Ron Artest Returns to Houston

Despite getting a technical foul, Ron Artest’s return to Houston was smooth, and the Lakers walked away with a 103-102 overtime win. Artest received boos from Houston Rockets’ fans but managed to keep his emotions in check. After the game he told reporters, “I had to fall back a little because I saw they were trying to get me ejected. [Luis] Scola hit me hard. I’m like, ‘I’m stronger than you. [Trevor] Ariza hits me, I’m like, ‘I’m definitely stronger than you.’”

Less than three minutes into the game, Ariza and Artest were each called for a technical foul after pushing each other and Artest admitted that he pondered wrapping his hands around Ariza’s throat saying, “It was a thought. Then I thought about [Commissioner] David Stern. I’m not fighting any more. You can elbow me, smack me, use me as a punching bag.” Artest revealed that he regretted playing for Houston for one season but added, “I was fine with that even though I was in my contract year.” Before signing a five-year, $34-million contract with the Lakers, Artest averaged 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season for the Rockets.

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Permalink - Posted in General on November 5, 2009 - Post a comment

Lakers Win First Game on First Road Trip of the Season

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-98 even though Pau Gasol was still out and Kobe Bryant was battling a fever and sore throat. Despite his health issues, Bryant managed to score 31 points, and thanks to the help of Ron Artest, the Lakers walked away with an overtime win yesterday (Nov. 3) at Ford Center. Artest had 20 points on six-for-eight shooting, and after entering the game with a low scoring average of 8.3 and a shooting percentage of 32.1, he added six assists. Andrew Bynum scored 22 points on 10-for-15 shooting.

Bryant skipped the team shoot-around prior to the game but still suited up after a nap in the trainer’s room kept his fever at bay long enough for him to remain on the court for nearly 46 minutes. Said Kobe to reporters, “I’ve played through worse,” adding that he did feel better was his fever dipped because of “everything that’s going on with H1N1 [flu].” As for Artest, he appeared to grasp the triangle offense for perhaps the first time last night, and garnered praise from coach Phil Jackson who said, “Third quarter, Ron kind of kept us going. He kept us even. He played real well,” adding, “He’s finding his way. The rhythm of the offense and finding his shots are still a mystery to him.” The Lakers, 3-1, will now reunite with former Laker Trevor Ariza when they play the Houston Rockets.

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Permalink - Posted in General on November 4, 2009 - Post a comment

Pau Gasol’s Sonogram Reveals the Lakers Forward May Have Slight Tear in Hamstring

After being sidelined for three weeks, Lakers All-Star forward Pau Gasol underwent a sonogram yesterday (Nov. 2) that revealed his injury to be more serious than initially thought. Gasol underwent an examination–part of which was a sonogram which showed he may have a small tear–after his right hamstring was slow to heal and subsequently underwent an MRI test yesterday (the results of which should arrive today). Lakers spokesman John Black revealed, “It’s not as sophisticated a test. That’s why we are doing the MRI. It’s much more sophisticated.”

After practicing two weeks ago, Gasol said he aggravated what he thought was a strained hamstring. Gasol missed the last six exhibition games and has now missed the first three regular-season games, although he did travel with the Lakers when they left L.A. for their road trip yesterday. The Lakers play in Oklahoma City tonight and Houston Wednesday night, but the forward isn’t anticipated to play in either game.

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Permalink - Posted in General on November 3, 2009 - Post a comment

Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest Help Lakers Bounce Back After First Loss of the Season

Two days after sheepishly losing to the Dallas Mavericks in a home game on Friday (Oct. 30), the Lakers rebounded, beating the Atlanta Hawks 118-110 largely thanks to Kobe Bryant’s 41 points. Andrew Bynum scored 21 points and Ron Artest was impressive in defending Hawks guard Joe Johnson, shutting him down during the second quarter. Johnson beat Bryant with 18 points in the first quarter but only scored nine in the final three quarters.

After the game, Bryant gave Artest props, telling reporters, “It all started with No. 37. It upped the energy level defensively. I told him this game was all him because I felt like his energy changed the complexity of the game. We all kind of rallied behind him at that point. His defense in particular was outstanding.” The Lakers are now on a two-game road trip.

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Permalink - Posted in General on November 2, 2009 - Post a comment

Pau Gasol Won’t Play Tonight

According to the Los Angeles Times, Lakers forward Pau Gasol will miss tonight’s (Oct. 30) game against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center. Gasol skipped practice yesterday (Oct. 29) due to a strained right hamstring, which has been ailing him for over two weeks, causing him to miss the last six exhibition games. The Lakers did say they are optimistic that Gasol will be able to play in the team’s third  game of the season, when they host the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center on Sunday.

The Lakers have won the last six games against the Dallas Mavericks during the last two seasons, but this season the Mav’s added two new players to their roster: Shawn Marion and Drew Gooden. Marion and Gooden join Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, while Dallas forward Josh Howard’s condition is said to be day-to-day (he is recovering from ankle surgery).

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

Lamar Odom Starts in Pau Gasol’s Place

Lamar Odom proved his worth on the Lakers’ roster in Tuesday night’s (Oct. 27) season-opener against down-the-street neighbors the Clippers, starting in place in injured Pau Gasol and finishing the game with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 3 bandages, reports the Los Angeles Times. During the 40 minutes he was on the court on Tuesday, Odom worked for it–and walked away with three different wounds on his right arm (thus the bandages spanning from his bicep to his forearm). Out due to a strained right hamstring, Gasol may be back in time for the Lakers to host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night (Oct. 30), in which case it’s back to the bench for Odom.

Said the newlywed (to reality star Khloe Kardashian, who was in attendance on Tuesday), “The strength to my game is that I’m able to do it and I’m prepared at all times. Right now, mentally, physically, I’m prepared to do what I have to do to help this team.” Describing his role in Tuesday’s game as well as this point in his career, Odom continued to tell the Times, “A lot of minutes, short minutes. Dive, rebound, score, make plays on the first or second unit. My objective at this point in my career is to win.”

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

Lakers Win Season Opener

On the heels of the championship ring ceremony at Staples Center yesterday (Oct. 27), the Lakers played their season-opener against down-the-street rivals the Clippers. During the last two seasons, the Lakers have won eight consecutive games against the Clippers (by an average of 22 points) but the team put up more of a fight last night. Although the Lakers eventually walked away with a 99-92 win, they pulled it off in the fourth quarter. Exactly one year ago, the Lakers beat the Clippers 117-79, but last night’s victory wasn’t as much of a blowout. The Lakers are now 1-0 in the 2009-10 season, and during the season-opener Kobe Bryant had 33 points and Andrew Bynum had 26 points and 13 rebounds.

Before the game, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson warned the team: “Someone on the other end of the floor wants to beat the pumpkin out of you.” And the Clippers did put up a fight, but with 2:57 to play and the Lakers ahead 94-81 Lakers’ fans began to shuffle out of the arena, knowing what the outcome of the game would be. The Lakers were without Pau Gasol (due to a strained right hamstring) and the Clippers without rookie Blake Griffin (due to a stress fracture, right knee cap), although Bynum played despite passing on the last two exhibition games due to a sore shoulder.

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

The Elephant, err Bull, in the Room for the Lakers

The regular NBA season starts today (Oct. 27), and in addition to defending their NBA title, the Los Angeles Times reports some rumblings about the Lakers’ potential to beat the Chicago Bulls’ record 72-win season in 1995-96. Prior to winning their 15th NBA title, the Lakers won 65 games in the regular season, and tonight they begin another season against hometown rivals, the Clippers, with the Times asking the question, “Can the Lakers beat the almost mythical regular-season record for victories in a season, set by the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan in 1995-96 on the way to an NBA championship?”

While it is common knowledge that Kobe Bryant, with four NBA championships under his belt, is trying to match Jordan’s six, he has also quietly mentioned beating the Bulls’ record. After being prompted by the Times, however, Kobe would only say, “That’s the goal, try to get better every year. Last year we had games where was lost maybe three right at the buzzer, and we could have won 68 games.” In addition to having the best player in the NBA (for the Bulls it was Jordan, for the Lakers it’s Bryant), both the Bulls and the Lakers had a solid No. 2 player (for the Bulls it was Scottie Pippen, for the Lakers it’s Pau Gasol) and a wild card (for the Bulls it was Dennis Rodman; for the Lakers it’s Ron Artest). And let’s not forget Phil Jackson, who led Chicago to that record (as well as six championships) and is in his 10th season with the Lakers.

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

Lakers Want to Become Repeat Champions

The Lakers host the Clippers in their season opener on Tuesday (Oct. 27) and know that in order to repeat their championship win last season the team has to remain healthy. Just over four months ago, the Lakers ended a seven-year championship drought in Orlando, and they are hoping to do it again this season. Since last season, the Lakers kept Lamar Odom, lost Trevor Ariza and added Ron Artest to the roster. Said General Manager Mitch Kupchack, “I think our biggest concern, as with most teams in the NBA that have a chance to contend, is staying healthy. Our coach knows how to handle the throttle for players in a 110-game season. I’m not that concerned with complacency or this team getting cocky. We have pretty good leadership and I wouldn’t call that a major concern. I think staying injury-free would be first and foremost our best shot to repeat.”

The championship ring ceremony will take place tonight (Oct. 26) at 7:15pm and Kupchak told the Los Angeles Times that he is ready to take home his new piece of jewelry saying, “The boxes will be a lot heavier. I’ve had a chance to preview the rings, and the box is going to be heavier and a little bigger than past boxes. A lot of bling.”

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

Lakers’ Luke Walton Continues to Recover from Back Injury

Lakers’ Luke Walton is back at practice after taking one-and-a-half weeks off due to  a back injury, and told the Los Angeles Times that he lost stamina but is anxious to get back on the court whenever Lakers Coach Phil Jackson will let him. Said Walton at practice Wednesday (Oct. 21), “I lost some of my stamina that I had built up in the first couple of weeks, but that’ll come back. Having to shut it down pretty much completely for a week made the legs get a little heavy.”

This isn’t the first time Walton has sustained an injury during the Lakers’ training camp (he has also had issues with his ankle and hamstring). Jackson told the Times, “His injury was somewhat of a fluke. That kind of thing happens to him. None of them have really been contact issues. They’ve been [from] running, [an] ankle, pulling up [a] hamstring. This one was the back. So we’re not too worried about this taking him out of rhythm.” Walton did not play in last night’s exhibition game against the Denver Nuggets at Anaheim’s Honda Center but may play tonight when the Lakers face off against the Nuggets again in Walton’s San Diego hometown.

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Permalink - Posted in General on October 23, 2009 - Post a comment


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