Laker Nation

Text messages from press row: Lakers GM deserves credit for drafting Andrew Bynum two years ago and then resisting the urge to trade him. L.A. Times: For a guy from Hicksville, maybe Mitch Kupchak isn’t the brain-dead numskull that some Lakers fans have made him out to be. . . . The Lakers general manager — birthplace: Hicksville, N.Y. — [...]

Mood is light-hearted as they prepare for Spurs on Thursday. There’s an air of confidence they are much improved since San Antonio beat them Nov. 13. L.A. Times: It was a light, airy day at the Lakers’ training facility Wednesday, with barely a hint that the San Antonio Spurs had blown into town. Vladimir Radmanovic tried to sing “Feliz Navidad” [...]

Special thanks to Justin Page for writing this take and giving us the privilege to add it to TheLakersNation.com. Again, if you write anything Lakers related and you think that it deserves to be put on the Lakers Nation please e-mail us at articles@TheLakersNation.com. The word is out and the rumors are swirling on where Jason Kidd will land if [...]

Special thanks to Ahmed Sedam for writing this take and giving us the privilege to add it to TheLakersNation.com. Again, if you write anything Lakers related and you think that it deserves to be put on the Lakers Nation please e-mail us at articles@TheLakersNation.com. So it appears, Jason Kidd is on the trade block. One of the greatest point guards [...]

Now that Bynum is evolving to a superstar, will the Lakers even bother talking to Indy? I mean, I doubt Indy would give up O’Neal without including Bynum in the package, right? Sound-off in the comments and tell us what you think! HOOPSWORLD: There has been speculation recently that the Indiana Pacers will again open the door to trading Jermaine [...]

A day after having his fitness questioned by coach, the 20-year-old center equals his career high with 20 points in win over Warriors. L.A. Times: Andrew Bynum had already ditched the stomach flu. He hoped to leave behind a few nondescript games as well. All he did Sunday was match his career high with 20 points in the Lakers’ 123-113 [...]

Coach says habits established during the team’s so-so start are unlikely to be broken. Has the Zen Master given up on the Lakers already? Sound-off in the comments and tell us what you think! L.A. Times: The Lakers probably were not going to win 50 games, but Coach Phil Jackson made it semi-official Saturday. Following practice, Jackson said he had [...]

Thanks to Ajay for sending us these article. Again, if you guys see anything Lakers related that you think deserves to be put up, just e-mail us at articles@TheLakersNation.com. NorthJersey.com: The sources said Kidd is upset that the Nets wouldn’t grant his recent wish for a $15 million contract extension. By not playing in this game, Kidd may have been [...]

Kobe Bryant still has pain in left shoulder after taking a fall in Wednesday’s game but says it could’ve been a lot worse. He expects to play Sunday. L.A. Times: The Lakers had barely opened the last few minutes of their practice to the media Friday when Ronny Turiaf and Javaris Crittenton collided under the basket and got up . [...]

L.A. Times: Could it be that trade-seeking Kobe Bryant has warmed to his teammates and is actually enjoying playing for the Lakers? . . . It sure looks that way. . . . Maybe it’s just his competitive zeal, but Bryant has given no indication that he’s putting out anything less than maximum effort for Coach Phil Jackson, the nine-time [...]

It seems like ever news source really really want to see Kidd in a Lakers uniform. What are your thoughts? Is he worth it? Sound-off in the comments and tells us what you think! ESPN: 11. Lakers — The only logical destination for four reasons: They have a giant expiring contract (Kwame Brown at $9 million); an appealing rookie point [...]

Bryant scores 13 of his 20 points in the first quarter. Bad weather keeps the crowd small and makes problematic a trip from the team’s hotel across the street. L.A. Times: Even with a bout of the stomach flu, Kobe Bryant was too much for the NBA’s worst team. Bryant scored 15 of his 20 points in the first half [...]

A month into the season and were already talking about this years MVP. Let’s just wait it out and see what Kobe brings us in the upcoming weeks and months. Should be a very interesting season… Yahoo!: 8. Kobe Bryant: The Lakers are striking range of becoming an elite team. All that might separate them is a five-game winning streak. [...]

Thanks to Ajay for sending us this article. Again, if you guys see anything Lakers related that you think deserves to be put up, just e-mail us at articles@TheLakersNation.com. NorthJersey.com: Jason Kidd wants to continue playing after his current contract expires in 2009 and wants it to be with the Nets. The latter could change if the Nets continue their [...]