Wonder if Lakers will get the message

Staff writer Mike Bresnahan ties up some loose ends on days of Lakers playoff games.

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From the message boards

Posted by “JBwants2know” at chron.com, the website for the Houston Chronicle:

“The Fakers were shown what real heart is all about. They were Outhustled, Outplayed, Outworked in H-Town. If [Thursday] was the last home game of the year, way to stand tall and perform like the Champions you are. I’ll be wearing my Rocket red proudly on Sunday.”

Hey, good for you, JBwants2know.

But MBwants2know if he’ll be starting his vacation after today’s game.

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Q&A; of the day

Question: “During the first quarter of Game 6 when the score was 17-1, my 5-year-old son asked me the following question: ‘Daddy, why are the Lakers not playing hard?’ That right there was the toughest moment of the game.”

--Oscar Azucena, Moreno Valley

Answer: (Trying to think of something to say, trying to think of something to say . . .) Well, Oscar, uh, it’s a little more than a month until summer begins, when, you know, you and your son can enjoy all sorts of summery activities like the beach, and the park, and . . . OK, this is kind of pathetic on my part. The Lakers let a 5-year-old down. There’s really not much more to say.

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Worst-case Lakers scenario

A loss today to the Rockets begins an off-season of tumult. Kobe Bryant opts out of his contract and goes somewhere (anywhere!) else. Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom decide to sign with other teams as well. Even Shannon Brown gets a good deal with somebody else. Phil Jackson retires. You get the picture.

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Best-case Lakers scenario

They finally get rid of the Rockets. Not much beyond that. The next round against Denver would start in two days.

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Final thought

The Lakers will win today, but does anybody really consider them championship material at this point?

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mike.bresnahan@latimes.com