Opening Night! Okay. I am just really excited.
In the spirit of today’s first regular season game, LN brings you a really great desktop image for your iPhone, iPad, home computer, and all other devices of the Lakers’ starting five. I dare you all to change everyone’s background image in your office at work to prove that you are a true Laker fan! Don’t forget to tweet me photos.
The first Lakers game is less than three hours away. Makes sure you read Kevin Chan’s pre-game report to get in the loop on tonight’s expectations before tip-off. Dallas is missing two of their more prominent players, Chris Kaman and Dirk Nowitzki, which should give the Lakers an edge tonight. Especially since Kobe Bryant and Jordan Hill have been cleared to play. Kobe practiced in a full shoot around this morning. After practice today, Kobe said that there is an “85 percent” chance he’ll play tonight. Jordan Hill was also at practice
One of the more important things to look out during this game would be team chemistry. Only playing one game together so far as a cohesive unit, the Lakers haven’t worked much with each other in a game situation. Another interesting thing to see will be the off the bench talent, and how well they provide support when called upon.
After the preseason, the Lakers fell to third in the NBA Power Rankings. The Celtics came in 4th while OKC landed the five spot after their trade of Harden greatly affected where they stood in the conference. Ahead of L.A. are the Spurs at #2 and the Heat taking the top spot.
Dallas Mavericks (0-0) at Los Angeles Lakers (0-0)
7:30 PM PST, October 30, 2012
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
TV: TWC Sports Network
Radio: 710 ESPN (English) / 1330 ESPN (Spanish)
Mavericks Projected Starting Line-up
PG: Darren Collison
SG: O.J. Mayo
SF: Shawn Marion
PF: Elton Brand
C: Eddy Curry
Key Reserves: SF Vince Carter, F Jae Crowder
Lakers Nation News
Making the Right Choices: Do Top NBA Teams Spend Wisely?
As Season Begins, Lakers Face An Unavoidable Sense of Urgency
Lakers Starting Lineup Wallpaper: The Journey Begins
Kobe Bryant Discusses Chances of Playing Tuesday
NBA News: Mavs’ Chris Kaman Will Miss Season Opener Against Lakers
Lakers vs. Mavericks Pre-Game Report: Opening Night Here At Last
Lakers News: Team Falls to 3rd in ESPN Power Rankings
Pre-Game Update: Kobe & Jordan Hill Expected to Play
Lakers News
Box Score Predictions for every Laker [Silver Screen and Roll]
Talking Lakers-Mavericks With Mavs Moneyball [Silver Screen and Roll]
Lakers-Mavs Preview: New Era, Old Foe [Silver Screen and Roll]
Lakers 2012-2013 Season Predictions [Silver Screen and Roll]
2K Sports Predicts Los Angeles Lakers Beat Miami Heat in the NBA Finals [Silver Screen and Roll]
Should the Lakers Take a Gamble on Delonte West? [Silver Screen and Roll]
Lakers Season Preview: Boardwalk Empire [Forum Blue and Gold]
Tuesday vs. Dallas in Season Opener [LA Times]
Howard Says Patience a Virtue [OC Register]
How the James Harden Trade Affects the Lakers [ESPN]
Lakers’ Prospects Look Stronger, but They Won’t Say It [LA Times]
The Breakdown: Dwight Howard [Forum Blue and Gold]
Kobe Bryant Injury: Lakers Will Likely Start Jodie Meeks at Guard if Kobe Can’t Play [SB Nation]
NBA Western Conference Preview [LA Times]
Lakers Predictions for 2012-13 [Lakers Report]
Lakers’ Dwight Howard Confident in Back, but Still Rebuilding [LA Times]
NBA 2012-13: Top Heavy a Concern for Lakers [OC Register]
The Lakers Official 15 [LA Times]
NBA 2012-13: Howard Among Lakers’ Best? [OC Register]
The Pau of Los Angeles [Forum Blue and Gold]
A Look at the Lakers’ Depth Chart [LA Times]
Kobe Bryant Injury: Lakers Guard Says ’85 percent’ Chance He’ll Play [SB Nation]
NBA 2012-13: Season Preview [OC Register]
NBA News
Comparing Jeremy Lin-James Harden to Steve Francis-Cuttino Mobley [SB Nation]
Chris Kaman to Miss Opener [ESPN Dallas]
Lakers Win in Harden Trade [Hang Time Blog]
Amar’e Likely Out 6 Weeks [ESPN]
Magic Johnson Stumps for Return of NBA to Seattle [SB Nation]
Does Bynum Have Skills Lakers Will Miss? [True Hoop]
2012-13 Preseason Crystal Ball [SI.com]
2012 NBA Power Rankings: Suns [SB Nation]
Sale of Grizzlies to Robert Pera Finalized for $377 Million [Pro Basketball Talk]
Dissecting Kevin Martin’s Efficiency [True Hoop]
Let the Flop Policing Begin [Yahoo Sports]
Thunder Offense Will Suffer Without Harden [Hang Time Blog]
Training Camp Wrap with Mitch Kupchak [NBA]
Power Rankings: Let the games begin [ESPN]
Four Teams That Could Head Off a Lakers vs. Heat NBA Final [ProBasketballTalk]
25 Reasons to (Still) Hate the Miami Heat [SB Nation]
Lamar Odom Practices, Eyes Opener [ESPN LA]
