In loving memory of my eternal hero, Kobe Bean Bryant, a complicated man who meant many different things to many people. I’d like to share how he impacted my life. I was 21 when I received a call from the Lakers — the Los Angeles Lakers — letting me know I had been chosen as […]
Keeping the Peace in L.A.
With 7:31 left in the third quarter, the artist formerly known as Ron Artest decided to momentarily ditch World Peace and ignite a battle that lasted the remainder of last night’s game against the Clippers, and also the foreseeable future. The Lakers had been flailing for the better part of two and a half quarters, […]
Lakers/Hornets Game 4 Preview & Chat:
It’s safe to say that any panic that swept through Lakerdom after losing Game 1 only one week ago is long gone by now as L.A. has a chance to put this series to bed with another road win today. Give the Hornets all the credit in the world for scrapping their way to a […]
Lakers at Warriors: Turnovers Tell the Tale
Will the real Lakers please stand up? It’s difficult to place too much stock in tonight’s 95-87 no show against the Warriors after a season of confounding losses amidst stellar play since the All-Star break. After losing to Denver and Utah, the forum blue and gold came out of the gates with a vengeance, holding […]
Lakers/Mavericks: L.A.’s Big Size Knocks off Big D
In a game that meant everything for making up ground in the West, the Lakers gave it everything they had, defeating Dallas 96-91. Led by one of Andrew Bynum’s best — and most timely — performances of the season, L.A. effectively controlled the tempo for most of the game’s 48 minutes. Bynum was a beast […]
This ‘Old Fella’ Has Still Got It
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/AFP In a season of record-breaking achievements, Kobe nearly added another one to his résumé last night, coming within five points of tying Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time single-game All-Star scoring record of 42 points, set in 1962. Bryant’s final stat line of 29 minutes, 37 points (14-26 shooting), and 14 rebounds (10 offensive) was […]
Fast Break Thoughts: All-Star Game
More news and notes from STAPLES Center as we look ahead to tonight’s big game… • Other than a potential meet-up in the Finals, the All-Star Game is the only time all season other than two regular season games when the Lakers and Celtics will share the same floor. Just because the game is an […]
Father Time at All-Star Weekend
If the last All-Star Game held in Los Angeles in 2004 feels like like a lifetime ago, Kobe’s All-Star Game debut in 1998 seems nearly pre-historic by now. Long before Kobe-to-Shaq, a Most Valuable Player Award and five NBA Championships, there was a precocious skinny kid who went toe-to-toe with an aging icon — Michael […]
Lakers and Magic: Preview & Chat
Records: Lakers 38-16 (2nd in West), Magic 34-21 (5th in East) Offensive ratings: Lakers 112.4 (2nd in NBA), Magic 108.0 (11th in NBA) Defensive ratings: Lakers 104.8 (10th in NBA), Magic 102.3 (3rd in NBA) Projected Starting Lineups: Lakers: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum Magic: Jameer Nelson, Jason Richardson, Hedo […]
Preview & Chat: Lakers and Celtics
Records: Lakers 33-14 (2nd in West), Celtics 35-11 (1st in East) Offensive ratings: Lakers 112.6 (1st in NBA), Celtics 108 (12th in NBA) Defensive ratings: Lakers 104.7 (9th in NBA), Celtics 100.1 (2nd in NBA) Projected Starting Lineups: Lakers: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum Celtics: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul […]