With 31 games in the books for the Los Angeles Lakers, the team built to win a championship is one game below .500 at 15-16 and clearly not a squad that scares any opponent in the Western Conference despite all the big-names and experience on the current roster.
Following the loss to the Philadelphia 76ers last night at the Staples Center, the Lakers appeared to be right back to their old ways of showing no energy or any kind of effort on the defensive end of the basketball floor. This Lakers team may sell a lot of tickets and headline quite a few must-see matchups throughout the season, but so far the pairing of superstar talent hasn’t produced results and appear painfully slow and old against younger teams in the league.
Kobe Bryant was clearly frustrated following the loss to the 76ers on Tuesday claiming the team struggles stem from lack of youth and energy. Kobe continued lighting up the scoreboard with a game-high 36 points on Tuesday night, but it didn’t matter with the team unable to keep up with the faster, younger and more motivated 76ers squad led by UCLA alum Jrue Holiday.
The lack of energy or to coin the phrase by head coach Mike D’Antoni, the lack of the ball finding energy, may ultimately be the new-look Lakers undoing with the team clearly unmotivated and failing to communicate on the floor.
The showdown with the rival Los Angeles Clippers on Friday will be a true test for this team. The Clippers continue to prove they’re one of the best teams in the league. A win over Chris Paul and company will be a huge boost for the Lakers, but a loss will be devastating as it may prompt the front office into getting active once more in terms of pursuing free agents and or trades to boost this underachieving squad once considered the team to beat in the West.
Lakers Nation News
Robert Sacre Talks About His Unique Dance Moves
Kobe’s Rap Album Surfaces With Fantastic Old-School Pictures
Jodie Meeks Has No Hard Feelings Towards 76ers
Kobe Bryant’s Diet Helping Extend Career As Elite Player
Kobe Loves Staples Center When It Turns To The Clipper Building
Dwight Howard Wants Kobe Bryant To Push Him To The Next Level
Lakers Rumors: Are New Injuries To Blame For Dwight Howard’s Struggles?
Kobe Bryant Discusses Old Lakers, Team Struggles With ESPN’s Colin Cowherd
Sixers Coach Doug Collins Calls Bryant ‘Basketball Genius’
Lakers News: Kobe Blames Team’s Age For Struggles This Season
Kobe Bryant Said This Is The Best He Has Played In A While
The Need For Jordan Hill To Have A Rotation Spot
Lakers News
Steve Nash Says Lakers ‘Running Out Of Time’ [LA Times]
Sixers Coach Doug Collins Speaks Highly Of Jodie Meeks [LA Times]
Steve Nash Calls Jrue Holiday An All-Star [LA Times]
Clippers Are So Hot, Even The Lakers Are Noticing [LA Times]
Mike D’Antoni Saw Lakers’ Defeat Coming Against 76ers [LA Times]
Dwight Howard Takes A Half-Step Back And Improves His Free Throws [LA Times]
Practice Doesn’t Make The Lakers Perfect Against 76ers [OC Register]
Better Training Aids Bryant [OC Register]
Lakers Impressed By Clippers [OC Register]
Jamison Regrets Expressing His Frustration [OC Register]
Gasol Adds 3-Point Shot To His Arsenal [OC Register]
The Lakers Are Inconsistent At All The Wrong Times [Silver Screen & Roll]
Tweetbag: Kobe Loves Playing On Clippers Court [Silver Screen & Roll]
LAKERS NOTEBOOK: Reserve Guard Jodie Meeks Making Good Impression [LA Daily News]
LAKERS NOTEBOOK: Bryant Setting A New Standard [LA Daily News]
Lakers Offense Flows With Nash At Controls [LA Daily News]
Lakers/Sixers: That Familiar Feeling Is Back, And It’s Not A Good One [Forum Blue & Gold]
NBA News
Hawk’s Drew, Clippers’ Del Negro Named NBA Coaches Of The Month [Sports City]
Stan Van Gundy Thinks Wizards Should Not Build Around John Wall [Sports City]
NBA Tweets Of The Day: Granger Thought Tony Romo Was Clutch? [Sports City]
NBA Play Of The Day: Mavs’ Vince Carter Shows He Can Still Dunk [Sports City]
The Streak Ends [SB Nation]
D-Will: Frustrated, Confused… And Humbled [SB Nation]
Donald Sterling’s Son Found Dead [SB Nation]
Tyreke Evans Rejoining Kings [SB Nation]
Ricky Rubio Out With Bad Back [SB Nation]
Nate’s Staying [SB Nation]
Report: If Nets Don’t Land Phil Jackson They May Stick With Carlesimo For Season [Pro Basketball Talk]
Snowed Out Bulls At Pacers Game Rescheduled For Feb. 4 [Pro Basketball Talk]
Pistons’ Villanueva Fined $25,000 For Foul On Kings’ Thomas [Pro Basketball Talk]
Quote Of The Day: Derrick Favors Not Kevin Love’s Biggest Fan [Pro Basketball Talk]
