UPDATE: The Pre-ordered TLN Shirts will be shipped this Friday. Enjoy. If you haven't pre-ordered yet, what are you waitin' for? Do it now!

Author Archive for Katie Spaeder

TLN’s Post-Game Report: Lakers vs. Bulls

Published by Katie Spaeder on November 19, 2008 in Katie's Postgame. 32 Comments

This game was much different than the game on Friday when we faced the Pistons. We started the game slow, but Lakers pretty much took control of the game from the second half on.

The Bulls were able to cut the lead to single digits in the fourth quarter, but it was the Lakers defense that never allowed the game to be put in jeopardy of being lost.

I was a little disappointed that we allowed them to score 109 points, seeing that they’re a team that averages below 100 game, but keeping their field goal percentage at 43% made up for it. The 16 steals and 11 blocks the Lakers had, made up for it as well.

Continue reading ‘TLN’s Post-Game Report: Lakers vs. Bulls’

TLN’s Post-Game Report: Lakers vs. Pistons

Published by Katie Spaeder on November 15, 2008 in Katie's Postgame. 45 Comments

Those who thought we were going to go 82-0 or who thought this game would be an easy win are going to be disappointed.

The Lakers started the game poorly and played that way pretty much the rest of the game.

They were able to get some good looks in the first quarter, but they couldn’t knock them down. The only bright spot during that time was the offensive boards our bigs were getting, but even then we had a hard time converting them into second chance points.

Continue reading ‘TLN’s Post-Game Report: Lakers vs. Pistons’

TLN’s Post-Game Report: Lakers vs. Clippers

Published by Katie Spaeder on October 30, 2008 in Katie's Postgame. 17 Comments


Wow. I’m not sure what to say about this win except that the Lakers made the Clippers look like a high school team. It’s hard to believe it was us who played last night, not the Clippers.

The Lakers started out strong, leading 12-4 early in the first quarter until Baron Davis and the Clippers forced turnovers and broke down our defense. They went on a 23-14 run, briefly taking a 27-26 lead before Kobe Bryant made a technical free throw and Trevor Ariza hit a 3-point shot at the buzzer to take the lead at the end the first quarter.

The Clippers were able to keep it close up until mid-way through the second quarter, when the Lakers second unit, lead by Jordan Farmar, took over. They continued to blow open the lead and it wasn’t even really close after that. They ended the night handing the Clippers a 38-point loss in their season opener.

Overall, the whole team played excellent basketball tonight. The defense was not top notch as it could have been in the first half and the Clippers seemed to be getting into the paint at free will, but it picked up when our second unit came in.

Continue reading ‘TLN’s Post-Game Report: Lakers vs. Clippers’

The Pre-Season Outline

Published by Katie Spaeder on October 25, 2008 in Katie's Take. 16 Comments

Another preseason has come and gone, and it is time to look back and reflect on what we’ve seen from our young team.

The headline of this preseason was obviously the return of our young center, Andrew Bynum. He came into this preseason looking like a man-child — I could hardly recognize him at first. It made me so eager to see him take the floor for the first time since January, that when he actually did, it gave me the chills. You can tell he’s not quite 100%, as he does not have the explosiveness to go up for dunks and blocking shots that he once had, but he’s showing he’s getting back to “pre-injury form” each game.

If there were any doubt whether he and Pau Gasol, or “Bryant’s Giants” (my choice for the new nickname) would work, it should be put to rest. The two have gelled nicely and faster than I expected. They have been active in looking for each other on the court, and we have seen Bynum be on the receiving end of some great passes in the post, most made by Gasol. Having them in the lineup together has taken pressure off of Gasol, and he’s been hitting mid-range jumpers throughout the preseason consistently.

Continue reading ‘The Pre-Season Outline’

TLN’s Post-Game Report: Lakers vs. Clippers

Published by Katie Spaeder on October 10, 2008 in Katie's Postgame. 31 Comments

Hello, Lakers Nation!

I’m Katie and I’ll be backing up Steve Avery when he’s unable to provide you with those post game reports we’ve grown to love. I’m very excited about this upcoming season and my hope is that you all enjoy what I have to say and welcome me with open arms.

Now on to my first post-game…

Well, for the first time we saw what will most likely be our starting lineup. Unfortunately, it failed to impress me. Bynum and Pau seemed to play well together, but as expected, Lamar looked lost. I’m not ready to call it a complete failure ‘cause it will take time for them to gel, but they definitely have some work to do.

Continue reading ‘TLN’s Post-Game Report: Lakers vs. Clippers’

Shaquille O’Neal on Kobe Bryant

Published by Katie Spaeder on October 9, 2008 in Kobe Watch. 14 Comments

To get us prepared for the upcoming season, ESPN conducted an interviewed the one the only “Big Cactus.”

He was all praise for our MVP and team USA, and shared his thoughts on players like Kobe and LeBron getting offers to play overseas.

He was later questioned about his favorite moments with his former teams, stating “playing with one of the greatest players ever – Kobe Bryant” was his favorite when he was a Laker.

He went on to say the rivalry and tension between the two was fun and it made them play better, claiming it ultimately made it the key to their success when they won the three championships together.

The inevitable “Kobe can’t do without me” rap was brought up and Shaq being himself tried his best to blow it off saying it was entertainment and it was the media who misconstrued the whole ordeal. However, he made it clear he did personally apologize to Kobe about the incident.