Welcome to the new format! I hope you enjoy it since I won’t have time to do posts for every game anymore. The plan is to bring you the latest Lakers news and analysis on a weekly basis. Since it’ll only be once a week I’ll add more speculation and rumors then I usually do to keep it interesting.
Games since last update:
LAL 100 – SAC 88
LAL 111 – WAS 116
LAL 99 – BKN 94
LAL 106 – DET 102
LAL 108 – POR 114
Overall the Lakers are back to .500 basketball with a record of 9-9. After Jordan Hill had his breakout week, Jordan Farmar and Wesley Johnson took a turn. Swaggy P also showed up with some nice production off of the bench in the last few games. This Lakers team has established an identity finally. They don’t really have a rim protector so they try to pressure the ball with their athletic 2nd unit. They’ll break whenever they can, and they generate open looks from 3 by good ball and player movement. They are in the top 3 in the NBA in 3 point makes and attempts. The team was definitely on an upswing, winning 5 of their last 7 games, however the immediate future is starting to look grim with the recent rash of injuries they’ve suffered.
Injuries:
Kobe – Still out; some speculation suggests this Friday for a return. Sometime closer to Christmas is probably more likely
Nash – Supposed to return to practice today to see how his body feels; some fans are hoping for his retirement to get his salary off the books. I think he may be done, but will try to give it a go all season long.
Farmar – Suffered a tear in his hamstring in Sunday’s game. Should be out at least 1 month. It’s horrible timing as he was playing really well and the team needs him desperately.
Blake – Hyper-extended right elbow. He’s been able to play through it since last week. Hopefully these 4 days off will make it more tolerable
Pau – Mild ankle sprain. His body has been taking a beating. The Lakers need him healthy since he does so many things on the court.
Kaman - Bad back which has caused him to miss the last several games.
Hill - Another ankle sprain victim like Gasol. He hasn't had the same energy lately in games so this is likely bothering him.
What’s next?:
The Lakers might look into signing another point guard given the injuries to the only 3 they have on the roster. A trade is also always a possibility albeit it is less likely.
Also, there was a lot of chatter about Kobe’s new contract that was signed last week. People had pipe dreams of signing LeBron and Melo at the max with Kobe taking a big pay cut. Well LeBron was never coming and Melo is not worth the max in my opinion. Here’s what it basically means; the Lakers see Kobe as one of their max slots and they may not be eyeing the 2014 free agent class. They could very well be targeting Love in 2015 and Durant in 2016 along with several other players. Stay patient Laker fans…
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