(Photo by Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports) – Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers returned from their longest road trip of the season, better known as the Grammy’s Trip, after another disappointing loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. LeBron James was not present for the loss as he returned the day before to get treatment for his swollen knee. Well, the news has become even more disappointing as LeBron would not only miss this game, but there is no timetable as to when he will return according to Lakers reporter Mike Trudell.
LeBron James (knee) was listed as a doubt for tonight, and Frank Vogel confirmed he was out. Vogel added that “it’s going in the right direction”.
LeBron won’t return until the swelling in his knee subsides.
Well, with that information coming soon, start getting used to watching lousy basketball from the Lake Show sometimes. This game was definitely one of them.
The Lakers ended up pulling away from the Portland Trail Blazers winning 99-94.
Not much time to enjoy this one as they lace up the sneakers to play the Los Angeles Clippers on national television on TNT Thursday night.
The good of the Los Angeles Lakers victory:
Stanley Johnson got himself in trouble!
It’s not an indictment against Stanley Johnson that has been one of the few shining stories of the past two months. However, when he committed two fouls at 9:04 of the first quarter, Carmelo Anthony was slotted into the game almost as a de facto starter.
Well, we all know that Carmelo Anthony is a newbie at heart!
Melo turned back the clock and started to put buckets by scoring 10 points in the first quarter by hitting his first four shots. Two of those shots came from beyond the arc and he made an exceptional pass to a cutting Dwight Howard for an easy lay-up.
More importantly, Melo’s hot hand opened up perimeter shots for teammates like Russell Westbrook!
At halftime, Melo was the leading scorer with 18 points and added 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a party block. It’s something about February 2 that gets this guy rolling. Years ago, he broke Kobe Bryant’s scoring record at Madison Square Garden.
Dwight Howard contributed some solid play…when he had the chance!
With all the trade rumors surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers, the staff at Lake Show Life made it clear that a player on the roster should PRAY to be traded to Dwight Howard!
Frank Vogel has done a terrible job abusing Howard, especially when the Lakers are in desperate need of rim protection and rebounding. Dwight deserves a ton of credit for his professionalism after earning a DNP-CD in Charlotte and very little playing time in Atlanta.
He could have pouted and not been ready, but he fought on the boards against Jusuf Nurkic. He will never again be able to count more than 15 minutes in a Lakers uniform.
He finished with 10 points (4-6 shooting!), 7 rebounds (4 offensive!) with one block.