The Los Angeles Lakers have been a bright beacon of hope for basketball fans throughout this dark and stormy 2020 so I’m hoping they’ll bring even more joy as we struggle through this Christmas without family and friends.
Best wishes to everybody in the Lakerholics family. May you enjoy a warm and wonderful holiday with loved ones safe and secure in your hearts if not with you. Here are the ten gifts I’m hoping the Lakers will give us tonight:
1. A Win Over the Dallas Mavericks
Neither team wants to start the season 0–2 so both will be looking to rebound from disappointing opening games. Dallas lost in Phoenix 106–102. Lakers lost to Clippers 116–109 after championship ring ceremony.
2. Less Than 100 Points for Mavs
Lakers defense was AWOL against the Clippers, especially when PG went supernova late in the third quarter and throughout the fourth quarter. Lakers need to show they can still play elite D despite the chance in centers.
3. 35 Points for LeBron James
LeBron James will pass Kobe Bryant and become the NBA’s all-time leading Christmas day scorer in if he scores 35 points in today’s game against the Dallas Mavericks. Kobe leads with 395 points while LeBron has 361 points.
4. Redemption Game for Marc Gasol
Gasol probably had the worst first game as a Laker of any elite player who donned a purple and gold uniform, posting 0 points, 0 rebounds, and 1 assist in 12 foul plagued minutes. Marc needs to redeem his rep tonight.
5. Bounce Back game for Wes
Brought in to replace Danny Green’s shooting and defense, Wes struggled mightily in the Lakers loss to the Clippers, going 0–2 from deep and getting torched on D by Kawhi and PG. Wes needs big bounce back game tonight.
6. Triple-Double for Dennis
Schroder got the start at point guard he wanted after coming off the bench for the Thunder the last two seasons and finishing second for the 6MOY award last season. Time for Dennis the Menace to solidify his starting role.
7. Double-Double for Trezz
Harrell had an excellent opening game for the Lakers, posting 17 points and 10 rebounds in the loss to the Clippers, his former team. Looking for Trezz to continue to show he can man the Lakers’ backup center role tonight.
8. Come Back Night for Alex
Alex had a poor night shooting and handling the ball against the Clippers, clanking his first three triples before finally making one and turning the ball over three times in critical situations. AC needs a big come back night.
9. More Talen Horton-Tucker
Talen had an excellent opening game posting the team’s best net rating and second best plus/minus rating but only played 11 minutes. We need to see THT get at least 15 minutes in tonight’s game as the backup point guard.
10. Everybody Safe and Healthy
Everybody remembers how LeBron’s groin injuring in the Christmas day blowout of the Warriors two years ago derailed the Lakers season. The last thing the Lakers want to see is any player get injured in tonight’s game.
Merry Christmas, everybody. May all your Christmas wishes and hopes come true. Hoping sanity will prevail and our politicians will at least stop squabbling and give those in desperate need some long overdue help rather than Scrooging them this holiday season. And please, stay safe and healthy and protect yourselves and your family and friends. Wear your mask and be smart. Love you all. Some great NBA basketball today. Go, Lakers!
Merry Christmas to all of you Lakerholics. My extended family tradition of gathering on Christmas Eve was a Zoom affair this year. We’re all looking forward to a real party soon, of course. I’m not one to watch all the games today, but the TV is on for occasional check-ins. I thought it was amusing ESPN had a Lakers-Mavs countdown going this morning 😁.
Merry Christmas, John. Zoom is the smart way to do it to make sure everybody will be there in person next year. I’ve been doing the same, having the TV on in the background and checking in once in a while. Going to be tough year for the Warriors. Don’t think they’ll ever be back to a championship team. Death of the dynasty when they thought they were eons ahead of everybody. Karma call for them.
Merry Christmas to everyone. Late to tune in due to a busy holiday week. Otherwise, everything is all good here in Atlanta. Tom, I feel sorry for the Warriors, but you are very right they will never be back to a championship team. Very sad reality but true.
The Dubs stunk for 40 years, then got lucky in the draft a few times. Rob is showing them how hasty their bragging was.