Game Grades: Lakers Hang Tough, Lose Late To Blazers
By Jacob Rude
MVP: R…Ron….Ronnie Price? Jesus I didn’t know I could type that here. The Lakers point guard had one of his better games this year with 8 points and 12 assists, just shy of his first double-double this year. There were, however, a number of players worthy of this award, including Tarik Black, Wesley Johnson, and even Carlos Boozer.
Booz and Price? I think it’s really the end of the world.
LVP: Nick Young, whose shooting slump couldn’t have come at a worst time with Bryant out multiple games and the Lakers in need of a big-time scorer.
Stat of the Night: 34-25. The fourth quarter scoring, a quarter which the Blazers dominated even more than the scoreboard might indicate. This Lakers team without Kobe just can’t close.
The Starters
C-. <strong>27 min, 3-10 FG, 2-4 3P, 2-2 FT, 10 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO</strong><p><strong><a href=. SG. Los Angeles Lakers. WAYNE ELLINGTON
C+. <strong>28</strong><strong> min, 6-11 FG, 2-2 FT, 14 PTS, 5 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 3 BLK, 3 TO</strong><p>While <strong><a href=. C. Los Angeles Lakers. JORDAN HILL
RONNIE PRICE. A-. 33<strong> min, 2-7 FG, 0-4 3P, 4-4 FT, 8 PTS, 1 REB, 12 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO</strong><p>Is this Price’s best game in a Lakers uniform?.</p>. PG. Los Angeles Lakers
B. <strong>17 min, 2-4 FG, 1-1 3P, 0-0 FT, 5 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO</strong><p><strong><a href=. PF. Los Angeles Lakers. RYAN KELLY
B-. <strong>27 min, 1-4 FG, 1-2 FT, 3 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO</strong><p>While he didn’t get it done on the score sheet, <strong><a href=. PF. Los Angeles Lakers. ED DAVIS
The Bench
NICK YOUNG. D. <strong>18 min, 3-11 FG, 1-8 3P, 2-2 FT, 9 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO</strong><p>Nick Young’s shooting slump is entering very worrisome levels at this point.</p>. SG. Los Angeles Lakers
B+. <strong> 20 min, 3-3 FG, 0-0 FT, 6 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TO</strong><p>Black’s emergence has been a great sign for the Lakers at it makes both Hill and Davis expendable, as well as his great level of play</p>. C. Los Angeles Lakers. TARIK BLACK
C+. <strong>19 min, 3-9 FG, 0-0 3P, 3-4 FT, 9 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO</strong><p>A so-so performance from <strong><a href=. PG. Los Angeles Lakers. JEREMY LIN
CARLOS BOOZER. B+. <strong>21 min, 6-8 FG, 1-3 FT, 13 PTS, 9 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO</strong><p>While Boozer is playing well, the Lakers really don’t benefit from it as they can’t trade him and they should be wanting to lose.</p>. C. Los Angeles Lakers