Phil Jackson arrived early, a full hour before shoot-around. His tall chair was back where he liked it but he didn’t sit. Instead, he walked out to center court, closed his eyes and took a long, slow breath. He was back and relishing that which lay before him – the path would be long and […]
Preview and Chat: The Memphis Grizzlies
Epic stories are the road more traveled. They are by definition, big. They have great peaks and valleys either real or symbolic. Great expectations in of themselves can represent the higher ground. And the losses in all their many shapes and forms, from injuries to games played to the painful realization of failure, act as […]
Friday Forum
It was an odd amalgamation of fits and starts for the first three quarters last night with the Lakers managing to hang in there despite a cuss-ton of turnovers. Credit an overall defensive energy and at long last, a willingness from Coach D’Antoni to let the guys play to their half-court strengths. Halfway through the […]
Wednesday Storylines
The Lakers are somewhere along the long and winding road. Despite two wins against other teams with middling prospects, it’s too early to get caught up in anything other than observation. Does this mean last night’s shelling of the Bucks is unappreciated? Not at all, making an effort is always appreciated. The guys who were […]
Friday Forum
Every player in the NBA has been the truth at some point along the way, whether AAU or high school or college. The curve gets steeper when you get to the show. And trophies are won on the backs of the elite or so the common wisdom goes. You’ve got to assemble your All-Stars, you’ve […]
Wednesday Storylines
The Laker’s 19th loss was at least interesting. At this point, I’d just as soon have the scrubs showing Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol that it’s more than words and excuses. Nobody seriously expects the 60th pick to come straight from a D-League game in Reno, Nevada and lead the Lakers to victory in Houston. […]
Friday Forum
The Lakers’ last game was Tuesday night’s loss to the 76ers. They’ve had some time to reflect and regroup. Yesterday, the team held a five-on-five practice, trying to get sharp while mindful not to overly tax their geriatric legs. There will be a Staples Center battle tonight. The Clippers are coming off a two-game skid […]
Wednesday Storylines
The Lakers kicked off the New Year with a loss – a predictable way to begin this lead-in paragraph given the circumstances. It wouldn’t have been a predictable line for a team once preordained for greatness. This is reality though, and we’ve had ample time to get used to it – good one night and […]
Friday Forum
We all knew this could happen someday. We might have scoffed at the notion or pointed out the vast historical disparity. And some of us will still reason that it’s early, that fortunes can change, that win streaks and loss streaks and injuries and numerous other basketball reasons can influence the long grind to the […]
Wednesday Storylines
The Lakers and their fans have suffered through some less than satisfying Christmas day games in recent years. In fact, prior to yesterday they had lost 9 of 13. It hadn’t really been much of a tradition except for the pageantry of it. This year was different. The Lakers have somehow managed to steer their […]