Two teams courting trouble

After watching the Lakers for the past few weeks, I’m convinced they are only one player away from competing. Any chance we can make a trade for the real Kobe Bryant?

MARC KATZ

Dublin

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I hate to admit it, but before the recent eight-game trip, I predicted the Lakers would drop to the No. 8 seeding. I was close, and as a Lakers fan, I was disappointed I was so close. This team should have developed its identity during the home-heavy schedule and been better prepared and functioning as a team before hitting the road. But the sloppy play and warning signs were evident before the trip.

My conclusion?

Kobe, Turiaf and Sasha are the only guys on this team who always give effort and seemingly have heart. The rest of them are a bunch of zombies. Watch the loose balls, watch them give up easy rebounds, or make that lazy pass.

And to those always critical of Kobe: Whether Kobe goes for points, desperately tries to get the zombies involved, or has perfect balance of both -- it makes no difference. Bottom line is, this team needs more professionals.

ANDREW SHUBERT

Woodland Hills

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I wonder how many other fans besides myself yearn for the Kobe-and-Shaq days, controversy or not. One thing for sure, we learned that Kobe needs Shaq a lot more than Shaq needs Kobe. I wouldn’t be surprised if the now-.500 Heat wins another championship.

MIKE LAYANA

Culver City

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Has anyone noticed that the Lakers’ basketball IQ is elevated by 50 points when Luke Walton is on the court and equally reduced when he’s not?

KEVIN HOLTEN

Manhattan Beach

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Lamar Odom’s last name:

O(ften)

D(umb)

O(ut-of-control)

M(istakes)

We have started a new triple-double for Lamar: Points, rebounds and blunders.

STEVE LAROCHELLE

Chatsworth

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The whole Corey Maggette situation appears to be a situation in which Mike Dunleavy’s ego is bigger than the best interests of the Clippers. The argument can be made, in fact, that if Dunleavy knew Elton Brand was going into the season with tired legs from all the off-season ball he played, it might have been a good move -- especially in the early part of the season -- to ask a terrific scorer like Maggette to shoulder even more of the offensive load, not make him a sixth man.

CHRIS SAMSELL

Burbank

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After watching the Clippers lose to the Hawks at home Wednesday night, blowing a 15-point lead, I had an epiphany. I now know what it will take for them to make the playoffs:

1. Acquire Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Yao Ming before the trade deadline.

2. Make Chris Kaman shave his head and wear Elgin Baylor’s toupee.

3. Join the WNBA.

4. Hire Billy Crystal as coach.

5. Have Donald Sterling sell the team to Donald Trump.

MARC POPKIN

Brentwood

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Pat Riley retires from coaching, then returns when Shaquille O’Neal joins the Miami Heat. Shaq goes down with an injury, so Riley gets elective surgery. Shaq returns, so Riley returns.

We’d better hope that Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar don’t un-retire, or Riley may try to get Phil Jackson’s job.

RICHARD RAFFALOW

Valley Glen