Lakers celebrate championship, then celebrate rout over Rockets
LOS ANGELES, CA - Once the rings were passed out and the banner was raised the celebration of last season's accomplishments were put in the past and the focus was set on present and the future. No jumping around, poising for the camera and tv. It was all business once the whistle blew for the 2010-11 season to begin. Of course, after such a highlighted ceremony you don't want to come out and not live up to the hype that is centered around you. For the Los Angeles Lakers, they did not settle for a ring ceremony and banner raised then packed their bags and went home, they settled into the moment, gained focus from the start and unleashed a showing that not only their fans have come to expect, but the kind of showing that the entire league has been hoping would not show itself. Unfortunately for the Houston Rockets, they just happen to be the Lakers opening night opponents and were unable to match the intensity and the energy of the back-to-back champions.
If this was a sight of what is in store for the regular season and their opponents, then pencil the Lakers in the NBA Finals for June and let them rest for the next six months. Six players scored in double figures led by Lamar Odom 18 points, Steve Blake 17 points, Kobe Bryant 15 points, Pau Gasol 14, points, Shannon Brown 13 points and Ron Artest 11 points and you get a very orchestrated team attack resulting in 109-77 victory. So sharing the ball all around was an effective tactic that made everyone aware that Kobe Bryant doesn't need to score thirty or shoot twenty five shots in order for the Lakers to have success. The Rockets were led by Kevin Martin with 17 points and Terrence Williams added 10, but no other Rocket was in double figures. The Lakers hit an impressive 11-18 from three point range and held the Rockets to 4-28.
The Legend Of Kobe Bryant: Shannon Brown injures wrist against Phoenix
gameinjury.jpg Shannon Brown, injures wrist during 3rd quarter
PHOENIX, AZ - We just received for from Lakers Director of Public Relations John Black that Shannon Brown injured his wrist during the 3rd quarter of tonight's game against the Phoenix Suns. The injury took place when Brown drew a charging foul on Suns forward Grant Hill with 1:12 left in the quarter and the Lakers up 62-61. No word on how long Brown is expected to be out or if he will miss anytime at all, but early reports say the duration of his injury at minimum is 1-2 weeks.
Kobe, Lakers heat up in 4th quarter to pull away from Suns
PHOENIX, AZ - After opening night, there has to be a sense that this Lakers team could be ranked up there in the hierarchy of the greatest teams this organization has ever had. The 1971-72 Lakers, you can take your pick from the 1980's and quite possibly the 1999-00 Lakers, but with this current squad adding the key parts that were needed to maintain a high level of play, they have gotten alot back from their investments. Tuesday night it was Steve Blake scoring a season high 17 points against the Rockets and tonight it was Matt Barnes. Barnes scored a season high 18 points on 6-8 shooting as the Lakers turned a 70-63 lead after three quarters into a 107-80 rout against the Phoenix Suns. The Suns had opened up the second half with a 10-0 run to take a 54-48 lead, but the Lakers slowly worked their offense, settled down and were patient in passing up the open shot for a even better shot. Evidence pointed to Kobe Bryant who despite a 9-24 shooting night, led the Lakers with 26 points and team high 8 assists. Pau Gasol finished with 17 points and 6 rebounds rounding out the Lakers who scored in double figures. The Lakers took a 48-44 lead into halftime.
The Suns after their brief run to start the second half were once again unable to find a way to attack the basket and get out in transition against the Lakers defense. Not only were they cut off at every turn to attack, but they were challenged on every perimeter shot. "It's very difficult to keep up with their level of intensity through the course of the game when they have the players that they have", said Suns coach Alvin Gentry. "Kobe, Pau, Odom, Bynum, Artest, and then you add Fisher, Barnes, Blake, Brown, I don't see what else can be done when those players are playing at the level they are playing at right now." Grant Hill seemed to play at a very high level, leading the Suns with 20 points and 5 rebounds while Vince Carter couldn't overcome a dreadful shooting night (6-20 from the field and 2-10 from three point range) putting up only 14 points. Steve Nash was the only other Suns player to get into double figures with 10 points and 9 assists, but shot only 4-13 from the field.
Game notes: Shannon Brown suffered a broken wrist late in the third quarter when taking a charge on Suns forward Grant Hill. Brown was taken into the lockerroom by trainer Gary Vitti, but later returned to the bench and back into the game for the final two minutes. After the game Brown said that his wrist is sore, but he is available to play Sunday against the Warriors.
Lakers guard Steve Blake injures back in first quarter against Warriors
LOS ANGELES, CA - We were just notified that backup point guard Steve Blake has suffered a lower back strain and is in serious pain. The injury happened tonight against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter. Blake had just hit a three point shot to put the Lakers up 28-27, but when he came down he fell immediately to the floor clutching his lower back. He is expected to be out a minimum 1-2 weeks.