Mike Brown on Gilbert Arenas

Yo Mitch … make this happen, nao.

Highlights from the Lakers 106 - 73 win against the Bobcats.

Kobe Bryant scored 24 points, Andrew Bynum added 20 and 11 rebounds, and the bench went crazy in the 4th quarter. At one point the Laker’s bench connected on seven consecutive 3-pointers.

After going a stretch of 13 games without cracking 100, the Lakers have now scored 100 points two games in a row.

Do you remember earlier in the week when Pau Gasol said he and Bynum were more skilled than Dwight Howard? Well last night the Bucks didn’t even have Andrew Bogut, yet the Lakers were outscored in the paint 44-42 by Drew Gooden and Luc Mbah a Moute, both under 7-feet. Gasol went 6-18 and Andrew Bynum only had 10 shots.

Outside of the paint, no one can seem to find the bottom of the bucket besides Kobe. When he goes to the bench the offense becomes stagnant, and the second unit has no pure scorers (which is why acquiring Arenas looks tantalizing). Not to mention that the Lakers are one of, if not the worst 3 pt. shooting teams. Last night they were 6-19. That’ll hardly get it done.

You’ll hear it time and time again, but the Lakers really do need a point guard. The offense has become predictable; set a screen for Kobe, or pass to Gasol (who then pumpfakes for 8 seconds before making a move). The Triangle was unpredictable since players made decisions on the fly, and Derek Fisher ran it to perfection. In this system however the Lakers need someone who can create shots for others, not just pass them the ball.

I know a lot of people will point to Kobe and blame him for the offense, but last night he had 27 points on just 20 shots, 9 assists and 8 rebounds. And at one point in the game when he went on the bench the Buck went on a 19-2 run. There just needs to be another spark for this team, especially on the road. 1-7 on the road means even if they get into the playoffs, they’re a first-round exit, and that’s a very harsh reality.

Welcome to the Jim Buss era.

Recap from the Lakers loss to the Bucks, 100 - 89.

Lakers now fall to 11-9, and things still don’t look much better. Teams are scoring 100, and they’re barely cracking 90. Thoughts on the game, or season so far?

If the Lakers don’t crack triple digits Saturday in Milwaukee, they’ll set a new franchise record for the longest run of games without scoring 100 points. They’ve been held under 100 in 12 straight games, which is tied for the franchise high since the shot clock was installed in 1954-55.

(Source: ESPN)

And it picks up a little steam …

The rumor mill says that the Lakers are considering signing Gilbert Arenas. According to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld:

The Los Angeles Lakers have expressed interest in Gilbert Arenas, according to sources close to the situation. The 30-year-old is an unrestricted free agent after being amnestied by the Orlando Magic last month. No signing is imminent, but the Lakers have reached out to the veteran point guard.” (via LakerNation)

Personally, I’ve been talking about Arenas to the Lakers for at least a month. The Lakers have no other guy besides Kobe who can create a shot for himself, and their offense is, well, dead. When was the last time we scored 100?

As much of a head-case as Agent Zero is, he may be exactly what the Lakers need. What do you all think?

Photos from the Lakers 96 - 91 win over the Clippers.

Chris Paul: He tried to touch the top of my head. I don’t like that. I got a son of my own. I don’t know if Pau got kids, but don’t touch the top of my head like I’m one of your kids. I don’t know what his intentions were, and it doesn’t matter. I don’t know if he’s got kids, but I’m not one of them.

Pau Gasol: I’m sorry he felt that way. I do that all the time with my teammates. It’s OK. It’s like if I touch your shoulder or your back. There’s nothing mean about it, but it is what it is.

Moral of the story: Don’t touch Chris Paul’s head.