More photos » Eric Gay - AP

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The Lakers reassembled in Los Angeles this fine Monday to resume basketballish activities. From my vast network of spies, informants and double-agents in the league office, here's the latest on le purple et golde.

Luke Walton - is out of action indefinitely with a pinched nerve in his back. He missed two months earlier this season with a similar injury and, since returning in mid-January, has been averaging barely six minutes a game, so this doesn't materially affect the Laker rotation. If the team ever reached a point where it needed Luke Walton in a crucial moment, it was in trouble anyway.

Kobe Bryant - is back. He participated fully in practice today and, according to ESPN reporter Beto Duran, walked off the court "with a smile on his face and a strut in his step." He'll play tomorrow night against Golden State.

Andrew Bynum - will also play tomorrow night, although he still complains of pain in his bruised hip.

Kirk Hinrich - is still not a Laker. The rumor swamp as it relates to Lakerdom has been totally quiet today. On the other hand, can you prove Hinrich wasn't in Los Angeles this afternoon shopping for condos in Rancho Palos Verdes? Yeah, that's what I thought.

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That's not a headline I expected to use when I rolled out of bed this afternoon, but hey. Here we are. Life sure is an adventure sometimes.

If you've ever wondered about the texture of Lamar Odom's lips or whether he knows how to use them, his spouse Khloe Kardashian (known to some SS&R commenters as "Kole Kardassian") is here to help. Earlier today on her blog, in what she calls "the spirit of Valentine's Day," she listed the top 10 things she loves about Lamar. I'd love nothing more to make fun of it because I'm jealous and lead a life devoid of human affection, but honestly it's kind of touching.

2. I love Lamar's eyes. They are big and brown but they tell you so much about him because he always stares directly into your eyes.

3. His Lips... He has amazingly soft lips. He knows how to use them :)

Aww, I wish my wife would say such nice things about me! Is something I might write if I were married. Unfortunately, girls terrify me and I've never actually interacted with one, unless you count all these Cinemax channels I subscribe to.

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This should be fun. It appears that the Lakers will visit Spain this October to play an exhibition game against Regal FC Barcelona. That's Pau Gasol's former team and a preseason Laker opponent back in 2008. The Lakers won that game at Staples 108 to 104, overcoming 34 points from Juan Carlos Navarro and 15 from current Milwaukee Buck Ersan Ilyasova.

The most intriguing dimension to this story is that it's a chance for Laker fans to see Ricky Rubio up close. After four seasons with DKV Joventut, Rubio signed a six-year deal with Barca this past offseason. His contract gives him the option to jump to the NBA in 2011.

Barcelona is the defending Spanish League champion. In addition to Rubio, they've still got Navarro along with one-time Orlando Magic draftee Fran Vazquez, former Maryland Terp Terence Morris and former Cincinnati Bearcat Pete Mickael. They're 11-0 in Euroleague play so far this season.

More photos » Mark J. Terrill - AP

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The news was leaked earlier today, but it's now offishe. Pau Gasol is headed to Dallas as an All-Star reserve. SS&R contacted Chris Kaman for comment but instead of letting him speak, we just yelled "Suck it, loser!" into the phone and hung up on him. Burn!

*collects high fives*

So, good for Pau. I hope he has fun in Dallas. But if he retweaks his hamstrings in the All-Star Game, I swear I will... well. I'll be upset about it.

Oh, and Andrew Bynum isn't an All-Star, but that shouldn't surprise anyone. He has many ASGs ahead of him, no doubt.

In sartorial news today, Counterkicks has some sweet pics of Nike's new Air Jordan VI Retro "Lakers" edition. It's part of a series that nods to the franchises MJ defeated en route to his six rings. I've included one of the photos after the jump. Head on over to Counterkicks for the full portfolio.

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More photos » Chip Somodevilla - Getty Images

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President Barack Obama met with the Los Angeles Lakers at the White House today but, in what historians are calling the biggest diplomatic blunder since the Bay of Pigs, failed to mention Adam Morrison's critical contributions to the Lakers' 2009 NBA championship. Although Kobe Bryant earned recognition from the president for his competitiveness, Finals MVP award and becoming the youngest player to score 25,000 points in his career, and Derek Fisher and Pau Gasol drew compliments for their efforts to raise humanitarian funds for Haiti, Morrison's name was not included in Obama's remarks.

As is clear from the picture above, the mustachioed small forward's visage registered pure shock and disgust at this bewildering turn of events.

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More photos » Lori Shepler - AP

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Just wanted to alert you peeps to some fun going down online right now. As you might recall, last night there was some jawing back and forth between Jordan Farmar and Brandon Jennings. Jennings has long been an avid Tweeter, and tonight Jordan has taken to teh Intertubes to battle the Bucks rookie. Jennings' Twitter feed (@yungbuck3) can be found here, Jordan's (@jfarmar1) is here.

A sample of the action so far.

From Jordan to Jennings: Am not here to start nothing. You were talking smack on here wanted to clear some air. Look at the bling, done proved myself.

And a response from Jennings: but I'm not going to beef with you. See you should be worried about your spot. Shannon Brown??? That's all imma say

Ha. Good times.

Jordan's account hasn't been verified yet, but he claims it will be soon. In the meantime, pass the popcorn.

UPDATE: Ah, crap. Farmar's account is a fake. Still amusing that Jennings treated it as the real thing. Boooo.

Awwww. As Luke Walton's dad might say, "Throw it down, little man!"

Today's top story is that the shawty in the video goes to his right way better than Lamar Odom. SS&R's investigative branch has also learned that the kid may, in fact, start at power forward against the New Jersey Nets tomorrow night. If he works out, Jerry Buss is likely to pull the contract extension offered to Pau Gasol. Youth movement!

P.S. - This just in: Milwaukee Bucks fans thinks the kid should be called for a charge.

Cognac is the drink that's drank by G's...

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In observance of Hennessygate, Day 2, I proudly present the Official Hip Flask of the Los Angeles Lakers. This mobile booze-delivery system is available for purchase even if you're not a Lakers small forward. Perfect for the alcoholic basketball fan on your Christmas list! Ehh? *winks suggestively, points thumbs at self*

After practice today, Kobe Bryant addressed the news that a young Ron Artest used to get tipzay in the Chicago Bulls locker room, rhetorically slamming the door shut on the story as it pertains to Lakerdom:

He's not doing that shit here, so it's got nothing to do with us.

Also, Kobe described Ron as an "A+ teammate." Since I read that quote, I can't get the "A Team" theme song out of my head.

Maybe a little Henny will help with that problem....

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