Playoffs start Sunday at 12:30pm and as we all know they will progress without Kobe. This week, we asked Lakers Nation fans which player needs to step-up in Bryant’s absence, and 48% of you said Dwight Howard. Pau was the next in line, but not even close. He got 25% of your votes.
In his past two games, Howard averaged 21 points, 17.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks. His defensive game has really improved recently. With Blake, Pau, and the bench stepping it up on the offense, Dwight’s defensive game will be crucial this playoffs. The Spurs are an experienced team but a key to winning this series will be diminishing their points. Howard will get some help from Gasol, who has been averaging 18 rebounds.
The Lakers may get back one star for this Sunday. Nash participated in his first practice today since being sidelined with hip and hamstring soreness. After today’s practice, this is what he had to say:
“I’m very optimistic that I’ll play on Sunday…”
Nash has had his ups and downs this year, starting the season with a broken leg while also trying to adapt to playing with Kobe Bryant. Nash explained where his mind is right now:
“To be honest with you, it’s been a tough year for me….but when I’ve been healthy I’ve felt great, as good as I’ve ever felt. The biggest issue for me this year was trying to find a niche playing alongside Kobe and playing with new teammates and I feel like that really started to come for me the last kind of month and a half or so.”
Lakers Nation! Show your pride! Brag to all the haters in your office that your Los Angeles Lakers made the playoffs by sporting some sweet new desktop wall art. Don’t worry; we also have phone and iPad backgrounds. Get to downloading!
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