Barnes: Lakers won’t punk us

You just opened up Pandora’s Box; especially if there is a Lakers/Magic rematch Mr. Barnes…

USA Today: If the Lakers and Magic face each other in the NBA Finals yesterday’s game no doubt will be what’s referenced as the agenda-setter. Orlando survived for a two-point victory as Matt Barnes played intense defense on Kobe Bryant, and Barnes says he’s ready for Round 2.

“They aren’t going to come in here and punk us,” Barnes told Fanhouse’s Tim Povtak after practice today.

Barnes also put some advance pressure on the referees, saying, “I have no problem playing physical, but throughout the game, he (Bryant) elbowed me three times. If I did that, I would have been kicked out . . . (Pau) Gasol takes a swing at Dwight (Howard). If we do that kind of stuff, we get kicked out, suspended. He (Bryant) is the best player. He gets to do whatever he wants. It is what it is.”

Barnes’ parting shot regarding Kobe: “If he’s going to throw elbows, I’m not just going to let him do it . . . Kobe is a killer. He has that killer instinct. If you let him mentally get to you, you don’t have a chance.”

The return of the Machine!

Great news on Sasha!

Twitter: Sasha Vujacic practiced today. Phil Jackson said he expects Vujacic to be healthy for tomorrow against toronto

2nd Look: Matt Barnes continued antics with Kobe

In this edition, someone was gracious enough to put together this gem. I’d like to hear your thoughts on all the antics including a ball fake to Kobe’s face (unnatural basketball act Mr. Stu Jackson?). Sound off on the antics of Matt Barnes (which Barnes wasn’t even ejected).

Bryant had this to say about Barnes in the post-game:

“Um … uh … (long pause, smiling) … He’s entertaining.”

Barnes had this to say on his twitter after the game:

Twitter: Haters I wanna thank all u please keep it cumin. U lucky I can’t cuss no more but I still luv u guys. I told u 2day was gonna b a good day

Nuggets keeping an eye on the Lakers, especially J.R. Smith

There is no question Dallas and the Nuggets have their eye on the slumping Lakers. In fact, J.R. Smith had a lot to talk about on his twitter regarding Kobe Bryant. I don’t know about you, but when/if the Lakers and Nuggets meet again for the third straight year in the post-season, it is going to be war.

The “Pau Gasol” two year, no 3-game losing streak record comes to an end

Just a note on what an unbelevable effect Pau Gasol has had on the Lakers since their acquisition of Gasol back in February of 2008.

In 217 games with Pau Gasol, the Lakers, for the first time, have lost 3 straight games.

This should be indicative of how fortunate the Lakers are to have Pau Gasol; despite the harsh criticism from the media and fans, at times.

Ron Artest’s new hair style

So Ron Artest interacted with his fans on twitter and donned this specialized hair style during the game against the Magic.

Despite the loss, you have to admire his uncanny hairstyle and a potential way to draw in energy to the Lakers.

His hair consisted of a Laker gold color, with “DEFENSE” inscribed around his head in three different languages.

The Lakers lost to the Magic but played inspired basketball, including a tough resiliency down to the last missed shot.

What are your thoughts on Rodman’s Artest’s hair?

Should Ron color his hair Purple and Gold for tomorrows game?

Ron might color his hair purple tomorrow. Let him know your answer via twitter!

Twitter: Shin Shin wants my hair purple/gold for tomorrows game vs Magic! Leave a message on ronartest.com section Talk To Ron if you think I should!

Kobe addresses team, wants more “determination”

It’s a start…

O.C. Register: “(Bryant) brought up a notion of determination,” Jackson said.

Bryant declined to get into the specifics of what he said — noting the words were meant for his teammates to hear — but was brusque when asked how his teammates received his words: “I don’t give a (crap).”

Bryant had told reporters Friday night: “You have those periods during the season where you are kind of stagnant. The important thing is that when you hit those stretches, you don’t go backwards. You just kind of weather the storm, and you come out of it as a better ballclub.”

Jackson was also wary of saying much about Bryant’s words to the team but suggested Bryant’s point was that there is a “willfulness” that is necessary to be a great team that plays great defense.

I asked Jackson if he was glad Bryant spoke up, and Jackson said: “He wasn’t the only one.”

In fact, Derek Fisher and Pau Gasol stayed on the court long after all their teammates had wandered off, talking through more positional theories about defense with assistant coach Frank Hamblen. Josh Powell, one of the team’s connectors despite not playing much, also had more to talk through with Bryant and later with Fisher. Orlando runs a lot of pick-and-roll plays, this season leaning heavily on one with Dwight Howard and Vince Carter and increasingly using Carter with point guard Jameer Nelson lately.

Jackson described the team Saturday as “somber” and gave players “a personal day” on the court to do as they wished or opt for rest.

“They’re frustrated,” Jackson said.

Bynum: “We might be angry with each other”

An interesting quote from Drew. Thoughts?

Yahoo! Sports: “I think everybody’s angry, but we’re not angry at the right things,” Bynum said. “We might be angry with each other. So that’s not always that great.”

Brown likely to opt out, wants to remain in L.A.

A little info on Shannon Brown and his contract situation…

RealGM: Shannon Brown, his agent Mark Bartelstein and the Lakers all know that it would be advantageous to opt out and get another deal before this contract is up after the 2011 season.

The collective bargaining agreement will expire after that 2011 season, and there have been threats of a lockout by the NBA owners.

If Brown opted out of his deal this summer, the Lakers would own his “Early Bird” rights and could sign him to a deal for up to five years and up to as high as the mid-level exception; the current mid-level exception pays $5.8 million in the first year.

“We’ll look at that at the right time,” Bartelstein said. “Shannon loves it in L.A., and that’s where he wants to be.