L.A. Times - Lakers

Kobe Bryant says Lakers don't get down

By Mike Bresnahan — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:07:00 PDT

However, Game 2 against young Thunder seems like a must win for Lakers, given playoff history.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Beyond all the speed, juvenescence and everything rolled into what Kobe Bryant called the "youthful exuberance" of the Oklahoma City Thunder, there's one statistic that should get the Lakers' attention.

Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher keep friendship in check during series

By Ben Bolch — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:45:00 PDT

Former longtime teammates with the Lakers, they are not exactly hanging out with each other during L.A.-Oklahoma City semifinal series.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Kobe Bryant walked over to Derek Fisher , wrapped an arm around his former teammate's waist and patted him on the rear.

Thunder's energy is just too much for the Lakers

Bill Plaschke — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:05:00 PDT

Pounding for pounding, Game 1 isn't close to a fair fight for the overmatched Lakers, who lose, 119-90. Is the rest of the series really necessary, as the aging Lakers can't keep up?

OKLAHOMA CITY — Is it over?

Oklahoma City's youth, movement are too much for Lakers in Game 1

By Mike Bresnahan — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:20:00 PDT

Lakers look weary, slow and, yes, old in Western Conference semifinals opener as speedy, well-rested Thunder blows them out, 119-90. Andrew Bynum, Kobe Bryant each score 20 but little else goes right.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Score one for youth. And speed. And rest. And fun.

Metta World Peace weathers Thunder fans' wrath

By Ben Bolch — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:25:00 PDT

Oklahoma City followers voice displeasure with the Lakers forward who elbowed the Thunder's James Harden in April. That action led to a seven-game suspension for World Peace.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The boos cascaded upon him when he walked onto the court for warmups.

Fatigued Lakers have little time for rest during playoffs

By Mike Bresnahan — Mon, 14 May 2012 22:20:00 PDT

The Lakers, who needed seven games to defeat Denver in the first round, have three games in the next five days against the well-rested Thunder, which beat them, 119-90, on Monday.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Lakers didn't look so great Monday. The news gets only worse for them.

Ready or not, Lakers set for series opener with motivated Thunder

By Mike Bresnahan — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:15:00 PDT

Less than two days after beating Denver, the Lakers play Oklahoma City in the Western Conference semifinals. The Thunder hasn't played since sweeping Dallas on May 5.

The Lakers-Oklahoma City series was already going to be rollicking, a classic case of young versus old. Then came the bonuses from the basketball lords the last two months.

Andrew Bynum steps up his play in Game 7

By Mark Medina — Sun, 13 May 2012 08:45:00 PDT

After being publicly criticized for inconsistency by Magic Johnson, the Lakers center posted 17 points and 18 rebounds to help L.A. secure a final victory over Denver to win the series.

The criticism came from all angles, and Andrew Bynum reacted to each of them accordingly.

NBA Western Conference previews

By Ben Bolch — Sun, 13 May 2012 22:35:00 PDT

A caspulized look at the semifinal series between the Spurs-Clippers and the Lakers-Thunder.

1. San Antonio

Derek Fisher, James Harden have Lakers memories to confront

By Ben Bolch — Sun, 13 May 2012 19:50:00 PDT

A former L.A. mainstay and his Oklahoma City Thunder teammate — who suffered a concussion when he was elbowed by Metta World Peace — meet the Lakers again in the NBA Western Conference semifinals.

Derek Fisher has a career's worth of Lakers moments to remember.