Pivot Points: Eight-Game Road Trip Will Test Los Angeles Lakers' Character

If you ever want to test a person's resolve, place them into an uncomfortable position, present them with a challenging situation, then watch the drama unfold.

One of two things will happen. The person will crumble and fold under the pressure of their task or they will rise up to face the challenge on the strength of their will.

The Los Angeles Lakers will find themselves trapped in similar circumstances when they embark on an eight-game road trip which begins Thursday night in Cleveland against a Cavaliers' team which embarrassed the Lakers on Christmas Day.

The Lakers stand with the best record in the NBA at 32-9, but this trip represents a chance for Los Angeles to see if all the wins at home can translate into continued success once the show goes on the road.

This is not the Lakers' first venture into the wilderness, but this jaunt includes two sets of back-to-back games with the first game in each coming against Cleveland and Boston respectively.

A challenging task indeed, and it is one which will test the very character of the Lakers, and either they will rise up to face the task or they will be shaken at their core if they fail.

Defending your home court is great, but success on the road is where the secrets to playoff potential lies, because it instills a confidence and mentality that is important in hostile environments in the postseason.

The Lakers were the best road team in the NBA last season, and that was of monumental significance in their charge to the championship, but so far this team has shown only flashes of that same resilience.

This trip will magnify that aspect and it will serve the purpose to answer a few lingering questions about the chemistry of the Lakers and their ability to defend on the perimeter.

Pau Gasol's return was welcome, but it brought the issue of center Andrew Bynum's ability to coexist with Gasol in the lineup to the forefront of conversation, although it's not a bad problem to have.

The duo performed admirably in their game against the Orlando Magic, and that may be telling, as the Lakers will need both to be consistent in their efforts if the team is to survive this road trip.

Gasol and Bynum will need to be cognizant of defensive rotations and provide sufficient support at the rim once the Lakers' perimeter defense has been breached, and unless Los Angeles improves, expect this to happen frequently.

There are numerous guards on this trip who will test the Lakers' perimeter defense, players like Rajon Rondo and Mo Williams, and how the Lakers' guards respond will be an important piece to the Lakers' success.

A mark of 6-2 would be a decent finish to the trip, but wins against Boston or Cleveland will provide Los Angeles with the confidence of knowing they can prevail under adverse conditions versus probable contenders.

This is simply the first real moment that has a chance to impact the course of the Lakers' season, the first road trip in comparison, was nothing more than a regular season scrimmage.

This one has muscle embedded at the beginning and end, and is rife with sub-plots and internal situations that will keep viewers glued to their seats in anticipation of the outcomes.

There is the perpetual Kobe vs LeBron scenario once again revisited with another trip to Madison Square Garden and an appearance in Boston, the site of the Lakers' most recent finals failure.

The drama will be high for sure and an injured Kobe Bryant only adds to the intrigue, but if the Lakers can manage to brave the course of this road trip and come through not badly scathed, then their destiny could be determined.

Los Angeles has a chance to affirm their lofty status at the top of the NBA or further delve into the curious questions that have surrounded the team lately.