Sure, Kobe was hurt, Rudy T bailed, and Odom got dinged up down the stretch, but there is no excuse for this team to miss the playoffs. This is the most embarrassing season in Lakers history. more ›

The fact of the matter is that the Shaq trade has been a total disaster. While we never pretended that it was possible to get equal value for Shaq, LAist did think that Lamar Odom and Caron Butler would play better. more ›

LAist can be sympathetic to Tomjanovich if his decision is health-related. We can't imagine it's easy to jump back into the rigors of NBA coaching after suffering through bladder cancer. And in that case, LAist wishes him well as he goes Rick Majerus on us. more ›

Of course, even with Shaq, the Lakers needed a Derek Fisher miracle to beat San Antonio. But LA just didn't have the horses to slow down Tim Duncan, and contain Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. The big difference though was probably 14 points from Rasho Nesterovic. more ›

LAist has already commented on Rudy T several times. At this point we recognize he's probably the best coach out there if the Lakers want to feign competitiveness next season, even though he may not be the man who can keep Kobe and Shaq together. more ›

All indications are that the Lakers will hire Rudy Tomjanovich as their new head coach. more ›

While Tomjanovich is no Phil Jackson, this is good news for Lakers fans. In today's NBA, there is no coaching job more strenuous and complex than the Lakers', and Jerry Buss could not get away with handing the keys to the franchise over to a less-experienced coach like Jim Cleamons, Kurt Rambis, or Brian Shaw. more ›