Lakers in the News 11/02/15 - 11/08/15: Lakers fizzle in fourth, lose 99-95 to Derek Fisher's New York Knicks
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 1:12 am    Post subject: Lakers in the News 11/02/15 - 11/08/15: Lakers fizzle in fourth, lose 99-95 to Derek Fisher's New York Knicks

Julius Randle is Lakers' lone bright spot in 103-93 loss to Mavericks
by Bill Oram - ocregister.com

You wouldn’t have known Julius Randle just played the game of his life, let alone against the Hall of Famer he’s spent most of that life watching.

“I’m not happy tonight,” Randle said after the winless Lakers lost 103-93 to Dallas. “(Need to) come out and play better. It’s a team sport. We’re trying to win. Obviously I knew I could bounce back.”

A game earlier, Randle had scored just three points in 18 minutes. On Sunday, he was everything to his team, leading the Lakers in points (22), rebounds (15), assists (four) and steals (four).

So, sure, a loss is a loss. But Randle firmly established a new baseline for not only what he can be, but what he is. Three years removed from a Dallas-area high school, and one-year past snapping his tibia in his NBA debut, Randle went toe-to-toe with Dirk Nowitzki.

For a generation of basketball players, the Mavs’ star has defined the power forward position.

During his postgame media session, Kobe Bryant took a break from muttering profanities about his own 3-for-15 shooting night to give fans hope that Randle could one day be one of the top players at that position, too.

“He’s extremely talented,” Bryant said. “He’s one of these players that, a year from now, you will see him having an unbelievable jump shot. You will see him having an unbelievable right hand.”

That, by the way, is one of the things Randle demonstrated he needs to work on. On an early layup attempt, Randle went up hard with his right hand then awkwardly attempted to switch to his dominant left, blowing the opportunity.

“He’s one of these players who will stay in the gym,” Bryant said, “work on those things and develop them and then his game is really going to go through the roof.”

Without Randle’s standout performance, the night would have been a real dud for the Lakers.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/randle-690189-lakers-one.html


Last edited by lakersfreak on Sun Nov 08, 2015 5:27 pm; edited 37 times in total
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 1:15 am    Post subject:

Lakers forward Julius Randle makes a much better showing this time
by Mike Bresnahan - latimes.com

Julius Randle sat in a chair in front of a locker and gazed at the dark carpet. You had to strain your neck to hear him as he spoke while looking down.

He was half an hour removed from a frayed outing Friday against the Sacramento Kings. It was unacceptable to him.

Five fouls, five turnovers, three points and two rebounds for Randle in the Lakers' oh-so-humbling 132-114 loss.

He kept using the word "stagnant" to describe his game.

He was hardly stale Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks, turning Friday's disappointment into "We want Randle" chants from Lakers fans when he took a brief rest in the fourth quarter.

He had a double-double by halftime and finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds in the Lakers' 103-93 loss. He didn't embarrass himself against Dirk Nowitzki, one of the best big men from an outgoing generation of NBAers.

After airballing a short runner early in the first quarter Sunday, Randle dunked on Nowitzki after a nice up-and-under move. Later, he sized Nowitzki up along the left baseline, turned on his speed and beat him for a layup, turning it into a three-point play after getting fouled.

Randle wasn't celebrating a bounce-back game. He was down on his defense, cognizant of Nowitzki's 25 points on 10-for-13 shooting.

"He's top 10 in [all-time] scoring, or whatever. A dude like that, you can't give him open looks," Randle said, noting that plenty of Nowitzki's baskets were accompanied by too little resistance.

Randle's only 20, a year older than rookie D'Angelo Russell, and gets the full support of a franchise that drafted him seventh overall in 2014.

"Everybody talks about D-Russ being young but Julius is really basically a rookie as well," Lakers Coach Byron Scott said recently. "He's just trying to find his way."

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20151102-story.html
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 1:20 am    Post subject:

Kobe calls himself the 200th best player in the NBA after abysmal shooting night
by Bill Oram - ocregister.com

Kobe Bryant had few words to describe his play in the Lakers’ first three games and fewer were fit to print.

“I can’t make a shot,” the Lakers star said of his performance in Sunday’s 103-93 loss to Dallas.

A frustrated Bryant finished 3 for 15 from the field, including 2 of 8 3-pointers, but made all seven of his free throws for 15 points in the loss. He has made just 16 of 68 field goals so far this season, numbers that seem unfathomable even to the 17-time All-Star.

He was ranked the 93rd best player in the NBA by ESPN during the preseason, and has become his annual custom, he dismissed that as “silly.” On Sunday, he seemed to side with the critics.

“(I’m the) the 200th best player in the league right now,” he said. “I freaking suck.

“Look, the guys are getting me the ball. It’s their job to facilitate and it’s my job to finish. I have to do the responsible thing and make them.”

Yet, Bryant didn’t have any immediate answers as to how to fix his shot.

“I know he’s not happy with it,” coach Byron Scott said. “We talked a little bit. He’s disappointed the way he’s shooting the ball. The two weeks he hurt his calf really set him back. And he’s trying to get that feel back again.”

Bryant acknowledged his timing was off and that the layoff may be playing a factor in his slow start. But he boiled it down to a much simpler, and less kid-friendly, assessment.

“I’m playing like (expletive) right now,” he said. “I’m getting the shots, I just can’t make them. (But) at some point you have to say the hell with all of that and figure how to put the ball in the hole.”

The Lakers (0-3) need Bryant to turn his game around in a hurry if they want to avoid falling further behind. He said the fastest way to achieve that is “if I make a damn shot. I suck right now.”

http://www.ocregister.com/lakers/bryant-690194-kobe-player.html
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 1:22 am    Post subject:

Lakers fall to ageless Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks, 103-93
by Eric Pincus - latimes.com

In his 18th season, Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki showed he's aging well, leading his team to a 103-93 victory over the Lakers on Sunday night at Staples Center.

Nowitzki scored 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting while making a trio of three-pointers and collecting nine rebounds.

Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant -- in his 20th year -- struggled through an off night, scoring 15 points on three-for-15 shooting.

It took 4 minutes 28 seconds for the Lakers to finally score a point against the Mavericks; Bryant's free throw stopped Dallas' 15-0 run to start to the game.

Second-year forward Julius Randle was the Lakers' best player on Sunday, reaching career highs with 22 points and 15 rebounds. He had four assists.

Dallas led by as many as 18 points, and while the Lakers were able to close to within six with 2 1/2 minutes left, the home team fell to 0-3 to start the season.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-lakers-lose-to-mavericks-20151101-story.html
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 1:26 am    Post subject:

After Game Videos - Mavs at Lakers
by lakersnation.com

Byron Scott After Lakers Loss To Mavericks, 0-3 Start

Lou Williams Expects Scaled Back Lakers Practices To Benefit Team

Julius Randle Records 22 Points, 15 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 4 Steals


Kobe Bryant Self-Assessing: ‘I Freaking Suck’
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 6:25 am    Post subject:

Lakers, Byron Scott Allowing Kobe Bryant to Be His Own Worst Enemy
by Kevin Ding - bleacherreport.com

Always betting on himself, Kobe Bryant was doing it again Sunday night.

Pushing his chips in despite a streak of bad beats. Hoping the next hand turns the tide. Believing his skill shall triumph over mere luck.

According to the Kobe calculator, the more misses already in a box score, the more makes he is due—particularly as the game is getting decided.

This, however, was not the same Kobe.

It wasn't just the lack of footspeed.

There was not confidence in the way he was playing. It was desperation.

And therein lies the difference between a great gamer and a bad gambler.

These shots were beyond his usual forced ones. He was taking contested and out-of-rhythm three-pointers. When he did work his way a little closer to the basket, he was moving himself to his preferred spots on the court instead of reading the defense the way he has done better than almost anyone to play this game.

So after Bryant had missed 12 of 15 shots on the night and the Dallas Mavericks had their wire-to-wire 103-93 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in a battle of expected also-rans, Bryant sat with a towel over his shoulders in bewilderment.

"I freaking suck," he said.

That wasn't even the most damning postgame quote: "I'm getting the shots I want," Bryant said.

That's the statement that reeks of a guy who is sitting at the blackjack table, drunk and delusional, and liable to split 10s in hopes of regaining ground faster.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2585175-lakers-byron-scott-allowing-kobe-bryant-to-be-his-own-worst-enemy
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 7:37 am    Post subject:

The Lakers are in ruins, and there is no easy fix
by Tom Ziller - sbnation.com

Almost a third of the league has begun the season with three straight losses. Those nine 0-3 teams include the Rockets, who a) are a presumptive title contender and b) have lost each of their games by at least 20 points. Still, you'd be hard-pressed to find a bad start more dispiriting than that experienced by the L.A. Lakers.

L.A. has lost to three teams not expected by most to be a playoff factor in the West: the Timberwolves, Kings and Mavericks. The loss in Sacramento was an incredible blowout; the other two defeats were at home. Those three teams are, along with the Lakers, expected to be among the seven lottery teams in the West. That the Lakers are 0-3 but haven't yet played a single elite West team is a bad sign for whatever delusional playoff chase management believed possible. It's going to be incredibly tough to find wins in the West if the Lakers can't beat Minnesota at home or stay within screaming distance of Sacramento.

Somehow, the actual play on the court has looked worse than their record. The defense has been the league's third worst (again, against lower-tier teams) and the offense isn't much better.

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/11/2/9657548/los-angeles-lakers-struggles-kobe-bryant
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 9:32 am    Post subject:

Byron Scott said Kobe never showed frustrations as a rookie
by Mark Medina - dailynews.com

His first handful of NBA games never entailed the success he envisioned. He had to wait patiently to have a definitive role. He saw other rookies thrive ahead of him.

As much as this might apply to D’Angelo Russell’s current circumstances, another teammate remembers the unsettling feeling all too well.

“It used to drive me crazy,” said Kobe Bryant, whose career turned out just fine with five NBA championships and a third-place standing on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. But as Bryant came off the bench in only 15.5 minutes per night, Lakers coach Byron Scott maintained Bryant “never showed that frustration his rookie year.” That coincided with Scott’s 14th and final NBA season where he became one of Bryant’s key mentors.

“The only thing he showed was an unbelievable work ethic,” Scott said before the Lakers hosted the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday at Staples Center. “He never at least told me he was watching the guys that got drafted ahead of him and the success they were having. That might have driven him even to be even more determined.”

Instead, Bryant peppered Scott with history questions surrounding the NBA and the Showtime Lakers.

“He was a sponge as far as what it took to be successful” Scott said of Bryant. “I didn’t have to give him any advice.”

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151101/lakers-byron-scott-said-kobe-bryant-never-showed-frustrations-as-a-rookie
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 1:10 pm    Post subject:

Dirk Nowitzki Has High Praise For Julius Randle
by Dan Duangdao - lakersnation.com

The Los Angeles Lakers have started the 2015-16 NBA season winless through the first three games. However, in last night’s 103-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Julius Randle was a bright spot as he finished with 22 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and four steals in 34 minutes.

After defending him for most of the night, Dirk Nowitzki had high praise for Randle according to Lakers Nation reporter, Serena Winters:

"He's going to be tough in this league. He puts the ball on the floor like no other PF in this league."

"He's strong, he's athletic, he can finish. He's a tough match-up for a lot of 4s in this league."

http://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-news-dirk-nowitzki-has-high-praise-for-julius-randle/2015/11/02/
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 1:40 pm    Post subject:

The Lakers gave Kobe Bryant the day off because he was 'really angry'
by Claire McNear - sbnation.com

Kobe Bryant was not present at practice at the Lakers' facility Monday. The reason: head coach Byron Scott says he's super, super mad.

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/11/2/9660098/kobe-bryant-more-like-kobe-cryant
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 6:16 pm    Post subject:

Randle Could Be A Jumpshot Away From Stardom
by Anthony Yassa - lakeshowlife.com

Despite missing his entire first season to injury, and concerns about his size and athleticism when he was drafted, the 6”9’ bruiser has shown the ability to physically dominate even the most hard-nosed NBA vets.

In the preseason it was Draymond Green, who Randle played well enough against to announce “he can’t guard me” in the middle of the game. If mentality is the difference between a star and a superstar, then the sky is the limit for Julius Randle.

Since being drafted, he has proven that he will never back down from a challenge. Whether that meant facing a season ending injury with incredible poise, or staring down the league’s most notorious enforcers, Randle has already demonstrated that he has what it takes mentally to succeed in the NBA.

In the Season Opener, Randle’s victim was Kevin Garnett, a league-renowned tough guy who very few players in the NBA dare to cross. Randle was unfazed by his presence, even giving Garnett a taste of his own medicine with physical play and an in-bounded ball off of Garnett’s backside.

However, since arriving in the NBA, Randle has done a lot more than just talk. Randle backs up his bravado using a lightning quick yet surprisingly powerful first step, to blow by defenders.

http://lakeshowlife.com/2015/11/02/lakers-randle-jumpshot-away-stardom/
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 8:08 pm    Post subject:

Lakers Woes Continue As Team Heads in Wrong Direction
by Hannah Kulik - lakeshowlife.com

There was hope that this squad, with its combination of youth and experience, would be an improvement over the past two years, but shockingly, the team has never looked this disorganized and hapless. Things appear to be getting worse and worse for this once-storied franchise.

No one wants to be overly negative a mere three games into a new season. It is true that some teams take time to mesh and young players need time to get their bearings. But after witnessing last night’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks in person, one gets a sense that things really are as bad as they look.

What has caused yet another terrible start to the regular season?

To begin with, whatever Bryon Scott is selling, the players are not buying. He keeps preaching defense over and over, but rather than improving, the defense is worse than ever. How is this even possible with so much emphasis placed on that end of the court?

Every night Laker opponents put on a virtual lay-up clinic. The team fares no better on the perimeter, where open three point shots are the norm.

It is conventional wisdom that good defense goes hand in hand with maximum effort, which any player can control even if his shot is not falling that night. If effort is the key, for some reason little effort is being exerted.

We keep hearing that if the team plays hard on defense the offense will flow naturally. Poor defense is only part of the reason the team looks so bad on offense, however.

http://lakeshowlife.com/2015/11/02/lakers-woes-continue-team-heads-wrong-direction/
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 10:50 pm    Post subject:

lakersfreak wrote:
Lakers Woes Continue As Team Heads in Wrong Direction
by Hannah Kulik - lakeshowlife.com

There was hope that this squad, with its combination of youth and experience, would be an improvement over the past two years, but shockingly, the team has never looked this disorganized and hapless. Things appear to be getting worse and worse for this once-storied franchise.

No one wants to be overly negative a mere three games into a new season. It is true that some teams take time to mesh and young players need time to get their bearings. But after witnessing last night’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks in person, one gets a sense that things really are as bad as they look.

What has caused yet another terrible start to the regular season?

To begin with, whatever Bryon Scott is selling, the players are not buying. He keeps preaching defense over and over, but rather than improving, the defense is worse than ever. How is this even possible with so much emphasis placed on that end of the court?

Every night Laker opponents put on a virtual lay-up clinic. The team fares no better on the perimeter, where open three point shots are the norm.

It is conventional wisdom that good defense goes hand in hand with maximum effort, which any player can control even if his shot is not falling that night. If effort is the key, for some reason little effort is being exerted.

We keep hearing that if the team plays hard on defense the offense will flow naturally. Poor defense is only part of the reason the team looks so bad on offense, however.

http://lakeshowlife.com/2015/11/02/lakers-woes-continue-team-heads-wrong-direction/


Nice read and I agree, but it is utterly one-sided if the author puts all the blame on the players. Yes, H.K. discusses bad roatations and questiones Scotts choices there, but to me, the worst is not even the rotation. It is the lack of a system that makes this team even worse than expected.
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 11:10 pm    Post subject:

LOL, the way to improve defense is to talk the player's ears off about it in vague terms and platitudes. OK then.
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 12:39 am    Post subject:

'Frustrated' Kobe given day off to clear his head by Lakers coach Byron Scott
by Bill Oram - ocregister.com

Kobe Bryant had clear instructions from his coach on Monday. Those marching orders did not include shooting fewer 3s or pushing the ball in transition. Byron Scott did not nudge him to go spend more time with the Lakers’ struggling rookie.

He told him to go away.

The 37-year-old was given Monday’s practice off to rest, but Scott revealed Monday the impromptu holiday was more for Bryant to relax his mind than his body.

“He’s frustrated,” Scott said. “We talked last night, we talked a little bit this morning. He’s just one of those guys that he expects a whole lot more out of himself than most people and he’s very hard on himself.”

The night before, following a 103-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, a downtrodden Bryant answered virtually every question with self-criticism, saying “I (stink),” “I’m playing like (expletive),” and, in the coup de grace for a famously confident player, “I’m the 200th best player in the league right now.”

It’s hard to argue. Through three games Bryant is just 16-of-51 from the field (31.4 percent) and has made six of his 29 3-point attempts. It’s little wonder Bryant is beating himself up so much.

“For him to go at himself like he did,” Scott said, “obviously it shows how much he cares about coming out here and playing well. But it also shows he’s human as well.”

So while the Lakers practiced Monday – a physical day in which Larry Nance was on the wrong end of a blow from Julius Randle and suffered a broken nose – Bryant was off doing something, anything else.

Scott said he told him, “Just stay away from the gym today. Spend time with your kids, with your family, get basketball off your mind for 24 hours if you can.”

http://www.ocregister.com/lakers/frustrated-690288-gets-head.html
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 12:43 am    Post subject:

D’Angelo Russell focuses on pre-game routine over comparisons to Emmanuel Mudiay
by Mark Medina - dailynews.com

As he held a basketball by his side, Lakers rookie guard D’Angelo Russell stood on the practice court on Monday and listened intently to coach Byron Scott. The two talked for a few minutes, with Scott explaining things in what appeared to be a constructive manner. Russell stared at Scott and soaked in every word.

Once the talk ended, Russell left the court. He did not work on his shooting stroke. He did not run more offensive drills. He did not study film. And it appears that is exactly what Scott wanted amid Russell’s early-season struggles to fulfill the pressure that goes along with being the NBA’s No. 2 draft pick.

“I tend to work a little too hard and I’m always on my feet,” Russell said. “I’m trying to stay on the court and (Scott) said that’s not a good routine. So I’ll try to figure out a routine that relaxes me and gets me ready for the game.”

Russell will not have a lot of time to figure out his routine. The Lakers (0-3) play the Denver Nuggets (1-2) tonight at Staples Center in a game that will provide another reminder of Russell’s slow progress. He will match up with rookie guard Emmanuel Mudiay, the No. 7 overall pick who is averaging 12.7 points and 5.3 assists. Meanwhile, Russell has averaged 9.7 points on 36.7 percent shooting and 1.7 assists.

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151102/lakers-dangelo-russell-focuses-on-pre-game-routine-over-comparisons-to-emmanuel-mudiay
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 12:47 am    Post subject:

After Practices Videos - 11/02/15
by lakersnation.com

Kobe Misses Practice, How Many Games Will He Play This Season?

D'Angelo Russell Searches For Pre-Game Routine
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 5:18 am    Post subject:

lakersfreak wrote:
D’Angelo Russell focuses on pre-game routine over comparisons to Emmanuel Mudiay
by Mark Medina - dailynews.com

As he held a basketball by his side, Lakers rookie guard D’Angelo Russell stood on the practice court on Monday and listened intently to coach Byron Scott. The two talked for a few minutes, with Scott explaining things in what appeared to be a constructive manner. Russell stared at Scott and soaked in every word.

Once the talk ended, Russell left the court. He did not work on his shooting stroke. He did not run more offensive drills. He did not study film. And it appears that is exactly what Scott wanted amid Russell’s early-season struggles to fulfill the pressure that goes along with being the NBA’s No. 2 draft pick.

“I tend to work a little too hard and I’m always on my feet,” Russell said. “I’m trying to stay on the court and (Scott) said that’s not a good routine. So I’ll try to figure out a routine that relaxes me and gets me ready for the game.”

Russell will not have a lot of time to figure out his routine. The Lakers (0-3) play the Denver Nuggets (1-2) tonight at Staples Center in a game that will provide another reminder of Russell’s slow progress. He will match up with rookie guard Emmanuel Mudiay, the No. 7 overall pick who is averaging 12.7 points and 5.3 assists. Meanwhile, Russell has averaged 9.7 points on 36.7 percent shooting and 1.7 assists.

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151102/lakers-dangelo-russell-focuses-on-pre-game-routine-over-comparisons-to-emmanuel-mudiay


I hate that the writer of the article failed to mention just how MANY TOs Mudiay is averaging!!!! Put all that there
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 7:17 am    Post subject:

Lakers Look to Sharpen Before Hosting Nuggets
by Joey Ramirez - nba.com

After dropping the first three games of the season, Byron Scott admitted at Monday’s practice that he is “disappointed,” but the Lakers head coach said that the team is aware of the issues that need cleaning up.

In particular, the defensive end of the ball has been a struggle for the Lakers. Each of L.A.’s opponents have scored more than 100 points, giving them a 115.7 points allowed averaged — the second-highest in the league.

“It’s not taking plays off,” Scott said. “I think at times we relax, and you can’t do that no matter what. For 24 seconds you’ve got to play the whole clock, especially against really good teams and veteran teams. They’re gonna burn you.”

The Lakers first three opponents — Minnesota, Sacramento and Dallas — have indeed burned the Lakers, specifically with ball movement. L.A. has allowed an NBA-high 25.7 assists per game, though Scott attributes this having young talent mixed in with new veterans.

“Our guys are still trying to get our terminology,” Scott said. “They’re still trying to understand our rotations. It takes time. We’ve got nine new guys on this team.”

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/151102_practicereport
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 9:52 am    Post subject:

Lakers: Predictions for Week 2
by Eric Pincus - latimes.com

The Lakers have opened the 2015-16 regular season with three straight losses.

They'll play three games through Week 2, starting with the Denver Nuggets (1-2) on Tuesday night at Staples Center before heading out on a five-game road trip that extends into Week 3.

The Lakers will visit the Brooklyn Nets (0-4) on Friday followed by the New York Knicks (2-2) on Sunday.

Already the Lakers are two games behind the prediction of 2-1.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-predictions-for-week-2-20151103-story.html
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 10:47 am    Post subject:

D’Angelo Russell Is Still Loading For Lakers
by Trevor Lane - lakersnation.com

“The more I watch D’Angelo Russell the more I think he’s just another guy. Doesn’t stick out, doesn’t seem to make impact plays.”

“Right now, he looks like a rich man’s Kendall Marshall.”

“Lakers should have drafted Okafor… Russell is extremely overrated.”

“D’Angelo Bust-ell.”

These are just a few quotes that I harvested from the internet following the Los Angeles Lakers debacle against the Sacramento Kings on Friday night. D’Angelo Russell, the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, had just shot 50 percent from the field and scored 13 points to go along with two rebounds and two assists. For a 19 year-old playing against veterans the likes of Rajon Rondo, Rudy Gay, and DeMarcus Cousins most would consider that a successful night.

However, that hasn’t been the case so far for Russell. Fans across the league are chomping at the bit to label him a bust, and consider his struggles to be proof that the Lakers organization is in shambles.

http://www.lakersnation.com/dangelo-russell-is-still-loading/2015/11/03/
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 12:27 pm    Post subject:

10 Things to Know: Lakers vs. Nuggets (11/3/15)
by Joey Ramirez - nba.com

Here is what you need to know before the Lakers host the Denver Nuggets.

1) This matchup features a duel between the top two point guards of this year’s draft. The Lakers took D’Angelo Russell with the No. 2 overall pick, while Denver selected Emmanuel Mudiay five spots later. Only one other point guard — Oklahoma City’s Cameron Payne — was taken in the lottery (No. 14).

2) Russell’s stat sheet has been quiet through three games, averaging 9.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 25.3 minutes. The First Team All-American has also shot just 11-of-30 (36.7 percent) from the field, though he has hit double-digit scoring in back-to-back-games.

3) Mudiay, on the other hand, has been louder in ways both good and bad. The 19-year-old is putting up 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per night, but also has a league-high 6.3 turnovers while shooting 14-of-42 (33.3 percent). He set a franchise record with nine assists in his career debut on Oct. 28, but also became the youngest player with 11 turnovers since at least 1985.

4) While the one-guards may command the spotlight, Julius Randle is the likely candidate to draw it toward himself. In the fourth contest of his career, Randle finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds, joining Marc Gasol (2008), Sharone Wright (1994) and Shaquille O’Neal (1992) as the most recent players to tally 20 points and 15 rebounds in so few games.

5) The Lakers are looking to clean up a defense that has allowed averages of 115.7 points and 25.7 assists so far. Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant was given Monday’s practice off as he tries to shake off a 16-of-51 shooting slump to start the season.

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/151103_10things
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 1:24 pm    Post subject:

lakersfreak wrote:
10 Things to Know: Lakers vs. Nuggets (11/3/15)
by Joey Ramirez - nba.com

Here is what you need to know before the Lakers host the Denver Nuggets.

1) This matchup features a duel between the top two point guards of this year’s draft. The Lakers took D’Angelo Russell with the No. 2 overall pick, while Denver selected Emmanuel Mudiay five spots later. Only one other point guard — Oklahoma City’s Cameron Payne — was taken in the lottery (No. 14).

2) Russell’s stat sheet has been quiet through three games, averaging 9.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 25.3 minutes. The First Team All-American has also shot just 11-of-30 (36.7 percent) from the field, though he has hit double-digit scoring in back-to-back-games.

3) Mudiay, on the other hand, has been louder in ways both good and bad. The 19-year-old is putting up 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per night, but also has a league-high 6.3 turnovers while shooting 14-of-42 (33.3 percent). He set a franchise record with nine assists in his career debut on Oct. 28, but also became the youngest player with 11 turnovers since at least 1985.

4) While the one-guards may command the spotlight, Julius Randle is the likely candidate to draw it toward himself. In the fourth contest of his career, Randle finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds, joining Marc Gasol (2008), Sharone Wright (1994) and Shaquille O’Neal (1992) as the most recent players to tally 20 points and 15 rebounds in so few games.

5) The Lakers are looking to clean up a defense that has allowed averages of 115.7 points and 25.7 assists so far. Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant was given Monday’s practice off as he tries to shake off a 16-of-51 shooting slump to start the season.

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/151103_10things


YOu know all the Nuggets players mentioned as probable or questionable will be playing. Some how opposing team players hurt get miraculously healed against the Lakers, then go back to being hurt!!!!! Oh the lure of hollywood!!!!!
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 6:39 pm    Post subject:

This could be the worst Lakers team of all time
by TheGreatMambino - silverscreenandroll.com

Change is never easy. Switching course midstream is hard. Changing directions in the midst of a storm -- change with adversity -- is even harder. But burning it all down and starting from square one? Sometimes, that's just easier.

But none of it is fun.

The Los Angeles Lakers are right at ground zero of their lengthiest rebuild in twenty years. It's been a stark change from a two decades-long run of nearly continuous title contention--seven Finals appearances and five titles will do that--making this forthcoming third consecutive year of no postseason games an even harsher reality.

The previous two seasons have been manned by two of the very worst Lakers squads of all-time. Marred with injuries to key players, poor personnel decisions, bad contracts, coaching staff turnover and similarly turbulent player turnover, LA couldn't get any consistent production going for 164 straight games. It's been a painful two seasons, though I'd also count the last horrid half of the 2012-2013 season as the first part of the the rebuild as well. Quite plainly, it's probably been the worst stretch of Lakers basketball ever. Ev-er.

The topper of course was last year's team. The 2014-2015 Lakers were, statistically and record-wise, the worst Los Angeles squad of all-time. At 21-61, no team before them had a lower winning percentage. No team had lost more games. They were putrid in almost every way, even struggling towards the end keeping enough players in uniform to fill out an active roster. Names like Vander Blue and Dwight Buycks are forever going to be associated with the purple and gold. I'm not happy about that.

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/11/3/9655622/la-lakers-worst-team-all-time-struggles?_ga=1.115439937.637213763.1442907895
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 6:41 pm    Post subject:

LeBron James Calls Kobe Bryant’s Struggle ‘A Personal Challenge’
by Ryan Ward - lakersnation.com

After the first three games of his 20th NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant is struggling, and it seems to be taking a toll on the 37-year-old veteran. Bryant is shooting a dismal 31.4 percent from the floor and 20.7 percent from beyond the arc with the superstar hitting a boiling point concerning his frustration level.

The missed shots are starting to pile up for Kobe with many speculating whether he may no longer be able to play at a high level in the NBA. Superstar LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers was recently asked about Bryant’s struggles and believes it’s only another challenge for him to overcome, according to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal:

What I see is a challenge to himself,” James told me. “It has zero to do with his age. Zero. I think at one point in my career, in my 20s, I felt like I sucked. It’s all a personal challenge. I know him. He knows he don’t suck. C’mon man, it’s Kobe Bryant. But it’s a personal challenge to him. That’s all that is.”

http://www.lakersnation.com/lebron-james-calls-kobe-bryants-struggle-a-personal-challenge/2015/11/03/
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