The Utah Jazz came in as one of the hottest teams in the NBA, boasting a nine game win streak. The Lakers would be without Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum. EnergySolutions Arena, those factors set aside, is one of the toughest places in the NBA to play. It certainly didn’t look like a good omen for the boys in the Forum Blue and Gold. Thankfully, Pau Gasol (22 Pts, 19 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 Stl, 5 Blk) and Lamar Odom (25 Pts, 11 Reb, 1 Ast, 3 Stl, 5 Blk) had different plans. The contest was never in doubt as the Lakers clubbed the Jazz, 96-81.
The Lakers will take a five game lead of the Western Conference and a 41-13 record into the break. They are off until February 16th, when they will take on the enigmatic Golden State Warriors.
With the Trade Deadline approaching, here is a short video to remind Lakers fans of the infinite possibilities that the Deadline offers. Links after the jump-off!
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- “They had more energy than us tonight, they played harder, competed harder and looked like they wanted the game more,” Deron Williams said. @KevinDing
- Due to recent Odomination, the Lakers will explore starting Lamar Odom over Andrew Bynum. [OC Register]
- The Lakers’ strong play without Kobe Bryant could all but wrap up the 2010 MVP Trophy for Lebron James. [LA Times]
- Mitch Kupchak does not anticipate that any “core players” will be involved in any trade transpiring before the deadline. He also spoke positively of Ron Artest’s recent play and said he will do whatever it takes to put the organization in the “best place to win.” [Lakers.com]
- Andrew Bynum is hopeful that resting through the All-Star break will help his bruised hip, but is willing to try an injection if things don’t get better. [OC Register]
- Lamar Odom & Andrew Bynum were both invited to try out for the U.S. Men’s National Basketball Team, which is headed by teammate Kobe Bryant. Odom, while a longshot to make the team, will give it a go. Bynum, however, declined the invitation based on his past injury history. He said he is still hopeful for London in 2012. [OC Register]
- Congratulations to Derek Fisher, who played his 1,000 game last night. He beat Kobe Bryant to the milestone… by one game. [Lakers.com Blog]
- Everybody knows that Kobe Bryant is a warrior. Some think that he should shelve the warrior spirit and rest through the All-Star break. In fact, it should be a rather easy decision, given the myriad of injuries that are plaguing the ever-aging Bryant. If he must start, perhaps he will only play a few symbolic minutes, a la the 2008 All-Star Game. [Bleacher Report]
- Shannon “Downtown” Brown has recruited Kobe Bryant to help him with one of his dunks in the 2010 All-Star Dunk Content. Hopefully Kobe will do better than Pau Gasol did last year, who needed roughly 928 tries to sucessfuly execute a pass to fellow Spaniard (and Laker nemesis) Rudy Fernandez. [OC Register]
- That’s not the only thing Kobe and Shannon will be doing together this All-Star weekened. Party, anyone? [The Big Lead]
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Meanwhile, in Mordor…
- The Boston Celtics were outplayed by the Chris Paul-less New Orleans Hornets, resulting in a 93-85 loss. Needless to say, the natives of Boston are getting restless. [@sportsguy33]
- The Boston Celtics had allegedly entered trade talks centering around PF Glen “Big Baby” Davis and G DJ Augustin. [ESPN] Not so fast, according to Danny Ainge, who denies it. Instead, a “small tweak” could be possible. Celtics Hub
- The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for pieces to add to LeBron’s court.They have been searching for a stretch four. Antwan Jamison? Troy Murphy? Both possible. [WFNY] The Cavs aren’t calling J.J. Hickson an “untouchable” but they would have to be blown away by an offer to include him. For now, the market appears frozen, while contenders wait for the first volley to be fired before the deadline. [Cleveland.com]
- The Nuggets, who need some big bodies, are facing the age-old question: To trade or not to trade? [Denver Post] They could be targeting Marcus Camby (who the Nuggets gave away two summers ago) or Tyrus Thomas. [ESPN]
Written by: DJ Byrnes
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