Kobe announces Andrew Bynum key to Lakers Championship

Although he still has retracted his initial request from this summer to be traded, Kobe Bryant appears to be on a positive level when it comes to the Lakers team this season - but only if center Andrew Bynum is a major driving force, Bryant announced Tuesday, Jan. 15 after a win against the Seattle Supersonics.

Bryant, who made his unhappiness known this summer about the Lakers lack of experienced players, seems to be coming into a remission period with his previous negativity, calling Bynum a “terrific, terrific player” and making this statement after Tuesday’s game: “We’re a championship-caliber team when he’s in the lineup,” according to an article published Tuesday Jan. 15 on the ESPN official Web site.  Unfortunately, Bryant’s hopes and dreams may be shot. The Lakers announced the following day that Bynum may be out  for as many as eight weeks due to a knee injury he received during the team’s Sunday night match up against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Putting in about 50 points per game, give or take, it’s clear that Bryant is able and willing to put in the effort it takes to keep the team afloat while Bynum is sidelined, but many critics are posing the question “Just how long can Bryant hold on to the lead without help?”

Many fans aren’t willing to risk waiting to find out while sitting in front of a television and are rushing out to get a pair of tickets to the next game. Now you can be a part of the NBA action too, and get a pair of Lakers tickets at Stubhub.com!

Permalink - Posted in General on January 17, 2008 - Post a comment

Jackson, Lakers Hope to give Crittenton more Play Time

With five guards, Lakers coach Phil Jackson has been hard pressed to get Javaris Crittenton into the game, but all that could change soon, according to an article published Friday, Jan. 11, on the Press Enterprise Web site.

Crittenton, a  six-foot-five shooting guard who was recruited this year from Georgia Tech, has been averaging 3.2 points and playing an estimated eight minutes per game. While his shooting average is a little more than 50 percent, Crittenton feels confident that he can be successful in any position Jackson decides to put him in. With Sasha Vujacic was sidelined four games ago with a injured ankle, Crittenton was put in as Kobe Bryant’s right-hand man - a role that has him continually on his toes, according to the Press Enterprise report.

“He’s been having me get out on the floor and run,” Crittenton said of Byrant’s practice demands. “He’s like, ‘Go down the floor and run. Don’t touch the ball.’ He’s trying to teach me to be versatile, and it’s teaching me to play without the ball. It’s good … it feels kind of bad at times because I want the ball in my hands.”

Although he’s only played in 16 games thus far this season, Crittenton is hopeful he will become a more significant player during the rest of the season and Coach Phil Jackson is confident that could be the case. Regardless, fans would be doing themselves a disservice if they didn’t make it out to at least one of the Lakers games this season. What are you waiting for? Get a pair of Lakers tickets right here at Stubhub.com!

Permalink - Posted in General on January 16, 2008 - Post a comment

Lakers Coach weary about Brown Replacing Sidelined Bynum

Lakers’ Kwame Brown will likely be stepping in for an injured Andrew Bynum for the next few games as a starter - a move that coach Phil Jackson stated was “better for Kwame’s sake, but not better for us as a team,” according to an article published Monday, Jan. 14 at the Press-Enterprise official Web site.

Brown was 38 percent on free-throws and scored only three points in twenty-six minutes of play in the Lakers latest game Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies. It was that same game in which Lakers star Andrew Bynum injured his knee, leaving him sidelined for about eight weeks, according to reports.

Jackson said that Brown - who has been averaging about 3.8 points per game and is still recovering from an injured left knee and ankle - needs to put less emphasis on scoring and more focus on “letting the game come to him,” according to the Press-Enterprise.

“He’s trying to do something to stay on the floor,” Jackson said in the article. “If you want to stay on the floor, if you want to play minutes, you can’t state your case by trying to score too much. Fortunately, he may hit a hot spell; he may get lucky.”

Lakers fans are sure hoping so, especially when Brown will likely go in with the starting lineup this Thursday when the team faces off against the Phoenix Suns. Don’t miss a second of the NBA action and be sure to snag a pair of Lakers tickets right here at Stubhub.com

Permalink - Posted in General on January 15, 2008 - Post a comment

Lakers Announce Bynum out for Eight Weeks

Lakers star Andrew Bynum will be out of the game for eight weeks due to an knee injury, according to an article published Monday, Jan. 14 by the Los Angeles Times.

Losing Bynum, who had been averaging 13.1 points an d10.2 rebounds per game, is a major blow to the Lakers, who are preparing to take on the Seattle Supersonics this evening. Bynum, in pain due to his injury and in an effort to heal, stayed behind for MRI testing, according to the Times article.

The 20-year-old Lakers center injured  his kneecap during Sunday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies and has suffered a subluxation of the knee- or when the kneecap is pulled toward the outside of the knee, according to the Times article. Bynum, who was providing much of the team momentum for their previous wins, will be a sore loss for the next two months.

Lakers fans shouldn’t get down though, and those who still haven’t been to a game at the Staples Center should be sure to book Lakers tickets at Stubhub.com for the next home game. Don’t miss out on any of the NBA action this season!

Permalink - Posted in General on January 14, 2008 - Post a comment

A 7-foot blessing for the Lakers:Bynum developing lengthy NBA Career

Standing 7-feet even, Andrew Bynum is anything but a small threat to other NBA teams looking to face off against the Lakers.

The 20-year-old forward has been a part of the Los Angeles team since he was selected 10th in the overall draft in 2005 from New Jersey’s St. Joseph High School. Not only has Bynum been a major contributor to the Lakers’ winning 22 of their first 33 games, critics are also speculating that the young talent has helped LA’s front office give Lakers guard Kobe Bryant exactly what he’s been asking for: a powerful and dynamic sidekick to put the team in the running for an NBA championship title, according to an article published Wednesday, Jan. 9 by the Press of Atlantic City Web site.
Bynum, who has been steadily increasing his scoring ability and game time over the past three seasons with the Lakers, has been put in by coach Phil Jackson for close to 30 minutes per game and has steadily contributed 12.8 points and 10 rebounds this season.

“I came in, and needed to gain some confidence,” Bynum said in a Dec. 2007 interview with Insidehoops.com. “Wasn’t playing a lot, about 20 minutes a game. As the year progressed, the team started to trust me more. And now I get touches in the first half. Still need to earn the team’s trust in the second half.”

Now is the perfect chance to see this young star in action by grabbing a pair of court side seats for the next game. Secure your Lakers tickets at Stubhub.com and enjoy the game!

Permalink - Posted in General on January 11, 2008 - Post a comment

Lakers squash Hornets by almost thirty points at New Orleans

The New Orleans Hornets - a team that has been exceptionally successful throughout the season, taking many critics by surprise with its young talent, such as Chris Paul and David West - was put in its place Wednesday when the Los Angeles Lakers crushed the Hornets 109-80 on the team’s home court in New Orleans, according to an Associated Press article published on the official Lakers Web site.

Staying ahead by double digits throughout the majority of the game, the Lakers dominated the court with its strong defense and balanced scoring, which allowed key players Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum to shine through with 19 and 17 points respectively, according to the AP report. As a direct indication that the Lakers team was stronger than its opponent, was the reserves scoring, which was 42-9 with the Lakers’ bench on top.

“Once you start playing the same way all the time, it’s like a team is a team,” said forward Lamar Odom, who had 11 points, according to an article published Jan. 10 on the official LA Times Web site. “That’s how we feel right now, like we’re going out and we’re playing the same way all the time. Tonight, four or five guys in double figures, guys with nine, nine, eight, nine. Everybody’s chipping in. Everybody’s having fun right now.”

Bryant, who had seven rebounds and seven assists on top of his 19 points, appeared pleased, as he stepped off the court at game’s end, according to the LA Times’ report.
“We’re playing well,” he said. “I think we can play much better. We’re just going to pocket these wins and go from there. It’s a good road win. Now it’s time to go home and take care of business there.”
Bryant’s determination is a sure indication that the Lakers are playing on a whole new level. If you still haven’t been to a game this season, then now is the perfect time to pick up a pair of Lakers tickets right here and now at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on January 10, 2008 - Post a comment

Lakers top Grizzlies despite Jackson’s reservations

Before Tuesday’s Lakers-Grizzlies match up, Lakers coach Phil Jackson’s superstitions may have been getting the best of him.

“”I’m kind of reserving my optimism until [later],” he said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, published Jan. 9 on its official Web site. “We’ve really not played well here since they’ve opened this building.”

Jackson had right cause. Since the building was built, Memphis’ FedEx Forum has been unlucky for the Lakers, who have a record of 2-6 over the last four seasons playing the Grizzlies at home. The Lakers also have not had their best showing early this season and in last season’s play against substandard teams, according to the Times.

But apparently, Jackson and the Lakers didn’t have much to worry about once the team hit the court. The Lakers outscored the Grizzlies 117-101, with key plays from Derek Fisher with 26 points, Kobe Bryant with 25 points and Lamar Odom with ten points and 15 rebounds. Now 13-16 for the season, the Lakers hope to continue on its winning streak but will be put to test tonight as they face off against the New Orleans Hornets. The Hornets’s (23-11) have been one of the biggest success stories yet this season, with key players such as  Tyson Chandler, David West, Chris Paul and Peja Stojakovic, according to the Times.

Still haven’t been to a Lakers game? This should be a great match up so make sure you get Lakers tickets right here and right now before it’s too late at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on January 9, 2008 - Post a comment

Lakers return to Memphis; hope to repeat last performance

Two of three this month, and coming off a 101-94 victory on Sunday over the Miami Heat, the Memphis Grizzlies will face off against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight on their home court, FedEx Forum.

Lakers fans know the stats: During the teams last match up - which was more than nine months ago - Kobe Bryant snuck 60 points past the Grizzlies’ defense, shooting 20-37 from the floor and  17-18 from the free-throw line. Those fans are hoping for a repeat performance and the team is feeling confident, according to an Associated Press article published recently on the Lakers’ official team Web site.

An exciting victory Sunday over the Pacers  has reissued confidence with the Lakers, who are 12 of 15 and won five out of seven of those games while on the road. Although they haven’t left the Staples Center since Dec. 23, the Lakers have been gaining momentum in the past week and part of that has to do with 7-foot-center Andrew Bynum, whose been averaging 12.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, the Lakers’ site reported.

“Andrew’s playing great,” Lakers’ forward Lamar Odom said. “He’s dominating the ball and everyone’s getting the ball. It’s fun to play like that.”

Fans looking for a little fun should check out Lakers tickets at Stubhub.com right here and right now. Don’t miss out on the next game.

Permalink - Posted in General on January 8, 2008 - Post a comment

Lakers thank lucky stars for not trading Bynum

With 23 points and 13 rebounds, Lakers’ Andrew Bynum reminded his teammates, coaches and organization owners just what he was worth Sunday, Jan. 6, when Los Angeles took on the Indiana Pacers - a team with which the Lakers had engaged in previous trade talks, ironically involving Bynum and Odom for Pacers forward Jermaine O’Neal.

The match up, in which Bynum outscored O’Neal by more than ten points, resulted in a 112-96 victory for the Lakers, who were weakened due to the absence of Odom, who was suspended for his behavior in last week’s game against the Celtics, and Chris Mihm, who is out for close to a month from an Achilles heel injury, according to an article published Monday, Jan. 7, on the Los Angeles Times official Web site.

Trade talks during the off-season between the two teams did not become a reality, and Bynum admitted that he was pleased with the outcome of those talks that was the case after Sunday’s game, the Times reported.

“Definitely happy to be here,” Bynum said in an interview with the LA Times. “I’m happy they didn’t trade me. They saw me work out this summer, and I guess they thought we would do all right with me down there.”

Another thing for Bynum and the Lakers to be happy with: now 2-1, the team is getting closer and closer to regaining its grip, after losing to several teams with terrible losing records. Kobe Bryant, who has been on top of his game with scoring throughout the season, had another solid game Sunday with 26 points and joining him was Derek Fisher with 22 points. Bryant reflected positive attitude after the game, praising Bynum for his assisting skills and overall game performance.

Surely the rest of the team was thanking its lucky stars as well after Sunday’s performance.

Still haven’t caught a Lakers game? Check out Lakers tickets at Stubhub.com and get out to next game.

Permalink - Posted in General on January 7, 2008 - Post a comment

Lakers prepare to face 76ers in second game of the season

As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare to face off against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at the Staples Center, the teams’ records and the strong rivalry are surely weighing heavy on most fans minds.

The Lakers, who have won three out of the past four games they have played against the 76ers, are going into the match up without key players Chris Mihm and Lamar Odom, who are out with Achilles heel injuries and suspension, respectively. Off to a fairly strong the season, the Lakers are currently getting ready to take on some of the bigger teams in the NBA, starting off to a fairly reasonable start with the 76ers.

With Carlos Boozer, Andre Miller and Samuel Dalembert are all vital to the 76ers young and talented team and they will be bringing their best game against the Lakers star team members Kobe Bryant, Sasha Vujacic and Andrew Bynum. Don’t miss out on the action and be sure to get a pair of Lakers tickets right here and right now at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on January 4, 2008 - Post a comment


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