The Los Angeles Lakers have been a complete enigma this season and are unable to find any sort of consistency. There is no flow to the offense and the defense has been horrendous so far into the 2012-13 campaign. The past seven days have been nothing short of embarrassing for the Lakers, as they lost three consecutive games to begin the week.
The Lakers eventually recovered from the losses to beat the Washington Wizards on Friday, but the damage to their reputation was already done. There have been talks that the Lakers do not have the personnel to win a championship and there are doubts that this team can be as successful as some of the title teams of the past.
Here is a look back at a tough week for Lakers fans.
Lakers Nation Game Recaps:
The Lakers began the week against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center, but the home crowd could not guide them to victory. The Jazz surprised the Lakers with their play and Los Angeles was never truly able to get back into the game. As the final buzzer rang, the Lakers walked off the court losers, 117-110.
Things got worse for the Lakers when they lost a game in Cleveland against the lowly Cavaliers. Even though Kyrie Irving played his first game since his injury, he guided the Cavs over the Lakers. Kobe Bryant ended up scoring 42 points, but the other Lakers players offered no help and Los Angeles fell 100-94.
The Los Angeles Lakers made their lone visit to Madison Square Garden on Thursday and the energy in the arena was amazing. The Knicks have developed into an elite team and the match between the two was sure to be an exciting one. The Knicks opened up a large lead in the first quarter and even though the Lakers made it a game late, they ended up losing their 116-107.
The Lakers finally got a win when they beat the Washington Wizards in the nation’s capital, 102-96. Despite the fact that the Wizards are not a playoff bound team, the Lakers still had a hard time getting the victory. Although the match ended the Lakers’ four-game losing streak, it did very little to please Lakers fans.
Lakers Nation News:
Phil Jackson says he will not return to coaching and does not consider the Lakers a championship team.
Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard are leaders in the Western Conference All-Star voting.
Kobe Bryant spoke to ESPN about the Lakers’ slow start.
According to rumors, the Lakers are Targeting Delonte West.
Magic Johnson believes the Lakers are using Pau Gasol incorrectly.
Johnson went on to say that the Lakers don’t have the talent to run Mike D’Antoni’s system.
Steve Nash is likely out two additional weeks.
Staples Center was named one of the best arenas in the NBA.
Dwight Howard is remaining patient during the Lakers’ slow start.