Lakers Rumors & News Recap: High Hopes for 2013

We all have made a News Year’s resolution by now and for the Lakers that is no exception. The Lakers now sit at a respectable 15-15 after a slow start and are in a great position to turn the season around. A number of issues need to be hammered out for L.A. to get back into playoff contention and be a real title threat. Kobe Bryant needs to be a respectful force on the team, becoming the motivator we have all seen and loved. Dwight has to stick around. D’Antoni absolutely needs to find a system that works with, and without, Nash. Relying too much on the PG is a problem, especially if Nash gets hurt again.

Thankfully Kobe believes that this year he has played especially well. What a great way to inspire other players by looking at the optimistic Lakers star. Kobe credits cutting out junk food and having a better diet on his season. He’s averaging 30.1 points and shooting a very efficient 47.8 percent. Keep it up Kobe.

It’s a new year, and a better Lakers, where all resolutions begin tonight against the 76ers. The Lakers play at home with tip-off at 7:30. What better way to ring in the new year than with a win. For the pregame report, click here.

Philadelphia 76ers (14-17) at Los Angeles Lakers (15-15)
7:30 PM PST, January 1, 2013
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
TV: Time Warner Sports Network
Radio: 710 ESPN (English) / 1330 ESPN (Spanish)

76ers Projected Starting Line-up
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Jason Richardson
SF: Evan Turner
PF: Thaddeus Young
C: Lavoy Allen

Key Reserves: C: Spencer Hawes GF: Nick Young GF: Dorell Wright

Got a New Years Resolution you want to share with LN? It could be for yourself or something you think the Lakers need to work on. Leave a comment below or tweet us @LakersNation.

Lakers Nation News

Kobe Bryant Said This Is The Best He Has Played In A While

New Year’s Resolutions for the Lakers in 2013

The Need for Jordan Hill to Have a Rotation Spot

Lakers vs. 76ers Pre-Game Report: Lakers Hope to Start 2013 With a Win

Lakers News

Lakers vs. 76ers: Preview [Silver Screen and Roll]

LAL Key: Howard’s Energy [Lakers.com]

Report: Nets Will Try to Talk to Phil Jackson ‘In the Next Few Days’ [ProBasketballTalk]

Duhon (Back Spasms) Misses Practice [ESPN LA]

Lakers Week 10 Predictions [LA Times]

NBA Power Rankings: Western Conference Dominates Top Spots [ProBasketballTalk]

As 2012 Comes to an End, Lakers are Still Searching for the Right Way Forward [ESPN LA]

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant Enjoys One of His Most Productive Stretches [LA Times]

Jamison Apologizes for Comments About Reduced Minutes [LA Daily News]

Lakers Eager to Say So Long to 2012, Hello New Year [OC Register]

Kobe Says This is the Best Clippers Team He’s Ever Seen [ProBasketballTalk]

Kobe Bryant Says This Season ‘Best I’ve Played in a While’ [ESPN LA]

Vucevic’s Night [NBA]

NBA News

Parker Leads Spurs Over Nets for 6th Straight Win [NBA]

LeBron James Seals OT Win as Heat Slip by Magic [ESPN]

Kevin Garnett: ‘I never cared about the accolades’ [Yahoo! Sports]

Mavs’ Carlisle Threatens Suspensions To Jolt His Cratering Team [NBA]

James Harden’s 28 helps Rockets Rebound vs Hawks [ESPN]

Jazz Coach Benches Millsap for Fourth Quarter. That Didn’t Sit Well. [ProBasketballTalk]

George Leads Pacers Over Grizzlies [NBA.com]

New Wolves Signee Says He’s Seen Spirits After Meeting With Medium [Eye On Basketball]

DeMarcus Cousins: Friend To None, Friend To All [Hardwood Paroxysm]

Russell Westbrook Returns From Cut Above Eye, Propels Thunder [ESPN]

Nikola Vucevic Grabs a Franchise Record 29 Rebounds in Magic’s Loss to Heat [ProBasketballTalk]