Lakers in the News 1/29/14: "Too soon to judge Lakers' future " by Romana Shelburne

 
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:51 am    Post subject: Lakers in the News 1/29/14: "Too soon to judge Lakers' future " by Romana Shelburne

Quote:
Pacers coach: Injuries create 'impossible' situation for Lakers

Kobe Bryant, left, and Steve Nash have spent most of the 2013-14 NBA season in street clothes because of injuries. Each has played only six games. (Nathan Denette / Associated Press / January 20, 2013)
By Eric Pincus
January 29, 2014, 8:00 a.m.

After defeating the Lakers on Tuesday night 104-92, the Indiana Pacers kept their hold on the NBA's best overall record of 35-9.

One significant advantage the Pacers have had this year over the Lakers is health.

Three of Indiana's five starters have played in all 44 games thus far (All-Star Paul George, David West and Roy Hibbert). Lance Stephenson sat out just one game and point guard George Hill missed three.

Key reserves Luis Scola, Ian Mahinmi and C.J. Watson have also avoided the injury bug.

It's no surprise the Lakers are 16-30.

"Not with the injuries they've had. You can't overcome what they've had to deal with," said Pacers Coach Frank Vogel. "You've got two guys like [Steve] Nash and Kobe [Bryant], who are some of the best in the league, and you lose them for as long as they've been out -- as well as the other guys they've had out -- it's impossible to do any better than they've done."

Steve Blake, Jordan Farmar and Xavier Henry are also sidelined.

"I think Coach Mike [D'Antoni] is going a great job, just keeping them playing hard and doing the best they can," said Vogel.


http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-pacers-vogel-injuries-impossible-for-lakers-20140129,0,6934741.story#ixzz2roUtveBe


Last edited by Cha*n on Wed Jan 29, 2014 8:35 pm; edited 2 times in total
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:54 am    Post subject:

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Lakers hang around with Pacers but still fall for 17th loss in 20 games

Lakers in a virtual tie for the worst record in the Western Conference, and Kobe Bryant's return has been delayed for at least three more weeks.

By Ben Bolch and Melissa Rohlin
January 28, 2014, 11:33 p.m.

It was the best of teams, it was the worst of teams.

The Lakers surprisingly stayed with the team holding the best record in the NBA for about three quarters Tuesday night before predictably fading to fall into a virtual tie for the worst record in the Western Conference.

Also

Kobe Bryant says he's 'down' about missing three more weeks

Photos: Lakers vs. Pacers

Magic Johnson says Lakers made mistake in not rehiring Phil Jackson

Lakers fade in second half of 104-92 loss to Pacers

Technically, the Lakers stayed out of the bottom spot by percentage points after a 104-92 loss to the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center, about the only positive spin that could be put on a season spiraling out of control on multiple fronts.

The Lakers received more bad injury news in a season full of it, learning that persistent pain and swelling in Kobe Bryant's injured left knee would sideline him well into next month and force him to miss the All-Star game Feb. 16 in New Orleans.

Bryant will be re-examined in three weeks but could require further conditioning after being cleared to return, raising the possibility that he may not be ready to come back before March.

As he paused for a brief interview with The Times in a loading-dock area after the game, Bryant described himself as "disappointed" in the setback.

"It's like an internal swelling," Bryant said of his knee. "It's different. It's not something that's kind of on the surface where you can pinpoint and feel the swelling around. It's deep in there. . . . It's frustrating."



http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-pacers-20140129,0,5748785.story#ixzz2roVoFYVU
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:56 am    Post subject:

Quote:
David West, Pacers defeat Lakers, 104-92

Paul George's 36 carries Pacers past Kings Automated Insights
League-leading Pacers hold off Lakers 104-92 The Associated Press
David West scores 20, Pacers blow out Wizards Automated Insights
Pacers 104, Lakers 92 The SportsXchange
Paul George scores 23, Pacers beat Warriors Automated Insights
In a complete performance, Lance Stephenson scored 15 points and added 14 rebounds and 6 assists to help the Indiana Pacers beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 104-92. The Pacers put together a very efficient performance, turning it over on only four possessions while totaling 23 assists. Indiana (35-9) has now won seven of their last 10 games.

Stephenson went 6-9, in a quality offensive outing. Indiana also got solid performances from David West with 19 points and 8 rebounds, Paul George with 14 points and 6 assists, and George Hill with 13 points and 7 rebounds. On 10-19 shooting, Pau Gasol put up 21 points for Los Angeles in the loss. He also tallied 13 rebounds. Kendall Marshall contributed 11 points and 13 assists and Jordan Hill finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

As expected, the edge on the defensive glass went to the Pacers (86.8% DR%), who took advantage of the Lakers 27th-ranked offensive rebounding (21.7% OR% on the season). Meanwhile, the Pacers rank first in the NBA at collecting defensive rebounds with a DR% of 77.2%. The Pacers posted a sterling assist-to-turnover ratio of 5.75. This year, they are 3-1 when they exceed 2.50 in this metric. Conversely, the Lakers are 2-9 when allowing their opponents to achieve such a stellar ratio.


http://sports.yahoo.com/news/david-west-pacers-defeat-lakers-062055084--nba.html
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:57 am    Post subject:

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Pau Gasol dealing with groin injury, unsure of availability Friday

Lakers center Pau Gasol battles for a loose ball with Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi during the Lakers' 104-92 loss at Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times / January 28, 2014)
By Eric Pincus
January 29, 2014, 6:00 a.m.

When the second half started on Tuesday night in the Lakers' 104-92 loss to the Indiana Pacers, Pau Gasol was conspicuously absent.

Reserve Robert Sacre started the third quarter at center, playing almost two minutes before Gasol checked in to replace him.

What was the issue?

"My groin," said Gasol after the game. "It’s been bothering me a little bit, but tonight it started bothering me from the beginning. I couldn’t do anything really explosively."

The Lakers center/forward finished the game with 21 points and 13 rebounds, playing just under 36 minutes.

Gasol said he wasn't entirely sure he'll play on Friday when the Lakers host the Charlotte Bobcats.

"I don't know," he said. "We'll see how it feels tomorrow."

The Lakers have a day off Wednesday to rest and rehab. The team is to reconvene for practice on Thursday.

Injuries have decimated the Lakers all season. On Tuesday, the team announced that Kobe Bryant needs at least an additional three weeks to recover from a knee injury.

"I know it's been a rough stretch for him," Gasol said. "I just hope that he heals well. He can come back when he's ready."



http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-pau-gasol-groin-injury-20140129,0,651947.story#ixzz2roX2vwRI
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 10:02 am    Post subject:

Quote:
Pacers cruise past Lakers to finish 3-2 trip

Wed Jan 29, 2014 2:28am EST

Pacers cruise past Lakers to finish 3-2 trip

LOS ANGELES -- The Indiana Pacers didn't play up to their standards during a five-game road trip, but they were pleased to close the trek on a high note.

Shaking off a sluggish first half, the Pacers beat the Los Angeles Lakers 104-92 at Staples Center on Tuesday night.

"We could have played better, but I'm happy overall," Indiana coach Frank Vogel said of the road swing, which produced a 3-2 mark. "We feel like we should win every game we play. That's our mindset. We're good enough to come in and expect to win every game we play. Every time we lose, we're highly disappointed."

Six Indiana players scored in double figures, led by forward David West, who had 19 points and eight rebounds. Guard Lance Stephenson scored 15 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and handed out six assists. Forward Paul George finished with 14 points but experienced a rough night shooting, missing 17 of his 21 shots. He went 1-for-6 on 3-point attempts.

"Sometimes, you have those type of games when you're sluggish. You go in after the first half, watch film and see what you did and correct," said Stephenson, who hit six of nine shots from the floor but just three of nine free throws. "(The Lakers) were pushing it and making plays for each other, making shots. Coach told us to be aggressive and push it on the break. We did that."


http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/29/bkn-pacers-lakers-writethru-idUSMTZEA1T5F0LLG20140129
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 10:07 am    Post subject:

Quote:
NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers not interested in signing Carmelo Anthony

The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, but a lot of eyes are on the offseason and what will be done with Carmelo Anthony. The New York Knicks star forward will be hitting the market this summer which has many thinking about where he’ll land.

One destination has been Los Angeles with the Lakers, but the more the rumor is brought up, the more it seems to be shot down. Larry Coon from Basketball Insiders weighed in on the rumors and stated that the Lakers just aren’t as interested in Melo as the public seems to think.


This isn’t to say the Lakers wouldn’t sign Melo if given the opportunity to, but it appears they’re not pacing back and forth, glancing at their phone in anticipation of him hitting the market and the opportunity to offer him a giant contract.

Los Angeles could use Melo, but they’re much better off waiting for a more stacked free agent class to hit the market in the summer of 2015.



http://fansided.com/2014/01/29/nba-rumors-los-angeles-lakers-not-signing-carmelo-anthony/#!tSBpO
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 8:34 pm    Post subject:

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Too soon to judge Lakers' future

It would be unfair to connect the death of Dr. Buss to the current debacle
Updated: January 29, 2014, 4:24 AM ET
By Ramona Shelburne | ESPNLosAngeles.com

The celebration was muted. So much has happened in the 11 months since Buss died, it felt as if it should be. He would've had a hard time with what the Lakers have become this season. The man did not like losing ... ever.

But while it was difficult to separate the present moment from the man, it's important to do so. The fact that it's so hard to only underscores why.

It has been only 11 months since the death of Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, but it's unfair to draw conclusions so soon about where the franchise could be headed.
A losing season like the 16-30 debacle the Lakers are in the middle of is hard on any franchise. But it happens. Every few years, a rash of injuries wrecks everything. A star player leaves via free agency. Veterans get old. Salary cap issues force management to make tough choices. It happens to everyone. It just doesn't happen to the Lakers.

Buss bought the franchise from Jack Kent Cooke in 1979. The Lakers missed the playoffs only twice during the 34 years he owned the team. Let that sink in a minute. The Lakers made the playoffs every season but two in the 34 years that Jerry Buss owned the team. And they didn't just make the playoffs, they won 10 NBA titles.


http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10368772/too-soon-judge-los-angeles-lakers-future
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 8:38 pm    Post subject:

Quote:
Steve Nash, Steve Blake near returns for Lakers

Lakers' Pau Gasol, Steve Nash, and Steve Blake during game four of their NBA Western Conference playoffs at the Staples Center Saturday, April 28, 2013. The Spurs beat the Lakers 120-89. The Spurs beat the Lakers 103-82. (Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer)
By Phil Collin, phil.collin [AT] langnews.com, @philcollin1 on Twitter
POSTED: 01/29/14, 5:54 PM PST |
Lost in the wreckage of Indiana’s 104-92 victory Tuesday night, which included the news that Kobe Bryant is still three weeks away from his next doctor’s evaluation, was a glimmer of hope.

Soon, the Lakers will start getting point guards back. Steve Nash is expected to step onto the practice court Thursday and Steve Blake’s elbow ligament has healed enough that he has been cleared to step onto the court for limited time, as has Jordan Farmar with his left hamstring tear.

Forward Xavier Henry (bone bruise) had filled in some at point guard, though his return is expected later down the road.

When any and all return, it will provide some relief for Kendall Marshall, who has proved to be much more than a stopgap measure. As the team’s only point guard, he has logged almost 40 minutes a game over 14 games.

On the other hand, in the last 12 games Marshall has averaged 12 points and 11.5 assists per game. So when everyone is healthy, who’s going to get the playing time?

“I take more pride in winning,” Marshall said after the game.



http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20140129/steve-nash-steve-blake-near-returns-for-lakers
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 8:42 pm    Post subject:

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Kendall Marshall makes good use of time with Lakers

Point guard, retrieved from the NBA Development League, has been filling in admirably while others recover from injuries and is averaging 9.5 assists per game.

Lakers point guard Kendall Marshall has averaged 12.0 points and 11.5 assists a game through 14 starts. (Paul Buck / EPA / January 10, 2014)
By Eric Pincus
January 29, 2014, 5:55 p.m.

When the NBA season started in October, point guard Kendall Marshall was in the NBA Development League, where he played for the Delaware 87ers.

Then the long list of Lakers injuries changed his fate, leading to a promotion. On Friday night, the 22-year-old Marshall is expected to make his 15th start of the season for the Lakers when they play host to the Charlotte Bobcats.

He has made good use of his time. In his 18 games with the Lakers, Marshall is averaging 9.5 assists, second in the league only to Clippers star Chris Paul at 11.2 per game.

Marshall is also shooting an NBA-best 47.3% from three-point range, hitting 35 of 74 shots, and is averaging 10.5 points per game.

Despite his numbers, Marshall doesn't qualify to be among the league leaders in assists.

The league's minimum requirement is playing in 58 games, but with his late call-up Marshall won't be able to make more than 54 appearances this season.

The Lakers' record during Marshall's tenure as starter hasn't been nearly as impressive. Since Jan. 3, the team is only 3-11.


http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-kendall-marshall-steve-blake-15-starts-point-guard-20140129,0,2724998.story#ixzz2rr9GZv4p
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 8:44 pm    Post subject:

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Time for the Lakers to Fire Mike D'Antoni?
After Widespread Criticism and Losing 17 of the Last 20 Games, Los Angeles Lakers Management Should Be Strongly Considering Firing Mike
Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni talks to Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak at practice.

COMMENTARY | There have been calls from far and wide begging for Mike D'Antoni's head since the day he was handed the Los Angeles Lakers head-coaching job in a midnight coup.

Lakers sign G Manny Harris from D-League affiliate The Associated Press
Steve Nash injury: Lakers hope guard returns from back issue on Tuesday SB Nation

With the greatest coach in NBA history, Phil Jackson, rumored to be on the verge of accepting the Lakers' job, management moved quickly to keep control of the situation.

If Jackson had accepted, they would no longer hold control. They had spoken to the Zen Master as a formality, and his acceptance of the recently vacated coaching position would handcuff them to Jackson's whims. Hastily, D'Antoni was interviewed and handed the job.

For his part, even D'Antoni admitted that he had never even spoken with Dr. Jerry Buss and that he was initially shocked to be handed the job. Still, executive VP Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak contended that Dr. Buss had made the decision to hire the man seemingly no one wanted.


http://sports.yahoo.com/news/time-lakers-fire-mike-d-39-antoni-170300420--nba.html
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 9:05 am    Post subject:

I can pinpoint the exact time it was fair to judge the Lakers future. It was on a Monday at 12:01 am
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