The 2012 calendar year has come and gone, and even though a 17th NBA title wasn’t brought to Los Angeles, the Lakers still provided Lakers Nation with plenty of drama, news, and headlines. As the year began, the Lakers were still reeling from the disappointment of the stolen failed attempt to obtain PG Chris Paul. They were struggling to learn and adjust to (then) new head coach Mike Brown’s first system, attempting to adapt to life without Phil Jackson (again), and trying to locate and establish a new identity.
10. January 3, 2012: Lakers- 108 Rockets- 99
Kobe Bryant notched 37 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, but the story of the game was ex-Laker Andrew Bynum’s first 20/20 (21 points, 22 rebounds) performance of his career. After a detailed off-season workout regiment that included workout sessions with legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach that saw his body fat percentage reportedly cut in half (down to 5 percent), Bynum was a man on a mission for large portions of the 2011-12 season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmOJTNfkAi8
9. January 10, 2012: Lakers- 99 Suns- 83
Kobe Bryant went on one of his vintage scoring barrages, as the two 7-footers played the background. Keep in mind, Bryant was enduring pre-game painkiller injections into his injured right wrist simply to be able to suit up. Current point guard Steve Nash was still sleeping with the enemy at this point, but even the efforts of the 2-time NBA MVP weren’t enough to overcome ‘Mamba Mode’ Bryant.
Next Page: D’Antoni Shows Up; Steve Nash Returns
8. November 20, 2012: Lakers- 95 Nets- 90
This may seem like peculiar game to end up on this list, but I (for one) hope Mike D’Antoni’s first official game/win on the Lakers’ bench was merely the first sign of positive things to come. Surprisingly, this game marked the first (and last) time the 2012-13 Lakers were able to move above the .500 mark. D’Antoni had better hope this isn’t the last time his Lakers go above the NBA’s version of the poverty line.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO6nopIt7tY
7. December 22, 2012: Lakers- 118 Warriors- 115
Never have 12 points, nine rebounds looked so incredible…but after missing the better part of two months, Steve Nash delighted the fan base and ignited a scoring frenzy from his teammates in his return vs. Golden State. Truly a case of Christmas coming (for Lakers Nation, anyhow) early. While the defense remains a work in progress, I’m sure D’Antoni at least breathed a sigh of relief seeing a familiar old face running the point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AwvWL6rm48
Next Page: Christmas at Staples Center
6. December 25, 2012: Lakers 100 Knicks 94
Did someone mention Christmas? By far, the most impressive win of the season, considering the Lakers had just been taken apart by this very same Knicks squad not two weeks early at Madison Square Garden. The Lakers had five players in double-figures, held the 7th best offense (102.3 per game) below 100, and protected the ball to the tune of just 11 team turnovers. Dwight Howard was limited to just 14 points and 12 rebounds, but was 6-9 from the free throw line, and made several key contributions down the stretch. In fact, it should be noted that Howard is currently in the midst of a 29/46 (63+ percent) stretch from the line over his last six games.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziYH1ADrRvA
5. April 11, 2012: Lakers 98 Spurs 84
Remember when ex-Laker Andrew Bynum snatched 30 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers went into San Antonio and stole a road victory with Kobe Bryant sitting out due to injury? I’m glad I’m not the only one that feels as though that seems like a lifetime ago. Metta World Peace was absolutely phenomenal in Bryant’s absence, as he scored 26 points on 10-15 FG’s (5-8 from beyond the arc). The huge rebound totals weren’t the only anomaly of the box score, as the Lakers were able to also overcome a rare combined 16-44 FG (36 percent) night from their two big men. In yet another strange twist, this was also the game where Bynum decided to chase Steve Blake at the end of the game with the hopes of shooting another 3-pointer. I guess, Sir Bynum, you do truly only live once…
Next Page: Lakers Storm Back to Beat the Thunder
4. November 30, 2012: Lakers 122 Nuggets 103
Prior to this game, the last time the Lakers had a 30-point performer of their bench it was February 11th, 1998. That player was none other than Shaquille O’Neal. Seems strange these days, but this year’s performance was from seldom-used Antawn Jamison. In fact, Jamison and Jodie Meeks combined for 54 points on 20-28 from the field. Not only did the Lakers make 17 total 3-pointers, but even Dwight Howard got into the mix with a bomb from the deep corner. The Lakers also enjoyed their highest team assist total of the season with 33.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwRMSnq4Br0
3. April 22, 2012: Lakers 114 Thunder 106
Unfortunately, this wasn’t a game of solely positive actions, as this match-up featured the elbow heard/felt/seen around the world. All types of numbers leap out at you when looking at the box score. Bryant had 26/8/6, Gasol nearly put up a triple-double of his own (20/14/9), while Bynum threw in five blocks and patrolled the paint. The most surprising stat line belonged to newly acquired reserve PF Jordan Hill. Hill infused the type of energy, effort, and life the Lakers’ lineup (unfortunately) rarely enjoyed under Mike Brown.
Next Page: Honorable Mention & Top Lakers Game of 2012
Honorable Mention Game– November 9, 2012: Lakers 101 Warriors 77
I hate to make light of a difficult situation, but this was the first game following Mike Brown’s firing. Whether it was fair to be fired after just five games, the 1-4 start following the 0-8 preseason were more than enough for the organization to determine if it simply was no longer the best fit. In this blowout of Golden State, although still short handed, the Lakers showed their very first signs of life. To the surprise of few, the Lakers went on a 4-1 streak under the new found freedom of Bernie Bickerstaff’s “let the talent be talented” approach.
2. February 9, 2012: Lakers 88 Celtics 87
Is there ever a better feeling than beating the Celtics in Boston? Outside of triumphing over the Celtics in a Finals, or hearing MVP chants for a much younger Kobe Bryant from the Boston crowd, it doesn’t get much better than beating the C’s on their home court and on an overtime tip-in for the game-winner. While Bryant was…Bryant, the night was dominated on the interior with the Lakers’ big men each recording a double-double. Although Bynum was a perplexing 6-15 from the field, his tip-in of an errant Bryant shot proved to be one of the deciding factors The Lakers played some timely defense, and Pau Gasol swatted away Ray Allen’s final attempt as the buzzer sounded.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvdopBl9xno
1. March 4, 2012: Lakers 93 Heat 83
This game was proof of the fact that cold-blooded and calculated retribution is always better than the immediacy and gratification of revenge. Just one week after the infamous “message” foul from Dwyane Wade that resulted in a broken nose for Kobe Bryant in an All-Star game (no less), Bryant donned a protective mask as he surgically dissected and dismantled the Heat in front of a sold out crowd at Staples Center. While the ‘Masked Mamba’ was lethal, this game also marked the first truly positive game for a struggling Metta World Peace. After struggling with back and leg issues over the first couple months of the season, MWP’s 17 points, seven boards, and four steals proved he was finally feeling healthy.
Obviously, this has been quite the tumultuous year for both the Lakers and Lakers Nation alike. Following the greatest coaching legacy in NBA history, the Lakers have struggled to find the right mix of talent and coaching to return to a championship level of play. Hopefully, the hiring of Mike D’Antoni along with the returns of Steve Nash and Pau Gasol will lead to this team living up to the mountainous level of expectations the NBA-loving world had for the team heading into the season. Happy New Year, Lakers Nation. Let’s hope we all enjoy continued success in the present and future for the Purple and Gold.