Lakers’ Week 7 in review

Week 7 proved to be the Lakers’ best of the year, the team putting together a perfect 3-0 record, while reaching a major milestone in the career of Kobe Bryant.

Before the Lakers hosted the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, Coach Byron Scott and Carlos Boozer traded barbs in the media on the veteran’s benching.

Boozer called it a surprise that he didn’t agree with, while Scott emphasized that he doesn’t have to worry if players agree with him.

In moving Jeremy Lin and Boozer to the bench for Ronnie Price and Ed Davis, Scott is choosing to trade offensive firepower for better defense in the starting lineup. He admitted that he wishes basketball was more like football, with separate teams for offense and defense.

Hall of Famer Magic Johnson declared that the Lakers would be better off losing every game — a strategy the Lakers aren’t considering, even if it may be in the best interest of the franchise.

Bryant and most of his teammates chose to wear “I can’t breathe” T-shirts prior to their battle against the Kings, in protest of a number of racially charged grand jury decisions. The veteran guard said the issue is not about race but justice.

The Lakers ended a three-game losing streak, defeating Sacramento, 98-95, with Bryant taking over as the team’s late-game point guard. Scott indicated he’s considered starting Bryant at the position.

Before the Lakers hit the road for a three-game road trip that will stretch into Week 8, Bryant trash-talked his teammates after a scrimmage, calling them “soft like Charmin.”

The Lakers traveled to San Antonio to visit the Spurs on Friday night, pulling out a 112-110 overtime win on a late Nick Young three-point shot, in perhaps their best win of the season.

Through the week, Bryant closed in on third place on the NBA all-time career scoring list, narrowing the gap on Michael Jordan.

He finally passed Jordan on the list in the Lakers’ Sunday night win in Minnesota over the Timberwolves, 100-94.

The NBA community, including many former Lakers, reached out to applaud Bryant’s achievement.

While Bryant reached third, he still has a long way to go to reach Karl Malone at second, or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on top.

Meanwhile, cable network Showtime released a trailer for an upcoming documentary entitled “Kobe Bryant’s Muse.”

Lakers owner/executive Jim Buss said he expects the team to be back on top in five years.

Finally, assistant coach Mark Madsen brings a positive charge to the Lakers.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.