--Pro Basketball Talk's Kurt Helin remains impressed with Pau Gasol's play against Poland.

--The Times' Lance Pugmire reports that the NBA and its players union plan to meet again this week for negotiations on a collective-bargaining agreement.

--The Times' Richard Winton details ex-Laker Javaris Crittenton waiving his right to an extradition hearing.

--Ball Don't Lie's Eric Freeman remains amused at Ron Artest's guarantee that the Lakers will win the 2012 NBA title.

--ESPN Los Angeles' Andy Kamenetzky and Brian Kamenetzky both doubt that Gasol succeeding in the European Championships would correlate to the NBA season.

--Sports Illustrated's Zach Lowe remains skeptical of a Lakers' triple tower lineup.

--The Orange County Register's Jeff Miller argues that the NBA off-season storylines have become absurd.

--CBS Sports' Royce Young notices Gasol's optimism about the NBA lockout and the Lakers' title chances.

--Forum Blue and Gold's Phillip Barnett provides a play-by-play breakdown of Gasol's 29-point performance Wednesday against Poland.

Tweet of the Day: "The Johnson legacy keeps going-Earvin, Andre & now Avery. He has hands & feet like Grandpa. Could it be another baller in the family?? -- MagicJohnson (Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson).

Rick Friedman Reader Comment of the Day: "KG would of made them a contender but it takes more than 2 need a overall great team and the Lakers the past 4 seasons had a great team." -- Hakeem Horton

--Mark Medina

Email the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com

Photo: Pau Gasol celebrates Spain's victory over Portugal during the second round group A qualification match  at EuroBasket2011. Credit: Joe Klamar / AFP/Getty Images