Bayless is More

You think Arizona's a slightly different team with Jerryd Bayless in the lineup, huh?

Here's an actual conversation from the ESPN crew announcing the game:

Brad Nessler: "There's nothing less about the Bayless part."
Jimmy Dykes: "Oh my!"
Nessler: "Should be Bay- More instead of Bayless, he just keeps giving us more."

Indeed, Bayless was in a giving mood. He had a career high 33 in an 85-71 road win over a very good Houston team.
He made the same amount of free throws, 18, as the entire Houston team. He led an offense that shot 61 percent from the field. He attacked the rim, he made 3-pointers, and he proved that a Bayless led Arizona team is a hell of a lot different than a Bay-less team. Without him, the Wildcats went 1-3. Without him, they're not a tournament team.

It's good to have him back.

Lute Olson speaks: Olson says he's seen every Arizona game but has no comment on divorce.
Up next: at Stanford Thursday 8:30 PST FSN

287 Washington State's strength of schedule, worse than Cal State Northridge, who was actually on ESPN's Bubble watch.

The Lake Show

The Lakers are 8-1 when Kobe scores less than 20. But they're 11-2 when he scores 30 or more, and that's a lot more fun to watch. He had 37 in a 110-105 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Andrew Bynum added a career high 17 rebounds to go with 25 points in what's becoming a much more common statline.

As always, an updated Lakers +/- (through 35 games) Lakers: 24-11, 3rd in West

Fisher +169
Kobe +258
Turiaf +17
Odom +142
Mihm -16
Walton +150
Bynum +235
Farmar +79
Radmanovic +144
Brown -5
Vujacic +13
Crittenton -27
Karl +4
Ariza -11

Up Next: vs. Memphis Sunday 6:30 p.m. PST FSN

Check it out: My Daily News article on Simi Valley basketball's win over Thousand Oaks. Simi is 15-1 and has only lost to Compton Dominguez, by one.