Lakers are good, but we still don't know how good

Here's an interesting question: What would this Lakers team be like if it was really playing well? It has definitely been an amazing season around here. Well, an amazing four weeks anyway. Not that there hasn't been a disappointment or two for hard-core fans, who hoped the Lakers could be unbeaten going into the Christmas game against the Boston Celtics. Now even Vic the Brick understands the Lakers aren't likely to get 80 wins. For one thing, there's that Feb. 5 game in Boston . . . and the one three days later in Cleveland. They also have two...read full article

Josh Powell is latest Laker to get an opportunity

He scores a season-high 10 points Friday against Indiana, taking advantage of the team's injury situation for more playing time. Basically, the Lakers are down to an eight-man rotation because of injuries. The available Lakers all want to play and there are some who have been waiting for the opportunity. One of them is Josh Powell, who stepped up and played big for the Lakers on Friday night at Staples Center against the Indiana Pacers in a 121-119 victory. Powell scored a season-high 10 points on five-for-seven shooting. He had two rebounds. He hustled. He...read full article

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul is becoming known as one of the biggest trash-talkers in the NBA.

The way Phil Jackson described Sasha Vujacic before Friday night's game, you'd think he might send the Lakers guard to visit the Wizard of Oz. Asked about Vujacic's tendency to engage in soap opera histrionics every time an opposing player mouths off to him or a call goes against him, Jackson said semi-seriously that Vujacic sometimes plays as though "he just doesn't have a brain."
"We've just had to come to the conclusion that Sasha is just an emotional player that plays by the seat of his pants, and that's about it," Jackson said. "He's just whacking away...read full article

Hornets' Chris Paul talks trash

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul is becoming known as one of the biggest trash-talkers in the NBA. He has this angelic-looking face, the face of a choir boy. But many around the league say he is anything but that. In fact, just ask Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic. When the Lakers played the Hornets recently, Vujacic said Paul called him a name that rhymes with witch.

Heidi Klum And Seal: Lakers Lovers

Treating themselves to a date night away from the kids, Heidi Klum and Seal were spotted enjoying themselves at the Los Angeles Lakers game last night (January 9). The “Project Runway” babe and her “Kiss from a Rose” crooner hubby scored floor seats to cheer their home team on to victory over the Indiana Pacers 121-119 at the Staples Center. Abandoning all of her better judgment, Heidi took the night off from her usual supermodel diet by chowing down on popcorn and nachos and washing it all down with a beer. Klum and Co. recently returned...read full article

Heat goes for season sweep of Lakers on Sunday

It's turning into an adventurous road trip for the Heat. Saturday's optional practice at UCLA was canceled because students protesting the Israeli-Palestinian violence in Gaza prevented the team bus from getting on campus. This follows the team having to spend the night in Denver on Thursday because of a mechanical problem with its airplane. In between, the Heat defeated Sacramento in a riveting 119-115 overtime game Friday at Arco Arena. Guard Dwyane Wade had 41 points - 10 in overtime - to help Miami end a two-game losing streak. "I was...read full article

Knee injury keeps Odom on sidelines

Lamar Odom did not practice Saturday and will not play today against the Miami Heat. A bone bruise in his right knee continues to cause him pain. He cannot jump or run or stop or start as he usually does, so he cannot play. "It doesn't have the strength I want it to have," Odom said. "I can play with pain. My life is painful. I'm living it, you know what I'm saying? So, a knee? It's not ready. It's not stable enough." He plans to accompany the Lakers on their two-game trip to play the Houston Rockets on Tuesday and the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. But...read full article

Miami Heat looks for season sweep of Lakers

After needing overtime to beat one of the worst teams in the West, the Heat can do something no team has done this season against the conference's best: Beat the Lakers twice. The Heat (19-16) looks to sweep the Lakers (29-6) for the first time since the 2004-05 season when they play Sunday at Staples Center. The Heat won the first of two regular-season games 89-87 on Dec. 19 in Miami. Kobe Bryant's jumper rimmed out as time expired. Coach Erik Spoelstra said the Heat is a more confident defensive team now that it was three weeks ago, when it held the...read full article

Mark Heisler's NBA rankings

Cavaliers move into the top spot. They're better than the Lakers . . . right now.

MEET THE NEW BOSS
1. CLEVELAND (29-6) Hardly as talented as Lakers, may not be better at the end -- but they are now. (2)
2. LAKERS (29-6) Future bright as long as they score 111 -- after allowing 110 a game in last three. (1)
3. ORLANDO (29-8) Just beat Hawks home and home, 106-102 and 121-87, separating men from boys in East. (4)
4. BOSTON (29-9) What's everyone so upset about? They're still a lock to...read full article