“Know what it feels like to lose a game like this on somebody’s home court the way we lost it,” he said. “Take that hurt with you in the summer.”

Smush Parker emerged from journeyman status to do a decent job opposite Bryant in the backcourt. But for the most part, he played poorly in the last four games, failing to contain Nash and shooting 7-of-37.

“We didn’t want to be going this early, but it’s a step further than they were last year and next year we’re going to be a step further than we are this year,” Parker said. “It was a successful season. No one thought we would be in this position. Unfortunately, it had to end this way.”

And unfortunately, the way the season ended will be the way it’s remembered by many inside and outside the organization. Bryant’s 35.4-point scoring average — best in the NBA in 19 years — and staggering 81-point performance are simply footnotes now.

So deficient on the inside a year ago, the Lakers have a trio of 7-footers in Brown, Chris Mihm and young Andrew Bynum.

Brown blossomed while playing center after Mihm severely sprained his right ankle March 12. As it turned out, the absence of Mihm against the Suns perhaps made a difference. There’s no telling when the 18-year-old Bynum will be ready to help on a consistent basis.

Less than a week ago, local fans were eagerly awaiting what appeared to be a likely first playoff meeting between the Lakers and Clippers.

The Clippers did their part. The Lakers didn’t.

“I’m not disappointed,” Clippers star Elton Brand said about not playing the Lakers.

Then, with a smile, he added: “They’re disappointed.”

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