The LA LAkers Dynasty (14-0)..its over

[Isaiah]

i wanna see how a super strong team can last or how glory can last...

i started this out with "Season Mode" then it eventually became Dynasty (since rosters are saved after the Season)...please also note that I'm using the PS2 version...so rookies aren't here

here is how my lineup looked like:

C- Shaquille O'Neal
PF- Lamar Odom
SF- Caron Butler
SG- Kobe Bryant
PG- Mike James
6- Robert Horry
7- Derek Fisher
8- Dikembe Mutumbo
9- Jumaine Jones
10- Andre Igoudala
11- Luke Walton
12- Chris Mihm

Here's how the 'Season' ended.

the Lakers made the playoffs at with the number 2 seed at 49-33 (clinching the Pacific Division title)...

First Round: LA beat Memphis 4-1

Semis: LA beat Denver 4-1

Conference Finals: LA beat Minnesota 4-0

NBA Finals: LA beat New York (who upset No. 1 Detroit 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals) 4-0

(Kobe Bryant (Player of the Month for March and April for 37.7 and 41.2 ppg averages, respectively) named NBA Finals MVP)

During the NBA Finals, Shaq got injured after Game 1. So I used Chris Mihm after that and he showed true promise. I used Mutumbo as starting center when Shaq was injured in the regular season but he didn't do so good. I also sparingly used Andre Igoudala, since he doesn't really know how to shoot. I only used him in 12 of the 18 playoffs games, and he averaged a measly 2.8 ppg.

When I started the Dynasty, I was already thinking trades. I wanted to ship Mutumbo out to provide Mihm with more playing time. I also wanted Butler and Igoudala out for more proven players. It's LA vs. Denver as the dynasty begins...

[Keo]

Sounds great. You have a nice Roster as well. Welcome to the Forums and good luck with the Dynasty.

[Isaiah]

It was a good start for the Los Angeles Lakers as they beat Denver 104-73 on Opening Night. Kobe Bryant scored 30 points and Shaquille O'Neal scored 21 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.

However, during the game, Derek Fisher bruised his rib and doctors said he will be out 10 days. He had 12 points before he got injured.

After the game, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak announced that Lakers guard Andre Igoudala will be traded to the Charlotte Bobcats for Kareem Rush.

"We feel that Kareem would be a better fit in the triangle offense," Kupchak said on the Southern California Sports Report.

Igoudala didn't play at all in the Lakers' Opening Night win.

[Fastfin]

Good looking rosters

[Isaiah]

ADJUSTING TO INJURIES, LAKERS STRUGGLE BUT PREVAIL IN UTAH; TRADE TALKS BEGIN

Lakers pull off a road win in Utah, 96-91. They struggled mightily in this game due to the defense of Andre Kirilenko and Shaq's foul trouble. Chris Mihm provided quality off the bench as he was able to fill the void. Mutumbo played but got into early foul trouble. Caron Butler was scoreless in this game.

With this, Mitch Kupchak said that trade talks for Mutumbo and Butler began. He has talked to Miami, with the possibility of a Devean George trade, and possibly a guard to back up Mike James.

[AK8]

hey man nice roster, hope it goes far

[Isaiah]

im trying desparately to trade butler and mutumbo...i dont want them...i need another worthy small forward and a backup PG...any suggestions, guys?

[Isaiah]

with the Fisher injury and the Igoudala trade, this is my lineup...

C-Shaquille O'Neal
PF-Lamar Odom
SF-Caron Butler
SG-Kobe Bryant
PG-Mike James
6-Robert Horry
7-Kareem Rush
8-Jumaine Jones
9-Chris Mihm
10-Luke Walton
11-Dikembe Mutumbo
12- (no one)
IR1-Derek Fisher

[Sac-1]

Great roster....good luck in your dynasty and welcome to the forums

[Isaiah]

LA over San Antonio 100-87

LA over Atlanta 113-82 (Phyrric Victory)<<<HAWKS GUARD GARY PAYTON COMMITTED 11 TURNOVERS IN THIS GAME

Lakers are now 4-0.

During this game, Shaquille O'Neal got injured while having a huge game (30 points, 13 rebounds, 6 blocks)... Chris Mihm will now get more playing time.

The rotation is still being planned out...

Meanwhile, Caron Butler and Dikembe Mutumbo have been traded to the Miami Heat for Devean George (a valuable small forward) and Keyon Dooling (a backup guard).

[Sac-1]

Great two wins...even though Atlanta is too easy...good luck next game...bad new about Shaq...this will be hard

[Keo]

Great, you're unbeaten at 4-0. Bad news about Shaq but now Chris Mihm gets a chance. Good luck.

[Isaiah]

MY FIRST OFFICIAL CHALLENGE

Lakers beat New Orleans 92-87

LA was down after the first quarter 24-14. Kobe and Lamar got into early foul trouble. THe rally started in the 3rd with the lead of the Hornets at 76-60. Kobe was inserted back into the game and the comeback started.

Mihm had 2 points on 1-4 shooting, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks in his first start.

Kobe was able to get 30 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished out 6 assists.

[Isaiah]

Before the Memphis game, LA offered a contract to sign free agent center Evan Eschmeyer, since he was the best one on the free agent market that was affordable. Vlade Divac and Brian Cook are both free agents, but they both want multiyear contracts.

[Isaiah]

LAKERS' LOCKEROOM QUICK RECAPS

Memphis easy picking for Lakeshow, 90-77


Kobe Bryant had 25 points and 5 rebounds to lead the Lakers over Memphis, 90-77 at the FedEx Forum. Lamar Odom had 12 points and 8 rebounds while Chris Mihm had 9 points, 4 rebounds and 4 blocks. Devean George had 12 points.

The Lakers are now up top at 6-0.

Next up:

vs.
TD WATERHOUSE CENTRE


NOTES: Lakers guards have been pick-pocketing opposing backcourt players as of late. LA leads the league in steals. Though he only played one game, Derek Fisher had 4 steals. Mike James and Kobe Bryant are averaging 3 steals each.

Keyon Dooling has been a sparker off the bench. He can drive down the lane for posterizations or he can join in the pick-pocketing party. His scoring average has risen from 3.4 ppg (when the Lakers received him in the trade) to 4.1 ppg.

Signings: Evan Eschmeyer has agreed to a 1-year, $807, 000 deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, giving them a much-needed big man due to the injury to Shaquille O'Neal.

Scouting: LA has been scouting on Lance Armstrong, a projected second-rounder. He has very good ball handling skills.

Injury reports: Shaquille O'Neal and Derek Fisher are expected to return to action against the Los Angeles Clippers. Even so, Laker fans don't expect a full recovery yet by then.

[Isaiah]

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S EA SPORTS REPORT
Lakers news:

Lakers victory comes with a price; Kobe injured, out 7 weeks!

Kobe Bryant scored 33 points despite sustaining an injury to help the LA Lakers defeat the Orlando Magic 85-82.

After the game, though, team doctors checked on Kobe's status and announced that he had severely sprained his wrist, giving the Lakers their 3rd injury, joining Shaquille O'Neal and Derek Fisher. They said that Bryant would be out for 7 weeks.

He sustained the injury while going up for a second posterization dunk on Dwight Howard during the 1st quarter. However, the collision was strong and Kobe fell on his hand. He did not return until the second half. Kareem Rush scored 10 points filling the void.

Lamar Odom struggled again with only 10 points and 5 rebounds. Chris Mihm showed an acceptable performance with 11 points and 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Mike James, the Lakers starting point guard, scored only 7 points on 3-of-10 shooting. Robert Horry, who has provided solid performances off the bench scored 8 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Newly acquired Evan Eschmeyer scored 2 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and committed 4 fouls. He shot 0-of-6 from the line and 1-4 from the field.

Steve Francis led the Magic with 26 points. However, the entire team only dished out 5 assists in total, resulting in individual performances. Dwight Howard had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Next up for LA is Houston, where they will surely be tested. Fans, coaches and management cannot say how long their record will last. Los Angeles is currently one of three unbeaten teams (Denver and Detroit are the other two).

NOTES:
Luke Walton has been training really hard during practices, trying to get more minutes backing up Devean George. He has been playing limited minutes, averaging 2 points, 0.5 rebounds and 3 assists. He will be a free agent at season's end.
Rick Fox has been playing "co-leader" in the locker room and during practice, reminding the players that the league is not theirs. He knows that even though they are still undefeated, anything can happen. Injuries (like the one to Kobe) can change the team drastically.

INJURY REPORTS:
Shaquille O'Neal and Derek Fisher are cleared to play against the Los Angeles Clippers.

NEWS:
LAKERS GM MITCH KUPCHAK IS SCHEDULED TO DO AN INTERVIEW WITH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S EA SPORTS REPORT.

[Isaiah]

LAKERS LOCKEROOM QUICK RECAPS

2nd of back-to-back (I played two straight games)

Lakers escape t-Mac wrath

Showing a lot of heart, the Los Angeles Lakers escaped with a 93-90 victory against the Houston Rockets and will get a much needed rest before heading home to face their cross-town rivals.

Lamar Odom finally game up big scoring 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, Chris Mihm scored 6 and grabbed 6 while blocking 4, Mike James scored 12 (his highest output this season) and Kareem Rush scored 10.

Tracy McGrady scored 30 points and dished out 7 assists. Yao Ming scored 16 points as he was bothered by foul trouble, mostly on the offensive end.

Lakers are now sitting pretty with an unpredictable 8-0 record, leaving them as the only undefeated team. Now the whole league is watching them, trying to put a blemish on their record.

NOTES:
Shaquille O'Neal and Derek Fisher were activated from the injured list after the game. O'Neal will return to his starting position at center while Fisher returns to the 6th man role.

[Isaiah]

GAMER'S NOTE

hey guys, any suggestions on how i can maintain my record with this roster?

C-Shaquille O'Neal
PF-Lamar Odom
SF-Devean George
SG-Kareem Rush
PG-Mike James
6-Derek Fisher
7-Robert Horry
8-Chris Mihm
9-Jumaine Jones
10-Keyon Dooling
11-Rick Fox
12-Evan Eschmeyer
IR1-Kobe Bryant (out 7 weeks with a severely sprained wrist)

i havent been able to put up the stats for now since i have to write them all down since i have to put it as soon as possible. ill try to post my stats after my 10th game (which is against Phoenix, after the Clippers game)

[Isaiah]

(I have found a way! Change Mike James' shot selection)



SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S EA SPORTS REPORT
Lakers news:

Mike James came up huge in Lakers dominance over Clips

When one has fallen, many shall rise!

Without Kobe Bryant in the lineup, other players are expected to step up big time to fill his shoes. Lamar Odom tried it out against Houston and put up Kobe-like numbers in the Lakers' victory. But today, one man can't do that alone. So Mike James comes in, drills in 24 points and had 11 steals to lead 3 players with 20 or more points in the Lakers' 108-73 win over the LA Clippers.

Devean George had 20 points, 10 in the 1st quarter, and 4 rebounds while Lamar Odom had 20 points and 10 rebounds. Chris Mihm had a triple double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks.

Shaquille O'Neal and Derek Fisher returned to the lineup with O'Neal starting the game. As expected, though, they were still slowed by their injuries as O'Neal posted 6 points and 4 rebounds while Derek Fisher had only 2 points.

James, reduced to a stand still shooter this year, was told by Rudy Tomjanovich to shoot more with the absence of Kobe. James responded, drilling three 3-pointers in this game. Instead of spotting up, however, he called for picks, went around them and let the shot fly.

"Coach just told me to be more aggressive," James said after the game. "Shoot more, exert more effort, and that's what I did. Others stepped up as well, which is good for us, you know? It shouldn't be one man all the time."

Kobe, who was behind the Lakers bench, when told of James' statement, agreed.

"He's right," Bryant said in a press conference. "It really kinda gets tiring if everything is upon your shoulders."

The onslaught started in the 1st quarter, wherein the purple and gold raced to a 11-0 lead. The Clippers would end the quarter down by 6, 29-23, but thats the closest they would get.

NOTES:
Kareem Rush was injured during the game. However, he is listed as day-to-day.

Next game:


(9-0)

VS.


(5-3)

America West Arena

[Isaiah]

Tonight on the

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EA SPORTS REPORT



-Analysis of Lakers vs. Suns

-Interview with Mitch Kupchack on the injury to Kobe Bryant, Lakers future

[Sac-1]

Some great wins but lets see if you can win against the big bad Phoenix Suns

[Isaiah]

INJURY NOTES:

Shaquille O'Neal and Derek Fisher are 100% healed. The Lakers will be in full strength sans Kobe Bryant against the Suns.

[Keo]

Sounds great. Good to have them back.

[Sac-1]

Great news..this should be much easier now

[Isaiah]

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S EA SPORTS REPORT
Lakers news:

Fisher leads Lakers in 2nd half rally

Derek Fisher and Shaquille O'Neal returned from injury to combine to score 38 points, Mike James continued his recent spectacular play with 19 points and Lamar Odom scored 14 and grabbed 8 as the surging Los Angeles Lakers remain unbeaten with a 104-100 win over the running and gunning Phoenix Suns.

O'Neal played his 2nd game since returning from injury and had 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks. Derek Fisher led the way with 23 points and 2 steals. Mihm, who went back to coming off the bench, scored 10 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and swatted away 4.

LA started out flat, allowing the Suns to jump to and early lead. The first quarter ended with the Suns on top at 26-19, the second time LA failed to score 20 points after the 1st quarter. The lead of the Suns grew in the 2nd quarter, and at half time it was 50-36.

The 3rd quarter started flat for both teams, with neither making their first shots. THen Fisher scored a three-pointer, and then the rally was on.

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