Laker Nation

Bryant scores 40, but Odom and Walton continue to fizzle as L.A. gets swept in Texas. L.A. Times: Another rough third quarter. Another punchless effort from the frontcourt. Another loss in Texas. When all else failed, the Lakers turned into the Kobe Bryant show, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 112-105 loss Friday to the Dallas Mavericks at American [...]

L.A. Times: Kobe Bryant was voted by fans to start his 10th All-Star game, almost a formality for one of the game’s most enthralling talents. “It’s always exciting,” he said Thursday. “It doesn’t get old at all. Nowadays, it’s such a huge spectacle.” Joining Bryant as Western Conference starters Feb. 17 in New Orleans will be Denver guard Allen Iverson, [...]

Damn it. Damn it. DAMN IT!!! L.A. Times: Ronny Turiaf has been slowed by a sore big toe on his right foot, an injury that keeps him from playing extended minutes, Coach Phil Jackson said. Turiaf was initially injured when the toe was stepped on in Monday’s game against Denver. His toe was again stepped on in Wednesday’s game against [...]

Lakers need Odom more then ever now. Will he step up? Or will he be a complete dud for the next 7 weeks? Sound-off in the comments and tell us what you think! L.A. Times: As evidenced by Wednesday night’s second-half meltdown at San Antonio, this could be a rough patch for Lamar Odom and the Lakers. . . . [...]

They have struggled against the spread since their starting center injured his knee. L.A. Times: With 22 victories against the point spread in their first 33 games, the Lakers had become one of the NBA’s best bets behind the unselfish play of Kobe Bryant. But things have changed over the last two weeks for Coach Phil Jackson’s young team. Since [...]

L.A. Times: The unforeseen sometimes happens when the Lakers play here. An inspirational, unexpected midseason victory a year ago. Derek Fisher’s unforgettable “0.4″ shot. And on Wednesday, there was the mystery of the disappearing team. The Lakers controlled almost every facet in the first half but fell apart rapidly in the second half of a 103-91 loss to the San [...]

After an examination this morning by Dr. Ken Jung, a foot specialist with the Kerlan- Jobe Orthopedic Group, it is estimated that Ariza will be out approximately eight weeks. L.A. Times: As if the Lakers needed this to happen. Forward Trevor Ariza was diagnosed with a fractured bone in his right foot after hurting it today at practice. Ariza will [...]

L.A. Times: Kwame Brown apologized to teammates after his turnover-filled debacle that drew a series of boos in the Lakers’ loss Thursday against Phoenix. Brown, speaking to reporters Saturday for the first time since the Lakers’ one-sided 106-98 loss to the Suns, acknowledged going “into a shell” after hearing fans’ reactions to his struggles. He had seven turnovers, four as [...]

LOS ANGELES (AP) -Lakers center Andrew Bynum was helped off the court with a sprained left knee early in the third quarter of Sunday night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The 20-year-old Bynum, a key factor in the Lakers’ excellent start this season, came down on teammate Lamar Odom’s left foot while going for a rebound under the Memphis basket [...]

Press-Telegram: Kobe Bryant was a no-show at practice Saturday morning, earning a day off to rest and recover from an upper respiratory illness. He was termed “probable” to play in tonight’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. Bryant played spectacularly at times while scoring 37 points and recording seven assists in the Lakers’ victory Friday night over the [...]

ESPN: Andrew Bynum has arrived as a serious contributor to the Lakers. How is he doing it? How can he continue to develop? Let’s take a look: Early offense The Lakers play at the fifth fastest pace in the NBA and Bynum is a beneficiary of their style and speed. He rarely races down the floor, choosing instead to run [...]

He probably will play power forward the rest of the season because of his strong work on the boards. L.A. Times: It sounded like a sensible concept at the time, moving Lamar Odom to small forward when he returned from off-season shoulder surgery, the better to save wear and tear on his upper body by avoiding a season’s worth of [...]

If you think Kobe had a better play then the ten you see below, post it in the comments… [youtube RAkjaQoG3bY]

Daily News: Rookie guard Javaris Crittenton showed what his game is all about Friday night against the Philadelphia 76ers. Finally. He has spent most of this season on the Lakers’ bench, but he got an opportunity to play extended minutes during a 31-point victory over the 76ers. He scored a career-high 19 points in a personal-best 24 minutes. Crittenton is [...]