A day without Smush...

Is a day without sunshine? Without bold, occasionally questionable fashion choices? Without entertainingly named Cadillac SUVs?

Whatever the answer, it's no surprise that Smush Parker didn't accompany the Miami Heat on their trip to Staples for tonight's game. After all, he hasn't accompanied them anywhere since Pat Riley revoked his "I'm Welcome Around Miami's Practice Facility!" card. It's unfortunate, too, because given the Heat's current woes, the Return of Smush could have made for a nice little side note in an otherwise dull matchup. (My guess? He'd have heard some boos. Just a hunch.) The numbers certainly favor the purple and gold. The Lakers are working towards their tenth straight win while the Heat on Tuesday finally won their tenth game of the season. L.A. is 19-7 at home while Miami is (gulp!) 4-22 on the road, including 13 straight losses. Overall, the Heat have dropped 26 of their last 28, while the Lakers have rocketed to the top of the Western Conference.

This isn't a good team the Lakers are playing tonight. Still, it's always fun to watch Dwyane Wade, even the injured version, and assuming L.O. gets a few cracks to go at and D up Shawn Marion, that's usually entertaining. Hopefully, everyone gets exactly what they want: Lots of burn for Coby Karl.

AUDIO: A jovial Phil Jackson, who fielded a lot of more "meta" questions not related to tonight's game. How Gasol will adjust to Bynum's return. What it might be like to play with Pat Riley. The multitude of T's that have been called lately, including the first of the season on him. That sort of thing.

Download phil_jackson_2.28 preMIA.mp3
BONUS AUDIO: Lakers Blog HOFer Von Wafer, after last night's game against the Clippers in which he played a very un-Von like 31 minutes and scored 11 points!: Download von_wafer_2.28 postLAC.mp3

Your Trevor Ariza/Vlad Rad updates!!! First, Ariza, which actually contains little in the way of an actual update. Monday remains his day for a reevaluation and until then, ain't much happening. For what it's worth, he said the foot actually feels fine, which makes it feel kind of mind boggling when he's told it's still not healthy. At any rate, he's growing frustrated, but remaining patient. As for Vlad Rad, he won't be playing, but he's hoping for a Sunday return. He said the calf injury is more stiff these days than actually painful and he managed to pull off some light jogging. That said, it's still pretty touch and go, since the obvious concern is not making it worse.