2012–13 Los Angeles Lakers season
Injuries and coaching changes derailed a star-studded Lakers season.
The 2012–13 Los Angeles Lakers season was the franchise's 65th season and its 53rd in Los Angeles. Despite acquiring All-Stars Steve Nash and Dwight Howard to join Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Metta World Peace, the team struggled with injuries and a weak defense, changing head coaches and barely qualifying for the playoffs before being swept in the first round.
Quick Facts
- Team
- Los Angeles Lakers
- End year
- 2013
- Wins
- 45
- Losses
- 37
- Division
- Pacific
- Division place
- 3
- Coach
- Mike Brown (fired)
- Bernie Bickerstaff (interim)
- Mike D'Antoni
- President
- Jim Buss (vice)
Facts from the source article.
Key dates
June 28: The 2012 NBA draft took place at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. July 11: The Lakers acquired two-time MVP Steve Nash for first-round picks in 2013 and 2015 and second-round picks in 2013 and 2014. August 10: The Lakers acquired Dwight Howard, Earl Clark, and Chris Duhon in a four-team trade. October 21: Dwight Howard made his Laker debut in a preseason loss. October 30: The Lakers opened the regular season with a loss to the Dallas Mavericks. December 28: The Lakers retired Jamaal Wilkes' number 52 jersey during a win over the Portland Trail Blazers. April 2: The Lakers retired Shaquille O'Neal's number 34 jersey during a win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Offseason
After being eliminated in the second round the prior two seasons, the Lakers traded for Dwight Howard and Steve Nash. It was the fourth time in league history a team acquired two players with at least six All-Star selections. They joined Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Metta World Peace. Howard made the team younger and more athletic; the trio of Bryant, Howard, and Nash was expected to rival the Miami Heat's combination of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. The Lakers re-signed Jordan Hill and signed Antawn Jamison and Jodie Meeks. Coach Mike Brown began installing the Princeton offense, a decision made before the Nash acquisition. New assistant Eddie Jordan was hired to install the Lakers' third offense in three years. Despite the additions, Bryant insisted he remained the leader. Nash agreed it was Bryant's team but said the team needed to provide support. Bryant looked forward to Nash running the offense and envisioned Howard as future leader. Howard anticipated Bryant being tough on him. In 2014, Nash said everyone could see the relationship between Bryant and Howard would be tough from the start.
Season summary
Howard underwent back surgery in April and didn't return to basketball until October's training camp. He played only two preseason games as the Lakers lost all eight. Coach Brown predicted it might take until January for the team to fully learn the new system. The opening-night starting five—Nash at 38, Bryant at 34, Gasol and World Peace at 32, and Howard at 26—was both the tallest and oldest in the league. Those five All-Stars had 33 combined appearances, and the roster carried the NBA's highest payroll, over $100 million. The New York Times described them as one of the most talented lineups ever. Bryant warned they weren't the most athletic and could struggle with rebounding and fast breaks. In his Lakers debut, Howard posted 19 points and 10 rebounds but made only 3 of 14 free throws and fouled out; the team lost 99–91.
Awards, records and milestones
Kobe Bryant was voted an All-Star starter for the 15th consecutive time. Dwight Howard made his seventh consecutive All-Star appearance. Bryant was named All-NBA First Team for the 11th time, his 15th overall selection; Howard was named to the Third Team. On March 12, 2013, Howard tied his own NBA record of 39 free throw attempts, making 25. Howard led the league in defensive rebounds for the sixth consecutive season and sixth overall, both league records. Pau Gasol scored his 15,000th career point on November 18. Kobe Bryant scored his 30,000th career point on December 5, when Metta World Peace became the sixth player to record 12,000 points, 4,000 rebounds, 1,500 steals, and 1,000 three-pointers. Steve Nash became the fifth player to reach 10,000 career assists on January 8. Howard recorded his 1,000th career assist on January 20. Bryant passed Wilt Chamberlain's career point total of 31,419 on March 30. Howard became the youngest player to reach 9,000 career rebounds on April 17.
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