Lakers Look for their First Win on the Road Against the Undefeated Hawks

The fans went crazy as the LA Lakers won their first game against the Houston Rockets 120-114 in their home opener, post-Kobe Bryant era on October 26. They drop their first road game of the season next. Utah Jazz handed the Lakers their first loss 96-89 of the season Friday October 28.  And just last Sunday, Lakers battled hard but still fall to the Oklahoma Thunder 113-96. Russell Westbrook was just hard for anybody to defend. He made yet another triple double.

Yesterday was game 4 on the road. Lakers looked to pick up a second victory at Indiana. But they didn’t finish and win the game. Paul George puts up 30 to lead the Indiana Pacers past the LA Lakers 115-108. He took over the last minutes of the game down the stretch.

The LA Lakers are in Georgia today as they hit the floor against the Atlanta Hawks for the only time this season. Will the Atlanta Hawks stay undefeated with a win vs. the Lakers or will the Lakers make the Atlanta Hawks suffer their first loss of the season? Catch the game 5 tip at 7:30. Lakers have ruled Timofey Mozgov out due to left eye contusion for today’s game.

New Age Lakers Tip Off, 2016-17 Roster and Progression of the Team

The Lakers concluded their eight-game preseason with a 2-6 win loss record, but Coach Luke Walton was pleased with the progression his young team has shown.

“I feel like we’re starting to play better. We’re starting to understand concepts and understand what to look for in plays. And we’re playing at a faster pace for longer periods of time, which I think we need to do. SonI think it was a successful preseason,” Walton said.

The Lakers dropped their season finale against Phoenix Suns, fell twice to the Golden State Warriors, lost to the Portland Trailblazers and split their two-game series against the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings.

Two days after their last preseason game, the team announced that they have waived Anthony Brown and Yi Jianlian per the request of Yi and his agent.

“Yi was productive in practices and games with us, and was a consummate professional both on and off the court. However, he felt that the minutes and opportunities he’d be afforded here were not in line with his goals and ambitions, and that he’d be better off in a different situation. We appreciate his efforts and wish him great success as he goes forward with his career,” said General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Metta World Peace and Thomas Robinson have made the Lakers’ opening night roster, surviving the final cut. The roster now stands at 15.

Position, Number, Player
F / C   28  Tarik Black
G  5  José Calderón
G  6  Jordan Clarkson
F  2  Luol  Deng
G  9  Marcelo Huertas
F  14  Brandon Ingram
C  20  Timofey Mozgov
F  7  Larry Nance Jr.
F  30  Julius Randle
G  1  D’Angelo Russell
G  23  Lou Williams
G / F  0 Nick Young
C  40  Ivica Zubac
F  37 Metta World Peace
F 15 Thomas Robinson

The Kobe Bryant-less Lakers Tip Off  at Staples Center on October 26 against the Houston Rockets.

HERE is the full Lakers 2016-17 Schedule.

Shaquille O’Neal Will Be Formally Inducted into Hall of Fame Alongside Allen Iverson and Yao Ming

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will welcome three new members on Friday at the Induction Ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts. The ceremony will begin at 6:30 pm ET and it will be aired live on NBA TV.

The presenters are as follows:

Shaquille O’Neal will be presented by Julius Erving (class of ’93), Alonzo Mourning (’14), Bill Russell (’75), Isiah Thomas (00)

Allen Iverson will be presented by Larry Brown (’02), Julius Erving (’93), John Thompson (’99)

Yao Ming will be presented by Dikembe Mutombo (’15), Bill Russell (’75), Bill Walton (’93)

Check out Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2016 for some of their best moments to commemorate their Basketball Hall of Fame induction.

Source: NBA
Photo credit: NBA