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LAKERS

Who's to blame for Los Angeles Lakers' slump?

It's a fitting description of the Lakers' season: Kobe Bryant trips during warmups before another loss. Los Angeles is 12-14 after beginning the season with title hopes. Here, we look at those culpable, one-by-one.
It's a fitting description of the Lakers' season: Kobe Bryant trips during warmups before another loss. Los Angeles is 12-14 after beginning the season with title hopes. Here, we look at those culpable, one-by-one.
David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
Coach Mike D'Antoni: He was brought in midseason instead of popular choice Phil Jackson, and his 7-9 start has made him very unpopular in Southern California.
Coach Mike D'Antoni: He was brought in midseason instead of popular choice Phil Jackson, and his 7-9 start has made him very unpopular in Southern California.
Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports
Power forward Pau Gasol: Even before he was injured, the four-time All-Star was having the worst season of his career. Now he's back.
Power forward Pau Gasol: Even before he was injured, the four-time All-Star was having the worst season of his career. Now he's back.
Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports
Shooting guard Kobe Bryant: He has been the team's best player, but the Lakers are 4-12 when he tops 30 points.
Shooting guard Kobe Bryant: He has been the team's best player, but the Lakers are 4-12 when he tops 30 points.
Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports
Former coach Mike Brown: He went 1-4 to start his season in Los Angeles, then was fired.
Former coach Mike Brown: He went 1-4 to start his season in Los Angeles, then was fired.
Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports
Point guard Steve Nash: He has missed more than a month with a small break in his leg, an injury initially expected to take a week or two to heal.
Point guard Steve Nash: He has missed more than a month with a small break in his leg, an injury initially expected to take a week or two to heal.
David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
Center Dwight Howard: He has become the dominant rebounder they expected, but he is shooting worse than 50% from the line and not scoring as much as anticipated.
Center Dwight Howard: He has become the dominant rebounder they expected, but he is shooting worse than 50% from the line and not scoring as much as anticipated.
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports
Backup point guard Steve Blake: He was expected to step in for Nash but has an abdominal injury that will keep him out even longer.
Backup point guard Steve Blake: He was expected to step in for Nash but has an abdominal injury that will keep him out even longer.
Russ Isabella, USA TODAY Sports
Backup forward Antawn Jamison: Expected to be an elite sixth man, he has struggled greatly with consistency.
Backup forward Antawn Jamison: Expected to be an elite sixth man, he has struggled greatly with consistency.
Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
Small forward Metta World Peace: He's one of three Lakers to start every game, but he's shooting poorly and inconsistently.
Small forward Metta World Peace: He's one of three Lakers to start every game, but he's shooting poorly and inconsistently.
Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports
Backup point guard Darius Morris: He was forced into starter duties because of injuries but lost the job because he shoots worse than 35% and didn't create well.
Backup point guard Darius Morris: He was forced into starter duties because of injuries but lost the job because he shoots worse than 35% and didn't create well.
Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
Assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff: He stepped in for Brown and went 4-1 as interim coach but moved back to the bench under D'Antoni.
Assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff: He stepped in for Brown and went 4-1 as interim coach but moved back to the bench under D'Antoni.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports
Backup shooting guard Jodie Meeks: The three-point specialist has done that job well but struggled with everything else.
Backup shooting guard Jodie Meeks: The three-point specialist has done that job well but struggled with everything else.
Jim Brown, USA TODAY Sports
Backup center Jordan Hill: He has played well at times behind Howard, but his contributions are inconsistent.
Backup center Jordan Hill: He has played well at times behind Howard, but his contributions are inconsistent.
David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
Point guard Chris Duhon: He's the fourth starting point guard the team has used, and while he has played well in the role, he can't match Nash's creativity.
Point guard Chris Duhon: He's the fourth starting point guard the team has used, and while he has played well in the role, he can't match Nash's creativity.
Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
The fans: The Staples Center faithful wanted Phil Jackson as coach, and they have not warmed up to this team as the pressure increases. But they aren't to blame here. Why should they warm up to a team that loses?
The fans: The Staples Center faithful wanted Phil Jackson as coach, and they have not warmed up to this team as the pressure increases. But they aren't to blame here. Why should they warm up to a team that loses?
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports
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