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On one hand, the odds are stacked significantly against the Lakers while down 0-2. On the other hand, there's an opportunity to build on many things done legitimately well in Game 2, and in a home setting to boot. Which hand wins out? Along with Arash Markazi, we debate the question. (And look at us on the NBA Countdown set! We're all growns up and we're all growns up and we're all growns up!)

With the playoffs about to begin, what are the most intriguing storylines for the Lakers? Along with Ramona Shelburne, we nominate our favorites.

In the newest edition of The Forum, 710 ESPN's Dave Miller joins us as we look at the dynamic between Mike Brown and his roster.

In the newest edition of The Forum, 710 ESPN's Beto Duran stops by and we talk about why Pau Gasol has become the member of the Big Three most likely to be traded, when a few months ago that role was filled by Andrew Bynum.

Plus, a look at Lakers vs. Celtics on Sunday, and what a point guard in the mold of Rajon Rondo would do for the Lakers.

Dave McMenamin joins us as we answer a pair of questions:

• What does it mean that the Lakers reportedly turned down an offer for Minnesota's Michael Beasley?
• What should the Lakers do between now and the trade deadline?

Ramona Shelburne joins in as we ask what was learned about the Lakers in the first half, and what to expect in the second.

It doesn't necessarily get any easier from here for the purple and gold, sitting at 20-14, good for fifth in the Western Conference. Can Mike Brown learn to read his team a little better? Will some member of the supporting cast step up and give some support for the Big Three? If so, who?

Ramona Shelburne joins in as we ask when the Lakers will next make an NBA Finals.

In the newest edition of The Forum, we take a look at the Lakers' bench with 710 ESPN hoops analyst Dave Miller. What impact does the consistently thin production from the reserves have on a game in, game out basis?

Factoring in the similarly dismal output from the small forward and point guard spots, the picture becomes clear. L.A.'s problems aren't about their Big Three, but the 11 guys working behind them, something made pretty clear in Boston last night, despite the big win.

There have been ups and downs in this most unusual of seasons. With the Lakers sitting at 14-10 heading into tonight's game in Philadelphia, it's as good a time as any to evaluate the work of Mike Brown, even if he won't actually be on the sideline. Approximately one-third of the way into the season, does it appear the Lakers picked the right coach?

We discuss on the newest edition of the Forum, joined by 710 ESPN's Dave Miller.

With the Lakers about to enter a stretch largely on the road, we discuss with Dave McMenamin ways they can demonstrate improvement.

After reading what to watch for during Wednesday's Lakers-Clippers contest, watch us, along with Dave McMenamin, break down the central differences between the teams.

17 games into his season, Kobe Bryant leads the league in scoring at 30.4 points a game, while adding 5.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals to round things out.

To this point, he's played MVP level ball. How likely is it Kobe takes home the hardware when everything is said and done?

We debate the point with 710 ESPN's Mark Willard.

The Lakers split four games with Andrew Bynum on the sidelines, thanks to his suspension. Saturday against the Nuggets, he returns to the lineup.

How will it impact the Lakers going forward? That's the question for this week's Forum, with the Kamenetzky Brothers and ESPN.com's Kevin Arnovitz.

Chris Paul is officially a Clipper. What does this mean for the Clips, the Lakers and L.A. NBA basketball moving forward? Along with Dave McMenamin, we break down the particulars.

Kobe Bryant's health is always a concern to Laker fans, whether you're talking his finger, ankle, back, neck, or penchant for catching the flu. There's also his knee, which he claims is now almost "bone-on-bone" due to deteriorated cartilage. This offseason, The Mamba traveled to Germany for platelet-rich plasma therapy, a relatively new procedure still garnering a divided medical community opinion.

The early returns have been positive, but how will the rigors of a compressed season, plus his pledge to practice regularly, affect Bryant's knee?

For specialized insight, we brought in Dr. Robert Klapper, chief of Orthopedics at Cedar Sinai Medical Group and co-host of The Weekend Warrior on 710 ESPN. He, in turn, brought props. Fun!!!