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Showtime MVP – Los Angeles Lakers Week Two

Los Angeles Lakers' Jordan Hill (27) drives around Utah Jazz's Enes Kanter (0) in the first quarter during an NBA basketball game Monday, April 14, 2014, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Los Angeles Lakers’ Jordan Hill (27) drives around Utah Jazz’s Enes Kanter (0) in the first quarter during an NBA basketball game Monday, April 14, 2014, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

After a saddening 0-5 start to the season for the Los Angeles Lakers, it became apparent that this would be a long season for Laker fans. This sadness elevated after the Lakers’ first round pick, Julius Randle, went down with a season ending injury which would hamper Laker fans from having hope for the near future.

So how would the Lakers begin their week two journey? How about with a victory against the Charlotte Hornets in pretty convincing style, 107-92. For this victory, which will be the case throughout the season, the Lakers had a collective effort from a multitude of players that were not named Kobe Bryant.

Lakers’ point guard, Jeremy Lin, had the same number of points as Kobe with 21 to go along with 7 assists and just 1 turnover. Lin also shot the ball well from the field (8-12) and from behind the arch (3-6) as Lin would showcase some of his previous New York Knick flashing ability.

Once again, the hot player off the bench was Ed Davis who continues to put up solid numbers as the Lakers’ sixth man. The power forward ahead of Davis, Carlos Boozer, also played surprisingly well having 16 points.

For this game, the Lakers would shoot an impressive 51.2% from the field compared to the Hornets’ 44%. This single statistic is why the Lakers were the dominant force in this one and will probably be their winning formula for the rest of their victories this season.

Memphis Grizzlies Tony Allen (9) slips past Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant (24) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Karen Pulfer Focht)

Memphis Grizzlies Tony Allen (9) slips past Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant (24) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Karen Pulfer Focht)

The Lakers’ second and final game of week two came against the Memphis Grizzlies which would be a game that would come down right to the end but, ultimately, the Lakers would fall 107-102. Kobe would be aggressive in this one as he would come away with 28 points on 10-26 shooting. Kobe would also be 3-10 from the 3-point line.

As a result, Kobe would break the  record for the most missed shots in NBA history. Kobe and the rest of the Laker team would downplay the significance of this (as they should).

Boozer would have another solid game having 20 points and 8 rebounds. Actually, the whole Lakers’ starting five would play pretty well in this one as all of them would break into the double digits in scoring.

Lakers’ center, Jordan Hill, would kill the boards having 14 for the game to go along with 13 points.

In the end, it just came down to defense as the Lakers would let the Grizzlies shoot 52.6% from the field.

When looking at who played at the highest level in these two games, a couple candidates arise but one name stands out from the rest…Jordan Hill

Hill, in the Lakers’ victory, had 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. 7 assists for a big man is extremely impressive and would be a key factor in the Lakers earning their first victory of the season.

On the next game against the Grizzlies, Hill would score 13 points and have 14 boards to hold down the paint for the entire night. Hill would also have 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks as he would play his heart out once again to give the Lakers the best chance to win. The win never came but he was a big reason as to why the Lakers were neck-to-neck with the Grizzlies for the entirety of the game.

Stay here at CaliSportsNews.com as we follow the Lakers’ season week-to-week and display our “Showtime MVP” each week during the NBA season. All Cali, all the time.

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