Lakers hang on to defeat F.C. Barcelona in preseason play

The Los Angeles lakers defeated the Spanish club team F.C. Barcelona 108-104 in last nights pre-season friendly at Staple's Center.

The Laker victory comes as part of a four team two day tournament called the Shootout that is continued later this evening @ 4:30 when F.C. Barcelona takes on the Clippers and of course @ 7:30 when the Lakers take on the Toronto Raptors for first place tourney bragging rights.

Kobe Bryant posted a team-high 28 points and six steals while the starting front court duo of Bynum and Gasol each added 13 points in the victory over Pau's former team.

The game was mostly in control by the Lakers with the lead growing to 21 points in the second quarter, but in typical L.A. fashion the Lakers let their sizeable lead dwindle to just 4 points with just under 50 seconds remaining.

F.C. Barcelona was included in the 4 team tournament when the Golden State Warriors dropped out to play in the NBA China Games at the request of the league, according to Jeanie Buss, the Lakers' executive vice president of business operations.

With the other teams in the league already having set their exhibition schedules, the Lakers had to look for an international opponent, Buss said.

A possible problem with scheduling an exhibition opponent for the Shootout Tournament ends up being a blessing in disguise as players from another land got the chance to play on a challenging and unfamiliar stage.

This match up came as a treat to fans as well, who do not usually get the chance to see international club teams battle it out with their hometown favorites.

Magic Johnson calls talk show hosts' accusation 'stupid'

L.A. Times -October 11, 2008

Expressions of outrage and regret were issued Friday after a pair of Minneapolis talk-show hosts said that Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson "faked AIDS."

Johnson revealed in 1991 that he had contracted the HIV virus, but it has never turned into AIDS.

"We can't have people out here making false statements and putting out bad information, because this battle is too big when it comes to HIV and AIDS," Johnson told the Associated Press in a telephone interview, later declining to do further interviews.

"I poured my life into it and a lot of other people have poured their life into it, into getting out the right information so people can protect themselves and know what HIV and AIDS is all about."

Johnson called the remarks "stupid," but when asked if he thought the KTLK-FM hosts, Chris Baker and Langdon Perry, should be fired, Johnson said, "I would rather they educate their audience."

Johnson is not cured although doctors have said the HIV virus is now in a dormant state in his bloodstream.

Fisher: Defense is main concern for Lakers

Daily News

It's not difficult to figure out what the Lakers need to improve to take the next step this season and become NBA champions.

At least, not in the mind of veteran guard Derek Fisher.

"We have to defend a whole lot better," Fisher said. "We want a team that when we have to get stops to finish a game or finish a quarter, we get them.

"We just weren't able to lock teams down. I can't remember a lot of games where we were down eight or 10 points and kept them from scoring the rest of the game and stole the game at the end. It was more like we were close and then we went on an offensive spurt where we were able to win the game."

In fact, the lasting image of the Lakers in the NBA Finals in June was of a team that seemed incapable of preventing the Boston Celtics from charging to the basket for layups and dunks.

Fisher said he believes that must change this season.

"Defense first, is the biggest thing," he said.

The Lakers are banking on the return of Andrew Bynum, who suffered a season-ending kneecap injury Jan. 13, to help them patrol the paint. They also hope the pairing of Bynum and fellow 7-footer Pau Gasol makes them intimidating.

Certainly, a front line of Bynum, Gasol and the 6-foot-10 Lamar Odom at "small" forward would give the Lakers a great deal more for opponents to consider. Coach Phil Jackson has even experimented with Odom at guard.

But Lakers observers believe Jackson will return Odom to a forward spot when the regular season begins Oct.28.

Lakers Probably Will Start Season With 15 On Roster

L.A. Times

All indications are that the Lakers will open the season with 15 players, the maximum allowed by the NBA.

Early in training camp, the Lakers considered carrying 13 players, which would have given the team flexibility to pick up another player or two during the regular season.

But now it appears, based on their play in training camp, that backup center DJ Mbenga has earned a roster spot and that rookie guard Joe Crawford will get the nod over Coby Karl, who made the team last season as an undrafted rookie free agent.

Guards Brandon Heath and forward C. J. Giles also are pushing for a spot that may be hard to come by.

The Lakers already have 13 players under contract who are assured of making the team.

Crawford was drafted out of Kentucky in the second round by the Lakers with the 58th pick in the NBA draft. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard has to make the team for his contract to be guaranteed.

"It's definitely more pressure coming in not guaranteed," Crawford said. "You don't know what these guys [the Lakers' coaching staff] are thinking every day. You just have to stay confident. You're going to have some bad days, but you have to be strong and pull through it."

Crawford has played in all three exhibition games, averaging 8.3 minutes and 2.7 points. "If I make this team or if I don't make this team, I'll be better the next time this situation comes around," Crawford said.

If Crawford does stay with the Lakers, he'll probably play some in the NBA Development League for the Lakers' D-Fenders team.