It has certainly been a roller coaster year for the Los Angeles Lakers. From dealing with a shortened schedule due to the 2011 lockout to getting ousted from the playoffs in the second round for the second straight year to having one of the best off-seasons in history to firing and hiring a new coach within the the first month of the season, the Lakers have reminded us of the fact that they hail from LA, where drama and basketball lives.
Despite a drama-filled 2012, the Lakers provided Lakers Nation memorable moments that will last a lifetime. These moments remind us why we are Laker fans and why the Lakers are the best basketball franchise in the NBA. Without further ado, here are my top ten Laker moments of 2012 and here’s to an even better 2013 for the purple and gold!
10. Dwight Howard for Three!
Dwight Howard had one of his best, if not the best, games in a Laker uniform against the Denver Nuggets on November 30, 2012. Howard posted 28 points, 20 rebounds and three blocks. Howard closed the game with a thrilling three-pointer, which is his second made three-pointer of his career.
httpvhd://youtu.be/qz4O7_sOTl4
9. First Assist Recorded from Steve Nash as a Laker
Steve Nash may be one of the best pure shooters in the game, but it is his passing ability that has made his career. This was his first assist as a Laker on October 7, 2012, in which rookie Robert Sacre was the lucky receiver of this assist. This pass is sure to be one of many to come in purple and gold.
httpvhd://youtu.be/ww9_UU-O31Q
Next Page: Dwight’s First Oop, Kobe’s Clutch Triple
8. First Dwight Howard Alley-Oop Dunk
The first of many alley-oop dunks from Dwight Howard came during the preseason game against the Sacramento Kings on October 21, 2012. None other than the Lakers 7-footer Pau Gasol threw this sweet lob to earn Dwight his first points as a Los Angeles Laker.
httpvhd://youtu.be/W-IECp-MM1s
7. Kobe’s Clutch Three Against the New Jersey Nets
Talk about a shooter’s roll – this long bucket to seal the victory against the then-New Jersey Nets on April 4, 2012 during last season was just another great moment for the Mamba.
httpvhd://youtu.be/5uum1qXsqTQ
Next Page: D-Fish Comes Up Clutch, Pau’s Stuff Sinks Celtics
6. Derek Fisher’s Clutch Game-Winning Three Against Dallas
Fisher does it again! Derek Fisher reminded everyone that despite his veteran age, he can still hit those tough, clutch shots that he has repeatedly done throughout his career. Last season, on January 16, 2012, Kobe once again threw it Fish to nail the game-winning three-pointer against the Dallas Mavericks.
httpvhd://youtu.be/2s4DUjHUBXc
5. Pau Gasol Blocks Ray Allen’s Game-Winning Shot in Overtime
This was the best game-winning play for two reasons: 1. It was against the Celtics in Boston; and 2. It occurred on the defensive end. On February 9, 2012 with the game in overtime, the Celtics inbounded the ball to Paul Pierce, who threw up a shot that missed. Ray Allen quickly got the rebound and attempted to throw in a put-back layup, but Pau Gasol was there to reject Allen’s attempt, securing a one-point win against their historic rivals.
httpvhd://youtu.be/rUlukQ2ZI0s
Next Page: Kobe Passes Kareem; Scores 30,000th Point
4. Kobe Bryant Passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for Most Field Goals Made as a Laker
On January 29, 2012, Kobe Bryant passed legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most field goals made as a Laker with a nice reverse layup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He recorded 35 points and 14 rebounds that night in Minnesota. Just another record for the Black Mamba!
httpvhd://youtu.be/sxorzPPDi0A
3. Kobe Hits 30,000 Career Points
Kobe Bean Bryant became the fifth player in NBA history to reach 30,000 career points on December 5, 2012 against the New Orleans Hornets. Bryant surpassed the 30K mark with a vintage Kobe move in the post to join the company of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. Not bad company to be with, right?
httpvhd://youtu.be/ydzoWL8Kt-E
Next Page: Lakers Get Two New Additions in Offseason
2. Steve Nash Is Traded to the Lakers
Lakers Nation sure had a lot to celebrate of the Fourth of July when news broke that the Lakers had traded future draft picks and used their trade exception to acquire two-time MVP Steve Nash from the Suns. Nash immediately extended the opening of that window that was beginning to close for the Lakers to win another title or more under the Kobe-era.
httpvhd://youtu.be/TniRVX0Vas8
1. Dwight Howard Signs With the Los Angeles Lakers
After over a year of the Dwightmare, everyone could finally wake up after the trigger was pulled to move Dwight out of Orlando. Fortunately for the Lakers and their fans, things fell our way as LA became the destination for the best center in the league. With all the positives that Dwight represents for the Lakers, the most important is what it means for the Lakers’ future of competitiveness and success.
httpvhd://youtu.be/_Z7OkA1j1GE