Lakers on the brink

The Lakers have looked like drug addicts in their series with the Rockets. Houston is missing their two best players (Yao and McGrady), yet have still won three games, a couple of them in embarrassing fashion. Kobe gives it his best every minute of every game, but the supporting cast, with the possible exception of Gasol, are mailing in lacksadaisical performances. Bynum seems to be the key -- if he plays well, scores 10-14 points and clogs up the middle, the other guys are comfortable scoring and playing perimeter defense. But if he's plagued by foul trouble, immobile or ineffective, the interior defense melts and Houston penetrates for points in the paint. LA then brings help from outside and Houston sinks 3's. Come on, guys, if you can't win this series, you're not champs, and you have championship talent, don't disappoint the glitterati at courtside.

Now that Darius Miles is out of the league, Artest and Marbury vie for the title of biggest head case. At least Artest is a force to be reckoned with, Marbury is just a weirdo with a space alien noggin, big mouth and toddler attitude.