December 8th– Los Angeles Clippers
The seven-game road trip will begin in Staples Center but with a different logo across the floor. The Lakers will play their “rival” Los Angeles Clippers, in a LA-showdown. Although the Clippers are close to the bottom of both the Pacific Division and Western Conference, they have a bright spot in Blake Griffin. Griffin will dazzle the crowd with his leaping ability and his highlight plays.
However, the Lakers should have no problem facing the LA Clippers. The Clippers may end up challenging the Lakers, but at the end of the day the Lakers have the best closer in the game.
December 10th– Chicago Bulls
The Lakers’ most anticipated game on the road trip will occur on Friday night when the team makes its only visit to Chicago. The Bulls and Lakers have had many battles in their illustrious histories, and they were very close to pulling the trigger on a block-buster trade. Remember when Kobe Bryant was rumored to go to Chicago in exchange for several young Bulls’ players? Well, thank Dr. Jerry Buss for not accepting the trade offer.
The Bulls always present a challenge for teams due to their speed and athleticism. Derrick Rose has an uncanny ability for getting to the rim, and his new partner Carlos Boozer gives him another weapon to pass to. The Lakers’ point guards will have trouble staying in front of Rose, and the big men will be battling with Boozer and Noah throughout the whole game.
Expect Kobe to put on a show in this Friday night showdown. Bryant always seems to entertain the crowd whenever the team travels to a major city. Take his 61-point performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City for an example.
December 12th– New Jersey Nets
The next stop for the Lakers will be a Sunday game in New Jersey when they face the Nets and their presumptuous owner Mikhail Prokhorov.
The Lakers will be reunited with their former-teammate Jordan Farmar, who is the Nets’ back up point-guard. The Nets have greatly improved from last year, but their chances of making it to the playoffs are highly unlikely. The Nets can measure themselves against the current NBA champions to see if their post-season hopes are realistic.