Lakers’ Week 13 in review

The Lakers (16-29) limped through the end of their seven-game road trip, losing their last four games in Week 13 of the season.

Last Monday, the Lakers went to overtime for the first time this season, falling, 102-100, to the Chicago Bulls.

The Lakers competed well against the Miami Heat on Thursday night but fell short, 109-102.

The following night, the Lakers fell apart in the second half, losing to the struggling Orlando Magic, 114-105.

Coach Mike D’Antoni said he’s disappointed in his team’s defensive effort.

Before the Lakers’ final game of the week on Sunday, Kobe Bryant said he’s eager to increase training as he works to come back from a knee injury.

Former Lakers’ coach Phil Jackson said he’s confident that “people are going to be surprised” at Bryant’s play when he returns healthy.

Bryant also said he was proud of Pau Gasol for calling out the team for letting so many games get away.

On Sunday, the Lakers gave a solid effort against the Knicks in New York before letting another slip away, 110-103.

On Thursday, it was announced that fans had voted Bryant into the Western Conference starting lineup for the NBA All-Star game.

“With all due respect,” Bryant said he’d like to skip the game, given that he’s taken part in only six games this season and isn’t yet cleared to play.

Of course, by the time Bryant returns, the Lakers aren’t going to be in a position to make the playoffs. They don’t have tiebreakers with the bubble teams and are unlikely to earn a postseason berth.

The season of injuries and struggle could lead to the Lakers getting a strong prospect in the NBA draft.

Meanwhile, Forbes ranked the Lakers as the second-most-valuable franchise, behind the Knicks, with a value of $1.35 billion.

Finally, when Kendall Marshall met Pau Gasol in 2003, he was just a child. Marshall is among the NBA leaders in assists and three-point shooting.

Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.