Pau Gasol Makes His Season Debut

Pau Gasol made his season debut last night (Nov. 19), when the Lakers played the Chicago Bulls at Staples Center, and had 24 points and 13 rebounds in 35 minutes. Gasol’s strained hamstring has kept him off the court for the entire season thus far, but he made a strong come back last night, even after missing 11 games. The Lakers are happy to have Gasol back, as in his absence the team endured home losses to Dallas and Houston, near-losses in Oklahoma City and Houston and a poor performance in Denver. Now that Gasol is back, the Lakers are healthy with the exception of reserved forward Luke Walton.

Said Gasol after the game, “I really wasn’t expecting to be as effective as I was tonight. The condition isn’t there yet, but it’s a matter of pushing through it. I’m just really happy that I can play again with my teammates after being out for a while.” Lakers Coach Phil Jackson weighed in, telling the Los Angeles Times, “I wouldn’t expect that anybody’s going to have the same numbers now that Pau’s back. Everybody’s got to give up something, but the team should gather something from that as an overall factor.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on November 20, 2009 - Post a comment

100 Career Games with 40 Points or More for Kobe Bryant! Congrats!

On Tuesday night (Nov. 17), Kobe Bryant enjoyed his 100th career game with 40 points or more when the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons 106-93. It all started on March 12, 2000, when Kobe, just 21 at the time, had his first high-scoring game against the Sacramento Kings. Said Bryant on Tuesday, “It’s a tremendous honor. It’s just a lot of work. A lot of work that went into it, and it’s amazing to kind of look back on that and have 100 of those games.”

The Los Angeles Times revealed the number of times Bryant laid into other teams in the league: Sacramento Kings (4 times), San Antonio Spurs (3), Golden State Warriors (7), Toronto Raptors (4), Houston Rockets (8), Cleveland Cavaliers (1), Charlotte/New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (3), Charlotte Bobcats (1), Memphis Grizzlies (6), Boston Celtics (4), Philadelphia Sixers (2), Seattle Sonics (7), Phoenix Suns (6), Utah Jazz (5), New York Knicks (5), Denver Nuggets (6), Atlanta Hawks (1), Chicago Bulls (1), Dallas Mavericks (5), Indiana Pacers (1), Los Angeles Clippers (5), Miami Heat (1), Milwaukee Bucks (1), Minnesota Timberwolves (2), New Jersey Nets (1), Orlando Magic (2), Porland Trail Blazers (4) and Washington Wizards (3).

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Permalink - Posted in General on November 19, 2009 - Post a comment

Lakers Beat Pistons 106-93, Ending Two-Game Losing Streak

The Lakers haven’t lost three consecutive games since Pau Gasol joined the roster in February 2008, reports the Los Angeles Times, and although they almost let it get away from them last night (Nov. 17), the Lakers walked away with a win. After losing to Denver and Houston, the Lakers were hungry for a win and beat the Detroit Pistons accordingly at Staples Center. Despite a strained right groin and a slow start, Kobe Bryant had 40 points, helping the Lakers lead by as many as 28 points. Andrew Bynum now has eight double-doubles in the nine games he has played in this season after finishing with 17 points and 12 rebounds last night.

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said of the Lakers breaking their two-game losing streak, “Some of it is just talent and then some of it is the resiliency of the team that comes back after being embarrassed in a loss where they didn’t feel good about themselves, wanted to work hard and change it.” Pau Gasol remained sidelined last night (he has sat out the first 11 games of the season due to a strained right hamstring) but is expected to be back in time for the Lakers to play Chicago tomorrow (Nov. 19). Said Jackson about Gasol’s impending return, “It’s going to change a lot about how we play the game.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on November 18, 2009 - Post a comment

Lakers Coping with Injuries

The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping to end their two-game skid against Detroit tonight (Nov. 17), but with Luke Walton out at least six weeks, Pau Gasol not anticipated to be back until Thursday and Kobe Bryant not in the best shape, they are without their A game, reports the Los Angeles Times. Of the possibility of returning Thursday (Nov. 19) when the Lakers play Chicago, Gasol told reporters yesterday, “It’s possible. I definitely need a couple days of testing it out and making sure that it’s not getting aggravated. I didn’t get this far to take another [break] because of trying to do too much too quick and setting myself back again.” Gasol has missed all 10 games this season and went through part of a full-court scrimmage yesterday. Although he has practiced multiple times during the past few weeks, Gasol said, “This time it felt different. I feel pretty confident that [today] will be another good day.”

As for Kobe Bryant, his strained right groin doesn’t seem to be giving him any more problems, and he will play tonight. Luke Walton, however, endured a pinched nerve in his back and will remain sidelined for six weeks, at least. Of the injuries Derek Fisher said, “We understand that in order for us to achieve our goals, we’re going to have to continue to get better. And sometimes in order to get better, you’re going to have to suffer through some things, some adversity, some ups and downs … The better teams, the championship teams are the teams that learn from nights like last night as opposed to making excuses or coming up with reasons why. We just figure it out, keep playing.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on November 17, 2009 - Post a comment

Houston Rockets, Lakers Playoff Rivals, Beat Them at Staples Center

Last night (Nov. 15) at Staples Center the Lakers delivered an uninspired performance, resulting in a 101-91 loss against last season’s playoff nemesis, the Houston Rockets. Kobe Bryant scored 18 points and made five of 20 shots, leaving the court with 2:12 to play and the Rockets leading 97-84; according to the Lakers, Kobe endured a strained right groin on Nov. 8 when the Lakers played New Orleans after stealing the ball from Hornets guard Devin Brown during the first play. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson told the Los Angeles Times of the injury, “It bothered him tonight the second half. The big thing is that those can linger and be a problem for a while.”

“I’ve felt better. It’ll be all right. Just treat it, try to work through it. Practice [today], play through it a little bit, see how it goes,” said Kobe, claiming he won’t be missing any games. Last spring during the playoffs Houston pushed Los Angeles to seven games in the second round, and last night Lakers fans were leaving before the game was over. The Lakers made only 38.1% of their shots, which isn’t good news after the team’s lowest-scoring half ever (when they scored just 23 points during the final two quarters against Denver on Friday).

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Permalink - Posted in General on November 16, 2009 - Post a comment

They May Be Called the Suns, but the Lakers are Hotter Than Phoenix

The Los Angeles Lakers enjoyed an easy win over the Phoenix Suns, 121-102, last night (Nov. 12) at Staples Center. Even without Pau Gasol, the Lakers, now 7-1, led by as many as 27 points and now have the best record in the Western Conference after passing the Suns (8-2). After a two-game layoff, Andrew Bynum scored 26 points with 15 rebounds, making 13 of 18 shots and proving to be a sore spot for Phoenix, as the Suns came into the game averaging a league-best 112.3 points but left with a different taste in their mouth.

Of his time off, Bynum told the Los Angeles Times, “It gave me a chance to get my legs, right? It gave me some rest. I was practicing the last two days and it felt OK, felt good enough to play. I’m in a little bit of pain now … Hopefully everything will be good in the morning.” Kobe Bryant had 29 points while Lamar Odom came close to a triple-double with eight points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson (now 1,048-436) tied Larry Brown (1,048-851) for fifth in career NBA victories. The Lakers had 78 points and made 57.6% of their shots and play the Nuggets at Denver tonight.

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Permalink - Posted in General on November 13, 2009 - Post a comment

Phoenix and Denver to Test Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to play two of the top teams in the West, the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets, and the Los Angeles Times reports that the team may be tested. Andrew Bynum is back but Pau Gasol is still sidelined with a strained hamstring, and the defending champs play back-to-back games against the Suns tonight (Nov. 12) and the Nuggets Friday (Nov. 13), which may challenge the Lakers’ current 6-1 record. Said Lakers center Andrew Bynum of the next two days, “If we get these games, then we’ll be at the top of the West for sure. That’s a great early-season test.”

Paul Gasol told reporters yesterday (Nov. 11) that he hopes to return to the court for shooting drills by Saturday (Nov. 14), while Lakers coach Phil Jackson joked, “We’re starting to look toward Christmas.” Jackson added, seriously, “Most hamstrings, you actually see bleeding or bruises or holes in the hamstring. His has just been one of the those things that weren’t a big concern to us but have turned into a month-long injury.” By the time the Lakers are finished in Denver, Gasol will have missed nine regular-season games (in addition to the Lakers’ last six exhibitions). Gasol told the Times of his decision to not risk further injury, “The more people that I talk to about it, the more they tell me that hamstrings are really dangerous and you’ve got to be extra cautious. I don’t think there’s a risk that you can actually tear it up, but you can re-injure it and then it can become an issue for the whole year and you’re playing at a lower percentage of your performance.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on November 12, 2009 - Post a comment

Kobe Bryant in No Rush to Sign Contract Extension

Lakers star Kobe Bryant is signed with the Lakers until July 2011, and the franchise has offered him a maximum contract extension through 2013-14, although according to the Los Angeles Times he may be dragging his feet as a way to see where bargaining can get him. Bryant, who is slated to make a whopping total of $47.8 million this season and next, can sign a three-year extension worth $86 million to $91 million more (the figure is dependent on NBA salary-cap figures, determined in 2011).

If Bryant, 31, signs that contract, he would remain with the Lakers until 2013-14, although he recently told reporters, “I’m not going to talk about it. I’m not going to let it be a distraction. I’m going to keep my business behind closed doors. If the organization wants to talk about it, they can talk about it.” For his part, General Manager Mitch Kupchak is remaining tight-lipped as well. Points out the L.A. Times, Bryant “might be hoping that the collective-bargaining agreement will be favorable to high-salary players if it is renegotiated in 2011.” Only time will tell …

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Permalink - Posted in General on November 10, 2009 - Post a comment

Lakers Beat Hornets in the Big Easy

Even without Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, the Lakers walked away with an easy 104-88 win on Sunday (Nov. 8 ). DJ Mbenga enjoyed his first career double-double at Staples Center, and Kobe Bryant only needed to score 28 points, as opposed to his typical 41! Mbenga had 10 points and 12 rebounds, and the Lakers bench out-produced the Hornets’ reserves 46-40. Said Hornets guard Chris Paul, “Kobe got going, Mbenga got going. They looked like the Lakers.” When asked if he could remember another time the reserves were so productive Lakers Coach Phil Jackson asked, “No, can you?”

Even with injuries, the Lakers are now 6-1. Gasol’s strained right hamstring kept him off the court Sunday; he has now missed seven regular-season games and six exhibition games and there is no word yet on whether or not he will be back in time for the Lakers to play Phoenix on Thursday (Nov. 12). Andrew Bynum was also missing Sunday, due to a strained elbow and sore triceps in his right arm, but he is more likely to make a recovery by Thursday.

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Permalink - Posted in General on November 9, 2009 - Post a comment

Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum Expected to Miss Tonight’s Game

Both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, who was injured Wednesday (Nov. 4 ) when the Lakers played the Houston Rockets, are expected to sit out tonight’s (Nov. 6 ) game against the Memphis Grizzlies, which means DJ Mbenga may start at center. Bynum’s MRI revealed that he has a strained right elbow, which may render him out of tonight’s game, and Gasol may be out as well, unless his strained right hamstring is feeling sufficiently better by tonight. Mbenga may start, or the Lakers could go with a small lineup–with Lamar Odom in the middle and Josh Powell starting at forward.

Houston center Chuck Hayes fouled Bynum hard across the arm during overtime on Wednesday, and Bynum’s condition was bad after the game, although he told the Los Angeles Times, “It’s nothing too serious. I don’t think I could be myself out there [tonight]. I can raise my hand and all that stuff. It’s just the pain that’s associated with doing it.” During the last two seasons against the Grizzlies, Bynum endured knee injuries, so it is probably best he sits out tonight. Averaging 20 points and 10.6 rebounds this season, Bynum is expected to return for Sunday night’s (Nov. 8 ) game against New Orleans. Gasol might be back on Sunday too, telling the Times, “I definitely won’t be able to be out there [tonight], but we’re not ruling Sunday out.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on November 6, 2009 - Post a comment


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