Final Score: Lakers: 68, Sixers: 60 I guess we could call this one a defensive struggle. Both the Lakers and Sixers looked like two teams who met just outside the gym before the game. The end result: Some of the ugliest basketball you’d continue watching. There were bright spots, though. For one, D’Angelo Russell looked a lot […]
Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers Summer League Recap: Game 1
Final Score: Lakers 68, Timberwolves 81 And so went the most-hyped summer league game in recent memory. The anticipation beforehand was palpable, and why wouldn’t it be? A summer league game feature at least two fifths of each team’s potential starting five and had the top two picks facing off against each other for the first […]
How Expectations Skewed Lakers’ Offseason
As I write this article, I’m operating under the view the Roy Hibbert trade will take place later today. Given the DeAndre Jordan fiasco yesterday, it’s important to present this caveat, as all deals mentioned in this article are no more than verbal agreements at this time. We live in a world where Steve Nash’s trophy […]
How Might Pressure Affect The Lakers’ Young Core?
Anthony Irwin is a lifelong Lakers and, by extension, NBA fan. The league is in a great place and he joins Forum Blue & Gold as the Lakers seem to be turning things around. In his inaugural post here at FB&G, he looks at the team’s young core and the pressure they face to be […]
Around The World (Wide Web): Mike Brown’s Approach, Kobe’s Leadership, & Bench Play
From Ramona Shelburne, ESPN Los Angeles: Dwight Howard had no idea how good he had it as he left Staples Center late Saturday night. “Day off tomorrow!” he said happily as he left the arena. After a long week of practice, three exhibition games, plus travel to Fresno and Ontario, it wasn’t surprising the Lakers would take […]
Lakers/Mavericks: Revenge Continued
Box Score: Lakers 96, Mavs 91 Offensive Efficiency: Lakers 110.3, Mavs 104.6 True Shooting %: Lakers 58.0%, Mavs 48.7% We knew that the Lakers had a bit of a tough mini-road trip ahead before the All-Star break. The Mavs have been pretty hot. They won 7 of their last 8 going into this game. THE […]
Lakers/Jazz: Fourth-Quarter Collapse
Box Score: Lakers 87, Jazz 96 Offensive Efficiency: Lakers 103.6, Jazz 114.3 True Shooting %: Lakers 53.3%, Jazz 52.5% The Good: For most of the first 3 quarters, Andrew Bynum looked dominant. Nobody from the Jazz seemed capable of stopping his offense. He finished with another monster game with 21 points, 12 boards, and 2 […]
Lakers/Magic: Offensive Offense
Box Score: Lakers 80, Magic 92 Offensive Efficiency: Lakers 94.1, Magic 108.2 True Shooting %: Lakers 49.5%, Magic 55.6% The Good: Kobe Bryant had an efficient 30 points and 8 assists. They showed some fight on some parts of the game. It was nice to see them play through Pau Gasol at the start of […]
Lakers/Clippers: Battle Of L.A. 2012, Part 1
Box Score: Lakers 94, Clippers 102 Offensive Efficiency: Lakers 109.3, Clippers 118.6 True Shooting %: Lakers 57.0%, Clippers 55.7% The Good: I suppose people will point to Kobe Bryant dropping another 40+ game. After all, he pretty much kept the Lakers within striking distance in a game that was basically controlled by the Clippers for […]
A Fond Farewell: Wishing Lamar Odom The Peace He Deserves
At what point does a person’s income preclude him from complaining about some of life’s breaks? Is there a line of demarcation? $10 million per year? A million? $500,000? $100,000? At what point does compensation beget dehumanization? Though I share neither their income bracket nor VIP status, I have a tendency to empathize with athletes […]