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LOS ANGELES LAKERS 92-95 INDIANA PACERS



Even a that's more like it 41 points from Kobe Byant couldn't keep up pace with Indiana last night as the Indeanapolis team won 95-92. Indiana's break out player, Roy Hibbert had a double, double with a Kobe Jersey number in points and a Shannon in rebounds. Kobe missed two three pointer attempts in the final seconds like it was 1997 in Utah but it was Indiana that overcame the Lakers last night with Darren Collison adding 14 points and Danny Granger adding 18. After the Pacers road win at Staples Granger added, "To come into L.A. and beat the world champions on their home court is a huge win for us." This win is huge and a first for the Pacers who have never managed to keep up with the Lakers and beat them at Staples until now. Even when the two teams met in the competitive 2000 NBA Finals no purple and gold blood was drew until the Lakers visited Conseico. Laker players still put up valiant numbers in this tightly fought contest, Pau Gasol had 13 points and 12 rebounds while Odom had 15 and 11. Still however according to the box score and Phil Jackson the Lakers weren't with it, "We played a lethargic game" the coach said postgame. Two down in as many games, it's time to wake up. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

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Everybody wants his presence in the post back but it appears that nobody wants Andrew Bynum back on the floor than the man himself. Bynum is recovering from yet more chronic injury problems and despite the prognosis of others he's adamant on setting his own timetable for return. 'Drew hope's he can be a presence just in time for Christmas looking to return in around three weeks.. "That's just me, what I want. The training staff and other people may see things different. Why so? I'm not sure." His motivated fire will be needed against the Miami Heat who the Lakers host on a Christmas day NBA ratings showcase. The star will be welcome bak in the Lakers Hollywood galaxy as they have become a little short up front with the the injury of Theo Ratliff, who was supposed to be Bynums backup and replacement. Although Bynum is confident, he does realise that other return goals have been set and not met, "I just want to be back within three weeks. That's my personal goal. It may or may not happen." In the meantime Andrew has been working out with impressive rookie Derrick Caracter in order to build his on court confidence and persona back up. The workouts have even got a bit physical, which believe it or not is a good sign. It shows both players are focused, especially Andrew on his impending return, "That's what it is, where it's at. It's not like it's going to get any worse. So that's why I'm taking my time, getting myself strong, getting my wind back. I'm not rushing. I'm trying to keep myself in that mind-set, not wanting to get back and hurt myself.". TIM DAVID HARVEY

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LOS ANGELES LAKERS 96-102 UTAH JAZZ



Perhaps that fun practice on Thanksgiving was a bad idea because the party was over for the Lake Show in Salt Lake City last night against a full Utah Jazz team. Point Guard maestro, Deron Williams' 29 points and clutch 3 with just over a minute to go led the Jazz to a victory to the tune of 102-96. Al Jefferson's almost double, double of 20 and 8 was also key in his battle with the Lakers Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. The Jazz are now 12 and 5 after beating their old home, New Orleans by 18 on Wednesday. Still recovering from injury Kobe played big but his 31 and 14 straight points where not enough. Neither was another double, double from Gasol who had 21 and 11. The Lakers put up a great effort but all the Utah jazz's pieces where playing in perfect harmony. Kobe had nothing but appreciation for this great Jazz team and Deron Williams who he called the best point guard in the league. Kobe sounded off on the team, "They got a lot of talent. They play that way all the time. You can take the softest player in the league and put him on the Jazz and he'll turn into a tough guy." Kobe and the Lakers eat a slice of humble pie after thanksgiving but at least Kobe's games looking even tougher.TIM DAVID HARVEY.

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The Lakers kept it light like Ron Harper celebrating the three-peat with a Miller beer yesterday as Phil Jackson held a traditional, fun practice of his. The serious coach got festive early with an easy, Jax dubbed 'Turkey Trot' practice on Thanksgiving (it was probably to look after those turkey belly's). The zen master orchestrated his infamous 'bigs' vs 'smalls' game a day before the Lakers face a tough test against the Utah Jazz, "We put our bigs at guards and our guards at centers," coach explained. The tradition has harked back to Jackson's Chicago days all the way to yesterdays Gasol vs Fisher matchup. Although this practice probably drew a lot of laughs it's also a useful technique for the dry ease board, "We still try and get something accomplished because that's part of what we do whenever we take the court", Jackson told the Los Angeles Times. As good as the Lakers bigs are you know one of them will have got posterized by Shannon Brown. Now they can feel what the rest of the league experiences. HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

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LOS ANGELES LAKERS 98-91 CHICAGO BULLS



The Lake Show overcame Phil Jackson's old team the Chicago Bulls last night with a 98-91 win. In what could be one of Jackson's last games against his old firm he coached his team to a 17-2 charge against the Bulls in the fourth. Chi-town's finest native Shannon Brown again made his case for most improved player (seriously how many stars do LA need?) with 21 points and 5 threes. Shannon showcased his range en route to matching his season high, including one beautiful, shining, rainbow three which caught rain on it. A jumper so soft and perfect, the instant replay didn't need any slow motion on it. Kobe also again had 20, while Lamar Odom had an All-Star 21 and 8. Chicago's Derrick Rose was a thorn in the Lakers side as he drove to the hoop endlessly en route to a stellar 30 points. Still it was the Lakers who bloomed late on planting a victory. TIM DAVID HARVEY

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LOS ANGELES LAKERS 117-89 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS



PAU! PAU! Gasol was perfect this weekend as the Lakers took apart the less powerful version of a very talented Golden State Warriors. Golden State didn't glitter last night as it was a Sunday night whitewash for the Lake Show. With a score of 117-89 the Lakers made it another Sunday blowout win at home after trouncing Portland a fortnight back (they did lose to Phoenix at home last week though). Pau Gasol hit all his shots to lead the team with a clean 28 for the score sheet. Thanks to Gasol the Lakers gassed up the Warriors for a 30 point lead in the first half. Although Golden State battled back. The Lakers had too much firepower and defence. Kobe added 20, while Lamar Odom made his a double with 15 points and 10 rebounds (get that All-Star ballot punched). Pau deservedly sat out the last quarter after going forth with a perfect record from the field and the stripe. He also notched 9 boards and 5 dimes before the fourth quarter. The Warriors still played hard, rising talent Dorell Wright (you should have played him earlier Miami) had 16 while Stephen Curry did travel to Staples this time bagging 13. Monta Ellis had 5 before being taken out the game after falling on his hip. The GSW's will hope Monta can return to the side soon. TIM DAVID HARVEY

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LOS ANGELES LAKERS 112-95 MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES



Last night the Lake Show faced the rising Minnesota Timberwolves and man of the moment Michael Beasley (who has been averaging close to 32 a game this past week). After being shocked at Staples a fortnight back and stunned in a preseason loss in London under two months back the Lakers need to prove that they could prove that the land of a 1000 lakes was still their (second) home. Kobe Bryant, who is playing a lot better and a lot more had a healthy 23 and 8, while Pau Gasol had another double, double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Meanwhile Minny's top Wolves howled the loudest. Beasley had 25 points and 10 rebounds while Darko Milicic continued to break out from the bust start of his career with 23 points, 16 rebounds and 6 blocks. Still Lamar Odom held his former USA Basketball teammate from this Summers gold winning team Kevin Love to a donut in points. On the offensive end it was Matt Barnes who led the Phil Jackson dubbed 'Renegades' off the bench (and the starters too) with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Most of Barnes points came from 3 where he hit 6 from 7. The renegade outlawed any chance of a Minnesota comeback with his clutch play. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

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LOS ANGELES LAKERS 116-121 PHOENIX SUNS



The start of the Lake Shows season was certainly an asset but now the Los Angeles Lakers are becoming a loss leader of sorts. The Lakers have now dropped their last two games and yesterday they suffered their first home disadvantage. Phoenix proved that even though they've lost Amare, their still hot as they burnt the Lake Show 121-116. Phoenix rose from the ashes of critical doubt and let the rainbow three's shine. In dropping the Lakers, Phoenix sunk the second most 3 pointers in NBA history and Jason Richardson had a monster performance, roaring with 34 points and 7 threes. As his team defined history for the first time, legend Steve Nash once again defied age with 21 points and 13 assists. Channing Frye and Hedo Turkoglu also contributed from deep adding a respectful 20 and 4 threes and 17 and 5 threes respectively. The Suns were just one 3 ball shy of over shining Orlando's 2009 record as they made 22 of 40 shots still Phoenix still filed away the Lakers at Staples for the first time since 2008. LA's players still saw some sunshine as Gasol hit 28, Kobe 25, Odom 22 and Artest 13. Still Phoenix's threes were too much for the Lakers to escape with one 'W'. As the clock read zero the Lakers were out gunned and out numbered. TIM DAVID HARVEY

SCOUTING THE ROSTER-THE B-LIST

So good there's seconds.



The Lake Show is on right now. Over the past few seasons Los Angeles have been so good they've been named champion twice. If the Lakers make it three this season they will have to rely on more than the mamba, the zen and the Spaniard however. The Lakers depth extends more than Ron Artest's wide range of extensive experience and Derek Fishers clutch range. If the Lakers are to be more successful and write history like Drake a big reason will be the bench mob which is the best they ever had. The second infantry is what will soldier this team on in a deep season and playoff campaign as the Lakers look to get presidential a year after their second, victorious term. With this in mind and on court let's scout even further.

STEVE BLAKE: Derek Fisher may have the experience but Steve Blakes the future. Derek may have the years but Steve's got the speed. Blakes three point shot has developed so much that you could bank on it rivalling Fisher's in the clutch. These backcourt mates have nothing to bicker about however. These two guards compliment each other perfectly. Steve Blake in less than ten games has shown that he would even belong in the first five. This game hero has already been a life saver for LA and there's still plenty of breathing space left for his development. A couple of years back the Lakers were a donut in the PG position but now they get the point.



SHANNON BROWN: There's more than a recent engagement to R&B singer Monica that is making this spark plug hit all the high notes. Shannon's always been more than a dunker but this year Brown is seeing the light. Shannon looks to take flight this 82 as this years slogan should be 'Let Shannon Play'. Already this season Brown's shown great versatility. He shot the lights out against Portland in a blowout win last week that wasn't even needed. A necessity however is Brwon's developing range that is measuring as high as his energy. Still Shannon's dunking is what is pined after and gawked at as much as the bikini models on Venice Beach and it's these amazing aerial displays that will keep other teams grounded in games where the Lakers team or crowd need a lift me up. Shannon Brown is the perfect definition of an energy player off the bench. Lose your spark he's ready to plug in at any given time. This pine time player is an expert in the prime time. Remember it's not who starts games, it's who finishes them.



MATT BARNES: This tattooed warrior has settled back in California looking for some championship ink. Sure to some this guy appears rough around the edges bit a player like him should make the Lakers cruise to the championship on a smooth sail. Matt is the strong, second wind behind the energy of the bench mob. With Ron Artest and the doberman, Barnes Jerry Maguires a three man perimeter defence tandem that is the best in the league. When all three bless the court at the same time even the Miami Heat will have hell to play. Plus Matt can spell both Kobe's shooting guard position and Ron's small forward spot meaning this swingman can give the Lakers an effervescent, fiery, defensive presence when the Lakers first string defenders cool off from the burn. Barnes tenacity and versatility help the Lakers adopt these characteristics as well. This defensive minded player is offensive too. Career highs of 36 points make Barnes guilty of talent on both ends of the floor.



LAMAR ODOM: He has not made an All-Star team yet (why?) and critics have written him off as the Scottie Pippen to Kobe's Michael Jordan (again why?). Still however Lamar Odom is the benches franchise player to Kobe's first team one. He may never be an MVP but if it wasn't for Bynums injuries this guy could of already been the sixth man of the year. With 'Drew out Odom can help the roster draw shape by moving to the four on the floor as Gasol takes front and centre. It's this versatility that sets guys like Odom and Garnett from the rest. If LA cloned L.O. he could play all five positions. This big guy can play in the backcourt too, now that's truly Magic. He's come on leaps and bounds over the years, but don't get it twisted he's no most improved. Lamar's always been this good. There isn't a player quite like him and until Anthony Randolph develops there won't be one still. Another unique thing about the Hollywood favourite (in more ways than one) is his unselfishness. He could be the star but he's more complimentary, not lazy. Critics may put other so called stars above Odom but he's got two things those others don't have...rings.



THEO RATLIFF: Lakers backup centres have always been reliable and entertaining but you can bank on something more eye catching with defensive presence, Theo Ratliff bringing his shot-swatting staple to the Lakers stadium. Look for Theo to be as welcome in this Lakers family as a Huxtable is to the Cosby's. There's going to be a block party in L.A this year with Ratliffs presence on the hardwood and with this D student coming off the bench the defensive minded Lakers look even better at guarding their championship throne. With Bynum off the block too LA need Ratliff more than ever. Now Theo may be the oldest Laker but even in reduced minutes he'll still bring the Lakers an asset of experience that will pay off in playoff dividends.



(Ratliff's got Pau Gasol's back in more than just this photo)

Now with a second unit as strong as this it even leaves talent like Luke Walton and Sasha Vujacic on the third team. Or if you like, the benches ideal sixth man (how strong is this?). It's this second battalions mix of fight, versatility and experience that makes these players the perfect finishing compliment to the starters. This second string ties this team together brilliantly. Meaning even when the Lakers are on the ropes they'll have the support in their corner ready to go another round. This second squad may not be a Hollywood list but it's all-star. Now don't you just love it when a B-team comes together? TIM DAVID HARVEY.