Bryant scores 45 points against Rockets; Lakers still can’t rally win
Although Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant helped his team come back from a 14 point deficit, scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s game against the Houston Rockets, the star and his cohorts were not match for the like of Rockets Shane Battier made a 3-pointer with only 2.5 seconds left on the clock, according to an Associated Press article published Oct. 31 on the Lakers official Web site.
Battier and his team were up 77-63 in the fourth and when Bryant was fouled with less than 3 seconds left, he made the first shot, missed the second and then attempted a failed free throw within the last few seconds, giving Houston the 95-93 season-operner victory.”We got our hands on balls and were able to get some quick points and get back into it, it was a hard fought effort on our part,” Bryant said on his team’s performance after the game. Coach Phil Jackson was pleased with the team’s overall effort and despite boos from the audience when Bryant took the floor, felt that the NBA star had a good game in regards to his limitations.”I think he got tired out there obviously, he played forty-two minutes, and he hasn’t practiced at a level of high intensity but Monday,” Jackson said about Bryant. “So I’m sure there is a little drop off, conditioning wise.”
Still waiting to get your seats for this season’s games? Get a pair of Lakers tickets now at Stubhub.com.
Barkley bashes Bryant for trade debacle, not giving 100 percent
Former NBA player Charles Barkley criticized the Los Angeles Laker’s MVP Kobe Bryant at a Monday luncheon, bashing the star for the trade demands Bryant sparked amongst his team’s front office and questioning his latest injuries, seeming lack of enthusiasm and visible absence from team practices, according to an article published Oct. 30 on the Desert Morning News Web site.
“What Phil Jackson said yesterday, that was like they’re at the point of no return now. There’s a point where you know you can make a marriage work, but what Phil Jackson said yesterday, that was the end of it,” Barkley said. “That’s the one thing I respect most about Kevin Garnett. Even though he played on terrible teams, there is not a player in the last 10 years who played harder than Kevin Garnett. And that’s the one thing that disappoints me. Phil said that Kobe’s just going through the motions. And if your coach tells you you’re just going through the motions, that’s pretty much the end of the straw.”
Although Bryant remains on restless terms with the Lakers, he continues to suit up and appears to be in it for the long haul this season. Make sure to snag a pair of Lakers tickets for the next game at Stubhub.com.
NBA aims to win home crowds back this season after corrupt ref scandal
As investigations continue into NBA Referee Tim Donaghy’s admission of betting on games he officiated and passing on inside information to bookies, the NBA is now trying to rebuild its credibility with its American and Canadian audiences, after spending the summer abroad promoting exhibitions in Shanghai, Rome and elsewhere, according to an article published Monday, Oct. 29 by Reuters.
Althought NBA Commission Dan Stearns has dismissed the incident as a single bad seed, the NBA will still be more focused on proving its integrity and working to prove its image as both trustworthy and transparent as investigations continue, according to the article. NBA teams will in turn will persist towards working for the NBA championship title - a goal that is all to familiar for the Los Angeles Lakers and star Kobe Bryant, who has proved he will stop at nothing to win.
The Lakers will take on the Utah Jazz Tuesday, Oct. 30 as the season opener and if you still haven’t reserved your seats, be sure to visit Stubhub.com for all the best deals. Get your Lakers tickets today!
The Lakers Opponent Tonight: Sacramento
Rather than look at the Lakers for once, it’s Friday, so we’re going to switch it up a bit. You might want to look at the team that the Lakers are going to be playing tonight, and one that they will be playing plenty of times this season: the Sacramento Kings. The Lakers and the Kings used to be rivals back in the days when they were both in the running to go to the Western Conference Finals. Times have changed. The Lakers and Kings are fighting themselves more than they are each other nowadays, much to the displeasure of California basketball fans. The main cause of internal conflict for the Lakers is, of course, Kobe Bryant. For the Kings the problem child is Ron Artest. Like the Lakers, the Kings can’t seem to get rid of Ron because of contract problems, the fact that there might not be a market for his kind of drama, and that he’s probably their best player.
Other than Ron Artest, the Kings have a team that lacks punch. Mike Bibby is a solid point guard, but getting older and might be losing a step or two this season, and he’ll be in a lot of trade talk. Kevin Martin is the real highlight of the team. Martin had a breakout season last year, and the Kings are hoping that they will see similar production out of him. The Kings also have a brand-new coach, Reggie Theus. Reggie was a head coach at New Mexico State, but has no NBA experience, so it will be interesting to see how a troubled team and a new coach mesh.
To get Lakers tickets, go to StubHub.com.
Lakers’ forwards Luke Walton, Vladimir Radmanovic step up their game for 2007-08 season
Luke Walton, a sophomore forward, and Vladimir Radmanovic, a long-time team member, are stepping up their games this season in offensive roles, according to an article published Oct. 24 on the Lakers official Web site.
Walton, who signed a contract with the Los Angeles team this summer, will apparently be relied upon to lead the team in a reserve role if Lamar Odom opens and also as a starter himself against smaller opponents, according to the article. Last season, although considered a “breakthrough” for the young rookie, will need to be improved up on as far as defense and all-around skills are concerned for Walton, the article pointed out.
Radmanovic, who suffered a shoulder injury while snowboarding last season, had been completely eliminated from the starting rotation but has now been given a second chance by Coach Phil Jackson to get back into the game. His interior defense will have to be worked on and improved in order for Radmanovic to earn additional play minutes, and he will also have to focus on staying with in the confines of the Lakers’ offense.
Have you snagged a pair of Lakers tickets yet for the next big game? Visit StubHub.com right here and right now to get yours, before it’s too late.
Lakers cancel game vs. Jazz scheduled for San Diego’s iPayOne Center
The Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason game vs. the Utah Jazz scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 25 has been cancelled because of the devastation caused by as many as eight wildfires, five of which are currently still uncontained. The announcement was posted on the Lakers’ official Web site.
“There is simply too much devastation in the area and too much uncertainlty about what will happen in the next few days,” Tim Harris, the team’s senior vice president of business operations, said. “After many internal discussions about many different factors, we’ve concuded that this is simply the right thing to do. The people of San Diego have been very supportive of us over the years and in turn we want to be supportive of them in this time of crises.”
The Bush administration issued an official devastation proclamation on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 25, according to article on the San Diego Union-Tribune Web site.
To find out more about getting Lakers tickets for a later date, visit Stubhub.com.
Lakers fall to Clippers; lose three of five preseason games
the Los Angeles Lakers, led by stars Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum andJason Farmar, managed impressive game points but could’t overcome the Clippers force of Corey Maggette, whose 22 points led teh other Los angeles team to a 112-96 vicotry, according to a report published Monday, Oct. 22 by Sports Network.
This makes the third loss for the Lakers out of five games played this season. Although Farmar and Bynum headed up the score with 19 and 16 points respectively, and Bryant managed ten points in a little more than 16 minutes, the Lkers could not pull thorugh. The Clippers, who have wont hree of their four preseasongames, produced great efforts from players Paul Davis - who had 15 points and six boards - as well as Chris Kaman, with 12 points and eight rebounds. It’s not a lost cuase fort the Lakers, however, so if you still haven’t been to a game, make sure to get your Lakers tickets now at Stubhub.com.
Bryant on Web site, Esquire Magazine interview: “Know this above all else…Time waits for no man”
Los Angeles Lakers point guard and NBA superstar Kobe Bryant strikes again. In a headline posted on the Kobester’s Web site he made an announcement in Latin. For many Bryant and Lakers fans, this might have posed a problem. Luckily, however, Esquire Magazine decoded the message in its current issue, which featured an exclusive interview with the basketball icon, according to a blog posted Thursday Oct. 18 on official Web site of 20 Second Time Out.
The name of the article – “Scito hoc super omni” – are Latin words meaning “Know this above all else,” and are part of the reflective phase that Bryant has apparently embraced. Bryant’s entire message reads: “Know this above all else…Fully use every point, moment and hour that you have. Time waits for no man.”
Bryant backed that statement up in the interview with Esquire. “God blessed me with the ability to do this,” Bryant was quoted in the article. “I’m not going to shortchange that blessing. I’m going to go out there and do the best that I can every single time.”
If you’re a fan, you’ll probably want to hold Kobe Bryant – and the rest of the Lakers – to that exact statement. See them do their thing at a game – get Lakers tickets right now at Stubhub.com.
Kobe to Bulls? Paxson Says “No”
Kobe Bryant is yet again in the forefront of the Los Angeles Lakers and their upcoming unfolding season. The rumor that the star might be traded to the Chicago Bulls has been nipped in the bud. General Manager John Paxson said at a media conference earlier this month that there was no need for him to throw out members of his roster in order to obtain “one disgruntled superstar,” according to an article published Oct. 18 by the Chicago Sun Times.
While some continue to speculate that Ben Gordon, the Bulls guard, will be traded for Bryant, the NBA player – who missed yet another practice Wednesday because of a sprained ankle - has publicly denied that statement, according to the article. ‘’That’s just hearsay,'’ Gordon said Wednesday. ‘’That’s what everybody thinks, but right now I’m here. I don’t want to play anywhere else. I’m just worried about my ankle, trying to get healthy.'’
Looking for Bulls and Lakers tickets? Visit Stubhub.com right now and snag a pair today!
Point guard dispute: Who will the Lakers chose for this position? Weighing the options
Derek Fisher, a returning Lakers team member who is expected to start this season, will by vying for the position of point guard alongside sophomore Lakers Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic, and rookie Javaris Crittenton. Who will be placed in the position? Lakers critics and experts weighed that decision in an article published on NBA.com and the Los Angeles Lakers official Web site.
To break it down, this is how the point guard roster is looking for the coming season:
1. Derek Fisher (played for Lakers last in 1996)
Returning to Lakers after two years with the Warriors and one with the Jazz
Excels at three-point shots, taking charges
Showed dedication last season flying to playoff games when daughter was critically ill
More than a decade of experience, highly expected to start as point guard
2. Jordan Farmar
Superior ball-handling skills, hard worker
Led UCLA Bruins to NCAA title in championship game two years ago
Strong leadership ability
Improving perimeter defense
3. Javaris Crittendon
Star player for Georgia Tech
Excellent playmaking abilities and advanced bal-handling skills
Finished six in the ACC with close to six assists per game
Must prove maturity to team and consistent results to coaches
4. Sasha Vujacic
Gifted shooter
Spent last three seasons on the bench
16 point game against Dallas Mavericks last January
Must prove that shooting skills will be as consistent in games as in practice
Still haven’t been to Lakers game? Make sure to book your Lakers tickets at Stubhub.com right here and right now!