The battle of two Legends: Lakers vs Cavs 1/15/15

On this day, NBA fans had the joy and pleasure to experience two of the greatest NBA players of all-time go mono y mono as the Los Angeles Lakers (12-28) challenged the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers (20-20) in Staples Center. Unfortunately the Lakers would fall short, 109-102, as Lebron ultimately closed out the game and secured the win.


Unlike other games this particular night had a special flare that captivated Staples Center and those watching around the nation. Kobe and Lebron playfully exchanged some funny and light-hearted banter, and without a doubt moments like those made you wish that ESPN courtside correspondent Rachel Nichols would stick a microphone in between the two future hall of famers. But that's not all, as the game had moments that showcased just why Kobe and Lebron make such captivating television.

I had chills bolting down my spine as fans and players alike anticipated Kobe's last substitution for the game, with a little over 5 minutes remaining. Everybody knew that these last 5 minutes define why we as fans love seeing the greatest players play.

But besides the match-up between the two legends, both the Lakers, and especially the Cavaliers, have a lot of issues they must address.

The Lakers guard play is just too inconsistent, as Lin, Price, and Young barely make an impact during the game. Jordan Hill continues to establish himself as the second most consistent player on the team. Finally the rest of the Lakers must realize that they must play cohesive defens

On the other hand, the Cavaliers still appear to struggle as their players appear to suffer from chemistry issues. Kevin Love simply looks out of place and lost on the court, especially when Lebron and Kyrie Irving are playing. J.R. Smith is a gambler's dream, but he'll either pay-out extremely well or make you regret ever doubling down. And finally the Cavaliers defense is atrociously bad.


Overall this game met expectations, with Kobe and Lebron both having tremendous games. Byrant finished with a career high in assists, with 17, in addition he added 19 points, and 6 rebounds while Lebron finished the game with a solid 36 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds. The Lakers will have another chance to play against Cleveland on February 8th, which is a Sunday. Let's just hope that these two teams can replicate the same magic that they shared tonight.

I'll end this off with some highlights from the game, enjoy!

Lebron with the dagger in the final seconds.

First half highlights of the game.

Lebron's awesome no-look pass.

The Lakers, A Team Like No Other.

Laker fans have had to deal with yet another difficult season, full of inconsistent play, far too many blow-out games, and most notably a declining Kobe Bryant. While others are watching the electric "Splash Brothers" from the Golden State Warriors, or the MVP level of play from James Harden and the Houston Rockets, or even the Memphis Grizzles demolishing their opponents in the "Grind House", I, like many loyal Lakerheads, still find watching the purple and gold much more fulfilling. Now you may call me a masochist for watching mediocre basketball, but what can I say, Hollywood sure knows how to entertain it's fans, and unlike any other team, the Lakers 2014-15 season has been riddled with politics, drama, and most importantly Swaggy P.

Nick Young's hilarious post-game interview: Lakers vs Spurs Dec.12th

Much of the Lakers' woes can be attributed to some selfish play from none other than Kobe Bryant, as well as inconsistency from the rest of the Lakers' roster. However, Bryant's recent performances have shown some glimmers of hope, as number 24's field goal attempts have drastically dropped down, as well as his minutes. As a result, there have been more opportunities for other Lakers, such as Nick Young, Carlos Boozer, and Wesley Johnson, to prosper under the new system.

The Lakers record stands at 11 wins and 23 losses, but surprisingly, 5 of their 11 wins have come against teams with records far exceeding the .500% benchmark (Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, and the Golden State Warriors).

It's most likely that the Lakers will still see themselves lingering towards the bottom of the Western conference, but nobody can say that the Lakers are the worst team in NBA, that honor goes to both the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers.

As the season continues Laker fans should remain optimistic about this current Lakers squad. Byron Scott has given this team an edge that was obviously missing last year, under Mike D'Antoni, and if this team remains in tact next year, with the addition of key free agents, then the Lakers may very well be on their way to a successful rebuilding process.

Tonight we will see if the Lakers can carry on their gritty performance to the Rose Garden as they will face the Portland Trail Blazers, who are second in the Western conference with a record of 26 wins and 8 losses. Kobe Bryant (rest) and Wesley Johnson (hip flexor) will sit out this game and most likely we will see a start from Swaggy P, so expect some fireworks tonight from the purple and gold.