Gasol, Chris Paul Altercation Shows Intensity of Rivalry

January 26th, 2012 Russ Loede Posted in 2011-12 NBA Season, Main, News, Players


The Lakers-Clippers rivalry is intensifying.

After Clippers forward Blake Griffin fouled Lakers forward Pau Gasol with 1.1 seconds remaining in the Lakers’ 96-91 win, Clippers guard Chris Paul tried to grab the ball from Gasol’s hands as the two began jawing at one another. Gasol and Paul continued to talk while Lakers guard Kobe Bryant got in front of the two as Gasol walked to the free throw line.

Before Gasol stepped to the line, he smiled and put his hand on top of Paul’s head. Paul immediately shoved Gasol’s hand away and tapped Gasol on his head.

“He tried to touch the top of my head. I don’t like that,” Paul said after the game. “I got a son of my own. I don’t know if Pau got kids, but don’t touch the top of my head like I’m one of your kids. I don’t know what his intentions were, and it doesn’t matter. I don’t know if he’s got kids, but I’m not one of them.”

“You’re a grown man,” Paul said. “I’m not going to put my hand on top of your head. They beat us, and that’s the story of the game.”

Gasol, when he was told of Paul’s reaction, said he didn’t intend to disrespect Paul by touching his head.

“I’m sorry he felt that way,” Gasol said. “I do that all the time with my teammates. It’s OK. It’s like if I touch your shoulder or your back. There’s nothing mean about it, but it is what it is.”

Kobe was able to relate with Paul’s competitiveness nature.

“Chris is chippy,” Bryant said. “I’m extremely chippy, and that DNA spreads to the rest of the team. That’s how it is.”

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World Peace Propels Lakers Past Clippers; 96-91

January 26th, 2012 Russ Loede Posted in 2011-12 NBA Season, Videos

Kobe Post Game Quote: “Metta found Ron Artest, I mean like the Auburn Palace Ron Artest.”

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KobeSystem: “What If You’re Really Successful?”

January 24th, 2012 Russ Loede Posted in Videos

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Bynum’s Back: Lakers Get 29 Points, 13 Rebounds From Big Man To Defeat Denver 92-89

December 31st, 2011 Russ Loede Posted in 2011-12 NBA Season, Game Stories

Despite misfiring on 22 of their 24 three-point tries, the Lakers got Andrew Bynum back, and dominated the paint against a fast paced Nuggets’ group — playing their brand of basketball under new head coach Mike Brown.

It was a clash of styles on display at the Staples Center, and the Lakers tempo won out, 92-89 — thanks in large part to the return of their prized 7-foot center — who tallied 29 points and 13 rebounds in his first game back this season.

The 285-pound interior presence was 13 of 18 shooting and crashed the offensive glass with six hauls — helping the Lakers outrebound Denver 50-36.

Bynum compensated enough for an off-day by Kobe, who was 6 of 18 shooting, yet, nonetheless, missed out on a triple-double by only one assist — 10 rebounds and nine dimes to accompany 18 points.

In the deciding fourth quarter, Bynum and Kobe teamed up to score 18 points, matching the Nuggets output for the final period to earn the win.  It also helped that Denver forward Danilo Gallinari missed a potential game-tying bunny on a fast break opportunity with 1.1 seconds left.

For Bynum, he came through when it mattered the most, as he had 11 points in the last 12 minutes and also provided early out of the gate for the Lakers.

“They were looking for me a lot. I was a focal point early in the offense, so I knew the quicker I got down the court, the better it was,” said Bynum, who made four of his first five shots and finished the first quarter with 10 points.

His frontcourt partner, Pau Gasol, also generated an impressive effort with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Overall, it was a game you will be seeing the Lakers play a lot from here on out — aggressive, grind-it-out basketball — led by Bynum.

“I just wanted to come out and be aggressive. I wanted to get it down low, and when I got it, I made shots.”

How fitting is it that with all the talk revolving around the trade that didn’t happen with Chris Paul and a possible pursuit of Dwight Howard, that Bynum made you forget about the near-miss acquisitions with a big-time performance in his first game in an offense tailored around his needs.

Could the Lakers new approach of tough defense and beat-you-up physicality bring the best out of Bynum, an asset many believe the Lakers should have traded by now?

Either way, you finally got a glimpse of what the Lakers could be this season centered around a healthy Bynum — let’s just hope he stays at full strength.

Rematch: The Lakers will travel to the Mile High City on New Year’s Day to play the Nuggets again.

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Nike: Welcome To The KobeSystem

December 30th, 2011 Russ Loede Posted in Videos

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Kobe Clinic Catapults Lakers Over New York; 99-82

December 30th, 2011 Russ Loede Posted in 2011-12 NBA Season, Game Stories

Kobe Bryant scored an exhilarating 28 points in an array of ways against the Knicks, and the Los Angeles Lakers pulled away in the fourth quarter for their ninth straight victory over New York, 99-82 Thursday night.

Pau Gasol had 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for the Lakers, who have won two straight after a 0-2 start to the season.

Carmelo Anthony produced 27 points and Amare Stoudemire had 15 points on 4-for-17 shooting as New York again went cold down the stretch in the second contest of a three-game West Coast road trip.

Steve Blake scored 11 points and hit key big 3-pointers while the Lakers opened the fourth quarter with a 17-3 spurt, taking a 22-point lead and forcing the Knicks to miss nine of their first 10 shots and commit seven turnovers.

Kobe didn’t even need to score in the fourth quarter, contributing three assists as Los Angeles ran away with an easy victory.

Tyson Chandler had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks, whose nine-game skid against the Lakers is their longest current stretch against any opponent.

Josh McRoberts scored 10 points for the Lakers, who made 23 of their 32 shots before halftime for their highest shooting percentage in one half in nearly 13 years. New York pulled within eight points heading into the fourth quarter, but then gave away the ball five times in the next 2½ minutes to squash any chance of a comeback.

Next Lakers Game: Saturday December 31 vs. Denver Nuggets, 12:30 PT.

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Kobe’s 26 Points Highlight Lakers Rout Of Utah; 96-71

December 28th, 2011 Russ Loede Posted in 2011-12 NBA Season, Videos

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Lakers Lose Second Straight; Drop To 0-2 After 100-91 Defeat In Sacramento

December 27th, 2011 Russ Loede Posted in 2011-12 NBA Season, Game Stories, Videos

Kobe Bryant outdid his Christmas Day performance with 29 points, but the Lakers lost their second straight game to start the season, falling in Sacramento 100-91.

Kobe was 10 of 24 shooting and 9 of 10 from the free-throw line, yet missed all four of his tries from deep, in a game where the Lakers could not make a shot from long range — going 1-16 from three-point distance.

Although they had 13 more shot attempts than the Kings, due to crashing the boards on the offensive glass, they could not keep up with the blistering backcourt of Marcus Thornton and Tyreke Evans — who combined for 47 points on only 26 shots.

The Kings were efficient — 9 of 18 from beyond the arc — and explosive — scoring 19 fast break points.

This despite missing 14 shots (21-35) from the charity stripe. Still, it wasn’t a daunting obstacle to slow down the high-flying Kings, and ultimately, nothing the Lakers could take fully advantage of.

For the Kings, it was an all-around well-balanced effort as they received contributions from new pieces.

Chuck Hayes and Travis Outlaw both had game-high +11 differentials, with Hayes providing 27 productive minutes in his Kings’ debut — garnering nine points, seven rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots. In only his first game, the former Rocket has already been called the “Glue” guy of the team by coach Paul Westphal.

As for rookie guards Jimmer Fredette and Isaiah Thomas, they combined for 11 points and five assists.

Lastly, John Salmons, who was acquired from Milwaukee in a three-way draft day trade with Charlotte, hit three triples for 13 points in 35 minutes of action in his return to Sacramento.

In the end, outside of Kobe, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace — the Lakers’ supporting cast shot 12 of 38 for only 28 points.

I guess Andrew Bynum, who will return from his four-game suspension on New Year’s Eve at home against Denver, has been sorely missed for a Lakers team lacking shot makers — something the Kings know nothing about.

Next Game: Tonight vs. Utah Jazz, 7:30 PT.

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