Kobe Bryant and Dwight Hoard are still two of the better players in the NBA regardless of how upsetting their first season together on the court may have been. Today, by way of Lakers.com, Bryant was named to the All-NBA First-Team for a record tying 11th time, tying former teammate Karl Malone, and for the 8th consecutive season.

Bryant was a constant force for the injury-riddled Lakers squad this season as he averaged 27.3 points per game while playing 38.6 minutes every contest. He scored over 2,000 points for the eighth time in his career and became the fourth player in NBA history to do so while being above the age of 34. The other three players who accomplished this milestone are Alex English, Karl Malone, and Michael Jordan.

Bryant made the first team by collecting 91 first team votes placing him fourth in first team voting behind Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, and unanimous selection, LeBron James. The last player of first-team selection is Tim Duncan who obtained 45 votes.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/337614669101531136

Dwight Howard, arguably the most sought after free-agent this off-season, made the All-NBA Third-Team. He gained 17 out of the possible 119 first place votes, the highest amount of the third team selection.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/337614719529664512

Howard only averaged 17 points per game this season but still lead the league with 12.4 rebounds per game. While his numbers were lower than his yearly standards he did announce that he returned 6 months earlier than expected to play for the Lakers this season.

Stay tuned for more news and updates here on LakerNation.com

The post Bryant earns record tying 11th All-NBA First-Team selection; Howard named to All Third-Team appeared first on Laker Nation.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

As the NBA playoffs rage on, and the final four teams fight to bring the Larry O’Brien trophy to their respective fans and cities, Lakers fans are still trying to deal with the bitter disappointment of a failed season. We can, and probably will,spend the next few months trying to forget the mediocre season which ended with the thud of the proverbial broom, and being swept by the Spurs.

There were multiple things that led to the ultimate demise of this Lakers team. So many, that if piled on top of each other, it would begin to resemble a cheap imitation of a sky scraper.I am sure there are varying degrees of opinions as to which thing was worse than the other, and all hold a certain value as to why the Lakers performed as poorly as they did.

Some may say it was poor coaching, lack of cohesiveness, or a severe case of the injury bug. Others may be of the opinion the Lakers starters rarely played on the floor together, or that their team defense was horrific. And then there is that group of fans that may think the Lakers were just too old, too slow, and too selfish to ever achieve a championship this season.

When a team has this many things wrong with it, you can’t just sit still and do nothing if you expect to be better. Because the Lakers have never really had a history of taking too kindly to sub par seasons, I fully expect moves to be made. I don’t for one minute believe we will recognize this roster when next season rolls around. However, the one key question mark remains:

What in the world should the Lakers do with Dwight Howard? Do you hand him that enormous bag of money and bring him back? Does he walk away and sign with another team? Or do the Lakers put a package together with another team, admit they made a  mistake with him, and ship him off? I am here to offer the pros and cons of why or why not the Lakers keep him or say goodbye.

THE PROS

Dwight Howard was coming off back surgery. He was not supposed to start playing until January, but came back earlier than expected. Therefore, he was never at full strength, and still put up decent offensive numbers. He should be back healthier and more agile next season.

Dwight Howard is a defensive force. He blocks shots, clogs the paint, rebounds, and can alter the course of a game.

In prior seasons, when health, he has put up big offensive numbers, and single handedly carried his team to victories.

He is physically gifted, and has the potential to be the best player at his position.

THE CONS

Dwight Howard is a one trick pony when it comes to offensive moves. He has not become a polished post up player, and poses no threat on the perimeter, and is only good for dunking the ball.

Dwight Howard doesn’t play the game with the pride and passion that you see in other players with half his God given abilities. He spends way too much time smiling and clowning around,which makes one wonder if he is capable of leading this Lakers team.

He is too moody, loves drama, and can’t seem to get beyond petty issues. He did not demonstrate the desire to sacrifice some of his game for the greater good of the Lakers. Instead, he spent time moaning and groaning about not getting enough touches.

He has no sense of Lakers tradition, and doesn’t really seem to care. He talks about wanting to win championships, but does he want to do the things it takes to get them?

Finally, and most importantly, he quit on his teammates in game four of the playoffs. With full knowledge that the Lakers were already severely short handed, he got himself ejected. Once again, putting himself in front of the issue at hand, which was winning the game.

So there you have it. Decide for yourself what you think. At the end of the day, the Lakers and Dwight are going to do what they want to do. The question is will either of them do the right thing for the right reasons?

The post The Dwight Howard Dilemma: Should Lakers Keep Him Or Cut Him Loose? appeared first on Laker Nation.

Don’t have plans for Memorial Day Weekend? Well why don’t you spend it in Downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp district!

WIN TWO FREE TICKETS TO SAN DIEGO’S: SING, DANCE, CRAWL

When: Saturday, May 25, 2013 – 2pm (Memorial Day Weekend)

What: (2) Free Tickets to San Diego’s “Sing, Dance, Crawl” and a Free Crawl T-Shirt (Over a $70 value!)

Where: House of Blues, Fluxx, Bootlegger and Sidebar

Restrictions: Must be 21 with valid ID to attend.

ENTER TO WIN BY SIMPLY LIKING THEIR PAGE ON FACEBOOK!

What do you have to lose?

Sing, Dance, Crawl Breakdown:

• SDC kicks off at House of Blues with Rock Bank Karaoke. 15 semi-talented people get the opportunity to sing on the main stage with a full band! (Keep it classy with $4 12oz cans and $6 calls!)
• Next up is Fluxx, San Diego’s award-winning experiential nightlife venue! Three bars, Fluxx’s amazing dancers, incredible lights, booming sound and 5,000 sq. ft. of pulsating dance floor … you won’t believe its only 4 in the afternoon. And it gets better, with $4 drafts and $6 calls.
• Last stops (yes, there are 2 to choose from) are Bootlegger and Sidebar. Haven’t worn out the soles of your shoes yet? Head to Sidebar and continue the dance party. Go-go dancers, awesome DJ, $4 drafts and $6 calls. Worked up an appetite with all that dancing at Fluxx? Head over to Bootlegger for some grub, music, awesome crowd and (of course) drink specials … $4 Fireball and $4 Dos XX mugs. Can’t go wrong either way.

For more information on Sing, Dance, Crawl visit TheLocalSanDiego.com

The post Party Like A Rockstar on Memorial Day Weekend in San Diego appeared first on Laker Nation.

It’s still shocking.

A coach who was one 11 championships, five with the Lakers organization, asks Mitch Kupchak and Jimmy Buss to give him the weekend to decide if he wants to come back. They then call him Sunday at midnight to wake him up out of a sleep and say “We have hired Mike D’Antoni”.

Why?

“Because we think he is the best coach for this group of players.” Kupchak said.

You got to be kidding me right?

Well, we all know how that turned out. The Lakers had arguably their most embarrassing season in franchise history.

Phil Jackson finally opened up on Thursday night on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. While we have all heard the story, it is still shocking to hear Jackson tell it.

He also confirmed that Jeanie Buss was mad for two months after her brother (Jim Buss) decided to go with D’Antoni over Jackson.

You can make an argument that the majority of Laker Nation is still mad. (ie. The “We Want Phil” chants all season long)

The post Phil Jackson Talks About The Lakers Choosing D’Antoni Over Him appeared first on Laker Nation.

#10:

I think championship should be an expectation. Realistically we have enough talent here that there will be enough to where our goal is a championship.

Mike D’Antoni, via Lakers.com

#9:

[The fans' support] drives me. It gives me more fuel and more focus to have that support. They believe in me. I take that and I wear that as a badge of honor not to disappoint them.

Kobe Bryant, who’s been recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered on April 12th, via Lakers.com

#8:

My back was pretty much painful the whole year. I came back five or six months earlier than I was supposed to, for this team, for this city because I wanted to win so bad.

Dwight Howard, via Lakers.com

#7:

As a coach you sleep like a baby … Every 15 minutes you wake up and cry.

Mike D’Antoni, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin

#6:

I understand the position I find myself in. It can be a little draining. It’s not ideal. But I also accept it. I accept where I am. I accept the circumstances the team is in. I’m not upset about it. It’s just the way it is. The future is uncertain. There’s a possibility I could be gone. There’s a possibility I could stay. But I’m prepared either way.

Pau Gasol, via Lakers.com

#5:

We have a great legacy, a great history of great players in this city dating back to when the franchise came here in 1960, and he certainly fits the mold. If you just look at the opportunity, which is to play for this franchise in this city, with what this franchise has meant to this city and its accomplishments, that’s probably the most any team can offer a player.

Mitch Kupchak, on why he’s optimistic that Dwight Howard will re-sign with the Lakers, via Lakers.com

#4:

This is probably the craziest year I’ve been apart of. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong, with the talent, the expectations we had. We definitely had a team that was capable of winning a championship, we just never had a chance to put it together.

Chris Duhon, via Lakers.com

#3:

He went through a situation with back surgery where he was all by himself. He sees that and he doesn’t want me to experience the same thing he experienced. Our bond grew a lot. It shows through adversity your bond can become stronger. The support for each other really shined through. That’s why I would love for this group to come back and get another crack at it.

Kobe Bryant, on Dwight Howard, via Lakers.com

#2:

When you lose, everything is in play. This is the third year in a row that you could argue we didn’t live up to or play up to expectations. Everybody is in play, whether it’s Pau [Gasol] or anybody else to look for ways to improve the team. By and large, the organization has always looked to put the best product on the court, and that will continue to be how we’ll move going forward. Looking for the best players that give us what we think is the best chance to win.

Mitch Kupchak, via Lakers.com

#1:

[This year] was like a nightmare. It was like a bad dream, and we couldn’t wake up out of it. It seemed like nothing could go right from the start.

Dwight Howard, after the Lakers season-ending loss to the Spurs, via NBC Sports

What is your favorite one? Do you think any quotations got snubbed? Let us know in the comment section below!

The post Top 10 Lakers Quotes of the Week appeared first on Laker Nation.

Assistant coaches Bernie Bickerstaff and Chuck Person have been told they won’t be retained by the Lakers.

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) May 7, 2013

Bresnahan adds…

Dan D’Antoni, Steve Clifford, Darvin Ham and Phil Handy still on Lakers’ coaching staff. Alvin Gentry would be logical hire as well.

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) May 7, 2013

Bernie Bickerstaff served as interim head coach for five games, taking over for a fired Mike Brown; he went 4-1.

Coach Mike D’Antoni didn’t get a chance to fill his entire staff when he took over during the season.

The post Lakers won’t be bringing back Bickerstaff and Person appeared first on Laker Nation.

Over the course of last week’s exit interviews, many of Dwight Howard’s teammates plus general manager Mitch Kupchak and coach Mike D’Antoni weighed in on the big man’s season, adding their thoughts on the impending free agent’s future.

The post Lakers weigh in on Dwight Howard appeared first on Laker Nation.

Kobe Bryant’s timetable for return from achilles surgery is 6-9 months. When will he return? Also, when he does return, will Kobe be the same player?

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Read more: http://www.am570radio.com/cc-common/mainheadlines3.html?feed=407832?feed=407832&article=11254364#ixzz2SH4NrIFT

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The Dwightmare continues this off-season as Dwight Howard needs to answer a $118 million question. Will he sign a max deal with the Los Angeles Lakers? STNTV gives their percentage chance he stays in the Purple & Gold.

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Hyde Sunset: http://twitter.com/hydesunset

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The post Will Dwight Howard Return to the Lakers? appeared first on Laker Nation.

Phil Jackson has accepted a role on an NBA team, but it’s not the Lakers. The Detroit Pistons will bring Jackson in to advise the team on its coaching search.

#Pistons are brining in Phil Jackson to help advise on the coaching search, the team announced

— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) May 3, 2013

Dumars: “we feel that Phil Jackson is a great resource to use. I look forward to talking with Phil next week.”

— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) May 3, 2013

It would be interesting to see if Jackson advises the Pistons to consider two of his former assistants, Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw.

Meanwhile, a Phil Jackson return to Los Angeles seems highly unlikely.

The post Detroit Pistons bring in Phil Jackson for advisory role appeared first on Laker Nation.

Via Alex Theatre:

During a storied career as head coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson won 11 titles – more championships than any coach in the history of professional sports. Never wavering from coaching his way, from a place of deep values, Jackson was tagged as the ‘Zen master’ by sportswriters; the nickname speaks to an important truth: this is a coach who inspired, not goaded; who led by awakening and challenging the better angels of his players’ nature, not their egos, fear, or greed.

Former Laker, John Salley will be hosting the event with Jackson.

Tickets are available through Alex Theatre’s website. You can read more about the event here.

More InfoPurchase Tickets

The post Phil Jackson to discuss memoir at the Alex Theatre appeared first on Laker Nation.

6 weeks ago Bynum had orthroscopic surgery, again, on both of his knees. That surgery ended his 2012-2013 season as a Philadelphia 76er, one in which he never played a single game in. You would figure that with his knees being operated on recently and his name still be a lightning rod for critics he would rest up and prepare for the 2013-2014 season. No, not really. As Zach Harper at CBS reported, Bynum was dancing the night away in Spain on his annual European off season trip.

In a year of many hairdos for the Philadelphia 76ers‘ center but zero minutes on the court, he collected a big paycheck and made his upcoming free agency even more confusing for potential bidders.

But anyone hoping to ink him to a big contract might want to check out this video. Bynum is apparently in Madrid, he’s dancing, and he’s moving like a guy that can cha-cha his way to a max deal.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200270184370233

Here is to Andrew Bynum and his knees, as he will continue to not care what others think.

The post Andrew Bynum: At It Again… appeared first on Laker Nation.

“My back was in pain the whole year. I came back 5-6 months earlier than I was supposed to. I did that for the team and city”

- Dwight Howard

The post Dwight on early return from injury… appeared first on Laker Nation.