Routine is good for Lakers in win over Warriors

Nothing special about this one. Nothing to send chills down spines or make palms sweaty. Nothing to make anyone take special notice. The Lakers took care of business Sunday night by beating up on the defenseless Golden State Warriors, 130-113, in front of a sellout crowd of 18,997 at Staples Center. Nothing surprising whatsoever about the Lakers' final win in 2008. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers' march to an all-too-predictable victory by scoring 31 points on 9-for-15 shooting. He also made all 10 of his free throws and had four assists and three rebounds. He did not play in the fourth quarter. "He's not just the best player in the league," Golden State coach Don Nelson said of the NBA's reigning MVP. "But he's also probably the best leader, the way he leads these guys and directs them and lets them succeed. "He could get 50 points any time he wanted, I am sure. ... Kobe makes (the Lakers) better. You...read full article

Mihm wants to remain a Laker

Chris Mihm has read the reports, and hopes they are false. He said Sunday he has no desire to pack his bags. He hopes to stick with a winner rather than move halfway across the country to play with a team with a losing record. But the Western Conference-leading Lakers reportedly are willing to trade the 7-foot Mihm to the Milwaukee Bucks to re-acquire backup guard Tyronn Lue. They need help in the backcourt after Jordan Farmar underwent knee surgery last week. Lue could serve as Derek Fisher's backup, a role he held earlier in this decade. Mihm almost certainly would play a greater role with the Bucks, scoring more points in more minutes than with the Lakers. He said he would gladly swap points and minutes for a championship ring with the Lakers, however. "I'm happy here," he...read full article

Lakers have Sasha, why make a trade?

With Farmar out, give the shooter more minutes.

Not just because Jordan Farmar, with the added kick of youth in his recovery, is such a hard worker that rehab will more likely go better than worse. Not just because Derek Fisher is a lot smarter than your average 34-year-old pro athlete about managing himself and his minutes.
Not just because Milwaukee showcased Tyronn Lue for the Lakers on Saturday night and he couldn’t stick with Allen Iverson or hit a single shot in seven attempts. The Lakers should go with more Sasha just because life is so much more interesting with him. Sasha Vujacic licks his fingers and wets down his eyebrows before shooting free throws. He has lip-reading conversations with courtside fan David Beckham way across the Staples Center floor...read full article

Ronny Turiaf gets a warm welcome in return to Staples Center

The energetic Golden State forward plays against his former teammates with the Lakers and receives an ovation from the L.A. fans.

Ronny Turiaf, the energetic face of the Lakers' reserves in seasons past, walked into a different locker room on Sunday, the one that's 100 feet down the hall from his old one at Staples Center. He is in his first season with Golden State after signing a four-year, $17-million contract during the off-season, increasing his annual salary by more than five times what he made with the Lakers last season. But he still misses his old locker room, and its inhabitants. "I talk to them on a daily basis," he said. "I know for a fact they miss me too." Turiaf, 25, was the main name to leave the Lakers last summer, signing an offer sheet with the Warriors that was not matched by...read full article

Lakers retain enough of the Christmas spirit

Although lacking the fever pitch of Dec. 25 win over Celtics, they avoid a letdown to easily defeat Warriors.

So, there was no letdown by the Lakers. Instead, they forged ahead, leaving behind the hyped Christmas Day game against the NBA champion Celtics, living in the now and not Thursday's big-time win over Boston. The plan was for the Lakers to build on the momentum of the Boston win, to jump over Golden State on Sunday night, which they did in throttling the Warriors, 130-113, at Staples Center. This was the same Warriors team that upset the Celtics on Friday night in Oakland. The Lakers took notice of that and vowed not to let it happen to...read full article

Another impressive victory for the Lakers

They do something Sunday they have rarely done this season: dominate a bad team.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled program. With all the excitement about the Christmas game, a prelude to the hoped-for Finals rematch, nobody bothered to explain what happens between now and June. The Lakers will play a lot more games, that's what will happen. With only 30 in the book, that leaves 52, 49 against teams other than Boston and Cleveland. Fittingly, the rest of the Lakers' lives started Sunday with ragtag 9-22 Golden State. In other words, the Warriors were exactly the kind of team the Lakers had been waltzing with deep into fourth quarters before getting serious enough to play hard...read full article

Sasha Vujacic gets shot at the point for Lakers

Known more for being a shooter, the guard has received more minutes running the show in the absence of Jordan Farmar.

The Lakers have a void at point guard because of an injury. In Sasha Vujacic's eyes, he is capable of filling that role. The Lakers have a need for a backup point guard because Jordan Farmar had surgery on his left knee for torn cartilage and will be out for eight weeks. Vujacic pointed out he came into the NBA as a point guard. He also pointed out how in Lakers Coach Phil Jackson's offense there is a two-guard front in which both guards can facilitate the offense. "Phil knows that I can play at that position," Vujacic said. "I really feel...read full article

Lakers vs Celtics Christmas Day Pau Gasol's Awesome 3 Point Play

Pau Gasol didn't do well in the first 3 quarters against the Celtics but made it happen in the final 3 minutes of the game when it counted the most. He scored 7 points and blocked 2 shots during those last minutes pushing the Lakers to a 92-83 victory. Watch the Lakers fans reaction.

Lakers vs Celtics Raja Rondo Injury fake?

Remember when Paul Pierce faked his injury at the NBA finals last year? When Raja Rondo got hit by Pau Gasol to the chest and fell to the floor...the fans started to boooooooo!!! Watch the reaction of the fans.