The Lakers bid farewell to 2006 in style... on the scoreboard at least.  Their 104-94 win over a bunch of guys wearing Sixers unis who probably just make Moses Malone and Dr. J cry themselves to sleep at night put them back on the winning track after the Friday Night Flameout in Charlotte.  Kobe Bryant made a final pitch to keep the new ball around, shooting a rather brisk 15/22 from the floor on his way to 35 points, to go along with eight boards and six dimes.  He got plenty of help from everyone on the active roster- and I do mean everyone, since even Shammond Williams found his way first into the game (yes, he does wear shorts under his tearaways), then into the score book with a triple from the corner.  That they won isn't surprising, since I'm almost positive the Lakers are undefeated in December games where Williams scores.  Luke Walton chipped in with 11/7 (boards) and Smush had 12/5 (assists). 

That's a lot of good news, but the bad stuff puts it to shame.  Kwame Brown left the game in the third after suffering a nasty sprain to his left ankle.  The diagnosis was "severe," x-rays were inconclusive (beyond the notion that it indeed was an ankle), and Brown will undergo more tests tomorrow, including a CT scan. 

For those who missed it, Kwame Brown turned his left ankle over in the third quarter, and was down on the court for a while before being helped to the locker room.  The initial diagnosis was a severe sprain, and x-rays were inconclusive.  He'll undergo more tests, including a CT scan, tomorrow.  But it doesn't sound as encouraging as "He'll play in the fourth quarter," so keep your fingers crossed. 

BK

BK here.

Oh, it's on, people.  The goal tonight?  A) Avoid consecutive losses to two of the worst teams in basketball, and b) get us out of here at a reasonable hour to enjoy New Year's Eve.  No whistles!

Fantasy update: I've got Iguodala and Dalembert, so if there's a way they can go for a combined 60/30 and have the Lakers still win, I'd appreciate it. I'm really suffering hin that league.  As for real hoops, it'll be interesting to see how the Sixers can take advantage of the Lakers P&R vulnerability, given the roster shakeup, and that Dalembert isn't the greatest player in the league away from the hoop.  And as I type that, they go to the high screen.  The Lakers cut off the roll from Dalembert, but nobody picked up Rodney Carney, who took the pass at the top of the circle and waltzed to the hoop for a dunk. 

Lamar Odom was in the house tonight, chomping on some Starburst- LO's got something of a sweet tooth- and talking about "Knee-Watch '07."  For those banking on a precise one month recovery, I'd say there's no harm in remaining optimistic, but I wouldn't bet your life savings.  For starters, LO doesn't even have a target date set, which really makes wagering on one feel dicey.  "I hope I can be back by then," said Lamar on returning by mid-January. "I'm just trying to work hard so I can come back as soon as possible."  Phil Jackson doesn't want him forcing the issue, an attitude matching Mr. Versatility's.  "I wanna play at 100%.  This is something that I don't want to happen again."  For now, the issue is less about pain and more about mobility, with LO unable to move in whatever desired direction.  Odom's schedule these days is mostly chock full of strengthening exercises, therapy, treatment... not to mention a healthy dose of patience, a necessary virtue for someone determined to "let nature take its course, as far as healing is concerned."

Everything about Friday night's triple OT loss in Charlotte was time consuming, from the game itself to the flight home.  Fortunately- because who knows if they got a good movie on the flight back- there wasn't plenty to talk about, from individual performances to not overreacting to acknowledging that missed opportunities come at a price.  Fortunately, another one comes a knockin' tonight, as the Lakers will host the Sixers, who would likely be celebrating the end of '06 if '07 wasn't shaping up to be equally depressing.  Maybe they need some resolutions to kick things off, because all the numbers point to an L.A. win.  As for the Lakers, will the new year bring a starting gig for Jordan Farmar?  Peter Vescey thinks it needs to bring better D from 24.  We do know it will bring leather.

The warning went out before Friday night's game against Charlotte that it was a letdown waiting to happen.  Replace "let" with "melt," and you get the gist of what happened in L.A.'s 133-124, triple overtime loss to the Bobcats.  Nothing went well for the purple and gold, or certainly not as well as it should have against one of the NBA's worst teams.  They built up a big first quarter lead, then gave it back in the second as Charlotte dropped 42 points on them.  Replace the Bobcats with the Suns, and 42 points still sucks.  That the 'Cats score fewer points a game than all but five NBA teams makes it suckier.  The box score shows the good, the bad, and the ugly (though it really needed a category for "pick and rolls surrendered").  Kobe poured in 58 points (not exactly his first time), but completely dominated the ball and had stretches where it looked like he was determined to play one-on-five.  His is one crowded shot chart.  Kwame Brown had a season high 15 boards, but none after the five minute mark in the third, dropped some critical passes in the third OT, and had some choice words for his teammates afterwards.  And by the way, they gave yet another PG a box to put on the fridge door with a big ol' smiley face sticker on it. 

Anyone miss L.O. yet?  And he's not the only Laker with bruises. 

Who wins ESPN.com's Trimester Awards?

I don't want to spoil the ending for you, but I've seen what happens and it turns out Darth Vader is in fact Luke Skywalker's father.

BK

You know the dillio by now.  If you wanna remain in suspense for the KCAL feed, kill time for an hour (perhaps by writing the station to let them know you hate these delayed broadcasts).  If you're following the action via alternate means, comment away.

AK

The Lakers head into tonight's game against the Bobcats flush with the knowledge that at 3-2, the sky won't fall on their six game road swing.  It could get a lot closer with a loss to one of the league's worst teams, but at worst, a .500 trip means Chicken Little can take the night off.  Still, a win against Charlotte tonight- jealous, like everyone, of L.A.'s primo weather- and Sunday against Philadelphia- they're garbage- would put the Lakers at 21-10 and keep them smack dab among the elite of the W.C.  With that in mind, you'd think P.J. would be all about hosannas and encouraging pats on the back.  Not quite.  Jackson took an opportunity to prod and tweak Vlad Rad, implying NASA has a better shot at communicating the offense to him than he does, then lobbed a volley in the direction of Kwame Brown.

Somebody's gonna be watching him a little Hawks on his NBA League Pass.  Why?  Because my boy now is playing in Atlanta!  Slava Medvedenko is back in the L, kids!

As any regular reader of Lakersblog knows, I am a charter (and perhaps only) member of "The Slava Medvedenko Fan Club."  Love the guy.  I was genuinely bummed out when last season's herniated discs/candy bar-gate led to his untimely waiving.  There may be nobody in league history more capable of providing multiple occasions of sweet shooting and unintentional comedy during the same game.  Hell, sometimes during the same play.  My gut says it's a match made in heaven.  From the bits and pieces I've seen of Atlanta this season, they don't seem to have a particularly strong offensive scheme.  Perfect, since Slava won't bother learning the plays in the first place.  And now that Atlanta has reverted to true form after a hot start, any additional element of watchability would be welcomed.  When it comes to this specific brand of entertainment, unless you're gonna bring up Von Wafer from the NBDL, a stay at Club Med(vedenko) is just what the doctor ordered.  Obviously, the man's shot selection and defense aren't always up to snuff, but it's also borderline impossible to avert your eyes when Slava's on the court.  He's the basketball equivalent of a freeway pileup.