Los Angeles Lakers Ended the Preseason Winless

History was made by the Los Angeles Lakers, just not the kind of history they or anyone else would be proud of. For the first time in franchise history, they posted a winless preseaon (0-8), and enter the regular with some uncertainty. Per the LA Times: “These are only exhibition games, the real stuff starting next Tuesday against Dallas, but shouldn’t the Lakers have won at least one? Maybe two? What about those wildly high expectations of Lakers followers? ‘I’m trying to trick them,’ Lakers Coach Mike Brown said before the game. ‘I don’t know if it’s working, though.’ Nothing has worked for the Lakers. Howard had nine points and eight rebounds but also five turnovers and five fouls in 24 minutes. Pau Gasol was whisper-quiet with seven points, four rebounds and four turnovers in 29 minutes. Steve Nash had six points and three assists before being told to sit out the second half. Somehow, he didn’t yawn on the Lakers’ bench. […] Help might be on the way. But maybe not. Kobe Bryant was still bothered by a strained right foot Thursday so he stayed home, 60 miles north of the game. It was unclear whether he would play in the regular-season opener. ‘I don’t know if he will or not,’ Brown said.”