Watching Machine isn't always good, clean fun

SALT LAKE CITY -- To fully appreciate the achievements of most Lakers legends, one needs to pore through thick media guides and mammoth record books.

Sasha Vujacic, on the other hand, stars on .

"I try to bring a different energy to this team, you know?" he says.

Type in "“Sasha Vujacic anger.

Up pops a video of a peeved Kobe Bryant elbowing Vujacic on the bench.

"Kobe and I understand each other better now," Vujacic says.

Type in

Up pops a video of Andrew Bynum loudly cursing Vujacic on the court.

"We are growing up together as a team," Vujacic says.

Type in "

Up pops a video of Bryant making fun of Vujacic's nickname after a tough shooting night, claiming the "Machine" needs new batteries.

"Please, please, write that I did not give myself that nickname," Vujacic says.

Type in

Up pops a video of Vujacic wandering into the Cleveland Cavaliers' sideline huddle during a timeout to steal their next play.

"I want to win, and whatever it takes, that is what I bring," he says.

You want more? With Sasha Vujacic, there's always more.

Type his name with "elbow" and witness a peeved New York Knick named Renaldo Balkman whacking the pesky Vujacic in the face.

Type his name with "choke" and see Carmelo Anthony literally choking him.

"People seem to love me or hate me," Vujacic says.

Or both, all at once, which seems to be the Lakers' stance during his four years with the team.

They love his intensity. They cringe at his recklessness. They love his fire. They cringe when he can't turn it off.

For four seasons they have tolerated him, humored him, teased him, goaded him, pushed him.

Now, they find themselves in the unusual position of needing him.

Leading the thick-waisted Utah Jazz two games to one in the Western Conference semifinals, with Game 4 here today at the toughest home court in the NBA, they need someone to loosen things up.

Loosen up the middle of the Jazz defense. Loosen up the tightness of the Lakers' jaws.

They need someone to pop off the bench and hit a few shots and spread out a Jazz team that, at times, seems like one giant tattooed body stretched out across the lane.

They need somebody like, well, the Sasha Vujacic who scored 15 points in the series opener and 12 in Game 2.

They don't need the one who, on Friday in Game 3, was knocked around and kicked over and eventually shoved back to the bench scoreless.