I started today off taking a step back to reevaluate my love-hate relationship with Dwight Howard after Saturday night’s game. He was spectacular. It reminded me of the player who dazzled me in Orlando two years ago. Especially with Metta World Peace out, who can also be a defensive power, Howard brought that much needed action at that end of the court.
Offensively, the big man was overly mobile, seemingly anywhere at any point in time. He simply dominated the Kings after the first quarter and was a major reason the Lakers won (103-98). Dwight ended the game with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks. If he keeps up his performance, and stays healthy, Howard could very easily get back to being the league’s best center.
Steve Nash was forced to leave Saturday’s game between the Lakers and Kings after just two minutes of play. At 39, the aging point guard may see little of the floor for the remaining eight season games. He is not expected to play Tuesday.
Kobe Bryant also surpassed Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list during the game against the Kings, sitting now at #4. In typical Kobe fashion, he played through bone spurs , proving once again he would do anything for his Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant ended the game with 24 points, 15 assists, and six rebounds, with only one turnover.
Bryant reflected on his career after Saturday’s game, exclaiming he will “in all likelihood” make a decision of whether to play beyond next season or not during the summer. Kobe is playing in his 17th season, averaging 27.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists on 46.4 percent shooting.
In today’s Lakers Nation Power Rankings, the Lakers are staying middle of the pack. Suki Thind ranks them at #17, mainly because they have lost four of their last six games. The Lakers are now in jeopardy of making playoffs, sitting at seat number nine. The Heat, Spurs, and Nuggets round out the top three, respectively.
The Lakers will be back tomorrow when they face the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center in the race to the playoffs.
If you haven’t seen the hilarious AT&T commercials that are out starring former NBA stars Kareem and Magic, you have to check them out. Both former Lakers players do a spot with Bird and Russell, and they are hilarious!
Lakers Nation News
Lakers News: Mike D’Antoni Says Steve Nash ‘Doubtful’ For Tuesday
Lakers Nation Tweets of the Week: Heat Streak Ends, Kobe Passes Wilt
Metta World Peace Believes Lakers Can Succeed Without Him
Phil Jackson To Speak At Shaq’s Jersey Retirement Ceremony
NBA Power Rankings Week 23: Heat Remain Atop The League Despite Injuries
Lakers News: Jodie Meeks Believes in Long-Term Future With Lakers
Kobe Bryant To Likely Decide Retirement Date During The Summer
Magic and Kareem Star in AT&T Commercial with Bird and Russell
Lakers News
The Lakers Finally Got a Glimpse of Their Future Franchise Cornerstone [Silver Screen and Roll]
How to Make Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard Work Together [Silver Screen and Roll]
Lakers Grind Kings, 103-98 [Silver Screen and Roll]
Kobe Bryant Continues to Make History [Forum Blue and Gold]
NBA Free Agency: Early Look [ESPN]
Laughter is Best Medicine for Lakers Coach D’Antoni [LA Daily News]
Kobe’s Heroics Will Be History if Lakers Fail [Lakers Index]
Kobe Bryant Expects to Make Retirement Decision Over Summer [SB Nation]
VIDEO: Kobe Passes Wilt for Fourth Place in Career Scoring [Eye on Basketball]
Ding: The Final Verdict on Kobe vs. Shaq [OC Register]
Kobe Bryant Fourth on Scoring List [ESPN]
With Steve Nash Hobbled, Lakers Need More from Steve Blake [LA Times]
Kobe Postgame Quotes [Lakers Blog]
Phil Jackson to Speak at Shaq Jersey Ceremony [Orange County Register]
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers Hobbling Into Stretch Run of Playoff Chase [Yahoo! Sports]
Without Point Guard Steve Nash, Lakers Try to Carry On [LA Daily News]
Lakers’ Kobe Bryant Will Probably Decide His Future This Summer [Eye on Basketball]
Dwight Howard or Chris Paul: Which ’13 Free Agent is More Valuable? [5 on 5]
Howard Lifts Lakers Past Kings [OC Register]
Top 30 Free Agents for 2013: Dwight #1 [ESPN Insider]
NBA News
Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards – Recap [ESPN]
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New Orleans Hornets – Recap [ESPN]
Heat at Spurs – March 31, 2013 – Recap [NBA]
Three Stars of the Night: Luol Deng Looking Playoff Ready [ProBasketballTalk]
Michael Beasley’s Crazy Candy Addiction [ThePostGame]
NCAA: Stock Watch: Sweet 16 and Elite 8 [Eye on Basketball]
2012-13 NBA Playoff Odds [ESPN]
Knicks Rout Celtics 108-89 for Eighth Straight Win [Yahoo! Sports]
Vinny Del Negro Rips Clippers’ Effort After Loss to Rockets [ProBasketballTalk]
League Has No Plans to Discipline the Miami Heat [Eye on Basketball]
Baseline Awards: The All-Underrated Team [CBS Sports]
Which NBA Records are Made to be Broken? [ESPN]
Pat Riley’s Shut-The-Bleep-Up Message to Danny Ainge a Show of Support for LeBron James [Yahoo! Sports]
Nuggets’ Andre Iguodala ‘Definitely’ Considering Opting Out for Free Agency [The Point Forward]
Rank ‘Em: NBA’s Best Teams? [ESPN Sportsnation]
Deng’s 28 Help Bulls Win 18th Straight vs. Pistons [Yahoo! Sports]
Bulls’ Hard Foul on LeBron Upgraded to a Flagrant [ProBasketballTalk]
Can Spurs Keep the Clippers From Running? [TrueHoop]
Report: Andrew Bynum Isn’t Likely to Give the 76ers Special Consideration [Eye on Basketball]
Without Stars, Heat Demonstrate Bright Stuff [Daily Dime]
Heat Stun Spurs Without James and Wade [Yahoo! Sports]
