State of Lakers: Still stumped

LOS ANGELES Our record is 7-8 right now, said Laker forward Metta World Peace. That means right now were a 7-8 team. Leave it to MWP to say what most of us are thinking. Fact is, they are a game under .500, and most of the time this season they have absolutely played down to their record. Sometimes, even lower, like the rancid offensive performance against Indiana last Tuesday. But while the effort is always there, this Laker team for whatever reason just isnt clicking every game. Part of it is obviously a new cast of characters who are learning how to play with each other, and part of it is playing under three coaches and two offensive systems less than a month out of training camp. Theres also been the rash of injuries to contend with. The teams top two point guards, Steve Nash and Steve Blake are still out with a fractured leg and abdominal strain, respectively. Pau Gasol's ego has been bruised and he hasnt looked anything like the All-Star and Future Hall of Famer he was ...