How disappointed were the Lakers?

MACAO -- Kobe Bryant took a complete pass on the deal that is expected to send Sacramento’s Ron Artest to Houston, but even if the Lakers appreciate his tact, there’s every chance they did try to get Artest, and Bryant is disappointed.

Bryant tried to get the Lakers to pursue Artest three seasons ago when he was an Indiana Pacer with a “for sale” sign, having worn out that welcome.

Coach Phil Jackson wants a tough guy — which Artest definitely is, no matter how lucid you think he is — and thinks highly of Artest. And Jackson and Bryant usually are on the same page these days.

However, GM Mitch Kupchak’s problem would have been looking at it from a cost-benefit perspective, after finding what it would have taken to get the Kings to overlook their rivalry and send them Artest — reportedly Lamar Odom.

If there are concerns about how Odom will do at small forward, that’s not where the Lakers are now. They want to see how their team plays next season, and that includes Odom.

If the Kings couldn’t get Odom, even if they were going to give Artest away, it wouldn’t be to the Lakers.

Personally, I don’t see why the Lakers would want to climb aboard the whirlwind that is Ron Artest.

This was a slam dunk for Houston, which had to take a shot to get out of the pack of 55-win also-rans in the West. The Lakers will be a powerhouse if they play a season ticker-holder at small forward.

If Odom can shoot well enough to play the position, which I question, or Luke Walton makes a comeback, which could happen, or Trevor Ariza improve enough as a shooter, which could happen, the Lakers will be fine as constituted.

If none of that happens, they can trade any and all of their small forwards for a better one.

Remember the days when the Lakers had nothing but interpersonal issues?

All that is over, at least for the moment. If I were them, I wouldn’t be looking to re-launch the Soap Opera Era.

-- Mark Heisler

Photo: Kobe Bryant drives against the Turkey national team during an exhibition game Thursday in Macao. Credit. M.N. Chan / Getty Images

Comments

[allan]

Fisher + Bryant + Odom + Gasol + Bynum = Best 2009 N.B.A. Starting Lineup. Enough Said.