Coming off a victorious showing against the hated Boston Celtics, a letdown was nowhere to be found as the Lakers recently handled the Golden State Warriors with ease.
All is well in Lakerland (aside from the injury to Farmar). However, there’s always room for some good questions, some deep thoughts, and a little bit of “The Truth”. Let the truth be told.
On the biggest stage this season, in the highest rated regular-season NBA game in four years, the Los Angeles Lakers made a strong statement by ending Boston’s 19-game winning streak.
+Continue Reading
![]()
From George Mikan, who led the Minneapolis Lakers to five NBA championships, Wilt Chamberlain, the Lakers all-time leader in field goal percentage, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, to Shaq Diesel. The list of those who have anchored the Center position for the Los Angeles Lakers reads like a basketball all-time hall of fame induction.
Andrew Bynum, the latest big man in the middle, is a key component to this year’s squad which boasts the association’s best record. The seven footer nicknamed “A-Train” from St. Joseph High School in New Jersey makes his presence known with 2.5 blocks per game, a key reason why the Los Angeles Lakers are a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end holding opposing teams to under 93.00 PPG and a field goal percentage of 42.9 making for a league-leading +13.25 point differential.
+Continue Reading
![]()
When in battle, it’s good to have options. On the front lines, there are weapons and then there are weapons that annihilate the opposition. In the NBA, having a artillery of basketball talent, athleticism, experience, heart, and sheer will make for a complete and devastating arsenal, exactly the kind of weaponry that wins championships.
On any given night, opponents of the heavily armed and dangerous Los Angeles Lakers are going to bring everything they got to the hardwood. Coaches will throw everything they have at the Purple and Gold which, of course, is a complete testament to the respect, fear, and appreciation that the Mamba and crew command.
The 2008-09’ Los Angeles Lakers have the luxury of countering with their own arsenal of basketball assassins which includes the likes of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Derek Fisher, Vlad Radmanovic, and Kobe Bryant, a starting line-up that towers above the competition. The preceding group of basketball talento makes things very miserable for opposing teams especially when they run on all cylinders. If things start to slow down and Coach Phil Jackson finds his troops struggling, he just calls a timeout and, like a true General, calls upon his bench.
+Continue Reading
![]()
We find it easy to muster up tons of appreciation for Trevor Ariza and his ability to play some game changing defense but one thing that has been quite a surprise this season is Trevor’s ability to hit the trey. The 6’ 8” 210lb forward from UCLA is hitting an impressive 80% of his three-point shots adding a whole new dimension to the Lakers lineup.
Of course, it’s still early in the NBA season but if Trevor can continue to knock down shots from beyond the arc, the Lakers’ opponents are going to have one heck of a time trying to match up.
Ariza brings such a dynamic aspect to the team and seems to make an impact every time he steps on the court. His relentless energy and playmaking ability have been key to the Lakers early season success.
When healthy, Trevor Ariza has made a significant impact reminding us of one Ron Harper, who played a key role on the Lakers back-to-back title runs of 2000 and 2001 and Rick Fox, another great role player. Both Fox and Harper made an enormous contribution to the Lakers title runs.
The headliners fill the seats but it’s the role players that make a world of difference and teams are going to have to take notice of #3 or pay the consequences.
Trying to stop the 2008 Los Angeles Lakers is no easy task as opponents will have to pick their poison with the likes of Andrew Bynum, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, and the Mamba himself, Kobe Bryant. A few long range bombs from downtown will only make things miserable for defenders who play off Ariza, completely opening up the middle for Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. As would be defenders struggle between double teams or allowing the rain to pour down. This adds an important dimension to the Purple and Gold.
Suffocating defense is one thing but an athletic playmaker that can shoot the rock from three-point range brings a whole new level of depth to an already stacked Lakers bench. Hopefully, Trevor Ariza can maintain his shooting touch giving Coach Phil Jackson plenty of reason to keep him out on the floor and opposing coaches stuck in a tail spin.
![]()
Loading ...
