Lakers play tonight in Charlotte. They have won 5 of 6 and continue to prevail on their 9 game road trip. Only two games remain before the All-Star break, then the Lakers can return to the Staples Center after the Grammy’s occupation. What looked like the beginning of a slump has turned into a successful road trip, regardless of how the last two games turn out, which incidentally are against two of the worst teams in the league. But the Lakers had a game yesterday in Miami, and the last back to back games they had on the road resulted in a loss to Atlanta.
The west is a competitive conference. The Houston Rockets are 30-20 and would not make the playoffs if the season ended today. They would be in second place in any eastern division and would have home court advantage. The Lakers are 33-17 and have little room for error if the play in the west continues as it has. With only days left in the trade deadline, big teams are making huge moves to secure a spot as a contender. After the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol, Phoenix GM Steve Kerr makes a monster trade, Shaun Marion and Marcus Banks for Shaquille O’Neal, the big risk.
Marion made his debut with the Heat yesterday as they went up against the Lakers. He had 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Dwayne Wade scored 19 and had 9 assists, but also added 9 turnovers. Kobe Bryant scored 33 and Lamar Odom had 15 points and 18 rebounds. Odom, since sliding to a third option, has increased his productivity offensively and on the boards. Sasha Vujacic got hot early and finished with 13 points as he continues to shoot well from 3 point range.
This weekend is the All-Star game and Kobe is the only representative of Los Angeles. He will be join by Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony of the Nuggets, Tim Duncan, and Yao Ming to start for the West. On the bench for the West are Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Paul, and Amare Stoudemire. The East consists of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Kevin Garnett, Jason Kidd, and Dwight Howard to start. Other Eastern notables are Detriot’s Chancy Billups, Rasheed Wallace, and Richard Hamilton, and Toronto’s Chris Bosh.
On Saturday are the dunk and 3 point contests. Slamming this year will be Dwight Howard, Jamario Moon, Rudy Gay, and last years champion Gerald Green. Another slam dunk champion will be competing, but this time in the 3 point shootout. Kobe Bryant will attempt to take the title from last years champ Jason Kapono. Also in the contest this year are Daniel Gibson, Rip Hamilton, Peja Stojakovic, and Steve Nash.
All-Star weekend is in New Orleans this year and always brings loose and exciting basketball. Saturday’s events begin at 8pm on TNT. The All-Star game itself is Sunday at 5pm on TNT. Also, catch the Lakers road games on KCAL-9, and home games on Fox Sports Net.
Photo by sniperdog614 via Flickr
Subscribe to our RSS Feed And checkout our coffee competition to win a $30 gift voucher to your favourite coffee shop : click here
(Rate this article!)
Loading ...
Loading ...
0 responses so far ↓
Subscribe to our RSS Feed and leave a comment to enter the commentator of the week competition and win a $20 Amazon.com gift voucher.
Leave a Comment