Few can argue.

Despite a 113-109 loss at Utah on Wednesday night, the Lakers reached the All-Star break with the best record in the West, 6? games clear of perennial contender San Antonio.

With a record of 42-10, the Lakers find themselves on a 66-win pace.

"We're making progress," Fisher said. "Like anything else when you are trying to climb to the top, you stumble once in awhile. But the difference in people who become champions is their ability to get back up and keep climbing -- keep moving forward -- and we're learning how to do that."

Consider:

The Lakers lost center Andrew Bynum, perhaps for the season, when he suffered a knee injury on Jan. 31.

L.A. responded by winning five straight games, partly because Lamar Odom stepped into the starting lineup and played like Magic Johnson.

"The strength of our team is our depth," said Odom, who had 19 points and 19 rebounds in the loss to the Jazz.

"When somebody has a bad game or goes down, there's an ability for other guys to step up. That's our strength. ? We're all in sync right now, physically and mentally."

Although the Lakers have played fewer road games than any team in the West except New Orleans and Memphis, the schedule should not be a problem down the stretch.

L.A. is 18-6 on the road, including back-to-back wins at Boston and Cleveland last week.

In addition, 14 of the Lakers' final 30 opponents are currently under .500.

"We approach every game similarly," Odom said. "At this point of the season, we feel we're not going to beat ourselves. You are going to have to beat us. ? We challenge ourselves and strive to play perfect."

Almost unbelievably, the Lakers' record could be even better, with a little luck.

Of their 10 losses, one was in double overtime and two were by a single point. Three other defeats were by four points or less, including at Utah.

"What makes them so good -- and not to oversimplify -- there are a couple of things," said Jazz assistant coach Scott Layden. "One, they are very good defensively. They defend you well at every position. They play hard. They are just excellent at stopping other people. ?

"The other area where they are exceptional is their ability to pass the ball. Everybody who goes on the court can make a play. In that system, you need to be able to pass, and coach [Phil] Jackson has very good passers and players with high Basketball IQs."

Jackson and two of his two best players -- Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol -- will represent the Western Conference in Sunday night's All-Star Game.

With former Laker Shaquille O'Neal also on the roster -- he openly feuded with Bryant before being traded five years ago -- this game's primary storyline is already established.

"They'll have a lot of fun," Jackson said. "There will be a lot of jocularity because that's what Shaq is all about."

Bryant hasn't been laughing.

Asked about the All-Star reunion with O'Neal after the loss in Utah, he snapped, "Are you kidding me?"

At Saturday's All-Star media availability session, Bryant was more diplomatic but just as tight-lipped: "To us, it's really not that big of a story. I'm not revisiting that. It wasn't a fun time for me, so I'm not about to revisit it."

Did someone say, "Jocularity?"

"I think it's going to be a pretty loose and fun time, in particular with Phil coaching," Fisher said. "There won't be many plays or many things to go over and discuss, and I think they'll have a great time. ?

"Both guys have accomplished a great deal since 2004 and, if they can't have a good time at the All-Star Game, then maybe I'll take one of their places."

luhm@sltrib.com ---

The Lakers' 10 losses this season

Nov. 14 vs. Detroit 106-95

Dec. 2 at Indiana 118-117

Dec. 9 at Sacramento 113-101

Dec. 19 at Miami 89-87

Dec. 20 at Orlando 106-103

Jan. 6 at New Orleans 116-105

Jan. 14 at San Antonio 112-111

Jan. 16 vs. Orlando 109-103

Jan. 27 vs. Charlotte 117-110 (2 OT)

Feb. 11 at Utah 113-109

The NBA's best road records

L.A. Lakers 18-6 750

Boston 20-7 .741

Orlando 18-7 7.20

San Antonio 18-8 .692

Cleveland 16-10 .615