Laker Nation

Happy Ron Artest Day! That should’ve been the official greeting in Las Vegas today after the guest of honor received a key to the city. Apparently, that key opens up more than just casino doors. That key to Sin City seemed to open up the hoop as well because four out of the five times Ron Artest shot from behind [...]

The Lakers wore their home gold jerseys, and the rules of the game were referred to as “hybrid” for its combination of NBA and FIBA rules and regulations, but there was no mistaking who the home team was. At the Palau Sant Jordi arena in Barcelona, Spain, the defending NBA Champions were faced with a formidable opponent in FC Barcelona, [...]

The NBA Pre-Season is a short span of time that serves various purposes, such as getting players back in shape after a long summer layoff; a time to integrate new players into a team’s specific style and system of play; and a time for coaches to experiment with a myriad of line-ups. One purpose that pre-season does not serve is [...]

It wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was downright ugly. After playing one of their most perfect games on Tuesday night’s Game 6, the Lakers started Game 7 looking panicked rather than poised; harried rather than patient; lost rather than commanding...

On the brink of elimination for the first time in the post-season, the Lakers could have cowered under the pressure and watched their hated rivals celebrate a championship on their home floor...

If the 2010 NBA Finals were the Land of Missed Opportunities, the Lakers would reign supreme. After a harrowing 4th quarter performance by Derek Fisher to win Game 3, they led by 8 points in the third quarter in Game 4, then allowed Boston’s bench to outplay them to tie the series 2-2...

Lose to a team that is far superior than you. Lose on a last second shot. Lose with your pride on your sleeve and determination on your face. Don't lose like this; not when the opposing team is shooting 35%. Not when the opponent's best players are sitting on the bench. Not when you've got a chance to put a stranglehold on a difficult series. But the Lakers did just that and now the series sits even at two games apiece.

The final buzzer sounded and they shared an embrace… again. Two teammates, who in their 14-year career have started in 116 playoff games (more than any other duo in NBA history) and have won four championships together. One is a global superstar who is as skilled as he is ferocious. The other is a local hero who is as intelligent as he is calm.

Never mind the officiating. As sad as it is that Phil Jackson plans to make adjustments according to how the referees are calling the game rather than making adjustments with only their opponents to consider, the Lakers allowed the Celtics to take this game from them...

After his post-game sideline interview, Kobe Bryant walked up to Ron Artest who was sitting on the bench, took his teammate’s hand, pounded him on the chest, gathered his head to his, and whispered something in his ear. Maybe Bryant welcomed him to his first NBA Finals appearance...

Surrounded by downtown Los Angeles or the Phoenix desert, dressed in their yellow, white or purple jerseys, it doesn’t matter much to the defending Champions. Having closed every series in the Playoffs away from the comforts of Staples Center, the Lakers have proven that when it comes to winning, time, location, or uniform is but a trivial circumstance.

The momentum had clearly shifted. After leading by 18 points, and then failing to reach out for defensive rebounds (they had three chances!), the Lakers got what they deserved -- a bank-in three-pointer from Jason Richardson to tie the game at 101...

The Orlando Magic heard it. The Phoenix Suns heard it too -- all the talk of a Lakers/Celtics showdown before the Conference Finals even began. The round before the "real round" was a mere formality, a required prerequisite before a team could advance...

It was the Lakers’ game to lose when Shannon Brown swung an overhead pass to Jordan Farmar for a three-pointer in the second quarter to give the Lakers a 41-35 lead. It was their game to lose when Robin Lopez elbowed Derek Fisher on the head and sent the Lakers co-captain after the young fellow who obviously wasn’t familiar with the “Scola incident”...