Minnesota reportedly still pursuing Pau Gasol

--Sports Illustrated’s Sam Amick reports that “Minnesota General Manager David Kahn Minnesota is still attempting to land Gasol, and that push is likely to continue all the way until the deadline.”

--The Times’ Mike Bresnahan explains why the Lakers have improved their play.
--The Orange County Register’s Janis Carr focuses on Andrew Goudelock’s progression as a rookie.

--The Detroit Free Press’ Vince Ellis talks to Tayshaun Prince about winning the 2004 NBA Finals against the Lakers.

--ESPN Los Angeles’ Andy Kamenetzky is beginning to warm up to the Lakers’ progress. Still, he remains conflicted whether the Lakers can sustain it.

--The Daily News’ Elliott Teaford notes how the Lakers are taking their trip at Detroit and Washington seriously even if they are sub-.500 teams.

--Silver Screen and Roll’s C.A. Clark notes how the Lakers’ depth remains poor.

Tweet of the Day: “I am so impressed with the @Lakers play recently. This is the team we want to see until the end of the season. Still think the @Lakers could use one little trade though. Kobe has been playing incredible & in my opinion is even w/ @KDTrey5 & @KingJames in the MVP race.” -- MagicJohnson (Lakers Legend Magic Johnson)

Rick Friedman Reader Comment of the Day: “The problem with the MVP award is that it doesn’t go to the “most valuable player” in the league. If it did, LeBron would never, ever win. And neither would Kobe, Wade, Durant or Dirk truth be told. While all are incredibly talented, if you take them away from their respective teams, they would still fair decently (especially Miami). If you want to award a player based on how valuable they are to their team, Dwight Howard and Deron Williams would top the list. Remove them from their teams, and the franchise sinks into oblivion, whereas Lakers, Heat, Mavericks, Thunder, etc. would simply get a lower playoff seed.” -- EverClear