Los Angeles Lakers Blog – Page 87 – NBA Blog

Kobe Bryant still trying to rest his strained foot

Kobe Bryant still trying to rest his strained right foot

Out of interest that he heals his strained right foot, Kobe Bryant sat out of practice Tuesday for the second consecutive time this week.

Out of interest to stop the Lakers’ sluggish start, Coach Mike Brown has kept Bryant on the floor longer than planned.

Bryant expressed optimism the past two days of treatment and rest will make his foot feel “90 percent” when the Lakers (1-3) play tonight at Utah (1-2). Brown expressed optimism he’ll reduce Bryant’s current playing time, which has hovered at an average of 37 minutes through four games.

“I want to try to really be conscious of Kobe’s minutes, Brown said. “What I can do is as we go on, is continue to be more conscious of not throwing him out there.”

— Reported by Mark Medina of the Daily Breeze

Steve Blake fined for directing inappropriate language at a fan

Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Blake has been fined $25,000 for directing inappropriate language toward a fan, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 29.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 105-95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, November 2 at Staples Center.

According to the Los Angeles Times, ” Steve Blake has been punished by the league office for yelling at Lance Jackson, the adult son of Steve Jackson, a footwear mogul and longtime Lakers fan known for his block of eight courtside seats. Next thing you know, Laker Girls will be sprouting whiskers. Said Blake: “It’s one of those moments you’re not proud of.” Said Lance Jackson: “I’m just sorry it got to this point.” That’s not exactly what they were saying to each other during Friday night’s Lakers loss to the Clippers at Staples Center. While playing for the injured Steve Nash, Blake was struggling, hitting just two of his six shots while the Lakers were falling to 0-3.”

Multitude of whistles put Dwight Howard in a foul mood

There’s something irking Dwight Howard, and it goes beyond the Lakers’ 0-3 record or his surgically repaired back.

It involves avoiding the referees’ whistle.

“The only thing I can do is stay positive and not let it affect the way I play,” said Howard, who’s averaged 5.3 fouls per game. “Sometimes it has an effect because I want to do so good and help our team win. It’s tough.”

In the Lakers’ season-opening loss to Dallas, Howard collected six fouls and earned a flagrant foul one on Mavericks forward Elton Brand.

“I felt like I got fouled on the other end,” Howard said. “I kind of complained for a second so I was just getting back on defense. … I have to get back. I can’t look at the refs and complain.”

— Reported by Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News

Steve Nash suffers leg injury, will be re-examined in one week

Steve Nash out at least one week with leg injury

Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash was examined by team doctor Steve Lombardo and had an MRI exam. Results of the MRI showed a small non-displaced fracture in the head of his fibula (left leg).

The injury occurred in the second quarter of Wednesday night’s game in Portland against the Trail Blazers. Nash is expected to be out a minimum of a week. He will be re-examined and an update on his condition will be given at that time.

According to the Orange County Register, “Nash was hurt when he got tangled up with Portland point guard Damian Lillard on Wednesday night and got kneed in the side of the leg. He tried to return later in the game, but the leg gave out on him, and he sat out the loss to the Clippers on Friday night that dropped the Lakers to 0-3.”

Dwight Howard discusses Lakers season-opening loss to Mavericks

The Lakers missed 19 free throws — Howard was 3 of 14 from the line — and turned the ball over 14, resulting in 17 points for Dallas.

“It happens,” Howard said. “But you have to remember, we have 81 more games to play and Rome wasn’t built in a day. Somebody told me that.”

Howard didn’t wave any white flags, but did caution against high expectations in the early going.

“You guys shouldn’t expect that just because we have a talented team, that everything is gong to click right away,” Howard said. “It’s going to take time. We have to be patient. I know everyone in Laker Nation wants us to win every game, but it takes time.

“We’re all learning something new.”

— Reported by Janis Carr of the Orange County Register

Mark Cuban wishes the Lakers well (not really)

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban heard plenty about how the Lakers’ made a splash this offseason. He tried to act unimpressed. “I don’t care,” Cuban said before the Lakers’ season opener Tuesday against Dallas at Staples Center. “I just hope they suck.”

Few pundits believe that will happen. The Lakers acquired an elite center (Dwight Howard), elite passer (Steve Nash) and an improved bench (Antawn Jamison, Jodie Meeks). By the way, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace stay on the team…

“They’re like any other team,” Cuban said. “Obviously Nash is great.

Kobe’s phenomenal. But it takes a team. They have to come together and play as a team. Hopefully they don’t figure it out.”

— Reported by Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News

Kobe Bryant still dealing with hurt foot

As the Lakers went through new elements of their revamped offense Saturday, Kobe Bryant stayed on the sidelines. He watched his teammates play and also received treatment on his strained and bruised right foot.

It’s all the Lakers’ star really could do.

The Lakers still listed him as indefinite and it’s uncertain whether Bryant will play in the Lakers’ season opener Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks.

Thus far, Bryant has missed three practices and two preseason games since injuring his foot in the Lakers’ exhibition loss last week to the Sacramento Kings.

“It would surprise me if he didn’t play just because of how tough he is,” Lakers coach Mike Brown said. “But that’s not coming from (Lakers trainer Gary Vitti) because I have not asked Gary.

“He’s a stud, mentally and physically.”

— Reported by Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News

Lakers waive guard Andrew Goudelock

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived Andrew Goudelock, it was announced today.

Selected by the Lakers in the second round (46th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft, Goudelock appeared in 40 games last season for the Lakers averaging 4.4 points and 0.5 assists in 10.5 minutes. Most recently, Goudelock played in six preseason games for Los Angeles where he averaged 3.8 points and 0.8 assists in 7.7 minutes.

The 6-2 guard out of the College of Charleston played all four seasons for the Cougars, averaging 18.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 32.8 minutes. As a senior, Goudelock averaged 23.7 points, ranking him fourth nationally among NCAA Division I scoring leaders.

The Lakers training camp roster now stands at 15 players.

Lakers target extraordinary season with Howard and Nash

With 16 NBA Championship banners hanging proudly from the rafters at their Staples Center home, Los Angeles Lakers players and their fans have become well accustomed to glittering success and lofty expectations.

Going into their 2012-13 campaign, however, there is a much greater sense of excitement and anticipation than usual given the offseason acquisitions of six-time All-Star Dwight Howard and twice former Most Valuable Player Steve Nash.

Howard and Nash will join Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace in a potent starting five bristling with experience, talent and virtually every award and accolade available in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Add to that intoxicating mix the Lakers’ new Princeton offense which emphasizes constant motion, passing and back-door cuts and you have the recipe for what could well be an extraordinary season for the Los Angeles franchise.

— Reported by Mark Lamport-Stokes of Reuters

Andrew Bynum ailing, unable to practice with 76ers

On Monday, Bynum received a previously scheduled injection of Synvisc-One in both knees. It is a natural substance that lubricates and cushions the joints and is believed to provide up to six months of protection. It is not related to the platelet therapy. Bynum also plans to get another injection at the all-star break.

Bynum agreed with the team that he shouldn’t return until the pain is gone.

“The doctors and team are all cautious,” Bynum said. “We want to avoid any type of setback. I will be evaluated and am being reevaluated, and I will be all right.”

Bynum said his right knee doesn’t hurt when he walks, but it does when he takes part in stressful activity. Still, he is confident his knee will eventually be pain-free.

— Reported by Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer