Lakers Play like Underdogs, Fall in Houston with a Thud, 99-87

Can there be any doubt after today’s atrocious loss in Houston that the Lakers are not a championship team?

Can there be any doubt, despite whatever physical skills they may have, that the Lakers do not have the mental fortitude of a champion?

Can there be any doubt that this is one of the worst upsets in sports since Stanford football upset USC in 2007?

Playing without Yao Ming or his replacement, Dikembe Mutombo, the Houston Rockets were decidedly double-digit underdogs. It was an ideal set up for the Lakers to go up 3-1 in the series and close out the Rockets at the Staples Center on Tuesday.

Instead, the Rockets ensured themselves of a Game 6 back in Houston while the Lakers disappointed their fans as well as one another.

But what can I say other than what I have been saying ever since the All-Star break? It’s no surprise. The Lakers have been playing heartless basketball for the past two months and deserve to lose.

Can there be any doubt that Kobe Bryant needs to opt out of his contract and sign with another team if he expects to ever win that fourth ring?

Can there be any doubt? No, there cannot.

Here’s the bad news.

The Lakers were out-rebounded again 43-37 and 11-8 on the offensive boards. Without Yao Ming. Shame! And it was actually much worse before coach Rick Adelman sent in the second unit for a good portion of the final quarter.

Kobe Bryant had another off day, shooting just 7-for-17 and finished with 15 points and 5 assists in 34 minutes.

Pau Gasol was the high point man for the Lakers, scoring 30 points with 9 rebounds, but he failed to come out and cover the Rockets shooters. That was part of the reason the Rockets shot 44 percent from beyond the arc, and Aaron Brooks finished with a game-high 34 points, 4-for-9 from beyond the arc.

I hope the Lakers can sleep well on their flight back to Los Angeles. I know if it were me, I couldn't.