I Attend Lakers Game, Said Laker Team Loses
When your friend hooks you up with Laker tickets on the cheap, you don’t ask questions. You drive 50 miles (ever taken the 23 North freeway to the 118 East to the 210 East to the 5 South, to the 110 South, gone through Chinatown to find parking and jogged in right as the ball tips off? I didn’t think so). So when my buddy told me I was going to see Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets battle Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, I embraced the cold night in Downtown, L.A.
Oh yeah, and the Lakers lost only their 2nd home game of the season 116-105. What just happened?
To be as clear as possible, David West happened. He scored 40 points on 60% shooting (14-23 field goals). It was so methodical, it was scary. David West gets the ball at about 18 feet, pivots, and faces up to the man defending him (usually Gasol tonight). The crowd grows nervous. West threatens to drive, gotta respect it, give him room. West knocks down the 18 foot jumper. This happened over, and over, and over again.
It’s quite a shame too, because seeing Kobe Bryant go berserk was breath-taking. For three quarters, Kobe showed us how he used to score at will, going 6-6 from three-point range, and 13-16 overall. Then Bryant showed us why he usually embraces the team game these days, by gassing out in the 4th quarter and shooting only 1-6 for 2 points. But when starter Gasol goes for 3-8 from the field, Radmanovic 1-7 from the field, Bynum 2-7, and Fisher 6-18, you couldn’t blame Kobe tonight for heaving shots (especially when he had a team high 7 assists).
A note on Chris Paul: One of the most exciting players in the NBA today. I love his teardrop, his steady shot, his amazing weaving abilities on the drive. The Lakers did not have a prayer of staying in front of him, and he dropped 32 points with 15 dimes. I just really wish he didn’t have to play for the other guys.
Funniest moment in the game: A small contingent of Laker fans began chanting “Kobe sucks! Kobe sucks!” when Bryant missed a technical free-throw. Bryant had two more free-throws coming from a personal foul, and when he made the first free-throw, the same crowd started yelling “MVP! MVP!” It’s a testament to the wit of the Los Angeles fans. But it’s also how the roller-coaster ride of a great season has sometimes felt.
That’s so sad. You didn’t even get free tacos.
I know that drive, well not that many freeways but I still know your pain. I’m jealous though, wish I could have been at the game.
I was at this game too..funny how the only “defense” chant came in the third..the fourth quarter was dead silence, lol. West and Paul were unstoppable, very good “get back at you game” for getting rocked twice by the Lakers on their home floor.