The Lakers Nation

Kobe ‘no problem with sitting’, could miss All Star

Marwan Marzina — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:48:10 +0000

Kobe looks like he is enjoying his rest but his ankle has yet to say that.

O.C. Register: Bryant said he doesn’t have a problem missing a game because of an injury; that too much is made of his “warrior” mentality. He went so far as to say that if the ankle doesn’t respond to treatment, he would sit out the All-Star game.

“People make a little bit too much of that,” Bryant said. “I’m not an idiot. I’m not going to run through a wall just to run through a wall. Injury-wise, if I feel I can play through it, I will. If it can heal while I’m playing, I’ll play.

“But if it’s the type of injury that playing will make it worse, I won’t play.”

Minor Injuries add up to semi-major injuries

Marwan Marzina — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:48:19 +0000

The Lakers have been playing great with the injuries, but still, no injuries would be GREAT!

L.A. Times: The injury bug stayed away from the Lakers a year ago, leaving them alone on their path to a 15th NBA championship.

Kobe Bryant played all 82 regular-season games, as did Derek Fisher and Trevor Ariza. Pau Gasol missed one game. Lamar Odom missed four.

Andrew Bynum’s knee was their only injury of note, keeping him out of 32 games, but it’s been a different story this season.

Gasol has already missed 17 games because of hamstring injuries. Ron Artest missed five games because of a concussion. Bynum has missed three games and Bryant has now missed two games because of a sprained left ankle.

The Lakers are getting nickel-and-dimed by injuries, a five-gamer here, a 10-gamer there.

“When it rains, it pours,” Odom said. “With all the games we play and how much we practice, it’s kind of bound to happen. It’s just when and who it happens to.”

Continue reading ‘Minor injuries add up to semi-major injuries’

TLN’s Postgame Report: Lakers vs. Spurs – Frontline and Center

Anna Gonda — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:48:58 +0000

Rejuvenated. Energized. Poised. That is how the Lakers played tonight against a veteran San Antonio team.

For the second game in a row without Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum, the Lakers came in with no excuses. No missing teammates would derail them from winning. No loss in scoring and defensive options would stand in their way. The Spurs had beaten them by 20 points in the last meeting, but tonight was not about revenge. Tonight, like Saturday in Portland, the goal was just to win another game.

To win how they did tonight, however, was reminiscent of a style that has been lost on this team periodically this season — Championship-caliber basketball.

The Lakers, again, played excellent team ball, with Odom, Gasol and Artest leading the charge. Together they scored 55 points, seized 34 rebounds, and handed out 15 assists, not to mention Gasol’s 5 blocks.

The frontcourt’s mission to dominate was clear early on, and their aggressiveness on both ends of the court was undeniable.

Odom, in particular, punished San Antonio all evening, doing just about everything he wanted to do; curling around his defender for a lay up, splitting double teams for an emphatic dunk, passing to a running Gasol, and fighting for rebounds.

When asked what he planned to do with Odom in the 2nd quarter, Coach Popovich thought for a second and replied, “We just have to find somebody who can defend him.” Simple enough request, difficult to execute, especially when Odom is the primary ball handler on the floor.

Guard play is not to be overlooked. Fisher was, again, aggressive offensively, hitting 6-9 shots for 13 points and managed 3 assists. With Brown starting in place of Bryant, Farmar and Vujacic led the bench, combining for 8-10 shots, three from downtown.

What really won this game for the Lakers, however, was their team defense and ball movement. After allowing San Antonio 34 points in the first quarter, they allowed only 55 points over the final three periods. After committing 7 turnovers in the first half, the Lakers only committed 2 in the second.

This win, by and large, would have meant much more for a Spurs team whose identity is yet to be determined and whose chances at another title this season are possible but improbable. They added seven new players to their roster and it showed in their inability to figure out a victory against a team missing two of its biggest scorers and defenders. Other than the triple-threat trio of Duncan, Parker and Ginobli, there wasn’t much contribution from anyone else in a Spurs uniform.

In stark contrast to a Lakers team who has been playing together for several years and who appear to have turned a corner. Without their best player and without their young center, they have managed to win over teams in convincing fashion.

Nevertheless, another test awaits… in Utah.

Pre-game Thoughts: Kobe out. Andrew out. Might be a long night.

Half-time Thoughts: 3-point lead after Jordan Farmar glued himself to Tony Parker, avoiding any last-second points for the Spurs to end the half.

Most Thoughtless Player of the Game: No one. The Lakers played as well as they could play without Kobe and Andrew.

Most Thought-filled Player of the Game: Lakers front court — Pau, Lamar and Ron

TLN’s Game Report: Lakers vs. Spurs

Jeff Little — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:04:11 +0000

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.

I realize that having both sit out is a lot of production to have to do without, but after seeing how more playing time agreed with the team in Portland, I think it is time to keep both starters out to continue to heal. Denver is still the second best team in the West, they won’t catch the Lakers although with more time to heal when both return each will be fresher as well as closer to 100%.

The task at hand will be slowing down the Spurs big three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli. Lakers needs to be very active defensively, stop the dribble penetration of Tony Parker and force him to shoot a jump shot as opposed to allowing him to hurt the Lakers with the dribble drive or his patented one-man fast break.

Roger Mason and George Mason all do a good job of spotting up behind the arc and knocking down open shots. The main difference is a resurgent Tim Duncan and his production in the painted area. The Lakers need to play solid defense without fouling, control the tempo, be physical, and out-rebound this team.

The Lakers need to come out of the locker room aggressive and attack the basket. The Lakers need to play solid defense without fouling, defend out to the three point line, be physical and out-rebound this team. They can win this game by running their offense, taking care of the ball, and knocking down open shots and executing down the stretch.

Tip-off: 7:30 PM PST

Television -

Los Angeles: TNT
San Antonio: TNT

Radio -

Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (Spero Dedes & Mychal Thompson)
San Antonio: WOAI-AM 1200 (Bill Schoening)

Injuries -

Lakers:

Andrew Bynum (Hip)
Kobe Bryant ( Avulsion fracture of his right index finger, Sprained Left Ankle)

Spurs:

PG Tony Parker (Sprained Ankle)
SG Michael Finley (Ankle)

Bryant, Pierce and Anthony Questionable for NBA All-Star Game

Chris Manning — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:12:28 +0000

Too bad injuries have plagued a lot of the All-Stars, though, Kobe HAS played hurt before in the All-Star game.

NESN: As Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game at Cowboys Stadium draws closer, the lineup is becoming more and more uncertain. Injuries have plagued the top players on the roster. Brandon Roy already has pulled out of the game, and Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce and Carmelo Anthony remain question marks.

Bryant undergoes MRI for ankle; gametime decision

Chris Manning — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:17:56 +0000

I’m glad he’s getting it checked rather than just playing through it. Either way, looks like we’ll most likely have another Kobe-less lineup.

Lakers BasketBlog: Kobe Bryant, who on Saturday in Portland missed his first game since Dec. 8, 2006, had an MRI exam on his sprained ankle Monday morning and is a game-time decision for the San Antonio game.Phil Jackson said after Monday’s shootaround that the results of the exam would not be available until later on in the evening. Jackson will likely address the issue during his pregame media session at STAPLES Center.

Bynum probably out; Kobe in doubt

Marwan Marzina — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:04:59 +0000

Looks like Lakers will be without 2 starters tonight.

ESPN: Kobe Bryant did not participate in the team’s shootaround and spent the time undergoing “diagnostic tests” on his sprained left ankle, according to Lakers coach Phil Jackson. Andrew Bynum, who suffered a bruised right hip that caused him to sit out the second half of Los Angeles’ win in Portland on Saturday, is probably not going to play, according to Jackson.

“He had some discomfort and can’t move very well,” Jackson said. Bynum is also dealing with a swollen left knee that he injured last week against the Bobcats when he collided knee-to-knee with Charlotte’s Stephen Jackson.

Tex Winter had advice for the Lakers

Marwan Marzina — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:41:46 +0000

Tex’s value to the Lakers can’t be measured.

Before the game against Portland on Saturday, Tex Winter, wearing a black Lakers jersey, paid a visit to Phil’s office. He had some words with the coach and then asked to speak to the team, and his words to the team…

Twitter: There is no substitute for hustle, but if you don’t hustle there will be substitute

And as surprising as it sounds, it actually got to the Lakers with Lamar grabbing a career high 22 rebounds and the Lakers flying everywhere to get every loose ball possible. The man that brought the triangle offense to the Lakers brings much more to the team, the love for the franchise and years of dedication to help make this franchise what it is today, along with his vast knowledge of the game.

Bryant listed “questionable,” Bynum as “more doubtful” for Spurs game

Chris Manning — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:15:22 +0000

Here is a small injury update on Bryant and Bynum…

L.A. Times: The Lakers listed Bryant as questionable for Monday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center and Bynum as “more doubtful.”

Jackson: Players are wearing down

Chris Manning — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:04:02 +0000

Phil gave his thoughts on the players and fatigue.

Daily News: Lakers head coach Phil Jackson is thinking about giving his team some additional rest as the playoffs approach.

“I noticed they fell asleep on the plane last night, which is unusual for them,” Jackson said of how different his team looked from Friday night to Saturday morning. “They’re night owls. They all sleep in the morning when we fly in the mornings.”

Jackson called off their morning shootaround and held a film session on Saturday.

“You can see a drain on players all around the league,” he said. “Last night, I was watching Minnesota beat Dallas by 10, Orlando got beat by Washington. You see guys who are struggling, veteran players who play a lot of games.”

Jackson has already curtailed the team’s practice schedule.

“We really haven’t had a practice in two weeks,” Jackson said. “These guys rejoice in it because practice is practice. I get to work ‘em out the way I want to get it done. There are some joys to just playing games.”

Continue reading ‘Jackson: Players are wearing down’