Last season, the Lakers needed 63 games to fall seven games below .500. This year? 11. And in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's 114-101 loss to the Clippers, LeBron James was forced to the locker room with a groin injury. He said after it wasn't as bad as the one that cost him a huge chunk of his first season in Los Angeles (the Christmas Day Slip vs. Golden State), but that doesn't mean it's all good. James hopes to be able to play Friday vs. Sacramento.

Seems unlikely now, but even if he can, the wear and tear is starting to pile up on James, who needs to be monumentally productive for the Lakers to have a chance to compete and get back in the playoff race at some point this season. That's not a good combination.

So what do the Lakers do? Can they protect the health of their best player while still winning enough games for that health to matter?

The Lakers are shorthanded, without Lonnie Walker IV (ill), Dennis Schroder and Thomas Bryant (thumbs, both). Ham, for all intents and purposes, only played six guys on Wednesday, which shows first how important he thought this game was, and second how little he trusts most of the roster. But, no disrespect intended, but any team waiting for those guys to make a significant dent in on court results likely isn't a very good team. That's just not the level of impact these guys provide, historically.

So where do the Lakers turn?

How about to Anthony Dsvis, who has 10 points total in his last five fourth quarters after scoring four on Wednesday. If LeBron can't go, avis has to step up in a massive way, which he says he's ready to do. But you know what? Even if LeBron CAN play, Davis still needs to be that guy if the Lakers are going to find their way. Can he do it?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers lose as LeBron hurts his groin.

SEGMENT 2: The Lakers are waiting for reinforcements, but really, what can be expected of them?

SEGMENT 3: The time is now, Anthony Davis.

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