Only in Los Angeles could five be greater than 14. That's where the Lakers, winners of five straight, are casting shadows on the Clippers, who are on a franchise-record 14-game winning streak. We passed along some Lakers news earlier, but they aren't the only team making noise in the Pacific Division, as we round up here.
- Agent Dan Fegan may have influenced the Kings’ decision to lift their suspension of DeMarcus Cousins after just one game, writes Mark Perner of the Philadelphia Daily News, who chastises the team for being too lenient.
- Tom Ziller of Sactown Royalty doesn't think coach Keith Smart is behind the decision to reinstate Cousins.
- Victor Contreras of the Sacramento Bee argues that former 10th overall pick Jimmer Fredette deserves a chance to start for the Kings, citing his 16.5 points per game in contests in which he plays 20 or more minutes.
- Clippers training camp invitee Marqus Blakely has signed with the German club Telekom Baskets Bonn, the team announced on its website (translation via Sportando). Emiliano Carchia of Sportando first reported the move would take place. Blakely, a 6'5" small forward, has been in camp with NBA teams the past three seasons but has yet to make his official debut in the Association after going undrafted in 2010.
- The impact soon-to-be free agent Chris Paul has on the Clippers doesn't always show up in the box score, but J.A. Adande of ESPN.com echoes Nuggets coach George Karl's argument that Paul should be a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.