Even his best efforts couldn’t get him to the game on Sunday.
Mike D’Antoni, the Lakers head coach, was absent last night for what was expected to be his first game coaching. Unfortunately, the head coach still didn’t feel well enough after his surgery to make it to the sideline. D’Antoni is aiming for Tuesday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets to make his debut.
Steve Blake and Steve Nash have also bee MIA on the court despite practicing during team practices. Nash’s return is reportedly still a week away as he tries to get back to form after suffering the leg fracture earlier in the season. Blake is still nursing a strained abdomen and has been listed as day-to-day.
Dwight looked good last night, and has been looking stronger and stronger every game. I, however, still notice a difference between the player he is now and the beast he once was. Maybe that’s because the big man says he is only 75-80 percent healthy. Howard claims he’s still nowhere near 100 percent, even after going for 28 pts, 13 rebs and 3 blks against the Rockets last night. In the first 10 games of the regular season, Howard has been averaging 20.0 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.
Kobe brought it during last night’s game, ending the night with a triple-double. In the end the Lakers offense was way too much, as they cruised to an breakaway victory over the Rockets 119-108. Make sure to catch the post-game report to see what happened in each quarter, and relive moments like Pau Gasol’s milestone 15,000th point. The Lakers have won four out of the last five games with the team eclipsing the 100-point mark each time.
Loving the enthusiastic fans coming to the Lakers games. Keep up the spirit people! It’s a new and exciting time with Mike 2.0.
Lakers Nation News
NBA Power Rankings Week 4: Knicks, Grizzlies Stay Hot; Lakers Coming On Strong
Darius Morris: Making an Impression During Absence of Nash, Blake
Why The Lakers Should Not Trade Pau Gasol
GIF: Lakers Bros Get Hyped Over Dwight Howard Dunk
Practice Report: Mike D’Antoni and Steve Blake Game Time Decisions
Kobe Bryant Having Great Year, Increased Efficiency One Reason Why
Dwight Howard on Deron Williams: ‘No Need To Smooth Things Over’
Mike D’Antoni Targeting Tuesday for Coaching Debut
Video: Lakers Beat Rockets – Game Highlights (11/18/12)
Lakers News: Pau Gasol Reaches Milestone With 15,000 Career Points
Photos: What Would A Dwight Howard Lakers Statue Look Like?
Video: Steve Nash Does His Best Gangnam Style Impersonation
Lakers Rumors & Recaps: Josh Smith for Pau Gasol?
Lakers News: Dwight Howard Claims To Be Only ’75-80 Percent’ Right Now
Lakers News: Steve Blake Listed as Day-to-Day; Uncertain for Nets
Lakers News
Video: Highlights – Lakers vs. Rockets 11/18/12 [Silver Screen and Roll]
The Growth Of Darius Morris [Forum Blue and Gold]
Dwight and Kobe: The Partnership is Growing [Lakers Index]
Up-Tempo Lakers Make Fast Work of Houston [OC Register]
Around the World (Wide Web): D’Antoni’s Offense Is A Perfect Fit [Forum Blue and Gold]
Mike’s Offense, 119-108 [LA Times]
Bernie Bickerstaff to Stay on as Assistant [Lakers Blog]
Pau Gasol Cherishes 15,000 Point Plateau Mark [Inside the Lakers]
It’s a Fun Day for Kobe Bryant [Daily News]
Steve Nash Injury Update: Leg Fracture to Keep Former All-Star Out at Least One More Week [SB Nation]
Brooklyn Nets Face Los Angeles Lakers to Start Tough Schedule [Nets Daily]
Kobe’s Triple-Double Fuels Lakers Victory [SB Nation]
Lakers/Rockets: The Offense Just Keeps Humming [Forum Blue and Gold]
Rapid Reaction: Lakers 119, Rockets 108 [ESPN]
Kobe Bryant Triple-Doubles Down on New Lakers Era [LA Times]
Darius Morris is Starting to Shine [Lakers Blog]
Coming (Very) Soon: Dwight Howard vs. Brook Lopez, etc., etc. [Nets Daily]
NBA News
What To Do With Andrew Bynum [Liberty Ballers]
Reggie Evans Receives Warning for Flopping (VIDEO) [ProBasketballTalk]
Are Knicks, Grizzlies, Clippers for Real? [SB Nation]
Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons – Recap [ESPN]
NBA Viewing Guide: Week 4: Happy Thanksgiving, Y’all [SB Nation]
Gentry Says Changes Coming to Suns Starting Lineup [ProBasketballTalk]
Sunday’s NBA Scores [SB Nation]
LeBron James Wins Player of the Week [Hot Hot Hoops]
Rajon Rondo is a Special, Rare Breed [SB Nation Boston]
Brooklyn Nets vs. Sacramento Kings – Recap [SI.com]
Coach Rasheed Wallace? He Reportedly Wants it to Happen [ProBasketballTalk]
Ricky Rubio of Minnesota Timberwolves Starting Light Practice Work [ESPN]
Tyrus Thomas Injury: Bobcats Forward Out with Injured Calf Muscle [SB Nation]
Andrew Bynum Says He Injured Knee While Bowling [SB Nation]
Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder – Recap [ESPN]
Celtics Chase Rondo’s Assists Streak in Blowout Loss to Pistons [ProBasketballTalk]