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With nine games left before the playoffs begin, the best case scenario would be a Laker squad steadily clicking on all cylinders, a well-oiled machine ready for a utilize a tough stretch of foes (the Nuggets, Thunder and the Spurs... three times!) as a dress rehearsal before the second season. On the other side of the coin, the Lakers may not be currently mired in the worst case scenario, but they're certainly closer to that end of the spectrum.

Back-to-back losses to the Rockets and Suns have come on the heels of middling wins over foes like the Nets, Hornets and Warriors. (twice!) A once-stout defense, along with a collective focus, has slipped badly. Kobe Bryant missed a game with a lingering shin injury, and Pau Gasol, Ramon Sessions, and Metta World Peace (among others) are nursing ailments. Steve Blake appears to have forgotten how to play basketball. Andrew Bynum's obsession with cultivating a persona as the NBA's edgiest player is currently prioritized ahead of helping his team.

There's a lot on the Lakers' plate to address in just under three weeks, and the clock is ticking. Thus, the Hornets need to be treated with the utmost respect and focus (particularly since they're suddenly healthy again). For more info on the Hornets, we called upon Michael McNamara from the True Hoop network's Hornets247 blog. Below are his responses to a few questions, plus a pair of thoughts from yours truly.

Land O' Lakers: 1) How has Eric Gordon looked upon returning and in what ways does he change what the Hornets can do?

Michael McNamara: You could tell that Gordon was feeling his way around in the first half of his first game back, but over the last six quarters he has been dynamic. He gives the Hornets a guy who can create for himself in the half court and finish at the rim in the open court. More than anything, he allows the other players on the Hornets to fall into their complementary roles, as opposed to trying to do too much.

(AK's note: If Kobe remains out, I'm assuming Devin Ebanks did enough things well in his place to continue holding down the fort. If that's the case, he'll be matched up against his first 20+ point threat since game 4 against the Knicks. Ebanks was admittedly a little overwhelmed by Carmelo Anthony, which immediately led to getting pulled from the starting lineup. Soon enough he was yanked from the rotation altogether. As I've expressed on a few occasions throughout the seasons, I think Mike Brown overreacted, and in the process robbed himself of a potentially useful asset. But that's also the past and can't be changed. What's important is that Ebanks makes the most of an opportunity, along with a challenge in front of him. Even working his way into game shape, Gordon is a talented player and a potentially tough cover. Ebanks will need to be on his toes.)

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After being swept up in Sessions-mania and allowing imaginations to envision a deep playoff run, Lakers fans have been slapped hard by the events of this week. Outworked in last Sunday's home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Outclassed in Thursday's home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. And sandwiched in between, a middling Golden State Warriors squad turned what should have been a blowout into a dogfight, while Andrew Bynum was banished to the bench and watched with seemingly mild interest. On and off the court, there have been reasons for concern, and the days left to address issues are dwindling.

Obviously, success over a 13-38 Western Conference cellar dweller signals absolutely nada in terms of problems being solved. But it would at least provide a sense of normalcy and calm, even fully aware of the victory's relative insignificance. Bad vibes beget even more bad vibes, and the Lakers can't afford to even tiptoe further down that path.

For the scoop on the Hornets, we tracked down Michael McNamara of the True Hoop network's Hornets247 blog. Below are his responses to a few questions, plus a thought of my own.

Land O' Lakers: As of this writing, the Hornets are missing Trevor Ariza (ankle), Gustavo Ayon (birth of child), Jarrett Jack (ankle) and Chris Kaman (illness). In what ways would these players' absences be felt on Saturday if they're still not able to go?

Michael McNamara: And don't forget Eric Gordon and Emeka Okafor, who are arguably the two best players on the roster. The losses of Ariza and Jack are felt the most, as those two are the leaders of the team and the coaches on the floor. Earlier this season, when Kaman and Okafor were in the starting lineup together, the Hornets dominated almost every team they played on the boards, but that is no longer the case with Carl Landry and Jason Smith forced to start up front.

As crazy as it sounds, a Hornets team with a full roster would give the Lakers a fight in this game, but are playing with a bunch of backups and D-Leaguers at this point. Essentially, the Hornets starting lineup is on the bench, and yet they keep competing night in and night out.

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BK and I are both big fans of Regina King (Boyz n the Hood, Friday, Ray, Jerry Maguire, Enemy of the State), whom I've long considered one of the more underutilized actresses in Hollywood. Not that she hasn't found roles. She's steadily worked since being cast in 1985 as "Brenda Jenkins" on 227, and landed a handful of very meaty supporting roles. But no project ever featured her front and center, which is disappointing given her skills at comedy and drama. That changed, however, when she was cast in 2009 as Detective Lydia Adams on Southland, a cop drama set in her native Los Angeles. Critically acclaimed by canceled after one season by NBC, TNT picked up the show, and it's since become a big hit for the cable network.

With the season finale airing Tuesday (10 pm PT), we were pleased to have King on as a guest to talk about the show, her career and the Lakers, a team she's rooted for since the Showtime days. The entire show can be heard by clicking on the module below.





Among the talking points:

• King's love of the Lakers, which truly blossomed when Magic Johnson arrived in L.A. The two seasons fellow Westchester High School alumni Trevor Ariza spend in purple and gold were also fun. Less enjoyable, however, was seeing the Three-peat teams squabble, then eventually break up. King thinks this drama was indicative of the last 10+ years in the NBA, where everyone obsesses over "whose team it is."
• Celebs who hit Laker games to pump projects rather than watch the game bug "the mess out of" King, especially given how Joe Q. Laker Fan would "cut off their pinkie toe" to sit courtside at Staples.
• How Los Angeles itself serves as a character on Southland.
• King grew up in L.A. during a period when the LAPD was under heavy -- and deserved -- scrutiny, which she admits fostered distrust towards the police. Upon playing a cop and spending more time around them, however, her feelings about the profession have changed.
• It's no secret quality roles in Hollywood for black actors have traditionally been on short supply, with black actresses in particular feeling the pinch. In the 20+ years King has been in the business, how much does she think this issue has improved? "Not as much as one would hope," she admits. Not that race neutral casting is unheard of. For example, the role of Lydia Adams wasn't originally written as a black woman. But there's a ways to go before this becomes more commonplace. Not that race has no place whatsoever in developing projects, but there are factors inhibiting the diversity of faces seen on screens.
• One reason is the tendency -- whether by those making, marketing, or watching movies and TV -- to assume projects with a largely minority cast will mostly appeal to audiences of that particular race. But quite often, we see that's hardly the case. Take Friday, which ended up spawning a franchise. In broad terms, it would be regarded as a "black" movie, but as King says, people of MANY races tell her it's their favorite movie. At the end of the day, funny is funny, and humor often crosses color lines. For that matter, so do many human experiences.
• Speaking of projects that discovered audiences of all backgrounds, King made her film debut in Boyz n the Hood. She considers the movie universal, because every city has sections stricken with the issues tackled in that groundbreaking movie. In a bit of art-imitating-life, "Boyz" wasn't just set in her native city, but co-starred Nia Long (who graduated a year behind her at Westchester) and was directed by fellow USC Trojan John Singleton. King, however, was more geeked at the time about doing a movie with Ice Cube. And like everyone else, it blows her mind that one of the godfathers of gangsta rap is now a bankable star for family friendly projects.
• King coaches the cheerleaders for her son's football team, and is more Pat Riley than Phil Jackson.

As part of a continuing series, NBA players share how growing up in L.A. shaped their games.

We bring you the second part of our interview with Baron Davis, the NBA player we feel most epitomizes "L.A." Between his upbringing with roots in South Central and Santa Monica, plus an eye fixed on Hollywood and the next generation of ballers, Los Angeles remains a huge part of Davis' identity. In part I, he talked about learning the game as a child, the influence of his family and neighborhood and how he arrived at the prestigious Crossroads School. In part II, the L.A. journey continues.

Land O' Lakers: During your senior year, Crossroads won the state title by absolutely destroying Sacramento Encina 93-57. How did such a lopsided win happen?

BD: In high school, we were good. [And] they were a real challenging team. So when we run out for the warm-ups, they were looking at us, like, laughing! Like we were a joke. I think they were a tougher team. I don't know what neighborhood they were from, but they d--- sure acted like it. They were just shaking their heads, like, "C'mon, dude! This is Crossroads? Which one is Baron Davis? Are you serious?"

I was like, "Dude, we're about to beat the s--- out of you. You have no idea what's about to happen." (laughs)

That was the best game we played as a team and that was probably the best all-around game I ever played at the school. I think I was the second- or third-leading scorer of the game. The guys that were seniors, myself, Cash Warren, LeQuan Tolbert, it was our last time knowing we'll ever play with each other. So it was like, once again, somebody is underestimating us, let's go smack them in the mouth one more time.

And we had lost in the semifinals [the year before]. We were so hungry it was crazy. That's why we beat them by [46]. We were throwing the ball off the backboard by the end of the game. We were so afraid to lose. There was 10 seconds left in the game, we were still pressing and laying the ball up. It was crazy.

Land O' Lakers: You guys had already beaten Christ the King and some other great schools across the country.

BD: We beat Christ the King. We beat Simon Gratz. We beat Inglewood. We lost, I think, to Mount Zion, we lost to Dominguez at Dominguez, Crenshaw at Crenshaw. When we lost to Dominguez, they were No. 1 in the country. When we lost to Mount Zion, they were No. 1 in the country. And going to Crenshaw thinking you were gonna get a victory, you have a whole other thing coming.

We were up 20 going into the fourth at Crenshaw. Then all these [Crips] came in the gym and I just felt real uncomfortable. (laughs) The thing about Crenshaw, they never stopped playing. They were like Golden State -- no lead was too big for them to overcome. And we were playing in their house. And once the Crips walked in, it was like a whole different thing with me. It was like … OK … uh … where are my homeboys at? I was a little distracted at the time.

If you put that in the article, the dudes who were standing on that wall, they know what I'm talking about. They'll read that and laugh, I guarantee.

Land O' Lakers: Is that why the Crips were there? Or were they just there to watch the game?

BD: I don't know. I just know they came in right in the fourth quarter and that was very uncomfortable. We were up 20 before they walked into that gym … My antennas went up. They had to go up, you know what I mean?

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As part of a continuing series, NBA players share how growing up in L.A. shaped their games.

For Jordan Hamilton, an NBA lockout stalling his rookie season with the Denver Nuggets is a microcosm of his entire basketball career: A series of starts and stops. Academically ineligible as a Dorsey High school freshman, the Crenshaw district product repeated that grade academically the following year, but was considered a sophomore player on the court. Thus, a season lost in the ether. After transferring to Dominguez his junior year, he led the squad to the state finals, where they were upset by McClymonds. Unfortunately, redemption wasn't in the cards. Despite three appeals, Hamilton's eligibility was ruled expired as a senior. Disappointed but undeterred, Hamilton made the best of the situation by maintaining his high work ethic. That determination led to two seasons at Texas, followed by 26th overall selection by the Denver Nuggets in this year's draft.

Kamenetzky brothers: When you first began playing, which were your regular playgrounds and parks?

Jordan Hamilton: We played some basketball at Ladera Park. Baldwin Hills park. I'd go there every once in a while and play. Rancho Cienega [mainly]. A lot of guys came out of there and played as kids. Marcus Williams played there as kids. I think Arron [Afflalo] played there. A lot of pros. I liked the atmosphere. It was like a mini-Rucker indoors, so a lot of people would come out and watch us play.

I never really played my own age. I'd always play up. They didn't know I was only nine or 10 years old. I was around 5'10", pretty tall and pretty big, so they didn't really see me as a nine year-old.

I think that's when [respect] first got started for me, just going around there and building a reputation around L.A. Then I took it to the national scene. Growing up as a kid playing AAU from about 10, 11, 12, that's when I started getting nationally known. But it started [at Rancho]. Just built that confidence to go out and play against guys across the country and get better.

K Bros: What goes into building that reputation?

JH: People talking. It starts off as a buzz, then people come out and see you play. If you perform well and keep it going, I think that's how you build your reputation. And just being known for something. Some guys block shots. Some guys rebound well. But for me, it was scoring. A lot of people see me as a scorer, so if they come out, they expect to see me score the basketball.

K Bros: Were there any local legends you patterned your game after?

JH: Marcus Williams. I really look up to him in a lot of ways. Growing up, he was one of the best players in our area. Just seeing him how much people respected him. He's a really good passer. He can shoot. Most [guards] are known for passing, but he can shoot it. He can get to the basket. He know how to create fouls. He's not one of the quickest or fastest guys but he definitely can get the job done.

K Bros: Your parents were very involved in the community, trying to make it as strong an environment as possible. What effect did that have on you with avoiding negative influences?

JH: I have four brothers and a sister and we're all on the right track, as far as our lives go. Growing up in the Crenshaw area, it was kind of rough. We just hung out with each other. Those are really my close friends. I'd include Marcus and a couple of others. Those are the main focuses. Having us stay tight, having us in a support system, and basketball is what we all chose.

K Bros: Did you have to make a conscious decision of acknowledging those surroundings and trying to distance yourself?

JH: My dad, he works with County Probation with juveniles. He'd take us to the place to see the kids and that was kind of scary for us. That being said, we never wanted to go down that route. We just kept straight heads and did what we had to do to be a positive influence in the community.

K Bros: Your older brother played for the University of Miami and professionally overseas. What did you learn from him?

JH: He was more of a post player, but he's been through it with other guys and saw other wings train. He put me through some drills and then later that day, we would play some pickup basketball every summer. I would play against pros all the time. I think that's also a confidence booster. It was like, "Okay, if I can get my shot off against Ron Artest or Trevor Ariza, I can definitely get my shot off on a wing in college."

K Bros: When did you really focus on taking basketball to the next level?

JH: Probably when I was 12. When I was 11, we went to Nationals in Florida with an AAU team and I had a really good showing. And then when I was 12, that's when I started playing against guys that were older than me. Right after that, I [thought] maybe I can possibly be in the NBA one day.

K Bros: You started out at Dorsey, but you were academically ineligible as a freshman. Was it frustrating or scary to have your high school quickly stall?

JH: Yeah, it was tough. I started high school at 13 years old, failed some classes, so I was academically ineligible and then I tried to fight to get that year back. Technically, I was [still] in ninth grade, but it was my sophomore year on the court and ninth grade in the class room. I played two years at Dorsey, then transferred to Dominguez, which was my junior year, but technically, on the court I was a senior. My fifth year, I couldn't play at all. Not playing kind of hurt me, but I knew I was gonna be okay. My grades were okay, since the NCAA granted me a fifth year. I was gonna be able to go to college and play.

K Bros: Your family takes grades seriously. Was it harder being unable to play or telling them about those grades?

JH: Harder to go home. (Laughs)

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As part of a continuing series, NBA players share how growing up in L.A. shaped their games.

Trevor Ariza is so deeply steeped in the basketball culture of Los Angeles, it's easy to forget he was actually born in Miami. He starred at Westchester High School, then played a season at UCLA before leaving college for the NBA draft. Selected with the 43rd pick in the 2004 draft by the Knicks, Ariza's greatest professional moment came as a member of the Lakers, as he was an integral part of their 2009 title run, averaging 11.3 points over 23 games while shooting over 47 percent from beyond the arc.

While he's no longer playing locally, fair to say Ariza takes enormous pride in his L.A. roots.

Land O’Lakers: Where did you play growing up?


Trevor Ariza: I used to play at Westchester Park a lot. I met a few of my friends there. Then I got on a traveling team and started to meet other people. I met a lot of my friends I’m still friends with today.

Land O’Lakers: Who specifically?

Ariza:Westchester Park, it started out being [L.A. Sparks guard] Noelle Quinn. She was just sick back in the day, when we were younger. She was the best player I ever met. This is when I was 9, 10 years old. Omar Wilkes was there. He used to play with us. Then I started to meet other people like Marcus Williams, Bobby Brown, Hassan Adams. People I went to high school with, though the AAU circuit and stuff.

Land O’Lakers: Describe the scene at Westchester. Was there a lot of trash talk?

Ariza: Not really. I used to play pickup with the older guys. They used to let me on the court and teach me things. I got my aggression playing at Darby Park, playing football. I just used to like contact all the time. My favorite player of all time is Deion Sanders, so football is my first love. When I was little, I focused more on football, definitely. That’s where I met Dorrell [Wright], and little DeSean Jackson [Eagles wide receiver], and a few other people that played there, too. [Cowboys defensive back] Orlando Scandrick, and all those guys.

Land O’Lakers: DeSean was a talker back then?

Ariza: Man, he’s been the same way since … probably when he came out of the womb. He was born talking. And any sport, he just talks. That’s his thing.

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It was a raucous chat-boree Wednesday morning here at Land O'Lakers. Did you miss it? Please don't let it ruin your day.

Here's the link to the transcript.

With it, you can steep yourself in Lakers conversation like Darjeeling in steaming hot water.

We may be deep in the untamed (and somewhat boring) wilds of Lockout Forest, but that doesn't mean there's no room for lively Lakers talk. Among the subjects covered in Wednesday's edition of our weekly chat: The need for a real backup center and some names of potential candidates, whether Kobe Bryant should use the lockout to fix those fingers, what happens with a "hard cap," and revisiting the Ron Artest-for-Trevor Ariza "swap."

All that and more! Here's the link to the transcript.

Also, we're still taking suggestions to rename "The Triangle." The only catch? "Lakers" can't appear anywhere in the title. That aside, we're pretty wide open, so leave some ideas in the comments section, or Tweet us.

LOS ANGELES -- City legend Nick Young’s team was down 30 points with two minutes left in a Drew League Sunday matinee in South Los Angeles, but no fans were leaving their seats -- or their spots, rather.

The ultra-small gymnasium at Colonel Leon H. Washington Park in Florence, near the intersection of Compton and Firestone Boulevards, was still over-filled to the fourth or fifth degree, more people standing than seated and fans literally watching from outside the doors and climbing on top of each other in the corners to get a glimpse of the action.

What happened next was the stuff of inner-city urban myths.

Young's cousin, Adrian Pascascio, measuring in at no more than 5-6 and no less than 250 pounds, was brought into the game, much to the boisterous crowd’s consent.

He proceeded to knock down back-to-back long-range shots, nearly falling into his own bench on one of them. The second shot he made, a 3-pointer with just seconds to go, sparked the crowd into a louder frenzy than other player or celebrity's on-court actions would on this day, even though NBA'ers Derrick Williams, DeMar DeRozan, Baron Davis and Matt Barnes all showed up, as well as local rapper The Game.

“That’s what this is all about,” said the opposing coach, Rodrick Shannon. “That’s the Drew League right there.”

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As part of a continuing series, NBA players share the various ways growing up in L.A. shaped their game.

For Washington Wizards guard Nick Young, who grew up in West L.A., the path to USC and eventually the NBA was anything but smooth. There were academic struggles. Failed SAT tests. Three different high schools (Hamilton, Dorsey, Cleveland). And at age 5, his brother Charles was murdered, a senseless tragedy that not only turned his family upside down, but later nearly derailed his high school basketball career before it got started. But due to Cleveland High School in Reseda, plus the help of concerned coaches (and, of all people, Jordan Farmar), Young got himself on track to eventually reach the NBA. This is the story of how L.A., in his words, "raised him" as a basketball player.

Andy Kamenetzky: Where did you grow up playing most of the time?

Nick Young: At Robertson Park. We would all get together, go up there. Cedric Ceballos played there. He grew up over there. Craig Smith. And also at Pan Pacific.

AK: What was the scene like? Atmosphere? Was there a lot of talking? Was it physical?

NY: It's a very small gym. It gets packed and it gets sweaty. A lot of trash talking. Mostly, there were a lot of guards. Back then, everyone wanted to be Iverson, man. But I was probably the tallest in my group, so I wanted to be like T-Mac and Kobe.

AK: Did that make you stand out, in terms of the way everyone else played?

NY: Yeah, but it also got my game better, going against littler people that could play defense and had handles and all that.

AK: Was there a particularly epic game or run at Robertson you'd describe as your "Robertson experience?"

NY: I'd say when I was about 14, I got a chance to really run with the older kids, the older guys. I got this one dunk and after that, I was playing with the older guys every day. That's when I started jumping more. My brother threw a lob and I caught it on somebody.

AK: Nobody expected you had those kind of hops?

NY: Nah. Back then I was just a goofy kid running around always talking trash, shooting while they were playing. The ball would get on the court, they'd get mad at me.

AK: What was it like going from playing with guys your age to mostly older players?

NY: That was fun. It was tougher. You couldn't call fouls as much, so everything you did, you just had to hold it in. That's when I got a chance to play with Craig (Smith) and all them. They had Trevor (Ariza) there. Evan Burns back then. (My brother) Terrell Young. A lot of different people.

AK: Were there any local guys you patterned your game after while growing up?

NY: I looked up to my brother Terrell. Everyone thought he was gonna go (to the NBA). That was my idol. Him and Evan Burns. My brother Terrell, everyone thought he was a park legend.

AK: How did the tragedy with your brother Charles' murder and the effect it had on your family shape basketball for you? Did it become an outlet? Or a mission? During the documentary "Second Chance Season," you mentioned feeling like the family savior.

NY: It started off as an outlet. I remember after the funeral and stuff, we went to go play at the YMCA. It was things like that. Just really stayed busy. Once I really got that season in high school, that's when I was like, "I could really do this. I'm gonna really take advantage of this right now."

AK: How much pressure was added by going in and out of high schools? Was there ever a point where basketball stopped feeling fun?

NY: No, not really. It's always been a game I liked. Even when I used to mess up in high school, every time I ditched, I went to the park. (laughs) Every time, for like two weeks straight, I'd just go to the park and reenact plays. Act like I'm this (specific) player. All the time. So I was having a vision, really.

I got caught when my mom rolled by on Robertson. I tried to hide and run back to school. I was already caught. There was a laundromat right up the street from the park. I guess she was doing some laundry. And on the way home she caught me.

AK: There was a period early in high school where your mom made you stop playing for a year. How tough was that?

NY: It was real tough. She had seen me ditching more consistently. She wanted me to do right in school, so that's when I transferred to Dorsey. I was gonna try out for that team, but the school, there was too much going on. There was too many gangs and all that up there. I just didn't feel comfortable. But I never told my mom that. I didn't want her to worry about me.

AK: These were gang members affiliated with the one involved with your brother's murder?

NY: Yeah. So, that's when I started going back to the park. She'd drop me off and I'd leave. The school, it just didn't sit right with me. Once they started realizing (the situation) and I started playing on this traveling team while I was ditching and stuff, it just happened that coach knew a coach in the valley. He said he'd get me on the team and they'd work to stay on me. And I was like, "All right." I just took a chance. So they checked me out of Dorsey and transferred me to Cleveland High.

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With the rubber match secured and series control reestablished, for now, everyone can exhale.

Highlights

Kobe Bryant
I'll say this for Kobe, the man doesn't just play while hurt. He throws all possible caution to the wind when it comes to logical approaches in this state.

First, he refuses to get an MRI on his injured ankle like any sane person whose body is their temple would do. From there, it's not about limping all game to lend a complimentary helping hand, as many (myself included) felt would be the case. Instead, Bryant mustered as much or more aggression as he would on his teenage ankles. The lane was attacked -- often to great effect -- and he offered some of his most electric elevation since that time he introduced his midsection to Steve Nash's face.

By any sensible measure, the approach doesn't hold up to sound reason.

But guess what? It worked.

Bryant's evening actually started out with a whimper and a lot of ominous hobbling, as he struggled to contain Trevor Ariza. He also didn't take a shot in the first quarter and looked generally out of sorts. Twitter was chock full of folks wondering whether the Lakers might be better off with a minimal Mamba presence, particularly after the second unit pushed the Lakers out of an early hole. Bryant eventually rejoined the action in the second quarter, and after a few mixed bag possessions, it was as if he just said "Screw it."

That's when he launched himself from between the circles to throw down with vicious force over Emeka Okafor. This was just a ridiculous blend of hops and brutality, one of two wicked dunks for Kobe. But beyond the shocking showmanship, Bryant's contagious energy sparked a team-wide ripple effect that can't possibly be overestimated.

I have no earthly idea how these feats were pulled off, but like a lot of things involving Kobe, attempts to understand are an exercise in futility. Better to just sit back and say, "Wow!" His night rounded out with 19 points on 13 shots, four dimes, better defense and another chapter in a storied career.

Derek Fisher
The old man is known mostly for crunch time theatrics during the playoffs, but tonight, he went to work early. Fisher chipped in nine first half points, three points and a steal, and his fingerprints were all over a critical second quarter push when the lead was regained for good. Yes, Chris Paul enjoyed some success with Fish shadowing him, but lest we forget, he's Chris-freaking-Paul. But when the dust finally settled, CP3 was sitting on 20 points and 12 dimes, which is pretty easy to swallow. The goal is to prevent Paul from going absolutely bananas, and Fisher had a hand in accomplishing that mission.

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Believe it or not, the Lakers' Game 1 issues weren't all about pick-and-roll defense or Pau Gasol's lack of "Black Swan." Mind you, those were issues. Big ones, even. But after watching a replay of the game, I picked up on a few other adjustments that could pay dividends for the Lakers in Game 2.

Make it harder for Chris Paul to get the ball back
As frustrating as it was to watch Paul carve up the Lakers' D, it's expected to some degree. CP3 is a master at keeping games on a string and his dribble alive, then picking teams apart. The Lakers have proved capable of better work against Paul during the regular season -- and despite popular belief, against the pick-and-roll all season -- but over (now) 5-7 games, Paul will periodically own them.

Having said that, if Paul doesn't have the ball, his ability to wreak havoc drops considerably. Upon a rewind, it was evident how easily Paul typically got the ball back upon passing off. That must stop, and two possessions illustrated how much less effective the Hornets are with somebody else running the show.

Up 14-12 in the first quarter, New Orleans took the ball out after Andrew Bynum's made free throw and Derek Fisher picked up Paul with full-court pressure. Unable to inbound to the All-Star, Emeka Okafor was forced to go in Marco Belinelli's direction. From there, Fisher did an outstanding job denying passes back to CP3, which left Belinelli and Trevor Ariza touching the ball. Ariza ended up at the line after a fouled missed dunk. I'll take Ariza forced to slash and create -- even with the two freebies -- all day over Paul controlling the action.

Later in the third quarter, as Paul ran a curl off ball, Fisher stuck exceptionally well to his side and nearly came up with a steal after Ariza tried forcing the ball to his quarterback. The ball went out of bounds off Fisher, who continued denying Paul aggressively after the inbound, and the possession ended with an Ariza miss.

It may feel like the rock is always in Paul's hands, but his usage rate is surprisingly low, whether measured within his team or even against other point guards. My point? Other Hornets dribble the ball, and whenever humanly possible, leave them no other choice but to do so. The Hornets took serious pains to prevent feeding the Lakers bigs, through fronting or secondary defenders making continual soft doubles. The Lakers should adopt the backcourt version with Paul.

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The only thing better than regular-season ear candy? Playoff edition ear candy!

It's the first podkast of 2011 focusing on the NBA's second season. For a look at the New Orleans Hornets, the Lakers' first-round opponent, we spent some time talking with Michael McNamara of Hornets247.com (True Hoop network). Among the talking points:

PODCAST
In anticipation of the first round series against New Orleans, Andy and Brian talk with Michael McNamara from Hornets247.com. Podcast

- The overwhelming majority of pundits aren't giving New Orleans a snowball's chance in hell of winning this series. Ditto the Laker Nation, from the feedback I'm seeing. And as we learn later in our conversation, even Hornets fans aren't especially optimistic about their odds against the two-time defending champs. But as far as making a legit series out of an inevitable first-round exit, McNamara said the naysayers may help:

"I think they can make games (of it), partly because they're gonna be fired up. The Hornets have played their best when they've had a chip on their shoulder all year. ... You see the way the Hornets started out 8-0. They were the last undefeated team in the NBA. And then once they started getting some national attention, they fell off."

McNamara predicts coach Monty Williams, a fiery "nobody believes in us" type himself, will show the Hornets every dismissive article he can find to pour gasoline on a prideful fire. Could this approach lead to the world shocked? Not likely, but it could create the surprisingly challenging series McNamara personally expects.

- By Chris Paul standards, he's having a down season and entered the playoffs looking mortal. McNamara considers the issues twofold. The Hornets' roster has been seriously overhauled, and new faces always make a point guard's organizational responsibilities that much tougher. Plus, without the jettisoned Tyson Chandler and the recently injured David West, the picks set for CP3 haven't been as strong, which doesn't allow him the same ability to operate.

- McNamara talks about the impact ex-Laker Trevor Ariza could have making Kobe Bryant work for points. Or, more succinctly, Ariza's impact if allowed leeway from the refs.

- McNamara says he thinks Jarrett Jack will be paired often with Paul, and the more burn JJ gets, the better he tends to perform. Jack, one of my favorite role players, has enjoyed success against the Lakers, so it's worth keeping an eye on him as a potential "X-factor."

- Brian and I are relieved to learn DJ Mbenga is still a fan of the automatic heat check whenever he happens to hit a basket beyond point-blank range. "He'll make a four-foot hook in the lane and he just thinks it's on. He thinks it's game over. He's got the hot hand. ... I think he thinks he's playing a game of NBA Jam," jokes McNamara.

- How is the situation with the Sacramento Kings affecting Hornets fans, they of the mutual relocation concerns?

It's the first playoff edition of The Triangle! In the new installment, Dave McMenamin and the K Bros discuss intriguing on-court matchups between the Lakers and the Hornets, whether backing into the postseason is a bad omen for the two-time defending champs and predict a winner.

As the playoff race in the Western Conference began taking shape, the general consensus among, as Phil Jackson calls us, the "media pundits," pointed to the New Orleans Hornets as the ideal first round matchup for the Lakers.

Time to find out how smart we are.

Despite losing Wednesday night in Dallas, a Grizzlies loss to the Clippers- Memphis did everything they could short of starting B.B. King at the point to avoid victory (at least until late, when it looked like winning might actually help them)- locked the Hornets into the seventh spot on the Western Conference playoff ladder, ensuring a date with the Lakers after L.A. (barely) knocked off the Kings in Sacramento. On its face, the matchup heavily favors the purple and gold. The Lakers swept the season series 4-0, winning by an average of 10.75 points per game. In the most recent meeting, L.A. won by 18.

One big reason- New Orleans may have Chris Paul, still arguably the league's most complete point guard despite what appears to be an MVP season for Chicago's Derrick Rose, but lost All-Star power forward David West to a torn ACL last month. Kudos to the Hornets (and Paul, for staying afloat in his absence, but on paper at least are overmatched up front. At center, Emeka Okafor is undersized defensively and limited offensively. At power forward, Carl Landry always hurts the Lakers- if he could play L.A. 82 times a year, monuments might be erected in his honor- but listed generously at 6'9", he gives up a ton at the other end, where he's not a high end defender against smaller opponents.

Behind those guys, New Orleans has size, but little talent. D.J. Mbenga and Jason Smith are both seven-footers, as is Aaron Gray. Fond memories aside, I'll take my chances against Mbenga. Smith isn't very good, neither is Gray. Willing a player as Landry is (the man has been shot- his gumption is unassailable), New Orleans simply has no adequate substitute for what West, their leading scorer, brought to the table. In fairness, most teams wouldn't. In his absence, New Orleans is forced to rely on guys like Trevor Ariza, Marco Belinelli, and Willie Green, none of whom are models of consistency.

No surprise, then, the Hornets are a .500 team (5-5) without West in the lineup.

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