“A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.” – Moslih Eddin Saadi
The Lakers are about to embark on a seven-game road trip starting on Wednesday when they play the Los Angeles Clippers. The Lakers will begin the trip in the same city in which they play their home games but the colors of the court will be different.
It seems as though every year the Lakers face a daunting road trip that either improves or ruins the morale of the team. The Lakers can come out of this trip with supreme confidence or with their heads down kicking rocks.
The team will not play a single home game from December 8 through December 19. The Lakers will play an Eastern Conference team in six of the seven games, highlighted by a trip to the Windy City to play the Chicago Bulls.
Although it will be a great accomplishment for the Lakers to win every game, the team must focus more on bonding and becoming a close group. They must try to improve on a certain aspect of their game, and by doing that their chemistry will reach an all-time high.
It is certain that the Lakers will make mistakes on this seven-game road trip, but like the old saying goes, “You must learn from your mistakes.”
Next: Preview of the First Three Games
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.
Next: Preview of the Next Two Games
December 14th– Washington Wizards
The Los Angeles Lakers will most likely make their White House appearance before their meeting with John Wall and the Wizards. The Lakers had a similar ceremony with President Barack Obama last year, and they are back for round two.
After the Lakers tour the President’s house, they will have their rematch with the Washington Wizards— this time in the Verizon Center. The Wizards have nice young talent, but with that youth comes lack of experience. Wall and McGee will present a problem due to their speed and agility, but it is nothing the Lakers cannot handle.
December 15th– Indiana Pacers
Every Laker fan was disappointed and ashamed of the team when they fell to the Pacers back on November 28th. The Pacers won a game in Staples for the first time in team history, and the Lakers were completely shocked. They once again underestimated a team, and it turned out to backfire!
The Lakers must come to the game with better focus and increased respect for the Indiana Pacers. The Conseco Field House crowd can get hostile, so expect a tense game with emotions and tempers flying.
Next: Preview of the Last Two Games
December 17th– Philadelphia 76ers
Whenever the Lakers visit the city of “Brotherly Love,” there is nothing kind about the reception Kobe Bryant receives from the crowd. He is a hated man in his home town of Philly as the majority of the fans despise his attitude and demeanor.
However, the vicious chants and negative comments do not affect the Black Mamba. He uses his game to respond to the crowd’s hostility; Kobe will make sure the Philly-faithful has nothing to say when the game ends.
December 19th– Toronto Raptors
The Lakers will travel north of the border for the last game on the seven-game road trip. The Lakers have a strong fan base in Toronto, so expect to hear loud cheers whenever the Lakers score a bucket.
Last season when the Lakers played the Toronto Raptors, they walked away in shame after a complete debacle. The team did not play like defending champions, and they eventually lost due to their inability to score in the final minutes.
The Lakers should play with more intensity and focus, as they will try to regain their pride after losing last season.