The LA Lakers are extremely perplexing

Gasol asks Kobe why Howard and Nash have made LA worse.

Last night Kobe Bryant scored 29 points (not to mention 5 rebounds and 7 assists).  Dwight Howard had 26 rebounds (as well as 14 points and 4 blocks).  Steve Nash handed out 13 assists (to go along with 10 points).  LA's three superstars all put up big numbers doing what they do best.  The other two starters (and former all-stars) contributed solid stat lines as well.  Pau Gasol posted 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks, and Ron Artest chipped in 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

After the Lakers added Howard and Nash in the offseason, as a Celtics fan it was box scores like this that I was terrified of seeing.  Except for one thing: LA lost that game last night.  At home, to the Denver Nuggets, 112-105.  At 15-18 the Lakers now sit in the 11th spot in the Western Conference, 3 games out of the playoffs.  Many people would consider both Bryant and Howard to be among the top 5 players in the entire NBA.  Teams with a top 5 player are usually pretty good, regardless of who else is on the roster.  Yet somehow the Lakers are struggling despite having two; and a pair who's games should compliment each other well at that.

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