'13-'14 P&G Game 6: vs. Houston Rockets

After getting creamed by the Dallas Mavericks on the road, the Lakers found themselves facing a familiar face in a familiar foe: Dwight Howard wearing the red and white of Houston. Luckily, the purple and gold jumped to an early lead, which was vanquished after several Houston runs in the second quarter. Fortunately, a last-minute play that ended with a swished triple by Steve Blake gave them their third win of the season, 99-98.

Yay of the Game:

11 of the 14 triples in the first half went in for the Lakers, giving them a 14-point lead entering the second half. Unfortunately, the Lakers ended the game with only 16 of 35 triples made total, which means that they only made 5 out of 21 in the second half (the biggest of them all was Blake's triple). Jodie Meeks and Blake shot the lights out as they ended with a combined 9 of 13 triples; Wesley Johnson, however, only went 3 of 8.

Nay of the Game: 

36-17 was the number of fouls between the Lakers and the Rockets respectively. The referees had their whistles locked on the Lakers, as they called even on touch fouls. While the Lakers had a decent 11 of 15 clip from the charity stripe, the Rockets had 52 free throw attempts, and James Harden who ended up with 35 big points, got 14 of his 16. However, the Hack-A-Dwight strategy worked as Howard only got 5 of his 16 charities.

Play of the Game:

Blake Mamba came just in time to make that triple, giving the Lakers the win. It's actually a good play considering that Gasol is ready for the rebound in case the shot misses.




The Lakers are now at...

3-3 (3rd Pacific, 8th West). After this, they have a chance to go above .500 for the second time this season as they face the New Orleans Pelicans, who are hungry for a home win against the Lakers.

Highlights:

'13-'14 P&G Game 4: vs. Atlanta Hawks

After two consecutive losses, the Lakers came back with a 105-103 win against the Atlanta Hawks; however, it was a game that was nearly lost after the Lakers blew a 21-point lead in the second half.

Yay of the Game:

13-4-4 was Nick "Swaggy P" Young's statline of the game after coming off from the bench for the first time this season (Wesley Johnson starts for the first time. In 21 minutes of play, he made 5 of 9 field goal attempts, with one of four triples. It seems that it would be more beneficial for the Lakers to relegate him as an energy provider, although it would

Nay of the Game:

100% of Atlanta G Kyle Korver's triples splashed into the net, which allowed the Hawks to bounce back in the fourth quarter and almost had the chance to snag the win away from the Lakers. Judging from the four games that the Purple & Gold has played, it is obvious that they still can't properly close games out and play tough defense. This is something that Coach... oh wait, it's Mike _'Antoni out there who's handling the reins. Somebody page the assistant coach for defense.

Play of the Game:

Here's Pau Gasol showing for the nth time that his critics were wrong in labeling him as soft.


The Lakers are now at:

2-2, coming off from last season's attempt at just being at .500. This might change when they hit the road and face Monta Ellis, Dirk Nowitzki, and the Dallas Mavericks.

Highlights:

'13-'14 P&G Game 3: vs. San Antonio Spurs

Despite building a huge lead in the first half, the Lakers realized that it's all about sustaining the lead as they failed to do so against the San Antonio Spurs, as the purple and gold suffered a measly 85-91 loss against the 2013 Finals runners-up.

Yay of the Game:

26 combined points for bench hitters Wesley Johnson and Jodie Meeks, who kept the ball rolling in terms of scoring despite this second straight loss. The difficulty that the Lakers have to face is not a matter of sustaining scoring streaks among individuals, but making sure that everyone gets at their right spots and enjoys scoring sprees. They have done that during the first half, but it seems that most of them have lost steam and gave up on defending the ball once the Spurs had the advantage.

Nay of the Game: 

8-27 from triples. This is not really the bad point against the Lakers this day (the Spurs had a late 9-1 run that put them up big in the waning minutes of the game); however, it's worth looking at the way they execute offensively, especially in terms of choosing their shots from beyond the arc. Considering that the first two games, they reached 40%, this isn't a good day for the Lakers offense. Again, consistency on the O is a must for everything to fit, especially now that without Kobe, the team is more oriented and set to work well on offense before defense.

Play of the Game:
Check out the huge Jodie Meeks slam that kept the Lakers up by 13 in the first half.



The Lakers are now at:

1-2 (5th Pacific, 12th West), and up next is an Atlanta Hawks team trying to build itself up after the departure of Josh Smith, trusting solely on Al Horford and Paul Millsap.

Highlights:



Credits to Yahoo! Sports and YouTube for the pics and videos respectively.

'13-'14 P&G Game 2: vs. Golden State Warriors

During the second day of the Lakers' back-to-back games, reality hit them as a torching hot Golden State held them down on the ropes, handing the Purple and Gold a 125-94 loss.

Yay of the Game:

8 out of 18 triples kept the Lakers at bay, and it could have gotten worse if they did not shoot their triples. Ironically, the best shooter of the day was Wesley "Mr. One of Eleven" Johnson, who sank 3 of his 6 three-point attempts

Nay of the Game:

-16 was the difference between the Lakers and the Golden State Warriors in terms of assists. Clearly, the Lakers had problems as well with handling the ball and finding the right guy to take the shot (the Lakers also had 16 turnovers, 8 of them coming from steals). Steve Blake and Jordan Farmar shot at a combined 8 of 26 from the clip, and most of those shots could have been given to Pau Gasol (5 of 10) and Chris Kaman (5 of 9)

Play of the Game:

There's virtually nothing worth seeing here, except Klay Thompson hammering the Lakers down with 38 points.


The Lakers are now at:
1-1, tied with the Clippers and the Warriors. Up next is the San Antonio Spurs, who is a relatively old team that has not lost much but gained a few pieces like Jeff Ayres and Marco Bellinelli. Hopefully the Lakers bounce back from this win and realize that even when the odds are against them, they can still snag a few wins.
Highlights:

'13-'14 P&G Game 1: vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Considering the major overhaul the Lakers undertook in the post-Dwight era and the absence of Kobe Bryant, this game stands perhaps as the most shocking opener, as the Lakers beat the Clippers, 116-103, in their shared turf.

Yay of the Game:

76 bench points served as the key to beating the Clippers in the fourth quarter, thanks to the efforts of Xavier Henry (22 points, 3 of 4 triples), Jordan Farmar (16 pts, 4rebs, and 6asst), Jodie Meeks (13 points), Jordan Hill (12 points, 8 rebs), and Chris Kaman (10 points, 8 rebs). Lakers fans might not get the same thing from them in the coming games, but as long as they can hold the fort in Bryant's absence, then the team should be fine entering the first half of the season.


Nay of the Game:

3 points of the Lakers' 116 belonged to Shawne Williams. So much for starting the game, huh.


Play of the Game:

They say Xavier Henry wouldn't do much... that is, until he delivered a fastbreak jam.



The Lakers are now at:

1-0, which is an achievement considering that in the past two years, the Lakers lost in their respective season-openers. Up next is the Golden State Warriors, who seem to possess the same offensive firepower as the Purple and Gold. Different team, same challenge: to keep the team up in the absence of the Black Mamba.

Highlights:

The Departure: Dwight Howard

By this time, at least the whole NBA universe has already known that Dwight Howard will be leaving the Lakers and signing with the Houston Rockets, ending a very long series of meetings and talks regarding the future not only of the superstar, but also of the team that he used to belong to, considered as one of the biggest and greatest NBA franchises. Reasons and speculations regarding the eventual decision and the circumstances that led to it have been brought forth and circulated across the web, citing the pressure that the big city brings to the big man, the "unappreciative" fans, Coach Mike D'Antoni, and the difficulty playing alongside Kobe Bryant, as crucial conditions that led to this decision.

At this point, one can only say that everything has already been done. Houston now prepares for D12's arrival and explores the possibility of getting someone beyond him, James Harden, and Chandler Parsons. The Lakers, on the other hand, claim that they have Plan B set in motion, as the current roster that they have, considering the loss not only of Howard, but also of Earl Clark (who went to the Cleveland Cavaliers), Andrew Goudelock and Darius Morris, among others, will not be enough to even get them at the bottom four of the playoffs. Add to that the fact that Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol are still on their way to full recovery. But before all these concerns come crashing through, perhaps one way of saying goodbye to Dwight Howard is to read and dissect his "letter" of gratitude to the Los Angeles Lakers players, management, and fans. And here it goes:

I’ve decided to become a member of the Houston Rockets.

So Howard finally decided on joining the Houston Rockets after flirting with his the Lakers, the Hawks, the Mavericks, and the Warriors, and the league should be happy about it. Actually, scrap that. It's more of a feeling of relief that finally, rumors and speculations that are NBA-related will now move away from D12. Suffice to say, everyone has been so irritated with this indecision, the second one which came after LeBron James' reveal last 2010, and it isn't worth anybody's time. Howard's performance and attitude towards the game last season has already been signs that this situation should not be overblown, and yet all have fallen to the "D12-does-not-grow-on-trees" argument. C'mon, if the Lakers have offered this guy an interesting pitch in Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, an additional 30 million dollars in your contract, and the possibility of becoming its next big thing, how can you refuse that? Right, pressure. No wonder, this guy ripped the team off and decline further possibility for playing with the Lakers.

This is not to say that this is a representation of the collective sourgraping that Lakers fans have. In fact, most of them do not realize that this is a good move for the Lakers (interesting read here), considering that the team is still two years in rebuilding (including several awful mistakes). The Purple and Gold does not deserve a star who cannot handle playing the pressure that it brings, and the money (and the cap space, unfortunately) that could have been spent on him deserves to be put on somebody who can handle the pressure and play alongside Kobe Bryant. Unfortunately, having D12 has its setbacks, including a season-long misery that the Lakers will go through, and thankfully the Lakers will have none of all these.

I feel its the best place for me and I am excited about joining the Rockets and I’m looking forward to a great season.

But to be fair, D12's decision is a good one, by way of elimination. Houston is a "small town," upper middle-market team that started rebuilding a year ago with the planned James harden trade and a role player on the rise in Chandler Parsons. The team landed the eighth spot in the playoffs, a notch below Howard's old team, and got a couple of wins against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and that means low expectations for a team that can go beyond what has been foreseen. The Rockets have a flexible coach in Celtic legend Kevin McHale, who knows how to make good use of big men (unlike the Lakers' Mike D'Antoni, who only had Amar'e Stoudemire, Channing Frye, and Boris Diaw to be proud of... and probably Pau Gasol who is going to slide into the center spot). In other words, the atmosphere of Houston isn't as close to that of Tinseltown, where every free throw missed and an opportunity for posting up one's opponents will be looked upon with scrutinizing eyes. If it is indeed true that Howard cannot play alongside Kobe Bryant as well as handle the pressure of being at it, then Houston is the perfect city, one that can give him "unconditional love."

And that is why he cannot go to the other teams that have been wooing him for the past few weeks. Dallas looks to have a huge overhaul this season in order to once again make it in the playoffs, after a disappointing 2012-13 season, and Mark Cuban as well as Dirk Nowitzki will have none of a big man that will play like a championship doesn't matter to him. The Hawks, despite losing Josh Smith, also promised that a rebuild will make it possible for them to be contenders once again in the Eastern Conference. And the Warriors? Oh boy, the Warriors need no explanation, for now they have seen what they can do as a team. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson led last year's playoff run, and no one's going to stop them now that they have realized what they can do.

Therefore, it makes sense for the clownish, seemingly happy-go-lucky Dwight Howard to find his place in Houston. But let this be a warning sign: the fact that they'll be seen as contenders would send a message to him, a big one actually: pressure is inevitable. If he thinks that a big franchise who has not won a championship in three years puts him in a situation that pressures him, wait until he sees a Texan crowd who has not won a championship in nearly twenty years and has finally gotten a legitimate star in the post-Yao era (which ended badly). He may find Rockets fans laughing with and about his ways, but he will not realize that in every game in regular season, he is going to be judged by his hard picks, dunks, and free throws (especially the last one). And before he can see it, the pressure that was once in Los Angeles will dawn upon him, one that even James Harden, intent on getting a ring before the Oklahoma City Thunder does, will willingly exert.

And if that does happen, where will Howard take his talents next?

I want to thank the fans in Los Angeles and wish them the best.

Yes, thank you as well Dwight Howard, for not embarking on a future that will be grim and gloomy, given your disposition towards winning championships (after all, you might have forgotten that this is the reason why you are valuable to all these five teams). Thank you for allowing the Lakers management to finally confirm for themselves the fact that they do not need a Dwight Howard that will be the anchor to the team's future, that it can go choose another one given that it will have a humongous cap space after this NBA season (uhm, calling the King this early might help. Probably.).

I'm sure that the Lakers will wish you the best. I mean, look at how Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol won two titles together.

P&G Game 60: vs. Atlanta Hawks

After the All-Star game and Dr. Jerry Buss's death, the Kobe Bryant-led Lakers started to crawl back to the West's top eight, and the first step that they have accomplished is to reach the .500 mark, an achievement which came at the expense of the Atlanta Hawks. The Lakers have led as much as 18 points in the third quarter, but a late Hawks surge gave L.A. fans the chills when the game went tit-for-tat during the last two minutes. However, Kobe Bryant, being a person of his own word, finished the Hawks off by a monstrous dunk and a game-winning layup, resulting in a 99-98 Lakers win.

Yay of the Game: 

15-10: Steve Nash's points and assists for the game. A lot of critics have been saying that Nash's new role in this new-look Lakers is a big mistake. However, this time, the former Phoenix Suns point guard took care of facilitating while Kobe finishes the plays.

Nay of the Game:

21: The number of Laker turnovers this game. This isn't a new thing, but for someone who wants to make the playoffs, this is something that should be avoided.

Play of the Game:

How old is Kobe Bryant again? He looked like his 17-year old self when he slammed one home against Josh Smith, of all people.


The Lakers Are Now At:

30-30 (3rd Pacific, 9th West). The Oklahoma City Thunder are going to be next off the Lakers' list, and if Kobe Bryant can replicate his 14-assist performance, then it should be a close game.

Highlights:

The Purple & Gold Midterm Report

The All-Star break has already gone by, and as usual, the weekend would not be complete without any highlight from the Lakers stars, especially Kobe Bryant who, along with All-Star MVP Chris Paul, to lead the West to their third straight victory. But after all the fun and games, the Lakers have to go back to business and face the hard times that are ahead of them. Just how did they perform during their past 44 games which led them to this miserable (as the fans put it) position?

To answer this question, presenting:

THE PURPLE AND GOLD REPORT CARD

I. Player Development

-Kobe Bryant declared before the start of the season that the team is his for leading, that he is going to be the one to lead the Lakers to another appearance and consequently to another championship, as Lakers fans have looked forward to after the big offseason acquisition. However, when he says such, it might not mean that he is going to be the one to take the shots and chuck it up to his teammates, or so he says just when the Lakers have dug themselves up a hole as the year 2013 came. The misery that the Lakers have faced has forced him to shift his role from primary scorer (which isn't really effective) to a passer and a facilitator. And surprisingly, things have been relatively better for the Lakers. Sure, the team has not yet gotten a fairly good win streak, but they continue to chase for the eighth spot of the Western Conference, and is now closer to crossing the .500 mark.

-Dwight Howard has been the receiving end of praises and hopes for the team, with even Kobe and GM Mitch Kupchak declaring him to be the next big thing for the Lakers. However, as with the Lakers' win record, things didn't turn out so well for the young center. Still on the verge of recovering from his back injury last season, he injured his right shoulder, aggravated in multiple instances, which gravely affected his performance. Worse, it seems that he's only a shadow of his former self, as he was having difficulty adjusting to coach Mike D'Antoni's system and with Bryant's way of dealing with the game, less with the on-court than with the off-court. He's expected to initiate the perfect screen and roll plays, but so far he has done not so much. And even worse than that, he's still not willing to commit to the Lakers until the end of the regular season, which suggests that, knowing his value, he might take his talents somewhere, and rumors have been spreading around that during the All-Star Weekend, he's been telling everyone around that he's interested to join the Brooklyn Nets. With no assurance to hang on to, the Lakers and its fans are certainly treading on a dark road downhill, not even a trace of the light at the end of the tunnel insofar as Howard is concerned.

-Steve Nash has also stopped being Steve Nash, as his assist figures have dipped significantly compared to his performance with the Suns. In Mike D'Antoni's days with the Suns, Steve Nash has been the one who was holding the ball for most of the time, waiting for the perfect moment to dish out a perfect pass. But with Bryant sharing the ball with him, he became more of a spot-up shooter in the early days of January. However, it seems that Nash has been back on track during the past few games before the All-Star Break. 

-Earl Clark has been compared to Trevor Ariza and Shannon Brown in such a way that he emerges as the surprise chip who can contribute a lot to the team. Placed in the starting lineup during mid-January, he has exceeded the expectations not just of the Lakers fans but even of Mike D'Antoni. He is a perfect fit in the system insofar as he is able to swish in those wing jumpers when opponents clog the post, receive passes from Kobe for quick dunks, and finish fastbreak plays, despite being a defensive liability. Given the space and the opportunity, he can grow and be an offensive weapon, but what is of more importance is his ability to defend one-on-one and help Howard guard the post. 

-Metta World Peace, to say the least, has improved offensively this season, as he has been on the receiving end of three-pointers which he can calmly sink even with a defender in front of him.However, what is asked of him is to bring back the grit that won him Defensive Player of the Year honors almost a decade ago. Plus, consistency in shooting (and even selecting the right spots to shoot) has been an issue these past 46 games or so, and thus the need to work on that, too.

-The Bench:

So far, only four people from the bench have been significant contributors for the Lakers this season. Pau Gasol has been largely inconsistent this season, but his move from the bench has made him play better, find the spots where he is comfortable, and dominate the paint... until he tore his plantar fascia which will keep him out for six weeks or so. Both Jodie Meeks and Antawn Jamison have proven themselves to be viable replacements when the big four plus one need some rest, but they are largely inconsistent and would need to establish themselves as legitimate offensive threats.Steve Blake, on the other hand, earns his minutes mainly due to necessity, because he knows all too well how to play with Kobe and Metta, but more importantly, he is a better option that either Chris Duhon or Darius Morris, who has not done anything significant as of the moment. 

II.Coaching and Team Chemistry

Despite the abundance of stars and offensive options in the team, it seems that Coach Mike D'Antoni has not yet found the perfect formulae for a playoff appearance. Up until the first half, the former Phoenix Suns coach who made the Seven-Seconds-Or-Less offense famous have been struggling to fit players into his system, rather than the other way around. He experimented with three-guard combos (Nash-Morris-Bryant), put World Peace at the four, and benched Pau Gasol because he cannot co-exist with Howard in the system. Perhaps it was by chance that he found Earl Clark as a valid starting four, and things seem to have gotten a bit better, considering the new roles Bryant, Nash, and Howard have put up for themselves. However, looking at the big picture, it looks like the Lakers have their players finding ways to survive by embracing their new roles, veering away from the rigid system that former Coach Phil Jackson has established and Coach Mike Brown has continued. Things took a drastic turnaround for the Lakers, but so far, nothing's still working.

III.Best and Worst Matches

Best Win: After being crushed twice by the Western Conference champions, the new-look Lakers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 104-95, with Kobe dishing out 14 big assists.

Worst win: The first match against the Charlotte Bobcats should be easy, but it still took a crucial block from Dwight Howard during the Bobcats' last possession for the Lakers to win the game, 101-100.

Best loss: After firing Coach Mike Brown, Bernie Bickerstaff was named interim coach before the arrival of Mike D'Antoni, and one of their biggest matches during that period was against the San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers held on to a slim lead until the fourth quarter, but they were not able to seal the game as Danny Green shot a big three over Kobe Bryant to seal the game in the Spurs' favor, 82-84.

Worst loss: The Lakers began their Grammy road trip with a match against Steve Nash's former team, the Phoenix Suns. The Purple and Gold led by as much as 18 points, but broke down during the fourth quarter. Thanks to reserve Michael Beasley, the Suns won this game, 92-86, and broke the Lakers' hopes of actually getting a long winning streak to put them above Utah and Houston, two teams that are in the 7th and 8th places respectively in the Western Conference. Worse, Dwight Howard aggravated his shoulder injury, leaving Gasol to man the post for the rest of the game.

MIDSEASON Grade: C

Points for Improvement and Recommendations:

• There will only aspect of the game which the Lakers have to take seriously: their chemistry. There is no doubt that the individuals of the team are great, even when we speak outside of Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and Dwight Howard, who are perfect one-on-one players. However, the problem remains the same all season long: the pieces cannot mold themselves into cohesive unit. There could have been improvements when Bryant decided to distribute the ball more, but almost everyone has still not found the perfect spots and areas where they can be a threat to opponents. This is precisely what the Lakers need to improve on, before everything will be too late and we'll see the most important pieces, Dwight Howard especially, leaving the team.

•  Perhaps, another thing to take note of is the fact that the Lakers actually can win should be the collective and individual mentality of everyone concerned; however, what is of utmost importance here is also the imperative to play seriously as if each game is the last. Bryant, now in the last two years of the career, certainly feels this urgency, and so is Nash, but Howard seems to not be in sync with these two. The problem with Dwight Howard is not that he's been gravely disturbed by the injuries that he is recovering from; rather, it's that he seems to not have adjusted to the way the Los Angeles Lakers have been dealing with basketball in all its 60-plus years of existence: serious on-court business. Perhaps he has to accept that he is in a team that always pressures itself to win the championship, not just by his teammates, but the whole community and fanbase of the Lakers, from the blogger to the departed Dr. Jerry Buss himself. Once he accepts that he has a crucial role and there is no time for the  inessential, then it would only be then where he would be, in the most real sense of the word, a Laker.

P&G Game 22: vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Things have gotten worse. There was no Nash, Blake, and Gasol playing for the Lakers, and Kobe and Dwight found it too much to handle, as another duo shone that night: Kyrie Irving and Anderson Varejao stepped up for the Cavaliers and gave the Lakers a 100-94 beating on the purple and gold's first of four road trips, sinking them further away from the .500 mark that they used to have just a week ago.

Yay of the Game:

42: Kobe's final score in the game, making 16 out of his 28 shots, which came alongside 5 boards and 2 dimes. Though it may be good that Kobe seems to be the only one stepping up in this depleted Laker squad, the Lakers are 1-10 when Kobe scores 30 or more.

Nay of the Game:

2: Number of points all the Lakers' PGs have combined (none for Morris, a basket for Duhon). Looks like the one spot is going to be a big problem for the Lakers, as the Steves have not yet been cleared to play.

Play of the Game:

Let's just settle and be consoled that Kobe, a 16-year pro, can still take on sophomore Kyrie Irving:


The Lakers Are Now At:

9-13 (3rd Pacific, 12th West). Lakers fans would sure want the nightmare to be over, but with the New York Knicks around, it seems that the worse is yet to come.

P&G Game 16: vs. Denver Nuggets

After that awful loss against the Indiana Pacers highlighted by a lot of missed free throws, a sick Kobe Bryant scoring 40, and a George Hill layup, the Lakers broke even and once again reached .500 as they trounced upon the Denver Nuggets, 122-103.

Yay of the Game:

17-33: the total number of threepointers the Lakers made and attempted. Reserve G Jodie Meeks led the assault from beyond the ark, making 7 of 9 markers, and together with Antawn Jamison, scored 54 points overall (Jamison scored 33 of those, making him the only bench reserve to get at least 30 points since Shaquille O'Neal did it in the late '90s). The Lakers have played well all over, making 33 of their 47 shots off assists, with the Mamba himself having 8 of those precious dimes.

Nay of the Game:

3-1-3: Darius Morris' points, rebounds, and assists. Morris has been the starting one since the Steves were out, but he was largely inconsistent during that stretch. Could he finally be dethroned by veteran guard Chris Duhon, who got 5 points and 8 assists this game?

Play of the Game:

Last year, Andrew Bynum failed to hit a three-pointer. But early this season, Dwight Howard hit his own.


The Lakers Are Now At:
8-8 (3rd Pacific, 7th West). The Purple & Gold will have to face the Orlando Magic next. Will Dwight Howard show his team that he has since moved on?


Highlights:

P&G Game 14: vs. Dallas Mavericks

After losing two straight games against the Sacramento Kings and the Memphis Grizzlies, the Lakers got their first road win against the team that handed them their first loss of the season. They scored 65 points in the first half to secure a big lead against the Dallas Mavericks, 115-89.

Yay of the Game:

19-15: Reserve forward Antawn Jamison's points and rebounds in this game, in 30 minutes of action. Jamison has been getting D'Antoni's nod since their last game against Memphis, and Lakers fans can only hope that he gets it going once Steve Nash returns and Dwight Howard is at his 100%. Lamar Odom, are you seeing this?

Nay of the Game:

7: Dwight Howard's rebounds, which is awful for someone who can consistently get a double-double. The Superman has not been getting touches for the last three games, and we wonder how he is going to assert himself once again in the league. However, he's not at his best yet, so expect more from him in the days to come.

Play of the Game:

Pau Gasol might be playing awfully for the Lakers in these past games, but here's one of those nifty plays that he does as a setting big man. Drive, dish, and let Dwight finish it.



The Lakers Are Now At:

7-7 (3rd Pacific, 8th West). The Purple & Gold have just finished their road trip by returning to the .500, and hopefully the streak continues as they face Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert's Indiana Pacers. Can they finally build a winning streak?

Highlights:

P&G Game 10: vs. Houston Rockets

Head coach Mike D'Antoni delayed bench duties because of his knee replacement. However, interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff did another good job manning the squad, as he used elements of D'Antoni's offensive system to get a huge win over the Houston Rockets, 108-119.

Yay of the Game:

22-11-11: One rare triple double from Kobe Bryant, perhaps one of his most efficient games early in the season. He made half of his buckets (9-of-18), a three out of 3 attempts, and recorded 3 steals with only 3 turnovers.

Nay of the Game: 

6-12: Dwight Howard's free throws made and attempted. If the Superman is going to be fouled more often (which is evident during the game), he has to shoot more than half of his freebies, as they would count during the dying minutes of close games, which, unfortunately, this one isn't.

Play of the Game:

Here's Metta World Peace on a football pass to Pau Gasol in the final seconds of the first quarter.


The Lakers Are Now At: 
5-5 (2nd Pacific, 8th West). The Lakers are looking good as they reach the .500 mark this season. They are going to face the Brooklyn Nets next, a team who, like them, is laden with stars. 
Highlights:

P&G Game 8: vs. San Antonio Spurs

The Lakers hoped to continue their winning ways as they were ahead during the half time, but key adjustments in the third and fourth quarter allowed the Spurs to escape with a win, 84-82, behind Danny Green's game-clinching three and Pau Gasol's missed three pointer near the end of the game.

Yay of the Game:

28-4-8: another MVP-level production for the Black Mamba, who also shot efficiently from the field (12 of 19). Kobe Bryant, alongside Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol, carried the Lakers all through out and kept them afloat, until that fateful Green three-pointer that sealed the deal for the Spurs, who struggled all night thanks to the Lakers' stellar help D, putting the clamps on their Big Ol' Three.

Nay of the Game:

3/10: Pau Gasol's FGA/FGM for the game, including the missed three pointer that could have given the Lakers the lead during the dying seconds of the game. This should be a warning sign for Gasol to get in shape offensively and use his athleticism more frequently, especially now that Mike D'Antoni's taking over and will demand a lot from him.

Play of the Game:

Mamba to Superman early in the first. Hope to see more of that once D'Antoni checks in as head coach.



The Lakers Are Now At:

3-5 (4th Pacific, 14th West). The Lakers will face the Phoenix Suns, the team that was once D'Antoni's. Bernie Bickerstaff will remain to be head coach until early next week, and Jordan Hill is listed as probable for Friday's game. Can the Lakers bounce back and win big after this close game?

Highlights:

P&G Game 7: vs. Sacramento Kings

Winning in fashion over the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers rode their momentum heading into the next game, and they took advantage of DeMarcus Cousins' absence (who is suspended for two games because of a confrontation with Spurs TV analyst Sean Eliott) by abusing them with a Howard-Gasol combo. After a close opening canto, the Lakers blew the game wide open in the second half, and eventually finished with a 103-90 win. Interim head coach Bernie Bickerstaff led the Lakers to its second straight win, moving the team an inch closer to the .500 mark.

Yay of the Game:

23-18: Dwight Howard's points and rebounds, respectively. The Superman made mincemeat of all the Kings' frontmen as he accounted for almost forty percent of the team's 50 rebounds. It was the first time that Howard was really dominant, with the offense of the Lakers hinged on him. It would be interesting if he puts up the same figures against a team that has an equally dominant big man as he is.

Nay of the Game:

18: Jimmer Fredette's markers in only 11 minutes of play. The guy can be dangerous when he hit his shots, and if the bench won't do anything to defend him during crucial possessions, then things might take a different course in the Lakers-Kings meeting (but of course, this isn't a real nay, is it?)

Play of the game:

Who says Steve Blake can't play the point? In this particular sequence, he quickly found Dwight Howard for the big jam.


The Lakers Are Now At:

3-4 (3rd Pacific, 11th West). The Purple & Gold will face their first real challenge in the post-Brown era, the San Antonio Spurs. Will the Superman stand his ground against Tim Duncan? Bernie will remain coaching the team in this game, as new head coach Mike D'Antoni (you read it right) is yet to travel to Los Angeles after a knee-replacement surgery.

Highlights:

P&G Game 6: vs. Golden State Warriors

After a 1-4 start, the Lakers management decided that things have to take a different course when they relieved Mike Brown of head coaching duties and had Bernie Bickerstaff as interim head coach while General Manager Mitch Kupchack is on a "worldwide hunt" for the next Lakers head coach (although they already have contacted former head coach and 11-time NBA champion Phil Jackson and "gauged his interest" to coach the Lakers for one more season). However, business in the court was taken care of by Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and a (limited) Dwight Howard, who barraged through the Golden State Warriors in fashion as they claimed their second victory of the season, 101-77.

Yay of the Game:

27-9-7: MVP numbers came in from the Black Mamba, sensing the urgency to get a win now that Mike Brown has been out and changes are soon to take effect. After a close first quarter, Bryant played both scorer and playmaker as he destroyed the Warriors defense not just with high-percentage baskets and pinpoint passing.

Nay of the Game:

24: The number of minutes that the foul-plagued Dwight Howard played. The Superman garnered only 6 points, 8 boards, and two big swats in this game. Fortunately, the Lakers did not demand much of him as Pau Gasol (with a 14-16 night) and Jordan Hill (14 points, 5 of 5 field goals) took care of the paint and hit big baskets.

Play of the Game:

Classic Mamba goes for the steal and a not-so-easy lay-up.

The Lakers Are Now At:

2-4 (5th Pacific, 15th West). The Lakers will next have Pacific Division rivals Sacramento Kings. Two questions: (a) with Mike Brown out, what will happen to the team on both ends? and (b) will this be Phil Jackson's first game as a returning head coach?

Highlights:

P&G Game 5: vs. Utah Jazz

Just when we thought that the Lakers will have things going after a 29-point victory against the Pistons, they fell short against the Jazz on their second road game of the season, 95-86. Kobe Bryant's supersquad did not even take a slim lead against Utah, performing awfully on both sides of the floor.

Yay of the Game:

12 rebounds did reserve C Jordan Hill haul in this game, 7 of which were on the offensive end. The Lakers got 48 boards compared to Utah's 37 (15 against 9 on the O). With  everything not going too well for the Lakers, at least they are able to grab those boards; however, what are they if all of them cannot convert?

Nay of the Game:

7 of 17 went Kobe Bryant from the field, with none of his four treys swished. After a "playmaking" performance against Detroit, the Black Mamba took the reins and tried to bring his team back into the game to no avail. Although he shot had 15 of 17 shots from the charity stripe, they were not enough as the Jazz have countered every attempt the Lakers had to bring the game closer.

Play of the Game:

At abot 1:20, the Lakers kept on crashing the boards until Superman gets an and-1.

The Lakers Are Now At:

1-4 (5th Pacific, 15th West). The Lakers will face the Golden State Warriors next, and perhaps we should replace the question: "How many losses will the Lakers tally?" with "How many losses will the Lakers tally before they decide to #FireMikeBrown ?"

P&G Game 4: vs. Detroit Pistons

Just when the Lakers have built perhaps the most powerful squad this decade, they have lost three straight games against possible playoff contenders and therefore got to their worst season start since 1978. Fortunately, they got their act together against potential cellar dwellers Detroit, as the Purple & Gold cruised towards a 29-point victory, a Schrodinger-like victory which both matters and does not matter at the same time.

Yay of the Game: 

1-3. Over and above all the statistical feats accomplished in this game (Kobe Bryant only had 15 points on 5 out of 10 shooting, but has 7 boards and 8 dimes, while Superman had 28 points, 7 boards, and 3 blocks) is the win. before this, the Lakers are 0-11 since the preseason games, and it's a nice feeling for the Kobe and the guys to finally notch a W on the standings.

Nay of the Game:

15 turnovers did the Lakers have in this game, which is a slight improvement compared to last game's 20 against the Clippers. Is it because of the Princeton offense? If that is the case, then apparently, it takes not only much practice and mastery, but more effort for the backcourt to work together as one sub-unit, or for Metta World Peace to stop mindlessly shooting the ball. The Lakers have to remember that the point of the Princeton offense is to make way for open shots and high-percentage baskets. 

Take a look at this video (from 1:15 onwards):

Best Play of the Game:

Darius Morris receives the Metta long pass and alley-oops it to Dwight Howard. Hope this happens more than once this season.

The Lakers Are Now At:

1-3 (4th Pacific, 13th West). The Purple & Gold will face the Utah Jazz, a team that beat the pulp out of all of them during the preseason. Will the Lakers keep things up, or will they return to their old turnover-prone ways?

Degrees of Separation: The 2012 NBA Western Conference Playoffs Preview

The Western Conference had to wait for all 66 games to finish before finalizing the playoff seeds. Will the playoffs be as close as the shortened regular season? Here's a good look at those competing for the title:


(1)San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Utah Jazz

The Spurs In: Despite numerous injuries that hounded the team all season long, the Spurs got back on track and into their winning ways, rendering the "DND-Old" discussion moot. In their last few games, Tony Parker has been leading the pack with those split-second drives and pinpoint passing, eventually giving opportunities for Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili to set themselves on fire as well. Plus, the role players, with the addition of Boris Diaw, Stephen Jackson, and Patrick Mills, also provided additional firepower on both ends. With a very dominant team like this, a deep penetration of the playoff tree is a must, considering that Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili are on their way to retirement after a few more years.

The Jazz In: Who says that the team's playoff appearances are over after Deron Williams' departure? Apparently, the Jazz backcourt have also established themselves pretty well. Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson constructed their own walls and weapons within the shaded area, and reserve rookie Enes Kanter can hold that fort for them. This dominance puts the pressure upon Devin Harris and the rest of the backcourt to keep up with the Jazz's bigs. Coach Tyrone Corbin surprised everyone by sealing the eight place, but would they be surprising enough to get past the first round?

What could be: The Jazz are going to be feisty and irritating, but consistency will win it all for San Antonio. Spurs in 6.

(4) Memphis Grizzlies vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers

The Grizzlies In: Thanks to the Clippers falling out in the closing games of the season, the Grizzlies have now returned to the playoffs with their first home court advantage in years. Most of their power comes from the young ones, and they have the dominant ones like Marc Gasol, OJ Mayo, and Rudy Gay to prove it. But then, one should not easily dismiss the impact and influence that veteran(s) Zach Randolph (and Gilbert Arenas?) has (have) to these kids. Once they play perfectly like they did in last year's playoffs, then fans of the Clippers, the Spurs, and even the Jazz ought to be very scared of them.

The Clippers In: Just about time that they are about to close in on the Pacific Division lead, it was then that they fell short, even letting go of the number 4 spot which they previously had a firm grip on. It was on those games that Chris Paul and Blake Griffin failed to close out games, somehow proving the point of the doubters that Staples Center not donned in purple and gold will remain nothing but Lob City. Will getting deep into the playoffs remain to be a far cry for Chris Paul, as far as the distance from the charity stripe to the hoop is for Blake Griffin?

What could be: Experience is key for Memphis, and if they can tap into that, then Paul and Griffin would need to pack their bags and think of something else outside the walls of Lob City. Grizzlies in 7.

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks

The Thunder In: One can say that Kevin Durant and his team can be excused for the Laker loss, most probably because World Peace took a toll an James Harden. But then, this is just part of the bigger picture, one where the Thunder failed to win against playoff teams in their last few games. Also, they have given up on what could have been a home court advantage all through out the playoffs. But of course, Durant's third scoring title and Westbrook's huge improvement in playing the point says otherwise.

The Mavericks In: The Mavericks have swallowed their bitter pill in this season, perhaps due to the hangover from the party that was so 2011. First, they lost in the Tyson Chandler bid, who went to the Knicks after winning a ring. Second, they found themselves in a slump until the middle of the season, which questioned their ability to repeat or at least make it deep into the playoffs. And third, they did not receive the former Sixth Man of the Year, but just a player who felt very bitter after a canceled trade. Now as an team of veterans facing a bunch of agile kids hungry for a title, the Mavericks might need to regain their hunger for another title.

What could be: One word: domination. Durant and Westbrook would prove to much for the Mavericks, and Defensive Player of the Year candidate Serge Ibaka will get his biggest playoff break ever. Thunder in 6.


(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Denver Nuggets

The Lakers In: Even though they are still in the rebuilding process, the Lakers have shown that they can still be dominant. Andrew Bynum has finally emerged out of his shell, and the acquisition of Ramon Sessions added something that was clearly lacking during the past seasons, namely a competitive and agile point guard ready to run with the other members of the Purple and Gold backcourt. In the last few games, the Lakers have performed considerably well, playing decently even with Kobe in the stands and assisting Mike Brown with coaching duties, and in his return, beating the dominant Oklahoma City Thunder in overtime, despite losing big to the San Antonio Spurs twice in the span of a week. In fact, momentarily losing World Peace might not be too much of an issue for them, as long as Matt Barnes and Devin Ebanks enter the court ready to defend anyone and score when given the opportunity to do so.

The Nuggets In: To place a bunch of guys whose brand of basketball is sheer teamwork in the sixth place would be underrating them. Coach George Karl had his own problems with his teams, especially with injuries, in this season, and yet they still have managed to clinch a playoff berth in the post-Carmelo Anthony era. And of course, winning would depend on Danilo Gallinari, with role players Kenneth Fareid, the experienced Al Harrington, and Ty Lawson, who perhaps will be their most important piece against a Lakers team that would prefer half-court sets than fastbreak baskets on the defensive end.

What could be: The playoffs bring out the inner strength of the Lakers, and we will see how dominant Andrew Bynum can be when Kobe and Gasol play at their best. Lakers in 6.

Breakdowns, Defense, & The Big Heartbreak

0-3

Ninety-eight teams have already faced this problem, and none of them have ever climbed out of it and escape with a big game seven win (according to SilverScreen&Roll, only three teams were able to force a game seven). With history going against the Lakers, it might be sufficient to say that they're almost screwed. One wrong move in the last games, and it'll be over for them, thus ending Phil Jackson's coaching career with a big loss.

But looking at that little bright spot in the dark tunnel, what are the things that the Lakers need to do to, at least, survive the shame of being swept? Here are some quick points that they need to take seriously

Defensive Adjustments

We have seen how the Lakers execute adjustments in Game 3 to avoid elimination, and they have become successful in the first three quarters. They were able to properly defend the paint and kept Nowitzki and Chandler outside). However, the Mavericks killed the Lakers through streaky three-point shooting, thanks to Dirk and former Sacramento King Peja Stojakovic (who seems to bear some kind of grudge against the Lakers from beating the Kings back in '01). L.A. left a lot of wide open three-pointers, especially in the last stretch of the game, including the one Stojakovic nailed off a pass from a triple-teamed Dirk Nowitzki.

This is definitely a call to flexibility. The backcourt has to move more often, make better decisions on switching and shifting defenses and always make sure that there's a hand to raise against the shooter. Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher need to do that a lot, and hopefully their legs don't give up in the process.

Late Game Management

In Game 1, the Lakers were holding a good 16-point lead, until they broke down in the second half and gave the Mavericks the win after a Kobe Bryant miss. Game 2 could have been a good game if not for the messy third quarter. Finally, Game 3 could have been a win if not for the lousy way the Lakers handled the final three minutes.

Last year, the Lakers were the greatest closers of the game. This year, they were the greatest that can be closed. And what goes wrong this time was their defense. Sure, they can force missed shots in the first three quarters, but the observable pattern in these last three games was that they gave up too much points in the fourth, coupled with early penalty. In game 3, the Lakers were in the penalty as early as six minutes before the end of the fourth quarter, and as a result, the Mavs were able to score without the time running, something that the Lakers should keep going when having an early lead.

Instead, they executed "comfort plays," where they score and sprint off, hoping to get another one just in case Dallas gets to score. Well, get this, the Lakers did that except that Lamar Odom wasn't able to tie the game, and eventually get a road win. Perhaps the solution is simple. The Lakers should tighten their defenses and stop tit-for-tatting in the final canto. They have to deny those baskets like they did in the first three quarters. Just make it consistent, and things will work out.

Wise Aggression

One factor that the Lakers can't definitely control are the foul calls (unless, you know, stakes are higher and the refs could be controlling the game, but everyone would doubt that). Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum drew 2 early fouls apiece, and it limited their playing time, which could have been utilized to extend the leads. Likewise, Fisher's foul on Jason Terry enabled them to seal the game, and the only thing that the Lakers (and fans) can do is wince and hope that it wouldn't be the end on Monday.

Smart defense is what the Lakers need, and most of the time, Ron Artest knows this. They have to check their man well and figure out a way to not get called for a foul. It's not the easy thing to do, but it's something necessary, and they have to figure that out.

Frontcourt Adjustments

Everyone has their eyes on Pau Gasol, for he is not being himself during the whole playoffs. He did not become the dangerous Spanish Armada as he was during the past two years, and Dirk is definitely owning him on both sides.

Despite Bynum and Odom doing well, Gasol is still the barometer of the Lakers, and if he does not do well in distracting the defense, then the Lakers lose another game, which was the case during the past nine playoff games. If the Lakers need to win four games, then four games should Gasol find his post, beat Nowitzki on the block, and score.

On the other hand, Bynum and Odom need to be careful in terms of defending and choosing where to shoot. They have to force the ball in and draw fouls instead of shooting six-foot blanks. And they need to do this always, and consistently. Once they get Nowitzki and/or Chandler to foul trouble, then the paint would not be a problem in terms of offense.

The Verdict?

Lakers fans would of course hope for a miracle. But then, let's be realistic here. Going back to the start, it's hard to win from an 0-3 hole.

But as Coach Phil Jackson says, it's difficult but not impossible. Very difficult, actually.

The Lakers now have the pressure to consistently enforce these things and avoid late game blunders, and these should be done in four straight games. It's a real challenge, but perhaps the toughest in the Lakers history. It is the greatest challenge Kobe Bryant and his squad has to face since the Boston Celtics.

And it all boils down, in these four games, to this: Can these guys do it? Let's just hope they can. We want to make the series more exciting.

Examining Possibilities: The NBA 2nd Round Preview

Upsets and surprises? Let's see what we have for the next phase of the playoffs.

THE WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

Oklahoma City Thunder (4) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (8)

The Thunder In: Despite taking a quick five games to make it into the next round, the Thunder's trip in the first round wasn't easy. The Denver Nuggets still continued chasing for them in all of these games, as they kept the game tight with only close, single-digit leads. Can Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook (who had bad shooting problems in the series) carry over this same intensity and determination against another young team who can keep up with them?

The Grizzlies In: It's quite unbelievable that the Grizzlies were able to eliminate the top-seeded Spurs in six games, getting a 3-1 lead early in the series, many thanks to Zach Randolph. The burly Grizzlies veteran greatly helped the team not only by scoring crucial baskets and grabbing those boards, he was also able to draw defenders that allowed space for Marc Gasol, Darrell Arthur, and Grievis Vazques to get their own touches. Their success in this series largely depends on how fluid their offense can get.

What Could Be: Simply put, the Thunder will be too much for the Grizzlies, mostly because of their down-the-wire game experience. Thunder in 6.

Los Angeles Lakers (2) vs. Dallas Mavericks

The Lakers In: Kobe Bryant and his squad of three-peat candidates may have started slow, but their performance against the Hornets in Game 6 had everyone thinking that they can still get the championship trophy with their trademark offense and outstanding defense. The question now is whether they can maintain that level of play against a much more difficult team that could cancel out the advantages shown by Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum against New Orleans.

The Mavericks In: Credit has to be given where it is due, and the Mavericks' dismantling of the seemingly difficult Portland Trailblazers in six games is praiseworthy. Their offense has been outstanding, with Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry finding his spots, while Tyson Chandler has been a big help inside the paint in terms of defending the point. As they enter the second round, they have to get off that playoff slump and play at a more competitive level against a championship team that can pull more tricks than the Trailblazers.

What Could Be: It's hard and tiring to just try beating the Lakers, and the Mavs won't be just able to handle them. Lakers in 7.

THE EASTER CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

Chicago Bulls (1) vs. Atlanta Hawks (5)

The Bulls In: Chicago fashionably finished off a young and versatile Indiana team who ran out of gas in their final game, and they did this with DerrickRose enduring the pain of an ankle surgery. With the soon-to-be-crowned MVP taking the lead and running the game on both sides for the Bulls, what they need to do is to do the right adjustments, most especially in defense, where they need to fill in the holes that allowed Indiana to score and even escape with a win. Can they do just that against a hungry Hawks squad?

The Hawks In: With Kirk Hinrich out for the rest of the series, life could get a bit more difficult for these young Hawks. Obviously, someone needs to step up and play the role of a playmaker AND a scorer who can easily shoot from the outside and scatter the defense, enough for Al Horford and Josh Smith to penetrate and easily score.

What Could Be: With one man down for Atlanta, it would be hard to defend against and defeat Chicago. Bulls in 5.

Miami Heat (2) vs. Boston Celtics (3)

The Heat In: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, ended their first round series in fashion, scoring off threes to cancel the extra efforts exerted by Andre Iguodala's Sixers in game 5. So far, they have been very consistent despite a few lapses in defense, with Chris Bosh stepping up and hitting outside jumpers to keep them afloat all through out. It seems that all will work out, but can they use this against a Boston team that has too much D on them?

The Celtics In: Aiming for their third finals appearance in four years, Boston returns to the second round with the same playoff energy that they had from the start. Dismantling Amar'e' Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony's New York Knicks have shown that it is good strategy on the D gives them the wins that they need to reach the Finals. With a new set of personnel on the bench, amidst facing problems in filling in the five position, can they still hold on and advance to the Finals against a Miami team that is hard to stop?

What Could Be: Although the Heat had been very good, they still need to really work things around to get through an experienced Boston team. Celtics in 7.