Lakers Dynasty: LA Downs Boston, Evans out (8-5)

[Isaiah]

Has Kobe even been held scoreless in real life? Astounding really. Hornets must have roofied him beforehand

i was trying to find any records of kobe being scoreless to put it in my recap of the game, but i couldn't find any.. so i guess he hasnt.. or if he has.. probably in his rookie year.

WOW, Kobe 0-12 field goals! By the way, nice presentation. I'll make sure I follow this!

thanks for the support. im still trying to look for ways to improve it though.. heheh...

[Phantom18]

Isaiah,
Kobe has been held scoreless like 20 times in his career. xD

Source: Basketball-Reference Season Logs

[Isaiah]

Isaiah,
Kobe has been held scoreless like 20 times in his career. xD

Source: Basketball-Reference Season Logs

i checked here

it says he was scoreless 14 times.

the highest amount of minutes he played during that time was 14, attempting 1-4 shots per game. most of those games came from 1996-1998, then in 2001 and 2004.

[Phantom18]

Isaiah,
Kobe has been held scoreless like 20 times in his career. xD

Source: Basketball-Reference Season Logs

i checked here

it says he was scoreless 14 times.

the highest amount of minutes he played during that time was 14, attempting 1-4 shots per game. most of those games came from 1996-1998, then in 2001 and 2004.

your right i just went through it seen 10 after the second season took a guess he prolly got shut out 10 more times oh well at least i pointed ya to a good info source

[Isaiah]

Behind The Scenes 2: Aftermath

At the Lakers practice facility in El Segundo, in his Lakers shirt and khaki shorts in a Lakers practice, Lakers General Manager Isaiah Cruz looked at the pile of newspapers stacked in front of him.

It was everywhere.

The Los Angeles Times: “Kobe Zeroes In On LA Loss.” New York Times: “Kobe Bryant Goes From 8 to 24 to 0.” The story was everywhere. Kobe Bryant went scoreless in the Lakers’ 89-83 loss against the New Orleans Hornets, the 15th time he went scoreless in a game, but the 1st time he did in significant playing time, especially given the offensive standard he has set for himself in recent years. But what caught Isaiah’s attention was a column in the LA Times by TJ Simmers, headlined: “Did Kobe Do It On Purpose?”

Kobe demanded a trade over the summer, we all know that. Jerry Buss made comments that he would listen to Bryant offers. Cruz before the season said they would not trade Kobe, which angered Buss and created a front-office feud. Across the court, Jerry Buss had an expression on his face which could have said “I told you so.”

Feeling defeated, Cruz gazed over to Bryant, who was shooting jump shots endlessly on one court, still nursing that bruised calf. His trainer handed him a towel.

“That’s enough for now Kobe. Time for treatment on that calf.”

A sweaty and exhausted Bryant walked towards the locker room, passing by Isaiah, who said, “Don’t mind the media, Kobe. You’ll come back next game.”

Kobe grinned and answered as he walked past, “Hope so.”

Cruz stared at Bryant as he walked away. “Hope so.” Kobe never hopes for anything. He does it.

As Cruz sat silently during the rest of the practice, the thought raced through his mind over and over again.

Did Kobe really do that on purpose to get traded?

[Isaiah]

LAKERS DUMP T-WOLVES

LAKERS 121
MINNESOTA 82


Lamar Odom shot 14-of-17 from the field to lead Los Angeles.


LOS ANGELES- After Kobe Bryant's zero point showing the last time he took the floor, media and fans would expect his ego to take over and make himself be known to the other team. That was not the case. Instead, what the spectators got from Bryant was a 4-point showing in limited minutes, and what the Minnesota Timberwolves got was a Lamar Odom-led 121-82 thrashing in front of 18, 997 at STAPLES Center.

Odom had 33 points to lead six Lakers in double figures. Bryant, obviously, not being one of them. Lamar also grabbed 8 rebounds and had 2 blocked shots.

The player who benefitted most from Bryant's limited minutes was Maurice Evans, who dropped in 24 points on only 10-of-12 shooting. Kwame Brown narrowly missed a double-double with 13 points and 9 boards, Jordan Farmar had 11 points and 6 assists. Luke Walton had a complete game with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Derek Fisher also scored 10 and dished out 8 assists.

Randy Foye led the Timberwolves in scoring with 17. Sebastian Telfair had 15 points but also led the team in turnovers, committing 11.

As a whole, the Lakers forced Minnesota into 27 turnovers. 20 of those were Laker steals. Fisher had 6 steals to help LA's cause.

After the game, Kobe addressed his recent struggles.

"I haven't been able to move very well due to the bruised calf," he told reporters. Addressing the issue on the speculation that he scored nothing on purpose, Bryant shot it down: "Man, that's just bullcrap. I never do those things on purpose. I'm not that kind of a player."

"Lamar really showed he carry the team," Phil Jackson said. "You could tell he had a purpose while playing."

[Phantom18]

Isaiah,
why does it seem like the Lakers are better when Kobe isnt playing 35 minutes in a game?
tehe id like to see Kareem come back to La, i was pissed when they let him go...thats what happens when your a better 3 point shooter then Kobe Bryant in LA.

[Isaiah]

Isaiah,
why does it seem like the Lakers are better when Kobe isnt playing 35 minutes in a game?
tehe id like to see Kareem come back to La, i was pissed when they let him go...thats what happens when your a better 3 point shooter then Kobe Bryant in LA.

Kareem Rush? i still remember his game when he dropped 6 three pointers on Minnesota in the WCF

[Phantom18]

Isaiah,
exactly, and i think hes even better now as a player i mean
you should pursue getting him on your squad maybe give the Pacers Brian Cook?

[homicide1550]

Isaiah, a blowout with kobe just scoring 4 points?
Good thing Odom stepped up his game.

[Isaiah]

Isaiah,
exactly, and i think hes even better now as a player i mean
you should pursue getting him on your squad maybe give the Pacers Brian Cook?

yeah I'm trying to dump cook and possibly radmanovic.. i have no place for Cook in my rotation right now.. radmanovic is just plain struggling and is giving me nothing.

Isaiah, a blowout with kobe just scoring 4 points?
Good thing Odom stepped up his game.

onga eh.. buti nalang.. kobes been playing bad, im not doing it intentionally.. hehe...

taga-Mandaluyong? I'm from Pasig.. Ortigas Center actually.. hahaha!

[Clutch]

Kobe's been a pansy for two straight games already; he'll prob be hangin' at Starbury's crib pretty soon; in other words - time to ship his ass out!

[Isaiah]

KOBE SCORES 37, LEADS LAKERS TO WIN OVER MAVERICKS


Kobe Bryant goes at three defenders.

LAKERS 112
DALLAS 104


LOS ANGELES- Kobe Bryant finally finally ended his two-game scoring slump with 37 points, leading a second half rally to beat the Dallas Mavericks, 112-104.

Losing Kwame Brown and Ronny Turiaf in the game to injuries, the Mavericks looked as if they had the advantage, with Dirk Nowitzki pounding his way inside for easy points. But Bryant was relentless in attacking the rim and kept Dallas at bay.

Brown and Lamar Odom each had 17 points. Odom had 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Luke Walton continued his improved play with 11. Jason Terry led the Mavericks in scoring with 27. Nowitzki scored 23 on an efficient 11-of-13 shooting, also grabbing 10 rebounds. Devin Harris scored 18 and Josh Howard put in 17.

Dallas controlled the tempo of the first half, leading as much as 12 virtually all the way. The last time it was at 12 was at 61-49, when Los Angeles started to make their run.

Bryant went scoreless in a loss to New Orleans then scored only 4 points in a blowout win over Minnesota, leading media members and fans to wonder if he was doing this on purpose to further force team management to trade him, talk which irritated Bryant.

"It was irritating, and certainly a distraction to the team," Bryant said. "I hope talks die down from now on."

The Lakers get San Antonio next, and how Kobe matches up against Bruce Bowen will certainly be a sight to see.

NOTES: Kwame Brown is out with a bone spur in his foot and will be out at least a week. Ronny Turiaf has a strained achilles tendon and will be out a week. These injuries puts Kwame Brown, Andrew Bynum and Ronny Turiaf all in the injured list.[/b]

[Phantom18]

Isaiah,
BYNUM
BROWN
AND TURIAF OUT?

UH-OH!

[Isaiah]

Kobe's been a pansy for two straight games already; he'll prob be hangin' at Starbury's crib pretty soon; in other words - time to ship his ass out!

not just yet! hahahaha.. though its really kinda hard to score with him on jumpers

Isaiah,
BYNUM
BROWN
AND TURIAF OUT?

UH-OH!

haha i know right? and i got San Antonio and Houston back to back on the road, then the pistons!

[Isaiah]

LAKERS WIN OVER CHAMPS COMES WITH A HUGE PRICE


Spurs rookie Ian Mahimni was forced to take a long two when a three was needed to tie.

LAKERS 102
SPURS 101


SAN ANTONIO- The Los Angeles Lakers were up 102-99 with 15.7 seconds left and San Antonio had the ball needing a three-pointer to tie. However, the Lakers’ stifling defense forced the Spurs to scramble and instead Spurs rookie Ian Mahimni was forced to put up a long two-pointer which fell through with 0.8 seconds left, not enough time to send anyone to the line as the Los Angeles Lakers escaped with a 102-101 victory over the defending champs.

Kobe Bryant led Los Angeles with 37 points and 6 assists, scoring 16 in the final quarter. Four more players in double figures.

Tim Duncan led San Antonio with 20 points and 9 rebounds in a losing effort.

Oh, but what a Pyrrhic victory it was.

During the game, Bryant and guard Sasha Vujacic sustained injuries. Vujacic would not return but Bryant came back and finished the game. An MRI after the game showed Vujacic would be out 3 weeks with a hyper extended knee. Bryant sustained a broken finger and would be out for at least 2 weeks.

They join and injured list which already contains centers Kwame Brown and Andrew Bynum and forward Ronny Turiaf.

Even the active players aren’t healthy as Lamar Odom, who scored 10 points, is being slowed by an injury as well.

“With that, we are only down to ten players,” Phil Jackson said. “We got Houston tomorrow and Detroit on Friday. It’ll be tough task, but we have to move on.”

The Lakers improved to 5-2. But with this depleted lineup, when everyone is healthy again it might not be a winning one.

[Phantom18]

Isaiah,
honestly if i was you i would've rather lost that game then loose kobe
hm, dont go on msn no more?

[Isaiah]

Isaiah,
honestly if i was you i would've rather lost that game then loose kobe
hm, dont go on msn no more?

I didn't expect Kobe to be THAT injured haha! I'm gonna try and trade Odom and someone else for better players, and Bynum's about to return anyways.

[Phantom18]

Isaiah,
hm Lamar Odom for http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.ph ... id=4293125
LOL nah just kidding

heres two suggestions

[oh to make the trade work in the game feel free to try to make Odom a SF and see if it works that way ]
http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.ph ... id=4293127
or
http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.ph ... id=4293129

[Isaiah]

LAKERS GO 0-2 WITHOUT BRYANT, ODOM IN TRADE TALKS

EL SEGUNDO- The Los Angeles Lakers have gone 0-2 without Kobe Bryant, suffering a 76-64 defeat to the Houston Rockets and a humbling 103-70 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

Against Houston, Lamar Odom led the Lakers in scoring with 26 points to keep the Lakers close with Houston, but the Rockets out-scored the Lakers 21-6 in the 3rd quarter and Los Angeles never got close.

At home against Detroit, Odom had 15 points in the loss, as Detroit raced out to an early lead in the first quarter. LA posed no serious threat afterwards.

INJURY REPORTS

Chris Mihm in the newest Laker on the injured list with a sprained thumb. He will miss at least 13 days.

However, there is also good news in Lakerland. Andrew Bynum, though still showing injury effects, and Ronny Turiaf have returned to the Lakers lineup.

"It's just great to be healthy," Turiaf said. "There's a lot of stuff going on now with regards to injuries. It's our job to help the team out."

ODOM IN TRADE TALKS, LAKERS EYE KIDD

Lamar Odom has been mentioned in trade talks recently. One of the rumors mentioned is bringing in Nets guard Jason Kidd.

GM Isaiah Cruz explained the situation.

"We're trading based on our team needs, and the anticipation of players coming back and who are injured. Right now we have a logjam at forward, and we need a veteran leader."

On the issue of Kidd, Cruz said, "He's one of the players who we are interested in. We need a new direction and he can help us, being the great veteran he is."

"It's a business," Odom said. "It's the franchise's direction, if they wanna go one way and need to make changes, then that'll be that. If I go, I go. I respect this franchise throughout."

Kidd was brought up in trade talks last season at the deadline when the Lakers refused to part with Bynum. It began Kobe's tirade and the current situation between the front office.

Maybe bringing Kidd in will help Kobe stay. Lakers owner Jerry Buss and Cruz have different opinions on where to go with the franchise.

"I think I know what I'm doing," Cruz said.

[Isaiah]

NEW “KIDD” IN TOWN

EL SEGUNDO- Take this as a year delayed.

A depleted team in need of direction and leadership, the Lakers looked to veteran guard Jason Kidd to help them get back on track, as well as inch closer to the end of trade speculation for Kobe Bryant.

In return New Jersey received Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher, two of their starting players.



Andrew Bynum has recovered from his injury and will be playing alongside Kidd in a twist of irony. Bynum was the reason why Kidd didn’t come to town at the February trade deadline because management liked his potential and deemed him “untouchable.”

“I’ve always loved to play in Los Angeles,” Kidd said. “The history, Magic. And playing alongside Kobe Bryant once again.”

Kidd and Bryant were on the US team that qualified for the Olympics this past summer.

Kidd, 34, is averaging 15.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists and has appeared and starting in all 10 New Jersey Nets games. He leaves the team after being traded there since 2001 and has propelled the team to consecutive Finals appearances.

Lamar Odom, who has played and started all 9 Lakers games, is averaging a career-high 20.1 points, 6.1 rebound and 2.2 assists and gives mobility to the Nets’ frontcourt.

“It’s a business,” Odom said. “I understood the team’s need for a new direction, and if changes had to be made, then that’s that. I enjoyed my time here, with the fans, the city. This is just a new chapter in my career.”

Fisher was averaging 5.8 points, 3.0 assists and 2.11 steals, starting 7 of the 9 Lakers games. He signed with Los Angeles wholly due to the medical care capable to be given to his daughter, Tatum. But he says New Jersey is one of those places too.

“It’s beside New York,” Fisher said. “They can provide us with medical care.”

Fisher also says he’s not bitter with the trade.

When healthy, Kidd and Bryant could form one of the league’s most formidable backcourt duos. As of now, it’ll have to wait.

Bryant, Sasha Vujacic, Kwame Brown and Chris Mihm are all recovering from injuries sustained in recent games.

[Martti.]

Kidd-Bryant backcourt is scary.. As we saw this summer in Las Vegas.

Good luck!

[Clutch]

man i'm torn... i freakin' dig J-Kidd but admittedly not fond of Kobe, although I respect what he can do on the court; anyway, look forward to seeing Kidd's debut in the purple and gold

[Chaser7]

I don't think you got the jist of the Kidd rumors. Odom was never involved, the whole point was to have a core of Kidd, Bryant and Odom together. Why would NJ trade for Odom anyways, they already got Jefferson and Carter. Anyways good luck, and I'm sitll following.. .

[Isaiah]

WALLACE SINKS LAKERS AT THE BUZZER
Gordon scores 41, Hinrich scores 40




LAKERS 107
BULLS 109

LOS ANGELES- Jason Kidd hit a 3-point play to tie the game at 107-107 with 14.3 seconds remaining, but on the ensuing play, Luol Deng drove to the rack and faced a double team, and in the nick of time, found a wide open Ben Wallace who surprisingly banked a 17-footer home as the buzzer sounded, lifting the Bulls to a heart-stopping 109-107 victory over the Lakers in Kidd's LA debut.

Wallace, who is not known to have the most proficient jump shot, or range of offense camly sank the game-winner over the outstretched arms of Andrew Bynum. His teammates mobbed him and the Bulls ran off the court in celebration. The Lakers, meanwhile, were left with more questions as they are now 0-3 since Kobe Bryant went down.

"We didn't expect the shot to go in," Javaris Crittenton said. "But when he released it, i saw that it had a pretty good arc."

"That was a shocker," Kidd said. "Just heartbreaking. But we have to move on."

In his first game with the Lakers, Kidd filled up the stat sheet with 35 points, 7 assists, 6 steals and 5 rebounds. However, he also committed 4 fouls and turned the ball over 6 times.

"I had a lot of sloppy moments out there," he continued after the game.

Kidd came over in a trade that sent Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher to New Jersey.

It was a see-saw game in the final minute, with the Bulls taking a three-point lead numerous times late. However, Kidd would always score on a layup and LA would foul, and the free throws would extend the Bulls lead to three once again. Kidd finally was able to tie the game.

Los Angeles held its biggest lead in the second quarter, 37-26.

Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich both waxed hot, finishing with 41 points and 40 points, respectively. Hinrich shot 15-of-30 from the field while Gordon shot an amazing 14-of-19, including 5-of-8 from downtown.

"Kobe would've really helped us defensively," Phil Jackson said. "We have to make do with what we have."

The Lakers fielded only ten players in today's game.