Lakers season ends with rout in Dallas
Blown out of the Western Conference semifinals
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—In a game decried by TV commentators as an embarrassment to NBA basketball, to the Los Angeles Lakers and to coach Phil Jackson, the Lakers were blown out of the Western Conference semifinals by the Dallas Mavericks, 122-86.
Lakers center Andrew Bynum and forward Lamar Odom were ejected for deliberate fouls in the fourth quarter of the game at Dallas' American Airlines Center. Bynum bludgeoned Mavericks guard J.J. Barea with his elbow, then quickly stripped off his jersey at midcourt as he headed to the locker room.
"That was one of the biggest bush league things I have ever seen,'' an ABC announcer said as he watched a replay of Bynum's elbow knifing into Barea's ribs, a move that came when the Lakers were 29 points behind.
The Mavericks tied an NBA playoff record by making 20 3-point baskets.
Dallas won the best-of-seven series, four games to none, the first timethe Lakers had been swept in a playoff series since the 1999 Western Conference semifinals.
The game is expected to have been the last for Jackson, who has won an NBA record 11 championships as a coach.
Despite the loss, Jackson was optimistic about the future for the Lakers, who had won the last two NBA championships.
"The Lakers are going to survive and do well,'' Jackson said.
Lakers executive vice president of business operations Jeanie Buss wrote on her Twitter page, "We will be back. Dr. Buss knows how to fix things,'' referring to her father, team owner Jerry Buss.
I try to be objective in my commentary. OK, I’m lying. I’m very subjective in my commentary.
That’s what editorialists do, they editorialize. There’s only one way to see it—their way.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The Los Angeles Lakers will receive their rings for winning the 2009-2010 NBA championship at Staples Center tonight and raise a banner emblematic of their 16th title, then begin their quest for a third consecutive championship by facing the Houston Rockets.
"This is the crowning moment of winning the championship,'' Laker forward Lamar Odom said.
The NBA lockout was finally resolved two weeks ago, ending our “basketball jones” depression.
Even though college basketball has been “poppin’,” we still need our daily dose of funks, dunks, shakes and bakes that comes with professional basketball. So now the NBA is back and commissioner David Stern hasn’t cut us any slack, as the talent of the league has sought to test their value in the market before the 66-game season starts.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Calling it a "bittersweet business decision,'' Los Angeles Lakers part-owner Earvin "Magic'' Johnson sold his share of the team for an undisclosed amount.
"I am truly humbled to have been a Lakers player for 13 years and an owner for over 10 years,'' Johnson said in a statement released by the team.
"I thank Dr. (Jerry) Buss from the deepest part of my heart and soul for allowing me such an incredible opportunity.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The Los Angeles Lakers have hired Mike D’Antoni to succeed Mike Brown as coach of the team.
D’Antoni, who coached the New York Knicks for the last four seasons and the Phoenix Suns for five seasons before that, agreed to a three-year deal with a team option for a fourth season. The Los Angeles Times put the value of the deal at $12 million.
