Febuary 8th: Lakers back at square one. Lakers @ Houston

 
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Phil
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:35 am    Post subject: Febuary 8th: Lakers back at square one. Lakers @ Houston

Lakers back at square one

Mavs 102, Lakers 87: They drop to .500 after losing for the fifth time in six games on the trip.

01:09 AM PST on Wednesday, February 8, 2006

By BRODERICK TURNER / The Press-Enterprise

DALLAS - Coach Phil Jackson was willing to take responsibility for the Lakers' 102-87 loss to the Mavericks on Tuesday night, citing unwise substitutions when his team had Dallas rattled and momentum on its side.

Jackson was just as willing to criticize the officials for calling so many flagrant and technical fouls against the Lakers, and for being "nervous Nellies" when they officiate in front of Dallas owner Mark Cuban.

So on a night when Kobe Bryant struggled to get 24 points on 5-for-22 shooting and Kwame Brown gave the Lakers zero points, Jackson blamed himself while also pointing at the officials.

Bryant, Lamar Odom and Devean George all were given technical fouls. And then Jackson, with the Lakers down by 13 with 1:08 left, kept his team in the huddle while the Mavericks were on the court and was called for a delay-of-game warning twice.

That resulted in a technical foul, which Jackson said he wanted to get as "a signal to them of my dislike for what had happened."

As a group, the Lakers were at their wits' end all night when it came to the officials, complaining to the bitter end. They fell to 1-5 on their road trip with a game left, and at 24-24 are just a half-game ahead of Utah for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.

"I thought it was a really poorly refereed ballgame," Jackson said. "I know there's a lot of pressure on the refs when they come here because Mark has (people) review the tape and send them into the league, and these guys are nervous Nellies when they come in to referee in this building."


Last edited by Phil on Wed Feb 08, 2006 6:17 am; edited 1 time in total
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:38 am    Post subject:

Jackson's Protests Accomplish Little
# Lakers fall to 1-5 on trip with a 102-87 loss to the Mavericks. Bryant is held to 24, and coach complains about Brown and the officiating.

By Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer

DALLAS — The Lakers actually led by two, the beginning and the end of a short highlight reel as they came closer to the finality of their lowlight this season, a seven-game trip that just won't quit.

Kobe Bryant wasn't Kobe Bryant, Kwame Brown was Kwame Brown, and Coach Phil Jackson called a personal foul on the referees, Mark Cuban, and even his own decision-making, in a 102-87 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday at American Airlines Center.


On their 11th day away from home, the Lakers fell to 1-5 on their trip, with one game left tonight in Houston, at which point they could be caught by Utah for the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference.

By then, Brown might no longer be a starter even though Chris Mihm could still be out because of a sprained right shoulder. Brown went scoreless and had four rebounds and four fouls in 14 minutes against Dallas, enough to incur the wrath of Jackson afterward.

"That's awful," Jackson said. "He gave us a terrible game tonight. I had a short meeting with him the other day and told him I really valued the opportunity he was getting and he just didn't give us any productive minutes at all."
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:41 am    Post subject:

Bryant, Lakers cursed
Brown held scoreless in loss to Mavs
By Ross Siler, Staff Writer

DALLAS - After everything Kobe Bryant did to the Dallas Mavericks the two times he saw them back in December, maybe the Mavericks felt they had to beat the Lakers twice Tuesday night to exorcise some demons.

The Mavericks pummeled the Lakers in the first quarter, let them back in a game they trailed by 20, then closed out the third quarter on a 12-2 run just when it looked like the Lakers were going to make things interesting.

There was no Bryant miracle 3-pointer at the end and no 62-point night through three quarters from the superstar guard. The Lakers instead dropped to 1-5 on this road trip with a 102-87 loss, prompting an admission from coach Phil Jackson afterward.

Jackson said he would consider removing forward Kwame Brown from the starting lineup after Brown followed a 12-point game at American Airlines Center on Dec. 12 by finishing scoreless in 14 minutes with four fouls Tuesday.

"That's awful," Jackson said. "He gave us a terrible game tonight. I had a short meeting with him the other day and told him I really valued the opportunity he was getting and he just didn't give us any productive minutes at all."
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:42 am    Post subject:

Wrong direction
The Lakers lose their fourth in a row, and Jackson calls Brown's effort 'awful.'

By KEVIN DING
The Orange County Register

DALLAS – As the Lakers' present season inched further toward failure with a fourth consecutive loss - 102-87 to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night - their hopes for the future nose-dived with the worst game of Kwame Brown's dreadful first Lakers season.

"It was awful," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said of Brown's performance. "He gave us a terrible game. He just didn't give us any productive minutes at all."

For the second consecutive game with center Chris Mihm injured, Brown came up small. He paid for it after halftime, when Jackson benched Brown and went with veteran small forward Devean George.

Just as in the second quarter when the Lakers made up ground with Brown never leaving the bench, they got hot and actually took a lead for the first time in three games, 66-64, on two Lamar Odom free throws with 2:56 left in the third.

At that point, Jackson decided to rest George and Smush Parker for Luke Walton and Sasha Vujacic. The Lakers' lead was gone nine seconds later, and Dallas went on a 12-2 run to regain control.

Lamenting his decision, Jackson said: "A dumb coach put the wrong substitutions in. Strategically, it was a bad move on my part. The guys went in the ballgame and didn't give us any help."
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:44 am    Post subject:

Mavs stifle Kobe to extend win streak

12:55 AM CST on Wednesday, February 8, 2006

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

Greatness may or may not be waiting for the Mavericks later this season, but at least they cured themselves of Kobe Phobia on Tuesday night.

They played with an obvious chip on their shoulder and shut down Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers for a 102-87 victory at American Airlines Center, making it a dozen wins in a row, the NBA season high and the second longest in franchise history.

Like the first 11 victims, the Lakers could not get to 100 points. And virtually all the defense was concentrated on Bryant, who had burned the Mavericks for 62 points in Los Angeles on Dec. 20 and 43 points eight days before that.

This night, they held Bryant to 24 points, nearly 12 below his season average and 57 below his season high a couple of weeks ago.

It was Bryant's lowest scoring output since Dec. 23, and he's been held below 24 only six times this season.

"I wouldn't say it was personal," Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said. "We were all just kind of embarrassed by him getting 62 on us in three quarters. We just hadn't played particularly well against them in the first two games. I'm glad we got this game behind us for a lot of reasons."
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:47 am    Post subject:

Mike Monroe: Lakers' chance wearing

Web Posted: 02/08/2006 12:00 AM CST


San Antonio Express-News

Monroe DALLAS — Kobe Bryant looked at his game socks and declared they weren't quite white enough. He suggested someone had switched out the ones laid out in front of his locker for the dingy ones he found there before the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.
"Somebody keeps taking my socks," Bryant said after equipment man Rudy Garciduenas delivered new inner footwear. "They're probably being sold on Ebay."

A visitor reminded Bryant about the hot dog purchased at the NFC championship game in Seattle that was sold on the auction site for more than $7,000. He stuck his gum outside his lips and wondered what might be bid for the well-chewed wad.

He should have thought of that after he scored 81 against the Raptors. Six figures for historic stickiness, no doubt.

Bryant was loose before Tuesday's game, and why not? The NBA's top scorer dropped 62 on them the last time the two teams met, amassing all 62 in the first three quarters, during which the Mavs scored 61. So lopsided was that game, Bryant wasn't needed in the fourth period, or he might have scored 80-something, as he did against the Raptors on Jan. 22.



Things have changed a bit since then, mostly for the Mavericks. Their 102-87 victory over the Lakers made them 20-3 since Bryant humiliated them Dec. 20. It was their 12th-straight victory, the league's longest winning streak this season. Most importantly, it lifted them a half-game above the Spurs in the Southwest Division.

The score after three periods this time: Mavericks 76, Bryant 19.
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:49 am    Post subject:

MAVERICKS
Mavs impress Jackson

By ART GARCIA
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DALLAS -- Only two teams in Mavericks history have reached the Western Conference Finals.

Could the current edition be the third?

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson seems to think the Mavs are headed in that direction.

"This is the year, probably, they're going to get back to that," Jackson said before the Mavs beat the Lakers (102-87) on Tuesday night at American Airlines Center.

"This looks like the type of year that they're setting themselves up. You have to put those footsteps in place during the course of the year to expect it to happen."

The Mavs (38-10) are a half-game ahead of San Antonio (37-10) for the best record in the conference with their 12th consecutive victory, also the longest winning streak in the league this season.

Jackson, however, doesn't see an 800-pound gorilla in the West.

"From our standpoint there's no dominant team in the West this year," he said. "There's no team that's going to crush you."
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:51 am    Post subject:

Even Mavs' streak can't silence critics

Jackson not buying into Mavs until they prove something in playoffs

12:27 AM CST on Wednesday, February 8, 2006

If you're swept up in the euphoria of the Mavericks' 12-game winning streak, if you want to gloat about the defensive throwdown on Kobe Bryant and are convinced this team is equipped to push San Antonio to the limit in the Western Conference, you're not going to like what Phil Jackson has to say.

You will be even more surprised to learn that Avery Johnson agrees with him.

Sort of.

The Mavericks' 15-point victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night isn't going to change hearts and minds. It's not going to muzzle Charles Barkley or convince Tim Duncan to concede the Southwest Division.


No one questions the Mavericks' regular-season credentials. It's what they do from late April on that will define this team.

Enjoy the moment. But don't expect critics to embrace this team until they see what it does in the postseason.

Asked the difference in this Mavericks team and the one the Lakers beat twice in a span of nine days in December, Jackson offered an interesting observation.

"Maybe it's the scheduling," the Lakers coach said. "Have they played Detroit or San Antonio recently?
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:53 am    Post subject:

Lakers notebook: Cook's career night

Broderick Turner

01:04 AM PST on Wednesday, February 8, 2006

DALLAS - Brian Cook, starting at power forward Tuesday in place of injured Chris Mihm, had a career night.

Cook showed why he's known for his shooting, making 12 of 16 shots and scoring a career-high 28 points in a 102-87 loss to the Mavericks.

Cook said he was open frequently because Dallas placed all its attention on Kobe Bryant, who burned the Mavs for 62 points in three quarters the previous time they played.

"They were pretty wide-open shots," said Cook, who made 2 of 3 three-pointers. "Once I hit a few and got in a groove, it felt like the basket got real big and everything was going in."

Another Low for Kwame

As it seems has been the case all season, Kwame Brown played poorly Tuesday night.

The Lakers needed Brown to be a factor with Mihm sidelined by a sprained right shoulder.

Instead, Brown was held scoreless for the second time this season and had just four rebounds.

Coach Phil Jackson, standing in the hallway of American Airlines Center, was asked where he stood on Brown:

"On his feet, if I could get him out here," Jackson said. "That's awful. He gave us a terrible game tonight ...

"I had a short meeting with him the other day and told him I really valued the opportunity he was getting, and he just didn't give us any productive minutes at all."
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:55 am    Post subject:

The curse of Kobe is reversed
By RANDY GALLOWAY
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DALLAS - The Mavericks have responded to all situations and obstacles this season.

But Tuesday night, there was a new challenge. This one was personal.

Would the Mavs have an answer for disgrace and humiliation?

Obviously, that meant Kobe was in town.

How many would he score this time? How high would it go?

Or would Bryant merely settle for his season average against the Mavs?

And only score 52 points.

Actually, a funny thing happened as the Curse of Kobe was not only being erased, but also reversed in a 102-87 victory.

Early in the third quarter, things were going so badly for Bryant he drew a technical after also drawing a foul. He got the call, but was still seething.

And still yakking away at referee Kenny Mauer.

The game was delayed as they traded comments.

Kobe, it seemed, was saying, "No more."
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:58 am    Post subject: Dirk's a phenom

Kobe: Dirk's a phenom

Bryant says 7-footer's unique outside touch gives him shot at MVP

12:56 AM CST on Wednesday, February 8, 2006

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

It takes one to know one. And if anybody should know an elite-level player, it's one who has scored 81 and 62 points in games this season.

In Kobe Bryant's estimation, Dirk Nowitzki needs to take a back seat to nobody when it comes to his NBA reputation and being an MVP candidate.

"How could he not be?" Bryant said. "He's a phenomenal player, and he does it on a consistent level. He's probably the only 7-footer who can stroke it from the outside like he does."

In a bygone era, 7-footers who made a living beyond the 3-point line were known as soft and, sometimes, by even less-flattering terms.

But Nowitzki has earned the right to be regarded as a unique talent rather than a novelty, Bryant said. Having Don Nelson for his first NBA coach didn't hurt.

"Maybe it was Nellie who started extending the defenses with those big guys," Bryant said. "Now, you got a lot of gaps in the defense when you got a big guy out there who can shoot it like that. Dirk's been terrific."

No offense taken: Coach Avery Johnson said he took no umbrage when Phil Jackson said the Mavericks are not a physical team. In fact, Johnson agreed with the Lakers coach – to some extent.
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 6:01 am    Post subject:

Kobe, Epiphanny earn Mike's praise

BY MICHAEL WEINREB
STAFF WRITER

February 8, 2006

He is still Michael Jordan, and in case anyone should happen to forget that, he won't hesitate to remind them. He was in New York yesterday to promote his high school basketball all-star game, the Jordan All-American Classic, but for a moment, the question turned to Kobe Bryant and his recent 81-point outburst and the competitive Mike inside him surfaced.

"I don't know if I could have given up 81 points and not fouled out," Jordan said. "If I was in there at the end of the game, there's no way I wouldn't have had six fouls." This statement was, of course, wrapped in a bouquet of praise for Bryant, of whom he said, "His competitiveness is really strong right now."
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 6:02 am    Post subject:

Mav's win a showstopper
Mavs defense leaves Kobe's 1-man play an afterthought
By ART GARCIA
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DALLAS -- When the Mavericks took control of Tuesday night's showdown with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on the strength of a 19-2 second-half run, guess how many points came from leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki?

Zero.

That, perhaps more than anything, illustrates the difference between the team leading the Western Conference and the one that could be fighting for a playoff berth come April.

"That's their problem," Jerry Stackhouse said of the Lakers, "because they rely so much on one guy."

Nowitzki is unquestionably the best player for the West leaders, but he's hardly the entire team.

The Lakers star, on the other hand, was swallowed up by that team as the Mavs rolled to a 102-87 victory Tuesday night before a sellout crowd of 20,379 at American Airlines Center.

The Mavs (38-10) got a measure of revenge against Bryant and the Lakers, and extended their winning streak to an NBA-high 12 games. The team record is 14, set during the 2002-03 season, the last time the Mavs reached the West finals.

"We had to continue the streak and turn the page," Josh Howard said.
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 6:06 am    Post subject:

81 things to know about Kobe
In honor of his scoring outburst last month and the Lakers' visit to Toyota Center tonight, we present:

COMPILED BY STEVE SCHAEFFER

FORMATIVE YEARS
1. Birthday: Aug. 23, 1978

2. Birthplace: Philadelphia

3. Named after a steak his parents saw on a menu

4. Middle name: Bean

5. Parents: Joe, who played eight NBA seasons, and Pam

6. Two older sisters: Sharia and Shaya

7. Spent eight years in Italy, where father finished playing career

8. Played soccer in addition to basketball
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 6:08 am    Post subject:


Odom plays through pain

By Ross Siler, Staff Writer

DALLAS - An hour before Tuesday's game, Lakers forward Lamar Odom was hooked up to an electric-stimulation machine and unsure if he could play, so concerned was he about taking a blow to his injured ribs.

But Odom decided the magnitude of what he called a "playoff" game for the Lakers, who had lost three in a row, outweighed the pain he was feeling. So Odom returned to the court for the first time since spraining the cartilage in his ribs six days ago against Indiana. He finished with 14 points, seven assists and six rebounds in 39 minutes.

Odom summed up how he was feeling afterward with one word - "Bad" - and said a decision about playing tonight at Houston would be up to trainer Gary Vitti and the Lakers' coaches.

"I figured we fell to eighth place," Odom said, "the (All-Star) break is almost here, we're playing against a team that's playing really well. We're playing really bad. I saw it as a playoff-type of game.

"I just try to go out and try to help my team. I couldn't do much, but I tried to give them something, some energy, some spirit."
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 6:10 am    Post subject:

Schedule Should Be an Advantage
By Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer

DALLAS — It wasn't the most opportune time to consider putting the Lakers and the playoffs back together again, but Coach Phil Jackson ran with the concept when asked about it Tuesday.

"It would be progress," he said. "I don't think you would say a success. I think if we went a round in the playoffs, then we could feel like we made a step. But just making the playoffs, it's not."


The Lakers, mired in a 1-5 trip and only a half game ahead of Utah for eighth in the Western Conference, could miss the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1974-75 and '75-76 seasons.
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 6:13 am    Post subject:

T-Mac seeking rhythm
Rocket enters Lakers matchup in shooting slump

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

When they last met, Tracy McGrady soared, Kobe Bryant fumed, and the Rockets were finally rolling.

That was perhaps the high point of the Rockets' rocky season, when they took their fifth win of a six-game road trip. Yao Ming was thought to be out for a week, maybe 10 days at most. McGrady was back. The Rockets seemed to have overcome their slow start with little idea of the breakdowns to come.

The Lakers were playing well then, having taken seven of eight games before the Rockets stole a victory. So when McGrady drove through the Lakers to pull out a 78-76 comeback victory with a layup in the last seconds Dec. 18, Bryant announced he would not let such a thing happen again and, right then, seemed ready to take on the world.

"That just shouldn't happen," Bryant said. "Next time, I'll guard him."
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:05 pm    Post subject:

LA Lakers 89, Houston 78-Box Score
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:18 pm    Post subject:

Kobe's first Nike commercial set to debut
Over 2½ years after legal woes, star back as salesman after 81-point game

Updated: 11:00 p.m. ET Feb. 8, 2006

NEW YORK - Pleased with his play on the court, Nike is ready to test Kobe Bryant’s ability as a salesman.

Bryant’s first televised ad with the shoe company will debut during NBA programming Thursday night, more than 2½ years after he signed an endorsement deal with the sneaker company in the summer of 2003. Soon after he struck the deal with Nike, Bryant was charged with sexual assault.
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