LSL Roundtable: End of Season Awards
By Jacob Rude
Best Moment of the Year
Lopez – Steve Blake’s game winner over Dwight in Houston was the first thing that came to mind. At the time, the Lakers were 2-3 and just hoping to tread water until the return of Kobe Bryant. The bench had been playing incredibly well and was leading the NBA in scoring. The Lakers jumped out to an early lead but the Rockets came back to take a late lead. Jodie Meeks inbounds from the baseline to Steve Blake who hits a three pointer over Dwight Howard that proved to be the game winner. The team was playing better than expected and it felt good to get one in Dwight’s new house.
Hicks – Wednesday April 16th, 2014 at 11:59pm. This year has been awful. The blowout losses, the lineup changes, and lack of interior defense have been terrible to deal with, but worst of all has been hearing all the Lakers haters come out the woodwork to get their shots in. I can’t stand it. Starting this weekend we can put this season behind us, get a good young player, and make shrewd moves with all that cap space. I don’t expect a championship team next year but I expect a pissed off team that will look to make amends for this season.
Booth – In a season that was so disastrous and nightmarish, it is difficult to find any positives, but there were a couple. I’m sure many of my colleagues will mention beating the Clippers opening night, or Steve Blake’s game-winning 3 vs. Dwight Howard and the Rockets. Me, I’m going with an oldie but goodie; sweeping the season-series against the hated Boston Celtics. With both the Celtics and Lakers in rebuilding mode, it’s easy to root for losses, but some games just feel great to win no matter what, and it’s always great if you’re a Lakers fan to beat the green. The win in Boston was particularly satisfying, as it marked the return of the Celtics’ all-star point guard Rajon Rondo. The building was electric, and as the chants of “BEAT LA!” were heard, the Celtics jumped to a double-digit lead early, which they maintained for most of the game, until the Lakers made their 4th quarter comeback and won it.
Oct 29, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers point guard Jordan Farmar (1) reacts to a foul call in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the at Staples Center. Lakers won 116-103. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Morales – Opening night vs. the Clippers. It was great to see them shook up the day after, players and fans. To the Clipper fan I live with it was nice to say- told you so.
Burden – Nick Young’s celebration after a missed bucket. The moment really did act as a microcosm for our season, premature jubilation resulting in hilarity for the rest of the league. That being said, we look back and laugh, the most valuable asset that Nick gave us this season. We’ve had fun, this moment epitomized that fact.
Rude – This season was a long, disastrous roller coaster, which makes it easy to forget just how enjoyable the opening night win over the Clippers was. All summer, the talk was how far the Lakers had fallen and how the Clippers owned LA. The Lakers certainly heard that and came out motivated and determined. The bench played so great that they stayed in the entirety of the 4th quarter. Xavier Henry was dunking on Chris Paul, Jordan Farmar was drilling floaters over DeAndre Jordan, and Jordan Hill was schooling people down low. It was all downhill from there.