Bryant, Vujacic power Lakers to victory over Denver
Kobe Bryant with 24 points and Sasha Vujacic with 22 - 19 of which were scored in the fourth quarter - helped the Lakers sail to a 127-99 victory Thursday, Nov. 29 against the Denver Nuggets, according to an Associated Press article published at the Lakers official Web site. The game, which also let Luke Walton and Andrew Bynum shine - with 14 and 12 points, respectively - gave the Lakers a bit more momentum as they continue to crawl their way out of a three-game consecutive losing streak last week.
With the home court advantage, the Lakers propelled themselves to get ahead after the first half with help from Derek Fisher, who sunk two three-pointers and a driving layup only minutes before halftime, according to the article. Also, the Lakers reserves - which some team members had felt were not as powerful after the last several weeks of switching positions and trading - came through to outsource Denver’s reserves 63-29.
Denver was off to a stellar start defensively this season, but started to slip in their last few games, giving up 15 points and trailing 21-3 in the first quarter during Tuesday’s match up against the Indiana Pacers. The Lakers, who are having slightly better luck, pushed past the Seattle Supersonics but the team and coach Phil Jackson were not pleased with the Lakers overall performance.
“I didn’t like the way we finished up,” Jackson said about Tuesday’s win. “We had a 15-point lead, then we were wandering around defensively and started doing some things I didn’t like. It’s the sign of a young team that’s still unbridled and still undisciplined. I’m not happy with that game, but it was a win.”
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Lakers Coby Karl moves to LA D-Fenders; fans, critics skeptical about reserve trades
With the latest change in the Lakers reserves - the handing of Coby Karl to Los Angeles’ minor league affiliate, the LA D-Fenders - fans and critics are skeptical what about whether the trades and moves will bring more success. Karl, who will be facing off against the Rio Grande Vipers today while his former team takes on the Denver Nuggets (coached by Karl’s father) tonight, is just one of the trades the Lakers have made in the past two weeks, according to an article published Thursday, Nov. 29, by the Los Angeles Times.
When Kwame Brown injured his knee and ankle, coach Phil Jackson pulled Andrew Bynum was pulled up to play with the first unit. Later last week, Maurice Evans and Brian Cook were traded to Orlando for Trevor Ariza, leaving even some LA team members wondering if their second unit will ever recover, according to the LA Times.
“The second unit is a lot of building chemistry together, and we kind of had a real solid chemistry,” forward Luke Walton said. “Then between injury and trades, people were getting moved from the second unit to the first unit, and the first unit to the second unit, and we kind of lost our flow and rhythm that we had there for a bit.
“It’s hard,” Walton said about being a reserve. “It’s definitely harder to play that way, but at the same time, you can’t really make excuses.”
While the Lakers have struggled with their past four games - winning their last against Seattle, despite the tied half-time score - they seem to be dedicated to coming back and giving it their all. Kobe Bryant, who scored 35 points against the Supersonics, is still putting in valiant efforts, which haven’t gone unnoticed by fans and even competitors: “He brings that intensity to the whole game and he gets the crowd going,” Kevin Durant, Seattle rookie, said of Bryant. “You always learn from playing against a player like that.”
Fans will have their fingers crossed that LA can come back from their three-game losing slump as they take on the Denver Nuggets tonight. Still haven’t been to a game this season? Get a pair of Lakers tickets right here and right now at Stubhub.com.
Lakers end three-game losing streak with win against Supersonics
Just when things were starting to look bleak for the Lakers, the team - led by Kobe Bryant - came back Tuesday with a 106-99 win over the Seattle Supersonics. The loss was Seattle’s fifth consecutive this season, leaving them at a league all-time low of 2-13, according to an Associated Press article published Tuesday, Nov. 27 on the Lakers official Web site.
The Lakers, who were at 7-3 just a week ago, dipped to 7-6 after their latest three-game losing streak but have since regained some of their footing and are are now at 8-6 after Tuesday night’s win. Bryant, who had 35 points, scored six of them during the last 4 minutes of the fourth quarter. Following close on his heels was Lamar Odom, with 20 points, and also assisting with Tuesday’s win was Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar with crucial three-pointers.
But the Lakers aren’t celebrating their victory with open arms - the game, which was a tight one that was tied 54-54 at halftime, could have been played better according to the Lakers Coach Phil Jackson and a few members of the team.
“A win’s a win, but we can play better,” Odom said, according to an article published Nov. 28 on the LA Times official Web site. Jackson echoed those same sentiments, stating “They made it closer than I thought they were going to. I’m not happy with that game, [but] it was a win and it gives us some momentum as we go along this week.”
The Lakers can be seen facing off against the Utah Jazz on Friday, and fans can look forward to games against Orlando and Minnesota in December. Lakers tickets can be purchased at Stubhub.com so don’t waste time and get a pair today!
Boston buzzing with Celtics-Lakers rivalry
The Lakers and Celtics rivalry that has been an ongoing point of interest for fans in Boston and Los Angeles since 1987, when the two teams were clearly defined as top in the league, has resurfaced in a major way in Boston, according to an article published Nov. 23 in the Boston Globe. Although that rivalry has seemed to slip over the years, it was back in full effect last week when the Lakers flew in to play at TD Banknorth Garden, or the “New Garden,” with a vengeance.
The Lakers, although they ended up falling to their arch nemesis in Friday’s matchup, did manage to generate a huge buzz in the city and at North Station - and Boston is thanking their newest team member, Kevin Garnet, for the renewed interest, according to the Globe.
‘‘Every game seems like it’s supposed to be a big game now,’’Doc Rivers, the Celtics coach, said. ‘‘Miami — big game. Orlando — big game. And Lakers, of course — big game. So I tell my team they’re all big games, and we just have to keep working and improving.”
Now 9-1 in their season, the Celtics are off to a strong start and so are the Lakers, although their 8-4 record is lagging a bit. Looking to pick up the pace with their next few games against Denver and Utah, the Lakers still have a chance at the championship and you could have the chance to see them play up close and personal. Get a pair of Lakers tickets right here and right now at Stubhub.com!
Odom admits ’second-guessing’ with shooting; Lakers lagging in three-game holiday play
As the Lakers come out of a three-game stretch, losing to Milwaukee, Boston and New Jersey, critics have started probing the source of weakness with one of the team’s most potent and ambitious players. Lamar Odom - who started off the season with a bang, scoring ten points in his first four games and 25 points against the Detroit Pistons - has steadily been dwindling with his game during the past three games, according to an article posted Nov. 25 by the Pasadena Star News.
“I’m trying to find a way to get to the free-throw line, and take care of the ball,” Odom said. “Of course it’s mental. You’re feeling confident and you shoot the ball backwards and you think it’s going to go in. When you’re not, you tend to second-guess yourself. The worst thing for an athlete to do is second-guess himself. I wouldn’t blame it on anything because switching positions on the floor is my strength. I can admit to playing bad. I’ve just got to take it game to game. Watch films, study, work out. Do a mixture of things to get my groove back. I’ve been unlike myself. What game was it, the Milwaukee game? I was wide open. They played off me. Go to the hole, jump in the air and make passes. I’ve always felt confident. Second-guessing myself is really embarrassing.”
Now, as the Lakers try to pick up the pieces for their upcoming games - this Tuesday against Seattle and Thursday versus Denver - their fans are still hanging in there and so is the team, with a 7-4 record so far for in-season play. True Lakers fans can get Lakers tickets right here and right now at Stubhub.com for those games and many more. Check it out today.
Lakers Kwame Brown out indefinitely with knee injury
Lakers center Kwame Brown is out indefinitely after spraining a medial collateral ligament in his left knee during the team’s Sunday 106-78 victory against the Chicago Bulls. according to an article published Nov. 20 by the Los Angeles Times. The extent of Brown’s injury has not yet been determined and the result of sitting on the bench will boost Andrew Bynum and Chris Mihm’s playing time, according to the article. Despite the fact that Coach Phil Jackson has a back up plan, he still feels disheartened at the temporary loss of Brown.
“He is a terrific defender,” Coach Phil Jackson said. “We know what Kwame can do for us.”
In regards to stepping up, Mihm and Bynum have already begun preparing themselves for increased in-game time and with their recent performances, the two have already proven that they can give what the team is looking for. Bynum, who has been averaging 10.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, is doing exceptionally well for being a rookie and Mihm is right up there, averaging 4.7 points and 3.9 rebounds.
“Kwame gives us a defensive presence out there, but I think Andrew and I need to take that upon ourselves, shore up the middle and provide offensive punch in there too,” Mihm said.
Jackson agrees with Mihm and said he is truly grateful for what the new players have been contributing to the team: “Our young guys that are coming into the game . . . I think it’s remarkable,” he said. “I think they are playing great.”
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Lakers surprise youngsters with Thanksgiving Feast
Partnering with East West Bank and Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, the Los Angeles Lakers provided a Thanksgiving meal - complete with turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie - Saturday, Nov. 17, for 200 children and their families belonging to the Roy W. Roberts II/Watts-Willowbrook Boys and Girls Club. The meal, which was a surprise act of kindness, was attended by Lakers team members Andrew Bynum, Javaris Crittenton, Brian Cook, Maurice Evans, Jordan Farmar and was held as part of 2007-08 “A Season of Giving” campaign, according to an article published on the Lakers official Web site.
“It’s a great holiday and this event means a lot to me just to give back to the community and seeing all these little kids out here - you know, i was one day in their same shoes so it means a lot to me,” Crittendon said as part of an interview with fellow team mate Farmar. Bynum, who left his post behind the buffet style line to pass out pumpkin pie with whipped cream on top, was at a loss for words when asked what the event meant to him.
“We gave back to the community, hung out with the kids, ate some food - it doesn’t get much better than that,” Farmar said. The event, which allowed children the opportunity to meet their favorite players and get their autographs, also gave children the chance to work up an appetite with a myriad of interactive activiities that were offered outside before the meal began.
The Lakers, which are 6-2 in their season thus far, are looking to make the most out of 2007-08, both on the court and within the community. If you still haven’t booked a pair of Lakers tickets for upcoming games, be sure to do that right here and right now at Stubhub.com.
Lakers beat Bulls with third quarter point-scoring frenzy
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers yet again on Sunday in a game against the Chicago Bulls, scoring 18 points - ten of which in the third quarter - as Los Angeles rose up against their opponent and took the game 106-78, according to an Associated Press article published on the Lakers official Web site.
“I can force the issue and go off for 40 or 50, but that’s not beneficial to the team,” Bryant said about Sunday’s game and his unusually scoring compared to the points he’s been averaging this season. “You’ve just got to stick to the flow of the game. I had some easy shots, they just didn’t fall for me When you’re not shooting the ball well, you have to lead by example and make the rest of the guys understand that even thought you don’t shoot the ball well, it doesn’t mean you relax on defense. If anything, you pick it up.”
The game, which will go down as the Bulls largest-margin loss to the Lakers in NBA history, has been a string of wins for the Lakers, with their recent success last weekend with wins against the Houston Rockets and the Detroit Pistons, putting them at 6-3. Still haven’t reserved a pair of Lakers tickets for this season? Visit Stubhub.com right now and get tickets immediately!
Lakers Turiaf may miss tonight’s game; Odom in as replacement
After Lakers’ forward Ronny Turiaf sprained his ankle at Thursday’s practice, odds are he will be sitting out tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons, according to an article published Friday on the Lakers official Web site.
“I’m not happy about that,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said after the practice. “I just spent some time in there and chances are that he’s going to miss tomorrow’s game. The good thing is that we got on it right away and there’s not a great deal of swelling.”The absence of Turiaf, who has started every game of the season and averaged 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in as little as 24 minutes of play, will most likely hurt the Lakers, but Jackson seems confident that Lamar Odom can step into the role and pull through for the team - even though Odom is still recovering from shoulder surgery, which he underwent during off-season.
When asked if he thought Odom would be comfortable in the position, Jackson said: “Probably more so than the spot he’s playing, he’ll probably be more comfortable there, but this is not a game in which playing Rasheed Wallace is a great option.
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Jackson reprimanded for sexual reference
The Lakers lost to the San Antonio Spurs 92-107 Tuesday, but that wasn’t what had fans and sports critics talking, according to an Associated Press article published Wednesday, Nov. 14. Lakers coach Phil Jackson, slightly miffed with his team’s loss, seemingly tried to lighten conversation with reporters after the game with a sly comeback for a media rep’s question about whether too much penetration was leading to open outside shooters. After all, the Spurs did have 13 three-pointers.
“”We call this a ‘Brokeback Mountain’ game, because there’s so much penetration and kickouts,” Jackson said. “It was one of those games.”
While Jackson quickly realized the joke would not be the best way to get the reporters or his fans in stitches and immediately apologized for the statement, NBA officials are still not impressed.
“The remarks are in poor taste, and the Lakers have assured us such remarks will not occur in the future,” Brian McIntyre, an NBA spokesman, said.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) was not pleased, either. GLAAD’s President Neil G. Giuliano said: “Phil Jackson’s been coaching long enough that he should be able to talk about the Lakers’ performance without resorting to cheap gay jokes.”
Throughout it all, Jackson could not let the irony of the joke rest, even in his own apology statement: “If I’ve offended any horses, Texans, cowboys or gays, I apologize,” Jackson said.
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