Crickets

My condolences to those writers expected to construct a notebook out of tonight's pregame activities.  Not much a-happenin' around the locker rooms.  Ron Artest is ready to play, according to the Kings beat guy Sam Amick, so at least from a personnel standpoint, this will be a rematch of last week's tight game in Sacto.  But, as you'll hear in the audio, Phil Jackson sees some differences.  First, whatever glimmer of a playoff hope the Kings were clinging to on Tuesday have evaporated, thanks to three straight losses.  That could change the intensity they bring.  Jackson also believes that the Lakers, having had a little time to see and absorb Sacramento's relatively unique offense filled with a great deal of back cuts and feeds from the high post, should be better able to  defend well from the outset.  All stuff to keep an eye on. 

No doubt, the Lakers would love to give Sacramento the Clippers treatment, giving their starters a chance to rest.  With Toronto, New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, and Utah upcoming, they certainly can't afford to give one away tonight.

AUDIO: Interesting stuff in there about Brad Miller perhaps taking things a step beyond appropriate in his enforcer duties last week.  I asked him if the Lakers, now that Kwame's gone, still have an enforcer.  Granted, I'm not sure Kwame ever really qualified (I'm actually pretty sure he didn't), nor do I think Phil really thought he did either, but at least publicly, PJ would occasionally extol 54's virtues as an in-paint heavy.  Jackson's reply?  No, they really don't, but it's not necessarily anything a team must have. 

• Phil Jackson: Download phil_jackson_3.9 preSAC.mp3