laker

Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, Kupchak and Jackson will sit down in the next couple of days to assess the team's future.

The Lakers said the right ankle Kobe Bryant tweaked during Tuesday night's game was not a problem and that he would play tonight.

The common opinion seems to be that the Lakers made Odom an offer that was far above market value, and he turned it down.

How do you think the Lakers performed? Was it a good sign to see Kobe back in the lineup? What's your take on the progress of Andrew Bynum?

When he didn't - when the Lakers decided against giving him a contract extension by Friday's deadline - Odom shrugged and went back to work.

Everyone practiced for the Lakers today as the team began to shake off the ill effects of Sunday night's blowout loss to Boston.

The Lakers, for a moment anyway, were the Lakers. On this night, there was no way they could be anything else.

Bryant said the Lakers' edge and attitude they had while winning the NBA title a year ago is back.

And with that the Lakers were gone. Out the door, smiling.

But what to do with Lamar Odom? The Lakers'in-house opinion of him swayed throughout the season.

Indeed, with Bryant willingly sharing the ball but still taking over when he had to, the Lakers became one of the league's surprise teams.

Whatever the causes, the Lakers transformed what should have been a tasty win into a bittersweet one.

Part of that is just his nature, Odom said; the other part is his affection for the city and the Lakers' organization.

It's why even Jackson, however confident he might be, can't be certain the Lakers arrive here with the laser focus tonight's game requires.

Lakers coach said, this was a great opportunity for Sun to gain additional playing time while still being able to continue on the NBA level.

It's amazing how much better the Lakers are with Pau Gasol as starting center, compared to Kwame "No Hands" Brown.

But if the Lakers need an offensive outburst from him or need him to become a defensive stopper, Bryant says he is up to the task.

Mike Brown would have been the guy, had the Lakers not tapped him, and I think LeBron would have been supportive of that.

Gasol has fit right in with the Lakers to the point that it's easy to misunderstand his impact.

So maybe all these injuries (Bynum, Mihm and now Ariza) are just another chance for these Lakers to prove how much they've grown.

Afterward the Lakers' youngest player shrugged it off with a casual nonchalance that used to be a defense mechanism.

Lakers fans who never stopped cheering while Bryant faced charges in Colorado booed him on opening night, surprising no one more than Kobe.

He would come out ready to go and if he was hot the Lakers would win, if not, they would usually lose.

Admit it Lakers fans, some of you were hoping he would make one just for old times' sake.

And with that, the Lakers responded from several poor seasons, and is now ready to advance into the further stages of the playoffs.

As it turns out, with a whisper. The only thing loud about him and the Lakers is their neon 14-1 record after beating the Raptors.

Whether you place the blame on him for Shaq's departure from the Lakers or not, he played a major role in a bad situation.

Kobe Bryant's bad back might have cost the Lakers Game 4 Sunday, but in the end, it might be the thing that pushes them to a title.

No, Kobe never should've selected the next Lakers coach, but he should've connected with him long before a text message on Wednesday night.

The Lakers, meanwhile, spoke of their victory as if it were a cathartic event, almost in reverential tones.

Finally, the Lakers played with an urgency that showed they are finally ready to treat these playoffs with the respect they deserve.

Bryant said he wanted to be traded and that nothing could change his mind about leaving the Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers eked out a narrow victory over the visiting Denver Nuggets in game one of the Western Conferece finals Tuesday night.

Lakers trainer Gary Viti, had to come in and tell Kobe to take a rest. But when Viti left, Kobe was at it again.

Gasol seems to be faring fine on the court this month, but Bryant has looked fatigued at times, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said.

Lakers did not let the Magic back to Los Angeles, eager to hold on the championship trophy!

The Lakers remain uncertain when forward Luke Walton, out a week because of a sprained right ankle, will be back.

Bryant left Staples Center as he entered it -- a member of the Lakers for now and for the foreseeable future.

The only place any of us is liable to see him is courtside at a Lakers game, or walking his baby in the park, contentedly.

Just a few years ago, in a game between the Lakers and the Heat, Bynum made his presence felt in just a mere 30 seconds of play.

Leaving the fans out of it, if West is willing to be a consultant, the Lakers had better.

Bryant wore his Lakers varsity jacket, purple gold. It had several championship trophies across the back.

It also marked the start of a period with the Lakers expected to contend for championships for the next half decade at least.

About the only kind thing to say about the Lakers was that they didn't cough up another second-half lead.

Turiaf had an important person in his corner, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, who said the ejection was "absolutely not" the right call.

Luke Walton doesn't want to think about it, but this could be the beginning of the end of his career with the Lakers.

Kobe Bryant scored 23 points for the Lakers, who had not lost the first two games of a post-season series since the 2008 NBA finals.

Everyone likes a winner and since the Lakers are the favorites at this point, our bandwagon is going to need to make some room.

And on a day when so much around the Lakers seems to have been leveled by one, it might have exactly the right note to strike.

Lakers center Andrew Bynum has not been cleared for full practices or to play and is doubtful for the start of the playoffs.

Brown told Jackson he felt he would be able to play in the Lakers'next game, Friday night at Staples Center against the Houston Rockets.

Shortly before training camp, he said he would play for only the Lakers, if he played at all.

Happily for the Lakers, there was more going on than bracing for the next eight weeks.

All the Lakers had to give up was an expiring contract, a point guard, and a draft pick, none of which they wanted or needed.

They probably would have had to overpay to keep him, but the Lakers will miss him on their bench.

If you do that against a team like the Lakers, who are really ready to play and play desperate, you're going to lose.

Bryant, infuriated at the report and feeling as if he had been misled about the Lakers apparent long-term plan to rebuild, demanded a trade.

ATLANTA -- The bottom line on the Lakers' 86-76 loss today to the Atlanta Hawks was that they didn't get the ball to Pau Gasol often enough.

That's right. In the pregame show he said he "had a feeling" the Lakers would come out without energy.

Prior to the final Lakers possession, it was never a question of whether he would get a good shot off, only if it was going in.

He said he had forgotten he had even done it until Bryant's hot streak opened that dusty page in the Lakers' record book.

Abdul-Jabbar: He is still doing rehab. I don't know when he is coming back. The Lakers want to give him as much time as he needs.

The cost of getting Gasol, by contrast, was so miniscule in the Lakers' case that you can't even call it a risk.

Another consideration: The Lakers have perhaps the best second unit in the league. The Cavaliers, to put it mildly , do not.

"I'm definitely playing tomorrow, " said the Lakers' center, who has not see game action since undergoing knee surgery last July.

If the schedule was flip-flopped and the Lakers played 12 of these at home you could be looking at a very strong month.

But just when the Lakers looked ready to accelerate into the fast lane and not exit until the NBA Finals, they went into a skid.

Bryant was a hit with Lakers fans long before he reached this skill level, back when he was just a dazzling rookie.

The Lakers don't have anyone fast enough to stay in front of him.

I don't know how much more the Lakers can take. Why can't we make this a good clean basketball game?

the la lakers guard attracted a huge crowd to this coaching clinic , with hundreds of kids eager to lap up all that he had to say.

He stared at it in front of his locker after the Lakers' 103-84 loss to the Spurs on Sunday in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.

If it is possible to be a good defender and good rebounder without toughness, then the Lakers should settle for rebounders and defenders.

If there's such a thing as the dog days of the exhibition season, the Lakers might be feeling it.

After Lakers practice Monday, he said he was "feeling less pain. "

If the Lakers can do that, it could be very interesting come spring, and perhaps the most surprising ending to all that Bryant trade talk.

Bryant might have missed 17 of his 28 shots, but it was the force in which he started the game for the Lakers that set the tone.

With all the excitement of Wednesday's Lakers-Suns game, I got to thinking about that Shaq-to-Miami trade from years ago.

And sometimes, without a little refresher course, the defensive edge that carried the Lakers to a 7-0 start tends to dull.

Instead, the Lakers lost in overtime . . . and Bryant was critiqued for all the shots he took in overtime?

If he does come out, Lee would be a gamble for the Lakers, but one that could pay huge dividends in a couple of years.

Lakers spokesman John Black said Friday that the deal could be signed within the next few days.

Or both, all at once, which seems to be the Lakers' stance during his four years with the team.

He might be more important defensively, because the Lakers must control Parker's penetration and keep the NBA finals MVP out of the paint.

On this, his fifth trip to China, he's protected by the U. S. team's security people, several of whom were hired off the Lakers' staff.

When a team with anywhere near the Lakers' level of talent is assembled, the only goal can be winning the championship multiple times.

But while the Lakers rallied, Yao made his way back to the bench and then to the court.

More than anything, this is not a time for his agent to be publicly popping off about the Lakers giving him a new contract.

It was the Lakers' best defensive effort since the start of the shot clock era, and the team has now won five straight games.

You put Wade on the Lakers and the outcome would be the same. Bron as well, for that matter.

I had a little bit of a feel when they coming [into Memphis ] because I see more Lakers jerseys than Grizzlies jerseys in the stands.

Turiaf will be a restricted free agent after the season, with the Lakers able to match if he signs an offer sheet with another team.

For Lakers fans, if not Lakers coaches, it's actually good to see Bryant take 44 shots as he did in Seattle.

And if Bryant's number is one day retired by the Lakers, almost a sure bet, which number would he like to see hanging in Staples Center?

Posey is the Celtics beat the Lakers win the key replacement, but they are not able to leave.

Kupchak said the Lakers would press ahead with the players already on their roster and hope Bynum returns sooner rather than later.

Now a year ago, no one expected the Lakers to be in this position.

Before the Lakers' playoff game at Utah on Saturday night, Jackson said he had spoken to Winters' family and that Winter was resting.

Since Ron Artest signed with the Lakers, there has been a lot of media commentary comparing him with Dennis Rodman.

L. A. is only 7-6 in its past 13 games, and of those the Lakers really played well only once, in an admittedly impressive road win at Utah.

He has not committed to coaching the Lakers next season despite comments he made this week that were misconstrued .

Today in the second war between Lakers and Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals, as if the Lakers basket completely close the lid.

Now that teams are finalized for the most part, we can start to see how the Lakers match-up again some of the best teams in the west.

The chat included "zero" discussion, according to Bryant, about how the Lakers might be able to bring Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom back.

So with that it would appear that Josh Powell is actually the Lakers' biggest three-point threat off the bench.

Bryant slapped hands with fans seated next to the Lakers' bench when he was subbed out with less than 30 seconds to play.

And I've learned through my relationship with Tom, and the Lakers' medical staff, that rest and recovery is just as important.

The early-season blossoming of Andrew Bynum transformed the Lakers from a win-some-lose-some outfit into a legitimate contender.

Off the court, what was your first experience that told you playing with the Lakers was different?

For the last three games, Lakers center Andrew Bynum has been coming alive, showing signs that his game just might be on the rebound.

Lakers forward Luke Walton, right, will have surgery Friday to have bone spurs removed from his right ankle.

He felt the Lakers were deflated following the news Bynum would be absent for eight weeks, not to mention their recent frequency of play.

No longer at the top of the league, the Lakers needed the buzz of a big-name hire, and there was none bigger than Jackson.

Since O'Neal's departure, the Lakers are going down, the team began to become a playoff team the edge.

Lynch was one Lakers first-round pick from North Carolina who didn't do much in L. A. , but second-rounder Van Exel had an impact.

Karl was one of the Lakers' last cuts this season. He is free to sign with any NBA team.

Game 2 in the best-of-seven series will also be a road game for the Lakers, followed by three games scheduled at Staples Center.

A more important event for the Lakers takes place Monday night, the beginning of the free-agency period.

It was early January all over again, with a healthy Andrew Bynum dominating the middle and the Lakers winning with ease.

Or would he be especially assertive and try to show the Bulls what they missed out on when their trade talks with the Lakers fizzled?

Chamberlain won one of his two NBA championships with the Lakers. O'Neal won three of his four NBA championships with the Lakers.

If you don't score points against the Lakers, you aren't going to be able to beat them.

He had a sibling rivalry and he met the challenge. He battled Pau, beat him up a little bit, but the Lakers won the game.

If he does become a Mav, which is more than likely, the Lakers can hold onto Vujacic and Brown to see what veterans might become available.

The Lakers expect each player to be sidelined for a while longer, Jackson said.

The Lakers are running out of healthy players with which to push, period.

With Ariza due back sometime next week, the Lakers will add another perimeter defender to help with the rest of their post season run.

His recovery from offseason surgery on his right knee was slow this season, reducing him to an observer at the Lakers' practices.

Once the roster had been determined in training camp, Phil Jackson gathered his players for a meeting at the Lakers hotel in Hawaii.

The 6-foot-9 Sun has traditionally played point guard, but Black said the Lakers would primarily use him as a shooting guard.

But how does the Miami Heat's better-than-expected roster stand up to the Lakers?

The Lakers aren't remotely ready to consider trading him and starting over.

Lakers fans had moved on. Kobe was a solo act, dealing with new problems that had nothing to do with his former nemesis and teammate.

The Lakers wealth of talent is undeniable. No other roster contains such a lethal combination of length, quickness and athleticism.

Bynum was quickly becoming one of the best centers in the NBA, and Trevor's athleticism gave the Lakers weapons that are unmatched.

The reporter followed up by asking if it would have been easier for Jackson to walk away if the Lakers had lost Game 7.

One of the Lakers' few concerns is Bryant's dislocated right ring finger, a contributing factor to a minor shooting slump.

He also drew enough attention when he got the ball on the low post to kick-start the Lakers' inside-out game.

Sunday night, the Magic was clearly attacking Lakers center Andrew Bynum, trying to get the 7-footer in foul trouble.

Fast-forward to Sunday, and Odom, like the rest of the Lakers, couldn't pinpoint why they've been so ragged at the Rose Garden.

It's not as if the Lakers needed the reminder, but Andrew Bynum supplied one anyway.

The wins have been racking up, and everyone on the Lakers roster has been performing at a higher level since the trade.

The Lakers showed the 76ers a little bit of the toughness that has made them NBA champions.

Bryant said he may join informal workouts with Lakers teammates in the future, but that no such sessions have been scheduled yet.

Odom, who was a free agent this year, wanted to explore his options outside of LA and was quickly disowned by the Lakers' GM Jerry Buss.

Jackson said he believes the Lakers need to play a more physical game to be successful in this series.

It's a repeat, giving the Lakers back-to-back titles, after they beat the Orlando Magic a year ago.

Despite Kobe Bryant, the Lakers missed the playoffs in 2005 and were eliminated in the first round the next two years.

Yet to be determined is whether the Lakers have undergone an actual attitude adjustment and will play hard all the time.

As much as the starters need to, the bench has also got to know that second chance points are the big thing losing the Lakers games.

The Lakers acquired veteran help in the off-season when they signed Derek Fisher, who has brought stability to the point guard position.

When Jackson was asked after the game how the Lakers can beat the Heat, the coach said wryly, "Well, you stay cool, " before adding that L.

The Lakers went through a slump since then, but seemed to get that footing back at the end of the Hornets series.

For all the bravado, the Lakers can be careless, a team with holes and an inability to finish off an opponent as a champion must.

I've been a Lakers fan my entire life and today, for the first time ever, I'm ashamed to say that.

What was Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace thinking when he agreed to the deal that sent Pau Gasol to the Lakers?

Christmas is coming soon, and that's a date circled for vengeance against Boston by no less than Lakers owner Jerry Buss.

The Phil Jackson era ended miserably Sunday, with the Los Angeles Lakers showing none of the poise so characteristic of their coach.

But Tuesday night, the Lakers went back to being the cool kid, absolutely running the gutty little Rockets off the court in the first half.

The Lakers have also been able to rest him for key stretches because of the emergence of Jordan Farmar.

In other words, the Lakers are looking pretty strong, but a few key questions stand out before anointing them the team to beat.

Brown said he wanted to return to the Lakers, and Kupchak still hopes the high-flying guard will be back.

the lakers are very cognizant of his importance in driving ticket sales , as well as his effect on corporate sponsors.

Kurt Rambis is now the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Will the Lakers miss his defensive knowledge?

The Lakers tried out Adam Morrison for a stretch in the first half, but he appeared a bit timid and didn't see any more minutes.

It would have been disappointing if the Rockets did'nt take advantage of their fresher legs and outwork the Lakers.

Lee is adept at getting out on transition and could help the Lakers bench when it needs to pick up the pace of the game and make plays.

Funny thing, the Lakers don't seem that impressed by fourth place in the Western Conference.

With the current Lakers squad poised for a shakeup and a lockout looming in the NBA, Jackson chose a good time to move on.

Bryant said the Lakers will adjust to whatever the Nuggets do defensively.

The Lakers won't have the luxury of facing a team in the next round as undisciplined and prone to mental and physical lapses as the Nuggets.

If you're the new Lakers coach, whoever that might be, do you have any idea how much you can count on Gasol in the future?

Lakers forward Luke Walton will undergo surgery Friday to remove bone spurs from his right ankle, the team announced today.

My Trail Blazers had two days rest, and the Lakers were coming off of a back-to-back and were missing their head coach, Phil Jackson.

Somewhere along the way, the Lakers lost the heart that had made them champions before.

A Lakers spokesperson said Bryant would not meet the media in front of his locker after the Lakers' victory over Utah, as is customary.

Tonight's game isn't a run- of - the mill exhibition yawner for at least one member of the Lakers.

Still, the Grizzlies continued to match the Lakers' energy and effort.

That talk of an all-L. A. Second-round series between the Clippers and Lakers will vanish like foothills in the smog if Phoenix wins.

A warm welcome also awaits Mr Dudamel outside the concert hall. The Los Angeles Lakers gave him a jersey decorated with his name.

These hopeful predictions of the Lakers' demise are all over the sports world.

The most intriguing decision for the Lakers this summer might come in opting to part with one of their centers.

Fisher re-joined the Lakers a year ago as an elder statesman who has learned during his 13-year career how to become a leader.

Dr. David Levy, you've done a fine job giving the Lakers a mental lube job, but we need you again.

Working in Odom's favor is his versatility. The Lakers lengthy front court may be prove to be wholly unique and powerful this coming season.

The Lakers, who captured the Pacific Division crown during the regular season, had no problem winning the opening round of the playoffs.

In contrast to the pre-season opener on Wednesday, the Lakers failed to take advantage of their height advantage on offense.

The Lakers will rest and practice over the next four days and take their cue from Fisher and Bryant on how to be prepared.

One more victory, and the Lakers can sit back, relax and treat one another to more team dinners as they await another opponent.

Every player on the Lakers' bench went on to the court and stood in a semi-circle around him.

The Lakers traded for him in 2008 and he was an integral part of their run to the Finals last year.

He was the Lakers' sole selection in the 2008 Draft and looked good on their Summer League team.

But the real hero of this Lakers season, the guy with a set of real brass ones, is exactly unlike Baldwin's character.

The Lakers star will be featured on an NBA video game released in the fall, but terms of the sponsorship pact aren't disclosed.

in looking ahead to the mini road trip , the lakers need to be careful not to look too far ahead to their battle with the hornets.

It certainly didn't hurt the Lakers that they got to shoot 37 free throws compared to a paltry 16 for the Trail Blazers.

It's the Lakers again, the philandering finger of forecasting foolishness pointing back in their direction.

The Lakers haven't been without a first-round selection since 2001, but it is expected to be a trend in coming years.

Out of those shots, all but 14 of those caroms ended in either a Lakers possession or the end of a quarter.

Lakers title trinkets, barely two months old, are on display in the closet, stuffed in a duffel. Out of sight, out of mind.

If the Lakers cooperated by sending free-agent bust Vladimir Radmanovic to the Rockets, it would work out for both clubs.

Phil Jackson is the Zen Master. He's able to meld any piece into the wild mix of personalities on the Lakers bench.

So, Brown was told, the Lakers got Gasol because of him.

Four months later, Trevor Ariza still has some bitterness when he talks about his contract negotiations with the Lakers.

And the reality is that if luck were on Orlando's side, they'd have been just a series away from a Finals rematch with the Lakers.

The Lakers lost on the road to a sub-. 500 team for the second time in a week.

If Sun Yue was " devolution " , must be arranged in a close relationship with the Los Angeles Lakers team defender.

I will try to keep it somewhat short as I try to go through the Lakers current situation and possible future plans for the off-season .

Little Tianyang has been promised a basketball for Christmas, and a genuine LA Lakers jersey for his birthday next year.

"What Kobe has is both a blessing and a curse, " said Brian Shaw, the Lakers assistant who has closely watched Bryant throughout his career.

And his most recent Lakers squad made it to the NBA Finals three years in a row, winning twice.

The Lakers deepened their bench with older players, which should be a big help during the long season ahead.

One of those players could be Lakers rookie Coby Karl, who has been impressive in four Summer League games.

As far as a Boston rematch with the Lakers goes, both regular-season meetings will come in the next three weeks.

The Lakers head back to Portland for a game Friday night in the Rose Garden, this time with hopes of breaking a nagging losing streak.

Farmar is the only Laker who has the foot-speed to stay with Parker and Turiaf is the Lakers best man-to-man interior defender.

Tough, tough loss last night cause we really thought we let the Lakers off the hook and should have won that game.

The Lakers were named team of the decade and Phil Jackson as coach of the decade in Sports Illustrated's best of the decade. Really?

L. A. Times: The Lakers got a visit from an old friend at practice today, one that brought smiles to everyone's faces.

Often, Pau Gasol is the big man on the court with the Lakers reserves. But this time, Bynum had the honors.

If the Lakers could have shortened some of their games to 47 minutes , their record would be that much better.

The way Bryant is playing, you could take the best players from both Eastern finalists , and the Lakers still would win.

It has helped the Lakers' cause that Gasol quickly caught on to the intricacies of the triangle offense.

The Lakers took 13 more foul shots than the Jazz, getting sent to the line repeatedly as the Jazz tried to make up the deficit.

In the past, the Lakers seemed to find it about this time of year.

Coach indicates deal is unlikely because Lakers wouldn't get anything close to equal value, 'like giving up a diamond for some garnets. '

English origin: Indiana has won its first game in the NBA finals against the LA Lakers, a game the Pacers had to have.

Throw in a healthy Andrew Bynum, and there is no reason for the Lakers not to win the whole damn 'ship.

J. Mbenga, who hadn't seen much action in the past two weeks, came off the bench in the first and was a cornerstone in the Lakers defense.

Bryant's help continues to be inconsistent at times, and he retains most of the Lakers points.

The Lakers play Cleveland on Sunday, visiting perhaps the only home court more difficult than Boston's this season.

Barring the unforeseen, the 57-year-old Jackson said he'll return to coach the Lakers next season.

after tonight's game, i ask nothing more for the season. i'm now a happy and satisfied fan, losing to the lakers or not.

As far as another team enticing Bryant, they would need enough cap space to give him an offer large enough to compete with the Lakers .

With all of that being said, if Kobe and the Lakers were willing to do it, then you have to consider it.

The Lakers kicked off the second half of the regular season by kicking the Washington Wizards to the curb Thursday night at Staples Center.

Alas, the case of the lackadaisical Lakers might just have been solved.

I am ready to battle out anybody who doubts the Lakers will win the Finals this season!

On-the-fence voters get a chance to see the Lakers and Hornets play each other Friday at Staples Center.

Financial details were not immediately available, though the Lakers were not expected to have improved their initial offers.

The Lakers acquired two young players with upside that have a chance to help the Lakers down the line, if not this season.

He saw the rise and fall of the Lakers dynasty at the turn of the century and was present for all three championships under Phil Jackson.

I'm actually thankful that the Mavs put the Lakers out of their misery as fast as possible.

With all the offseason movement, perimeter defense and three-point shooting remains a crucial area for the Lakers to address.

The Pacers would have to sign their free agent point-guard, who made $2. 8 million last season, then trade him to the Lakers for Brown.

The Lakers took a first-half lead and held off the Jazz down the stretch on Sunday for a 109-98 Game 1 win at home.

at least, unlike last week against san antonio, the lakers didn't crumble throughout. this time, they only came to pieces at the end.

I watched the end of the game and the other four guys from the Lakers didn't touch the ball past half court.

teams of the NBA, you see a totally different Lakers squad than you see against, say, the Thunder.

Latest knee problem, a torn medial collateral ligament, is not considered career-threatening for the young Lakers center.