Lakers in the News: 12/27/13 - Lakers 103 - Jazz 105
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Cha*n
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:00 am    Post subject: Lakers in the News: 12/27/13 - Lakers 103 - Jazz 105

Quote:
Lakers' Pau Gasol not making the trip to Utah

Gasol is still bothered by an upper respiratory infection, but the schedule looks promising for the next week.

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol will miss a second game in a week because of an upper respiratory infection. (Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press / December 23, 2013)

Up next for the Lakers: Friday at Utah Up next for the Lakers: Friday at Utah
Rookie forward Ryan Kelly earns role in Lakers' rotation Rookie forward Ryan Kelly earns role in Lakers' rotation

By Mike Bresnahan
December 26, 2013, 7:33 p.m.

The Lakers aren't tanking to improve their draft position … yet.

So the next four games are important for a team that's 13-16 and hasn't been four games below .500 this season.

It isn't Murderers' Row over the next week with a road game against Utah (8-23), followed by home games against Philadelphia (8-20), Milwaukee (6-22) and Utah again.

If ever there's a break in the schedule, a chance to keep treading while Kobe Bryant, Steve Blake and Steve Nash sit out, this is it.

Then again, Pau Gasol will not travel for Friday's game against the Jazz. Gasol can't seem to shake an upper respiratory infection, the Lakers said, and will not play against Utah.

He missed last Saturday's game against Golden State because of his illness but has played two games since then, averaging 11.5 points and 8.5 rebounds against Phoenix and Miami.

Coach Mike D'Antoni thought Gasol would play against the Jazz.



http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-fyi-20131227,0,5554554.story#ixzz2ofYOe28G


Last edited by Cha*n on Fri Dec 27, 2013 8:02 pm; edited 4 times in total
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:02 am    Post subject:

Quote:
Lakers-Jazz Preview

Though his team lost again, Pau Gasol was pleased by how the Los Angeles Lakers played on Christmas. Now it's uncertain if he'll be around to help them build on the performance.

The Lakers may have had some extra motivation in their last game, facing the defending champions on national television, but Gasol hopes they bring a similar effort against the Western Conference-worst Utah Jazz on Friday night in Salt Lake City.

Even if he can't be a part of it.

The veteran 7-footer is listed as day-to-day and reportedly did not travel with the team to Utah due to an upper respiratory infection which caused him to miss a game last week. The Lakers return home to face Philadelphia on Sunday.

Gasol seemed to be doing fine on Christmas, when he had 13 points and 13 rebounds in 29 minutes of a 101-95 loss to Miami.

The Lakers (13-16) led the two-time reigning NBA champs by 10 points and never trailed by double digits despite playing without Kobe Bryant (knee) or point guards Steve Nash (back) and Steve Blake (elbow).

It was a significantly better performance than the previous two games for the Lakers, who lost 102-83 at Golden State on Saturday and 117-90 at Phoenix two nights later.


http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/preview?id=400489306
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:06 am    Post subject:

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Respiratory illness worsens for Lakers’ Pau Gasol

In this file photo, Lakers Steve Blake, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard look to the floor after an official timeout against the Houston Rockets last season. Gasol has been fighting respiratory illness in recent weeks and is expected to sit out of Friday's game. (John McCoy/Staff Photographer)


By Mark Medina, Los Angeles Daily News


Posted: 12/26/13, 6:06 PM PST | Updated: 2 hrs ago


With a frustrated look on his face, Lakers forward Pau Gasol stood outside of the team’s practice facility Tuesday talking on his cell phone and trying to process the latest setback of a disappointing season.

After a visit to an ear, nose and throat doctor showed his respiratory illness has gotten worse, Gasol is expected to sit out when the Lakers (13-16) play Friday against the Utah Jazz (8-23) at EnergySolutions Arena. The Lakers are listing Gasol’s recovery timetable as day-to-day to leave open the chance he could play against Utah should he heal. But Gasol sat out of Thursday’s practice and didn’t travel with the team on its flight Tuesday to Salt Lake City.

Gasol didn’t speak with reporters, but he has admitted the respiratory issues that caused him to miss last week’s game against Golden State negatively affected his energy level, breathing and aggressiveness.

Possible candidates to replace Gasol in the starting lineup include Jordan Hill, Chris Kaman or even rookie Ryan Kelly. Kaman started in Gasol’s place when he sat out of the Lakers’ loss to Golden State.


http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20131226/respiratory-illness-worsens-for-lakers-pau-gasol
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:07 am    Post subject:

Thanks Cha*n, you're a cha*mp.
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:09 am    Post subject:

Quote:
Utah Jazz: Jazz excited to host Lakers after 3-day holiday break

By Trevor Phibbs, Deseret News

Published: Thursday, Dec. 26 2013 6:45 p.m. MST

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News


Summary


After a three-day break, the Jazz hope to get back into a rhythm against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night at EnergySolutions Arena.


“They're just a good franchise. I think they're a lot of people's rivalry because they’re the Lakers. You always get up to play against the Lakers. ... Back from the day when I played with Magic (Johnson) and Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) — when the Lakers came into town it was special. To their credit and franchise history, even on the road, they have fans with Lakers jerseys on.”

Tyrone Corbin, Jazz coach

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz returned to practice Thursday afternoon for the first time since falling to Memphis on Monday and subsequently spending the holidays with their families.

Three-day vacations are virtually nonexistent in NBA schedules, and re-establishing a routine following the long break could either replenish weakened legs or disrupt rhythm.

The Jazz are hoping for the former while avoiding the latter against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night at EnergySolutions Arena.

“We play so many games in such a short amount of time,” Utah coach Ty Corbin said. “The guys have been great at trying to stay focused and keeping their bodies ready to play. It’s a good time to have a break (with) the holiday season with the families and the obligations the guys have there. After getting back on the floor (Thursday), we’re looking forward to getting back into rhythm and continuing to grow as we have the last few games.”


http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865593076/Utah-Jazz-Jazz-excited-to-host-Lakers-after-3-day-holiday-break.html
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:14 am    Post subject:

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Utah Jazz: Injured again, Kobe won’t be coming to ESA

NBA » Lakers’ leader was just six games into his comeback when he fractured his knee.


By Steve Luhm

| The Salt Lake Tribune

Kobe Bryant isn’t coming to town.

Not this holiday season.

L.A. Lakers at Jazz
At EnergySolutions Arena

Tipoff » 7 p.m.

TV » Root

Radio » 1280 AM, 1600 AM, 97.5 FM

Records » Jazz 8-23, Lakers 13-16

Season series » First game

Last meeting » Lakers, 102-84 (Jan. 25, 2013)

About the Jazz » They have lost four straight home games. … They are 4-1 in their last five games against the Lakers, going back to Feb. 4, 2012. … G/F Gordon Hayward is their leading scorer (16.4). … Among rotation regulars, F Richard Jefferson is the only player shooting over 40 percent from the three-point line (.414).

About the Lakers » They have lost three straight and seven of their last 10. … They come off a 101-95 loss to Miami on Christmas. … F Nick Young (15.7) and C Pau Gasol (14.7) are their leading scorers. … G Jodie Meeks shoots 41.4 percent on 3-pointers. … Opponents average 103.3 points per game — 28th in the league.


Bryant will miss Friday night’s game against the Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena after fracturing a bone in his knee last week.

Bryant had just returned from off-season Achilles surgery, making his most recent injury doubly disappointing for the Lakers and the No. 4 scorer in NBA history.

The Jazz, of course, feel bad for Bryant.

In the dog-eat-dog world of the NBA, however, there isn’t much sympathy for the struggling, short-handed Lakers.

"You don’t feel sorry for them … because we’re not really playing our best basketball, either," said Utah’s Gordon Hayward. "We’re trying to get wins any way we can."


http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/57319427-77/lakers-jazz-bryant-game.html.csp
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:20 am    Post subject:

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Utah Jazz notes: Corbin says break will help road-weary team

Jazz notes » Utah has played more road games than any other team in NBA so far this season.


By Steve Luhm

| The Salt Lake Tribune


First Published Dec 26 2013 03:08 pm • Updated 4 hours ago

The road-weary Utah Jazz return home Friday night, when they play the Los Angeles Lakers at EnergySolutions Arena.

The Jazz have played 18 road games already this season — more than any team in the NBA. Utah has played seven of eight games on the road since Dec. 11, including a 104-94 loss at Memphis on Monday night.


Coach Tyrone Corbin gave his players two days off for Christmas before they returned to practice Thursday. The Jazz are 8-23 heading into their first meeting of the year against the Lakers.

"We’ve played so many games in such a short amount of time," Corbin said. "… It was a good time to have a little break."

Problem?

The Jazz have had only one three-day break between games this season. When they returned after their first mini-vacation against Phoenix on Nov. 29, they were flat. The Suns shot 54.7 percent and rolled to an easy 112-101 victory.

It was rookie point guard Trey Burke’s third regular-season game. He had just returned from finger surgery.

"I think we’re better now than we were then," Corbin said. "We have a better idea of who we are and how we have to play to be effective."


http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/jazz/57310936-87/jazz-corbin-games-road.html.csp
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:21 am    Post subject:

Quote:
Up next for the Lakers: Friday at Utah
Struggling Jazz averages only 92.7 points a game, 27th in the NBA.
print Comments 0
Nick Young, Richard Jefferson
Lakers guard Nick Young is fouled by Jazz forward Richard Jefferson during a preseason game. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press / October 25, 2013)


Also
Lakers' Pau Gasol not making the trip to Utah Lakers' Pau Gasol not making the trip to Utah
By Mike Bresnahan
December 26, 2013, 7:35 p.m.

When: 6 PST.
Where: EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City.

On the air: TV: TWC SportsNet, TWC Deportes; Radio: 710, 1330.

Records: Lakers 13-16, Jazz 8-23.

Record vs. Jazz (2012-13): 1-2.

Update: Somewhat surprisingly, the Lakers haven't won a season series against Utah since 2009-10. Utah is 27th in the league on offense (92.7 points a game) and is outscored by an average of 8.8 points a game. Rookie point guard Trey Burke is averaging 13.5 points and 4.9 assists for the Jazz.



http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-tonight-20131227,0,3131959.story#ixzz2ofeOUbWM
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:25 am    Post subject:

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Utah Jazz: Jazz's Gordon Hayward says Kobe Bryant's injury affects NBA's appeal 'worldwide'

By Trevor Phibbs, Deseret News

Published: Friday, Dec. 27 2013 12:50 a.m. MST


SALT LAKE CITY — The "Black Mamba" once again has been snakebitten with injury. Los Angeles star guard Kobe Bryant is expected to miss six weeks with a fractured knee after recently returning from a torn Achilles tendon.

Jazz guard Gordon Hayward said it’s difficult to see anybody get hurt, but that Bryant's injury will affect the NBA’s appeal worldwide.

“You hate to see anybody go down, especially somebody who is one of the faces of the NBA,” he said. “We like to compete; guys are enemies when we’re playing against them, but at the same time it’s a brotherhood for us. We’re a union and it’s about making money, so when somebody like that goes down, worldwide you see a decline.”

In only six games this season, Bryant has averaged 13.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, but Utah coach Ty Corbin pointed out the Lakers adjusted to playing without him early and started to find an identity.


http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-tonight-20131227,0,3131959.story#axzz2ofYFp1EX
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:27 am    Post subject:

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Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers - 12/27/13

Dan's Free NBA Basketball Pick Against the Spread

Written by Dan on December 27, 2013

Los Angeles Lakers (13-16) at Utah Jazz (8-23)

Date & Time: NBA Basketball: Friday, December 27, 2013 at 9:00 pm (EnergySolutions Arena)
The Line: The Line: Utah Jazz -3 -- Over/Under: 197 See The Latest Odds


Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers - 12/27/13: Dan's Free NBA Basketball Pick Against the Spread
Photo by: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
The Utah Jazz collide with the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night from EnergySolutions Arena

The Utah Jazz collide with the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night from EnergySolutions Arena.

Head to head, the Lakers are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings while the favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings. The Jazz are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days, but just 6-14 ATS in their last 20 games playing on 3 or more days rest and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games. The Lakers on the other hand are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a losing S.U. record and 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 games following a S.U. loss, buy just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.

One thing I noticed when looking at the Los Angeles Lakers road games this season, they seem to get pounded by the better teams and take care of the lesser squads, and the numbers back that up as their against the spread stats suggest. The Lakers will be without their second-leading scorer in Pau Gasol as he did not travel with the team due to illness. Gasol with join Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Steve Blake on the sidelines.



Read more at http://sportschatplace.com/nba-picks/2013/12/27/utah-jazz-vs-los-angeles-lakers#yjf2zId3GJY1zTo5.99
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:31 am    Post subject:

24 wrote:
Thanks Cha*n, you're a cha*mp.



Thanks 24, this sites full of them.
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 3:15 am    Post subject:

Good ol' Pau can't play 4 games without having issues. That's when you know somebody's done as a starter in the NBA.
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 3:35 am    Post subject:

Quote:
LAKERS-JAZZ PREVIEW
By Justin Einhorn| December 26, 2013

Though his team lost again, Pau Gasol was pleased by how the Los Angeles Lakers played on Christmas. Now it's uncertain if he'll be around to help them build on the performance.

The Lakers may have had some extra motivation in their last game, facing the defending champions on national television, but Gasol hopes they bring a similar effort against the Western Conference-worst Utah Jazz on Friday night in Salt Lake City.

Even if he can't be a part of it.

The veteran 7-footer is listed as day-to-day and reportedly did not travel with the team to Utah
due to an upper respiratory infection which caused him to miss a game last week. The Lakers return home to face Philadelphia on Sunday.

Gasol seemed to be doing fine on Christmas, when he had 13 points and 13 rebounds in 29 minutes of a 101-95 loss to Miami.

The Lakers (13-16) led the two-time reigning NBA champs by 10 points and never trailed by double digits despite playing without Kobe Bryant (knee) or point guards Steve Nash (back) and Steve Blake (elbow).

It was a significantly better performance than the previous two games for the Lakers, who lost 102-83 at Golden State on Saturday and 117-90 at Phoenix two nights later.

Gasol sat out Saturday with the illness and played a season-low 20 minutes Monday.

"We need to just build on the same intensity and effort and concentration that we put in (Wednesday) and carry it to the next game and don't fall back into the bad habits of the last two games against Golden State and Phoenix," Gasol said. "We need to really bounce back in Utah. We have a good chance to get a nice road win and that's what we're gonna try to do."

His potential absence, though, could hurt a Los Angeles team



http://www.nba.com/lakers/gameday/131227_gameday_jazz
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 3:37 am    Post subject:

zePokar wrote:
Good ol' Pau can't play 4 games without having issues. That's when you know somebody's done as a starter in the NBA.


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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 4:29 am    Post subject:

Maybe Mitch has something up his sleeve and Gasol will be gone soon!

Probably not, but we can always dream.
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 7:42 am    Post subject:

freakin pau
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 9:49 am    Post subject:

Cha*n wrote:
zePokar wrote:
Good ol' Pau can't play 4 games without having issues. That's when you know somebody's done as a starter in the NBA.




Wow, the guy has an illness and all you can think about is bashing him? Great Laker fans on here...

Well, you get your wish since Pau won't play. Lets see how great this team is against a crappy Utah team...
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 11:08 am    Post subject:

magicdays wrote:
Cha*n wrote:
zePokar wrote:
Good ol' Pau can't play 4 games without having issues. That's when you know somebody's done as a starter in the NBA.




Wow, the guy has an illness and all you can think about is bashing him? Great Laker fans on here...

Well, you get your wish since Pau won't play. Lets see how great this team is against a crappy Utah team...


I actually want Pau to play and play good. Not play 3 good games every season and then go back to his normal ill/sick/sad/unhappy/effortless self.

Because when Pau isn't injured or sick (wich isn't that often) he's unhappy about something.
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 12:46 pm    Post subject:

zePokar wrote:
magicdays wrote:
Cha*n wrote:
zePokar wrote:
Good ol' Pau can't play 4 games without having issues. That's when you know somebody's done as a starter in the NBA.




Wow, the guy has an illness and all you can think about is bashing him? Great Laker fans on here...

Well, you get your wish since Pau won't play. Lets see how great this team is against a crappy Utah team...


I actually want Pau to play and play good. Not play 3 good games every season and then go back to his normal ill/sick/sad/unhappy/effortless self.

Because when Pau isn't injured or sick (wich isn't that often) he's unhappy about something.


I love Pau and what he's done for the Lakers. But his career looks on a fast decline. The Lakers are in transition and he doesn't seem to fit our be happy.

I love Magic Johnson also but don't think I want him playing again .
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 12:47 pm    Post subject:

Quote:
Kobe Bryant denies that knee injury had anything to do with previous Achilles tear
KOBE BRYANT, LOS ANGELES LAKERS, ROB MAHONEY
BY ROB MAHONEY

Kobe Bryant doesn’t believe that he rushed back from injury too soon. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Sport)
Kobe Bryant projects confidence. He’s done so throughout his NBA career, whether by intimidating opponents with his scoring potential or forcefully assuring his teammates that the final shot should come from his hand. He’s asserted himself through those very means, and to date that confidence defines most every one of his on-court achievements; Bryant was self-assured enough to chase after lofty goals, and committed and talented enough to actually reach them.


http://nba.si.com/2013/12/26/kobe-bryant-knee-injury-achilles-tear/
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 12:49 pm    Post subject:

Quote:
Kobe Shouldn't Play Anymore This Season

December 26, 2013

By Mitch Chortkoff

Sports Editor

The Lakers announced that Kobe Bryant will be out for six weeks with a broken bone in his left leg.

Doctor Robert Klapper, ESPN radio’s medical expert with a distinguished reputation in his field, told listeners that because the injury is on a lower extremity Kobe won’t be able to train during the six weeks to get back into playing shape.

Most likely, then, the Lakers can expect to be without the Kobe they’ve come to rely on for probably two months.

Well, two months from now the Lakers are likely to be buried so deep in the standings that Kobe won’t be able to rescue them.

They’ll either fail to make the playoffs or get in at the bottom this season, meaning they’d play one of the elite teams in the first round without the home court advantage..

What would happen? Well, last season the Lakers qualified as the No. 7 seed and were swept in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs.

Realizing all of that, I advise the Lakers to keep Kobe out for the rest of the season.

They’ve made the controversial decision to sign him for two more years for nearly $50 million. They should allow Kobe to recover for a longer period, giving him the best chance of being at full strength for the start of the 2014-15 season. Or as close to full strength as his injury permits.

Kobe deserves that and so do Laker fans.


http://www.culvercityobserver.com/story/2013/12/26/sports/kobe-shouldnt-play-anymore-this-season/3361.html
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 12:54 pm    Post subject:

Quote:
The Lakers are coming to grips with reality

A quick fix for everything that ails the Lakers doesn't appear to be on the horizon. It's uncharted territory for a team always primed to compete.

"We're fighting with a bunch of good guys that played well before, and they'll play [well] again. If [the fans] are discouraged, then, you know, find another team to root for." -- Mike D'Antoni, earlier this week.

If expectations are the root of all heartache, there's nothing this season can do to Lakers fans that should approach the misery of the team's botched attempt at an all-in championship run a year ago. The weight of those expectations were lifted when Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles and Dwight Howard opted for the greener pastures of Houston.

Still, the inconvenient truth of this campaign might not be much easier to swallow. There's no over-the-counter medication to cure the sight of Nick Young on the company Christmas card. The Lakers are mediocre, and there doesn't appear to be an obvious quick fix on the horizon. It's not something for which Lakers fans are traditionally conditioned
.


Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sbnation/SBNation_20131227_The_Lakers_are_coming_to_grips_with_reality.html#sKpqz6u2cZXFaSO3.99
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 12:58 pm    Post subject:

Quote:
Kobe: I feel more locked in now


Kobe Bryant has admitted that he's feeling a fair amount of pressure having sustained another injury which means he isn't expected to make a return to the court until February.

The LA Lakers star, who only made his return from a seven month layoff with an Achilles injury mere weeks ago, fractured a bone in his left knee during the victory over the Memphis Grizzlies and is facing a month and a half out of action.

And though the former MVP has a history of defying doctors and experts alike in returning to the court long before predictions would have you believe, it seems as though the 35-year-old's situation is something that even he is finding difficult to work around.


“I feel more locked in now than I've been my entire career, because of this,” he said.


http://www.givemesport.com/414058-kobe-bryant-i-feel-locked-in
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 5:58 pm    Post subject:

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Preview: Lakers at Utah Jazz


The Lakers (13-16) badly need a win to break their three-game losing streak.

On Friday night, they'll visit the Utah Jazz (8-23), a team that has won only three of 13 games at home.

The Lakers finally got a point guard back when Jordan Farmar returned on Christmas Day from a torn hamstring. It's been a challenge for the Lakers, who have been playing without guards Kobe Bryant (knee), Steve Nash (back), Steve Blake (elbow) and, until Wednesday, Farmar.

Complicating matters, the Lakers will have to play without power forward Pau Gasol, who is sidelined with an infection of his upper respiratory tract.

Key matchup

Jazz swingman Gordon Hayward is averaging a team high 16.4 points a game. He's also a skilled playmaker at 4.7 assists a game.

Utah is not an especially strong shooting team at 43% from the field. Hayward has struggled to be efficient, hitting only 39.7% of his shots from the field and 27.4% from three-point range.

The Lakers can put either Jodie Meeks or Wesley Johnson on Hayward. Meeks doesn't have the same length or athleticism as Johnson, but he gives a strong effort defensively.

Hayward's shooting woes likely stem from roster issues as Utah goes through a rebuilding process, but he's a talented, well-rounded player who is capable of putting up serious numbers.



http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-utah-jazz-20131227,0,6161643.story#ixzz2ojRog16G
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 6:00 pm    Post subject:

Quote:
Lakers-Jazz Shootaround: Chris Kaman Starting
Chris Kaman makes a rare start for the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night against the Utah Jazz, and Ryan Kelly is expected to play despite a sprained ankle.
By Shahan Ahmed | Friday, Dec 27, 2013 | Updated 5:08 PM PSTView

Chris Kaman #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers will make a rare start on Friday night against the Utah Jazz.


Short-handed is an overused term to describe the Lakers this season, but Friday night is another case of excusing the repetition because one would find it hard to argue against the Lakers being short-handed. Pau Gasol, Steve Nash and Steve Blake did not make the trip. Kobe Bryant is along for the ride, but he’s at least a month away from being back on the court.

In Gasol’s absence, Chris Kaman will start at center for the Lakers against the Jazz.

Some may be baffled by Kaman jumping from zero minutes against Miami on Wednesday to starting on Friday, but Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni has been consistent in his explanation for the fluctuations in Kaman’s minutes. The coach believes veterans like Kaman need significant time on the floor to provide positive returns. With Gasol and Jordan Hill ahead of Kaman in the depth chart, the coach preferred to sit Kaman and occasionally use the high-energy Robert Sacre if a couple minutes were available due to foul trouble.



http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/triple-threat/Lakers-Jazz_Chris-Kaman-Starting-237569811.html
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