I'll be discussing this in the follow-up thread about the Heat.

There probably isn't the panic button in LA because people have seen their formula work. We know the Lakers can make it work. We ASSUMED the Heat could. We're still waiting, thus the doubters. Of course the media is going overboard----that's what they do. The media doesn't report news/ stories anymore, they create buzz to sell THEIR story.

Flashback to Game #7 of the 2010 Finals: Phil Jackson slaps Kobe in the back of the head (figuratively) and sits him to end the 3rd start the 4th quarters to REMIND him HOW the Lakers' formula wins (let the other people on the team get INVOLVED, e.g., Gasol, Fisher, etc.)

We're still waiting to see if the Heat have a winning formula and if there is anyone in Miami who can remind LeBron what that is (like Phil can in LA).

And of course, the Lakers danced and posed with pyro-technics in the offseason-------but that was during a championship parade.

That Heat did that after signing contracts to play. That is why they are such ripe chum, rather than the Lakers.

It's easier to say the Lakers are just skidding because they don't lose 3 in a row often. We don't know of the Heat are slumping or just being who they are. There's no baseline... and it's juicier to play it like this is who they are and what an awful disgrace it is.

So at 5 losses, does this mean that the papers are going to write that Lakers suck and the Spurs are winning the title?

Long season people.

Not sure what's going on, but Gasol isn't exactly getting good low post position on a consistent basis, or hitting the open guy on the pass outs. Artest isn't breaking down defenses and the bench has been inconsistent.

With all that said, a home loss to Indiana is pathetic. There is no excuse for that. You can't blame that on just one guy. That was just a horrible performance.

Hopefully the Lakers will get it together before it's all said and done. The season is long.

He currently leads the league in usage right now. He's had a good start offensively, but did I miss something? Is he throwing it back to the 2006 season? Are Smush and Kwame still on the roster?

Anon, I think we agree on quite a bit here. You just got done saying that you don't think it has much to do with LeBron--------then you are critical of him, e.g., "he has settled for jumpers more often... especially from three, where he is drawing iron this season... teams LOVE seeing him settle instead of getting into the paint... he needs to be a little less passive on the perimeter... as opposed to clanking the long jumper/shot from three..."

We agree. The only thing you didn't mention were the turnovers. I also have issue with his rebounding----but that's maybe a product of his style of play (which I say is not the style that would best benefit the team). Does he REALLY have the skill set to be a 'point' anything?

I think Wade is playing the game he should----he just needs to execute better. Perhaps he's hampered by injury or just cold----regardless, I think he'll clear all that up eventually just doing what he's doing.

LeBron, however, ISN'T playing the game he needs to play, IMO, for the team to benefit best. That's why I am saying LeBron has to change his style of play. I just don't know if he will.

Nothing remotely trollish about that one, Anon. It was a joke.

"A little bit of advanced math here, too. 17 games (the Heat are now 9-8) is 20.7% of the regular season. I used my calculator to verify this."

Using a calculator to determine how much of the season has been played and calling it advanced math - that's funny. I don't know how you interpreted this as a stealth slam against the Heat, or that Gil suggested the season should stop.