Tonight is a big night in Laker land as the Lakers play the Spurs after a whirlwind of crazy the past few days. The Lakers continue their six-game home stand as they face the 6-1 San Antonio tonight at the Staples Center. They have won two consecutive games under interim coach, Bernie Bickerstaff, but will be presented with their toughest challenge so far tonight. For today’s game, D’Antoni will just be watching, as Bickerstaff will remain as interim Head Coach. D’Antoni will coach his first game for the Lakers on Friday.
Following the game, however, Time Warner Cable SportNet will have an exclusive Lakers discussion and is preparing to speak to the new head coach of the Lakers, D’Antoni. This will be the first television interview of the new Lakers coach. For fans with Time Warner Cable SportsNet, this will be a must-see television special. It will air tonight at 6:30 p.m.
A key to a successful season for Mike will be having Kobe on your side. So far, things seem to be going smoothly, especially after calling Kobe the “greatest talent we have in the game.” This morning, Mike spoke to Ryan Seacrest on 102.7 KIIS-FM and discussed his future with the Los Angeles Lakers. His goal is to win a championship, but he was also excited about the opportunity to coach Kobe Bryant.
To add to the Lakers news this week, trade rumors are bubbling! Allegedly, the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to trade point guards Steve Blake and Chris Duhon, but at this time no one is interested in executing a deal. With Mike D’Antoni now the head coach, there is really no need for all these point guards; the Lakers need three point shooters. Blake recently suffered a setback and it may take some time until he gets back on the court, making him even more useless. As for Chris Duhon, he has not seen a lot of playing time with the Lakers.
Happy Birthday Metta! The Lakers star turns 33 today, and hopefully this extra birthday juice propels him tonight against the Spurs. If you are a Metta fan, celebrate with LN by updating your desktop/ iPad background/ smart phone background with our newest piece of art featuring World Peace.
For more on the pregrame report, click here.
San Antonio Spurs (6-1) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (3-4)
7:30 PM PST, November 13, 2012
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
TV: TWC Sports Network, NBATV
Radio: 710 ESPN (English) 1330 KWKW (Spanish)
Spurs Projected Starting Line-up
PG: Tony Parker
SG: Danny Green
SF: Kawhi Leonard
PF: Tim Duncan
C: Boris Diaw
Key Reserves: G Manu Ginobili, G Gary Neal, F Stephen Jackson F Tiago Splitter
Lakers Nation News
Mike D’Antoni Is As Much About The Future As He Is About The Present
Lakers Rumors: Team Shopping Steve Blake and Chris Duhon
Kobe Bryant Releases Videos Of Visit To Skid Row
Kobe Bryant Talks About D’Antoni Hiring on Facebook
Lakers vs. Spurs Pre-Game Report: Lakers Go for Third Straight Win
Mike D’Antoni Calls Kobe “Greatest Talent We Have in the Game”
Mike D’Antoni Will Have First Television Interview as Lakers Coach Tonight
Shootaround Report: Kobe Bryant Says Mike D’Antoni His First Choice
Happy 33rd Birthday Metta World Peace
Lakers News
Return to Showtime: Hiring Mike D’Antoni [Silver Screen and Roll]
Did Mike Brown’s rotations lead to his departure? [Silver Screen and Roll]
Kobe Downplays D’Antoni’s Defensive Reputation [Silver Screen and Roll]
Talking Lakers-Spurs, But Mostly Lakers, with PTR [Silver Screen and Roll]
Preview & Chat: The San Antonio Spurs [Forum Blue and Gold]
Phil Jackson Thought it Was His Call [ESPN]
Hiring D’Antoni Makes Sense for Lakers in Short Term and Long Run [SI.com]
Steve Nash Finds Himself in a Surprising Spot [Lakers Blog]
Dwight Howard ‘Excited’ About Hiring [ESPN]
Lakers Left Phil Jackson Feeling Misled [OC Register]
Lakers Christmas jerseys officially unveiled [SB Nation]
Mike D’Antoni May Be Second-Best, But He Can Lead the Lakers [Grantland]
Kupchak: D’Antoni to Maximize Nash, Howard [Lakers Blog]
Lakers’ Late-Night Move Puzzling [OC Register]
Sorting Out the Lakers Mess [Hang Time Blog]
Antawn Jamison Calls Time with Lakers a ‘Zoo’ [LA Times]
Mike D’Antoni Can Win Big as Lakers Coach — If They Defend [ProBasketballTalk]
Sorry, Lakers Fans, but You Actually Want D’Antoni, Not Phil [Daily News]
Steve Blake Out Tuesday With Abdominal Strain [SB Nation]
Kobe’s First Choice was Mike D’Antoni — Before Phil was Involved [Lakers Blog]
NBA News
Mike D’Antoni Hiring: Knicks React to Move [SB Nation]
Kevin Durant: Oklahoma City Star Expands His Game, Helps Team [The Point Forward]
More Andrew Bynum Complications [ESPN]
Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose Takes Another Step in Rehab of Knee [ESPN Chicago]
Video Breakdown: Celtics Beat Bulls Pick-and-Roll D [SB Nation]
All-Star Balloting Begins in Houston [Hang Time Blog]
How Injuries to Derrick Rose, Dirk Nowitzki, Amare’ Stoudemire Affect Respective Teams [The Point Forward]
How FIBA Completely Changed International Ball [SB Nation]
The Art of Having Opinions [Mavs Moneyball]
NBA Basketball Power Rankings – National Basketball Association [ESPN]
We Lost a Hoop Legend in Williamson [Hang Time Blog]
Video: Jason Richardson Can Still Do A 360 Dunk [Sports City]
NBA Christmas Uniforms are Plain, Lame [SB Nation]