Step one is to get Andrew Bynum involved early and often. When Drew is getting touches in the paint early the offense opens up late. Clearly Mike Brown sent a message to this team that the offense starts from the inside-out.

The Lakers controlled the tempo by getting Bynum going. Drew dropped 15 of his team-best 22 in the first half on his way to the 12^th double-double of the season for the first time All-Star. Feeding the beast is a proven formula, nice to see the Lakers embracing it. However Andrew alone is not the key to road victory.

Step two in the Lakers’ recipe for success is playing stifling defense. Here is where you see Coach Brown’s vision of what this team can be. Whenever the Nuggets got something going on offense the Lakers adjusted and took it away.

Al Harrington was killing Troy Murphy off the dribble. Time out. Insert help defense on Harrington. Problem solved. Same goes for Ty Lawson.

Of course it also helps to have a little luck. Danilo Gallinari never got it going despite having some open looks. Still, it is on the Lakers to hit the boards as part of their improving defense.

Pau Gasol might not be putting up All-Star numbers while he’s finding his place in the offense. That’s why his 17 boards were so vital tonight. If he’s not involved in the offense then the Spaniard has got to find other ways to contribute.

Now step 3 in this recipe for success is where it still gets a little troublesome for the Lakers.
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Lakers Grind Out A Win In Denver - Lake Show Life - Lake Show Life - A Los Angeles Lakers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Can the Lakers solve their road woes? (Photo: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE)

Never mind the opponent. Forget about the circumstances. The facts are all that matters. This NBA schedule is brutal and hectic. That applies for every team this season. Still, there is no excuse whatsoever for the Lake Show to have posted just 2 wins in 9 road games this season.

No matter the reason for their road woes the Lakers need to find a fix now. Playing this way outside of Staples will guarantee an early exit from the playoffs if this team even makes it into the NBA title tournament.

With the Grammys set to take over Downtown L.A. the Lakers will hit the road for their annual February trip. Never has this portion of the season meant so much so early on.

Of course early is a relative term. With the reduced games we’re rapidly approaching the mid-point of the season. Whatever identity the Lakers are looking to forge the process must be accelerated sooner than later.

Make no mistake with this trip the Lakers have reached the crossroads. A disastrous trip could propel the franchise into rethinking the immediate future of the team. A successful swing will reignite the trade talks to help bolster any championship prospects.

Either way the season will be defined by the results of the coming week.
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