After battling an illness that limited him to just 13 minutes in Game 1 against the Jazz, Lakers forward Luke Walton is finally returning to health.
“I think he’s starting to look like he’s coming around, he’s starting to look pretty good,” said Coach Jacksom after today’s practice. “He didn’t feel well on Sunday, but he played anyway and I thought he helped us and he didn’t feel that well yesterday and he sat out practice. Today, he was on the floor.”
When asked whether or not he would be on top shape for tomorrow night’s game, Walton said, “I hope so. I practiced today and I was feeling good for a while, but then I kind of hit a wall. But I’m hoping that if I feel better tomorrow, I’ll be able to get back and play some real minutes.
Walton said that while he expects to play, the amount of minutes he’ll spend on the floor will likely be a game-time decision depending on how his body is feeling.
While fans may be surprised by Luke Walton’s breakthrough performance in the Lakers’ First Round sweep against the Nuggets, Kobe said he saw signs of improvement long before the forward averaged 14 points in the four games–third best on the team–in the series.
“He had a stretch last year where he was playing extremely well,” said Bryant, reminding everyone of Walton’s emergence as an all-around threat when Lamar Odom was injured at the beginning of last season.
Although he struggled with injuries and inconsistency during the 2007-2008 season, averaging only seven points and four assists, Kobe said that it wasn’t due to a lack of ability.
“I think for him, it’s a matter of confidence with him,” said Bryant. “Sometimes, he’ll get down on himself and be a little hard on himself…more than he should be. There’s been some times this year when after a game, after a tough loss where he went one for six or zero for six and I’ll tell him, ‘Look, Luke—I went five for thirty. Shake it off.’ You’ve just got to stay in his ear a little bit, keep him confident because he has all the tools, he has all the gifts.”
For the third consecutive game, the Lakers manhandled the Nuggets, defeating them 102-84 an opening up a 3-0 series lead against Denver. L.A. outscored the Nuggets by 11 points in the second half, led by Kobe Bryant’s 22.
“We definitely got dominated in the second half–no question about it,” said Eduardo Najera after the game. “The frustration came in and we were not ourselves. We did not make enough shots. I thought we played better defensively in this game, but our offense was not there tonight.”
In all, five Lakers reached double figures, with Gasol, Fisher, Odom and Walton joining Bryant. Once again, the Lakers’ bench was also a factor with Luke tallying another 15 and Farmar and Vujacic adding nine a piece.
As a team, L.A. shot 46% from the floor compared to only 37% for Denver–an obvious source of frustration after the game for George Karl.
“I tip my hat to the Lakers in regards to their defense–they are better than I thought they were,” said Karl after the Lakers held his team to under 100 points for the first time this series. “Only a handful of teams did to us during the season what LA did to us tonight.”
Continue reading ‘Game 3: Lakers at Nuggets Post-Game’
Allen Iverson has already received three technical fouls, including being tossed from Game 1, as the Nuggets (who have a total of six technical fouls) have dropped the first two games of the series in Los Angeles. Several Lakers realize that emotion could turn the other way once they arrive in Denver.
“They’re an emotional bunch. We have to understand that could work against us, particularly in game 3;” said Bryant. “Once they get the crowd behind them and they gain momentum, their emotions all of a sudden now becomes their biggest strength. What we have to try to do is keep it quiet as much as we possibly can.”
“In the playoffs you get a little more emotional, can’t help it;” added Odom. “Every game is important. When we’re up there and facing their crowd, we will try to keep our composure so that doesn’t happen to us.”
Luke Walton did not seem to be as worried about the tables being turned in Denver as he has his relaxation methods down to a science. Taking deep breaths usually works for him, but in dire needs he suggested that he might have to rub his ears to calm himself.
The Lakers used a stellar second half surge for the second game in a row to topple the Nuggets in Game 2 of the teams’ best of seven Western Conference Quarterfinal series. Kobe Bryant led the way for the Lakers, scoring 25 points in the first half and adding another 24 after for a total of 49. Pau Gasol and Luke Walton had 18 points a piece to back up the Lakers’ superstar guard.
“Kobe–when he’s making his jump shot–is somewhat undefendable,” said an exasperated George Karl after the game.
After being bothered throughout Game 1 by Kenyon Martin’s defense, Phil Jackson said Bryant obviously entered tonight’s game with a completely different mindset.
“I would imagine if I were Kobe Bryant…he was out shooting early before practices started today getting himself revved up for tonight’s game,” said Jackson.
Jackson said that despite leading by 10 at halftime, the Lakers were not able to build on their advantage in a a back-and-forth third quarter in which the Nuggets actually took the lead at one point.
Continue reading ‘Game 2: Lakers vs. Nuggets Post-Game’
The Lakers rode Pau Gasol’s monster 36 point, 16 rebound effort in his first playoff game in the purple and gold to a 128-114 victory over the Nuggets. The Lakers did much of their damage in a 39 point third quarter in which they outscored Denver by 17. Despite scoring 32 points, Kobe Bryant had a dismal game by his standards, shooting only 9-26 from the field with only 4 points coming in the first half.
“We had to go away from Kobe today,” said Coach Jackson after the game. “Kobe ended up with 32 points, but he was not a factor in establishing our lead. It was getting the ball inside and taking advantage of what they gave us.”
Jackson said he credits Gasol and Odom’s muscle inside in helping the Lakers create what was a 19 point lead toward the end of the third quarter.
“I think it was our interior game, early, late in the third quarter,” said Jackson. “It helped us establish at least some rhythm in this game and some opportunities that were easy for us. Pau was the recipient of a lot of them, but I thought he made good passes, Lamar made good passes.”
“He played a great game for us today,” said Jackson about Pau’s playoff debut with the Lakers. Jackson said that he needed all of Gasol’s 44 minutes since Ronny Turiaf was feeling under the weather entering the game.
Continue reading ‘Lakers vs. Nuggets, Game 1 Post-Game’
Lakers.com reflects on the team’s tremendous ’07-’08 campaign, doling out its end of the season awards.
Most Improved: Andrew Bynum
Prior to his knee injury mid-way through the season, the Lakers phenom was well on his way to a 
breakout season, carving his place as one of the NBA’s best up-and-coming big men. Although his averages of 13 points and 10 rebounds for the season are more than solid, #17 improved each month prior to his injury, capped off by his outstanding month of January in which he put up over 17 points and 12 rebounds a game. With no signs of slowing down any time soon, who knows where his numbers would have ended up this season had he not missed the final 46 games.
Most Surprising: Sasha Vujacic
Even though he was heading into a contract year, few experts or fans had any reason to expect 
much from the Slovenian guard. Once labeled an “11:00 a.m.” player by Coach Jackson, Sasha has shredded the title this season, finally becoming the sharpshooter the Lakers thought they signed four years ago, putting up nine points a game on 44% shooting from beyond the arc. Whereas only a season ago, Vujacic was one of the last men off of the bench, it is now not uncommon to see Sasha playing critical minutes as a key part of the Lakers’ rotation.
Most Disappointing: Luke Walton
With Odom injured at the start of last season, Kobe desperately needed a teammate that could help 
keep the Lakers afloat in the über competitive Western Conference. Enter: Luke Walton. For most of last season, the forward was arguably the second best player to don the purple and gold, finally combining his widely discussed basketball IQ with a vastly improved offensive repertoire. However, this season has brought on one disappointment after another for Walton as injuries and a lack of confidence have derailed much of the momentum he established last season. On the year, Luke is averaging only seven points and four rebounds.
Continue reading ‘End of Season Awards’
Injury Update: Jackson said that Andrew Bynum is scheduled to fly to New York today to undergo a check-up that will go a long way for determining whether or not Andrew is able to practice this Saturday in preparation for a possible Sunday return. Jackson also updated Luke Walton’s injury status, revealing that he is back on the court doing basketball related activities, but has yet to run at full velocity.
After today’s practice, Coach Jackson said that the team went through a video session today that focused on guard defense and penetration–two areas the team had trouble with in their loss to the Blazers last night.
In glancing ahead to the remaining four games on the season, Jackson said that he warned his team that the Clippers still pose a formidable threat, especially now that Elton Brand is back in action. Although center Chris Kaman’s might not be available, the Lakers coach said that a lineup featuring Magette, Mobley and Brand is still potent.
Jackson also reiterated his season-long stance that the team’s goal is to do the best they possibly can in the standings and to make sure they have home court advantage in the playoffs. With that said, Jackson said it is too early to begin scouting potential matchups with teams still jockeying for position heading into the season’s final week.
Before tonight’s game against the Blazers, Coach Jackson said that Pau Gasol will suit up for the home team, but he won’t know until he steps onto the floor how much he’ll be able to contribute. “It’ll be up to him a lot of it, if he can come back in the game, how we play him…if the substitute that goes in for him plays well,” said Jackson. “But, we’re hoping to play him 16 to 25 minutes…” Jackson also noted that Gasol has looked tentative in practice this week and has yet to “throw himself into it” yet.
Jackson also assessed the current race for MVP, particularly with regards to the Lakers’ own candidate, Kobe Bryant. Jackson said that this was “Kobe’s best year ever as far as being an overall team player. The judgment that I make is how much better do you make your teammates and this has been one of Kobe’s finer years in that regard.” Jackson also said that he thinks Kobe’s best chance at the award prior to this season was in 2005-2006 when he led the league in scoring and scored 81 points in a single game.
Even with Trevor Ariza out with injury, Jackson said he was content with the Lakers’ recent production from the small forward spot. Jackson praised both Luke Walton and Vladimir Radmanovic, both of which had outstanding games against Washington on Sunday night.
The Lakers rebounded from consecutive losses to lowly Charlotte and Memphis by defeating the Wizards 126-120 in an overtime thriller. After trailing 120-117, Derek Fisher nailed a clutch two from just inside the arc to bring the Lakers to within one of Washington. After two free throws by Kobe reclaimed the lead 121-120, the purple and gold never looked back.
“I thought that a lot of players contributed tonight to the victory,” said Jackson. “Radmanovic (18 points) and Sasha (20 points) in the first half with the three point shooting obviously was pretty traumatic. D.J. (6 points, 3 rebounds) gave us a good game off the bench at center. Luke played a terrific game tonight.”
Despite the win, the Lakers continued their disturbing trend of allowing big quarters to inferior teams, giving up 39 in the third to Washington.
“They played with fury there in the third quarter,” said Jackson. “Again, we gave up over 35 points which is a lot…39 in that third quarter. Stevenson with five threes was a pretty remarkable performance.” Jackson also praised the 27 point performance of Wizards guard Nick Young.
Continue reading ‘Lakers vs. Wizards Post-Game’
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