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2006–07 Los Angeles Lakers season

2006–07 Los Angeles Lakers season
Head coach Phil Jackson
General manager Mitch Kupchak
Owner(s) Jerry Buss
Arena Staples Center
Results
Record 42–40 (.512)
Place Division: 2nd West Pacific Division, 7th Seed
Playoff finish First Round
(Eliminated 1-4)
Local media
Television FSN West, KCAL
Radio AM 570 KLAC
< 2005–06 2007–08 >

The 2006-07 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 59th in the NBA and 61st overall. The season ended with the team being eliminated in five games in a rematch against the Phoenix Suns from the 2007 playoffs.

The Lakers finished in second place in the Pacific Division, 7th seed in the playoffs. Ultimately, even though team captain Kobe Bryant was the leading NBA scorer with 31.6 PPG, the Lakers were defeated in 5 games by the Suns.

In the NBA draft, the Lakers, as expected, chose young talent. In the draft, the Lakers selected Jordan Farmar, the PG for UCLA with 26th pick. Los Angeles also traded their 51st pick (Cheick Samb) to the Detroit Pistons for SF Maurice Evans. The Lakers also had a trade with the Dallas Mavericks, trading away a future second round pick for J. R. Pinnock.

Besides the signings, L.A.'s most notable move was the injury bug. Kobe Bryant, the reigning scoring champion had successful surgery on his knee and would decline playing for Team USA at the 2006 World Championship, where they finished 3rd, with bronze.

Center Chris Mihm, who was the starting big man before having an ankle injury, also underwent successful surgery and was not expected to play at all in the upcoming season.

The Lakers started their season opener hosting the Phoenix Suns, the team who knocked them out of the playoffs. Kobe Bryant was out, allowing Maurice Evans to play in his place. Centers Kwame Brown and Chris Mihm were out on injury, forcing Bynum in their place.

Even with two of their starters out on injuries, it didn't seem to affect the team, as Odom led the team until Bryant recovered. The next night at Oracle Arena against the Golden State Warriors, Odom had stats, almost recording his first triple-double of the season, 22 points with nine rebounds and nine assists. Ronny Turiaf, known for his sideline celebrations, had career-highs in almost every category, including 23 points and nine rebounds for a 110-98 win. Bryant also sat this out.


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