Los Angeles Lakers survive the Trail Blazers without LeBron James
By Ronald Agers
The Los Angeles Lakers returned from their longest road trip of the season more famously known as the Grammy’s Trip after another disappointing loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. LeBron James was not in attendance for the loss as he flew back the day before for treatment on his swollen knee. Well, the news got even more disappointing as LeBron would not only miss this game but there’s no time frame of when his return will be according to Lakers reporter, Mike Trudell.
"LeBron James (knee) was listed as doubtful for tonight, and Frank Vogel confirmed that he is out. Vogel added that “It’s moving in the right direction.” LeBron won’t return until the swelling in his knee calms down."
Well with that information going forward, start getting used to watching some ugly basketball at times from the Lake Show. This game definitely was one of them.
The Lakers ended up pulling away from the Portland Trail Blazers winning 99-94.
Not much time to enjoy this one as they lace the sneakers up to play the Los Angeles Clippers on National TV on TNT on Thursday night.
The good from the Los Angeles Lakers’ win:
Stanley Johnson got in foul trouble!
This is not an indictment on Stanley Johnson who has been one of the few bright stories in the last two months. However, when he picked up two fouls by the 9:04 mark of the first quarter, Carmelo Anthony was inserted into the game almost as a de facto starter.
Well, we all know that Carmelo Anthony is a starter at heart!
Melo turned back the hands of time a started putting up buckets scoring 10 points in the first quarter knocking his first four shots. Two of those shots were from beyond the arc and he made an outstanding pass to a cutting Dwight Howard for an easy layup.
More importantly, Melo’s hot hand opened up perimeter shots for his teammates like Russell Westbrook!
Melo finds Russ who knocks down the open three! 👌#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/nNzsfKNBrW
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 3, 2022
At the half, Melo was the leading scorer with 18 points and added 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block to the party. It’s something about February 2nd that gets this guy rolling. Years back he broke Kobe Bryant’s scoring record in Madison Square Garden.
Dwight Howard contributed solid play…when he actually got the chance!
With all of the trade rumors surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers, the staff of Lake Show Life made it clear that one player on the roster should PRAY to be traded in Dwight Howard!
Frank Vogel has done a terrible job of misusing Howard especially when the Lakers desperately need rim protection and rebounding. Dwight deserves a ton of credit for his professionalism after getting a DNP-CD in Charlotte and very little playing time in Atlanta.
He could have pouted and not been ready, but he put in work battling on the boards against Jusuf Nurkic. He may never tally more than 15 minutes in a Lakers uniform again.
He finished with 10 points (4-6 shooting!), 7 rebounds (4 offensive!) with a block.