--Yahoo! Sports' Marc Spears talks to Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who maintains he wants to be a Laker for life. 

--The Times' Mike Bresnahan explains how Troy Murphy and Jason Kapono can help the Lakers' outside shooting.

--The Times' Ben Bolch dives into Metta World Peace's complex personality.

--The Times' Broderick Turner highlights the warm fan reception Clippers guard Chris Paul has already received.

--The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding explains how Kobe Bryant has helped foster team chemistry.

--Fox Sports' Randy Hill predicts the Miami Heat will win the 2012 NBA championship. 

--ESPN Los Angeles' Andy Kamenetzky analyzes what the Lakers' frontcourt must do to compensate for Lamar Odom's departure.

--ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin says the Lakers need a stronger bench this season. 

--ESPN Los Angeles' Ramona Shelburne says it will take time for the Clippers to develop chemistry.

--The Daily News' Elliott Teaford breaks down positional matchups between the Lakers and Clippers.

--Silver Screen and Roll's C.A. Clark sizes up the Lakers' frontcourt. 

Tweet of the Day: "It's been 7 months and 16 days (or 230 days total) since the Lakers last played at Staples Center. It's been 251 days for the Clips." -- mcten (ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin)

Rick Friedman Reader Comment of the Day: "I will point out this... The Lakers are spending less money for McRoberts, Murphy, and Kapono COMBINED than they were spending on Odom. I wonder if the Odom dump off wasn't purely a financial move." -- John Robert Perry

-- Mark Medina

Email the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com

Photo: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant told Yahoo! Sports that he wants to remain a Laker for life. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times