Lake Show on the Road: First Stop Chicago

6 games, 10 days, no rest and plenty of stress. That’s what the Lakers can look forward to in the coming week. With the David Stern ratings bonanza that is Christmas day looming, the Lakers are looking to get back on track.

This team is in a serious funk. They’re playing down to the competition and that doesn’t bode well when you look at the opponents on this road swing. Other than the Bulls, the Lakers face no other team on their travels with a winning record. Having already played four of the six they’ll face should provide some incentive.

Kobe and company will be looking to avenge a bad loss to the Pacers and improve on poor showings against the Raptors and Wizards. If things go according to plan, they’ll have Andrew Bynum back in DC. But that’s looking a little too far down the road.

Up first are the Bulls who gave the Lakers their best test to date earlier this season. Chicago is the best way to get this trip started. This Laker team has been very aloof lately. Getting a nice wake up call from a contender like the Bulls is just what they need to get focused.

Speaking of focus, the top priority on this trip is defense. Focusing in on stopping Derrick Rose might be an impossible task but playing as a cohesive unit is as simple as communicating. Getting back to basics begins tonight. This team needs to reassert itself and coming together on the road is a recipe that has worked in years past.