BASKETBALL

In the NBA, everyone expected the Los Angeles Lakers to be a juggernaut right out of the gate.  But they have been anything but.  They’ve already lost Steve Nash for about a week, and are 1-3 to start the season.  They were hoping to change that on a trip to Utah.  But the Jazz are really starting to jell this year (for the first time since they sent Deron Williams to New Jersey now Brooklyn).  Plus, the Jazz have an up-and-coming  big man in Enes Kanter to battle people underneath with Al Jefferson.  Jefferson had 18 points and 10 rebounds on the night.  Kobe did what he could for the Lakers, putting up 29 points in the game, but he just isn’t getting help and the Jazz easily rolled to a victory.  Utah 95, LA Lakers 86.

Elsewhere in LA, with the Lakers on the down swing this season, the Clippers are trying to become Team #1 in Los Angeles (Note:  This will likely never happen given the overwhelming fandemoneum for the Lakers, but they can at least try).  They would take on a very strong Spurs team.  The Spurs spread the ball around evenly (as they typically do) with Danny Green leading the way with 12 points, but when the Clippers come to play, they are tough.  (Note:  The Clippers don’t always “come to play”, which is why they likely won’t win the championship — their ‘effort’ can be called into question).  But, last night, the Clippers stomped out the Spurs with DeAndre Jordan having a monster night with 20 points and 11 rebounds.  If the Clippers can play this hard against sub-par teams, they could manage those easier wins and possibly earn a top seed in the playoffs.  LA Clippers 106, San Antonio 84.

And in a Miami Heat update, they were taking on the Brooklyn Nets, who, now with Joe Johnson, are trying to contend with the Heat for the East lead.  But, a note to Nets fans, the Heat will not be stopped this season.  They are winning with ease, save for one game against the Knicks (who actually might be their competitor for the top spot in the East).  LeBron had a 20 point, 12 rebound night for the Heat, as he and Dwayne Wade simply make it look easy out there.  It’s like they can do whatever they want with the ball.  They are so on the same page, that their fast break alley-oops are just a thing of beauty that should be studied by the rest of the league.  The Heat crushed the Nets, en route to a 4-1 record.  Miami 103, Brooklyn 73.