Lakers: 5 Takeaways From Brutal Eight-Game Road Trip

Besides getting 21 from Kobe, the Lakers also drew 15 and 11 rebounds from Julius Randle.

Garnett and Bryant have defined an era of basketball and how it should be played. Right now, I’d say in China there’s still Kobe and [then there’s] everyone else. It’s a shame, because we only have one race in each country. It’s insane to me lining up with KG after all these years.

Bryant has spent so much time in the Alamo City, he joked, “I know San Antonio about as much as I know Los Angeles now”. Along with limitations, the players find out what allows them to flourish.

“The first team to play defense tonight was going to be the first team to win”, Martin said postgame. Rookie Jonathon Simmons started the second half in Green’s place and finished with nine points. He appeared to tweak his wrist early on but stayed on the floor and never slowed down-eerily similar to his 37-point night last season when he played with a broken wrist. In the third quarter, Bryant took head coach Byron Scott aside and told him not to put him back in the game. “He appreciates the fact the fans are showing him the respect he deserves”.

Martin said he will get X-rays on his right wrist Thursday. Father Time was winning, Bryant was losing, and far too many of his contested jumpers kept hitting nothing but air.

The Lakers held the advantage for a handful of seconds, but Shabazz Muhammad got on the board and answered with a three-point bucket to steal it back. With stars like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili nearing the end of their careers, they have gotten young blood with the combination of Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge who have been excellent this season. Lakers F Kobe Bryant participated in all three back-to-backs during the road trip.

Russell had his moments, although he did miss a shot which could have given the Lakers the lead in that 123-122 overtime loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves hung in there, though, and capitalized during overtime to come away with the win, albeit barely.

“He was where I wanted to be”, Prince said.

“We’ll see what the fans and the coaches decide, and then we’ll go from there”, Silver said via the LA Times.

Minnesota has historically struggled to close games, and Wednesday’s victory certainly proved a valuable experience for the Wolves, especially the young guys. “I thought that continued for the rest of the night”.

“They were playing with good energy and great momentum”, Bryant said of Russell and Randle. “Even when he took his first two or three shots, they were all under control and they were all great shots”. He just seems to be more comfortable.

His record against the Wolves: 46-16. The Timberwolves open a two-game road trip the same night against the Nuggets in Denver. Friday’s game will tip off at 8 pm CST.