06-12-2011, 08:19 PM
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#7
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Rookie
OVR: 12
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lakewood, CA
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Re: The Last Stand - Los Angeles Lakers 2K11 Dynasty
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Opening night proves to be the first test of many
LOS ANGELES, CA - As the championship banner was raised and the players received their rings for their accomplishments back in June, the Lakers were suddenly forced to face a harsh reality...every team wants to beat them. Not just beat them, but they want to show that the Lakers are not the indestructible force that many have claimed them to be the past three years. They are three years older, they have played more games than any other team in the entire league in the last three years. While playing all the way to June has it's celebration, the recovery time is short and before you know it training camp has started. One can not expect any team, the Lakers, Celtics, Spurs, any team to play at such a high level that is needed to achieve what these players achieve without sacrificing something in return. The Lakers found out last night what that sacrifice is going to be. They have been the top draw in the league the past three years because they don't get hit with the injury bug. Sure, during the course of the marathon that is the NBA season players will get banged up, they will have little nagging injuries that they can will themselves to play through, but then there are injuries that occur that could mean the difference between a three-peat and a second round elimination. Lamar Odom, who has played in all 82 games plus playoff games the past 2 years without injury. That changed when he collided with Rockets forward Terrence Williams early in the 4th quarter and the result was a broken wrist and out at least a minimum 6-8 weeks. Not only did they lose their 6th man, they also lost the game to the Rockets on opening night at STAPLES 110-108. Kobe Bryant, the best player in the league, who has made more than his share of game winning shots, was unable to hit a 17 foot shot from the elbow as it hit the rim and feel off to the left. The Rockets, who did not make the playoffs last year and had traded starting point guard Aaron Brooks and small forward Shane Battier away during the off season got stellar play from Kevin Martin who led them with 33 points and 6 steals and Terrence Williams adding 22 points 7 rebounds 6 assists and 6 steals. The Rockets forced the Lakers into a franchise high 30 turnovers and recorded a franchise high 25 steals. Trailing 59-47 at the half, Kobe Bryant came out aggressive to start the third quarter and tied the game at 71-71 before Houston made a small run to end the quarter and reclaim the lead 83-79. The Lakers, who trailed most of the game, finally got the lead on Andrew Bynum's hook shot in the key to put them up 95-91, but Houston countered with a quick run of their own and retook the lead 97-95. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 33 points but had a team high 7 turnovers. Andrew Bynum returning from off season knee surgury poured in 21 points 8 rebounds and 6 blocks. Now with the injury to Odom, the Lakers have to count on the depth of their bench to be able to sustain what Odom brought every game. The bright side is that this happened the first game of the year and not in March or April. The Lakers will have to bounce back when they travel to Phoenix on Friday in a rematch of last years Western Conference Finals. Just as the Lakers did in the off season, the Suns shuffled their roster trading Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Earl Clark to the Magic for Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus and Marcin Gortat and trading back up point guard Goran Dragic to the Rockets for Aaron Brooks and the free agent signings of Hakim Warrick and Josh Childress.
Laker postgame notes: This was the first time since the 07-08 season that Lakers did not win on opening night, the last team to beat them just happened to be these same Houston Rockets.
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Here is Kobe Bryant, hitting the jumpshot over Yao Ming that tied the game at 71-71
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Kevin Martin hitting the corner three pointer late in the 2nd quarter stopping the Lakers momentum
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Derek Fisher over Kyle Lowry. Down by 4 with nine seconds go to, Fish hits a 3.
Last edited by CoachDBOP; 06-21-2011 at 06:53 AM.
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