The Lakers Nation

Now that it’s real
Now that the dreams have given all they had to lend
I want to know do I stay or do I go
And maybe try another time
And do I really have a hand in my forgetting ?

- Nico

After marinating in a 39-point loss (I swear I will stop mentioning it. It is just great motivation) for over four months, it is fantastic to taste something different.

Last night, the Lakers opened their 2008-09 season with a 20-point boatracing of the Portland Trailblazers, and as I thought, the Oden/Bynum matchup was a whole lot of nothing. Oden rolled his ankle in the second quarter and hit the showers with 0 points in 13 minutes of play (he did have one heck of a block, though).

So as game two of eighty-two approaches, the Lakers look to improve upon the schematics that they utilized last night. Lamar looked comfortable coming off the bench, Trevor looked to make a highlight every time he touched the ball, and with less than stellar performances from Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic, the Lakers have left much to be desired even with a more than satisfying opening night victory.

Continue reading ‘TLN’s Game Preview: Lakers vs. Clippers’

After an unassuming loss to Utah Tuesday night in Anaheim, the Laker preseason Tour de Love rolls up to the bleeding heart of the Golden State’s Central Valley.

A bastion of both agriculture and a newspaper called the Bee, the Lakers venture to Fresno, California, for tonight’s second preseason contest against inter-city rivals and Staples Center co-tenants, the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers come into their first preseason contest on the heels of the resignation/firing/deportation of longtime General Manager and Laker Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor, in addition to fielding a roster of which only four are returning from last season.

With newcomers Baron Davis, Marcus Camby and rookie Eric Gordon leading the new Clipper charge, the Red, White and Blue across the hall look to become something more than an afterthought in Los Angeles basketball lexicon.

Continue reading ‘TLN’s Game Preview: Lakers vs. Clippers’

When you see the words “Varsity Shootaround” above a pregame article you have come to expect a certain tone: Light, airy, and irreverent.

I’ll probably make some joke about how Rajon Rondo looks like a kitty cat or how Doc Rivers’ face looks like it is made of a Fruit Roll-Up.

I will most likely write about Kobe and Phil. I’ll express my hope that Lamar Odom decides to play basketball on that given night. I will give you storylines. I’ll offer a silly prize for the winner of the trivia challenge.

I usually have a structure. A formula that I try to follow to provide the Lakers Nation with a pregame primer that may or may not provide some gem of wisdom that has not been spouted off about already. I try to convey hope and optimism to the people (I do not do this as well as Vic the Brick, but hell, I try).

Not tonight.

Continue reading ‘TLN’s Finals Preview: Lakers vs. Celtics [Game 5]‘