4:35 - If looks from Kobe could kill, we'd all be attending Kwame's funeral right about now.  Brown mistimed his jump and let Kobe's "alley" pass sail over his head.  No "oop."  No sympathy from Kobe.

1:55 - Kobe's at the line, shooting a pair.  The crowd's embarking on a rather sloppy, none-too-loud "Kobe" chant.  I realize we're not filled to capacity right now, but folks, if you want the guy to stay in L.A., you're gonna have to do better than that.

1:30 - Ruben Patterson checks in to a sea off boos.  I'm sure it's just because "The Kobe Stopper" was inserted at a point where #24 is on the pine, rendering the NBA's highest profile mano y' mano a mere tease.  C'mon, Mike Dunleavy.  Give the people what they want!

1.7 - I know it seems like some punk skateboard kid was pulled off the street and allowed to play point guard for the Clips, but that was actually just Dan Dickau getting called for an offensive. The guy may never stick with a team for more than one season, but as long as Dickau's in the league, he has the "Dude You'd Never Peg As An NBA Player" Award sewed up year in, year out.

End of the First - Clippers 29.  Lakers 24

Second Quarter

10:51 - Farmar penetrates into the paint, stops on a dime, hesitates, then flips Andrew Bynum a behind the back pass for an easy layup.  On the next possession, Farmar follows up with a trey.  Not a bad way to distinguish himself in the backup guard battle.

8:17 - Vlad gets his shot blocked driving to the rack, but I like seeing him do it.

7:06 - Some great interior defense by- and this is not a typo- Brian Cook triggers a turnover that eventually turns into a Jordan Farmar breakaway layup.  Patterson was working on the block, but Cook held his ground well and basically smothered him by the time Bynum was there for help D.  Patterson tried passing out, but tossed the ball away, eventually into Farmar's hands.

5:48 - Time out on the floor.  Cook appeared for a sec to be limping on his way to the bench.  Not sure if that's the reason he's not back in the game, but I'll keep an ear out to see if anything's (hopefully not) up.

5:01 - He's obviously gotta do better at the stripe than his current 3-7 clip, but the reason Bynum keeps ending up their is the high level of activity he's exhibiting.  He's putting himself in the right spot alot around the basket and giving himself a chance to do something.  Of course, just as I'm typing this, he got stripped, so I'm gonna shut up now...

2:14 - Remember how I mentioned Kobe getting mad about Kwame's mistimed jump?  Well, when the turnover is his fault, as was clearly the case in the pass he just airmailed Bynum's way, Kobe immediately owned up, giving Bynum at pat on the head as they both scooted back on D.

12.4 - Too much dribbling by Kobe leads to his 7th turnover of the half.  Yikes.

Vlad Rad misses a buzzer beating trey to close out the half.   The Clips are winning the assist, rebound, FG%, FT %,  3PT%, steal and turnover battles, so it would only make sense that they're winning the overall score skirmish as well.  Clippers 59, Lakers 53.  See what happens in the third.  Be back in a bit.

Third Quarter

A few substitutions in the starting lineup for the half.  Vlad remains in the game for Luke, Chris Mihm is in for Kwame and Sasha for Kobe.  We'll see if any reenter the action.

7:54 - Sasha gets the ball stripped while attacking the rack.  Like Vlad, I like seeing him do this.  In general this preseason, Sasha seems much more aggressive and confident.  Of course, we've also been down this road before, so forgive me if I remain cautious with my enthusiasm.

6:12 - Paul Davis drains a 18-foot jumper.  of course, it's fairly easy when Cookie doesn't even put a hand in his face.

5:23 - Sasha drains a trey with Al Thornton's mug in his grill.  Free throw converted.  The rare four point play is in the books.  lakers down by 11.

4:23 - Fantastic bounce pass by Sasha, setting up Cook in the paint for an easy layup.  Mo Evans quickly snags a steal and an uncontested dunk.  All of a sudden, it's only a seven point deficit.

3:16 - It's unclear if the crowd is chanting for Phil to put "Kobe" or "Coby" into the game.  Until they get a little more specific, I don't blame the Zen Master if he's confused as to how to appease the fans.

1:09 - Cook misses on a long two, but some great effort by Chris Mihm under the glass keeps the ball alive, eventually going out of bounds the purple and gold's away.  Mihm's looked pretty rusty and out of sync most of this game (as evidenced by him turning over the ball about ten seconds later), so it's up to fans whether to get optimistic over the moment of nice activity or to treat it as the bright spot in otherwise pretty dreary night.

Cook misses a tip in as the third expires, bringing to end a pretty

Fourth Quarter

10:56 - After snaking in a layup, Farmar steals a pass from Al Thornton, then gets fouled and sinks two freebies.  Good to see him following up a very good first half with more of the same.

6:00 - It's official.  This game has reached "sloppy as all get out" status.

4:54 - More good work by Farmar, this time coming up with a rebound of his own miss in serious traffic.  This eventually leads to an equally impressive turnaround nine-footer by Bynum.  Very nice shot.

Things continue to wind down in unspectacular fashion.  112-96, Clippers victory.  Jordan Farmar is easily the most impressive Laker, with some nice moments for Andrew Bynum.  But all in all, not the greatest of showings for the collective Laker roster.  But hey, it's preseason and that's the time for crapping out.   Better now than in April.

Thanks for dropping by.  Postgame report coming ASAP.

AK