LAKERS06-07|8-2|LOCKOUT ENDS

[Isaiah]

CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT OCCURED:


-Edited my roster file
-accidentally OVERWROTE my dynasty!!!! (8-7)
-Started a new one (Lakers too)
-traded George and Wafer for Fisher
-Kobe started the All-Star game
-Bynum entered the rookie challenge
-the team finished 7-22 (28th worst record)
-didnt make playoffs
-ended up with #2 pick in the lottery
-picked the projected #2 pick (will do an article about him later)=rated 71
-now time to start the new season...

wow..im really unlucky with dynasties

[Isaiah]

LAKERS SEASON PREVIEW

EL SEGUNDO-It is another season of Lakers basketball. A newly purchased practice court worth millions (props to Andreas Dahl) was installed at the Toyota Training Center in El Segundo to pave the way for a brand new season.

Coming off a horrendous 7-22 season in 2005-2006, missing the playoffs for the second straight year, the Los Angeles Lakers have not made any major roster moves in the offseason. After not re-signing Devin Green and Slava Medvedenko, it was clear that Lakers GM Isaiah Cruz was looking forward to the top prospects in the NBA Draft.

Armed with the No. 2 overall pick, LA selected Puerto Rican Sadiku Boyes, a 6’2” shooting guard out of Boston University after the Charlotte Bobcats selected Moroccan shooting guard Tabari West. Both were scouted closely by the Lakers, with both guards getting high grades for their shooting. Boyes was introduced today along with the rest of his teammates who have made the final roster.


Boyes shows his range

Kobe Bryant seems to be excited about the kid.

“He faced me during the rookie scouting period,” Bryant said. “Played me good. I hope he doesn’t get nervous out there.”

Phil Jackson, who hasn’t been very fond of playing rookies, says he might change his mind.

“He’s eager to learn,” Jackson said. “I like what I see in him.”

Derek Fisher, who wore number 5 last season, goes back to his old Lakers number 2 and seems all pumped up to start a fresh season with the Lakers.


Fisher returns to number 2

“Its really tough to play when your traded in the middle of a season,” he said, referring to the midseason trade which saw Von Wafer and Devean George get shipped to Golden State.

“Last season’s show will not happen again,” Bryant confidently said. “We will make the playoffs.”

Will this statement by the All-Star be true?

The Lakers play two preseason games; against the Bobcats and Clippers.

LAKERS FINAL CUT:
Chris Mihm
Kwame Brown
Lamar Odom
Kobe Bryant
Derek Fisher
Sadiku Boyes (R)
Smush Parker
Luke Walton
Brian Cook
Sasha Vujacic
Ronny Turiaf
Andrew Bynum

[Fresh8]

Good luck man!

[Isaiah]

Good luck man!

thanks..hows yours coming along?

[Isaiah]

LAKERS OPEN PRESEASON WITH A BANG


Bryant showed Tabari West that he's too young.

LOS ANGELES-The Los Angeles Lakers hope they can play this way the entire season. Kobe Bryant scored 21 points, dished out 8 assists and pulled down 4 rebounds to lead a very balanced scoring attack for a 95-77 preseason win over the Charlotte Bobcats.

Charlotte was able to cut the deficit to eight, 77-69 when the Lakers emptied their bench, but once Coach Phil Jackson reinserted his starters the game became out of reach.

Kwame Brown had 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks, Derek Fisher scored 11 points and Chris Mihm scored 10 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and had 4 assists. Other players did not score in double figures but had solid games like Lamar Odom’s 9 points and 11 rebounds, Smush Parker’s 9 points, Brian Cook’s 7 points and 8 rebounds, second year player Andrew Bynum’s 7 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and number 2 overall pick Sadiku Boyes’ 7 points.

Brevin Knight led the Bobcats with 26 points and 6 assists, But number 1 overall pick Tabari West’s 15 points and Emeka Okafor’s 13 points and 10 rebounds were the only other significant contributions.

This game was supposed to preview the matchup between West and Boyes, the top two picks in the draft, but there was no spark whatsoever.

“Just the preseason maybe,” Boyes said.

“I don’t really care about matchups or whatever,” West said.


No spark was lit, but expect the two to get it on during the regular season.

The Lakers were up 75-55 when Jackson sent the bench in. Charlotte seized the opportunity and started to rally, until the deficit was only eight.

Bryant told Jackson to put the starters back in and that’s exactly what he did, and Brown and Mihm’s blocks stopped the Charlotte run.

[Fresh8]

thanks..hows yours coming along?

- I'd love you to come in and check it out!

And anyways... sucks D George is gone.. but D Fish is cool too!

Shoulda kept George, Fish and Kobster all together!

[KB24]

Whats ur starting 5?

[Isaiah]

Whats ur starting 5?

C-Chris Mihm
PF-Kwame Brown
SF-Lamar Odom
SG-Kobe Bryant
PG-Derek Fisher

6-Smush Parker (Fisher's main sub)
7-Sadiku Boyes (Kobe's main sub)
8- Luke Walton (Odom's main sub, Kobe's second sub)
9- Brian Cook (Brown's sub)
10- Sasha Vujacic (Fisher's second sub)
11- Ronny Turiaf (Brown's second sub)
12- Andrew Bynum (Mihm's main sub)

[pauleninas]

Boyes can shoot?
What is his 3 point shooting?

[Isaiah]

it was scouted B, its like 71..but he can really hit it when hes open!

[Isaiah]

CLIPS HOLD OFF LAKERS IN FURIOUS BATTLE OF LA


Bryant looks for his Lakers to put on a show this season, but of course he will have his individual highlights.

LOS ANGELES-Both teams wore their home uniforms, to show that both teams did reside in Downtown Los Angeles and neither was the “visiting” team.

Both teams fought hard to the end, but one emerged the victor. Clippers rookie Alton Murray hit a crucial layup with 1:32 left to give his team a five point edge, as the Los Angeles Clippers were able to hold off the Los Angeles Lakers’ 11th hour rally to hand their cross-town rivals a 101-98 loss.

The Clips were up 88-77 before Kobe Bryant went on a tear, hitting a four-point play, a layup, finishing a three point play and throwing down a dunk to cut the lead to 93-88. The Clippers turned the ball over, and Bryant found Chris Mihm under the basket for a layup with 1:48 left to cut the deficit to 93-90.

However, Murray’s difficult layup while colliding with Kwame Brown gave the Clippers the advantage and deflected all the Lakers’ momentum. Bryant would make another three-pointer to cut the lead to two, but timely free throws from Vladimir Radmonovic did the Lakers in. Bryant hit two more free throws after a Derek Fisher layup to cut the lead to 99-96 with 8.3 seconds left, but Livingston hit two free throws to seal the win. Kobe missed a three-pointer and Brown hit a layup at the buzzer to set the score.

Bryant led the Lakers with 36 points and 7 assists but Chris Mihm, Andrew Bynum and Derek Fisher were the only others in double figures with 11. Mihm also added 4 blocks while Fisher added 3 assists. Lamar Odom struggled with only 6 points and 4 rebounds, Brian Cook had a bad night with only 2 points and 3 rebounds and Smush Parker also had a bad game with only 4 points.


Boyes showed some promise against the Clippers.

But the Lakers’ hopes were high for the future. Bynum, the number 10 overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, had 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks for LA while Sadiku Boyes scored 9 points and dished out 3 assists and had 1 block.

Cuttino Mobley, who absolutely killed the Lakers with endless drives to the basket, finished with 25 points, Elton Brand had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Livingston had 18 points and 6 assists and Radmonovic had 12 points and 7 rebounds. Murray had 7 points.

This is the preseason finale for both teams.

[KIG1]

wow sick picture of kobe, and Boyes is lookin good

keep it up

[Isaiah]

wow sick picture of kobe, and Boyes is lookin good

keep it up

thanks, although BOyes needs more training on every other aspect of his game

[KB24]

Damn Clippers...

[pauleninas]

Tough loss, GL next game.

Where are the box scores?

[Isaiah]

Tough loss, GL next game.

Where are the box scores?

its just exhibition games...so i can get a feel of the roster and work our rotations...ill start my dynasty within the week...

thanks for the continued support guys! hope ill be able to finally end a season completely playing through it!

[Isaiah]

BEHIND THE SCENES: SEASON PREPARATION

"Team's leaving tomorrow," 17-year old Lakers GM Isaiah Cruz said. "Might as well be at the practice."

He was at his home in 2122 Toscanini Drive down in Rancho Palos Verdes, reviewing the transactions he has made over the offseason. He took the disastrous, inconsistent team made by Mitch Kupchak and made some moves, getting Derek Fisher in exchange for the shoot first-pass never Von Wafer and the inconsistent Devean George, did not re-sign Slava Medvedenko and the turnover-happy Devin Green and lastly drafted a consistent player with the most awkward name. He also stressed the development of Chris Mihm, Kwame Brown and Andrew Bynum, refusing to trade them. So far, the results have been good.

His cellphone rang. It was Phil Jackson.

"Hey Isaiah I wanna discuss some things with you today at practice before we leave tomorrow for Orlando."
"Sure I'll be there, just about to leave now."

Hmmm...Orlando..our 1st game this year, Isaiah thought.

When he arrived at practice, scrimmages were just starting. A Kobe Bryant-led team composed of himself, Kwame Brown, Derek Fisher, Luke Walton and Chris Mihm against a Lamar Odom-led team with Smush Parker, Brian Cook, Andrew Bynum and Sadiku Boyes.

"Offense looks great," Isaiah said. "Good ball movement."

"Defense has been slightly bad, though."

It was Phil Jackson.

"Bad game against the Clips the other day. Anyways I wanted to discuss with you how were going to deal with the Orlando Magic, energy-wise."

"What do you mean?" Isaiah said.

"I mean this-it looks like our guys have been slacking during practice while the Magic has been working hard with their new young players..."

The discussion went on, so did lengthy debates on the rotations.

"Oh well," Jackson finally said. "I'll just play it by ear. You'll travel with the team?"

"Probably."

[KB24]

nice man!

[KIG1]

nice writings, hope that you do good

[Isaiah]

LAKERS WIN SEASON OPENER


Bryant repeats over Howard.

-BOX SCORE-
LAKERS
MAGIC

ORLANDO-The Los Angeles Lakers survived a late rally by the Orlando Magic and was able to pull off a 95-85 season-opening win.

Kobe Bryant led the way with 26 points and 8 assists, rookie Sadiku Boyes had 14 points off the bench, Derek Fisher had 12 points, shooting 4-of-5 from downtown.

Kwame Brown had 10 points and 10 rebounds while Lamar Odom had 10 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Chris Mihm also had solid numbers with 8 points and 7 rebounds and Smush Parker had 7 points and 4 assists.

Jameer Nelson led Orlando with 17 points, but shot a horrendous 7-of-39 from the field. DeShawn Stevenson had 15 points, Dwight Howard had 13 and 12 rebounds, Darko Milicic had 12 and Grant Hill struggled with 11, shooting 3-of-10 from the floor.

The game started out flat, both teams missing, until Hill scored the 1st basket on a fastbreak dunk. Derek Fisher responded with a three-pointer, his 1st shot attempt, for a 3-2 lead. However the Magic would then open a 10-3 lead, and would eventually end the quarter on top 26-17.

However, as the number 2 overall pick Boyes entered and provided a spark that cut down Orlando’s lead to 26-23. Dwight Howard scored on a dunk that made it 28-23, and from there LA would go on an 11-3 run to take the lead for good. The Lakers out-scored the Magic in the quarter, 29-11.

Later in the game, Boyes scored on a fast break layup to extend the Laker lead to 77-60, but the Magic was able go on a run and cut it down to 83-75.

“Little scare,” Bryant said. “But we were able to compose ourselves down the stretch.”


PHOTOS
Fisher opens the season
Jameer Nelson jumper
The Hill of old
Boyes shows what being a number 2 overall pick really is about
Dwight Howard blocks Odom

[KIG1]

I think i have found a new favorite EA rookie in Sadiku Boyes

[Isaiah]

I think i have found a new favorite EA rookie in Sadiku Boyes

thanks! this guy is really efficient...I HOPE HE GETS ROOKIE OF THE MONTH...or even ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!!!

[Isaiah]

OFFSEASON TRANSACTIONS

Here is a look back some big signings and trades that took place during the 2006 offseason:


The LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS signed center JOEL PRYZBILLA to a 2-year, $4.62 million contract.

The NEW ORLEANS-OKLAHOMA CITY HORNETS signed center JELANI McCOY to a 3-year, $10.76 million contract.

The TORONTO RAPTORS signed forward KEITH VAN HORN to a 5-year, $34.09 million contract.

The NEW ORLEANS-OKLAHOMA CITY HORNETS signed guard Dajuan Wagner to a 3-year, $10.76 million contract.

The CHARLOTTE BOBCATS signed forward MIKE DUNLEAVY, terms of the deal were not released.

The SEATTLE SUPERSONICS have traded DANNY FORTSON to the ORLANDO MAGIC in exchange for HEDO TURKOGLU.

The GOLDEN STATE WARRIORShave traded IKE DIOGU to the PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS in exchange for MARTELL WEBSTER.

THE OFFSEASON'S MAIN TRADE:

The SEATTLE SUPERSONICS have traded RASHARD LEWIS to the GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS in exchange for JASON RICHARDSON.

[KIG1]

damn Rashard for JRich, that was a big deal. Sonics win it tho

[air_edwards23]

yo are u playin this on Xbox 360?