This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Sure, the Lakers are 19 games into their season, but so far it has been the equivalent of a lazy Sunday morning. They've barely had to leave home (only four games away from Staples Center, like only leaving the house to grab the paper), and they've faced the second easiest schedule in the league so far, like making a cup of Pete'sto sip while reading said paper. The young team got to gel without too much stress.
Now they are going to have to get dressed and motivated, because there are things to do. That starts tonight with the standard NBA measuring stick of the last decade coming to town -- the San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio has been one of the NBA elite ever since they drafted Tim Duncan, then while the rest of the NBA was bemoaning the lack of fundamentals of college players the Spurs increased their scouting overseas and grabbed Manu Ginobli (Argentina) and soon-to-be Mr. Eva Longoria (France.)
Later this week, the Lakers will do the Texas two-step of Houston and Dallas, and eight of the next 10 Laker games are on the road.
For a Laker team that has had an enjoyable lazy morning, one that got them off to a fast start (13-6) despite Kobe missing games to injuries (and Kwame Brown too), things are about to get very difficult. Starting tonight with a rock-steady Sprus squad, 15-5, tied for the best record in the NBA. (Tune in at 6:30 on Fox Sports West, and by the way you are naive if you think Kobe's ankle won't be ready for this one.)
The lazy days are over. Between now and singing that Robert Burns poemwe're going to find out just how good this Laker really team is.
AP photo by Mark Terrill
