Los Angeles Lakers Blog – Page 166 – NBA Blog

Bynum and D-Howard meet Saturday

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard is a big, strong, super-athletic center who rebounds, blocks shots, and dunks on people’s heads.

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum is also very big, but every aspect of the rest of his game, as well as his physical tools, are still in development.

The two giants go at each other tonight. The Los Angeles Times (Broderick Turner) reports:

“It’s going to be tough,” Bynum said. “You’re going have to keep him as far away from the basket as you can and make him shoot shots. If he starts getting dunks, it’s over.” Just ask San Antonio’s Tim Duncan, whom Howard backed down low and dunked over during a game between the Spurs and Magic on Thursday. “Yeah, I saw that,” Bynum said. “That was something.” Howard is a chiseled, 6-11, 265-pounder who is a power player… “He gets up and down the court pretty fast,” Bynum said. “He’s really good at ducking in. He’s probably the best in the league that whenever he sees the ball coming toward his side at being real aggressive.”

Magic-Lakers is the best game of the night. I’ll be watching.

Well, to be exact, I’ll be recording it, while out partying. And watching in the morning.

Enjoy the action.

Jordan Farmar hurts knee

Los Angeles Lakers backup point guard Jordan Farmar plays 20 minutes per game and averages 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.08 steals. Although he’s shooting just 40.5% from the field, Farmar is a key reserve. But he’ll be out of action for a while; how long is to be determined: The Orange County Register (Kevin Ding) reports:

One of the Lakers’ more valuable reserves, Jordan Farmar, will be out of action for a while with a tear of the lateral meniscus in his left knee. An MRI today here in Orlando found the cartilage tear, and Farmar is headed home to Los Angeles on Sunday for further examination by team doctors Monday. No word yet on the severity of the tear or whether it will require surgery. In the case of surgery, it could sideline Farmar for months.

Naturally, InsideHoops.com will keep you updated as to what happens, on our front page, or rumors page, or this blog, or probably a combination of the three.

Dec 19: Heat 89, Lakers 87

The AP reports: Dwyane Wade snapped out of a mild slump with 35 points, and the Heat defense stifled the high-powered Los Angeles Lakers’ in ways no opponent has managed this season on the way to an 89-87 victory over the reigning Western Conference champions. Miami held the Lakers to a season low in points, forced 21 turnovers—Los Angeles’ second-highest total of the year—and survived the final dagger that Bryant, the league’s MVP, could hoist their way. “It was going down, then just popped out,” said Bryant, who led the Lakers (21-4) with 28 points. “Happens sometimes.” … Daequan Cook scored 14 points and Shawn Marion had 12 points and 11 rebounds for Miami, which saw most of a 12-point lead entering the fourth disappear. Gasol had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who also got 13 points from Derek Fisher and 12 from Jordan Farmar.

Dec 16: Lakers 116, Knicks 114

The AP reports: Kobe Bryant scored nine of his 28 points in the last 7 1/2 minutes, and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit to beat the New York Knicks 116-114 Wednesday night. Trevor Ariza scored the go-ahead basket with 1:03 remaining to give the Lakers (21-3) their 14th win in 16 games. Nate Robinson, who scored a season-high 33 points, had a chance to give New York the lead, but missed a short jumper with about 12 seconds to play… The Lakers played without Pau Gasol, who has strep throat. Gasol, averaging 18.0 points and 9.3 rebounds, came to Staples Center for the game, but was sent home. Lamar Odom made his first start of the season in Gasol’s place and had season-high totals of 17 points and 12 rebounds. Fisher had 15 points and a season-high seven assists; Luke Walton scored a season-high 14 points, Ariza added 13, and Andrew Bynum had 13 points and 11 rebounds… David Lee had 18 points and 14 rebounds, and Quentin Richardson also scored 18 points for New York.

Marbury may watch Knicks like a fan

Stephon Marbury is a point guard who is probably best utilized as an undersized shooting guard. He’s also a member of the New York Knicks, though he’s gotten as much court time this season as you have. He’s currently banned by the team, and is on vacation in the West coast. Sweet work if you can get it. Anyway, the Knicks are in Los Angeles tonight to play the Lakers, and there’s a chance that one of the “fans” in the stands watching the game may be Marbury. The New York Post (Marc Berman) reports:

Despite being banned from the Knicks, Stephon Marbury is planning to attend the team’s game against the Lakers on Tuesday night at Staples Center, according to a source close to the situation. Marbury told The Post last week he was headed for a two-week West Coast vacation to get out of the cold weather and begin training in the Hollywood Hills. He flew to L.A. on Sunday. It is unclear where Marbury plans to sit at the game, but last Thursday he said he was investigating purchasing courtside seats. The exiled point guard was ordered to stay away from Knicks games and practices in an official capacity. The Lakers are raging-hot, with a 10-game winning streak and 20-3 record.

The only other player in an even remotely situation to Marbury is Eric Snow of the Cleveland Cavaliers, but even that is totally different because Snow and his team are on good teams; Snow plays on retiring and it just hasn’t officially happened yet. Until it does, Snow works as an analyst on NBA TV.

I think it would be funny if Marbury became a Knicks groupie and followed the team all around the country as a fan. Maybe try to get their autographs after games.

Dec 14: Lakers 98, Wolves 86

The AP reports: Kobe Bryant had 26 points and five assists, Pau Gasol added 18 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots, and the Lakers pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves 98-86 on Sunday night. Andrew Bynum added 14 points and nine rebounds, and Trevor Ariza scored 14 points for the Lakers, who have played seven of their last eight games against teams with losing records and lost to two of them—Indiana and Sacramento. And they haven’t been all that impressive in several recent victories… Al Jefferson had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead Minnesota, but he shot 8-of-24, missing 15 of his last 19 shots. Craig Smith added 18 points and eight rebounds, and Ryan Gomes scored 13 for the Timberwolves (4-19), who lost their ninth straight game and fourth in a row since Kevin McHale took over as coach last Monday.

Dec 12: Lakers 112, Kings 103

The AP reports: The Lakers didn’t look like world beaters, but were good enough to beat the Kings this time. Avenging their loss at Sacramento three days earlier, Los Angeles survived a late charge to hold off the Kings 112-103 on Friday night. “We did better playing against them tonight,” said Kobe Bryant, who led the Lakers with 32 points… Pau Gasol had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who built sizable leads several times only to have defensive lapses that let Sacramento back into the game… John Salmons, who led Sacramento with 26 points, expected Bryant to be determined in the rematch.

New Lakers radio deal

The Los Angeles Lakers today announced a new, multi-year radio broadcasting agreement with 710 ESPN beginning in the 2009-10 season.

As the flagship station for the Lakers’ radio coverage, 710 ESPN will carry all 82 regular season and any playoff games, as well as pre- and post-game coverage and preseason games.

“This is an exciting but somewhat bittersweet announcement for the Lakers organization,” said Jeanie Buss, Executive Vice President of Business Operations. “KLAC has been a wonderful partner for more than three decades and we greatly respect and appreciate everything they have done. At the same time, we feel strongly that the time is right for this move to 710 ESPN.”

Buss said the decision was influenced by strength of the ESPN brand and the substantial investment the company has made in the L.A. market. 710 ESPN, for example, plans to broadcast pre- and post-game coverage from the new state-of-the-art ESPN studios at L.A. Live across the street from STAPLES Center.

“It’s hard to imagine two groups better suited to working together than the Lakers and ESPN,” said Jim Pastor, SVP, ESPN Radio Station Group. “The move to L.A. Live and the vast resources of both organizations provide an incredible opportunity to serve Lakers fans for years to come. We couldn’t be prouder to call 710 ESPN their new home.”

The Lakers radio broadcasting team of play-by-play announcer Spero Dedes and color commentator Mychal Thompson will move with the team to the new station.

In addition to game coverage, 710 ESPN will broadcast additional Lakers-themed programming, including hourly team news reports, regular remote broadcasts from Lakers community events and a new weekly Lakers “insider” program. Details of these and other initiatives will be released prior to the commencement of 710 ESPN’s broadcasts next season.

The Lakers’ commitment with the current rights holder, AM 570 KLAC, expires at the end of the 2008-09 season.

Dec 11: Lakers 115, Suns 110

The AP reports: Pau Gasol scored 28 points, Bryant had seven of his 18 in the last 6 1/2 minutes, and the Western Conference-leading Lakers struggled to a 115-110 victory Wednesday night. Andrew Bynum added 17 points and 11 rebounds, Sasha Vujacic scored a season-high 15 points and Derek Fisher had 13 for the Lakers (18-3), who were coming off a lethargic 113-101 loss at Sacramento on Tuesday night and didn’t clinch this victory until the final minute. The Suns (13-10) played without Raja Bell, Boris Diaw and rookie Sean Singletary, traded to Charlotte earlier Wednesday for Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley and a 2010 second-round pick. Phoenix also was without former Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal, whose 92-year-old great-grandmother died this week… Matt Barnes had season-high totals of 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead Phoenix. Grant Hill scored 23 points, Amare Stoudemire had 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Leandro Barbosa added 18 points for the Suns. Steve Nash shot 2-of-12 and was held to seven points and nine assists.

Dec 9: Kings 113, Lakers 101

The AP reports: Francisco Garcia and John Salmons scored 21 points apiece, and the Sacramento Kings snapped an eight-game losing streak with a surprising 113-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Bobby Jackson added 15 points for the Kings, whose first victory in nine home games was one of the NBA’s most improbable results of the young season. Sacramento (6-16), which had lost 11 of its last 12 games overall, steadily increased a fourth-quarter lead against the Lakers, who couldn’t rally while Kobe Bryant struggled with 9-of-25 shooting. Bryant scored 28 points and Pau Gasol had 25 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who had won three straight while opening the season 17-2, matching the best start in franchise history.