Are we back on East Coast time yet?
Opponent File
Los
Angeles Lakers
The Lakers play in the Staples Center
in Los Angeles, CA. Their 2002 - 2003 record was 50 - 32 (second in the
Pacific). Here's what Joe had to say about Los
Angeles in their Pacific Division Previews. Here's the Los
Angeles Lakers Roster.
Local Paper:
Los
Angeles Times | Lakers
Team Pages:
CNNSI.com
| Lakers
ESPN.com
| Lakers
NBA.com | Lakers
The
Sporting News | Lakers
Sportsline.com
| Lakers
Head Coach: Phil Jackson
2003 Draft: F Brian Cook, Illinois (#24);
F Luke Walton, Arizona (#32).
New Players: PF Brian Cook (draft); PF Karl
Malone (Jazz); PG Gary Payton (Sonics); SF Bryon Russell (Wizards); C
Horace Grant (Magic).
Season Goal: Avoid the
distraction of the Kobe case, integrate Payton and Malone
into the offense, and keep Shaq motivated and fit to recapture the flag.
Again, anything less is not acceptable.
Record vs. Nets: 1 - 0
G58: Lakers
100, Nets 83
Other Opponent Files
Projected Pacific Division Standing:
Chris Carrino: 1
Tim Capstraw: 2
Ian Eagle: 2
Joe Netsfan: 1
Steve Politi: 2
Bare Bryant
We're not talking legendary college football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant here, but rather Kobe Bryant, and his troubled season out in L.A. With the memories of last Sunday's ass-spanking by the Lakers still fresh in the Nets' collective head, now comes word that today's matinee (on national TV) will be without Kobe, who re-injured his shoulder in Friday's win against the Sonics. Also missing may be old dog Horace Grant, one of the many role playing Lakers who killed the Nets' strategy of defending Bryant and Shaq to the hilt. Shaq will still be there, though, so this won't really be any easier that last Sunday because the Nets can barely defend Shaq even when he's doubled or tripled. The last game of this four game West Coast trip can do nothing worse than assure the Nets of a 2 - 2 split, with a short break in the schedule coming up. Can the Nets find some offense (Jason Kidd may return) while containing the Bryant-less Lakers and score a big road win? Or will the Lakers frighten the center tandem of Collins and Williams with a Shaq Attack?
- Joe
Los Angeles Lakers Cheat Sheet
The Story from LA: Kobe re-injured his left shoulder in a collision with Sonics' forward Reggie Evans in the first minute of the Lakers' win on Friday night. Reports indicated that he'll miss at least a month, or maybe more. The Lakers' star earlier missed playing time when he hurt his shoulder in a collision with Cleveland's Kedrick Brown on Jan. 12. Also out is Horace Grant, who has a strained hip flexor and will be evaluated next week.
But the good news is Karl Malone may return to action on March 8 against his old team the Jazz. Malone, who's been out since December 21, was cleared to return full-out to practice on March 4.
How old is Horace Grant? And how banged up is he? Laker coach Phil Jackson: "We'll shoot him at the end of the season and be rid of him."
Interesting column this morning from Scott Howard-Cooper at ESPN.com suggesting that Lawrence Frank could be replaced as head coach of the Nets next season by the still-unsigned Phil Jackson. It would be all about the buzz, says Howard-Cooper. "New Jersey, at 38-23, is on pace to finish 26th in attendance. First-graders with finger paint draw better," he says. Hmm.
Pain Game: PF Karl Malone (knee) and C Jamal Simpson (ankle) are on injured reserve. F Horace Grant (hip, groin) and G Kobe Bryant (shoulder) are listed as out.
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