Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles Lakers executive vice president Jim Buss feels it is foolish to 'blow up' the team just for sinking six games below .500.

Instead, he wants the team to play enough games together to identify its problems.

"We just have to have this team work together and play together. We just don't have enough information to analyze anything. It's just not enough data to put your finger on a problem," said Buss.

"This team is built to win. It's a very, very solid team. We haven't seen them all together and play together for games."

He was referring to injuries to Steve Nash, Steve Blake, Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol that have kept the Lakers from reaching their potential.

Buss also justified the team's choice of Coach Mike D'antoni over Phil Jackson, saying the former's system would suit the team better.

"We thought Steve Nash was our future point guard for the next three years and we needed a coach we felt would fit with him," Buss said.

Meanwhile, Buss expects Pau Gasol not only to revert to his previous form, but to play more in the low post.

He believes this will alow him to coexist with Dwight Howard to where they can play off each other.

Buss is optimistic that if the team puts it together, they can string seven or eight games in a row and make a run for the postseason.

"If we play with the energy we've seen in the last two games, then I think you go into the playoffs with momentum!" he exclaims.

 

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