Boston Comes to Play...Lakers watch Kobe

The Lakers fall flat 109-96 as the Boston Celtics come to town to play. In a much needed win for the Lakers in the media's eye, Kobe Bryant seemed to have been the only one to show up. With absolutely no movement in the triangle the Lakers bigs' were merely taken out of the game. Kobe who shot 16-29 finished with a game high of 41 points seemed to of been the only Lakers' player driven to win this afternoon. Lamar Odom finished second in scoring off the bench with 15 but it was clearly not enough as Gasol and Bynum only combined for 23 points. For the Celtics Paul Pierce came in and clearly went hand in hand with Bryant throughout the game. Pierce finished with a team-high 32 points.

Kobe on a base-line jumper with the foul from Shaq..
seem to of been the norm in the game.
courtesy of LA Times.

Pierce fouled as he gets in the paint.
courtesy of LA Times.
The game seemed to of swung for both teams in the first two and half quarters but as the 3rd quarter started to wine down the Celtics clamped down with what they're known for the best, DEFENSE. The number 9 seemed to of been the hole the Lakers dugged themselves into, and that hole was a lot deeper than it looked. Kobe was able to will the game to a four point difference but as the bigs were being out rebounded and out hustled on both sides of the court, # 24 was enough to defeat the Celtics.

courtesy of LA Times.

Kevin Garnett was hit by a Paul Gasol elbow which
seemed to of opened his skull late in the second quarter.
courtesy of L.A. Times

This is now two big losses for the Lakers in the main media spot-light game, but the Lakers have a quick turn around as tuesday they play the much improved Houston Rockets as they prepare for the San Antonio Spurs on TNT Thursday night. Lakers have lost two games in a row putting their record to (33-15) on the season.

Lakers only 2nd to Knicks on Forbes Annual List

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Lakers valued at $643 million, according to Forbes

January 26, 2011 |  4:25 pm

Forbes.com posted its annual valuations of NBA franchises and said the Lakers are currently worth $643 million, second behind only the New York Knicks at $655 million.
The financial publication estimates the Lakers posted operating income of $33.4 million in the past year on revenue of $214 million.
Forbes said the Chicago Bulls are the third most valuable NBA franchise ($511 million), followed by the Boston Celtics ($452 million) and Houston Rockets ($443 million). The Clippers were ranked 22nd in value at $305 million, Forbes said.
-- Barry Stavro

http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2011/01/lakers-valued-at-643-million-according-to-forbes.html

Which Teams have the Best Chance to Challenge the Lakers

I will be posting the top 6 teams I feel can challenge the Lakers for the Title.

1.) Spurs

2.) Celtics

3.)Heat

4.) Mavericks

5.) Magic

6.) Thunder

Lakers Dominance of the Jazz is Stirring some Pots!

                  With the 120-91 win against the Utah Jazz Tuesday night at home has stirred up many questions about the (33-13) and 2nd place Lakers. Questions about the defense has been risen the last few weeks. Especially by Jerry West! Turns out the Lakers non-impressive looking defense has lead them to 10th overall defense and 3rd in field goal percentage allowed. It's nothing pretty but the Lakers are the best team when put in an isolation defense. They are able to swing the ball-handler right into the paint as four Lakers are waiting to use their length to stop the play. Tuesday's dominance was on the defensive end as the Lakers held the Jazz to only 38 points in the first half. The Lakeshow also shot the ball well for the night at 62%.

Spirits are high as the Lakers are now 20 games over .500 on the season.
courtesy of L.A. Times


Kobe taking the ball to the paint as he was fouled, he trails "The Dream" by only 13 points.
courtesy of L.A. Times.

Next up for the Lakers are the Sacramento Kings at home Friday night as they tune up for the big game Sunday against the hated rival, the Boston Celtics. The Celtics come into the game in command of first place in the east. The Lakeshow have shown improved play since Andrew Bynum as returned to the starting line-up, defensively and offensively. With him back, the length of the Lakers have been stretched out.

The "Big Three"
Boston's big three come in all with over 20,000 points and with a fourth player, Shaq who also is of that special category. The Ex-Factor in the game will be the play of much improved and arguably the best playmaker in the league, Rajon Rondo.

Rajon Rondo
courtesy of Hoopmedia.com

The Lakers play host to the Celtics Sunday at 12:30

Who Could the Lakers use to Complete the 3-Peat??

In this blog im going to list a few possible candidates I can see the Lakers picking up before the trade deadline to help complete the second 3-peat in under a deadcade. Remember this is just a blog so I am just out on a limb with things here, doesn't hurt to think about it though
Possible Players who could be picked up.
1.) Steve Nash

Why not? He still has his eyes on winning a championship and could be a great piece with Kobe for the next couple years and the Lakers have the pieces to offer if needed
2.) O.J. Mayo

Talented guard who has good size and can play well with a 2-guard.
3.)Tracey McGrady

Why not T-Mac...he wanted to come to L.A. in the beginning of the year and has seemed to of found some of his game again. T-Mac could be a good player off the bench when Kobe sits down.

Un-Likely to Happen
1.) Carmelo Anthony

The most talked amount player amongst the trade rumors. Melo is friends with Kobe and would like to win a ring before his career ends.
2.) Richard Hamilton

The much talked amount small forward in a 3 team trade earlier in the month is still a Piston and could help any team out. He has a lot of experience and could be great off the bench or even in a starting role.
3.) Chris Paul

Arguably the best point guard in the game, and is looking for a new home. Money would be the issuse with Paul but he can instantly make any back court in the league great. Imagine him teamed up with Kobe..spells championships in L.A.. but highly unlikely

A Road Win in Denver moves Lakers into 19 Games Over .500

Kobe's 14 point 3rd Claims to be the Big Blow!

         The Lakers headed into Denver friday night to play the Nuggets and the league pop star Carmelo Anthony. A game the Lakers needed badly for their fans and for their image throughout the NBA this season. L.A. would push through in the third quarter with the help of Kobe Bryant's 14 point explosion in the quarter. The 107-97 win was only the Laker's second road win against a team with a winning record this year and improves their record to (32-13) on the year. Ron Artest was able to limit Carmelo Anthony to only 23 points on a night where he shot 10-24 from the field. A win like this makes you wonder how they were able to look so awful in Dallas Wednesday night. Up next for the Lakers are the Utah Jazz wednesday night at home.

courtesy of the L.A. Times


courtesy of the L.A. Times

Lakers fall to Dallas...next up Denver

Wednesday night the Los Angeles Lakers traveled to Dallas to play the hurting Mavricks. Dallas had been victim to 6 straight loss's going into the game. The Lakers hoped  to capitalize on the injury strucken team while chasing San Antonio in the Western Conference rankings but it wouldn't work out the way they had hoped. In the 109-100 loss the Lakers record had fallen to (31-13) as the Mavericks improved to (27-14). The Lakers seemed to of been playing lights out on the road with the lead at half-time and a commanding 12 point lead in the third quarter, but as things can change quickly in the NBA, they did. Dallas went on a 17-2 run at one point in the quarter and by the end of the third they themselves had a commanding lead. The Lakers new sense of urgency on the defensive end seemed to be non-existent in Wednesday's loss. The Lakers will now head to Denver to play Carmelo Anthony and the trade-connected Nuggets friday night looking to establish a rythm for the second half of the season. There has been talk lately about Kobe Bryant's lack of shooting, but isn't this always in question? It is either to many shots, or not enough. Kobe finished 21 points but had 10 assists in the game as well. With a quiet week of basketball ball coming up, the Lakers need a win to stay confident.


cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-fyi-20110121,0,4047216.story

Loss to Clippers in Staples...Next up OKC Thunder

           The Lakers were designated as a road team Sunday against the Clippers as the lost 99-92. Kobe Bryant finished with 27 points as the Lakers fell to (30-12) on the season. The Clippers who have won 8/12 games are on a hot streak following the double double machine, Blake Griffin. The Lakers look to move past the defeat as they play host to Kevin Durant and the (27-13) Oklahoma City Thunder tonight who are only 1 loss behind the Lakers in the loss column. The Thunder come into Staples with the league's leading scorer Durant at 28.5 points per game and a team that took the Lakers to 6 games in the Western Conference Playoffs last year. The Lakers know what they're up against and will not look pass the Thunder. With a win tonight, the Lakers could build momentum into Wednesday night's game against the Dallas Mavericks.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-web-20110118,0,6738789.story

Lakeshowing the Dynasty: Lakers Open Up Busy Week with a WIN!

Lakeshowing the Dynasty: Lakers Open Up Busy Week with a WIN!: "Lakers win 100-88! Last night the Los Angeles Lakers held off ex-teammates Jord..."

Lakers Open Up Busy Week with a WIN!

Lakers win 100-88!
           Last night the Los Angeles Lakers held off ex-teammates Jordan Farmer, Sasha Vujacic and the Nets in order to roll to their 7th consecutive win and their (9-1) in the last 10 games. The Lakers improved their record to (30-11) while dominating the fourth quarter against the Nets at home. With a sluggish start offensively by the Lakers, the Nets were able to hold in there until the fourth, where the Lakers just grinded out a win. Kobe Bryant finished with 27 points after finishing with 39 against the Warrior the previous game. With games against the improving Clippers, Thunder, and Mavericks this week, the Lakers used this win as a tune-up. This win kept L.A. within 4.5 games behind the Spurs for 1st place in the Western Conference as the mid-season has came upon the Lakers.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6024237