Los Angeles Lakers: Is Phil Jackson Taking Shots at Kobe Bryant?

When it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers, things are about as normal as they have been all season.

The team is currently seeded third in the Western Conference with a 43-19 record, they have won their first five games out of the gate after the All-Star break and Kobe Bryant has essentially been Kobe Bryant, averaging 25.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game this season. 

But is it really all that quiet in La La Land?

If it is, why would the last Lakers game—a 90-79 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves—make just as many headlines as a game against a playoff contending team?

A game where Bryant led L.A. with 24 points and four rebounds, and also featured the Lakers struggle shooting the ball overall, making just 37.5 percent of their shots.

Well, it's because Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson had this to say about Ron Artest, Kobe Bryant and the triangle offense after Tuesday night's game:

"He's probably a little better at it than Kobe is, because Kobe ignores the offense."

Now fans could look at the situation two different ways:

One, Jackson is simply making a humorous statement and acknowledging Kobe's habit to lead the team in whatever way possible to get a win each night.

Or two, Jackson is realistically taking a shot at the Black Mamba.

One has to think, with the recent embarrassing three-game losing streak a couple weeks ago that featured a loss to the NBA's worst Cleveland Cavaliers, the longtime Lakers coach may be in a sense fed up with the way Kobe has decided to lead his team down the stretch.

No matter what case it may be, the Lakers better get their act together as they are currently sitting at a crossroads in their schedule. Let's just say things could get worse before they get better in the City of Angels.

Yes, the Lakers have gone 5-0 in the second half of the season so far, but they will definitely be tested before transitioning their attention to any type of postseason play.

After a quick matchup with the Charlotte Bobcats tonight at the Staples Center, the Lakers will begin a crucial four-game road trip making stops at San Antonio, Atlanta, Miami and Dallas along the way.

It doesn't stop there, as 15 of their last 20 regular season games are against teams with above .500 records that could also make serious runs at the NBA Title this season.

The real question now becomes: Can L.A. win the big game?

So far, the answer to that question is no, as the Lakers currently are winless against both San Antonio and Dallas this season (0-3 overall). L.A. still has time to make some noise though, as they will face both the Spurs and the Mavericks twice before closing out the season. 

If the Lakers have any shot at a three-peat, Kobe & Company will need to find a way to turn the tables on these big Western Conference teams, and transition themselves into the legitimate NBA Championship caliber team we all know they can be.

Oh yeah, and one more thing: No more Jackson and Kobe drama please.