Indeed the Los Angeles Lakers have the most talented roster on paper, but despite all their star power they've not lived up to expectations.

Even though the team is currently riding a two-game winning streak, no one expected the team to still be struggling at this point in the season.

The team is now currently 19-25 and if the season ended tomorrow, they would certainly miss out on the playoffs as they are currently outside the top eight teams in the Western Conference. Nevertheless, Kobe Bryant still believes the Lakers can figure things out and possibly contend for an NBA championship.

Also despite the rumors of tension between Bryant and center Dwight Howard, Bryant told USA Today that he thinks the two can still win a championship together.

Asked if he still believed he could win a championship with Howard, he said, "Yeah, for sure."

"It's a process for him," Bryant said. "He wants to be one of the greats of all time, and to do that you have to learn from the greats of all time - be it Bill Russell, be it Shaq. I mean Shaq was a moody, temperamental dude. So if you watch all the big men who have come before, you start to see a common denominator.

"Wilt (Chamberlain), God bless him, was phenomenal, but he didn't have (the same edge). Russell and (those) guys win repetitive - (Michael) Jordan, Magic (Johnson), myself. You've got a little (expletive) in you. I want (Howard) to be great, so I'm trying to push him."

Bryant has admitted to being a very demanding teammate, and his constant pressure on Howard may be what's necessary for Howard to truly tap into his full potential.

Howard will need to continue to show dedication on both ends of the court if he hopes to get the hard riding Bryant off his back just a little bit, at least for the remainder of the season.

Related Articles:

Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: Is Kobe Bryant's Latest Play Reminiscent Of Magic Johnson's?

Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: As Team Chemistry Builds, Can The Season Be Saved?