Lakers in a standings race (Web links)

--The Times’ Ben Bolch mentions how it’s likely the Lakers will finish third in the Western Conference.

--The Orange County Register’s Kevin Ding argues that criticism of Andrew Bynum’s immaturity is overblown.

--ESPN Los Angeles’ Brian Kamenetzky breaks down the Lakers’ potential first-round matchups.

--Fox Sports tabs Kobe Bryant in fifth place for the NBA MVP race.

--NBA.com shows off Andrew Bynum’s funny reaction to Blake Griffin posterizing Pau Gasol.

--Lakers.com’s Mike Trudell talks with ESPN.com’s Marc Stein about storylines surrounding the Lakers.

--True Hoop’s Jared Wade provides a review of the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird Broadway show.

--Silver Screen and Roll’s C.A. Clark looks at how Ramon Sessions’ presence has changed the Lakers.

Tweet of the Day: “Does @MagicJohnson really need to sit with Frank McCourt the whole game? Take a picture and move on.” -- ArashMarkazi (ESPN Los Angeles’ Arash Markazi)

Rick Friedman Reader Comment of the Day: “Kobe’s a genius, Phil Jackson taught him well. Because Blake “posterizes” him, Pau Gasol gets mad. When Pau Gasol gets mad, he plays more aggressively. When he plays more aggressively, He plays better. When he plays better, they win games. So ideally, Kobe would be okay with Blake [angering] Gasol, even if it really was an illegal play. Come playoff time, if and when the two teams collide, you bet that Gasol will be ready. Kobe certainly does.” -- prodakin