The Los Angeles Lakers had another turbulent week and the team is still struggling to find an identity. The players seem to be lost on the court at times and even with all the talent on this roster, the Lakers are unable to get above .500.
The Lakers played four games this week, and they managed to win just one of them, which came against the New Orleans Hornets. The team has been battling injuries as of late, but that is not an excuse for the sub-par performances they gave fans this past week. Kobe Bryant did manage to score his 30,000th point this week, but that excitement came crashing down when the Lakers lost a marquee game against the Thunder.
It was another busy week for Lakers Nation and here is a week-in-review.
Lakers Nation Game Recaps:
The Lakers began the week in Staples Center against Dwight Howard’s old team, the Orlando Magic. On paper, the Lakers were head and shoulders above the Magic, but the Lakers could not muster enough in the fourth quarter to win the game. The team continued to struggle at the free-throw line and the Magic opted to use “Hack-a-Howard” late in the game. As the final buzzer rang, the Magic walked off with an impressive 113-103 win.
The Lakers started their three-game road trip in Houston against the new-look Rockets team. Los Angeles played very well and they managed to expand its lead to 17 points. Everything was clicking for the Lakers, but once again the team failed to produce in the fourth quarter. Defense and foul-shooting were big concerns for the Lakers and they lost 107-105.
Los Angeles got its only win of the week in New Orleans, in a game which saw Kobe Bryant score his 30,000th career point. The Lakers routed the Hornets 103-87 and it seemed like the team would finally turn the corner. Everyone on the team played extremely well and even though it was the Hornets, it was a confidence booster for the Lakers.
Los Angeles played one of the biggest games of their season in Oklahoma City on Friday, and the team needed to win the game in order to show that it can compete with the league’s best. The Lakers played well in the opening stages of the game, but the Thunder were in control for the majority of the time. The Lakers did make the game interesting late, but ended up losing 114-108.
Lakers Nation News:
Lakers Nation wishes Dwight Howard a happy birthday.
Dwight Howard appeared in Foot Locker commercial
A woman filed a lawsuit against Devin Ebanks for sexual assault
Kobe Bryant, Lionel Messi star in Turkish Airlines commercial
Kobe Bryant cannot see himself owning an NBA team
Steve Nash was promised Pau Gasol would not be traded
Mike D’Antoni is not willing to take Howard off the court despite his free-throw woes
Kobe Bryant became the sixth player to reach the 30,000th point milestone
Lakers guard Steve Blake has a successful surgery
Jordan Hill is frustrated with his lack of playing time.
Kobe Bryant said he loves Pau Gasol like a brother
Pau Gasol out indefinitely with knee tendinitis
The Lakers recalled Robert Sacre from the D-League
The Lakers have interest in Ryan Anderson
Metta World Peace hit his 1,000th career three-pointer.