HoopWatch

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson’s day could not get any uglier than this.

Before his Lakers were blown out by the Denver Nuggets, 86-113, Jackson was fined $50,000 for sticking up for his star Kobe Bryant. Bryant was once again suspended for an inadvertent elbow, his second suspension for the same offense. Kobe loves to attract contact as soon as he shoots the ball, swinging his elbow sideways to the direction of the face of the guarding opponent. Apparently, this style has caused black-eyes on San Antonio’s Manu Ginobili and Philadelphia’s Kyle Korver.

With that massacre of a loss, Jackson has endured his worst loosing-streak in his 16-year coaching career. The Lakers have now dropped seven consecutive games, surpassing a six-game drought earlier this season.

Phil has an excuse, with injuries to key players. Forward Brian Cook did not make the trip due to an ankle injury. Kwame Brown, who started at center, has missed 27 games this season. And Luke Walton and Lamar Odom played their first game from injury. Walton and Odom only had 13 and nine points. These are lethargic contributions from two key players for a Laker team who once stood atop the Pacific Division at the start of the season.

Also, Denver rookie Linas Kleiza did not cooperate in the Lakers cause. Kleiza came off the bench and scored a career-high 29 points. He was 10-of-13 from the field and 5-of-6 from the three-point line. That was how lucky Denver was, as opposed to the unfortunate events transpiring for Phil and the Lakers.

After a stellar first half, where they led by double-digits, the Lakers just could not sustain their brilliance. Denver went on a 24-10 run in the third to lead by 15, 87-72. They never looked back afterwards.

Jackson and the Lakers need to correct things and end this loosing streak as they face Portland at the Staples Center tonight.