The (42-13) Los Angeles Lakers get back to action at the Staples Center by hosting the (33-18) Boston Celtics.
Another chapter in the long history of competition against their historic cross country rivals. Barring a return to the court reminiscent of Willis Reed of the Knicks in game seven of the 1970 NBA Finals, our Lakers will go into battle without Kobe Bryant.
Regardless of the teams records or what building the teams compete in whenever these teams play; it is a must-win game for the Lakers. They needs to continue to play with a sense of urgency and approach this as a Playoff game.
The Lakers are 4-0 without Kobe Bryant allowing him time to rest and heal. The frontline of Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, and Lamar Odom have been playing well by averaging 49.6 points and 33 rebounds in the first three games without the ‘Black Mamba’, but witnessing the starters combine for 88 points against the Warriors was impressive.
Andrew Bynum played well in his return from injury; he pumped in 21 points and grabbed seven boards. Lamar Odom was active on the glass by grabbing 18 rebounds. The trio of Gasol, Artest, and Odom off the bench shot poorly and will need to improve in that area.
As usual Boston again will attempt to be the more physical team and attempt to out-muscle the Lakers, they must be aware that their opponent will use this tactic and need to be prepared for it.
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The (41-13) Los Angeles Lakers are back to work and hosting the (14-37) Golden State Warriors.
The Purple and gold did an excellent job of finishing off the first half of the season, and went into the All-Star break making a strong statement without Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum.
After the All-Star break the Warriors appear to be more banged up than the Lakers. However, you can’t forget that this team beat Dallas with only six active players earlier in the season.
If he is able to go, tonight’s game will mark another Kobe Bryant milestone with his 1,000th game; he would also break the NBA record set by Kevin Garnett and become the youngest player to play 1,000 NBA games.
Andrew Bynum will also attempt a return from injury and play tonight.
There has been a lot of talk around town about moving Bynum which doesn’t make a lot of sense when you realize that despite his injuries he is only 22 years of age and has a lot of basketball ahead of him.
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The (40-13) Los Angeles Lakers are in Salt Lake City, Utah to face the (32-18) Jazz. The Energy Solutions Arena is a tough place to come out with a win at full strength, as evidenced by their 22-6 home record.
The Lakers won’t be at full strength for this game. The Lakers are still banged up; Andrew Bynum won’t play, Lamar missed practice due to a sore left foot, and Kobe Bryant will be a game time decision.
Kobe Bryant, like several other NBA players has dealt with a sprained ankle before, he knows his body better than anyone else, and he also knows that the team is playing for a Championship.
He has earned the right to make the call on playing tonight and in the All-Star game. However, I would like to see him sit out tonight, make an appearance at the All-Star game to fulfill his obligation of being a part of the event, run up and down the floor a few times and shut it down early in the first quarter.
This would provide him with a nice nine day break, so he will be rested and healthy for the beat down that will be administered to a certain team from Massachusetts on the 18th of February.
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The (39-13) Los Angeles Lakers are back at Staples Center to host the (29-20) San Antonio Spurs. The Purple and Gold hit the hardwood at home, after bouncing back from the loss to the Denver Nuggets.
The team made a definitive statement by beating the Trailblazers in Portland without Kobe Bryant. The Lakers assertion was loud and clear that we’re still here and the road to a Championship has to make a few stops at 1111 S. Figueroa Street.
Every Lakers fan knows that the team in general is banged up as well as Kobe Bryant in particular. The question has been out there for a while, “is he going to shut it down and rest for a game or two?” The answer had to be a yes, a road win was necessary, but really wasn’t expected.
To return to the Finals, the Lakers coaching staff knows that the team will have to overcome several uphill battles and challenges. They’re stuck in the role of the hunted as opposed to the hunter. They’re going to receive everyone’s best shot and have to respond.
Facing the Blazers without Kobe in Portland was a huge hurdle cleared, but what it did was prepare the team to play without their leader if necessary, allow Ron, Pau, and Lamar to lead the team. It forced the team to come together, get everyone involved, improved the confidence of the team, and force the players to run the offense to find solid high percentage shots and not look to Kobe to save them at the end of the game.
The Lakers lost to the Spurs 105-85 on January 12th, 2009. Andrew Bynum had a 23 point, eight rebound performance, although Kobe didn’t play in the fourth quarter due to back spasms. Both Andrew and Kobe are nursing injuries and in my opinion shouldn’t play in tonight’s game.
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The (38-12) Los Angeles Lakers are at the Staples Center to host the (33-16) Denver Nuggets.
Tonight’s run will be the second of three this season, the Lakers lost emphatically against the Nuggets on November 13th 2009 in Denver 105-79.
Normally this is a match up of two of the leagues premier scorers, but with Kobe Bryant and Carmello Anthony nursing injuries, I highly doubt either player will be at or near 100% tonight. Anthony has missed six straight games and is hoping to end that streak tonight. Joey Graham’s streak as a starter might also come to a close.
Kobe is still banged up, but being a true warrior he is aiming to play. You have applaud the training staff for having him able to play as well as Kobe’s mental toughness to remain focused, which is nothing new for the Lakers All-Time leading scorer.
Denver is currently the second best team in the West Conference, four games behind the Purple and Gold. The Nuggets feel that it is their time to take over supremacy of the Western Conference; our Lakers needs to send them the message that ‘it’s not your time’. The Lakers also owe the Nuggets a beat down after their last meeting.
Chauncey Billups was carrying the offense scoring and distributing in Anthony’s absence, but he is also dealing with an ankle injury. Ty Lawson is a formidable player that’s not afraid to run the offense. Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar will have to play solid defense and force him to change directions and go east and west, as opposed to north and south to avoid his dribble penetration. Lakers have to be aware of as well as limit the impact of J.R. Smith off the bench.
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The (37-12) Los Angeles Lakers are back at the Staples Center, they host the (24-23) Charlotte Bobcats. It is the first home game in two weeks; they ended their 8-game Grammy’s trip with a 5-3 record.
The fact of the matter is, that had the team knocked down their free throws, rebounded, got a consistent contribution from their bench, and executed down the stretch the Lakers would have returned home undefeated on the recently completed extended road trip.
Kobe Bryant became the Lakers’ All-Time leading scorer in the loss to the Grizzlies; he passed Hall of Famer Jerry “the Logo” West. He also became 14th All-Time with 25,208 points. It was great to hear Kobe speak of the honor of playing for the Purple and Gold, as well as discuss how Jerry West taught him so much about the game at a very young age.
Head Coach Phil Jackson is one win away from becoming the franchise leader in wins. Ironically Kobe Bryant and the Lakers haven’t had a lot of success against tonight’s opponent in Los Angeles or Charlotte for that matter. It’s hard to forget that in the last meeting at Staples Center, Kobe dropped 38 points on the pesky Bobcats and Andrew Bynum was ejected for a flagrant foul after knocking down Gerald Wallace as the Lakers lost to Charlotte. Andrew did post a double-double in that game with 24 points, 14 rebounds and six blocked shots.
The Bobcats are a team that plays very hard, competes and has given the Lakers problems. Hopefully, the team got a lot of rest because the Lakers needs to play with a high energy level and match the intensity that tonight’s opponent will bring.
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The (36-11) Los Angeles Lakers are in Boston to face the (29-15) Celtics.
It will be billed as a rivalry renewed. There’s no love lost in this game and make no mistake, this is a must-win game. Lakers need to approach this as a playoff game.
The Lakers are on a 3-game winning streak, 4-2 on this road trip and 7-3 in their last 10 games. The Celtics aren’t playing good basketball and are on a soon to expand two-game losing streak.
As we all know this is a marquee match-up in the NBA; it is also one of two games that the Lakers circle on the calendar every year the schedule is released.
This is the 47th game of the season and both teams have questions that need to be answered. The questions for the Lakers would be their health, bench scoring, and offensive rebounding. There’s a litany of questions for the Celtics; the main one, is this team too old to contend?
This is a game that the coaching staff won’t have to motivate the players; everyone knows what’s at stake — this game is a measuring stick for both teams. As usual Boston will attempt to be the more physical team and attempt to out-muscle Los Angeles, they must be aware that their opponent will use this tactic and need to be prepared for it.
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The (35-11) Los Angeles Lakers are in Philadelphia to face the (15-30) 76ers at the Wachovia Center.
Upon arriving in the city of brotherly love, you have to have an authentic Philly Cheesesteak. I’d suggest heading to the intersection of Ninth Street & Passyunk Avenue and participate in the city’s Cheesesteak Wars and decide for yourself if Pat’s King of Steaks or if Geno’s Steak’s makes a better Cheesesteak.
Despite the unnecessary hate from the Philly faithful, Kobe Bryant is returning to his childhood home and will drop 26+ points on the 76ers. It’s no mystery that Kobe isn’t a hero in his hometown or receives no love. He has won several games in Philadelphia.
Things could have been vastly different in the history of professional basketball in Philadelphia if someone in the 76′ers front office on June 26th 1996 had the insight or talent evaluation skills of Jerry West; Kobe Bryant would have been the choice instead of Allen Iverson. As a Lakers fan, all I can say is thank you and sorry for your loss.
As their record indicates, the Sixers have struggled all season. Philadelphia is a young team with a lot of talent although being a team that wants to get out in transition, they’ve struggled to run the Princeton offense preferred by Coach Eddie Jordan. The Princeton Offense is a structured one that calls for constant motion, passing, back-door cuts, and disciplined teamwork.
The Sixers have changed their starting lineup, replacing PG Louis Williams and PF Thaddeus Young with PG Jrue Holiday and PF Elton Brand. The Sixers start an undersized backcourt in 6′4″ Jrue Holiday and 6′ Allen Iverson.
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The (34-11) Los Angeles Lakers are in Indianapolis for a back-to-back road game at Conseco Fieldhouse against the (16-29) Pacers.
All season has been a struggle for the Pacers; they’re 5-5 in their last 10 games and a pedestrian 10-11 at home. The last time the Lakers played the Pacers, Kobe Bryant knocked down a game-winning 18-foot turnaround jumper with three seconds on the clock.
On L.A.’s last trip to Conseco Fieldhouse, Danny Granger led the Pacers back from a 15-point deficit, but it was Troy Murphy’s tip-in that sent L.A. home with a defeat.
The Lakers scored enough points and played well enough to win. However, all of the elements for a defeat were present. The Lakers missed 12-free throws, shot poorly from behind the arc, Indiana played with more energy, forced turnovers, answered every Laker run, and stayed in the game with their 3-point shooting.
Consequently, for the Lakers to secure back-to-back road wins, they will have to reverse the trend and eliminate the above-mentioned items. However, the Lakers have lost five of their last six games in Indiana.
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The (33-11) Los Angeles Lakers are in the District to face the (14-29) Washington Wizards.
It was great to see the fella’s head to the Nation’s capital and meet the president, again. Although it’s tad early, don’t be surprised to see the Purple and Gold back for another visit.
The Lakers, like every team in the league; have flaws, the team isn’t playing their best basketball right now and it’s no secret that they aren’t clicking on all cylinders. They usually play their best basketball at the end of the year when heading to the post-season. Surprisingly, they’re having problems with their perimeter defense and have gone 5-5 in their last ten games. This simply means that the Lakers have some issues that need to be corrected.
Lakers making a move by the trade deadline wouldn’t surprise me either. Don’t believe the media hype that states that the Lakers have fallen off, it is a known fact that the team is banged up. Despite that fact, as the teams record states the road to a Championship still will be decided on 1111 S. Figueroa Street.
However, a run against the Wizards could be just what the doctor ordered. A team attempting to get past the embarrassment AND lunacy of the unnecessary gun play by Gilbert Arenas, who starred locally at Grant High School and former Lakers first round draft pick Javaris Crittenton.
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The (42-13) Los Angeles Lakers get back to action at the Staples Center by hosting the (33-18) Boston Celtics.
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