Starring: The Lakers Fire is back. Ever since last season, we've seen a lack of mental toughness. Big leads lost. Meltdowns. Losses against terrible teams. Just a general lack of fight. Now, thanks to our JV squad, it's back:

Gasol pushed Reggie Evans to create more leverage on the box-out. Gasol then tossed him to the ground. That prompted Clippers forward Solomon Jones to push Gasol from behind, resulting in a near skirmish.

Lakers and Clippers teammates stormed to halfcourt to prevent a skirmish. Before thing settled down, however, Clippers center DeAndre Jordan and World Peace exchanged words and pushes before officials intervened.

The Lakers got a boost from old-school Ron Artest. If you were watching the game, his glare was downright intimidating. World Peace definitely brought the crazy against the Clippers. Even Kobe was impressed:

When it was over, Bryant was so proud to say: "There's a couple [expletives] in this league you don't mess with - and Metta is one of them."

Now that he knows that's what the Lakers want from him, he'll bring it every night:

"I got bored with defense because it was so easy for me to stop people over the years," World Peace said after Thursday's practice. "I just got bored with it."

Have the Lakers turned over a new leaf? Is Pau ready to bring Black Swan out on a permanent basis? Have the Clippers brought out the best in the Lakers?

Much more after the jump...

Lakers News:

• Is Gasol ready to stick his neck out for Lakers? - The Orange County Register
• Andrew Goudelock to receive more playing time - latimes.com
• Lakers' Andrew Goudelock making a name for himself - latimes.com
• Lakers-Clippers: Metta World Peace has stellar night - latimes.com
• Metta World Peace bored with defense - latimes.com
• Andrew Goudelock to receive more playing time - latimes.com
• Andrew Goudelock takes advantage of opportunity - latimes.com
• Breaking down Lakers-Clippers' chippy play - latimes.com
• Pau Gasol played with more aggression in win against Clippers - latimes.com
• Lakers are forging their identity slowly - Lakers blog : The Orange County Register
• World Peace regains his defensive edge - Lakers blog : The Orange County Register
• A night for World Peace - Lakers blog : The Orange County Register
• Is Gasol ready to stick his neck out for Lakers? - The Orange County Register

NBA.com:

• A Chat with Josh McRoberts " Lakers Blog
• LAL – LAC Postgame Numbers " Lakers Blog
• Mo Williams In The Zone! " NBA.com | Hang Time Blog
• And One: The New Kahn Job " NBA.com | Hang Time Blog
• With the team finally built, now comes the hard part for OKC | NBA.com
• Shaqtin’ A Fool: Episode 3 " NBA.com | Hang Time Blog
• Ankle Fracture Sidelines Bogut " NBA.com | Hang Time Blog
• The Crossover: Deron Williams " NBA.com | Hang Time Blog

ESPN:

• Early-season progress report: Answering 34 questions about the Lakers - Los Angeles Lakers Blog - ESPN Los Angeles
• World Peace declining? Nah, just "bored" - Los Angeles Lakers Blog - ESPN Los Angeles
• Mike Brown, Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant, and the dynamics of right and wrong - Los Angeles Lakers Blog - ESPN Los Angeles

Yahoo Sports:

• Gasol, Lakers show they're still full of fight - NBA - Yahoo! Sports
• Tony Parker says Gregg Popovich is calmer because of wine | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports
• Why the Hornets might want to see Eric Gordon leave | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports

Probasketball Talk:

• Carmelo Anthony out Friday vs. Heat (and one more game)
• Report: Philadelphia signs Francisco Elson
• World Peace was just a little "bored" on defense
• Wizards want to run more, have to get in better shape first
• Clippers upend Memphis in battle of wanna be contenders
• Orlando chokes, breathes new life into Boston’s season
• Dirk Nowitzki looking at Sunday return to lineup
• Kobe Bryant doesn’t think the Clippers are a rival, but was proud of Lakers’ performance

The Basketball Jones:

• Things of Note for January 27, 2012
• Wittman: Wizards learning basketball is like quitting smoking
• The reason Andrew Bogut keeps getting hurt

Other Blogs And Links:

• Forum Blue And Gold " Keeping the Peace in L.A.
• Forum Blue And Gold " Has Goudelock Found A Role?
• Bill Plaschke: The Clippers need to tone it down - latimes.com
• VINCENT BONSIGNORE: Defense first becomes Lakers mantra - LA Daily News
• Rivalry comes to head as Lakers rally by Clips
• Lakers 96 - Clippers 91 Hey, There are Two Good Teams in Los Angeles... One Wins, One Loses... - Clips Nation
• Matt Barnes: Kobe and I want to bring the 'Ron Artest' out of World Peace | Laker Nation
• Mike Brown Says Andrew Goudelock has Earned Right to Play More | Lakers Nation
• Metta World Peace is Almost Back to Where He Wants to Be on Defense | Lakers Nation
• Staying the Course – Lakers Will Be Tested on the Road | Lakers Nation
• Kobe Bryant: Starting to Find a Niche for Everyone on the Ball Club | Lakers Nation
• Lakers Pau Gasol Talks About Importance of Playing Fired Up | Lakers Nation
• Mike Brown Answers – Do the Clippers Bring out the Best in the Lakers? | Lakers Nation

Multimedia:

• #KobeSystem Level 4 - Explosiveness and Apologies (Video) | Laker Nation
• Video: Kenneth Faried submits non-block of the year candidate | The Basketball Jones | Blogs | theScore.com
• Video: Tim Duncan wants more playing time | The Basketball Jones | Blogs | theScore.com
• Video: Kevin Garnett was in a bar fight | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports