Lakers 1-0 Without Bynum, Trample Wiz

Losers of their last 10-games, the Washington Wizards limped into Staples Center and promptly left with their tails between their legs, falling 99-92 to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Wizards are in horrible shape, and currently with very little upside. They are a 2-game improvement over last season’s dismal 19-63 mark in futility, and were looking for a major upswing in production with the return of leading scorer Gilbert Arenas. But alas, even Arenas’ humor and glibness could not save him from his season long suspension for his gun-toting ways. The Wizards cleaned house (Antawn Jamison, Brendan Haywood, Caron Butler, Deshawn Stevenson) and in the process rid themselves of any chance of competing this year, as well as washed away any hope for next season. On top of this, Josh Howard recently underwent knee surgery which should sideline him 6-8 months. Why anyone would continue to support this organization baffles me. Their only hope is to fold the tents and move on to some other unsuspecting town that would welcome a visit from the circus.

Kobe Bryant (24 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds) single-handedly outscored the entire Wizards squad 20-15 in the second quarter. He hit three consecutive three-pointers in the closing minutes of the period to give the Lakers an insurmountable 59-33 lead heading into halftime. Kobe scored on an array of jump shots, daring the Wizards to guard him. And as the Lakers rode on his coattails, the Wizards couldn’t throw a pea into the ocean. The Lakers would coast the rest of the way as they put the game into cruise control. Pau Gasol (28 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 blocked shot) and Ron Artest (16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals) scored easily as they both got more touches with Andrew Bynum’s absence. Bynum (strained achilles tendon) is expected to miss somewhere in the neighborhood of six games, although common sense and Bynum’s history to be a slow healer may push this timetable to closer to around playoff time. But this is not new territory for the Lakers and should prove to be a good test and indicator of where this team stands as it heads out for a 5-game road trip starting Wednesday with a visit to the AT&T Center and a date with the San Antonio Spurs.

Lamar Odom (4 points on 1 of 4, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocked shots) started in place of Bynum and supplied the team with his usual box-filling stats. Shannon Brown (13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 blocked shot) led the team off the bench, and Josh Powell and Jordan Farmar chipped in five points apiece. Washington was led by former Trojan, Nick Young (22 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal) and former Clipper, Al Thornton (18 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals). Andray Blatche (16 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals) and Mike Miller (11 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists) rounded out the scoring for the Wizards. In the end, the Lakers were simply too much and after establishing their 26-point halftime lead, eased off on the gas which allowed the Wizards to whittle down the lead. Washington outscored the Lakers 32-17 in the 4th quarter, but came up short as has been the case all season. Coach Flip Saunders could only congratulate his players on a moral victory and for not throwing in the towel after withstanding the Lakers first half onslaught.

dEDGE Post Scriptum

Not really knowing what to expect or for that matter, who still plays for the Washington Wizards, I was caught unaware that Shaun Livingston was their starting point guard. Yes, that same Shaun Livingston whom we all thought would never walk again, let alone compete in an NBA game. He looked spry, had a spring in his step (most notably on a baseline drive, punctuated with a double-pump dunk) and appeared at ease with his game and himself. Long gone are the expectations of him being the savior of the Clippers franchise. Gone too are any reminders of the twisted wreakage when his knee crumbled before our eyes.

Livingston scored 8 points on 4-7 from the field and dished out 6 assists to go along with 2 steals. But he was also charged with committing 4 turnovers, more so the result of fumbling teammates than ill-advised passes. It was good to see him, and although he may never turn out to be the player we had all hoped, he has made it back. And that is a testament to his work ethic and his will power. Many may recall the gangly 6’7″ point guard of the future with his signature cornrows and his uncanny ability to slip through, and between defenders. But all will remember that fateful night when both luck and destiny were not on his side. Livingston still needs to find a reliable jump shot, but he can still finish around the basket. That he is a member of the woeful Wizards should not deter him. He should stand proud, and we should applaud this young man’s courage and dedication because as we all know, it could all be gone in an instant.