Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Game 5: November 9th 2007

vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Kobe And 1!
Bryant breaks Minnesota hearts with a late 2+1

A nail-biting game ended with Kobe Bryant hitting a layup in traffic to tie the game, whilst then drawing a foul, which allowed him to sink the ‘and 1’ to win the game with less than 1 second on the clock.

The T’Wolves had grafted their way to the front, as the game swung back and forth, with Randy Foye shooting 10 and adding 14 assists for effect.

Minnesota managed to earn out a 2 point lead with their final shot of the game, however this left the Lakers 7.2 seconds to give the ball to their man Kobe.

Bryants game winning 3 point play capped a 35pt game performance, 15 of which came from a 100% day at the charity stripe. Shaq and Ron Artest also backed up Kobe, splitting 13 rebounds and amassing 23pts between them.

Minnesota 85 Los Angeles 86


Post Game Cuts:

Phil Jackson: “We knew if we gave the ball to Kobe that he could turn the play that was needed. I don’t think there is anyone else in the league that you would trust with the rock, needing 2 pts with the final shot”

Randy Foye: “I am happy to bring my game tonight, we flowed pretty good out there for the most part, sometimes you lose on a moment of skill, or like tonight we lost out due to a call from the official”


Stats:

Laker Notables:
K. Bryant – 35pts
S. O’Neal – 14pts / 6R
R. Artest – 9pts / 7R
D. Fisher – 2pts / 8A

Timberwolve Notables:
G. Green – 16pts / 4A
C. Brewer – 15pts
A. Jefferson – 14pts / 5R
R. Foye – 10pts / 14A

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Game 6: November 13th 2007

@ San Antonio Spurs

Spurred On!
Lakers squeeze past a ‘Duncan Less’ Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are in the midst of a staggering slump, as they continue without the injured Tim Duncan, who has missed all but 1 game in the Spurs season.

His absence helped fuel a gritty performance by the Lakers who got through the tough test of a road trip to the NBA Champions, by earning a 4pt win.

Unlike their hosts, the Lakers could count on their big names to play and perform, as Shaq shot 27pts with 7 boards whilst Kobe sank 23 and collected 9 boards.

On the flipside, Parker and Ginobli tried to drive the Spurs back into the game, but trailing by 9 points through the 4th they struggled to get in touch, eventually losing out.

Los Angeles 91 San Antonio 87


Post Game Cuts:

Phil Jackson: “Team character tonight, thats what wins like this mean. We have built a character that we can go to the best and compete, if we can carry this on to Houston tomorrow night, then i will be happy”

Tim Duncan: “I am working on things right now, its a slow process and we hope i can get back into practice in the next few weeks. The team are struggling, but we are good enough to stay in touch and be there for the stretch”


Stats:

Laker Notables:
S. O’Neal – 27pts / 7R
K. Bryant – 23pts / 9R
R. Artest – 13pts / 4R
A. Walker – 10pts / 4R

Spur Notables:
T. Parker – 21pts / 5A
M. Ginobli – 20pts / 5R
F. Oburto – 12pts / 7R
M. Finley – 10pts

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Game 7: November 14th 2007

@ Houston Rockets

Houston We, err… No Problem!
Rockets blast away in 4th to snatch it

Houston earned their 2nd win over the Lakers, as a 35-26 4th quarter left them victors by 2 pts, as both teams had their big guns on fire.

The Lakers rolled ahead early, 8pts clear by the end of the first, then a double digit lead going into the third. It seemed all too easy, then Yao and T’Mac upped their game and put on over 30pts between them in the second half, sending the Rockets flying into the lead.

Kobe Bryant again top scored with 33pts, keeping up his consistent offerings of late, whilst Shaq, Artest and Walker all added good numbers as the Lakers lost a game they could and maybe should have easily won.

Los Angeles 95 Houston 97


Post Game Cuts:

Shaq: “Games like that are the games you need to win. We played hard out there, I don’t think there was much more we could have done, they just did their thing better than us on the night”

T’Mac: “To put 2 wins over the Lakers this year is a good sign for us. If you want to go deep, you have to beat the best that’s why we enjoy nights like this”


Stats:
Laker Notables:
K. Bryant – 33pts / 7R / 4A
S. O’Neal – 19pts / 8R
R. Artest – 15pts / 8R
A. Walker – 14pts / 5R

Rocket Notables:
T. McGrady – 25pts / 5R / 5A
M. Yao – 19pts / 9R
M. James – 18pts / 6A
B. Wells – 14pts / 6R

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Game 8: November 16th 2007

vs Detroit Pistons

Pistons Pump in L.A!
Payton misses a costly 3 in Laker loss

Chauncey Billups held the Pistons together, as he helped piece a 12pt lead for the visitors together going into the 4th quarter. However the Lakers pushed Detroit all the way for their win, as a 9pt swing in the 4th, left them just 3 shy at the buzzer.

The game infact could have been tighter, Gary Payton was given the ball for the games final shot, however in a tight situation his shot fell short and into a grateful Wallace’s arms, as the Pistons clung on to their win.

Kobe Bryant will feel aggrieved to not take the final shot in what was a season high 43 point game for him, but it was Phil Jackson’s call to move the ball away from Kobe and give Payton the chance to use his experience and calm.

Detroit 94 Los Angeles 91


Post Game Cuts:

Kobe: “I played hard out there, its not my call who takes that final play. I would have been ready, but Gary can take that shot 9 from 10 in practice, he just caught some tough pressure and came up short”

Gary Payton: “Coach had faith in me, I have faith in my own ability. I thrive on that situation that’s why I wanted one more shot at it with the Lakers. Id take the shot again every chance I get, im here to play not to be carried”


Stats:

Laker Notables:
K. Bryant – 43pts
S. O’Neal – 20pts
R. Artest – 8pts / 6R
A. Walker – 8pts / 5R

Piston Notables:
R. Hamilton – 22pts / 8A
C. Billups – 20pts / 9A
R. Wallace – 12pts
T. Prince – 10pts

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

OK, just for info for anyone following this dynasty, I will be posting stat/standing recaps after every 15 games I play/sim.

This will be both team and league information, just so the NBA feel can be incorporated.

I am currently through 12 games, 4 to post (those details are at home unfortunately), but I hope to get up to speed and complete the 3 more games required for a stat/NBA roundup.

Cheers,

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Game 9: November 18th 2007

vs Chicago Bulls

East Beat West
Chicago solid in win against the Lakers

The Lakers lose their 3rd straight and slump below .500 to 4-5, as the Bulls led by a three pronged offense keep the Lakers quiet in a convincing in.

Chicago managed to hold the lead throughout the game, although never taking it into double digits, they always had enough to hold at least a 2 play advantage on the Lakers. Hinrich took the Bulls player of the game honours, with a 20pt haul and just 1 assist shy of a double double.

Kobe again top scored for the Lakers sinking 35, whilst Andrew Bynum appears to be making his mark, as he collected 11 rebounds filling in on time left by a tired Shaq.

Chicago 96 Los Angeles 88


Post Game Cuts:

Phil Jackson: “A bad day for us again, sometimes you hit a rough spell and that’s what we are in. It’s not a crisis, we still have the same focus in that locker room as we always do”

Andrew Bynum: “I’m delighted that Shaq’s here, that’s the sort of guy you can learn from, he’s done everything I want to do in the game, im just feeding off him and I think you can see that in some of my game out there”


Stats:

Laker Notables:
K. Bryant – 35pts
S. O’Neal – 14pts / 4R
R. Artest – 13pts / 5R / 4A
A. Bynum – 8pts / 11R

Bull Notables:
K. Hinrich – 20pts / 9A
B. Gordon – 18pts
L. Deng – 15pts
T. Thomas – 12pts / 5R

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Game 10: November 20th 2007

@ Indiana Pacers

Oh Shut up A’ your Pace
Pacers race away, Lakers in slump

Los Angeles has a situation on its hands; 4 games, 4 losses and a noticeable drop off in the numbers being put up by everyone outside of Kobe Bryant.

On the other hand, the Indiana Pacers continued their steady start to the season, as both Jermaine O’Neal and Jamaal Tinsley doubled across stats, as they at one point managed to hold a crushing 34 point lead going into the 4th quarter.

The Lakers did have a late rally from their bench to take positives from, though they will hope that Gary Payton’s ankle can hold up over the next few games, as he twisted his ankle late in jumping for a rebound.

Los Angeles 72 Indiana 98


Post Game Cuts:

Ron Artest: “You got guys out there who have already got the rings and sometimes you question their commitment when things get tough. Like tonight, we go down early and there is a lack of fight to get the game back”

Jaamal Tinsley: “The Lakers looked a bit pre-occupied out there, but I think that takes away the fact that we out-hustled them and made big plays all night”


Stats:

Laker Notables:
K. Bryant – 23pts
R. Artest – 10pts / 8R
S. O’Neal – 10pts
D. Fisher – 6pts / 4A

Pacer Notables:
J. O’Neal – 28pts / 13R
D. Garner – 18pts / 5R
J. Tinsley – 10pts / 10A
T. Murphy – 8pts / 10R

[Brandon 2006]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Good read so far. Tough Loss to the Pacers.

I can't wait till the trade deadline and we get a roster update so I can start my franchise.

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Game 11: November 21st 2007

@ Milwaukee Bucks

Buck’s Buckle
Kobe fires the Lakers out of their cold snap!

Bryant took things into his own hands to rectify the current Laker losing streak, by shooting for 15pts in the 1st quarter, as the Lakers built a 17pt lead early on, that they were not to relinquish.

Kobe went on to total up 46 points, whilst Shaq looked back to his best with a 21 + 14, point and rebound double. For the Bucks; Vilaneuva and Williams had decent days, but they failed to get the support to stop a 26 point drubbing in their own arena.

This victory should give the Lakers some impetus to take forward following their recent struggles, whilst Milwaukee continues to languish in the doldrums of the NBA this year.

Los Angeles 119 Milwaukee 93


Post Game Cuts:

Phil Jackson: “Take each game as it comes, that’s what im telling the guys. Its good to snap a losing skid, especially on the road, but there is a lot of hard work left to do as we are still sub .500”

Antoine Walker: “I struggled over recent weeks with my fitness, which then affected my form. I feel good now though, practice has been smooth and my playing time has kept me on my toes, its good to be contributing to wins”


Stats:

Laker Notables:
K. Bryant – 46pts / 7R / 4A
S. O’Neal – 21pts / 14R
R. Artest – 18pts
A. Walker – 8pts / 8R / 4A

Buck Notables:
C. Villanueva – 21pts / 7R
M. Williams – 20pts / 6R / 8A
M. Redd – 14pts
B. Simmons – 11pts / 4R

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Game 12: November 23rd 2007

@ Boston Celtics

Lakers Leave it Late
L.A. win on 4th quarter 20 point swing!

The Lakers somehow managed to churn out an unlikely win, by coming back from a 10pt deficit in the 4th, to eventually win the game by 10pts, as they left the Celtics shell-shocked at the buzzer.

Garnett, Pierce and Allen all got into their swing early as Boston smelt its 9th win of the season over a 5-6 Laker team. However for their entire endeavour, the Celtics could not shake off a persistent Laker team and settled for what should have been a game winning 10pt lead to go into the 4th.

With the task at hand, the Lakers used their bench wisely to take advantage of rests to Boston’s big 3, giving Kobe a chance to double his game total to 20 in the quarter, as well as adding 18 points from the bench. Two straight road wins puts Los Angeles back to 6-6 and in good shape for a 3 game stand at home.

Los Angeles 95 Boston 85


Post Game Cuts:

Kobe: “That was a good team performance from us, a couple of games ago we may have collapsed as the Celtics got their lead. However Coach has been getting things right with using the bench, making sure we are fresh and capable of making a comeback”

Ray Allen: “We have a bad habit of losing winnable games, this will cost us and until we can sort ourselves out, talk of a ‘Big 3’ winning Boston a championship are premature”


Stats:

Laker Notables:
K. Bryant – 20pts / 9R
R. Artest – 14pts / 4R
S. O’Neal – 13pts / 8R
D. Fisher – 8pts / 8A

Celtic Notables:
K. Garnett – 24pts / 12R
P. Pierce – 21pts
E. House – 11pts
R. Allen – 8pts / 5R / 4A

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Game 13: November 25th 2007

vs New Jersey Nets

Romp
L.A. staple Nets at the Staples Center!

Electric, is the best way to describe tonight’s Laker performance, as the visiting Nets got mauled by 32 points and infact trailed by 29 at the half.

Every Laker player got points on the board and not surprisingly it was Kobe who led the way with 37, 5 shots from downtown. Artest also picked up his game to rack up 27 points, although not to be outdone Vince Carter with 28, Richard Jefferson with 21 and a double double from Jason Kidd, made the Nets loss even more staggering.

The Lakers appeared to get everything right on the night, the Nets rarely got the game within 20 points once the Lakers had pulled away, and in the end both teams enjoyed a free flowing 4th quarter as every man and his dog put up shots.

New Jersey 98 Los Angeles 130


Post Game Cuts:

Phil Jackson: “Those games come around once in a blue moon, the Nets played well, you have to credit them for sticking in and in normal circumstances they could well have won the game. That’s why we are hyped over this win, we outclassed a good team who had a good night and we just managed to get to that next level”

Jason Kidd: “You have to take that loss as it is. We can’t beat ourselves up to much over this; we played to our gameplan but just failed to hit the percentages that the Lakers did. If you look at their lineup, they are probably the only team that can pull that off”


Stats:

Laker Notables:
K. Bryant – 37pts
R. Artest – 27pts / 6A
S. O’Neal – 11pts / 8R
A. Bynum – 10pts / 7R

Net Notables:
V. Carter – 28pts
R. Jefferson – 21pts
J. Kidd – 11pts / 16A
M. Williams – 8pts / 9A

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Game 14: November 27th 2007

vs Seattle Supersonics

Kobe Shoots L.A. to Victory
47 points from Bryant seals a tense affair with Seattle!

Following 4 straight defeats, the Lakers have put on 4 straight wins and clinched to solid wins at the Staples Center to improve their home record to 4-4, with an overall 8-6.

Once again it was Kobe Bryant who got the Lakers moving, as he put up a season high 47 points in a game full of highlights. For the Sonics, it was Rookie Kevin Durant who impressed onlookers, comfortable at shooting 3s, as well as putting up a respectable line of 23pts, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.

Los Angeles made the most of their recent confidence, by hauling back a 4 point deficit going into the 4th, to eventually tie up an 11 point win. The Sonics will rue a 60% free throw effort, as their problems at the charity stripe left them with the loss.

Seattle 96 Los Angeles 107


Post Game Cuts:

Kobe: “Every game gets better for me and the team. We are pushing ourselves to get better and to be better than the team everyone expects us to be.”

Derek Fisher: “Its good to get more involved in these games, people seem to forget about me out there, so I’m finding more time and space to use the ball.”


Stats:

Laker Notables:
K. Bryant – 47pts / 4R / 4A
R. Artest – 18pts / 8R
S. O’Neal – 12pts / 5R
D. Fisher – 9pts / 6A

Sonic Notables:
K. Durant – 23pts / 5R / 6A
D. Wilkins – 15pts
E. Watson – 11pts / 6A
D. West – 9pts / 10A

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Good read so far. Tough Loss to the Pacers.

I can't wait till the trade deadline and we get a roster update so I can start my franchise.

Thanks for the feedback, look forward to seeing a 2K8 'chise from yourself. The Sens' was a good ride.

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Game 15: November 29th 2007

vs Denver Nuggets

Game of Two Halves!
Lakers ride momentum in comeback win

The Lakers are playing with supreme confidence at the moment, as they manage to win their 5th game straight, even though they faced a 20pt Nugget lead going into the second half.

Main man Kobe Bryant yet again sparked the Lakers revival, juicing for 29pts in the second half (39 total), whilst the Lakers defense held the Nuggets to just 32 points in the 3rd and 4th quarters combined.

However the game still managed to come down to the final minute, with Maurice Evans becoming the hero, shooting 3 from 4 free throws, totalling the clinching points in a 93-91 win.

Denver 91 Los Angeles 93


Post Game Cuts:

Phil Jackson: “It’s a big turnaround for us, 5 straight wins gives everyone the confidence that we can carry this on and really contend”

Allen Iverson: “We gave the Lakers a bit too much respect out there. It is as if we thought … 20 points ahead, this can’t be happening…. Players then seemed to shut down their basics and make plays that allowed them to control the ball and clock”


Stats:

Laker Notables:
K. Bryant – 39pts / 4R
R. Artest – 12pts / 4R
S. O’Neal – 8pts / 4R
R. Balkman – 5pts / 5R

Nugget Notables:
A. Iverson – 24pts / 6A
Nene – 15pts / 8R
C. Anthony – 12pts / 10R
C. Atkins – 5pts / 13A

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Los Angeles Laker Stat Report:

                    PPG   RPG   APG
K. Bryant          31.3   5.0   3.1
S. O'Neal          16.2   6.4   1.2
R. Artest          15.3   4.8   2.1
A. Walker           7.0   4.8   1.8
D. Fisher           4.7   1.3   5.0
A. Bynum            4.7   4.1   1.3
J. Salmons          4.3   0.9   0.7
G. Payton           3.8   1.8   2.7
R. Balkman          3.7   2.4   0.4
R. Turiaf           2.1   2.1   0.2
M. Evans            1.7   0.4   0.1
J. Crittenton       1.3   0.8   0.5