Ron and Kobe, redux

Charley Rosen has a typically detailed and insightful breakdown of last night's game between the Lakers and the Kings. As we discussed back at the beginning of March, Celtics fans have some reason to follow the Lakers efforts to make the playoffs and hope for the worst. Bill Walton has been singing hosannas to the Kings recently. Does the gruff and faint-praising Rosen agree?

In truth, the Kings are indeed slightly more physical than they have been in recent seasons. But perhaps not as rough-and-tough as they'll need to be to advance past the first round come the playoffs. They still depend on outside shooting, on Miller's passing from the high-post, and on getting out and running.

Did Artest succeed in his pre-game boast? Absolutely. Under the constant pressure of Artest's stubborn defense, Bryant was never able to create and sustain any kind of offensive rhythm.

Trouble is, if Artest gives the Kings a bona fide stopper, there's only one of him. The fact that none of his teammates can play a lick of defense will ultimately abbreviate the Kings' season.

There is doubtless much joy in Sacramento this morning, because with the Kings win over their arch-rivals and the antichrist from southern California they have moved ahead of the Lakers by a half game in the standings. Sadly for Celtics fans this doesn’t mean the Lakers are out of playoffs. While Sacramento has been making their climb the Lower Mississippi Watershed Hornets have been losing 7 in a row, and 9 of 11. The Lakers remain the 8th seed in the West, and we’ll have to hope they can be overtaken down the stretch by the less inspiring Hornets and Jazz.