It's not Ron Artest's fault that injuries occurred to players on the team this season.
It's not Ron Artest's fault that the Lakers didn't acquire other players this off-season to provide depth.
It's not Ron Artest's fault that Derek Fisher is showing his age after many seasons and playoff games.
It's not Ron Artest's fault that the bench struggles and cannot provide relief for the starters.
And it's not Ron Artest's fault that the other contenders in the West upgraded their rosters.
Asad Akmal
Torrance
It's funny, Bill Plaschke writes a less than flattering article on Ron Artest and Artest has his best game of the season that night. Keep the ink flowing, Mr. Plaschke.
Paul Shubunka Sr.
Santa Clarita
Bill Plaschke, not understanding the game is acceptable; but, when you write (again) a column purporting some degree of savvy, you have to be held accountable.
Your column regarding Ron Artest and this year's fit on the Lakers is remarkably ignorant. Who but Plaschke would pretend (to the L.A. public) to know more basketball than NBA players themselves who again this year have voted Artest the toughest defender in the league by more than a 3-1 margin over second-best ( Kobe Bryant).
Come playoffs, Ron's value will only increase. When the championship is on the line and the Lakers are facing Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki, and more, whom would you choose to stop them? Ariza or Artest?
These aren't teenagers peaking for their tournament, these are the world's best professional athletes. Come playoffs, Ron will be there. and that's not to say he isn't playing well now. We, like Ron, believe he is doing exactly what he was brought here to do.
Get a clue, Plaschke. Really.
Glenn Hays
Placentia
OK, Plaschke. We get it: The jury is still out on the Trevor Ariza/Ron Artest switch.
However, it seems that if you just keep pushing the envelope with RonRon you're going to eventually get him to "go off". Then, not only will we Lakers fans have a somewhat struggling Artest on the court, but the dreaded locker room distraction that some feared.
So, just lighten up, OK? Let's see how Artest performs in the playoffs — the ultimate test of his worth in the loss of Ariza.
Rick Solomon
Lake Balboa
Mr. Bresnahan, why must we panic all the time in La-La Land? I understand we do not have a pro football team and the Dodgers are nearing the end of spring training, but why try to stir up fans such as myself by always pointing out the negatives and potential hazards in the road to repeat? I know there is not much to talk about right now, but you guys keep beating the same drum over and over again.
Ben Wright
Oak Park
T.J., are you really as clueless about pro basketball and the Lakers as you appear to be? You take every opportunity to bash Kobe and there's not one shred of intelligence or reason to back up your attacks. You often fault Kobe for taking too many shots, but when he involves the other players offensively, in what at the time was a blowout, you question his actions and motives.
Since you're obviously not intelligent enough to figure it out for yourself, here's the answer to your stupid question. Kobe only took one shot in the second half of the Washington game because he was trying to build the confidence of the other Lakers on the offensive end of the court. What better opportunity to do that than in a blowout situation?
Furthermore, if I was in Phil Jackson's place and I was subject to your stupid questions, I'd do what I could to avoid or ignore you too.
Ray McKown
Los Angeles
Mr. Jackson is always complaining about the Lakers, but he will never complain about his man Derek Fisher, who in the four games before Friday made four baskets in 22 shots.
Sid Lazarow
Orange
Great news for the Lakers. Obama is picking the Cavaliers to win the NBA championship !
Patrick Drohan
Monrovia
Pardon me for raining on the NCAA tournament's parade, but " March Madness" is nothing more than endless mediocrity! All of the decent college players turn pro after their freshman year —the rest are entertaining only in the sense of their parity. Expanding the already diluted field will simply make an already poor product less appealing.
To quote the Wizard of Westwood: "Never mistake activity for achievement!"
Mark S. Roth
Los Angeles
