Forward Lamar Odom, defending Rockets forward/center Luis Scola during Tuesday's victory, isn't worried about the Lakers' recent slump or talk about the team desperately needing a roster shakeup: "We cannot worry about that. We have to focus on playing basketball. When we lose we expect to hear things like that." (Jeff Gross/Getty Images) )
Things are getting hot again in Los Angeles as the Lakers continue to underachieve.
The latest round of doom and gloom surfaced after the Celtics handily beat the Lakers, 109-96, last weekend at Staples Center.
After the game, general manager Mitch Kupchak said a trade was possible to shake things up and get the Lakers headed in the right direction. That was followed by Lakers great Magic Johnson ripping the team's productivity.
"Unfortunately we are looking old and we're playing old," said Johnson, who added the Lakers may be too old to win a third consecutive title. "We're not responding to the more athletic teams and the quicker teams. So we must change something.
"I think we have to look at this team and maybe say we're not good enough. Things might have to change."
Lamar Odom said Kupchak's words aren't a cause for concern in the dressing room.
"Not really," Odom said on NBA TV. "We have to focus on playing basketball. When we lose, we expect to hear things like that."
Looking for work
Jerry Stackhouse said he hasn't signed his retirement papers in hopes of landing an NBA job before the season ends.
Last season, Stackhouse, who played for the Pistons from 1998-2002, signed with the Bucks around this time. But, he believes it will take longer because teams are still hopeful of landing Carmelo Anthony before the trade deadline.
"Chicago is one of those teams I keep under the hat," Stackhouse said. "I don't think they have that veteran experience on their wings."
Stackhouse, a reserve for the Bucks last season, is a commentator for NBA TV in Atlanta.
Iverson's still hurting
Former All-Star Allen Iverson , 35, could miss the rest of the regular season and the playoffs with Turkish team Besiktas because of painful calcium deposits in his calf.
"He tried to tough it out and continue to play while over in Turkey," said Dr. James Andrews , who added Iverson needs at least 6-8 weeks of rest. "However, he got to the point where he could not really run up and down the court."
Back in business
Former Cavaliers coach Mike James could be back in charge somewhere soon.
James is a favorite to take over the Pacers job after officials fired Jim O'Brien .
Brown is a former associate head coach with the Pacers, and owner Herb Simon is a fan.
By the numbers
384 -- Consecutive sellout streak by the Mavericks
$1.6M -- Career earnings lost by Rashard Lewis because of suspensions
$155M -- Cost to renovate the Target Center in Minneapolis
Quotable
"You don't lose 19 consecutive games unless you're really, really bad. It's a situation the Magic players can't even imagine. I would want to harm things. Hopefully not myself."
-- J.J. Redick, Magic guard, to the Orlando Sentinel about the Cavaliers
More Terry Foster
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- Long shot Matt Tuiasosopo proving his value to Tigers
- Nick Fairley sees Super future for Lions
- Jim Leyland knows value of keeping every Tiger involved
- Phil Jackson’s advisory role an affront to Pistons and Joe Dumars
- Detroit loses more than a coach in the slaying of Charles Knott
- Tigers catcher Alex Avila remains unfazed by slump at plate
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