Lakers’ Week 21 in review
Week 21 started with a shake, as the Lakers awoke to an early morning earthquake.
The team was still dealing with the aftershocks of Phil Jackson’s decision to join the New York Knicks as president.
On radio, Lakers owner/executive Jeanie Buss said that Jackson (her fiancée) was not offered a position with the Lakers.
It was actually a Lakers fan who put Phil Jackson in touch with the Knicks. With the team’s former coach moving on, the Lakers gain closure with his departure.
Buss also said that Kobe Bryant deserves both a farewell tour and his extension. She’s not worried about battling Jackson and the Knicks for free agents.
Bryant also spoke on radio, saying that although he has sympathy for Coach Mike D’Antoni, he is unsure if the Lakers coach should return next season.
The Lakers were struck another blow when Jordan Farmar injured his groin during practice, knocking him out for at least two weeks.
On Wednesday, the Lakers fell to the San Antonio Spurs, 125-109.
While Nick Young and Jordan Hill returned Friday from knee injuries, Xavier Henry suffered a torn ligament in left wrist.
Steve Nash, thought to be done for the year, was able to play against the Washington Wizards -- although the Lakers fell, 117-107.
Nick Young and Drew Gooden got into a skirmish that ultimately led to Gooden being fined $15,000 by the NBA for a flagrant foul.
Naturally, Nash irritated his back, hamstring and nerve issues, sidelining him when the Lakers hosted the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
The Lakers handed the Magic their ninth straight loss, 103-94, which had negative lottery implications for the Lakers.
Pau Gasol was unable to play in the second half, falling ill to the point of needing a precautionary overnight visit at a hospital.
The Lakers have been devastated by injuries all season, but the team should have a nice draft pick in June for their trouble.
Unfortunately most of the top NCAA prospects quickly fell out of the March tournament. Though Tyler Ennis of Syracuse stood out, his team was knocked out on Saturday.
Earlier in the week, Hill was late to the team photo, the only player left out.
Former Laker Shawne Williams was named D-League performer of the week. Manny Harris, who played for the Lakers and D-Fenders, left the NBA Development League to play in Turkey.
Finally, D’Antoni said that second-year center Robert Sacre is the Lakers’ hardest worker.
Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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