Sidebars:

— Sheridan Hoops' Chris Sheridan reports that Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose told management he wants them to acquire Lakers forward Pau Gasol in a trade.

— The Times' Mike Bresnahan explains why Lakers guard Kobe Bryant remains upset with the front office on how they're handling the possibility of trading Gasol. 

— The Daily News' Elliott Teaford highlights Bryant's demand that the front office clarify whether or not they plan to trade Gasol. 

Game stories:

— The Times' Bresnahan documents the Lakers' ongoing road struggles in their 102-90 loss Sunday to the Phoenix Suns. 

— The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding faults the Lakers' defense. 

Notebooks:

— The Daily News' Teaford details the Lakers' inconsistencies on the road. 

Columns:

— The Orange County Register's Ding believes Bryant delivered his comments to inspire Gasol. 

— Fox Sports' Randy Hill says the Lakers' defense hasn't improved as much as the team has suggested. 

Blogs:

— Ball Don't Lie's Kelly Dwyer believes Bryant's demand is unrealistic. 

— ESPN Los Angeles' Brian Kamenetzky breaks down the Lakers' loss to the Suns and whether Bryant's comments on Gasol will have its desired effect. 

— ESPN Los Angeles' McMenamin lists 10 things to take away from the Lakers' loss to Phoenix. 

— Lakers.com's Mike Trudell provides a running diary of the Lakers-Suns game. 

Tweet of the Day: "As I said last night - appreciated Kobe's sentiment - but it's immaterial to big picture of what LA trying to accomplish as an org" -- EricPincus (Hoopsworld's Eric Pincus)

Rick Friedman Reader Comment of the Day:"Kobe needs to learn patience. There is almost 1 month until the trade deadline. And no one will know what will happen until DHoward/Orlando makes their move. The Free Agency market changes drastically depending on that move. The lakers would be foolish to do anything to change their current position. " -- Jay Taylor

— Mark Medina

Email the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com

Photo: Lakers power forward Pau Gasol fouls Suns guard Jared Dudley while attempting to block a shot in the second half Sunday at US Airways Center. Credit: Roy Dabner / EPA / Feb. 19, 2012