Xavier Henry Drops in 33 for DFenders Home Opener

 Familiar faces to Lakers Fans were present Saturday night at Toyota Sports Center as the Los Angeles D-Fenders took on the Texas Legends.

The Legends had one of those "familiar faces" as Nick Van Exel donned the suit and tie along with his title as an assistant coach.

Other faces, as announced mid-afternoon Saturday, were Lakers Xavier Henry and Jordan Clarkson.

Henry took Player of the Game w 33 points Saturday Night

Their teammate, Jordan Hill, sat nearby and looked on as Henry walked away with "Player of the Game" honors: 33 points on 12-20 FG shooting, 3-6 3pt FG, 6-7 FT, 4 Rbnd 1 A, 1 Stl in 36 minutes.  Clarkson also played well.  In 37 minutes his line reads: 28 pts on 8-20 FG, 2-4 3pt FG, 10-10 FT, 5 Rbnd, and 5 Assists.  The normal tough guard tandem for the D-Fenders, Manny Harris and Vander Blue didn't necessarily get the same "looks" and touches as the focus was primarily on the young Lakers that joined them for the night.  The DFenders took the loss, 130-108, versus a very tough Legends team who shot the ball very well (54%) Saturday night.



The Lakers used the D-League a lot last season.  Whether it was having guys, like Ryan Kelly and Elias Harris, "play down" at the start of the season for minutes and reps., or bumping guys up like Manny Harris because of the team's injury woes, the DFenders played a vital role.

This season looks to be similar.

One thing is certainly true: if the Lakers had any questions whatsoever about Jordan Clarkson and the idea of increasing his minutes, especially with Wayne Ellington absent, those questions should have been answered.

Let's also hope that the repetitions helped Xavier's confidence as he has seemed a bit rusty since coming back to the Lakers.

It's ALWAYS nice to see the the Laker Girls and to walk away with some FREE TACOS!

#GoLakers

#GoDFenders

Career day with Lakers Jordan Hill

It must be nice for the Los Angeles Lakers to finally have someone put up career numbers "for them" as opposed to against them.  Jordan Hill, forward for the Lakers, did just that Sunday night. One game removed from the Friday night scuffle, where Jordan Hill came to the aid teammate Nick Young, Mr Hill found himself in the starting lineup. 

This paid big dividends for the Los Angeles Lakers.

In 33 minutes played, Jordan Hill had 28 points on 9 of 15 shots made and made 10 of 13 Free Throws. 

 Mr. Hill also had 13 rebounds, with four of those being on the  offensive end. 

Mr. Hill had this to say afterwards,

           "my mind set out there is that no one can keep me off the offensive boards.. no one can keep me away from the rim.."

The team got the win, and the fans got "Free 2 Tacos" from Taco Bell for just the eighth time this season, with the final score at 103-94.

The Lakers DID get out rebounded, in spite of the tremendous effort of Hill, totaling 34 to the Orlando Magic's 46.  

The Lakers have out rebounded the opposition only 12 times this season.

Nick Young came off the bench with another 20 point+ performance at 26 on 8-17 FGs, 2-4 from three and 8-9 from the stripe in 26 minutes.

Jodie Meeks chipped in with 13 points on 4-11 shooting over 40 minutes, and Kent Bazemore had 8 points and was the team's leading distributor with 8 assists with ZERO TURNOVERS.

Pau Gasol who did not make it out of the team's locker room for the second half Sunday Night, played only 18 minutes.  It was reported that he was on I.V. at halftime.

The Lakers will face the New York Knicks at home Tuesday Night.

_ @CBigUpps _#Gonzo Sports News

JORDAN HILL IS KING OF THE HILL AS HE Restores Order v Wizards

        Jordan Hill, forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, played in Friday night's ball game against the Washington Wizards. Mr. Hill hadn't played in the last several ball games for the Lakers. In fact, for the team photo the other day,  Mr. Hill was absent.