Archive for the 'Preview' Category

Rambis Brings Minnesota to Los Angeles


When former Lakers assistant coach and player Kurt Rambis left L.A. to take the head coaching job in Minnesota after winning a championship last June, he knew it was going to be a struggle, at least at first.

The Wolves are among the league’s youngest teams, a franchise in rebuilding mode that was not expecting to win many games in 2009-10, but rather assembling cap space and young assets for the future.

Sure enough, they haven’t won many games in 2009-10, a process not helped by Al Jefferson’s recovery from ACL surgery and last season’s No. 5 overall pick Kevin Love missing 22 games to injury.

Minnesota is just 14-55, and is struggling mightily of late, losing 11 straight and 17-of-18 after the Timberwolves’ lone 4-game winning streak this season, when they beat the Clippers, Knicks, Mavericks and Grizzlies in succession from Jan. 29 to Feb. 6.

Four games is the current length of L.A.’s winning streak, three of which came on the road (Phoenix, Golden State, Sacramento) after a home victory over Toronto, allowing the Lakers to reach 50 wins to just 18 losses.

The numbers are certainly daunting heading into Friday night’s contest between the two teams at STAPLES Center: the Lakers have lost five games at home all year, the Wolves have won five games on the road; Minnesota scores 98.1 points per game and concedes 107.7 points per game, L.A. scores 103.0 and allows 97.0; Minnesota has trouble with big teams in particular, the Lakers are perhaps the biggest. And so on.

Yet the Lakers have declared themselves to be in the business portion of their schedule, worrying less about opponents and more about their own level of play. Kobe Bryant was among other players this week to refuse to begin thinking about L.A.’s upcoming 5-game road trip before dealing first with Minnesota and then Washington on Sunday.

“We’re playing hard and want to continue to get better with execution all across the board and make sure we play with the right energy,” said Bryant. “We just have things that we need to work on and focus on for ourselves. It’s not about our next opponents, it’s about doing what we need to do to be a better team.”

For a detailed video breakdown of the Timberwolves from assistant coach Brian Shaw, scroll back to the top of the page and press play.

Follow Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) on Twitter.

Lakers Set For New-Look Kings

D070030001.jpgWith the Lakers (49-18) in the state capital for a Tuesday evening tilt against the Kings (23-44), a slew of questions come into play after a two-plus month hiatus since the last time the two teams met (Jan. 1).

Do the Kings play a bit harder against the Lakers than they do in general? How has the loss of Kevin Martin and acquisition of Carl Landry affected the team? How good is Tyreke Evans? Are Jason Thompson, Spencer Hawes and Landry at all equipped to deal with Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom?

First things first, the Kings do appear to raise their level of play against the Lakers … but that’s nothing new for the Purple and Gold. Sacramento played very well in each of L.A.’s two games against the Kings, first in a double overtime contest at ARCO Arena on Dec. 26, then in the New Years Day game that demanded Kobe Bryant’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer as a Lakers’ bail out. Yet the Kings simply haven’t been able to match L.A.’s talent of late, and the Lakers have won 8-of-10 games including six straight.

Since trading Martin to Houston for Landry, the Kings have gone 5-8, including a home win over Utah and road win in Houston (Landry put up 22 and 10 in that one). The Lakers game marks the fourth of five straight home games that began with a victory over Toronto, a loss to Portland and Sunday’s 114-100 victory over Minnesota in which Evans just missed a triple-double with 29 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. In related news, he’s pretty good even without a completely reliable outside shot.

Evans, in fact, is likely the front runner for Rookie of the Year (even as Golden State’s Stephen Curry, who was terrific against L.A. on Monday, games steam) on the strength of some outstanding numbers: 20.3 points, 5.6 assists and 5.1 rebounds with 1.47 steals in 37.2 minutes. Landry, meanwhile, gave the Lakers problems off Houston’s bench last season and earlier this season, and has been solid* with averages of 17.0 points and 6.8 rebounds in 37 minutes.
*Solid, not great, due to the 37 minutes. Neither Bynum nor Odom play over 30 minutes per game.

Among L.A.’s chief concerns with the Kings is Evans’s unique ability to get all the way to the rim and finish, particularly in transition, and both Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol are on protect-the-basket alert. Speaking of the paint, Landry’s had success with a bevy of pump fakes and via offensive rebounds, another point of emphasis for the Lakers.

An additional area of focus will be doing a better job with Spencer Hawes, who hurt the Lakers at STAPLES with his ability to step out and shoot the ball out of screen and rolls sets often involving Beno Udrih. Hawes went off for a career-high 30 points in that game, including 4-of-5 3-pointers, plus 11 rebounds.

The Lakers also hope Andrew Bynum’s upward trend continues, as the center who wasn’t even playing at this time of year last season due to an MCL tear has averaged 19.6 points and 9.6 rebounds in his last three games. The Kings will try and use Jason Thompson (12.6 points, team-high 8.5 rebounds) to go at Bynum, but it’s clearly a tough matchup

To catch all the action, tune into KCAL or 710 ESPN radio for a 7 p.m. start.

Lakers In Valley of the Sun

D070428014.jpgOn Friday evening in Phoenix, the Lakers and Suns are set to face off for the fourth and final time of the 2009-10 regular season, with L.A. holding a 2-1 lead thus far after two home wins and a road loss.

The details: back on November 12 in Los Angeles, the Lakers demolished the Suns 121-102. Less than a month later, the result wasn’t too different, the Purple and Gold running away with a 108-88 victory for a cumulative + 39 on Phoenix.

But on Dec. 28, Phoenix turned the tables in their own building to the tune of a 118-103 victory. So we’re at +24.

Heading into that matchup, the Suns had struggled, losing 9-of-13 games during their worst stretch of the season (L.A. tends to bring out the best in its opponents, after all).

Yet with Friday’s game at US Airways Center on the horizon, the Suns are hot, winning 8-of-10 games to settle into sixth place in the Western Conference with a 40-25 record, 2.5 games back of Utah (who accounted for one of the two recent Suns losses).

D069980033.jpgWith 17 games left on the schedule, climbing into the top four seems a reasonable, if difficult, goal for Phoenix. The Suns have nine games at home and eight on the road, highlighted by home-and-away contests against current No. 4 Utah (included a season finale at Utah on April 14) that could well decide each team’s playoff slot.

The Lakers, meanwhile, have gone just 9-11 in their last 20 road games, a stretch that began with that Dec. 28 road loss to Phoenix, and have seen their lead over Dallas diminish to 2.5 games. L.A. will be looking to go 3-1 against Phoenix for the third straight season, coming after three straight seasons (2004-07) that saw the Suns win the regular season matchup. Phil Jackson’ squad is 3-7 in its last 10 games in Arizona, though Jackson has a 25-14 record against the Suns overall while coaching the Lakers.

A few other Lakers – Suns connections: Phoenix forward Jared Dudley was a teammate of Adam Morrison and Shannon Brown in Charlotte; Suns assistant coach Bill Cartwright won three championships as a center for Jackson’s Bulls (1990-92); and Luke Walton and Suns center Channing Frye were college teammates at Arizona for two seasons (2001-02, 2002-03).

Frye, who has made a team-high 139 triples (43.4 percent) and effectively spaced the floor for Phoenix, will not play against L.A. due to a one-game suspension for getting into a skirmish with Indiana’s Danny Granger on March 6 (Phoenix’s last game, an improbably long break in the schedule). That hurts, as Frye’s shooting helps pull one of L.A.’s bigs out of the paint, but Phoenix does get Leandro Barbosa back from a 21-game absence during which the Suns went 15-6.

The game tips off at 6 p.m. and can be seen on KCAL or listened to on 710 ESPN radio, and as always.

Phil Jackson Pregame Notes
A summary of Lakers Coach Phil Jackson’s responses to pregame questions from assembled media:
- Jackson said he was not surprised that Amare Stoudemire wasn’t dealt prior to the NBA’s trade deadline in February, noting that on one hand he’s a very difficult player to replace from a talent standpoint, and that deals involving such high level players are very complicated.

- The Suns, to Jackson, are a different team with Robin Lopez playing at center as opposed to Channing Frye, who started 41 games (including all three against L.A.) before giving way to Lopez 24 games ago. “He can get down there and wrestle with big guys,” said Phil, something Phoenix hasn’t had since Shaquille O’Neal left.

- Jackson cited Jordan Farmar’s injured finger as a reason for his recent shooting struggles (Farmar is 2-for-11 in his last two games). He added that Sasha Vujacic continues to deal with his shoulder, but is hoping he’s able to resume running around screens and hitting shots.

Video: Lakers - Raptors Preview


The Raptors head into Los Angeles for a Tuesday evening tilt having lost 4-of-5 and 6-of-10 games due largely to the respective ankles of Chris Bosh and Hedo Turkoglu.

Bosh missed seven straight games before returning on Sunday when Toronto lost to Philadelphia, and Turkoglu’s minutes had been limited before he was held out of the Sixers game entirely. However, both are expected to start for the Raptors on Tuesday alongside Jarrett Jack, DeMar DeRozan and Andrea Bargnani.

In late January, the Raptors stole away a 1-point victory over the Lakers when Turkoglu drew a questionable foul with one second left and sank both free throws. Toronto thus got the win despite L.A.’s relative dominance of the game featuring a near triple-double from Kobe Bryant (27-16-9) and nice games from both Pau Gasol (22 & 9) and Andrew Bynum (21 & 9).

The Raptors did get hard-working forward Reggie Evans back from injury in recent days, and are looking to get back into the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference ahead of Milwaukee, as the Bucks have won 9-of-10 to earn a half-game lead on the Raptors.

The Lakers, of course, have lost three straight games for the first time since Pau Gasol was acquired from Memphis in February of 2008, providing just a bit more motivation for the Purple and Gold.

John Ireland Pinch Hits on Play-by-Play

081022blog_irelandWith regular 710 ESPN radio play-by-play man Spero Dedes out for one game, sideline reporter John Ireland is stepping in to handle pxp duties for L.A.’s Friday evening game against Charlotte.

Ireland, the co-host of ESPN’s “Mason and Ireland Show” who also handles TV sideline duties for KCAL, joined us from his hotel room in Charlotte to look ahead to the game.

Dedes will be covering NCAA basketball on CBS on Saturday morning, but will return for Sunday’s game against Orlando.

Here’s the audio with Ireland:

 
icon for podpress  John Ireland PXP Podcast [9:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Lakers - Bobcats Podcast Preview

57096331After falling to the Bobcats in both regular season games in 2008-09 to make Charlotte one of only two teams the Lakers did not beat (Orlando), L.A. managed a 99-97 victory at STAPLES Center on Feb. 3 of this season.

They have their chance for a season sweep of their own on Friday night in North Carolina on the second night of a back-to-back after a tough overtime loss on Thursday to the Heat. A win would also even the all-time series between the franchises at 6-6; since it’s currently 5-6, Charlotte is one of only two organizations (Boston) against which the Lakers have a losing record.

Kobe Bryant, who went off for 39 points in Miami, is averaging 31.2 points in 10 career games against Charlotte, with a high-game of 58 points coming in a triple-overtime contest on Dec. 29, 2006.

The Bobcats are led by the wing duo of Gerald Wallace, the first all-star in Bobcats history, and Stephen Jackson, who was acquired from Golden State early in the season. Wallace actually missed Charlotte’s loss in L.A. with a hamstring strain, but will start on Friday.

For a full preview, we dialed up Bobcats radio play-by-play voice Scott Lauer:

 
icon for podpress  Bobcats Podcast Preview [11:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Lakers - Heat Preview

56394036VIDEO SCOUTING REPORT
Assistant coach Jim Cleamons joined us yesterday back in L.A. to preview the team’s three-game road trip, starting with Thursday night’s contest in Miami. After the video (below), Cleamons added that the Lakers will look to improve their post entry passes, a problem in the team’s first match up when the Heat fronted the post, try to expose Miami’s more-frequently-used-of-late zone defense and limit Dwyane Wade’s penetration.

LAKERS - HEAT CONNECTIONS
The Lakers PR staff provides a good deal of information in the Game Notes for each game of the season, including a connections page that details the playing history of Miami and L.A. Here are some of the more interesting notes:

- The Lakers lead their season series with Miami 1-0 after defeating the Heat earlier this season (12/4/09) on a Kobe Bryant one-foot, running, bank-shot three from the top, left side of the arc as the buzzer sounded.

- The Lakers will be looking for their second sweep of the Heat in the last three years, having taken the 2007-08 series 2-0 and splitting last season’s series 1-1. This will be the 44th meeting between the two franchises with the Lakers holding a 29-14 all-time lead.

The Lakers are 6-4 in their last 10 meetings with the Heat but have won 5-of-their-last-6 overall. In Miami, the Lakers are 5-5 in their last 10 games after Bryant’s jumper to tie the game rattled in and out at the buzzer in their last trip to AmericaAirlines Arena (12/19/08).

- Lakers forward Lamar Odom played one season for the Heat, averaging 17.1 points and 9.7 rebounds in 80 games. Following that season, Odom was acquired from the Heat by the Lakers along with Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a future first round draft pick in exchange for Shaquille O’Neal.

- Heat guard Dwyane Wade played alongside Kobe Bryant on the gold medal winning US Men’s Olympic Basketball Team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Heat guard/forward Quentin Richardson played three seasons alongside Lakers forward Lamar Odom with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2000-03 while Lakers forward Ron Artest played from 2002-06 with Heat center Jermaine O’Neal in Indiana. Heat guard/forward Yakhouba Diawara, a native of Paris, France, played locally at Pepperdine University from 2003-05.

HEAT QUICK HITTERS
From Miami’s Game Notes:
- Miami has limited its opponents to just 44-158 shooting (.278) from three-point range the last eight games.

- Miami is 20-0 when holding opponents to under 90 points and 16-0 when holding opponents under 40.0 percent shooting from the field. The Heat is also 28-5 when leading at the half.

- Dwyane Wade recorded his sixth 30/10 game this season with 35 points and 12 assists on 3/2 vs. Golden State, Miami’s last game; Carlos Arroyo scored a season-high 14 points on 3/2 vs. the Warriors, and tied season-highs in rebounds (five) and steals (two); Jermaine O’Neal’s 14 points on 3/2 vs. GSW marked the sixth consecutive game he has scored in double-figures; Over his last 11 games, Dorell Wright has shot 50.0 percent (32-64) from the field and 44.0 percent (11-25) from three-point range;

Cleamons Breaks Down Indy


The Indiana Pacers have struggled in 2009-10, winning just 20 games with 39 losses as only New Jersey (6-53) has won fewer games in the Eastern Conference.

Their best player, Danny Granger, has battled various injuries and played in only 41 of 59 games, while Troy Murphy has missed 10 and Mike Dunleavy 14 contests.

With those – and other – injuries leading Head Coach Jim O’Brien to use 22 different starting lineups this season, the Pacers have turned recently to small ball, starting point guards T.J. Ford and Earl Watson together in the backcourt. Usual power forward Murphy has been playing center, with wings Granger and Rush spreading the floor further. The Pacers, however, could very well start Dahntay Jones instead of Ford to better match up with Kobe Bryant.

When on the floor, Granger’s been quite good to average 23.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.61 steals, and Murphy a near double-double with 13.8 points and 9.7 boards a night.

But as assistant coach Jim Cleamons explained, punishing the Pacers with size and not getting into their up-and-down game will be the key factor for the Lakers. It certainly was on Jan. 27 in Indianapolis, when Andrew Bynum posted 27 points and 12 rebounds while Pau Gasol added 21 and 13.

Podcast: Lakers - Nuggets Preview

59506128Last time they came into STAPLES Center, the Denver Nuggets emerged with a victory as Carmelo Anthony watched in street clothes due to a sprained ankle.

‘Melo’s back for Sunday’s matchup against the Lakers, which we previewed in full via podcast with Benjamin Hochman, the Nuggets’ beat writer for the Denver Post.

Among the topics we covered:

- George Karl: How does his illness affect the team?
- How and why Denver appears to think they’re better than the Lakers.
- As Hochman reported, Denver is 27-6 when Billups, Anthony, K-Mart and Nene all play … but do the additions of Arron Afflalo and Ty Lawson - and not another big man - make the Nuggs better than they were last season?
- Anthony’s health. He missed 13 games combined in January and February, but appears to be almost fully back.
- Why Sunday’s game is different from the first two meetings between the teams.

Take a listen:

 
icon for podpress  Nuggets Podcast [11:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Video: Lakers - Sixers Preview


The final game of a road trip can be difficult in any NBA arena, and for the Philadelphia 76ers, Friday evening’s contest against the Lakers at STAPLES Center will be no exception.

The Sixers (22-35) began their trip in Chicago on Saturday, falling 120-90 a day after beating the Spurs 106-94 at home, and followed up with a 110-102 win at Golden State on Tuesday. Then on another back-to-back on Wednesday in Phoenix, Philly fell 106-95.

The Lakers and Sixers have already met once this year, with Kobe Bryant out-dueling Allen Iverson (who is currently on leave of the team while dealing with family matters) in a 99-91 L.A. win in Philadelphia featuring 24 points from No. 24.

Last time the two teams saw each other at STAPLES, however, the Sixers overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to shock the Lakers with a 94-93 victory when Andre Iguodala’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer dropped through the net [Iguodala leads the Sixers in points (17.3), assists (5.8) and steals (1.9) while Samuel Dalembert paces Philly on the glass (9.6) and in blocks (2.1)].

As assistant coach Brian Shaw explained in the above video, the Lakers would clearly like to avenge that loss.