Well, at least nobody wore black

There was a palpable Dead Man Walking vibe down in El Segundo today. No doubt this had at least something to do with the mood in the media waiting room, where the Lakers have, far as I could tell, been written off (in the interests of full disclosure, I am among those who feel the Lakers have no real chance of winning the series). That gave Wednesday night's Game 5 less the feel of a playoff game and more of a nationally televised execution- appropriate, since it'll likely pre-empt Law and Order reruns on TNT. More importantly, though, talking with Luke Walton, L.O., and Kobe, I wasn't overwhelmed with the sense that the players think they can shock the world with a comeback. P.J. was very emphatic that he still believes it can happen, but the troops? Not so sure. It wasn't anything specific that they said. Everyone used the right cliches and certainly nobody waxed on about early May vacation plans. It was just a feeling I picked up, and keep in mind, I'm hardly a psychologist. Maybe I'm wrong, and the sense of (albeit reluctant) resignation sensed was actually a steely cool determination. More a Three O'Clock High vibe. Everything worked out fine in that one.

In terms of news, Kobe spent most of the practice getting treatment on his back, which he tweaked in Game 4. He says he'll be fine. And after a very rough go Sunday, don't be surprised if Jordan Farmar gets bumped from his still new starting gig. Phil made it very clear he's reconsidering the situation. Among the replacement candidates? Smush, Shammond, Sasha, and AK. That last one's a dark horse.

Click below for today's audio.

LUKE WALTON
Download luke_walton_5.1 on Game 5.mp3 (on preparing, on knowing what's at stake, staying in control)
Download luke_walton_5.1 on Game 5 II.mp3 (on PJ sending them home Monday, practice Tuesday, playing 48 full minutes)
Download luke_walton_5.1 on Game 5 III.mp3 (on not needing extra motivation- lose-and-go-home is plenty)

L.O. again downplayed his health issues ("I'm playing," he said), and seemed to emphasize breaking the game down. Taking it possession by possession, smaller picture to big. Not a bad plan. "Where there's a will, there's a way. So we just have to find a way," he said.
Download lamar_odom_5.1 on Game 5.mp3
Download lamar_odom_5.1 on Game 5 II.mp3

In the first clip with Kobe, he says PJ was "as irritated as I've seen him." That says something, I'm sure, since Kobe has seen a lot of the guy. Interesting comment as well in the second clip, where he admits being stuck in this cycle of playoff struggles has become frustrating. Makes sense, since most fans have become frustrated right along with him.
Download kobe_bryant_5.1 on Game 5.mp3
Download kobe_bryant_5.1 on Game 5 II.mp3

As I mentioned, PJ firmly emphasized his belief in the team, and said it's his job to make them believe. "I instill that in them," he said. Still, it was disappointing to hear him say that practice wasn't sharp at the outset. Coaches are generally critical of practice, sure, but today of all days, it would have been good to hear they took the court with a sense of purpose.
Download phil_jackson_5.1 on Game 5.mp3
Download phil_jackson_5.1 on Game 5 II.mp3 (on bad D in Game 4, lack of hustle, "soft" play, delivering the first blows rather than absorbing)
Download phil_jackson_5.1 on Game 5 III.mp3 (on guard situation, any disappointment in team's showing at this stage of his career)