Good News for Lakers Before Trip

On the eve of their string of away games, the Lakers received good news: center Andrew Bynum is not suspended for his flagrant foul Tuesday at Staples Center against Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace. On their six-game, 10-day trip the Lakers will play their two fiercest opponents, Boston and Cleveland. The Lakers home record is impressive, 23-4 at Staples Center but they will be on the road for 22 of their next 31 games, with 24 road games left overall (the most in the NBA).

The Lakers’ six-game road trip will be their longest yet and in February they will play seven games on the road in 12 days. Kobe Bryant told the L.A. Times the team’s journey will be a piece of cake: “I already know what we’re about. We’re a very good road team. I’m not worried about it at all.” The Lakers are 12-5 on the road and are ready to play Minnesota on the heels of the good news that Bynum won’t be suspended for his foul.

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Permalink - Posted in General on January 30, 2009 - Post a comment

NBA to Review Andrew Bynum’s Flagrant Foul

The League is currently reviewing Lakers center Andrew Bynum’s flagrant foul that placed Charlotte forward Gerald Wallace in the hospital to see if any disciplinary action should be taken. Yesterday league officials said it is common practice to review flagrant fouls; the NBA could either fine and suspend Bynum for one game or more without pay or take no action at all.

After taking Wednesday off, the Lakers will resume practice today and their next game is Friday at Minnesota, by which time the Lakers should know what course of action the league has taken.  Bynum struck Wallace with his forearm late in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ double-overtime loss to the Bobcats Tuesday night at Staples Center. Wallace went down and Bynum was subsequently called for a flagrant foul. Yesterday the Bobcats said that 30 to 40% of Wallace’s left lung collapsed because of the collision and he also suffered a broken rib. Wallce, who received a CT scan at Centinela Hospital, will remain under observation for 48 hours.

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Permalink - Posted in General on January 29, 2009 - Post a comment

Bobcats Knock Out Lakers Once Again

The Charlotte Bobcats triumphed over the Lakers for the third time in a row at Staples Center last night. It was an important night for the Lakers (their last home game in two weeks) but history repeated itself and even Kobe Bryant’s 38 points couldn’t lead L.A. to victory. Lakers’ Coach Phil Jackson didn’t offer a statement after Charlotte’s 117-110 double-overtime victory, he asked for questions instead. When probed as to why the Bobcats have defeated the Lakers five out of six games (including the last three at Staples Center), Jackson said, “I don’t know. It’s the way the roll of the dice goes some nights. This was one of those games. They outplayed us tonight.”

The Lakers embark on a 10-day, six-game trip with their defeat weighing heavily on their backs and a 35-9 record, moving them down to the third best in the NBA. Bobcats’ Coach Larry Brown told the L.A. Times, “When you’re struggling to win a game, any game, any win is big. But when you play the best team on their court and they’re playing at such a high level, obviosuly the guys in that locker room are pretty proud, as is our coaching staff.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on January 28, 2009 - Post a comment

Lakers’ Last Home Game No Easy Feat

The Lakers are set to host the Charlotte Bobcats, a team they have lost to four of the last five games, before a six-game trip and 22 games on the road after the next 31. The most humbling of the Lakers’ losses to the Bobcats happened last March at Staples Center. Lakers’ Coach Phil Jackson said of the 108-95 loss, “I can’t explain it, so don’t ask me any questions.”

Although the Lakers have won 14 NBA championships and were oh-so-close from a 15th last June (two victories close), there is something about the league’s newest team that hinders the Lakers.  The Bobcats are turning into one of the league’s premier defensive teams under the helm of first-year coach Larry Brown, who is in his 24th season as an NBA head coach. To read the full artile go to the LATimes.com.

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Permalink - Posted in General on January 27, 2009 - Post a comment

Best in the West

The Lakers triumphed over the San Antonio Spurs Sunday night at Staples Center in a 99-85 victory that creates a six-game gap between the top two teams in the Western Conference. Jordan Farmar was back on the court Sunday after a five-week absence due to injury and Andrew Bynum more than stood up to Tim Duncan. With an NBA-best 35-8 the Lakers widened the gap between them and their closest competitor in the Western Conference.

Earlier this month the Lakers lost in San Antonio due to some late-in-the-game mistakes, but the rematch was a different story.  Sunday the Lakers led into the fourth quarter and neither Duncan nor Tony Parker played after the third. Spurs’ Coach Gregg Popovich told the L.A. Times, “It’s a long season and we weren’t going to win the game at that point.” The Lakers have won six of their last eight games against San Antonio (including last season’s playoffs).

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Permalink - Posted in General on January 26, 2009 - Post a comment

Career Best for Bynum

Lakers’ center Andrew Bynum had 42 points with 15 rebounds in a career night against the Clippers. Bynum’s previous high was 28 points, but last night he eclipsed his former record in the third quarter, leading the Lakers to a 108-97 victory at Staples Center. It was the Lakers’ seventh straight win over their hometown rivals, allowing the Lakers to improve 33-8; they are now tied with Orlando for the best record in the league.

Lakers’ Coach Phil Jackson told the L.A. Times while it was an offensive breakthrough for Bynum, “there’s two ends to the game still. Don’t forget that, right? That was his career high too.” Jackson was referring to Clippers rookie DeAndre Jordan, who scored 23 points. Clippers’ Coach Mike Dunleavy commented on Bynum and Jordan after the game: “They must have had a deal together. D.J. said, ‘I’ll dunk you, I’ll give you one and a half one me.’” See the full article at LATimes.com.

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Permalink - Posted in General on January 22, 2009 - Post a comment

Kobe to Play Despite Dislocated Finger

Kobe Bryant dislocated his finger during Tuesday victory against the Cavaliers, but he will still play against hometown rivals the Clippers tonight. Bryant told the L.A. Times that the pain in his ring finger on his right hand was “probably the most I’d ever played with.” The injury was sustained when Bryant unsuccessfully attempted to steal the ball from LeBron James, and Kobe was wearing a splint made of plastic, aluminum and foam Tuesday (he did not practice).

When asked if he would play Wednesday, Braynt answered, “What do you think?” He will practice this morning and determine if he needs to adjust his ballhandling or shot. Lakers’ Coach Phil Jackson told the Times, “He’s going to have an adjustment period to go through. These [injuries] are things you just don’t want to do anything with that hand, let alone play basketball or pound the ball or dribble or shoot it. It’s a lof of difficulty, but it’s a trademark of who Kobe is.” To see the full article go to LATimes.com.

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Permalink - Posted in General on January 21, 2009 - Post a comment

Lakers Beat Cavaliers

It was a two-on-one attack, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol against LeBron James, that allowed the Lakers to triumph over the Cavaliers last night at Staples Center. Although everyone thought it would be Bryant vs. James, Gasol helped the Lakers in their 105-88 victory with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Less than two minutes into the game Bryant sustained a dislocated finger but he, and the Lakers, recovered; Byrant scored 20 points, had 12 assists and six rebounds. Other Lakers who contributed to the win were Andrew Bynum (14 points, six rebounds) and Sasha Vujacic (14 points with four three-point shots).

The Lakers finished 32-8 with Cleveland 31-8, although both teams continue to trail Orlando, 33-8. Up next, the Lakers play their hometown rivals, the Clippers. Bryant’s postgame X-rays were negative but he is expected to play Wednesday.

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

Kobe Bryant Hails LeBron James Current MVP?

Lakers star Kobe Bryant is the reigning MVP, but he calls his Cavaliers counterpart “terrific” and has some wondering if LeBron James will steal his title this season. The Cleveland forward is on a team with a comparable record to the Lakers and has better stats than Kobe, who seemed slightly uncomfortable when the L.A. Times asked for his MVP choice saying, “LeBron. Leave me alone about that stuff.”

Kobe went on to say, “I’m a big fan of his, obviously. I just think the world of him. Playing with his this summer [at the Beijing Olympics], and seeing his work ethic and what he’s about, I just think he’s terrific.” The Lakers (31-8) and Cavaliers (31-7) will face off tonight as the comparisons between Bryant and James continue. Former NBA player Kenny Smith maintains Bryant is the better player while former NBA coach Mike Fratello thinks LeBron has surpassed Kobe, for example. Bryant is in his 13th season and is averaging 25.1 point, 5.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. James is in his sixth season and is averaging 27.8 points 6.1 rebounds and 6.7 assists. Two of the top NBA players, Bryant and James had yet to forge a friendship until their experience at the Olympics changed that.

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

Rival Coach Gregg Popovich Impressed by Lakers

San Antonio may have gotten the win Wednesday, bu the Spurs’ Coach Gregg Popovich was impressed with the team and Phil Jackson’s direction. Popovich credited Jackson for shaping the Lakers into a determined team, driven to win an NBA championship after losing to the Boston Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals. Popovich told the L.A. Times, “The first thing you see is a team that believes. Phil has got them to the point where they believe they’re the best team in the league. They’re a hungry team, so they are going to be more serious from the very beginning.”

“In having not won in the Finals last year, they want to come in this year and make the statement early,” Popovich continued. “I think that sort of confidence and that edge is there. Where it had to be sort  of learned and groomed and established last year, they came in with it this year. So I think that’s a little bit different for them.” To see the rest of what Popovich had to say about the Lakers go to the LATimes.com. The Lakers host Orlando Magic tonight at Staples Center.
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Permalink - Posted in General on January 16, 2009 - Post a comment


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