First off, all those headlines about the Lakers are clearly making teams like Charlotte and Memphis step up and play their A game.
Secondly, I feel like I’m in a time warp. These are the Lakers of two years ago: No inside presence, too many outside shots (I did see some promising attempts by guys like Farmar at trying to get in closer, though still not nearly enough challenging of the interior defense by perimeter players free of their man), and too many losses.
Mihm working back into the rotation will help absolutely, but I have a feeling these Lakers won’t look like this year’s Lakers again until Gasol and Bynum are back.
Until then: ugh.