The media has been hyping this massive 'nine games in 13 days' road trip since the summer time, and... well, they were right. This trip could alter the outcome of the season.

8,713 miles will be traveled over the next 15 days, and we can all thank the Grammy's for providing the Lakers with their longest roadie since the 1960-1961 season... I guess the Grammy's do matter to some people, but it's really no reason to take over the second greatest arena in the history of Los Angeles for half of February.

Speaking of great arenas in Los Angeles (Gilbert excluded), why couldn't the Lakers have broken up this bad boy and played a couple at the Fabulous Forum? I mean, aside from the Faithful Central Bible Church's occupancy on Sundays, the next scheduled event at the Forum doesn't happen until the 19th when Iron Maiden comes to town. So it would never happen, but I KNOW there is a good percentage of people that would pay good money to see the Lakers recreate a little bit of Show Time in Inglewood... even if it entails the Celtics come in and drop 20 on a bunch of dudes wearing dolphin shorts... just saying.

Okay, schedule time! (all times pacific)

Thursday, January 31; 4:30pm
@ Detroit Pistons
Coming off of a win over the second-worst team in the east, the Lakers must now navigate the second-best in the east. With a 32-13 record, the Pistons have proven themselves as contenders among their right-coast peers. With visions of the 2004 Finals still lingering around LA, it's not a stretch to say that the Pistons make the faithful cringe. Who to watch out for: Richard Hamilton, who's averaging 19 PPG on 50% from the field is having another hot season, plus with the latest Lakers injury, it looks like Sasha might have the task of defending Rip. I'm not demeaning Sasha here (who could after Tuesday's performance?), but he is certainly no four-time All-Defensive Team player. We'll see how this one pans out, but this should be the test of the trip.

Friday, February 1; 4:00pm
@ Toronto Raptors
The Lakers take the show up to America's hat for their contest with the 25-20 Raptors, Eh? All jokes aside, the Raps are in second place in the Atlantic Division, and they happen to have this guy named Jason Kapono. Yeah, that guy from UCLA with the spiked hair... LA natives may recall Kopono's supreme abilities in under coach, Steve Lavin at the 'CLA, as well as his fall to mediocrity in the 2003 draft, and maybe even his cheap shot at the Euros coming into the league (threatening to change is name to Jason Kaponovitch). Nevertheless, it doesn't really matter how good Kapono is, it's all about how cool he is... and he's pretty cool. I guess shooting 51% from three-point land gets you some 'good' points too though... Who to watch out for: I would be a fool not to say Chris Bosh. Leading the team in points (22.7) and rebounds (9.1), CBosh is the man of the house.

Sunday, February 3; 9:00am
@ Washington Wizzards
Ah yes, the second 9:00am start of the season... The first was against the Knicks at basically their lowest point the season thus far, and we all remember that almost-comeback win... This game provides a good diversion from the 9,000 hours of Super Bowl pregame shows going on Sunday... and a reason for me to wake up before 11 on a weekend. The Wizards (which remains the stupidest name in all of professional sports) do have a winning record, at 24-20 despite missing Gilbert Arenas since mid-November. Who to watch out for: Caron Butler (cough. 04-05 season) might be out this game with a hip flexor sprain, so I'm going to say Antawn Jamison. Antawn is keeping pace with his career statistics, with 21 and over 10 a game.

Tuesday, February 5; 4:30pm
@ New Jersey Nets
Jason Kidd still wants to be traded, and I still don't like him. Nothing much has changed over here at VHP, but stuff just might be at the IZOD Center. Jason Kidd may not even be a Net by the time this game rolls around... and, could you really blame him? He's getting old, and he's sitting on a 19-23 team. ...He's also leading the team in rebounds. Who to watch out for: Richard Jefferson seems like a classy guy. I honestly don't know for sure, but he really pulls it off from the looks of things from an outsider. Jefferson also has the highest scoring average of any opponent this far into the trip.

Wednesday, February 6; 4:00pm
@ Atlanta Hawks
The ATL is home to some great things, but a playoff contender in the NBA? What? With a 18-24 record, the Hawks are currently sitting in the seventh playoff spot. If there's one thing we know for sure about this club, it's that they have youth. With young guys like Al Horford and Marvin Williams busting from the seams, combined with the hair of Josh Childress, the horizons are bright for the Hawks. Who to watch out for: With some milage under his belt, Joe Johnson has the leadership abilities to run this offense... and drop 21.3 a game.

Friday, February 8; 4:00
@ Orlando Magic
Leading the Southwest Division with a record of 29-18, the Magic have turned a few heads this season, and after Hedo took down the Celtics on ABC last Sunday, the Magic are getting the exposure they deserve. Orlando doesn't seem like much of basketball city... come to think of it, Orlando doesn't seem like much of a city at all. In my skewed view of the world (the same one that pictures Outback Steakhouses and Kangaroos lining the streets of Sydney, Australia), I picture Orlando as nothing but decadent colonial mansions, PGA-caliber golf courses, and Disney World... But that's just me. Orlando has a big time ball club on their hands, and I hate to admit it, but they're fun to watch. Who to watch out for: Dwight Howard... before he dunks on your face.

Sunday, February 10; 12:30pm
@ Miami Heat
I bet ABC was really excited to recreate the Christmas Day match-up from the past few years when they scheduled this game earlier in the season. Well, the injury plagued Heat now happen to be the worst team in the league, and even when D-Wade and Shaq are in the game together, they can't seem to find any cohesiveness. Pat Riley is at an all time low in his career, and I really don't see that changing anytime soon. With that said, I enjoy watching any game with Shaquille O'Neal in it, however, he has been suffering from this thing called 'carrying a 325 lb. frame as a 35 year-old NBA center.' Who to watch out for: The injury bug. All of the Heat's statistical leaders, save Ricky Davis, have injury notes (as of 1/31).

Monday, February 11; 4:00pm
@ Charlotte Bobcats
The Bobcats are yet another mediocre team, flirting with the bottom of the East's playoff rankings. With a record of 18-28, the Cats suffered some season-long injuries earlier in the season in Adam Morrison and Sean May. Emeka Okafor has stayed par with his career average, around 13 and 10, but he really hasn't developed into the big-time F/C that I was expecting would happen by his third season in the league. Who to watch out for: Gerald Wallace is nearly doubling his career average in PPG this season.

Wednesday, February 13; 5:00pm
@ Minnesota Timberwolves
Finally! A Western Conference game. The T-Wolves are one of two teams to yet to have eclipsed the 10-win mark... coincidentally, the Lakers also play the other team on this road trip (Miami)... That's all the more reason for the Lakes to capitalize on the quality of teams that they'll see over the next few weeks. Wolves fans have honestly had nothing to be happy about since the departure of their franchise man, but that goes without saying that they do have a little bit of talent to build on. This team seems like it's full of under-achievers... but who am I to comment on that? these guys just dropped 16 on Chicago... Who to watch out for: Al Jefferson, without a doubt. Jefferson is leading the team in scoring, with 21.2 PPG and rebounds, with 12.2 per game. The future looks bright for Al, who is easily putting up the best number of his career since being traded in the Garnett trade.

Well, there it is. Nine game in 13 days, over 15 travel days. This road trip WILL test the Lakers... They have a huge opportunity to grow even closer as a team, but at the same time, some key losses could tear them apart.