The Lakers have a couple days to kill between Tuesday's win over Sacramento, fueled by arguably their best half of the year, and Friday's tilt at Staples against the Clippers. Thankfully, LeBron James, stuck in the NBA's health and safety protocols, helped fill that space with a weird tweet about something fishy going on, featuring four different fish emoji. Didn't know there were that many to choose from! What was he getting at? Let's speculate!

Meanwhile, the Lakers are clumped in with about seven other teams in the conference, with injuries and other unfortunate circumstances keeping the group close. So while things feel bad, and in many ways are, certain things are well within reach, even if L.A. doesn't turn it around right away. A first round home playoff series, for example. Silver lining in what's otherwise been a disappointing first quarter of the year.

One increasingly bright spot: Malik Monk, who is adjusting to the expectations that are tied to title-level defense. Something he never had to worry about in Charlotte. Can he keep it up?

Meanwhile, Talen Horton-Tucker has slumped big time since crushing it over his first three games returning to the lineup following thumb surgery. Did everyone expect too much? How badly do the Lakers need him to turn it around? How likely is it he'll be a steady two-way contributor by the end of the year?

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