Kobe’s Pinkie Interferes With His “All Starness”

The Los Angeles Lakers have some beef with Kobe Bryant’s right pinkie finger.  The finger is whiny because of a torn ligament.  Bryant, himself, is of course not whiny at all, but apparently his pinkie is all self pity.  The Los Angeles Lakers are concerned because Bryant’s right pinkie finger is of particular importance to their winning status.  Not so much the left pinkie finger, which, by the way is in good condition.  The conundrum at the current time is that Bryant and his pinkie are scheduled to appear on the Western Conference spot in the upcoming All Star Game in New Orleans.  The Lakers fear that this might further aggravate the ligament, which will further aggravate the pinkie, which will then demand rest.  Already Bryant is looking for some much needed quite time for his aching ligament.  Said Bryant, “My current thinking is give my finger some treatment and rest for a few days and hope I can still continue to compete at a high level after that rest.”  The statement was posted on ESPN.com.

The Lakers, for their part are convinced that Bryant should be excused from the All Star Game, especially after hand specialist Dr. Steven Shin (whose last name contradicts which part of the body he treats) revealed a ligament tear.  The pinkie has been crying since then.  Shin did apparently recommend surgery, although Bryant decided not to go under the knife, as it will keep him off of the court for six weeks.  There is no report on the pinkie’s feelings about this matter.  The injury reported occurred when it was bent up against the arm of New Jersey’s Jason Kidd.  The pinkie most likely feels that the real culprit in the matter is Kidd.  Ready for a thumb war?  Get your Los Angeles Lakers tickets from Stubhub.com.

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

Lakers Riding High

The Los Angeles Lakers are certainly proving that they have some mad skills.  Wednesday night they trampled the Minnesota Timberwolves with a final score of 117-92 at the Target Center.  Of course, it seems these days, the Lakers don’t just muddle around the court.  In fact, they finished their trip 7-2.  This is encouraging news for Los Angeles who wants to make their presence known in the crazy Western Conference.  This is their fourth consecutive win and it should ensure their dominance on the court-causing fear to rise in the hearts of their opponents.  The Timberwolves lost their growl for sure.  With the All-Star Games coming up just around the corner, everyone is wondering whether or not star player Kobe Bryant will take part in the games.

Coach Phil Jackson says that he has no problem with Bryant boarding a plane and heading south to the Marti Gras capital of the country, however he just doesn’t want his hands touching a basketball.  The coach, though admitted that in the end the decision would “probably be more medical than anything else.”  Bryant injured his dislocated right pinkie during Wednesday night’s game, so there is concern that he could further aggravate the situation if he should compete in New Orleans.  If you are an avid fan of the NBA and don’t want to miss a single second of all of the action on the court, be sure to get your pair of Los Angeles Lakers tickets.

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

Mihm Down and Out With Bursitis…What’s That?!

Los Angeles Lakers center position, Chris Mihm is preparing to go under the knife.  No, it is not because of any missed shots or foul plays.  Rather, Mihm is heading to the operating room because of bursitis in his right heal.  What is “bursitis” anyway, you say?  I had to look it up myself.  Bursitis, according to  the MayoClinic.com, is a “painful inflammation of one of your 150 bursae.”  Still not sure what ails poor Mihm?  “Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that lubricate and cushion pressure points between your bones and the tendons and muscles near your joints.  Bursitis occurs when the bursa becomes inflamed.”  Okay, there we go.  But now, what does this all mean for Mihm and the Los Angeles Lakers?

Well unfortunately Mihm is no stranger to previous injuries, having been forced out of the lineup since December not only due to the bursitis but also due to a sore right Achilles’ tendon.  For the record, he also missed all of last season because he was recovering from reconstructive ankle surgery.  After tackling the bursitis, Mihm will no doubt want to get back on the court to play with play with his fellow athletes.  Here’s hoping he is lucking enough to steer clear from the doctor’s office next season.  Get your Los Angeles Lakers tickets from stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on February 13, 2008 - Post a comment

Bryant and Lakers help rebuild New Orleans

The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant may have a busy game schedule on his hands but that’s not stopping the NBA all-star from taking time out to help Habitat for Humanity construct homes in New Orleans.

The community service program was put in place by NBA commissioner David Stern, who announced that New Orleans would host the All-Star Weekend activities in 2006, only several months after Hurricane Katrina had struck the region. As a result, the organization has been doing all it can over the last year and  half to get the city back on its feet, according to report published Thursday, Feb. 7 on the official ESPN Web site.

Each team in the league that has played at New Orleans is pitching in to help with the effort, forming crews to build new homes, construct playgrounds, refurbish and further improve school and partake in general clean up activities. For Bryant, who has already participated in several relief activities in the past, the time is well spent.

“I’ve done a lot of stuff in New Orleans as it is, I’m looking forward to doing some more,” Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant said earlier this week. “But that’s one of the places that I’ve really been active in. It’s something else for us to do in New Orleans.”

The Lakers took on the New Orleans Hornets at the team’s home court only two months after the devastation Katrina brought and have since worked hard to support the rebirth of the city, according to the report.

Still haven’t been to  Lakers game? Grab a pair of Lakers tickets at Stubhub.com today!

Permalink - Posted in General on February 12, 2008 - Post a comment

Lakers turn up heat on Miami at American Airlines Arena

With a 5-7 record over the last few weeks, the Lakers look to finish strong on its nine-game away-from-home tour and the team took another step in the right direction Sunday, Feb. 10 when it was able to beat out the Miami Heat 104-94, despite efforts from the Southern Florida team’s newly acquired guard Shawn Marion.

The Lakers are looking to carry on the momentum today against the Charlotte Bobcats and Wednesday, Feb. 13 when the team faces off against the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to reports published Monday, Feb. 11 by the Lakers  and the Los Angeles Times official Web sites.

“This is the [over the] hump game, and it was a good game to win,” Jackson said grudgingly in an interview with the LA Times. “We didn’t play particularly well, but we were able to win the game.”

Although the team didn’t maintain its initial 17-point lead throughout the game, Bryant came away with 33 points and was helped out by a enthusiastic Lamar Odom with 15 points, 18 rebounds and six assists, according to the Times report.

“We’ve got to watch it,” Odom said. “Right now, we’re playing basketball that we expect to win. Sometimes we show it a little too much . . . we have to close out games better. We’ve still got to finish it out. I would love to finish this trip out with two victories.”

Fans are certainly expecting the Lakers to win its next big match up. Be sure to secure your seats right here and now at Stubhub.com by purchasing a pair of Lakers tickets!

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

Lakers host fourth annual Basketball 101

It seems preposterous that the professional NBA team the Lakers would need to learn more about their own sport. It is exactly that premise, however, that the organization supported Jan. 16 when it hosted the fourth annual Basketball 101, according to an article  published on the Lakers offficial Web site.

“It’s something that has grown every year and evolved,” Lakers owner Jerry Buss said. “The intention was to never have to burden the Lakers’ staff during the season, but the Lakers’ staff decided that this was something they really wanted to be involved with.”

The event, which drew an impressive guest list including Kareen Abdul Jabbar, Lakers coach Phil Jackson and all-star team member Derek Fisher, was an ecclectic mix of interactive and fun games and tutorials that offered both expert fans and amateurs the chance to learn more about the game they love.

The Lakers prepare to face off against the Orlando Magic in what’s sure to be a high-energy game and you can be a part of that action. Don’t miss out your chance to purchase a pair of Lakers tickets right now at Stubhub.com.

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

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant goes up against Toronoto’s Kapono in three-point Shootout

While Toronto’s Jason Kapono has high hopes that he will win back his 2007 NBA three-point shootout title at this year’s annual competition, the LA Lakers’ all-star Kobe Bryant is one of the few talents who will try his hand at nabbing a win at the event, which will take place Saturday, Feb. 16 and held Saturday, Feb. 16 at the New Orleans Arena.

Joining Bryant in the battle will also be two-time MVP Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns, Peja Stojavic of the New Orleans Hornets, Daniel Gibson of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Richard Hamilton of the Detroit Pistons. The event, which is held annually as part of the NBA’s All-Star Saturday Night, which will also include the slam-dunk competition and the skills challenge, according to an article published Thursday, Feb. 7 by the official News Tribune Web site.

Wondering why Bryant is so qualified for the all-star competition? If stats aren’t enough to sell you on his talent, then get a pair of Lakers tickets and see the talented point-guard up close in action on the court at the team’s next game. Don’t miss out - get tickets now at Stubhub.com!

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

Pau Gasol shines in Lakers debut against Nets

For once this season, Kobe Bryant didn’t stand out as the lead point-scorer for the Lakers. That role was taken over quite elegantly by the team’s newest edition - Pau Gasol, a 7-foot-tall guard that the Lakers acquired last Friday from the Memphis Grizzlies debuted Tuesday with his new team and contributed 16 points toward the Lakers’ 105-90 victory over the New Jersey Nets at the Phillips Arena.

“I’m starting to realize how big the Lakers are around the country and around the world,” Gasol said before the game, according to an interview with the Kansas City Star posted Tuesday, Feb. 5 on the publication’s official Web site.

The Lakers also had help from Derek Fisher, who threw in 28 points, advancing the team to 3-1 so far on their nine-game road trip and helping improve its season 31-16. Bryant, who had his lowest-scoring game since the Lakers played Denver in early January, shot three for 13 and had eight assists. Critics have ventured a guess that Gasol will be a favored and successful starting replacement for Andrew Bynum who is out with a knee injury. It also appeared that Bryant and the rest of the starting line up was working well with the extra tall guard on Tuesday night, despite only having participated in one practice and one shoot around with the team, according to the Kansas City Star report.

Can’t wait to see the next game? Check out a pair of Lakers tickets for the team’s match up tonight in Atlanta against the Hawks at Stubhub.com right now!

Permalink - Posted in General on February 6, 2008 - Post a comment

Bryant scores 46 points Monday; propels Lakers to big win over Raptors

With their all-star guard making a record-breaking 46 points and the team’s newest addition of 7-foot Pau Gasol, the Lakers are gaining momentum fast. The Toronto Rapotors lost their first game in seven Friday evening to the Lakers, falling 121-101, according to an Associated Pres article published Feb. 2 at the PR-Inside Web site.

The Lakers, who have lost the last four out of five games, appear to be gaining a new sense of confidence on the court, and can anyone really blame them? With Kobe Bryant on its side, the Lakers have never been stronger and the talented player has kept fans spirits up with his increasingly improving scoring feats, as he continues to beat out his game-point average over and over again this season.

Now 30-16 this season, the Lakers hope to return home from a recent bout of away games with a renewed outlook on the season, according to an article published on the official Lakers Web site. As they look to complete their winning streak in an upcoming match up against the New Jersey Nets tonight at the IZOD Center in New Jersey. Don’t miss out - book your Lakers tickets today at Stubhub.com!

Permalink - Posted in General on February 5, 2008 - Post a comment

Back on Track: Lakers Win over Wizards with Amazing Offense

The team Lakers fans know and love is back, with Kobe Bryant leading the way - yet again. But this time, teammates Vladimir Radmanovic, Ronny Turiaf and Lamar Odom were close on his heels, restoring the hope of LA faithfuls.
Sunday night’s 103-91 victory over the Washington Wizards was just what the Lakers needed to get back on track after losing four out of five of its last games. With a renewed sense of confidence on the road, and coming off a strong win over the Toronto Raptors last Friday, the Lakers look to complete a successful run as it embarks on the rest of a nine-game tour away from home, according to an article published on the official Lakers Web site.
“Just taking what they were going to give me,” Bryant said. “We’ve grown a lot together. And we understand how to play with one another. That’s the big thing - the chemistry. Knowing where guys are.”

Bryant, who had 19 points in the opening quarter and finished with 30 for the game, had major support from Radmanovic with 15 points, Odom with 14 points and Turiaf with 13 points. Newly acquired Pao Gasol did not suit up and sat the bench, however, the Lakers didn’t seem to need to utilize the talented offensive addition. Gasol, who traded to the Lakers Friday from the Memphis Grizzlies, was clad in a pinstripe suit and sat listening to assistant coach Brad Shaw go over the Lakers triangle defense, according to the report.

Those techniques combined with the renewed offensive enthusiasm could be enough to propel the team to a few wins on the road. Don’t miss out on any future games and be sure to snag your pair of Lakers tickets right here and right now at Stubhub.com!

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


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