What the Lakers Need to do to Win

Like I've said so, so, so, so, so, many times before: JORDAN FARMAR NEEDS TO KNOW HIS ROLE! Okay, Sasha's has had bad games. But he's a shooting guard, and actually does something about defense. Besides the best line=up we have is Fisher, Kobe, Sasha, Lamar, and Pau. That line-up actually blew out opponents, got back in back in games other people gave up on, and was clutch. And we had great spacing. Point is, and I'll be blunt, Jordan could have a great career... if he wasn't such a selfish, pompous, ball-hogging asshole. Your shooting the ball like your crazy, have no defense, get in foul trouble, and then get pissed that Phil takes you out? No respect.

Mike Kahn's Top 50 NBA Players

This guy is officially high.

FOX Sports 1. LeBron James, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers - He's grown up to 6-9, 260 -- Karl Malone size with Michael Jordan explosiveness. Now if he can only get consistent in his shooting, he'll be unstoppable.

2. Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers

Incredible toughness playing through hand injury and still the best clutch shooter in the game. He even showed leadership that carried them to the Finals, where he finally ran out of gas.

This guy must be on some incredibly strong weed. EVERYBODY in the NBA knows that Kobe's #1. LeBron even said it himself on numerous occasions. This guy is just a hater.

Kobe Still Need Legwork

LA Times Long after the NBA Finals ended in mid-June, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol took center stage in an international theater, helping their respective countries to gold and silver finishes at the Beijing Olympics.

Has there been a carry-over effect from almost two months' worth of overtime?

Gasol seems to be faring fine on the court this month, but Bryant has looked fatigued at times, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said.

"Kobe still looks to me like his legs might be a little bit tired," Jackson said. "So I constantly ask him if he wants to take a day off or if he needs a day off. I check in with him."

Bryant sat out a few practices the first week of training camp and was sidelined for the second part of Friday's practice after feeling a twinge in his back. He is not expected to miss preseason games tonight and Sunday at Staples Center.

Bryant's shot has been somewhat flat in preseason play. He is shooting 36% (nine for 25) in three exhibition games.

"That's all legs," Jackson said. "He's got to get his legs into it."

Bryant also had a subpar exhibition season a year ago, but he snapped back to life with a 45-point effort in the season opener against Houston and eventually won his first league most-valuable-player award.

The Lakers begin the regular season Oct. 28 against Portland.