Today, @paugasol took @YasielPuig with him to @ChildrensLA. It was adorable. Photo Blog: 

Jordan Farmar Press Conference

The Lakers have signed guard Jordan Farmar. Farmar, originally selected by the Lakers, spent his first four NBA seasons with Los Angeles and helped the team to three consecutive NBA Finals appearances and back-to-back NBA Championships. WATCH: Jordan Farmar Press Conference | Press Release

Lakers Statement From General Manager Mitch Kupchak

This statement was released today by Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak regarding the team’s meeting with free agent center Dwight Howard: "Jim Buss, Mike D’Antoni, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Tim Harris and I, along with representatives from our partners at Time Warner Cable SportsNet and AEG, met this afternoon for approximately two hours with Dwight Howard

Kobe on his Legacy

In the final part of our 1-on-1 interview with Kobe Bryant, the 15-time All-Star discusses how long he thinks he can continue to play at an elite level, reveals his all-time starting five, explains to what degree rings tell the story for a player's legacy, talks about how the game has developed in his 17 years in the league and more

The Warriors’ Risky Play For Howard

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Top Moments: #1

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Kobe on Dwight Howard

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Season Wrap Up Infographic

The Healthy Lakers

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2012-13 Top 10 Moments: #7

even in his 17th season, Kobe Bryant posted one of the better statistical years of his career, his field-goal percentage (46.3) at its highest since 2008-09 in large part because of his finishing ability at the rim.

Bryant provided several highlight reel dunks during the 2012-13 campaign, the spring in his legs looking nearly as spry as the once 18-year-old who won the 1997 NBA Dunk Contest.

In a Jan. 4 road contest at Staples Center facing the Clippers, and the Lakers trailing early in the first quarter, Bryant played the passing lanes perfectly, deflecting a pass from Chris Paul. He gathered the ball a little past midcourt, took two dribbles, took off from nearly outside the paint and slammed it home emphatically over Paul.

On the fourth game of their annual Grammy road trip in early February, the Lakers visited the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the first time. Deadlocked at 80 and the shot clock winding down, Bryant drove the lane and threw down a tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot and being without the services of Dwight Howard (torn labrum in right shoulder) and Metta World Peace (suspension).

Nearly a month later, déjà vu.

Kupchak Conversation

Mike Trudell | @LakersReporter

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak sat down with Lakers.com to go over the current happenings in the basketball operations office, the latest on Dwight Howard's free agency, the team's financial situation with the new collective bargaining agreement, what he thinks is the most important element in building a team and more:

Download news Los Angeles Lakers word: Kobe Bryant Begins Rehab

Feb 25, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 119-108. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant continues to keep his fans in the loop of his recovery from the devastating Achilles tear he suffered towards the end of the regular season. While Bryant wasn’t able to help his team in the NBA playoffs, he has been seemingly positive and determined since the injury.

Kobe Named All-NBA First Team … Again

The following statement was issued today by the Los Angeles Lakers regarding the death of former Laker Flynn Robinson:

“We are very sad to hear of the passing of Flynn Robinson,” said Lakers Executive Vice President of Business Operations Jeanie Buss. “Flynn played an important role on the 1971-72 Lakers team that brought Los Angeles its first NBA Championship and won what is still an NBA-record 33 consecutive games. Lakers fans might remember him as ‘Mr. Instant Point,’ a nickname given to him by the great Chick Hearn, a nickname that was well earned as Flynn led the reserves in scoring that season, averaging 10 points in 16 minutes off the bench. He was a proud part of our Lakers heritage, participating in numerous reunions and special events over the years and he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time.”

2012-13 Fit For Life Features

Finishing At the Rim

Finishing shots at the rim at a high rate of efficiency is a category that can make a big difference over the course of an NBA season.

Whether through front court or back court players, having an elevated conversion percentage inside goes a long way towards overall offensive efficiency, where the Lakers finished eighth on the season (105.8) amongst NBA teams.

Here’s how each player fared from five feet and in*:
*Statistics courtesy of Hoopdata.com.

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The Nike Elite Series Hits With New Shoes For Kobe, LeBron & Durant

obe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant (photo. Nike Basketball) Are you ready for the NBA’s second season? Nike is, and they’re coming through with a new Elite series featuring Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant decked out as superheroes. They are getting some new sneakers too.

The Nike Kobe 8 ‘Mambacurial’ Takes Inspiration From Bryant’s Love Of Soccer

Kobe Bryant spent most of his childhood in Italy, where he gained a love and respect for soccer. Now, because of that, Nike is releasing the Kobe 8 “Mambacurial,” a basketball shoe inspired by the unique design of the Nike Mercurial Vapor IX football boot.

Player Capsule: Gasol

Dwight Howard Injury Update

2013 Season Wrap Up Infographic

From their early season struggles and the passing of their beloved owner to their first-round exit from the NBA Playoffs, it was a tumultuous, injury-plagued season. Here is a unique, infographic look at the roller coaster ride that was the 2012/2013 Los Angeles Lakers

Duncan leads Spurs' rout, pushing Lakers to brink

By GREG BEACHAM

Posted Apr 27 2013 1:10AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) After 16 seasons, Tim Duncan knows the NBA postseason is no time for mercy. Particularly when an opponent is down and seemingly ready to go out.

In the opening minutes of Game 3, Duncan made three consecutive baskets and blocked Dwight Howard's shot, dominating with his usual ruthless grace.

He put the San Antonio Spurs ahead to stay, and they ended up handing the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers their biggest home playoff loss in franchise history.

After a 120-89 victory Friday night, all that's left is the finish - something Duncan and the Spurs also know how to do pretty well.

Lakers-Spurs Game 1 Infographic

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The Los Angeles Lakers took on the San Antonio Spurs Sunday afternoon in Game 1 of their first round playoff matchup. The Laekrs played solid defense througout, but were ultimately defeated by a score of 91-79. Here's a unique, infographic look at how the game unfolded

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Lakers Fall in Game 1

Lakers - Spurs Series Preview

WHen the Lakers had a private team meeting in Memphis prior to a January 23rd game that would put them eight games below .500 (17-25), their playoff outlook appeared bleak.

A Murphy’s Law season of injuries to that point – every starter and two key bench players has missed significant time – would continue into the second half of the season … nonetheless, the wins started piling up.

By the All-Star break, the Lakers were 25-29. A month later on March 17, they were 36-32. They finally appeared to have the full squad healthy, with Pau Gasol returning from 20 games missed to a plantar fascia tear, only to see Steve Nash go down with back/hip/hamstring issues at Sacramento on March 30, when they had barely any room to lose a game with the Utah Jazz charging towards the final playoff seed.

Kobe Bryant Named Western Conference Player of the Week

NEW YORK, APRIL 15, 2013 - The Los Angele Lakers’ Kobe Bryant today was named the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, April 8 through Sunday, April 14.

With their star out because of a torn Achilles' tendon, the Lakers need to slow the game down and look to their big men, Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol.

Up, in or out? For Lakers, it all comes down to Wednesday

The Lakers have redefined unpredictability this season, touching too many lows to count despite an egregiously large $100-million payroll.

But a basketball break bounced in their direction Monday, the Houston Rockets somehow losing to Phoenix, meaning the Lakers would finish seventh in the Western Conference if they beat the Rockets on Wednesday at Staples Center.

The Lakers (44-37) trail Houston by a game but can even up the head-to-head tiebreaker at 2-2 with a victory Wednesday and simultaneously win the next tiebreaker because of a better conference mark.

Kobe, Lakers Pull it Out

Kobe Bryant was phenomenal yet again Wednesday night, scoring a season-high 47 points in the Lakers' 113-106 win over the host Trail Blazers. Pau Gasol had 23 points while Dwight Howard added 20 points and 10 rebounds. Lakers Gameday | Running Diary | Box Score | | Playoff Tracker

Archive for the 'All-Star 2013' Category

With the Western Conference All-Stars nursing an eight-point lead late in the fourth quarter, Kobe Bryant fought around a screen and swatted LeBron James going to his left at the peak of his jump shot.

Injury Update: Steve Nash

Steve Nash missed a third straight practice as he continues to heal from a hamstring/hip injury.

Nash has been absent from the lineup for nearly three games because of a strained hamstring/hip strain. He played the first two minutes at Sacramento before having to exit.

Lakers Ready For Grizzlies

Below is a

running diary of L.A.’s Friday evening home contest against Memphis, with some comments drawn from our @LakersReporter Twitter account, and a few more details in case you missed any of the action:

Starters
Lakers: Nash, Meeks, Bryant, Gasol and Howard
Grizzlies: M. Conley, T. Allen, T. Prince, Z. Randolph, M. Gasol

 Kobe's Lakers hold off Grizzlies 86-84

The Lakers (39-36) continue their final playoff push as they host the Memphis Grizzlies (51-24) tonight at STAPLES Center. Tip is set for 7:30pm PT. Watch it live on TWC SportsNet and TWC Deportes, or listen on ESPNLA710 and 1330 KWKW. Lakers Gameday Preview | Playoff Tracker | Injury Update: MWP

Kobe Passes Wilt

Continuing his assault up the list of the NBA's greatest scorers in history, Kobe Bryant became the fourth greatest to ever fill up the basket with 19 points at Sacramento on Saturday night, having needed only five to surpass Wilt Chamberlain's 31,419 career points. Kobe Passes Wilt for Fourth All-Time | Playoff Tracker

Injury Update: Gasol & Bryant