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Archive for March, 2008

A Man Amongst Boys

Published by Ahmed Sedam on March 27, 2008 in Cougar's Take. 36 Comments

Lamar Odom has found his place. He has found his rhythm, his touch, and is showing how big his heart really is. Sure, he has shown moments of greatness. He has shown us what he is capable of, (2007 Playoffs). But now, Lakers fans, it appears that finally, Lamar Joseph Odom has arrived.

A boy out of South Side Jamaica Queens, in New York (no not 50 Cent), Lamar seemed destined for greatness. His 6’10” frame brought scouts in droves, as he was the number #1 High School Prospect in the country.

However, things have not always gone according to plan as his life has taken many tough detours that could never have been predicted. His mother died of colon cancer when Lamar was 12 years old, so his Grandma took over and raised a young Lamar. Lamar used the things he was taught, and instead of getting lost in the gang which filled New York suburbs, he used basketball to get him out of the ghetto.

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Ariza injury update: “I don’t feel any pain.”

Published by Chris Manning on March 27, 2008 in News. 7 Comments

More good injury news; if there is such a thing. This time it’s an Ariza update…

P.E.com: Trevor Ariza shot free throws Tuesday at practice, just a small step in his recovery from a fractured right foot. Ariza has missed the past 35 games and is not sure when he might return. His goal is to play before the playoffs begin in mid-April.

“Everything is going well, except that the bottom of my foot. That’s where the bone is still chipped,” he said. “We’re trying to get this healed. Once that’s healed, we’re in motion.”

Ariza, who had become a regular off the bench for the Lakers as a good defender and slasher to the basket, has been working on the treadmill.

“I don’t feel any pain,” he said.

Bobcats build hole Kobe, Lakers can’t escape

Published by Jim Murdoc on March 26, 2008 in Postgame Comments. 28 Comments

ESPN: Jason Richardson had 34 points and 10 rebounds, and the Charlotte Hornets stunned the Los Angeles Lakers 108-95 on Wednesday night in a game where Kobe Bryant drew two technical fouls in a span of 29 seconds late in the fourth quarter and was ejected.

The loss dropped the Lakers (49-23) into a three-way tie for second place in the Western Conference with Houston and San Antonio. They trail the New Orleans Hornets by one game.

Matt Carroll added 18 points and Gerald Wallace had 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Bobcats (26-56), who won for just the second time in eight games and snapped a six-game road losing streak.

Raymond Felton added 13 points and 10 assists and Emeka Okafor had 11 points and 11 rebounds for Charlotte, which outrebounded the Lakers 52-40.

Bryant had 27 points and six rebounds before leaving with 3:40 left and the Bobcats leading 99-86. Lamar Odom had 18 points and nine rebounds, Ronnie Turiaf scored 12 and Sasha Vujacic and Luke Walton added 11 each for the Lakers.

Lakers center Pau Gasol missed his seventh straight game with a sprained left ankle. He said before the game he aggravated the injury earlier this week, and hopes to return by next Wednesday.

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Rumor: Kobe to be suspended?

Published by Jim Murdoc on March 26, 2008 in Kobe Watch. 83 Comments

Kobe Bryant received both T’s around the end of the 4th quarter, one more and his suspended one game. We are still trying to see if they carry over into the post-season, but now the rumor is he might be suspended for the manner in which he earned the 2nd technical:

OC Register: It was a loss that saw Bryant firing missed jumpers all over the Staples Center court — and then leaving the court early via an ejection that leaves him on the brink of NBA suspension.

That’s separate from the possibility that Bryant could be suspended for what got him ejected — kicking the ball at referee David Jones — and yelling one last loud expletive at him before exiting.

Gasol eyes on Wednesday return

Published by Jim Murdoc on March 26, 2008 in Articles. 11 Comments

Lakers Blog: Pau Gasol was in the locker room before the game, and the situation is basically as follows: Trying to increase his activity on the ankle, he experienced a recurrence of the swelling. So no more activity. And keep in mind, “activity” doesn’t mean full court scrimmages, mountain climbing, or touch football in the park. It’s anything that would be considered a step past total lack of motion. So Friday is out, as is Sunday, and he’s aiming now for Wednesday against Portland.

Says Pau:

“I don’t enjoy sitting, and it’s frustrating. I like to be out there, and think we’re in a great spot and a great situation. That’s what it’s all about. I’m thinking two more games and then we have the two days right after the Sunday game. Monday and Tuesday we don’t play, so it looks like Wednesday could be a reasonable date. I guess that’s what I have in mind right now.”

On Ronny, Gasol expressed confidence in Ronny Turiaf, who has done a good job in his absence. He did, however, mention that when Ronny is wide open, he might want to shoot, instead of overpassing. Sage advice indeed.

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Radman to sign autographs at City Walk this Sat!

Published by Chris Manning on March 26, 2008 in Random. 4 Comments

If you’re in the area, stop by for a “rad” time with Radman.

Vladimir Radmanovic will be at the TEAM LA Store this Saturday, March 29th to promote and create awareness for the Lakers and the Vladimir Radmanovic Children’s Foundation. He will sign autographs & take photographs for one hour while meeting and greeting Laker fans. In addition to TEAM LA giveaways & raffles, and a chance to meet the Los Angeles Laker Girls. Valet parking is available and can be validated for a free hour.

WHO: Los Angeles Lakers Forward, Vladimir Radmanovic & the Laker Girls.

WHEN: March 29th, from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: TEAM L.A. Universal City Walk Store
1000 Universal City Drive
Universal City, CA
(818) 509-3090

Bill Simmons on Lakers coming out of West

Published by Chris Manning on March 26, 2008 in Articles. 10 Comments

Bill wrote an article on the teams in the West and who will come out. He listed the Lakers as #1.

ESPN: 1. LOS ANGELES (49-22)

Scouting report: This team has everything you’d ever conceivably want in a playoff contender — a superstar, two more scoring options, a low-post player who has to be double-teamed, a shotblocker, multiple three-point shooters, a bench that can affect games, a superior coaching staff, and most importantly, a scorer who’s going to get every borderline call in a close game because he’s Kobe Bryant … if they’re healthy and running on all cylinders, they have the highest ceiling of any playoff team … of course, we don’t know if they’re healthy yet, so all bets are off … they’re most vulnerable in round one as they’re working back Bynum and Gasol into the rotation, which is what makes a potential Lakers-Warriors series so damned tantalizing.

Biggest strength: Whether they win the title or not, it’s been a sincere pleasure as a basketball fan to watch Kobe tap into his talents, trust his teammates, pick his spots, forget about statistics and become the player we always wanted him to be. Whether he wins the MVP award or Chris Paul wins it, we haven’t seen two better individual seasons in the same year since Jordan and Barkley in 1993 … and if you throw in the fact that LeBron is averaging an absurd 31-8-8 right now, you’d have to go back to Bird, Magic and M.J. in ‘88. Holy schmoley. Should I write the word “amazing” again? Probably not. This season has turned me into “The Bachelor.”

Biggest weakness: I know he’s been playing out of his mind lately, but I still don’t trust Lamar Odom. During regulation of Monday’s Warriors game, he went to the line in the final few seconds with a one-point lead, endured a few taunts and standing-in-front-of-him maneuvers from Davis and Jackson … and eventually, he had this weird smile on his face, almost like the smile a boxer gets right before he’s about to get knocked out. Of course, he missed the first free throw. Mark my words — there’s going to be at least one monster moment in April, May or June when Odom has to come through in a humongous spot for the Lakers. And he won’t.

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TLN’s Game Preview: Lakers vs. Bobcats

Published by Jonathan Somers-Harris on March 25, 2008 in Jonny's Game Preview. 45 Comments

lach.jpg

Today I’m not going to do any Marquee Match-Ups or playing coach. Instead I’d like for this thread to be more about you guys discussing the last eleven games of the season, and the impending return of our key players.

I will resume normal postage come Friday, when the grudge match against Memphis ensues (Well, they’ll have a grudge)!

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