"Kobe Bryant remains arguably the best player in the National Basketball Association.

Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum form one of the league's top 1-2 frontcourt punches. And Derek Fisher is still plugging away, providing leadership and making big shots as Bryant's running mate in the backcourt.

As for the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers?

Well, that's been a work in progress as they continue to try to find their way in a lockout-shortened season with not only a different coach in Mike Brown, but a new (non-triangle) offense as well as a revamped roster devoid of versatile veteran Lamar Odom.

Los Angeles made its annual appearance at the Bradley Center on Saturday night right and is around the middle of the pack in the Western Conference at 11-9.

With the Bucks' 100-89 victory Saturday night, the Lakers' road record fell to a very uncharacteristic 1-7. That number obviously is going to have to improve in a hurry if they have any designs on competing with the likes of Oklahoma City, Dallas, San Antonio and the Clippers, the new talk of Los Angeles after the addition of all-star point guard Chris Paul."