The Lakers always seem to be surrounded by drama and they usually feed off it, but that’s not the case now. They’ve already been tested by Dwight Howard’s gradual return to form after back surgery, Steve Nash’s exiting the lineup because of a broken leg bone, and Kobe Bryant’s playing through a sore shoulder, all contributing factors to a rocky start that has fans fuming.

Becoming more assertive would be a good start, because he (Pau Gasol) has seemed lost so far.

“He’s played well for us in stretches this year, just like everybody else has,” Coach Mike Brown said. “Nobody has played at a high, high level every time they stepped on the floor for us.”

via Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times