Laker Nation

Kobe Bryant drove baseline and hammered it in over Sasha Vujacic. Minutes later, he blew past Jordan Farmar and scored on a one-handed reverse layup. Welcome back to L.A., fellas. A chance to extend their winning streak to a seventh game, the Lakers came into tonight’s contest knowing they’d be warring with a pair of familiar faces, and knowing that [...]

Last night, the Lakers sprinted to a victory, stepping on the dejected bodies of the Cleveland Cavaliers on their way to a win. Tonight, they were faced with an uphill challenge; each 10-foot ascent followed by a 5-foot drop. Yet they refused to let up, no matter how quickly the younger climbers seemed to pass them by. These young Golden [...]

When Lebron James left for South Beach, he not only took his talents from the Cavaliers, he also robbed them blind of their spirit and pride. It’s incredible to think that just a season ago, this Cleveland team held the best record in the NBA and tonight, they could barely put the ball in the hoop to save their dignity. [...]

The Knicks are relevant again. That seems to be the catchphrase for New York’s storied franchise this season. With Amar’e Stoudemire playing like an MVP, and a revamped supporting cast filling in some cracks, Mike D’Antoni’s finally got a roster that works (well, except for Eddy Curry. Can’t remember the last time he did any “work”). The most prolific scoring [...]

Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum stood on the sidelines after the game, their arms around each other as they chatted. There were some smiles, a quick laugh, and then they were off into the tunnel, extending their arms to shake hands with fans on the way. Were they going over their win? Perhaps sharing an inside joke? In any case, [...]

Kobe Bryant drove into the lane, and in doing so, sucked the Suns’ defense right in with him, leaving an unattended Ron Artest standing in the corner. Bryant passed the ball and Artest stood there for two seconds, maybe wondering if he should shoot it or pass it on. He held the ball for what seemed like an eternity, with [...]

Back to back blowouts for the Lakers – but this time they were on the winning end, and thank goodness for that. One win against the team with the fourth worst road record in the league may not be a cause for rejoicing, but based on the Lakers’ last few losses (and even some wins); a blowout is just the [...]

There’s been a lot of talk regarding playoff seeds and home court advantage lately; lots of discussion in the NBA media about whether or not the Lakers would still manage to survive through a whole conference if they opened the first round away from Staples Center. Based on where and how they’ve been losing lately, it appears that not even [...]

With just over a minute left on this New Year’s Eve game, the Lakers’ 14-point lead had shrunk and the score was tied, 98-98. Kobe Bryant had possession of the ball, surveyed the floor, weighed all of his options, then drove baseline, rose up, and hit stepback from the corner. Lakers 100, Sixers 98. Philadelphia missed their next opportunities to [...]

There was a rare sighting from the Lakers bench today; something that hasn’t been seen in quite a while – smiles. Lamar Odom checked out of the game late in the fourth quarter, sat beside Kobe Bryant and the two shared a chuckle. Sometimes all you need is change – change is good. You need it every once in awhile, [...]

The Spurs played like the best, and the Lakers played like the team who used to be the best. They lost four games in a row, then went on a 6-1 road trip. Pau Gasol was huffing and puffing, then Andrew Bynum came back to relieve him. They got their butts whooped by Milwaukee and Miami, then started tonight’s game [...]

Maybe the Lakers are starting a new Christmas tradition: Don’t give in to a much-hyped game by playing heartlessly and showing exactly how little you care. Well, point taken, guys – you don’t feel the need to prove yourselves to a newly-formed team in Miami, but did you have to get blown out of your own home court…for the second game [...]

Kobe Bryant was called for a charge, received two technicals in a row and was ejected with just over two minutes left in tonight’s game. As he exited off the court, he had some easily identifiable words for the officials that I’m unable to relay here. Maybe he was frustrated with the call. Maybe he was disappointed in the lack [...]

Oh Canada. They almost had it, didn’t they? But like the old saying goes, “almost” doesn’t count, unless you’re counting losses and Toronto can now add the latest to their growing tally. It was a rare early Sunday game for the Lakers and it showed. Coming off a win in Philadelphia in which they did just enough to get out [...]