LeBron thrives in this uncomfortable sprint to playoffs

LOS ANGELES -- For LeBron James, operating in chaos has never been an impediment -- it's a professional preference. So it came as no surprise on Wednesday when he declared that he "loves being uncomfortable," that it's the essence of his being. A seven-week sprint to the postseason from the 10th spot with no control over the performance of your rivals? Delightful.

Fortunately for James, Thursday night's meeting with the Houston Rockets offered all kinds of discomfort from the opening tip. James Harden happily obliged in the second quarter when he stepped back one-on-one against James, then blew by him in the Rockets' opening possession of the second half. By the time the Lakers looked up…