Lakers’ Bryant and Team USA players praise Coach K

Mike Krzyzewski, who was considering taking the Lakers coaching position in 2004, is coaching Team USA, who includes big time players such as Jason Kidd - the point guard that the Lakers did not trade for last season - and Michael Redd (the perimeter shooter the Lakers were going to draft in 2000, yet didn’t). Kobe Bryant, Lakers point guard and leading scorer for the NBA this past season, has expressed in an Aug. 20 LA Times article his pleasure in being able to play alongside and under such talent. “I’ve been a big fan of his for a long time,” Bryant said of Krzyzewski. “I’m very excited about having the opportunity to play for him and to have a relationship with him. It’s been everything that I thought it would be.”

Krzyzewski, who has averaged 26 wins per season throughout his 27 seasons at Duke and was in 2001 inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, has been praised by many of the the Team USA players, including LeBron James and Chauncey Billups. His style, which is self-described as maintaining “team continuity” and building the program on “good relationships, is highly respected the team, according to Bryant in the Times article. “He can be so intense because he’s so passionate about the game, but at the same time he has a great sense of humor. I don’t think a lot of people know that about him,” Bryant said. “There’s no question in my mind that he would be a great NBA coach…He has that passion about what he does and when you have that commitment to winning, you can’t help but be successful.”

For those waiting for the NBA season to start, check out Lakers tickets at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on August 20, 2007 - Post a comment

Will big egos prevent FIBA Team USA and Lakers’ Bryant from succeeding?

In an Aug. 16 article, a Los Angeles Times sports writer asks a fundamental question about the upcoming FIBA America Championships. With such a talented group of high profile NBA athletes, including the Lakers’ own foward Kobe Bryant, will players be able to get over their individual strengths and work together as a cohesive unit? According to an interview with Team USA member and Detroit Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince, the group is aiming to do what is best as a team so that they can succeed. “Yeah it could be a problem when you have egos and those type of things,” Prince said. “But I think that with this group and the coaching staff we have, it’s a good situation where that definitely won’t happen.” As for Bryant, who lead the NBA in average point scored per game this past season, he told the LA Times that he was thrilled to be part of the team. “You get a chance to play with with great players and an opportunity to see what they do. You can’t help but be excited about something like this.”

Prince, who has played for the Pistons since 2002, said he views the experience as a high-pressure environment that can help the NBA players excel. “Thing about Kobe - and it’s been this way throughout my career, even before I got to high school - you knew how competitive he is,” Prince said. “He loves challenges. He’s going to make the best out of you because you know he’s going to make the best out of himself.” As Team USA prepares for its first game against Venezuela on Aug. 22, Coach Mike Krzyzewski will be forced to cut the 14-player roster down to 12 before the big day. Meanwhile, the team continues to practice fervently as the regular season creeps up. For Lakers tickets this season, visit www.stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on August 17, 2007 - Post a comment

Lakers’ Sasha Vujacic on Basketball Without Borders; Lakers team for 2007-08 season

Point guard Sasha Vujacic of Slovenia recently talked with Lakers.com in an interview about his experience with the Basketball Without Borders program. Vujacic, a third-year team member, went to the Asia series of the program, which was held in China and brought youth together from South Korea, Kazakhstan, and from all other parts of the region, according to the NBA player, who said he ended up choosing China as his destination for the program due to an overwhelming amount of emails he received from youth in that country and from Asia all together. Basketball Without Borders, or BWB, is a program sponsored by the NBA and the International Basketball Federation and has sponsored more than 1,000 youth from 50 different countries, helping them to develop social and life skills and strengthen their athletic background through NBA mentors. “All four days we were there we had a great time,” Vujacic said. “Not just the players, but the coaches too. We loved it. Scottie (Pippen) was there, Vlade, Chris Duhon, Luther Head, Matt Carroll. I like how the NBA kept everyone together with team dinners, lunches, just whenever they had a chance with an appearance to do something with the group. That was great.”

Vujacic also said he was excited for the Lakers to start their season and how much he loves his new home in Los Angeles. “I love LA. Going home is always something you have to do, and something I’m going to do every year, but like I said before, at first I had a hard time fitting in, but now people in LA, people that I’ve met, people that I have around… it’s just like the song – I Love LA. My family is here now and they like it as well. They miss going home, but for now it’s OK.”

LA fans are getting excited for the season to start, too, and those who love their home team can buy Lakers tickets at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on August 16, 2007 - Post a comment

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant gears up for first FIBA Championship Game against Venezuela on Aug. 22

As ten teams prepare for the 2007 FIBA Championships, U.S.’s Senior National Team - for the first time boasting LA Lakers’ forward Kobe Bryant - will open with a game against Venezuela on Aug. 22. The championships will narrow down two teams for the 2008 Olympic Games being held Aug. 8-24 in Beijing, China. In 1996, the U.S. automatically qualified as the host for the games and therefore did not participate in 1995’s qualifying tournament. The teams are currently enduring training in Las Vegas, Nevada until the series of games begin, which will include the U.S. vs. Virgin Islands, Canada, followed by several more countries in back to back match-ups. According to the official International Basketball Federation’s Web site, the last cuts for the men’s Senior National Team was Aug. 13 and training will last through Aug. 21.

About a month ago, Bryant stood out during the 2007 State Farm Basketball USA Basketball Challenge, also held in Las Vegas, put up the winning basket during a 14′ jumper above the foul line with: 06 left in the game. Bryant’s team USA came out 105-104 over the 17 other USA players vying for a position on the senior team. More than 15,000 spectators crowded into the Vegas arena, witnessing Bryant’s first time tryout for the Olympic squad. “It’s been a great couple of days,” Bryant said in an interview with FIBA.com. “It’s a start. We understand that it’s a first step and obviously we still have a long way to go but these couple of days were great to get familiar with one another and play within a system and a structure.” As the championships progress, Laker fans will be sure to continue tracking Bryant’s success and as the NBA season gets ready to open, fans should be sure to get their Lakers tickets at StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on August 15, 2007 - Post a comment

Magic Johnson admits disappointment at Lakers loss of Garnett

In an Aug. 4 interview with Magic Johnson, the former Los Angeles Lakers basketball phenomenon, the retired pro told Yahoo Sports that he was disappointed with the team’s loss of Kevin Garnett to the Celtics. Garnett, a former Minnesota Timberwolves forward, was traded to the Celtics earlier this month, which came as a shock to many Lakers fans who were hoping the talented player would end up in Los Angeles this season. The trade also came as a shock to Johnson, he said. “Of course we were after him for what’s been like forever and of course we are disappointed as an organization because at one time we did have him, it seemed like,” Johnson said. “But that deal didn’t go through and that’s life. That’s how it goes. Congratulations to the Celtics - they did a wonderful job for not only getting Kevin but for getting Ray Allen. You know, you lose out on one but hopefully you get someone else.We have to move on - we can’t dwell on something that didn’t happen. Now we have to look for someone else to help the team.”

Johnson also stated that he hopes to sign several more players before training camp starts for the team Oct. 3 for the 2007-2008 season and commented that Kobe Bryant, the Lakers’ MVP scoring foward, is doing great and looking forward to the Dream Team and USA Basketball. “Kobe wants to make sure we qualify in Las Vegas and see if there are any more moves we can make before training camp,” Johnson said in the interview. When asked what Bryant’s reaction was to the Garnett trade, Johnson said: “We were all disappointed - I’m sure he was, too.” On the bright side, Johnson said he was happy with the team’s recent acquisition and has high hopes the Lakers will continue down that path of success. For Lakers tickets, visit www.StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on August 14, 2007 - Post a comment

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant dishes on new shoe line, charity work

In a recent interview with Laker’s star Kobe Bryant, Daily News questioned the NBA MVP about his new line of basketball sneakers, his training routine and even his fund raising efforts with various charity organizations. The result? Kobe revealed a little about his personality and a lot about his character. The Lakers point guard - although quite busy spending time with his young daughter, rigorously training and fashioning his new Nike Zoom Kobe II shoes (released Aug. 9 and already sold out) - still makes time to participate in a myriad of fundraising events for charities, such as the Make A Wish Foundation. At a recent event in Hollywood, Bryant held a silent auction to raise money for the national charity, which aims to provide children with life-threatening conditions with the hope, strength and joy. “It’s good to provide this type of atmosphere for my fans,” Bryant said at the event in an interview with Daily News. “It’s as fun for them as it is for me.”

In 2006, Bryant also created his own organization, VIVO Foundation, which is dedicated to enhancing the lives of young people through cultural enrichment opportunities and financial support. Last August, the foundation funded a trip to Italy, with tours of Rome, Florence and Venice, for a group of eight Latino and black high school students as a way to open their eyes to other cultures. This year, the foundation will provide similar excursions to Hong Kong and other U.S. destinations. “Everything that we do, we try to make it a family atmosphere and really reach out and connect with these youth,” Bryant said on his official Web site. “We really try to make a connection and broaden their horizons.” To get Lakers tickets for this season, visit www.StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on August 13, 2007 - Post a comment

Pacers’ O’Neal indicates desire to trade to Lakers next season

Jermaine O’Neal has officially declared his desire to sport a gold and purple jersey this season. The NBA Indiana Pacers forward told Sports Illustrated in an exclusive interview that he would prefer no to be a part of the Pacers’ “youth movement” next year and said it would be in his and the teams best interest for him them to part ways, according to the Aug. 6 story on the publication’s Web site. O’Neal’s agent  issued an official statement saying that his client had not, as of yet, requested a trade to the Lakers, however Pacers president Larry Bird did not rule out that possibility, according to SportsIllustrated.com.

Last season was one of O’Neal’s best, scoring an average 19.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. The 28-year-old  NBA star also told Sports Illustrated that if he could pick one destination, it would be LA. “I love LA,” he said. “I normally train here every summer. The last two summers I haven’t trained here because I got hurt, but I love it here. My daughter loves it. My wife loves it. This is one of the prime places that I I were to be traded, I would allow Indiana to trade me here.” As prospects begin to look up for the Los Angeles this season, don’t miss out on Lakers tickets – visit Stubhub.com and purchase them ahead!

Permalink - Posted in General on August 10, 2007 - Post a comment

Lakers’ fans look for answers from Bryant on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” ratings may have skyrocketed last night, but special guest Kobe Bryant, who Lakers fans have been keeping their fingers crossed won’t leave the team this season, was not talking about his future plans, despite a round-about probe from Kimmel stating how he hoped the NBA superstar would retire still wearing his purple and gold jersey. The studio audience erupted into applause at this statement, causing Kimmel to quip back “These people obviously do also. Just remember, don’t forget about us when you’re deciding.” The interview, which was reviewed Aug. 9 by the Los Angeles Times, did not shed any light on whether Bryant plans to make a move to another team this season, according to the LA Times article.

What the NBA 2006-07 leading game-scorer did reveal was actually a myriad of pointless facts, including how he looked forward to seeing David Beckham play for Galaxy in the coming year and how he injured his back vacuuming (”You know, they have maids for that,” was Kimmel’s reply). The stand-up comedian, whose show airs weeknights at midnight on ABC, wasn’t completely willing to let the topic die. “Do you think your back is more sensitive from carrying the Lakers all year?” he joked as a final blow but Bryant did not issue a verbal response but merely shook his head and laughed.’ Is no news good news?’ the LA Times article ponders. As far as Lakers fans are concerned, if Kimmel can’t get the scoop, they most likely won’t be getting an answer anytime soon, either. For those who are curious about this season’s Lakers tickets, fans can always rely on www.StubHub.com to get you the best seats in the house.

Permalink - Posted in General on August 9, 2007 - Post a comment

Lakers rest during off-season despite protests from fans, critics

As the Los Angeles Lakers take the summer as an off-season, many sports fans and critics are doubting whether the team should be taking a break at such a crucial point in its career. In an article by NBA editor Warren Blatt, the writer questions whether staying stagnant at this point will distance fans and further annoy already disgruntled team star Kobe Bryant. Many our suggesting that Laker’s general manager Mitch Kupchak look for more diverse players to assist Bryant, namely Indiana forward Jermaine O’Neal, who has already said he would welcome a trade to the Laker’s.

The Lakers, who for the second straight year have been eliminated during the first round of playoffs by the Phoenix, may be facing an uphill battle this season if they don’t make a move soon, Blatt pointed out. Bryant, who publicly expressed his disappointment with the team’s performance last season, conversely averaged an NBA record of 31.6 points per game. Meanwhile, during the summer downtime, the Lakers have lost another talent, when guard Smush Parker left the team to sign with the Miami Heat. As many fans eagerly await the upcoming season in hopes Kupchak will enter into negotiations soon with Indiana’s O’Neal, it’s a given that Lakers tickets can be purchased in advance at www.StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on August 8, 2007 - Post a comment

Crittenton raises bar as top-rated college point guard in nation

An early entry candidate for the 2007 NBA draft, point guard Javaris Cortez Crittenton, 19, was just signed to the Los Angeles Lakers after recently completing his freshman year at Georgia Tech and was recognized three times as the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week.

Crittenton was the scoring leader at Tech, netting an average of 14 and a half point per game and also led the Yellow Jackets in assists (5.8 per game) and averaging two steals and close to four rebounds per game, according to the Lakers’ official Web site. He can also tuck double figure scoring in 25 out of 32 games in last year’s season under his belt, as well as a career high of 29 points during a 2007 game against Florida State.

In high school at Southewest Atlanta Christian Academy,  this 6’5”, 198-pound athlete was honored with the McDonald’s High School All-America selection and was the top-rated point guard in the country, according to Rivals.com. Crittenton also holds the school’s all-time scoring record with 3,500 points .

But on top of excelling on the court, Crittenton maintained a 3.5 GPA and was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and the Senior Beta Club. He spent his summers playing for the Atlanta Celtics AA U team.

Get geared up for the Lakers’ 2007-08 season by purchasing Los Angeles Lakers tickets at www.stubhub.com/los-angeles-lakers-tickets.

Permalink - Posted in General on August 7, 2007 - Post a comment


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