| 13 December 2008
Sacramento Kings (6-16) at Los Angeles Lakers (18-3)
To place too much emphasis on an early-season struggle would be foolhardy. To look back two games at the loss to the Kings in Sacramento as a harbinger would be folly.
Yes, the Lakers aren't exactly playing with the same verve they opened the season with.
No, they don't look to be defending with the same intensity.
Yes, they could definitely play better.
But let's remember one thing: 18-3.
There are 14 other teams in the Western Conference, and probably 27 teams in the entire NBA who would love to have the "problems" the LA Lakers face at the moment. So it's more than a little premature to be getting maudlin about the way the Lakers are playing. Sure, some issues to address, but that's why Phil Jackson gets to sit in the big chair (and that's a big, big chair). Luke Walton started in place of Vlad Radmanovic, and whilst he wasn't terrible, he didn't set the world alight. Sure, 6 dimes were nice, but with the triangle someone's going to get those. Would still like to see Phil experiment, and maybe we will. Whilst Phil's quite comfortable letting players play through their slumps, he's pulled the trigger on that slot and hopefully will continue to tinker until something fits.
There's a very deep roster to work with, lots of permutations and combinations.
The Kings will be propped up by the victory 3 nights ago, but coming into the Staples Center and beating the Lakers? Not this time.
