining their swag back. Something Laker Nation hasn’t seen since the end of last season.

If your a Lakers fan this might be one thing that you wouldn’t be happy about.

Kobe playing basketball overseas in Europe with the NBA being locked out. It all got started with Deron Williams signing a deal to play in Turkey, and then gets word that Kobe would look into maybe doing the same thing.

Is it worth it though?

That’s something that could be debatable. Kobe is due to make 25 million dollars next year and with him being the “Franchise” still in Los Angeles it would be hard to see him get hurt considering he already has been banged up the last couple years and could use a very long vacation to just get healed and go into the NBA season (whenever it may start) and be 100% ready.

Of course, it can also be a good thing considering the lockout seems like it is going to loom far into the future and part of me says there won’t even be a season; only time will tell.

What are your thoughts on Kobe possibly playing overseas? Do you think that it is a good idea for him? or would you prefer that he healed up to 100% and came out stronger then ever for the NBA season, whenever it may start.

For more on this story click on the link below.

http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/29564425

Dreadful. Humiliating. Embarrassing.

Those are the first three words of a “Rated G” variety that comes to mind after watching the Dallas Mavericks sweep the FORMER, two-time NBA Champion Lakers into rebuilding mode.

All the other words spilling from my mouth would have made George Carlin proud.

The Dreadful

Let’s start with the poor defensive rotation. I’ve heard Stu Lantz say numerous times that “no player can travel faster than the ball.” Well, the Mavs were passing the ball around like they were playing a game of hot potato, while the old and slow moving Laker defense just couldn’t keep up. It appeared no matter where the Laker defenders set their feet defensively, their feet feet found a way to end up in buckets of cement.

I could understand giving up an open three every now and then, but to see Jason Terry spot up numerous times and take an open shot without a Laker within a country mile was frustratingly painful to watch.

The Mavs were on fire from beyond the arc and the Lakers had no answers. To see this team make it to three consecutive finals, win the last two and not have any answers for defending the pick and roll or the three point shot is going to leave many Laker fans wondering WTF happened.

The Humiliating

After Jason Terry hit his, I don’t know, 37th 3 in a row, the Lakers, at least some of them, quit. Some Lakers who never “been there before” wilted under the pressure. Steve Blake and Matt Barnes, the two Laker signings that fans were most excited over, never made their mark on the team or provided the level of play the Lakers front office was expecting.

Ultimately, with Jason Terry’s record tying performance and the Mavs on the whole going 20 of 32 from beyond the arc, the Lakers were not merely eliminated, they were pulverized by the Mavs in a 36 point rout.

Sadly, the game was over at halftime. It turned out that Friday night was in fact, “Kobe’s Last Stand”, as the Lakers acquiesced to their fate and dialed up Nick Van Exel in search of the best travel deals to Cancun.

The Embarrassing

Bynum and Odom. Let’s get Lamar out of the way. His hockey check on Dirk Nowitzki was out of line, and if this was a regular season game or a run of the mill competitive playoff game, the refs probably wouldn’t have ejected him. But given the score, given that LO hit Dirk and given that it was a forearm to the ribs as opposed to something that may have occurred accidently during the course of a play, the zebras had little choice.

Now let’s talk about Bynum. There were things that I liked from #17 during games 2 and 3. He played with intensity. He was aggressive. He was demonstrative on the court. For one of the few times ever it seemed like he gave a damn and he wanted some responsibility for how well the team performs. He elevated his game high enough to compete with Pau as the preferred second option.

And he threw it all away with a cheap shot. And it was not only cheap, it was against the littlest player in the series, JJ Barea. All 6’0″, 175 lbs of him was knocked to the floor when he drove to the basket, leaped for a layup and was unceremoniously knocked to the floor when his ribs met Andrew Bynum’s skillfully placed forearm.

Quick tale of the tape: We’ve already established Barea as 6’0″ ft tall and 175 lbs (after a full meal). Andrew Bynum has  13 inches and 110 lbs on him. Between Barea’s ribs and Bynum forearm, who do you think won the matchup? Right, Bynum’s forearm and he was immediately ejected.

And then he took of his jersey as he left the court.

There are several things that bothered me about this.

First, it reminded me of Dennis Rodman and Ron Artest circa 2004. No further explanation required.

Second, it proves to me that he quit. He couldn’t get off the floor fast enough. I think there was a bar of soap waiting for him at the tunnel. He must of had a full lather on by the time he reached the locker room.

If you are going to do something like that go all the way. Get in someone’s grill. It just proves that there was no purpose, nothing strategic about his foul. If you do that, be a freakin’ man about it. Don’t sprint off the court as if you are going to meet Rhianna after the game for a night cap.

Lastly, it was classless. When #$%& doesn’t go his way, when things do not turn out the way he wants to, he can’t control his emotions. Sure, he is only 23, but he’s been in the league for SIX, yes SIX years now.  There is no need to act like a little bitch in front of everyone.

Win with class, lose with dignity. Apparently this fool can’t do either.

As a Laker fan I was embarrassed to see the team lose the crown with two of its pivotal players getting ejected for flagrant fouls. I was also angry that Kobe and Fisher didn’t immediately step in and tell Bynum that his hit wasn’t called for.

By this time the Lakers gave up. They tapped out. Nothing from the bench, nothing from the co-captains, nothing from Phil as he was already on his way to Montana.

What’s Next?

Phil is gone. It’s been a great run, but the run with this team is over. Now the Lakers have to hope that there are teams in the league that are willing to help them rebuild. He will go down as the G.O.A.T. and it is a shame that his career had to end in such a blowout. His career will not be remembered for the result of this one game, but the 11 teams that he coached to championships, his unique way to motivate his players and manage large egos to fit into his system and his keen ability to find himself at the right place at the right time.

There are reports that Brian Shaw is the favorite to take over for PJ next year. That may be true, but I have a feeling that after the way this season ended, that it is possible that the Lakers may look to go in an entirely different direction to try and inject some new life, new blood and new philosophies into the Laker style of play.

Will Lamar, Bynum and Pau be back? These three guys are the only tradable assets the Lakers own. I think the Lakers SHOULD trade Bynum. One more misstep and his trade value becomes nil. Why run the risk? This is a guard driven league and the Lakers need to acquire someone who is dynamic with the ball at the point.

Teams will always be interested in Lamar’s versatility, but not his aloof nature. There are teams out there who would love to have LO as an asset on the bench and with him winning the 6th man of the year award the Lakers may get ninety cents on the dollar for him.

And as for Pau,…he’s a mystery. Are his skills diminishing? Will he ever be the 2008-2010 Pau or is this as good as it is going to get? I’d rather trade someone too early than too late, so if there are viable offers out there the Lakers have to consider unloading him.

It is likely that the next few years will be rough for Laker fans as we watch other franchises pick up the Larry O’Brien Trophy. As long as Dr. Buss is running the ship, we should feel confident and hopeful that our team will be back sooner than later.

I’ve been thinking over the last few days about what to expect from the Lakers tonight. And here is what I think:

1. Kobe will shoot the ball 30+ times. Whether or not he is still capable of single-handily winning a game remains to be seen. I do not doubt for a second that he still has the will to try. Can his body keep up with his mind and determination? We will see. Kobe will, at the very least, start out assertive. Let’s hope there is still fight in the other Lakers. If not, even if the Lakers win tonight the season will soon be over.

2. Bench changes. I expect to see Luke Walton playing some minutes tonight. Luke is not flashy, he doesn’t score much, but Phil trusts Luke to move the ball on offense and the Laker offense has been rather stagnant in the first two games of the series. Will Phil start Luke? I doubt it. Phil is not that bold. I would expect him to start Lamar and play all three bigs at the same time. Let’s hope the Laker length can disrupt the Dallas offense and create 2nd chance opportunities for the team while on offense.

Finally, this may be Kobe’s last stand.

Think about it for a moment. If he is unable to resuscitate this Laker run, with the pending NBA lockout on the horizon, we may not see Kobe and this version of the Lakers receive an opportunity to make a run for another title.

We certainly will not see the same Kobe. If the NBA loses the 2011-2012 season, Kobe will not play a NBA game until he is 34. 36 in NBA years. He would no longer be considered in his prime and in the twilight of his magnificent career.

Phil will be gone. Pau will be 32, and 32 for a big man is the start of the downside of his career. While Pau does not depend upon brute force like Shaq, he does depend upon quick footwork and precise moves to create space and get to the basket. He’s not going to move as well two years from now and who knows, this playoff season may be the first sign of the eroding of his talents.

What I am saying is that this could very well be the Lakers last hurrah. And if Kobe is looking to get his 6th title, he may have to do it by carrying 50% of the load.

Okay. I’ve said for a while to wait for me to say it is time to panic…

WELL NOW IS THE TIME TO PANIC.

Everyone except Kobe and Andrew Bynum seemed like they were playing a critical playoff game.

Blake, Brown, Barnes, Artest and Fisher all looked out of sorts.

And what to make of Pau? There has to be something physically wrong with him because he looks completely out of sorts.

I am ALMOST resigned to the fact that the Lakers are going to lose this series.

But I expect Kobe to take the bull by the horns on Friday. If Kobe doesn’t shoot the ball 30+ times I will be shocked. He’s going to try (and rightfully so) and carry this team back from the abyss.

And truthfully, this team is a lot closer to the abyss than it is to the surface.

I’d expect to see a little more Luke Walton on Friday. The Laker offense has been stagnant most of the first two games and PJ likes to lean on him to get the ball moving and hopefully create some easy opportunities for Pau and Kobe.

It would be a travesty if the Laker are sent “Gone Fishing” by the TNT crew in the Western Conference Semifinals.

If they lose Friday and/or Sunday, that just may be their fate.