Philippines, 12 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


LAKERS FLEX MUSCLES, ADVANCE TO 2ND ROUND


PhilBoxing.com





PhilBoxing.com Special NBA 2011 Playoffs Coverage

LOS ANGELES, They look old and vulnerable, unable to flick that playoffs switch with the same ease they did in the two previous seasons that have netted them the Larry O'Brien trophy.

Their coach, Phil Jackson, who has more rings than he has fingers (11), is on the last year of his contract and is ready to retire. Too many of those dreaded playoffs wars seemed to have extinguished the championship fire in the Zen Master's belly.

Their center, 7-foot Andrew Bynum, is a tower of power when healthy, averaging 15.2 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. But the 285-pound behemoth missed 28 regular season games and is playing on shaky knees. Every time he falls on the hardwood, his teammates cringe.

And then there's Kobe Bryant, once seen grimacing in pain early in this postseason, limping around Staples Center, and vehemently refusing an MRI on his fragile, twisted ankle.

All of the above sent this great city and its fans into a state of mass depression. All wondering what is going on with their mighty Los Angeles Lakers.

Well, it now seems crystal clear that those fears were misplaced.

Showing the form that catapulted them to three consecutive NBA Finals appearances since 2008, the Lakers marched to New Orleans Wednesday night and conducted a clinic in hoops precision. The No.2 seed in the Western Conference eliminated the Hornets in six games following a one-sided 98-80 Game 6 beating.

Kobe Bryant, the squad's heart and soul, led the purple-and-gold assault with 24 points on 6-0f-16 shooting. Bryant made two treys and sank all 10 of his free throws, He played just 30 minutes, which bodes well for his aching ankle as the Lakers continue their improbable quest for a 3-peat.

Showing no signs of the injuries that have slowed him early in the season and much in this postseason, Bynum controlled the paint with authority. The 23-year old product of St. Joseph High School in New Jersey powered his way through 18 points and 12 rebounds. He also had two blocks while anchoring a defense that held the Hornets to just 30-of-70 from the field.

Playing on friendly turf, the Hornets kept it close and trailed only by six points at the half, 40-34. But the Lakers increased their lead to 12 after three quarters and when Shannon Brown nailed a pair of free throws at the 7:46 mark of the fourth quarter, the Lakers were beyond reach with an imposing 80-62 margin.

Seven-foot Pau Gasol played his best outing in the series with 16 points and 8 rebounds. And 6-foot-11 Lamar Odom came off the bench to drill 14 points and grab 8 rebounds. In the end, the Lakers size, depth and wealth of playoffs experience proved too much for the relentless Hornets to overcome.

Hornets All-Star Chris Paul had a terrific series, but under constant duress from the Lakers guards, Paul had tired legs left in Game 6, where he finished with just 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting. He also had 11 assists and 5 turnovers. So after a successful regular season of 46 wins and 36 defeats, the Hornets are one and done in these 2011 NBA playoffs.

The Lakers, meanwhile, are far from done. But the champs appear ready for the tougher battles ahead in defense of their NBA crown. Next stop is Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals where the Dallas Mavericks visit the Staples Center Monday night. (Nick Roska)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Nicholai R. Roska.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • FIGHT EMPIRE! TUAZON, ADOR, DE BARBO, JOMAR, AND MORE ARE READY FOR ACTION IN BRICO SANTIG'S EXCITING SHOW JULY 12 IN THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin’s “Mayhem in Music City 2” to Feature Undefeated Vic Hernandez Facing Jayvon Garnett for NABA & Jr. NABF Featherweight Championships
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • James Perkins & Anthony Andreozzi Headlines “Oceanside Prize Fights”
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • GORST PURSUES GOLDEN GLORY IN JEDDAH, DEFENDING WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN SAUDI ARABIA, 21–26 JULY
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Hovhannisyan and Barrientes Set for High-Stakes Showdowns July 18 on DAZN
    , Tue, 08 Jul 2025
  • UNBEATEN PROSPECT KENNETH LLOVER TO FACE FORMER TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION LUIS CONCEPCION IN MANILA
    , Mon, 07 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.