Celtics won’t be a playoff pushover

Q: I hope Kobe has watched the tapes from when he was out and from the losses when he came back and has gotten the message that there is a talented team that needs to work together, on offense and defense.
— Barbara, Alhambra, Calif.

A: I think, to a degree, you just have to accept the reality that Kobe is a high-volume shooter and move on.

To a degree, Pau Gasol had a point about the lack of ball movement during the Lakers' recent slump, but Gasol hardly was taking an active role in the offense at that stage.

Knowing Phil Jackson, this probably is just about how he wants it, a team simmering just before it comes together for the playoffs.

Q: As a long-time Lakers fan, I knew that last year I could marvel at the depth of the Lakers' bench. Could you give a quick assessment of the bench this year as it pertains to the coming playoffs? Thanks.
— Rick, Walnut Creek, Calif.

A: Honestly, not very inspiring, which, perhaps, is why Kobe has felt the need to so load up on his shot attempts.

Beyond Lamar Odom, the second unit is somewhat limited. Perhaps that's because with Ron Artest, this is more of a bigger-minutes starting lineup than last season with Trevor Ariza.

But with Vujacic and Walton having missed time, and with Jordan Farmar rather pedestrian, it's almost as if the only true boost off the bench has been provided by the theatrics of Shannon Brown.

While it is difficult for such a system team to pick up a veteran at this late stage, an injection of some life into the second unit might not be a bad idea. Either that, or the hope better be that Walton can return close to the top of his game.

Q: When a coach like Don Nelson is only interested in his own record, why does a team still want him to be around?
— Hard, San Francisco.

A: This is a touchy subject in the Bay Area. On one hand, the Warriors want Nellie to be part of something special by moving into the all-time lead for coaching victories.

On the other hand, this team is regressing.

With it being somewhat of a longshot that Nellie reaches the record this season, he almost certainly will be back in 2010-11, especially since he holds another year on his contract.

That said, the Warriors should have some sort of coach-in-waiting, so whenever Nellie does get the record he quietly can exit stage left and allow this franchise to find needed direction.

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Ira Winderman writes regularly for NBCSports.com and covers the Heat and the NBA for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.