The Los Angeles Lakers come out on top of the Sacramento Kings tonight, 103-98. Mike D’Antoni (Lakers head coach) was pleased with the overall effort tonight that the Lakers showed; especially this being their fourth road game in six nights. D’Antoni said they started out slow in the first quarter but picked it up defensively in the final three quarters. The Kinds scored 37 points in the first quarter, but the Lakers held them to 61 in the last three. D’Antoni had some encouraging words about his Lakers team after the game saying:
The first quarter, give them credit. We did an unbelievable job defensively for three quarters.
The Lakers ran their offense through Kobe; who only had one turnover but dished out 15 assists. The Lakers had open looks at the basket and Dwight Howard’s activity on the offensive glass kept possessions alive. D’Antoni praised the chemistry the team built tonight:
We didn't turn the ball over, we were making easier plays. Offense and defense are tied together and we finally got an offense going. Guys were making easy plays and trusting each other. Pau was unbelievable from the high post feeding guys down low.
Bryant’s 15 assists tonight surpassed Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time scoring list. The Lakers remain tied for eighth in the West. Hopefully these "Laker" boys can continue the chemistry between Gasol, Howard, and Bryant and carry it into their match-up against Dallas. There are eight games left in the season and the Lakers need to play with defensive urgency and chemistry like they played tonight through all eight games.
Nothing has come easy to the Lakers and on Friday night it was back to reality for the team. Kobe Bryant scored 40 points to squeeze out an 111-107 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Bryant hit 15 of 23 shots and all 9 free throws, at Staples Center, to lead the Lakers to their second straight win. Dwight Howard finally stepped up and scored 19 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, but had a scare at the end of the first half with a thought of a re-injured right shoulder. Portland on the other hand has lost its seventh straight game.
How did this win happen? In the first half, Portland’s young struggling team was shooting the Staples Center lights out, shooting 51% from the field. Kobe Bryant kept them in the game the third quarter by scoring 18 points. In the fourth, there were several key defensive plays and four clutch free throws by Bryant in the final 12.9 seconds to secure the win for the Lakers. Head coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters before Friday’s game that Kobe has been dealing with a shoulder injury, but Bryant showed no pain, assuming by his great performance Friday night.
There is little room for error for the Lakers at this point of the season. The Lakers need to win about 70% of their remaining 27 games in order to make it into the playoffs.
When you’re losing, everything is down but when you're winning, everything goes right back up. Kobe and Dwight have recently been in an argument about playing with each other. As the Lakers fell in their slump last week (before playing the Utah Jazz), the team decided that they needed to have a meeting. During the meeting Kobe confronted Howard and asked if he was bothered by playing with him on the court. Kobe agreed that he could be hard to play with at times and encourage Howard to speak up about the matter but didn't have much to say at the time.
Today, Howard was asked about the meeting and he responded by saying:
It helped (us) and it helped everybody on the team. it was great. People have said it, it was a 'come to Jesus' meeting. It was good. Stuff like that takes time. we all got to a point that whatever needed to be said was said but none of the stuff was taken personal. We all want to add another banner up there and all have rings, and in order for us to do that we all have to do it together.
As for the Kobe and Dwight hostility, Howard told the press:
I'm happy that me and Kobe are getting on the same page. In order for us to win, me and him have to always be together on the same page. We have to really lead this team. I think that's the key right there.
This meeting really seemed to help the team and the chemistry between Kobe and Howard because they came out and played together against the Utah Jazz and the OKC Thunder this past week. Teams that see there are problems between teammates and talk through them become more successful on the court. Understanding that Kobe and Dwight both have to become leaders on the floor and know the different roles that they need to learn to become dominate duo that Kobe and Shaq had in the past. Even though everyone knew Shaq and Kobe had there disagreements off the floor, they pulled it together on the basketball court and dominated the game.
This meeting helped the relationships off the court which directly relates to on the court relationships. We will have to see if they can continue the success they have been having on the floor and continue the open relationships off the floor.
"Lakers handle the Thunder" flashed across ESPN headlines Monday morning so everyone knew what happened last night wasn't just a dream. The Lakers are taking their wins and running with them. After defeating the Utah Jazz last Thursday, the Lakers find them self on a small winning streak.
The Lakers overall outplayed the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday night. They were after every loose ball, rebound, and were there to contest every OKC shot that was taken. This was one of the best games that the Lakers have played this season. The real test will be there upcoming seven games that are all away. They haven't had too much luck on the road with a 5-15 record, but if they can hold on to their newly found game strategy of hard work on defense and working together on offense, only looks promising for the future playoff spot.
A short Recap:
Kobe Bryant came to play leading his team with 21 points, 14 assists, and 9 rebounds. The Lakers had 5 other players with double figures, showing the team working together and sharing the ball on the offensive end. Metta World Peace had 15, Steve Nash ended with 17 and Pau Gasol 16. Dwight Howard got in some foul trouble early in the game and had trouble getting his rhythm back but he came helped out through his 10 rebounds. The Thunder was close the whole game but couldn't defeat the Lakers winning mentality. The Lakers ended it out with the score 96-105.
The Lakers are looking to take continue their winning momentum as they take on the New Orleans Hornets at home on Tuesday night. The Lakers need every win in order to secure a playoff position. Let's hope they can keep the winning streak alive!
I've uploaded a short highlight link to show how well the Lakers have been playing together, just in case you don't believe what you're reading!
Everyone knows that the Lakers were supposed to become the dominating team this season, but they have not played to their full potential yet this year. They have all the tools they need to be league champions, with No. 1 center Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant dominating scoring abilities, Pau Gasol defensive skill, and the veteran Steve Nash. The Lakers line up is filled with so much talent, but why haven't they been winning any games? Well, recently on Friday night’s game, the Los Angeles Lakers finally showed up to play.
The Lakers took the floor against the Utah Jazz on January 25th. Right from the beginning the Los Angeles Lakers looked like the team that everyone has been expecting this season. Starting off with the lead in the first 8 minutes and having 2 big dunks by Dwight Howard that would keep momentum towards the Lakers kept the tempo moving towards a good win. Not only did Dwight Howard come through making both big offensive and defensive plays throughout the game, but so did the rest of the line-up. It seemed as if the Lakers finally found a new grove and started playing together.
Kobe not only helped with scoring but also had 14 assists which is one shy of breaking his record of 15 in a game. Dwight Howard dominated rebounds and put backs with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Steve Nash had a great offensive, usually known for his assists, took the scoring into his own hands this game and ended with 15 points. Another stand out was Metta World Peace by hitting big 3 point shots, ending with 17.
All of the scoring was spread out through the team. When these big name athletes all play together it’s hard for them to not try to take over the game by themselves because that is what they have been used to doing from their previous teams. But once they learn that they all have something they can contribute to the team and work together, wins will come. Let's hope they continue this new look on Sunday's game against the No. 1 team Western Conference team, Oklahoma City. The Lakers will have to work together in order for them to continue this winning momentum. Defeating the Thunder would kick start the Lakers into a chance of competing in the playoffs.
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