Lakers in the News 12/29/13 & 12/30/13: Gasol-Bynum swap discussed; Bulls Also in the Mix for Bynum
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 2:42 am    Post subject: Lakers in the News 12/29/13 & 12/30/13: Gasol-Bynum swap discussed; Bulls Also in the Mix for Bynum

Quote:
76ers-Lakers Preview
By JORDAN GARRETSON (STATS Writer) | The Associated Press – 4 hours

The losses have been piling up for the banged-up Los Angeles Lakers, even at home.
Hosting the league's worst road team may be just what they need to turn things around.
Los Angeles tries to end a season-high four-game losing streak Sunday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Lakers (13-17) have lost four straight overall and four of five at home, beset by injury yet again. Already without the likes of Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Steve Blake, Los Angeles was sans Pau Gasol on Friday at Utah due to respiratory infection, which coach Mike D'Antoni said will also make him a game-time decision Sunday.
Los Angeles came up short against Utah, losing 105-103 after Derrick Favors' putback dunk with 2.1 seconds remaining. Jodie Meeks missed a 3-pointer as time expired.
Chris Kaman will also be a game-time decision due to an ankle injury after scoring a season-high 19 in Gasol's place against the Jazz.
D'Antoni said confidence has been the missing ingredient for his team lately.
"We had it rolling for a while. We got knocked back on our heels with a couple of injuries," he said. "But we need to win one and we'll build from there. But I think we're close and they're giving all they got.


http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/76ers-lakers-preview-065805519--nba.html


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PostPosted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 2:44 am    Post subject:

Quote:
Because of injuries, Lakers' starting lineup has changed game to game
Team has had 15 lineups in 30 games and could debut a 16th on Sunday against Philadelphia.

Lakers lose to lowly Utah Jazz on dunk, 105-103

Clippers would be interested in Andrew Bynum if he's waived by Cavs

Photos: Lakers vs. Jazz

Up next for the Lakers: Philadelphia on Sunday

Lakers are screened out by ESPN and NBA

As another Decision looms, Miami's LeBron James gives it some thought

By Mike Bresnahan
December 28, 2013, 7:25 p.m.

It doesn't take a numerologist to figure out the unevenness of the Lakers' roster. Or their season.

The Lakers have played 30 games. They've used 15 starting lineups. None of their players has started every game this season.

It sounds a lot like the crux of a 13-17 team. With only minimal promise of a playoff-bound turnaround.

A 16th starting lineup could be unveiled Sunday against Philadelphia if neither Chris Kaman (sprained ankle) nor Pau Gasol (upper-respiratory infection) gets healthy. They didn't practice with the team Saturday and were considered game-time decisions.

That's the Lakers these days. Their whole season feels like a game-time decision.

Coach Mike D'Antoni acknowledged that he has never juggled so much so early in the season during his 12-year coaching career.



http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-fyi-20131229,0,5685628.story#ixzz2orR4Bo9t
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 1:56 pm    Post subject:

Quote:
Pau Gasol out again for Lakers vs. 76ers
By Matt Moore | NBA writer
December 29, 2013 3:33 pm ET


Pau Gasol will miss Sunday vs. the Sixers. (USATSI)
The Lakers announced Sunday that forward/center Pau Gasol will miss Sunday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. It's the third time in five games Gasol will be absent due to a recurrent respiratory infection. Center Chris Kaman is a gametime decision after suffering a sprained ankle Friday in a loss to Utah.

D'Antoni said he expected Gasol to be back in the lineup Tuesday when the Lakers host the Milwaukee Bucks on New Year's Eve.

"He's feeling a lot better, he feels better," D'Antoni said. "I would think next game he would be ready to go."

D'Antoni said that regardless of whether Kaman is available Sunday, he would likely adjust the starting lineup further by putting Jordan Hill with the first unit. Hill had 16 points and 9 rebounds in 23 minutes against Utah. It will be the Lakers' 16th different starting lineup through their first 31 games.


http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24390683/pau-gasol-out-again-for-lakers-vs-76ers


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PostPosted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 1:58 pm    Post subject:

Quote:
Wounded Lakers host road-weary 76ers

Sports Network
3:18 p.m. CST, December 29, 2013

Sports.com — The Los Angeles Lakers are better known as the walking wounded lately and hope to stop a season-long four-game losing streak Sunday versus the road-weary Philadelphia 76ers.

The Lakers are already without Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Steve Blake, and may not have big men Pau Gasol and Chris Kaman versus the Sixers. Gasol is battling an upper respiratory infection and Kaman has a sprained ankle. Both are game-time decisions.


Los Angeles is opening a four-game homestand Sunday and will also welcome Milwaukee, Utah and Denver to Staples Center. It is 7-7 in L.A. this season and dropped a 105-103 decision to the Jazz Friday night. Jazz forward Derrick Favors helped the hosts to the win on a tip-in slam with 2.1 seconds remaining. Jodie Meeks' desperate 3-point attempt was off the mark.


http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sns-tsn-acn-preview-phi-lal-20131229,0,7545943.story
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 2:00 pm    Post subject:

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Pregame: Sixers in LA to face Lakers

BY DREW CORRIGAN - DEC 29TH, 2013 AT 4:37 PM

PREVIOUS

With the Eagles playing tonight, I’m guessing that a total of five people will be watching this game. I bet even less people will read this post, but that’s life!

The Sixers are in Los Angeles to play the Lakers, who are 13-17 on the season. The Sixers lost last night to the Suns, 115-101. Defense is obviously still a problem for the Sixers.

The Lakers come in on a four-game losing streak, while the Sixers have a 13-game losing streak on the road. To put this in perspective, the Sixers haven’t won a road game since November 1st against the Wizards. Something will have to give tonight.

The Lakers are banged up with Kobe Bryant, Steven Nash and Steve Blake missing significant time. Pau Gasol also missed the Lakers last game and is a game-time decision for tonight. Chris Kaman is also a game-time decision tonight, due to an ankle injury suffered in the Lakers last game.

Evan Turner missed last night’s game due to a sore right knee and had the following to say about playing tonight (via nba.com):


http://thesixersense.com/2013/12/29/pregame-sixers-la-face-lakers/
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 2:03 pm    Post subject:

Quote:
Preview: Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers


Philadelphia guard Michael Carter-Williams tries to get around the defense of Chicago's Derrick Rose during the 76ers' 107-104 win over the Bulls back in November. Carter-Williams had 26 points and 10 assists in the victory. (H. Rumph Jr. / Associated Press)
By Eric Pincus
December 29, 2013, 7:42 a.m.

The Lakers (13-17) have lost four consecutive games heading into their Sunday night battle at Staples Center against the Philadelphia 76ers (8-21).

The Sixers have lost 13 in a row on the road after winning in Washington on Nov. 1 — their lone victory outside of Philadelphia.

While the Lakers are four games below .500, they play a four-game homestand starting Sunday against the Sixers, Milwaukee Bucks (6-24), Utah Jazz (9-24) and Denver Nuggets (14-15).

This may be the Lakers' best chance to climb a bit closer to the top eight in the Western Conference.

Regardless, they'll need to do so without guards Kobe Bryant (knee), Steve Nash (back) and Steve Blake (elbow). Seven-footers Pau Gasol (upper respiratory infection) and Chris Kaman (ankle) are game-time decisions.

Key matchup

The Sixers have one of the top rookies this season in point guard Michael Carter-Williams.

On Saturday, Williams had 27 points, six assists and four steals in a loss to the Phoenix Suns. On the season he's averaging 18.1 points and 7.7 assists, although he recently sat out seven games because of a knee injury.

At 6-foot-6, the 22-year-old Syracuse product is still learning the NBA game, but he's way, way ahead of the curve.



http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-preview-lakers-vs-philadelphia-76ers-20131229,0,1747275.story#ixzz2ouC40K2R
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 2:05 pm    Post subject:

Quote:
Pau Gasol out with infection
Updated: December 29, 2013, 3:37 PM ET
By Dave McMenamin | ESPNLosAngeles.com

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Pau Gasol will miss his second straight game with an upper respiratory infection when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night, coach Mike D'Antoni said following shootaround Sunday morning.

Center Chris Kaman, who started in Gasol's place during L.A.'s 105-103 loss to the Utah Jazz on Friday, was able to participate in shootaround but is considered a game-time decision against Philadelphia with a moderate left ankle sprain. D'Antoni said Kaman's participation was "encouraging."

More on the Lakers

For more news, notes and analysis of the Lakers, check out the Lakers Index. Blog

It will be the third time in the Lakers' last five games that Gasol will sit out with the respiratory condition after starting the season playing in the first 26 games. Gasol also suffered from a respiratory infection in the beginning of the season, but was able to play through it. Gasol, the league's seventh-highest paid player making $19.3 million this season, earns approximately $175,325 every game whether he plays or not.

The 13-year veteran is averaging 14.7 points and 9.4 rebounds on a career-low 44.6 percent shooting this year.

D'Antoni said he expected Gasol to be back in the lineup Tuesday when the Lakers host the Milwaukee Bucks on New Year's Eve.


http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10209683/los-angeles-lakers-pau-gasol-again-respiratory-infection
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:12 am    Post subject:

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76ers beat the Lakers, 111-104, for second road win of season

By Eric Pincus
December 29, 2013, 9:10 p.m.

The Philadelphia 76ers won only their second road game of the season by finishing off the Lakers, 111-104.

The Lakers overcame a 13-point deficit to take a 97-94 lead with 5:46 left in the game. The 76ers responded with a 17-7 run to improve to 9-21 on the season.

Philadelphia forward Thaddeus Young led all scorers with 25 points and he collected nine rebounds. Evan Turner added 22 points for Philadelphia, which shot 41.1% from the field.

The Lakers struggled with their shooting, making only 36.9% from the field while turning the ball over 22 times. The 76ers had only 11 miscues.

Guard Nick Young led the Lakers with 26 points off the bench, although he shot only 6 of 21 from the field and committed six turnovers.

Jordan Hill (18 points and 13 rebounds) and Shawne Williams (11 points and 10 rebounds) notched double-doubles for the Lakers.

Williams missed a crucial, wide-open three-point shot with 20.9 seconds left and the Lakers down 107-104.

Seven-foot Pau Gasol sat out with an upper respiratory infection. Forward Xavier Henry, who has been helping run the point, left late in the first quarter with a strained right knee. He'll have an MRI exam on Monday.

Point guard Kendall Marshall played his best game as a Laker with eight points and three assists.

The Lakers have lost five in a row to fall to 13-18 on the season. They'll have a chance to break the streak on Tuesday when they host the Milwaukee Bucks (6-24).

The Sixers (9-21) travel to Denver to play the Nuggets (14-15) on Wednesday



http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-vs-philadelphia-76ers-live-updates-20131229,0,2810571.story#ixzz2ox9TaobX
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:15 am    Post subject:

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Sixers Snap 13-Game Road Skid, Beat Lakers 111-104
LOS ANGELES December 30, 2013 (AP)
By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer

The postgame whoops and hollers from the visitors' locker room were audible through two closed doors after the Philadelphia 76ers capitalized on their final chance in 2013 to end their 13-game road losing streak.

Thaddeus Young scored seven of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, Evan Turner added 22 points, and the 76ers hung on for their first road win since Nov. 1, beating the depleted Los Angeles Lakers 111-104 on Sunday night.

Spencer Hawes had 19 points and eight rebounds, while Young and Michael Carter-Williams contributed big points down the stretch as the last-place Sixers held on for just their second win in 11 games overall.

"You keep hammering the rock, and one day it's going to split," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said. "Tonight it split."

The Lakers are a shadow of their traditional selves these days, with Pau Gasol joining Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash on the sidelines for this meeting. That didn't dampen the Sixers' enthusiasm after doubling their road win total in the second game of a back-to-back set.

Philadelphia had lost 19 of 23 since its unlikely 4-2 start to the season.

"Wins from time to time help validate the work that everybody is putting in," Brown said. "If there's


http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/sixers-snap-13-game-road-skid-beat-lakers-21365231
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:16 am    Post subject:

Quote:
Lakers' roster could shrink in coming weeks
L.A. currently carries the NBA-maximum 15 players, but Xavier Henry, Shawne Williams, Ryan Kelly and Kendall Marshall have nonguaranteed contracts. The Lakers have until Jan.7 to decide whom to keep.

Forward Shawne Williams is one of four Lakers players signed to nonguaranteed contracts. (Streeter Lecka / Getty Images / December 14, 2013)
Related photos »
Also

Photos: Lakers vs. 76ers

Another game, another loss, another injury for Lakers

Because of injuries, Lakers' starting lineup has changed game to game

Xavier Henry injures right knee, will have MRI exam Monday

Lakers lose to lowly Utah Jazz on dunk, 105-103

Lakers are screened out by ESPN and NBA

By Eric Pincus
December 29, 2013, 10:56 p.m.

The Lakers are currently carrying the league-maximum 15 players on their roster, but that may not be the case for long.

Four players are signed to nonguaranteed contracts: Xavier Henry, Shawne Williams, Ryan Kelly and recent acquisition Kendall Marshall.

The Lakers have until Jan. 7 to decide which players they want to keep the rest of the season. The deadline is officially Jan. 10, but each player needs 48 hours to clear the NBA's waiver process.

Henry was signed over the summer for $916,099 and has proved to be one of the team's best off-season acquisitions.

Heading into the Lakers' Sunday game against the Philadelphia 76ers, the 6-foot-6 Henry averaged 10.4 points, even playing out of position at point guard with injuries to Steve Nash (back), Steve Blake (elbow), Kobe Bryant (knee) and, previously, Jordan Farmar (hamstring).

Fortune hasn't favored the Lakers at point guard this season. Henry left Sunday's game in the first quarter because of a strained right knee. He'll have an MRI exam Monday to determine the severity.



http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-fyi-20131230,0,5226868.story#ixzz2oxAcqZNc
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:19 am    Post subject:

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Video: Sixers’ Evan Turner apologizes to Lakers after unnecessary last-second dunk
BEN GOLLIVER, EVAN TURNER, LOS ANGELES LAKERS, PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
BY BEN GOLLIVER

Sixers guard Evan Turner had to apologize to the Lakers after throwing down a spinning windmill dunk during the closing seconds of Philadelphia’s 111-104 road victory on Sunday.

Turner’s exclamation point slam was a sight to behold, but it was also a clear late-game etiquette violation, and the fourth-year guard went out of his way to make amends to multiple Lakers who seemed miffed by the unnecessary dunk.

With just five seconds remaining and the Sixers leading 109-104, Philadelphia cleared a defensive rebound and it was time to run out the clock. Turner had a different plan, though, sprinting out into the open court as the Lakers prepared to walk off the court. Approaching the paint with no defenders around him, Turner launched into a 360 windmill dunk that went home with just 0.8 seconds remaining. The slam gave Philadelphia a seven-point lead.



http://nba.si.com/2013/12/30/evan-turner-apologizes-late-dunk-lakers-sixers/
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:21 am    Post subject:

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Xavier Henry hurts knee vs. Sixers
Updated: December 30, 2013, 1:30 AM ET
By Dave McMenamin | ESPNLosAngeles.com
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LOS ANGELES -- Lakers guard Xavier Henry suffered a strained right knee late in the first quarter of Sunday night's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and did not return. Henry is scheduled to undergo an MRI on the knee Monday.

Henry went 0-for-2 shooting with one rebound in five minutes before exiting the game with 1:14 to go in the first quarter. He immediately went to the locker room with longtime Lakers trainer Gary Vitti for further evaluation.

Henry said in the locker room after the game that he has suffered knee injuries in the past but Sunday's was different, occurring without any contact.

More on the Lakers

For more news, notes and analysis of the Lakers, check out the Lakers Index. Blog

"I just landed awkwardly on my leg when I was about to plant," Henry said. He added that his knee "feels weird" and "a little loose," saying that it "kind of buckled" but was only experiencing minimal swelling.

"Hopefully it's just a strain," Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said.



http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10212956/xavier-henry-los-angeles-lakers-strains-right-knee-philadelphia-76ers
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:23 am    Post subject:

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Another game, another loss, another injury for Lakers
The Lakers lose to Philadelphia, 111-104, their fifth defeat in a row and watch valuable reserve Xavier Henry strain a knee in the first quarter.

By Mike Bresnahan
December 29, 2013, 11:03 p.m.


In another twist to an ever-worsening season, the Lakers are losing games and healthy bodies at almost identical rates.

Versatile reserve Xavier Henry was the latest to go down, sustaining a strained right knee Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers and scheduled to undergo an MRI exam Monday.

Also

Lakers' roster could shrink in coming weeks

Photos: Lakers vs. 76ers

Lakers lose to lowly Utah Jazz on dunk, 105-103

Because of injuries, Lakers' starting lineup has changed game to game

Lakers are screened out by ESPN and NBA

2013 NBA draft looks like bust before next year's boom

In a semi-related note, the Lakers lost, 111-104, dropping their fifth straight game and completing it with only five healthy reserves at Staples Center.

"There's no secret formula or sauce," Coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We've got to get some guys healthy and try to stay fairly close and hope [Steve] Blake comes back and Pau [Gasol] comes back and Kobe [Bryant] comes back and try to do something. The biggest thing is keeping our guys' heads up and going."




http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-76ers-20131230,0,7762009.story#ixzz2oxCLK1cL
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:28 pm    Post subject:

Quote:
Lakers: Week 10 predictions


Utah Jazz guard Gordon Hayward, left, dunks in front of Lakers center Robert Sacre during the second half of the Lakers' 105-103 loss Friday. (Gene Sweeney Jr. / Associated Press / December 27, 2013)
By Eric Pincus
December 30, 2013, 12:19 p.m.

The Lakers will play three games through Week 10, all at home against teams with losing records.

If they can't break their five-game losing streak and sweep the week, their chances look bleak for the future as most of January will be played on the road.

Through 31 games, the Lakers won 13, exactly matching the cumulative expectations to this point.

Tuesday vs. Milwaukee Bucks

After the Lakers lost at home on Sunday to the 9-21 Philadelphia 76ers, they've shown they can lose to anyone.

The Bucks are just 6-24 and will visit without big man John Henson, who is out with an ankle injury.

The Lakers are shorthanded with Kobe Bryant (knee), Steve Blake (elbow) and Steve Nash (back) out of commission. Xavier Henry's status is up in the air after he strained his knee on Sunday.



http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-week-10-predictions-20131230,0,1266953.story#ixzz2p08h66ml
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:32 pm    Post subject:

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Jordan Farmar Gets His Chance To Prove He Is An NBA Starter

BY BLAIRHICKS - DEC 29TH, 2013 AT 12:06 PM

Most players drafted late in the first round of the draft would kill for Jordan Farmar’s career to date. He won two championships and played in three NBA Finals as a key contributor, for the league’s marquee franchise. All before the age of 23.

To top it off, he was coached by Phil Jackson and trusted by Kobe Bryant.Even better for Farmar, he seemed destined to eventually take over as the starter for an aging, declining Derek Fisher. There was one problem, however, its not what Farmar wanted or expected for himself.

Farmar was a McDonald’s All American in high school, was named National Freshman of the Year and 1st Team All Pac 10 as a sophmore. He led UCLA to two Final Fours. He left for the draft because he thought he was a star. He fell to 26th in a 2006 draft that saw Rajon Rondo taken at 21 and Kyle Lowry at 24.

With the Lakers, all of his positive qualities were readily apparent, he was confident, competitive, very athletic, and a good shooter. You could see his potential. In the Triangle offense under Phil Jackson, the point guard was a glorified spot up shooter.It was a poor fit for both Farmar’s game and temperament. His game is predicated on speed and quickness, he wanted to get out and run. With a loaded veteran roster, Farmar was only going to be a cog in the wheel. He wanted to be a starter and more importantly wanted to play a style that suited him better. It was at this point his Lakers’ tenure began to break down.


http://lakeshowlife.com/2013/12/29/jordan-farmar-gets-chance-prove-nba-starter/
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:34 pm    Post subject:

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The Lakers Looming Schedule

BY COLIN LOPEZ - DEC 29TH, 2013 AT 8:47 AM

Not so long ago the Lakers stood at 13-13, feeling pretty good all things considered. Now the Lakers are 13-17 after a disappointing two point loss at the Utah Jazz. If the Lakers truly are a team with playoff aspirations, they need to turn things around fast. With a favorable schedule over the next four games, the Lakers could find themselves back at .500 if all things fall into place.


The Lakers next four opponents are the 76ers, Bucks, Jazz and Nuggets, all of whom will play at Staples Center. Each one of these teams is sub-.500; a stretch that the Lakers must take advantage of. Following those four home games, the Lakers are on the road for 10 of their next 11 games due to the annual Grammy road trip. If the Lakers aren’t able to quickly right the ship, those road games could spell disaster for a team already struggling. Although they have played better recently, the Lakers still don’t have the same consistency on the road as they do at home.


http://lakeshowlife.com/2013/12/29/lakers-looming-schedule/
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 7:54 pm    Post subject:

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Pau Gasol to play against Bucks
Updated: December 30, 2013, 9:46 PM ET
By Dave McMenamin | ESPNLosAngeles.com

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Pau Gasol underwent a full practice Monday and will play Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks after missing three of the Lakers' past five games with an upper respiratory infection.

"I don't think he's over it totally, but it's good enough to play," Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said of Gasol's condition.

Gasol said he considered playing Sunday in the Lakers' 111-104 home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, who entered the contest having lost 13 straight road games, but decided against it.

[+] Enlarge
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Pau Gasol will play Tuesday against the Bucks after missing three of the Lakers' past five games with an upper respiratory infection.
"I mean, I could have," Gasol said. "I tried and it crossed my mind, but I just get very exhausted and winded when I get my cardio up. So, I just didn't want to have any setbacks and prolong this thing more than it has to. So, I wanted to badly because it was a game that we needed to win. Unfortunately, I wouldn't have been of much use."

Gasol was able to go through weight-training exercises Sunday at the Lakers' practice facility following shootaround but said he was not ready for game action despite the activity.

"It's totally different. I was limited to doing anaerobic work, so basically without getting my cardio up," Gasol said. "I was able to do what the doctor told me to do. I could lift some light weights to keep my muscles loose and somewhat toned, but from there to get up and down and play a basketball game is a different story with the infection that I have."


http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10217899/los-angeles-lakers-pau-gasol-return-respiratory-infection-tuesday
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 7:58 pm    Post subject:

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Report: Questions of if Pau Gasol could play for Lakers just means more trade speculation
Kurt Helin Dec 30, 2013, 1:18 PM EST
11 Comments

Getty Images
The Lakers lost at home to the stumbling Philadelphia 76ers Sunday night, a low point in a season with a number of them for the Lakers.

Pau Gasol wasn’t there — and that was Gasol’s decision, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.

It was Gasol’s decision to sit out as his team extended its season-high losing streak to five with a 111-104 defeat to Philly. It’s not like he has been bedridden or completely unable to exert himself physically. According to a team source, Gasol still showed up to Lakers shootaround to lift weights Sunday, and when he told longtime trainer Gary Vitti he wanted more time to get over the infection and was not going to play against the Sixers, Vitti said to not even bother showing up to the game.

It’s presumptuous for us to say how Gasol is feeling and if he could have played — it sounds more like some around the Lakers are trying to paint Gasol in a bad light. And there are plenty of Lakers fans who turn quickly on him and will lap it up.

What is more and more clear is Gasol is not part of the Lakers long-term plans (something Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report talked about on the PBT Podcast weeks ago). Gasol isn’t bringing his best effort nightly. It shows.

In the wake of that the team had previously shopped Gasol around and went after a big name, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.


http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/30/report-questions-of-if-pau-gasol-could-play-for-lakers-just-means-more-trade-speculation/
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:02 pm    Post subject:

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Bucks-Lakers Preview
The Associated Press –

Game 1: Tue, 31 Dec 10:30 PM ET
Milwaukee
@ LA Lakers
Pregame
Game 2: Thu, 27 Mar 8:00 PM ET
LA Lakers
@ Milwaukee

Pau Gasol is set to return for the Los Angeles Lakers after some controversy over his absence.
Gasol will try to help the Lakers end their season-high losing streak at five games Tuesday night when they host the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Lakers power forward has missed two straight games with a respiratory infection, but returned to practice Monday. He was breathing hard and it appeared his nose was still congested afterward.
"Just coughing, not being able to breathe, just really stuffed up, all my cavities are affected," Gasol said. "It is what it is. You gotta play through it. I needed those days to try to get the worst part out of the way."
Some of his teammates were reportedly unhappy that Gasol sat out Sunday's 111-104 home loss to Philadelphia since it was his decision not to play. Coach Mike D'Antoni addressed the situation Monday.


http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/bucks-lakers-preview-020617813--nba.html
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Cha*n
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:04 pm    Post subject:

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Pau Gasol says he’ll play through ailments
By Mark Medina, Los Angeles Daily News
POSTED: 12/30/13, 7:12 PM PST |
Long after everyone else cleared the practice court, Pau Gasol stayed there working on post moves, mid-range jumpers and conditioning drills.

After he finished a full practice on Monday, Gasol stuck his head into a trash can and coughed. He then spoke in a raspy voice, the ailments stemming from a sinus infection and bronchitis keeping him out of three of the past five games. Still, Gasol will suit up when the Lakers (13-18) host the Milwaukee Bucks (6-24) tonight at Staples Center.

The image aimed to contradict the notion that Gasol used his season-long ailments as an excuse to sit out in three of the past five games. It also caused some team officials to roll their eyes at the apparent theatre before Gasol talked with reporters. Whatever the case, Gasol sounded unapologetic.

“I played through it when I first got the respiratory issue earlier in the season and I was getting killed by not performing,” said Gasol, who has averaged 14.7 points on a career-low 44.6 percent shooting. “When you try to play through stuff, you still don’t get any credit. You don’t play through stuff, you still don’t get any credit.”



http://www.whittierdailynews.com/sports/20131230/pau-gasol-says-hell-play-through-ailments
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:06 pm    Post subject:

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Pau Gasol chose not to play vs. Sixers and was told not to bother showing up

December 30, 2013 By Larry Brown Leave a Comment
Pau Gasol really can’t win these days. If the guy plays when he’s not well, he gets called out for his performances being sub-par. If he sits out so he can recover, he gets called out for missing games.
That’s what’s happened with him lately as he’s missed action because of a respiratory infection.
Gasol has missed three of the Lakers’ last five games, all of which were losses. ESPN LA’s Dave McMenamin reports that Gasol chose not to play in Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, which the Lakers lost 111-104, in an effort to completely recover from his illnesses.
According to a team source, Gasol still showed up to Lakers shootaround to lift weights Sunday, and when he told longtime trainer Gary Vitti he wanted more time to get over the infection and was not going to play against the Sixers, Vitti said to not even bother showing up to the game.
Gasol’s reasoning for taking the time off makes plenty of sense. He missed the team’s game against the Warriors on Dec. 21 to get better, but he pushed himself back and played in the team’s next two games. He said he was extremely winded after posting 13 points and 13 rebounds in a Christmas day loss to the Miami Heat.


http://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/pau-gasol-bother-showing-up/215293
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:08 pm    Post subject:

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Lakers' Pau Gasol to play against Milwaukee

The forward missed three games because of a sinus infection and bronchitis but says he will be able to play Tuesday.

Lakers center Pau Gasol, left, tries to put up a shot in front of Miami Heat center Chris Bosh during the Lakers' Christmas Day loss. Gasol hopes to be healthy enough to play Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks. (Michael Nelson / EPA / December 25, 2013)

Xavier Henry sidelined at least seven to 10 days with knee injury

By Mike Bresnahan
December 30, 2013, 8:04 p.m.

A vaguely familiar presence was on the Lakers' practice court Monday.

Pau Gasol was in the far corner, doing some light shooting and one-on-one drills with Lakers teammates Jordan Hill and Robert Sacre.

He said he would play Tuesday against Milwaukee after missing three games because of a sinus infection and bronchitis that seemingly wouldn't quit. He won't be over it for weeks, he said, because of symptoms that included continual coughing and breathing troubles.

"The doctor said, 'You shouldn't be playing if you want to get over this. It's going to get worse,'" Gasol said Monday. "So I listened to it and I got better. I was able to do some stuff and [Tuesday] I'll be able to play."

Gasol just can't win, he said. Media criticism has trailed him throughout this season as his production has ebbed.

"I played through it when I first got the respiratory issue…and I was getting killed [by reporters] by not performing and all that stuff," Gasol said. "When you try to play through stuff, you still don't get any credit. You don't get credit much, especially when things aren't working out and the team's losing."


http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-fyi-20131231,0,5292405.story#ixzz2p1WNJKFM


Last edited by Cha*n on Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:13 pm; edited 1 time in total
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:11 pm    Post subject:

NBA trade rumors: Nets rejected Brook Lopez for Pau Gasol swap, according to report

The talks occurred before Lopez went down for the year with a foot injury.

The Los Angeles Lakers engaged the Brooklyn Nets in exploratory talks in early December regarding a possible swap of Pau Gasol and Brook Lopez, but the Nets balked at the offer, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.


Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sbnation/SBNation_20131230_NBA_trade_rumors__Nets_rejected_Brook_Lopez_for_Pau_Gasol_swap__according_to_report_.html#tfETKtDDCYxKhW5U.99
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 3:07 am    Post subject:

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Gasol-Bynum swap discussed


Updated: December 31, 2013, 5:22 AM ET

By Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne | ESPN.com


The Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers have had discussions on a trade that would involve Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, league sources told ESPN.com.

No deal is believed to be imminent, but both sides are mulling it over ahead of a Jan. 7 deadline when the second half of Bynum's $12.25 million salary would be guaranteed. The Cavs suspended Bynum for one game this weekend for conduct detrimental to the team and have excused him indefinitely from all activities, including games.

By trading Gasol in a package for Bynum and then waiving him, the injury-ravaged Lakers could save more than $20 million in salaries and luxury taxes, which could help them maintain financial flexibility heading into the next few summers. A Gasol-Bynum trade would have to include at least one other player and perhaps other assets from Cleveland.

The Lakers are reluctant to part with the four-time All-Star in any trade without receiving assets of some value in return, sources said.

The Lakers have been luxury-tax payers for six straight seasons. While the luxury-tax savings this season -- and ability to avoid the repeater tax penalty that kicks in when a team is a taxpayer in four out of five years starting with the 2011-12 season -- would undoubtedly help the Lakers' long-term flexibility, the franchise's history and organizational culture make that a difficult prospect to consider.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10220178/los-angeles-lakers-cleveland-cavaliers-talk-pau-gasol-andrew-bynum-trade
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 3:11 am    Post subject:

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Jason Lloyd: Returning to Lakers (briefly) makes most sense in Andrew Bynum trade market for Cavs

By Jason Lloyd
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published: December 30, 2013 - 05:17 PM


There are six teams currently over the NBA’s luxury tax and in line to pay significant penalties at the end of the season. While the Cavs search for a trade to unload Andrew Bynum, those are likely their best — and perhaps only — potential trade partners between now and Jan. 7.

No team that actually wants Bynum is likely to trade for him because his contract for this season becomes guaranteed for $12 million after Jan. 7. But a team trying to get under the luxury tax threshold of $71.7 million could trade a hefty salary to the Cavs for Bynum and release him prior to Jan. 7, while Bynum’s cap figure can be reduced to $6 million.

Bynum could then clear waivers, become a free agent and sign with another team for the league minimum.

The problem is the Cavs are no longer interested in taking on bad money for contracts that extend beyond this season, so they would either be searching for an expiring contract or it would have to be a player they genuinely like. It’s a narrow window of teams, which is what makes trading Bynum tricky.

The Brooklyn Nets are $30.4 million over the tax threshold and the New York Knicks are $16.5 million over, easily making them the two biggest spending teams this season. But the Miami Heat ($11.8 million over), Chicago Bulls ($7.3 million over), Los Angeles Lakers ($7 million) and Los Angeles Clippers ($2.2 million) are also in line to pay penalties after the season.

Teams must also be concerned with the “repeat offender” status, which hammers teams that are habitual tax payers. There is no repeat offender tax this year, but teams that have paid a luxury tax every summer since 2012 will be saddled with even larger fines beginning in 2015 if they’re again in the tax.


http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10220178/los-angeles-lakers-cleveland-cavaliers-talk-pau-gasol-andrew-bynum-trade
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