(My Sportsbook) - As the calendar rapidly flips its way through January, the Los Angeles Lakers have to make a move. The Lakers have to put together strong months in both January and February if they are going to earn a chance to defend their title.

Entering Tuesday's clash with the Seattle SuperSonics, the Lakers are trying to win for the fourth time in five games -- for the first time all season. The Lakers' struggles have been well documented. Los Angeles started the season without Shaquille O'Neal. O'Neal has just about played himself into game shape, and it's not a moment too soon for the Lakers.

There have been many theories offered to try and explain Los Angeles' troubles, so I guess one is just as good as another. In reality, the Lakers' struggles thus far are probably more a result of team chemistry than anything else.

During their three title runs, O'Neal and Kobe Bryant played dominant basketball, and the team's role players harmoniously filled in the blanks. LA's two superstars would heap praise on their teammates as they happily slew the rest of the NBA.

This year, there seems to be somewhat of a mutiny on the team. O'Neal and Bryant get along just fine, but they seem to be on an island and no longer embracing their mere-mortal teammates.

SHAQ SNUBS OLYMPICS

O'Neal will not be joining teammate Bryant on the U.S. Olympic team.

"No way, I already have two medals," O'Neal told Fox Sports Net.

Shaq was referring to the gold medal teams he was on in 1994 at the World Championships in Toronto and in 1996 at the Olympic Games in Atlanta.

"We were 55-0 when I played, and I don't want to tarnish that," O'Neal added.

The 30-year-old O'Neal had said he would only play for Team USA in 2004 if Jackson coached the team. Philadelphia 76ers coach Larry Brown got the nod, so Shaq bowed out.

"Larry Brown's the coach? There's a pain on the outside of my knee in 2004," O'Neal said when it was first rumored that Brown had been chosen for the job. "So, if Phil's not the coach, I probably will not play through the pain. However, Larry Brown's a great guy. He's done a lot in basketball. I wish him well. I love Larry Brown to death.

"It's kind of too far to really think about it, but my knee will be hurting in 2004."

Bryant accepted an invitation from Team USA officials to play in the Olympics as well as the qualifying tournament next summer.