It was another busy week in the Nation and the Lakers definitely felt it. Kicking off the week with a pair of close wins, the tides turned midway through as the Lakers fell into their second losing streak of the season.
Here’s everything that happened in between…
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Said close win #1 went down against Miami at home Sunday. If you recall, Miami gave the Lakers trouble last month, issuing them a 87-89 loss. This time the Lakers came out on top, but it wasn’t easy. Andrew Bynum’s 24 points and Pau Gasol’s 14 and 18 helped combat a Wade-Beasly one-two that was good for nearly half the team’s points in the 108-105 Lakers win.
During the game, Fox Sports had Robert Horry on at half time where he embraced the prospect of a return to the Lakers. This lead to a Nation Discussion here at TLN.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Monday was an off-day for the Lakers, but without fail, some quotes came out of Shaquille O’Neal on the jersey retirement front. “Hopefully it’ll be here,” he said, walking through the hallway in Staples Center. I was part of the greatest one-two punch in Laker history. Hopefully they still remember that.” Followed by: “In a perfect world, I have four teams, I’d be the first guy standing there with all four jerseys, number retired in all four places.”
News came out of El Segundo that Sasha Vujacic wouldn’t be making the trip to Texas because of back spasms. Sasha has since returned–going 0-3 in 13:24 on Friday.
Ball Don’t Lie ran a pretty awesome interview with Andrew Bynum hitting on everything from making it rain to high school tennis.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Kobe Bryant added yet another accolade to his season, being named the Western Conference’s player of the week for the week prior.
Point Guard talk continued on Tuesday, as Hoopsworld explored the possibilities of Dan Dickau, Eddie Gill, and Blake Ahern coming to the Lakers.
The Lakers went into the first leg of the famed Texas two-step with worries of depth issues upon the news that Sasha Vujacic wouldn’t be traveling with the team. Lamar Odom ended up making his return, scoring 10 points in 27:30 and Kobe chimed in with 33 and 7; good enough for a 105-100 win.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The Blogger’s Power Rankings featured the Lakers in the #2 spot. Cleveland captured the lead this week and the Magic, Spurs, and Celtics rounded out the top five.
The Lakers’ winning ways would see an end the Wednesday night in San Antonio as a couple of controversial calls made way for a 112-111 Spurs win. Again, the fallout included an explosion of posts on the forums, and a blockbuster Nation Discussion.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Kobe Bryant hit the web with yet another viral video masterpiece on Thursday. This time, Kobe is offering Ankle Insurance to combat the performance of his new Zoom Kobe IVs.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Kobe Bryant announced his verbal commitment to Team USA for 2010 and 2012, stating “The chance to represent your country, that’s not even a thought-process for me. If they want me to be on it, I’m all game.”
The Lakers returned home Friday only to find themselves in yet another tight one down the stretch. The Magic, anchored by Jameer Nelson’s 28 points and Dwight Howard’s 25 and 20 finished off the Lakers by a score of 109-103. The loss capped off a tough week for the Lakers heading into Monday’s match-up with the now league-best Cavs.
Adding fodder was Stephon Marbury’s appearance at the game. Stef, who was spotted talking with the Buss’ had this to say: “Jeanie and I are really cool. She invited me to come to the game. I wanted to come before, too. I want to be around it, I miss it.”
Here’s a look at the upcoming week of Lakers Basketball…
Monday (1/19) – Cleveland @ Lakers
7:30pm
TV: TNT
Radio: KLAC
Wednesday (1/21) – Lakers @ Clippers
7:30pm
TV: KCAL, Prime Ticket
Radio: KLAC
Thursday (1/22) – Washington @ Lakers
7:30pm
TV: TNT
Radio: KLAC
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