NBA Selling Lakers' T-Shirts in Celtics Green

Let's say you're a Lakers fan. You're feeling pretty good about yourself, considering the beat-down L.A. gave to the Spurs on Sunday, and to celebrate, you decide to head on over to NBA.com and shop for some new gear. You click on "shop." You click on "Lakers." You click on "Mens." You click on "T-Shirts." And then, you're completely horrified. Because at that point, staring you in the face is this monstrosity: a St. Patrick's Day version of a Lakers' t-shirt, in all of its disgusting Celtics' green glory, and with a freaking shamrock on the sleeve to match. You've got to be...read full article

Charlotte Bobcats (18-26) at Los Angeles Lakers (35-8), 10:30 p.m.

The improving Charlotte Bobcats face one of their toughest tests Tuesday in Hollywood as they take on one of the NBA's best teams, the Los Angeles Lakers, at Staples Center. The Bobcats lost the opener of a five-game road trip Sunday in Indianapolis when budding star Danny Granger finished with 27 points and six rebounds, as the Indiana Pacers held on for a 98-93 win over Charlotte. Boris Diaw and Raja Bell each had 18 points for the Bobcats, who had won two straight coming in. Emeka Okafor finished with 14 points and eight boards, while Raymond...read full article

NBA Power Rankings: Lakers, Celtics Back On Top

The big bad twosome that dominating the top of Outsider's power rankings in 2008 is back at the top for the first time in '09. Orlando dropped three spots to number four after topping my rankings last week, while the Miami Heat have surged into the top 10 for the first time this season.

1. Los Angeles Lakers (35-8) - Fresh off a 14-point spanking of the rival Spurs, the Lakers are now completely healthy and getting big-time contributions from Gasol and Bynum to go along with Kobe. At this point, the West is pretty much theirs to lose.

2. Boston Celtics (37-9) - The C's couldn't have had a much better week after...read full article

James, Bynum earn NBA weekly honors

The Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers' Andrew Bynum have been named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for the period ending January 25. James guided the Cavaliers to a 3-1 record during a week-long West Coast swing, averaging 30.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 2.3 steals, per contest. He recorded his twelfth double-double of the season with a 33-point, 14-rebound effort on January 24 in a win against Utah. Bynum averaged 23.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.25 blocks...read full article

Lakers' final home game before trip is no walkover

The Lakers play host Tuesday to the Charlotte Bobcats, a team they have lost to four of the last five games. After that is a six-game trip and 22 road games over the next 31. The Lakers will roll over the hapless Charlotte Bobcats tonight by 20 points, maybe 30, before finally hitting the road for a six-game trip that begins Friday and ends with stops in Boston and Cleveland. Wait a sec. The Lakers have lost four of their last five to the Bobcats? A check of the box sores would confirm it, including a humbling 108-95 surprise last...read full article

LAKERS STAKE CLAIM AS BEST IN THE WEST BY DISMANTLING SPURS

Kobe Bryant led five Los Angeles players in double figures, as the Lakers downed the San Antonio Spurs, 99-85, in a matchup of two of the Western Conference's top teams. Andrew Bynum finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who have won four consecutive games. Trevor Ariza added 17 points, Pau Gasol 16 and Jordan Farmar 14 in LA's win. The Lakers and Spurs came into the contest leading their respective divisions -- Los Angeles atop the Pacific and San Antonio in front in the Southwest. But the Lakers came...read full article

Spurs stopping the Lakers in '09? Unlikely

Game time: Lakers 99, Spurs 85

Previous to the game it certainly looked like San Antonio was the only team that could prevent the Lakers from returning to the Finals. By early in the third quarter, however, this possibility was revealed as a pipe dream. Here's how and why the Lakers so easily dismantled the Spurs: 

Defense
L.A. was so quick into literally every passing lane that the Spurs needed to execute near-perfect passes to keep the ball moving. Any pass that was even slightly off the mark gave...read full article

Lakers breeze to 99-85 victory over Spurs

A matchup of the Western Conference's best teams turned out to be a mismatch. Kobe Bryant scored 22 points before sitting out the fourth quarter, Pau Gasol added 16 points, five rebounds and four assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers routed the San Antonio Spurs 99-85 Sunday. The win was the fourth straight and 14th in 17 games for the Lakers (35-8), whose .814 winning percentage is the best in the NBA although the defending champion Boston Celtics (37-9) lead them by a half-game in the overall standings by virtue of their 124-100 victory...read full article

Lakers leave no doubt in beating the Spurs

L.A. blows open the game early in the third quarter with its inside-out game, and reserve point guard Jordan Farmar returns from injury to score 14 points.

This time, the Lakers made sure there was no controversy in their minds, that there were no close calls and that the game was in hand long before the final minute. This time, on a Sunday afternoon at Staples Center, the Lakers beat up on the San Antonio Spurs, 99-85. And in the process, the Lakers got another piece back when Jordan Farmar returned to play...read full article

Lakers crush Spurs in Western Conference showdown

Kobe Bryant led a balanced scoring attack as the Los Angeles Lakers crushed the San Antonio Spurs 99-85 Sunday in a showdown of the Western Conference's top teams. Bryant scored 22 points while playing only three quarters. He was not needed in the fourth after the Lakers turned a six-point halftime lead into a 15-point spread in the third quarter. The margin eventually went to 21 in the fourth. "We played a stellar game and our bench was the difference breaking the game and holding the lead," Lakers coach Phil Jackson told reporters. "They (Spurs) just...read full article

Video: Kobe Bryant sells ankle insurance from a horse

If you're not wearing the new Nike Zoom Kobe IV, you could have your ankles broken by someone who is wearing them. Take it from Kobe.

Quote of the Day -Kobe Bryant

"He got tripped. They're not going to make that call. So what?  Both teams shot the heck out of the ball. I mean, its tough to lose a game like that." -Kobe Bryant on the traveling call with 1 second left in the game when it was a damn foul!!!

Lakers, Spurs 112-111: Another one for the books

Another season, another great contest between the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs. The bad news? A final result of 112-111, with San Antonio on the better end of the stick. The Good news? If you can look past that unfortunate outcome (and as ESPN's Marc Stein reminds Laker fans, it's plenty safe to do so), roundball fans were treated to quite the entertaining contest.  Back and forth scoring. A buzzer beating three from Manu Ginobli to end the third quarter, right on the heels of a trey ball fro Trevor Ariza. The Lakers steadily getting back in the race...read full article

LAKERS: A great deal of work remains

There was no formal practice Thursday, but that didn't mean the Lakers rested after their two-game trip to Texas. There remains a great deal of work to be done before they can breathe a sigh of relief, or as close to one as they can manage at this point. First, there's the Orlando Magic, followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Clippers, Washington Wizards and San Antonio Spurs. Rest is a relative term as far as the Lakers are concerned. "You have to be ready because there is no break," 7-footer Pau Gasol said after the Lakers' 112-111 loss Wednesday to the...read full article

Lakers star Bryant to write blog for Chinese web site

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant has signed a lucrative marketing agreement with Internet giant SINA.com to write a blog for their Chinese website. The 30-year-old Bryant enjoys a huge following among the 1.3 billion people in China where his popularity rivals that of Houston Rockets star Yao Ming. "As a kid growing up I never in my wildest dreams thought I would have this big fan base half way around the world in Beijing and Shanghai," said Bryant during a red-carpet reception Thursday at the Club Nokia bar to announce the...read full article

Manu Ginobili is a role model for Lakers reserves

Though the Lakers were missing two key reserves, their bench still played well against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. It's just that San Antonio's bench was more productive. Well, to be fair, Spurs sixth man Manu Ginobili was great. Ginobili had 27 points. He was nine for 15 from the field, four for eight from three-point range. He also had three steals. The Lakers' bench of Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza and Josh Powell combined for 25 points on 11-for-20 shooting. They also had 13 rebounds, five assists and five steals. But what one can't forget is that...read full article

Mason's late three pointer lifts Spurs over Lakers

Roger Mason nailed a three pointer with just 10 seconds left as the San Antonio Spurs edged the Los Angeles Lakers 112-111. After Kobe Bryant drilled a three-pointer over Mason that gave the Lakers a 111-109 lead with 12 seconds left, the Spurs called a timeout, setting up Mason for the heroics. Matt Bonner had trouble inbounding the ball, but found Mason in the corner. He faked, then hit a tough shot as he was fouled by Derek Fisher. Mason made the ensuing free throw, giving the Spurs a one-point lead. The Lakers had one last chance but Bryant was doubled...read full article

Spurs beat Lakers 112-111 in West finals rematch

Roger Mason hit a jumper with 10 seconds left and made a free throw after being fouled by Derek Fisher, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Los Angeles Lakers 112-111 on Wednesday night in the first meeting between the teams since the Western Conference finals. After Mason's three-point play, the Lakers failed to get a shot off when Trevor Ariza was called for traveling with .8 left. The Lakers rallied from 11 points behind in the fourth quarter and led when Kobe Bryant hit a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left. The Spurs called timeout and worked the ball over the...read full article

Lakers don't always finish strong

They have played a lot of close games, and sometimes things don't bounce their way.

If the Lakers could have shortened some of their games to 47 minutes and varying degrees of seconds, their record would be that much better. It's akin to saying some baseball teams would look better in eight innings of play, or that some football teams would be just fine if an opponent's final 83-yard drive had been wiped off the record. But for conversation's sake, of the losses suffered by the Lakers (31-7), four have been in the waning seconds, including...read full article

Lakers impress rival coach Gregg Popovich

San Antonio gets the win, but the Spurs' coach comes away with an appreciation for what the Lakers are doing this season, as he credits Phil Jackson.

Reporting from San Antonio -- His team won and yet San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich still is impressed by what the Lakers are, what they have become and what they can be. Popovich had heard so much about the Lakers, about their talent, depth and drive to win an NBA championship after losing to the Boston Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals. He credits Lakers Coach...read full article

NBA Power Rankings: hollywood style

The new year has wrought quite a few changes in the NBA’s pecking order. Young, strong teams are tearing down the walls, but while the birds are flying high in the NFL, the only one on this list took a dive.

1. Los Angeles Lakers (30-6) - Just to prove that I’m not still bitter about the Lakers/Kings conference finals in 2002, I’m going to give the Lakers this top spot. It’s a gift, because even though they have won 9 of their last 10, injuries to Odom, Walton, and Farmar are going to make sure LA won’t be number 1 again for quite a while. I’m chalking this bad luck up to...read full article

NBA Preview from The Sports Network

Los Angeles Lakers (30-6) at Houston Rockets (24-15), 8:30 p.m.

The Los Angeles Lakers kick off a quick two-game road swing through Texas on Tuesday when they arrive in Houston to face the Rockets at the Toyota Center. The Lakers won their third straight game on Sunday when Andrew Bynum scored a team-best 24 points, including a key putback in the waning moments of the fourth, as Los Angeles went on to post a 108-105 victory over the Miami Heat at Staples Center. Kobe Bryant had 19 points on 5-of-14 shooting with seven assists, while Derek Fisher had a game-high 11 helpers and 13 points for...read full article

NBA Power Rankings: Cavs Finally Reach the Top

Cleveland's win over the C's coupled with L.A.'s loss was enough to get the Cavs into the number one position for the first time all season. The struggling Celtics fell another spot from last week, and there's also a new team occupying the basement at number 30.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (29-6) - The Cavs get my top billing thanks to a pair of convincing wins, including one over the Celtics. I'll try not to jinx it, but this team absolutely has what it takes to go undefeated at home.

2. Los Angeles Lakers (30-6) - I bumped the Lakers down after losing to the Hornets and barely surviving close calls against the Warriors, Pacers and Heat. Next week's...read full article

Lakers vs Heat Highlights

Kobe Dogs Wade, Lakers Escape The Heat With Win

Kobe Bryant The Doberman, the defensive stopper from Beijing, was unleashed again for one night.
He shadowed Dwyane Wade all over the court, denied him the ball and took him out of the game at key moments, all while leaving his team’s scoring to others. It worked. Wade shot just 1 of 10 in the second half when Kobe was on him and was virtually a non-factor on the Heat’s last few possessions, Andrew Bynum led the Lakers with 24 points including what was essentially winning tip in with 18.5 seconds left and Los Angeles picked up another close win at...read full article

Bynum helps Lakers edge Heat

Andrew Bynum scored a team-best 24 points, including a key putback bucket in the waning moments of the fourth, and the Los Angeles Lakers went on to post a 108-105 victory over the Miami Heat at Staples Center. Kobe Bryant had 19 points on 5-of-14 shooting with seven assists, while Derek Fisher had a game-high 11 helpers and 13 points for LA, which has won three straight and nine of 10 overall. Pau Gasol logged a game-high 18 rebounds and scored 14 for the Lakers, while Vladimir Radmanovic drained four three-pointers en route to 18 points. The...read full article

Bynum lifts Lakers to close win over Heat

Kobe Bryant again misfired against the Miami Heat. This time, Andrew Bynum had his back. Bynum tipped in Bryant's miss with just under 19 seconds remaining Sunday, helping to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 108-105 victory over the Heat in a matchup of two of the NBA's top three leading scorers. Bynum had 24 points and six rebounds for the Lakers, who suffered an 89-87 loss to the Heat on December 19, when Bryant's game-tying attempt rimmed out at the buzzer. With the game tied at 102-102 on Sunday, Bryant drove to Dwyane...read full article

Bynum leads Lakers past Heat 108-105

Andrew Bynum scored a season-high 24 points, including a go-ahead follow shot with 18.5 seconds remaining, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Miami Heat 108-105 Sunday night to become the first Western Conference team to reach 30 victories. After Bryant tipped in Kobe Bryant's miss to give the Lakers a 104-102 lead, Chris Quinn missed a baseline jumper. Vladimir Radmanovic got the rebound and was fouled with 6.6 seconds left. Radmanovic, an 83.3 percent shooter from the foul line, made both shots to give him a season-high 18 points...read full article

Quote of the Day

"If they don't come (with a double team)...I can turn and shoot over the top." -Kobe Bryant

Bryant, Wade square off when Lakers host Heat

Miami (19-16) at LA Lakers (29-6) 9:30 p.m. EST

Kobe Bryant appears determined to defend his MVP crown. Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers go for their third straight win on Sunday when they host the Miami Heat. The 30-year-old guard, Bryant earned his first NBA MVP last season when he ranked second in the league in scoring, averaging 28.3 points per game. He also added 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists as the Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals before losing to the Boston Celtics. Bryant is poised to duplicate that success this campaign as he ranks third in scoring at 27.2 points per game and has...read full article

Around the Association

Don't call him a Wizard Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson has no problem ripping or downright insulting his players. Step forward Sasha Vujacic, who apparently is in Jackson's doghouse for a series of not so intelligent plays recently. "We just had to come to the conclusion that Sasha's just an emotional player that plays by the seat of his pants, and that's about it. He just doesn't have a brain," Jackson told reporters on Friday. "He's just out there whacking away and working really hard. He's not using his head out there at times. We're...read full article

Lakers are good, but we still don't know how good

Here's an interesting question: What would this Lakers team be like if it was really playing well? It has definitely been an amazing season around here. Well, an amazing four weeks anyway. Not that there hasn't been a disappointment or two for hard-core fans, who hoped the Lakers could be unbeaten going into the Christmas game against the Boston Celtics. Now even Vic the Brick understands the Lakers aren't likely to get 80 wins. For one thing, there's that Feb. 5 game in Boston . . . and the one three days later in Cleveland. They also have two...read full article

Josh Powell is latest Laker to get an opportunity

He scores a season-high 10 points Friday against Indiana, taking advantage of the team's injury situation for more playing time. Basically, the Lakers are down to an eight-man rotation because of injuries. The available Lakers all want to play and there are some who have been waiting for the opportunity. One of them is Josh Powell, who stepped up and played big for the Lakers on Friday night at Staples Center against the Indiana Pacers in a 121-119 victory. Powell scored a season-high 10 points on five-for-seven shooting. He had two rebounds. He hustled. He...read full article

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul is becoming known as one of the biggest trash-talkers in the NBA.

The way Phil Jackson described Sasha Vujacic before Friday night's game, you'd think he might send the Lakers guard to visit the Wizard of Oz. Asked about Vujacic's tendency to engage in soap opera histrionics every time an opposing player mouths off to him or a call goes against him, Jackson said semi-seriously that Vujacic sometimes plays as though "he just doesn't have a brain."
"We've just had to come to the conclusion that Sasha is just an emotional player that plays by the seat of his pants, and that's about it," Jackson said. "He's just whacking away...read full article

Hornets' Chris Paul talks trash

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul is becoming known as one of the biggest trash-talkers in the NBA. He has this angelic-looking face, the face of a choir boy. But many around the league say he is anything but that. In fact, just ask Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic. When the Lakers played the Hornets recently, Vujacic said Paul called him a name that rhymes with witch.

Heidi Klum And Seal: Lakers Lovers

Treating themselves to a date night away from the kids, Heidi Klum and Seal were spotted enjoying themselves at the Los Angeles Lakers game last night (January 9). The “Project Runway” babe and her “Kiss from a Rose” crooner hubby scored floor seats to cheer their home team on to victory over the Indiana Pacers 121-119 at the Staples Center. Abandoning all of her better judgment, Heidi took the night off from her usual supermodel diet by chowing down on popcorn and nachos and washing it all down with a beer. Klum and Co. recently returned...read full article

Heat goes for season sweep of Lakers on Sunday

It's turning into an adventurous road trip for the Heat. Saturday's optional practice at UCLA was canceled because students protesting the Israeli-Palestinian violence in Gaza prevented the team bus from getting on campus. This follows the team having to spend the night in Denver on Thursday because of a mechanical problem with its airplane. In between, the Heat defeated Sacramento in a riveting 119-115 overtime game Friday at Arco Arena. Guard Dwyane Wade had 41 points - 10 in overtime - to help Miami end a two-game losing streak. "I was...read full article

Knee injury keeps Odom on sidelines

Lamar Odom did not practice Saturday and will not play today against the Miami Heat. A bone bruise in his right knee continues to cause him pain. He cannot jump or run or stop or start as he usually does, so he cannot play. "It doesn't have the strength I want it to have," Odom said. "I can play with pain. My life is painful. I'm living it, you know what I'm saying? So, a knee? It's not ready. It's not stable enough." He plans to accompany the Lakers on their two-game trip to play the Houston Rockets on Tuesday and the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. But...read full article

Miami Heat looks for season sweep of Lakers

After needing overtime to beat one of the worst teams in the West, the Heat can do something no team has done this season against the conference's best: Beat the Lakers twice. The Heat (19-16) looks to sweep the Lakers (29-6) for the first time since the 2004-05 season when they play Sunday at Staples Center. The Heat won the first of two regular-season games 89-87 on Dec. 19 in Miami. Kobe Bryant's jumper rimmed out as time expired. Coach Erik Spoelstra said the Heat is a more confident defensive team now that it was three weeks ago, when it held the...read full article

Mark Heisler's NBA rankings

Cavaliers move into the top spot. They're better than the Lakers . . . right now.

MEET THE NEW BOSS
1. CLEVELAND (29-6) Hardly as talented as Lakers, may not be better at the end -- but they are now. (2)
2. LAKERS (29-6) Future bright as long as they score 111 -- after allowing 110 a game in last three. (1)
3. ORLANDO (29-8) Just beat Hawks home and home, 106-102 and 121-87, separating men from boys in East. (4)
4. BOSTON (29-9) What's everyone so upset about? They're still a lock to...read full article

MVP Bryant lifts Lakers over Pacers

National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant hit the game-winner with three seconds to play Friday as the Los Angeles Lakers beat Indiana 121-119. Bryant finished the game with 36 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds. Indiana called timeout to set up a final play that didn't pan out. Mike Dunleavy inbounded the ball to Jeff Foster, who looked to get the ball back to Dunleavy but couldn't and ended up holding it as time ran out. The victory avenged the Lakers' December 2 loss at Indiana, when the Pacers won with a last-second tip-in. The...read full article

Jackson playing head games with these two Lakers

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson has never shied away from zinging players. Friday was no different. He picked at the play of Sasha Vujacic and Vladimir Radmanovic, reserves who have had to take on larger roles because of a spate of injuries. Jackson's unhappiness with Vujacic began when the fifth-year pro picked up a late technical foul Tuesday during a loss to New Orleans. "We just had to come to the conclusion that Sasha's just an emotional player that plays by the seat of his pants, and that's about it. He just doesn't have a brain," Jackson said before Friday's game against...read full article

Recap: LA Lakers vs. Indiana

Kobe Bryant recorded 36 points -- including the game-winning jumper with three seconds left -- and the Los Angeles Lakers returned to their winning ways at home with a 121-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers. The Lakers had lost their previous home tilt to the Hornets, snapping a 15- game win streak as the host. But LA improved to 19-2 at home this season, which is second in the NBA behind the Cavaliers, who are a perfect 19-0 at Quicken Loans Arena after a 98-83 rout of the Celtics on Friday. "We were never quite comfortable with a 10- or 12-point lead...read full article

Kobe sinks Pacers in final three seconds

Kobe Bryant hit the game-winning jumper with three seconds left to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 121-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday. Bryant, who finished with 36 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds, backed down Jarrett Jack before drilling the shot. Indiana called timeout to set up a final play, which went awry. Mike Dunleavy inbounded the ball to Jeff Foster, who looked to get the ball back to Dunleavy but couldn't and wound up holding it as time ran out. Foster launched a futile shot after the game was over. The win was a form of revenge for...read full article

Bryant's late surge gives Lakers win

Kobe Bryant made a tiebreaking jumper with 3 seconds left and scored the Lakers' last 11 points, giving Los Angeles a 121-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night. Bryant finished with 36 points and 13 assists. After his turnaround jumper, the Pacers took a timeout but were unable to get off a shot before the final buzzer. The Lakers improved their home record to 19-2 and remained tied with Cleveland for the best overall record in the league at 29-6. The Cavaliers beat The Celtics 98-83 in Cleveland earlier Friday to improve their home mark to...read full article

Lakers are put through paces again

Teammates Vladimir Radmanovic and Pau Gasol congratulate Kobe Bryant after he hit an 18-foot jumper with three seconds to put the Lakers ahead, 121-119, on Friday night against Indiana. Should the Lakers be fortunate enough to make it to the NBA Finals, they can be thankful for one thing. The Indiana Pacers won't be there. Cleveland, Boston and Orlando are headline-takers in the Eastern Conference, but the well-under-.500 Pacers are simply headline-makers for the Lakers. A little more than a month after beating the Lakers in...read full article

Quote of the Day 1/8/09

"I've always approached the season like the Tour de France. I've approached it in stages. I'm not going to sprint the hill every time. I'm going to let my teammates pull me up, and then I'm going to wait..." -Kobe Bryant

Bill Walton brings earnest enthusiasm to ESPN

Bill Walton is now in his 35th season being part of the NBA, his 19th as a broadcaster. He is 56 years old and suffered in (self-imposed) silence while healing from a bad back during last year's playoffs that led to Boston beating Los Angeles in the Finals. He's back on the air at ESPN now, not for all the network's "NBA Shootaround" shows, but enough. He debuted on Christmas Day and he'll be back again Feb. 6 when ESPN has a doubleheader of Denver at Washington and Golden State at Phoenix. Walton's earnest enthusiasm for the league is...read full article

Lakers Looking For Payback Against Indiana

The Indiana Pacers look like they've finally shaken their season-long struggle to win close games. That might not do them much good if they can't stay competitive against the Western Conference-best Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers look to improve to 19-2 at Staples Center as they go for their eighth win in nine games overall Friday night against the Pacers. Indiana (13-22) is stuck at the bottom of the Central Division in large part because of its inability to win tight games. The Pacers are 0-4 in overtime and were 3-11 in games decided by six points or fewer after...read full article

With the injuries, Sun Yue gets his opportunity

For the Lakers, a void has to be filled because of injuries. And that means even a rookie such as Sun Yue has to be Sun got the call from Lakers Coach Phil Jackson on Wednesday night, but it was not a shining moment for the 6-foot-9 guard from China. It was not so much that he didn't score. It was more about how uneasy he looked on the court against the Golden State Warriors. "For me, every game on the court I feel more better, more comfortable," Sun said. "I might not be getting used to the whole system...read full article

Win or lose, Lakers still best in West

With auditions ongoing for two months, there's been a painfully obvious truth on the Western stage. No one seemed capable of playing a credible Joker to the Los Angeles Lakers' Batman. The Lakers have been local heroes with no foils, a team so successful it sucked the drama out of this movie. New Orleans was an early favorite to fill the role of chief antagonist, but coming into Tuesday night's game at Staples Center, the Hornets didn't seem up to it. The first two times they met in N'awlins, the Lakers gobbled up the home team like tasty bowls of...read full article

After Tonight's Game The NBA Orders Pau Gasol To Take Gender Test

After tonight's victory for the Los Angeles Lakers over the Golden State Warriors. David Stern decides to have an NBA official determine the gender of Pau Gasol. The reason for the test, according to Stern: "This is a man's league." Stern was very upset with Gasol for three reasons—it's constant whining to the refs, it's version of the tennis grunt when taking a shot, and lastly for hanging on the rim after a dunk. Usually, the league administers a urine test and of course always with advanced notice, but Stern was too pissed off, so he decided that it...read full article

Lakers vs Warriors highlights 1/7/09

Lakers' Odom Is Day-to-Day With Injury

Tests showed Lakers F Lamar Odom's right knee injury is not serious, and he is day-to-day.
Odom, injured late in the second quarter of Tuesday night's 116-105 loss to New Orleans, was examined by team physician Steve Lombardo yesterday. An MRI exam revealed a bone bruise in the knee. Odom didn't travel to last night's game at Golden State but may return...read full article

Special student honored at Lakers game

When Emily Werman stepped out onto the Staples Center basketball court during halftime at a recent Lakers game, she wasn't there to shoot hoops. Emily was to be named one of the Lakers Students of the Month, along with two other students and three teachers from the Los Angeles area. Emily, 14, who lives in Agoura Hills and attends ninth grade at Village Glen School in Sherman Oaks, was nominated for the award by her former teacher, Karine Drury, for her accomplishments.
"Emily has a big heart," Drury said. "She's very involved in her...read full article

Recap: Warriors 106, Lakers 114 - So Close, Yet So Far.

Well, I know what I supposed to say right now. I'm supposed to rhetorically ask what was really expected? Then, I remind myself that it was the Lakers, a team that only has 6 losses; the fewest in all of the NBA. Right after that I'm supposed to applaud our boys for putting the scare into the Lakers; after all it is what I asked them to do in the Open Thread. But the truth is, deep down this loss hurts just as much as any loss. One the ball was tipped off and we proved that we could hang with these guys, it didn't matter what jerseys they were wearing. We could have...read full article

Gasol's 4th-quarter surge leads Lakers

Pau Gasol had 33 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, Kobe Bryant added 21 points and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit for their seventh victory in eight games, 114-106 over Golden State on Wednesday night. Andrew Bynum had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, whose home loss to New Orleans on Tuesday snapped a six-game winning streak for the Western Conference leaders. Los Angeles struggled for the second straight night before Gasol took charge against Golden State's undersized frontcourt, scoring six points during the...read full article

Gasol, Lakers outlast fiesty Warriors

Pau Gasol scored 33 points to lead five players in double figures and the Los Angeles Lakers claimed a 114-106 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. Gasol made 12-of-21 shots from the field and added 18 rebounds for the Lakers, who bounced back one night after having a six-game win streak snapped during a 116-105 setback to the New Orleans Hornets.
Reigning MVP Kobe Bryant scored 21 points, Trevor Ariza added 17 off the bench and Andrew Bynum contributed 18 and 11 rebounds for Los Angeles. Jamal Crawford poured...read full article

Lakers Warriors thoughts

A few thoughts about what could lie ahead this evening tonight's action...

The "Great Discombobulated Battle" of 2009? Lamar Odom's bone bruise (Fingers crossed his knee is more "day-to-day" than "month-to-month") coming on the heels of Luke Walton's sesamoiditis forces Phil Jackson to tinker even more with a suddenly shallow rotation. In the meantime, Nellie hasn't exactly been afforded the luxury of a consistent lineup himself. Just as Corey Maggette returns after a fifteen game absence to rack 23 points in...read full article

Evening Scoop: Odom's Knee Situation

OK, Lakers fans, breathe a sigh of relief. Lamar Odom's knee injury is relatively minor, diagnosed simply as a bruised bone in his right knee. Odom will be out tonight as the Lakers play the Warriors, and is listed as day-to-day thereafter. What may be more concerning for Lakerland is what we saw the Hornets to do them once Odom was out of the way. Byron Scott's adjustment, moving David West further out on the floor, was brilliant. Pau Gasol is a decent low post defender, but his ability to move laterally is limited. He had to move out on the floor with...read full article

Tests snow that Odom's right knee injury isn't a serious one

Tests showed Lamar Odom's right knee injury is not serious, and the Los Angeles Lakers forward is day to day. Odom, injured late in the second quarter of Tuesday night's 116-105 loss to New Orleans, was examined by team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo on Wednesday. An MRI revealed a bone bruise in the knee. Odom didn't travel for Wednesday night's game at Golden State, but could return as early as Friday when the Lakers host Indiana. The 29-year-old forward scored 12 points in 13 minutes before being injured Tuesday. He is averaging...read full article

West Wows L.A. Crowd, Hornets Beat Lakers

David West scored 15 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter, Chris Paul added 32 points and 15 assists, and the New Orleans Hornets beat Los Angeles 116-105 on Tuesday night to snap the Lakers' 15-game home winning streak. West shot 14-of-23 from the floor and 12-of-13 from the foul line in matching his career high. He also grabbed 11 rebounds as the Hornets (21-10) won for the 16th time in 21 games and avenged two losses to the Lakers in New Orleans earlier this season. Tyson Chandler added 12 points and eight rebounds, and Rasual...read full article

NBA Picks New Orleans Hornets vs Utah Jazz Betting Odds

NBA Picks New Orleans Hornets vs Utah Jazz Betting Odds: The Hornets (21-10) are coming off a road win last night over L.A. Lakers 116-105. David West scored 15 of his 40 points in the final period to outscore Los Angeles by himself. Now, there’s no doubt which team is playing better basketball right now, as the Hornets have won five of their last six and 16 of their last 21, while the Jazz are just 5-6 in their last 11 games. The Hornets are 6-8-1 ATS on the road this season. In their last 16 games as a road dog of 5-10.5 the Hornets are 3-13 ATS. The...read full article

Lakers look for ways to maintain their edge

Assistant coaches Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw, who played for championship Lakers teams, say there are plenty of ways for winning teams to fight off boredom and find fresh motivation.

If the Lakers ever get too jaded by their success, assistant coaches Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw will be shaking their heads. Rambis and Shaw played on Lakers teams that ran out to sparkling records and found ways to stay interested during the long, winding road of...read full article

Message to Lakers: Wake us when the playoffs get here

There's not much drama and frankly life around Staples Center can be downright boring with Phil Jackson. There's no drama here, no conflict, and after Christmas Day, really no debate. The Champs are boring, good enough to win every game and so what if they don't? They're going to go into the playoffs seeded No. 1 in the West, where they dominated a year ago without Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza. Everyone knows it, and yet you people gobble up everything written about the Champs as if it's breaking news, everything written these days...read full article

Lakers F Odom to have MRI on knee Wednesday

Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom will have an MRI on his hyper-extended right knee Wednesday morning. Odom landed awkwardly after grabbing a rebound with 3:03 left in the second quarter of the Lakers' 116-105 loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday. A starter last season when Los Angeles went to the NBA Finals, Odom has come off the bench this season, averaging 8.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists...read full article

West's career night helps Hornets beat L.A.

Hornets forward David West made a strong All-Star statement Tuesday night here in the Staples Center, tying a career high with 40 points as New Orleans overcame Kobe Bryant's 3-point outburst to win 116-105. Guard Chris Paul had 32 points and 15 assists. Bryant was 6-of-6 from beyond the 3-point line and had 20 points in the third quarter. He finished with 39 points. The win was the first in three tries this season for the Hornets against the Western Conference leading Lakers and ended Los Angeles' 15-game home winning streak. Los Angeles had...read full article

Kobe can't save Lakers in 116-105 defeat

Kobe Bryant turned Staples Center electric in the third quarter Tuesday night. The New Orleans Hornets turned it nearly silent in the fourth. The Lakers were stuck in neutral in a game that demanded top speed, so Bryant got them moving in the right direction - temporarily, at least. He scored 20 of his team-leading 39 points in the third quarter, but the Lakers fizzled in the fourth.
New Orleans regrouped and ended the Lakers' six-game winning streak with a 116-105 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 18,997. It was the Hornets' first win over the...read full article

Lakers vs Hornets Highlights

Oh, there you are. In a week seemingly dedicated to auditioning Western Conference contenders, having identified none to this point and hoping to keep it that way as long as possible, the Lakers got some bad news Tuesday night. They're not immortal. The fat lady hasn't sung. Having lost to one West team all season, the Sacramento Kings, who don't figure to be there at the end, the Lakers crumbled at the end of Tuesday's game and lost, 116-105, to an actual West challenger, the New Orleans Hornets. With two stars, Chris...read full article

NBA - Round-up: Hornets sting Lakers

David West and Chris Paul combined for 72 points to help the New Orleans Hornets sting the Los Angeles Lakers 116-105, the visitors surging past the Western Conference leaders with a fourth-quarter rally. West (pictured) delivered 40 points and Paul added 32 with 15 assists to end the Lakers's six-game winning streak and hand the home side just their second loss in 20 contests at the STAPLES Center. Trailing 99-94 with 8:31 remaining, the Hornets found new life, outscoring the Lakers 22-6 to claim their fifth win in six games. Kobe Bryant had 39...read full article

Hornets snap Lakers' six-game NBA win streak

David West scored 40 points and Chris Paul added 32 points and 15 assists to lead the New Orleans Hornets past the Los Angeles Lakers 116-105, snapping the Lakers' six-game win streak.
The Hornets had lost their two prior games this season against the Lakers, who managed only 13 points in the final quarter while the Hornets scored 15 consecutive points in the last period to frustrate the Lakers. Kobe Bryant scored 39 points and added seven assists to lead the Lakers, but managed only two points in the final quarter for the Lakers. Derek Fisher added...read full article

Radmanovic to Start

After Luke Walton went down with a foot injury earlier this week, Jackson started Trevor Ariza in his place Sunday against the Trail Blazers. But tonight, it’s back to the bench for Ariza, the place he actually prefers, as Phil Jackson told reporters before the game that Vladimir Radmanovic would return to the starting lineup to face the New Orleans Hornets. There are a few obvious reasons why Jackson’s making the switch: Vladi prefers to start, and Ariza would rather come off the bench; Vladi spreads the floor better than Ariza, who’s struggled a bit with...read full article

New Orleans Hornets vs. Los Angeles Lakers game updates

The New Orleans Hornets welcomed the return of center Tyson Chandler to the lineup Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers after Chandler missed Saturday's loss to Denver while serving a one-game suspension. Chandler was suspended for a Friday night altercation with Portland's Joel Pryzbilla. "We definitely want to have a good game because they handled us pretty well at our place," Chandler said of the Lakers' two wins earlier this year. "We want to come out here and steal a couple of games on their home floor. "The last...read full article

Lakers Are Now the Best: It's Official

With their win against the Portland Trail Blazers, after the Celtics lost at New York and the Cavaliers lost at Washington on Sunday night, the Los Angeles Lakers claim the top spot with a league-best 27-5 record. Boston (29-6) and Cleveland (27-6) are now looking up to the Lakers' best record in the league. Kobe Bryant played for just 33 minutes and scored 26 points, Pau Gasol added 19 points in 28 minutes, and Los Angeles beat the Portland Trail Blazers 100-86 Sunday night for its sixth consecutive victory and 15th straight at...read full article

NBA Power Rankings: New Year, New Number One

It's been two weeks since the last edition of my power rankings, where the East's mighty trio of Boston, Cleveland and Orlando took the top three spots. But that was last year, and now that 2008 has come and gone, it's time for a new leader: the Lakers. There was plenty of repositioning elsewhere as well, including the Detroit Pistons re-entering the top-10 for the first time since mid-November.

1. Los Angeles Lakers (27-5) - Technically the Lakers are still a half-game behind the Celtics for the NBA's best record, but after L.A. beat Boston pretty convincingly on Christmas Day, then downed both Utah and Portland by double digits, there's no question who should be #1.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (27-6) - LeBron couldn't rally the Cavs past the Heat last week on his birthday despite dropping 24 of his 38 in the second half, and I can...read full article

The Janus Report: New Orleans Hornets at LA Lakers Free Pick

The Los Angeles Lakers try to defend a six-game winning streak and their 15-game home winning-streak tonight against the 20-10 New Orleans Hornets. The two squads have met twice this year already, both times in the Hornet’s Nest, but with the Lakers walking away from New Orleans with convincing victories in each contest. Steve Janus offers you his free NBA picks all season long with the Janus Report! The Lakers are 7-point favorites tonight, and it’s not hard to see why. In their 18 wins at the Staples Center this year, Kobe and...read full article

NBA Power Rankings: Lakers at the Top

The Los Angeles Lakers top the power rankings this week because they now have the best record in basketball. With the Celtics and Cavs stumbling a bit in the East, L.A. has stayed consistent and moved into the prime position. Bet on the Lakers this week at Bookmaker.com! Despite losing four of their last six games, the Boston Celtics are still among the elite in the NBA. The biggest problem for them in this mini-slump has been offensive production off of the bench. Is signing Stephon Marbury the answer to that problem? The Cavs are now...read full article

Lakers defeat Blazers, claim best record in NBA

I go to the Bahamas for a week and look what happens. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers Sunday night, 100-86, to claim the best record in the NBA at 27-5. The best record in the NBA? What happened to the Boston Celtics? When I left on Dec. 26 Boston had just suffered their third loss of the year. I get back and suddenly they've lost to the Golden State Warriors, Blazers, and the New York Knicks!?!? I need to go on vacation more often. Anyway, not much to say about the game tonight except that we need to...read full article

Lakers' Walton won't need surgery

The news was mixed for Luke Walton on Monday. On one hand, he learned he won't need surgery on his injured right foot after visiting with a specialist. On the other, he found out he will be sidelined for at least two weeks because of sesamoiditis, a condition on the ball of the foot more often associated with long-distance runners or dancers. As an added bonus, he was fitted with a fashionable black walking boot that will protect his foot while allowing him to walk without the aid of crutches. He also began rehabilitation exercises in a pool...read full article

Luke Walton out for at least two weeks

The Lakers announced that forward Luke Walton will be sidelined at least two weeks because of an injury in his right foot. Walton was examined today by foot specialist Dr. Ken Jung from the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Group, who said the Lakers forward is suffering from sesamoiditis, or irritation in the sesamoids, the small bones that run to the big toe. Walton, who was buried on the Lakers bench when the season began, had started 11 consecutive games at small forward but injured his foot before Friday's game against Utah. Although Walton played...read full article

I don't like Mondays... except when they include Laker practice vids!

Perhaps if the Boomtown Rats had peaked during the dawn of a certain purple and gold blog, they would have developed a different outlook on the day after Sunday. Of course, Luke Walton is an actual Laker and he's feeling down today. But who can blame the guy, after learning he'll miss at least two weeks with sesamoiditis, a foot malady that will keep him...read full article

Lakers Overtake Celtics for NBA's Top Record

Kobe Bryant finished this reverse dunk against the Blazers last night, and in the process helped his team to pass the Boston Celtics in the league-wide standings. Thanks to a bizarro night in the Association -- one where the Celtics fell to the Knicks, and LeBron's crab dribble couldn't save the Cavs from losing a close one in Washington -- the Lakers now own the NBA's best record with a 27-5 mark through the team's first 32 games. Of course, it's not like they're running away with it or anything; the Celtics have actually played three more games, and...read full article

Jake & Reese Caught Kissing At Lakers’ Game

The crowd at the Staples Center might have had their eyes glued to the court as the Los Angeles Lakers played the Portland Trailblazers Sunday night – that is until Jake Gyllenhaal planted a kiss on girlfriend Reese Witherspoon on the arena Jumbotron. Access Hollywood witnessed the smooch seen round the stadium during the portion of the evening when the crowd is encouraged to kiss a loved one sitting next to them on camera. VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hot Shots Of Reese Witherspoon With Jake Gyllenhaal As the camera panned to Jake and...read full article

Los Angeles Lakers Team Report

Just how good is the Lakers' offense? After rolling up 130 points on 51.6 percent field-goal shooting Sunday night against Golden State, the Lakers are averaging 107.3 points on 47.3 percent shooting this season. The scoring average is easily a league high (Golden State is next at 105 points per game). Kobe Bryant has heated up dramatically with his shot as 2008 has neared its end. Bryant has made at least 50 percent of his field-goal attempts in six of the Lakers' past seven games. He is now at 47.3 percent field-goal shooting on the...read full article

Bynum's sporadic play puzzles Jackson

The young center's up-and-down efforts continued with just two rebounds on Friday.

The Lakers have rebounded nicely from last month's back-to-back losses in Miami and Orlando, winning five consecutive games heading into tonight's game against Portland.
They rank first in the league in scoring, are shooting a respectable 47.3 percent from the floor and outrebounding their opponents by more than three boards a game. Seems everything is clicking well. But maybe not everyone. Coach Phil Jackson is puzzled by...read full article

Lakers give a glimpse of unbeatable formula

One by Sasha Vujacic. Two by Lamar Odom. Then one by Kobe Bryant. Only four shots out of 42 that the Lakers took in the first half Friday night against Utah could be categorized as out of rhythm. Bryant being Bryant, he made his off-kilter shot: a contested 3-pointer in the corner after nearly kicking the ball out of bounds. The Lakers were that generous and that in sync in building a 57-43 halftime lead over a solid Jazz team that knows the triangle offense inside and out after facing the Lakers in the playoffs last season (and three times in the past two...read full article

Trevor Ariza comes through for the Lakers

He follows the creed of the team's Bench Mob against the Utah Jazz to 'change the game every time.'

Change the game. That's the mantra from the members of the Lakers' Bench Mob. Trevor Ariza changed the game, doing so with his defense, his hustle, his drive and determination. His two steals late helped the Lakers roll to a 113-100 victory over the Utah Jazz on...read full article