LAKERS 2-0 KINGS| Lakers blow by Kings in Game 2

[Isaiah]

LA Lakers 2006-2007
presented by:


(FANTASY DRAFT)

LAKERS 2006-2007 ROSTER:

CURRENT ROSTER:

C-LaMarcus Aldridge
PF-Kenyon Martin
SF-Josh Howard
SG-Kobe Bryant
PG-Steve Nash
6-JR Smith
7-Tyrus Thomas
8-Andreson Varejao
9-Jordan Farmar
10-Rasual Butler
11-Andrew Bynum
12-Leon Powe
13-Allan Ray

[Isaiah]

LAKERS SCHEDULE

UPCOMING GAMES:

vs. DENVER
(49-29)


vs. HOUSTON
(31-48)

vs. NEW ORLEANS/OKLAHOMA CITY
(38-42)

[Jing]

Good to have you back again man, but your images are broken

[Isaiah]

RACE TO THE PLAYOFFS...

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. LA LAKERS-x (61-18)
2. DENVER-x (49-29)
3. LA CLIPPERS-x (44-37)
4. MEMPHIS-x (38-42)
5. SACRAMENTO-x (41-38)
6. GOLDEN STATE (38-38)
7. PORTLAND (38-41)
8. NEW ORLEANS (38-42)
-----
9. DALLAS (37-42)

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. CLEVELAND-x (63-16)
2. BOSTON-x (58-20)
3. DETROIT-x (53-25)
4. ATLANTA-x (49-30)
5. CHICAGO-x (48-31)
6. NEW JERSEY (41-37)
7. NEW YORK (38-40)
8. ORLANDO (38-42)
-----
9. PHILADELPHIA (37-41)
10. CHARLOTTE (37-42)

x-clinched playoff berth

[Isaiah]

HOW THE TEAM WAS BUILT...

LOS ANGELES-With the Lakers holding the second-best record in the NBA and the top seed in the Western Conference, and its playoff roster set, the Los Angeles Times gives its readers a recap on how THIS team was built.

It all started when David Stern announced that there would be a massive roster shakeup, the first of its kind. He announced that there would be a draft held, with each and every player up for grabs. The Lakers made their way to the top pick in the first round, and selected Kobe Bryant. They got lucky in the second round, and picked up point guard Steve Nash. Together, the two form the top notch backcourt in the NBA, rivaling Cleveland's tandem of Tracy McGrady and Jason Kidd. Here is a recap of their draft picks:


1-Kobe Bryant
2-Steve Nash
3-Josh Howard
4-Al Harrington
5-LaMarcus Aldridge
6-Tyrus Thomas
7-JR Smith
8-Chris Duhon
9-Andrew Bynum
10-Jordan Farmar
11-Anderson Varejao
12-Allan Ray


They started the season strong, but Lakers coach Phil Jackson and Lakers GM Isaiah Cruz noticed poor play with some of its players, and changes and trades would need to be made. Also noticed was chemistry issues, and the front office sought out to get the players who were capable of co-existing with each other. In additon, injuries also hampered this team along the way, and emergency free agent aquisitions were needed. Here is a recap of the transactions that occured during the regular season:

LAKERS TRANSACTIONS

NOVEMBER:
-LAKERS SIGN LEE NAILON FOR 932K FOR 1 YEAR
-LAKERS TRADE AL HARRINGTON TO THE DENVER NUGGETS FOR ETAN THOMAS

DECEMBER:
-LAKERS SIGN TRENTON HASSELL FOR 865K FOR 1 YEAR

FEBRUARY:
-LAKERS SIGN LEON POWE FOR 412K FOR 1 YEAR
-LAKERS TRADE CHRIS DUHON, LEE NAILON, ETAN THOMAS TO THE SACRAMENTO KINGS IN EXCHANGE FOR KENYON MARTIN
-LAKERS TRADE TRENTON HASSELL TO THE MIAMI HEAT FOR 1ST ROUND PICK

APRIL:
-LAKERS SIGN RASUAL BUTLER FOR 798K FOR 1 YEAR

[Isaiah]

Good to have you back again man, but your images are broken

hey thanks..yeah ill fix the images and "graphic presentation" of this one much later on...and im still thinking on how i should do the recaps this time.

[Isaiah]

LAKERS LEADERS

SCORING:
1. Kobe Bryant (24.1)
2. Steve Nash (18.1)
3. Josh Howard (15.7)
4. Kenyon Martin (14.0)
5. LaMarcus Aldridge (12.6)

REBOUNDS:
1. Kenyon Martin (7.9)
2. Josh Howard (7.6)
3. LaMarcus Aldridge (7.2)
4. Kobe Bryant (4.6)
5. Anderson Varejao (4.1)

ASSISTS:
1. Steve Nash (6.9)
2. Kobe Bryant (6.5)
3. Josh Howard (3.4)
4. LaMarcus Aldridge (2.6)
5. Kenyon Martin (1.8)

[Isaiah]

LAKERS vs. NUGGETS
GAME UPDATE:


LOS ANGELES-The Los Angeles Lakers began their 3 game homestand, their last 3 games of the season, against the Denver Nuggets.

The Lakers led by 11 at halftime, but the Nuggets, led by Vince Carter's 15 3rd-quarter points, took a 79-77 lead with 20.3 seconds left in the quarter. The teams ended the quarter tied 79-79.

[Cornerthree]

Fast-forward you say.. I kinda like it. A very good season for you, looks like you're making the finals this year, should be interesting... I'm watching this...

[Isaiah]

KOBE LEADS LAKERS RALLY PAST NUGGETS

BOX SCORE
LAKERS
NUGGETS

LOS ANGELES-The best record in the Western Conference belongs to Los Angeles, but the Denver Nuggets were not intimidated. Trailing 57-46 at halftime, they embarked on a furious comeback, tying the score at 79-79 at the end of the third quarter, and eventually taking a 91-83 lead in the 4th.


Kobe knifes his way inside for the slam.

However, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant wouldn't just allow this "meaningless" game to slip away. With LA trailing 102-98 with 1:46 left in the game, Bryant the rest of Los Angeles' points in a 14-4 Kobe run on all kinds of layups and drives to steal the win for the Lakers, 112-106, who remained unbeaten in the month of April.

Bryant hit two layups in a row to tie the score at 102-102, prompting Nuggets coach George Karl to burn a timeout. Ron Artest gave Denver the lead back 104-102 with 1:18 remaining on a turnaround jumper. With 1:11 left, Keyon Dooling intercepted Steve Nash's pass and was fouled in frustration, but missed both free throws, allowing Bryant to tie the game again on a layup with 57.7 seconds left in the game.

After a Nuggets miss, Kenyon Martin grabbed the rebound and passed ahead to Bryant whose layup gave LA the lead, 106-104. After Keyon Dooling missed a layup, Nash ran the ball and fed Kobe Bryant on the baseline, who drove and threw down a reverse jam with 30.2 seconds left in the game.

Kobe ended the game with 48 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists. Kenyon Martin was the only other Laker in double figures with 25 points and 9 rebounds. Steve Nash struggled in this game, scoring 9 points with 6 assists, on 3-of-10 shooting.

"He's just the best player in the world," Nash said. "He just willed us back into the game. We all thought it was a meaningless game because we already had the best record in the West secured, but no, he just wouldn't allow us to lose. And, yeah, we realized it. We can't play this way if we are to succeed in the playoffs."

Vince Carter led the Nuggets with 30 points before fouling out. Ron Artest and Keyon Dooling scored 28 points apiece.


Vince Carter posterizes Leon Powe.


"Kobe's all-around game is great," Carter said after the game. "No one from the Nuggets could stop him in the 4th. He gets my vote."

Bryant and LA Clipper Jermaine O'Neal are locked in a very tight race for the MVP award.

"Jermaine is just having a fine season," Bryant said. "I just have to accept it, whether I get the award or not, and go for the ultimate goal-the ring."


NOTES: The Lakers are now 10-0 in April...Injured starting forward Josh Howard could return to the Lakers lineup at the start of the playoffs.

[Isaiah]

deleted

[Cornerthree]

Wow nice numbers by Kobe and Martin, keep it up and you'll enter the playoffs on fire!

EDIT. Fix the links man...

[Isaiah]

Wow nice numbers by Kobe and Martin, keep it up and you'll enter the playoffs on fire!

EDIT. Fix the links man...

thanks for the support! yeah gonna fix the Denver box score just noticed it now, but thanks for the head up

EDIT: i fixed the link to Denver's box score

[Martti.]

It's fun to see a nr. 15 in the Nuggets.
Good Luck in the playoffs!

[Jing]

LOL VC is playing for the Denver Nuggets.

That backcourt of Nash and Bryant has to be like one of the ultimate backcourts. Your drafted team is fairly good, can't believe Nash fell to your second pick. Your team isn't overly powerful or anything, pretty balanced out, with extremely experienced backcourt and young frontcourt.

[Isaiah]

LOL VC is playing for the Denver Nuggets.

That backcourt of Nash and Bryant has to be like one of the ultimate backcourts. Your drafted team is fairly good, can't believe Nash fell to your second pick. Your team isn't overly powerful or anything, pretty balanced out, with extremely experienced backcourt and young frontcourt.

i actually couldn't believe it myself that i got Nash with the second pick. then i still couldn't believe i got Josh Howard with my 3rd pick! yeah my goal was to balance this team out, make everyone have a specific role. looks like its working!

[Isaiah]

The Los Angeles Times has released a quick synopsis on tonight's game against the Houston Rockets!

[Isaiah]

GAME UPDATE

LAKERS ATTACK THE HOOP, LEAD BIG AT HALFTIME

LOS ANGELES- The Los Angeles Lakers jumped right out of the gate and raced to a blistering 13-0 lead, and after a Houston rally to tie it 24-24, LA constantly attacked the rim and finished, extending their lead to what it is now: a 56-39 halftime lead.

Kobe Bryant is leading the attack with 15 points and 6 assists, Kenyon Martin scored 10 points, and JR Smith had 9 points, all in the second quarter.

Smush Parker, who started at point guard in a last-minute lineup change, committed 2 first quarter fouls, and Manu Ginobili followed him to the bench with 3 fouls. Despite that, Ginobili was able to score 11 points and Parker chipped in 7.

Ben Wallace is the main man for the Rockets at the half with 6 points and 11 rebounds.

LA shot 21-of-32 from the field in the first half while Houston shot 14-of-39.

[Isaiah]

LAKERS
ROCKETS


LAKERS EASILY BLOW BY ROCKETS

LOS ANGELES- No sweat.

For the starters at least.

Los Angeles built a 26-point lead in the 3rd quarter which blew the game open, and was able to hold off a late mini-rally by the Rockets to pull off a 93-81 win as they approach the end of the regular season.


Steve Nash looks to pass to JR Smith.

Kobe Bryant had a double-double of 17 points and 10 assists, leading four Lakers in double figures in a very balanced effort. Kenyon Martin scored 17, JR Smith scored 12 off the bench and Steve Nash had 11.

Phil Jackson was pleased that the starters didn't have to exert that much effort in this game, as his team heads for the playoffs.

"I didn't want them to exert too much effort tonight," Jackson said. "I just wanted to keep them warm, active."

Manu Ginobili led the Rockets scoring with 24, and his backcourt mate Smush Parker scored 20. However, both were in foul trouble and shot poorly the entire game.


INJURY UPDATES:

Lakers starting center LaMarcus Aldridge has been slowed by injury lately, and it has showed in his production. Against Houston, he scored only 4 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in only 8 minutes.

This has given more minutes for backup center Andrew Bynum, who scored 9 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.

Aldridge suffered the injury against the Indiana Pacers, and a prognosis said the injury would last 13 days.

After the game, Lakers forward Josh Howard made his return to the lineup after a 9-game absence. While out, forward Tyrus Thomas took his place in the starting lineup. Thomas is reportedly happy to be going back to the bench.

"I'm not a starter," he said.

[Isaiah]

LAKERS SNEAK OUT OF SEASON FINALE AGAINST FIRST ROUND OPPONENTS

BOX SCORE
LAKERS
HORNETS


Kobe and the Lakers rampaged through the Western Conference, entering as the No. 1 seed.


LOS ANGELES- Steve Nash hit a 3-pointer with 1:07 left to put the Lakers up 103-97, and his team held off a tough Hornets team for a 109-107 victory in their regular season finale.

The Hornets will fly home tomorrow but will return to Los Angeles for Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs against these same Lakers. If tonight’s game was any indication, then fans are in for a real competitive matchup between the teams. The only issue is, LA won the season series 4-0.

“They are a real tough team,” Nash said. “Even though we went up by six, they still fought hard. Look, we only won by two.”

Kobe Bryant led Los Angeles with 36 points, while Nash had 19 points and 6 assists.

New Orleans big men provided big numbers with Antawn Jamison scoring 25 points and grabbing 12 rebounds while front court mate Jamal Magloire scored 23 and pulled down 11.

The Hornets led the game most of the way until the Lakers blew things open in the third quarter, where they outscored their opponent 33-18. But New Orleans charged in the 4th, keeping the game close until Nash’s huge 3.

“It’s a big challenged for us,” Baron Davis said. “They shut me down real good in this game.”

Davis scored 15 points on only 5-of-16 shooting.

“We wanna make the most of these last few days, get everybody healthy for the playoffs,” Bryant said.

Josh Howard scored 6 points in his first game back.

Los Angeles finished the season at 64-18, one game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers who finished at 65-17. New Orleans finished the season at 39-43, tied with Portland but entered the playoffs because of their head-to-head matchup.

[Isaiah]

hey guys!

i havent really been able to present this dynasty nicely, but once im done with all my requirements are due ill get the "VISUAL" side of this thing going.

[Isaiah]

BEHIND THE SCENES: Big Easy Not So Easy

STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA

Kobe Bryant walked toward the makeshift weights area at STAPLES Center after a day of practice. He had his head down, breathing hard. This was the toughest day of Phil Jackson's practices, but he knew it had to be done. In a few days, the 2007 NBA Playoffs will begin, and their opponents will be the last team they faced in the regular season, the New Orleans Hornets.



The Lakers own the best record in the Western Conference, finishing the season 64-18, however, all that goes down the drain once the playoffs start.

"All the numbers, all the stats go out the damn window once the post-season begins," Phil Jackson said. "Forget all your career-highs, your season-lows. Its time to get down and dirty. The real season begins."



The day was filled with a boost of full-contact scrimmages and individual practices, knowing full well that this physical game is what the Hornets will bring, judging by their regular season finale against them. The Lakers were banging into each other, executing plays, playing hard-nosed defense. It was as if they weren't teammates and wanted to hurt each other.



On the way to the locker room, Bryant ran into teammate Allan Ray, who was pretty banged up after today's practice.

"Tired, man?" Bryant said.

"Kinda," Ray replied. "I got clocked by 'Drew pretty hard."

"Gotta get used to this," Bryant said in return. "More of this'll continue, and until the playoffs start, we got no time to joke around too much. But don't go all thinking to hard, you'll just be pressin' yourself. Just relax a little, kid."

"Thanks."

As Bryant got into the weights room, inside was teammate Kenyon Martin.

"Hey Kobe," Martin said.

"Hey K-Mart," Kobe replied. "Ready to go for the ring?"

"Sure am. Gotta get ready. Tough road ahead."

Phil Jackson entered the room.

"Video session tomorrow before practice," Jackson said. "Review our four games against the Hornets. See where we broke down defensively, work on it. Steve, work on your shot."

Steve Nash was also present, on a gym ball.

Everyone was focused, determined.

Time to get that ring.

Welcome to the playoffs.

[TomCat]

NICE DYNASTY MAN!!!

LOVE THE FANTASY DRAFT

keep it up!!

[Isaiah]

NICE DYNASTY MAN!!!

LOVE THE FANTASY DRAFT

keep it up!!

thanks..that fantasy draft was pure luck haha

[Jing]

Nice job on the "practice" look thing. It seems very real