The Suns’ Shawn Marion traded to the Lakers?
Shawn Marion, the Phoenix Suns’ four-time all star, has apparently been thinking about making a change. The Los Angeles Lakers and Suns have allegedly been involved in discussions over the last few weeks about a possible trade with Marion and the Lakers’ forward Lamar Odom, according to a story published Sept. 25 at SportingNews.com, who received information from an annonymous source who said the deal was being tied up because Lakers’ owner Jerry Buss had yet to OK it and that there was a “50-50″ chance that it would actually happen.
In a telephone conversation with SportingNews.com, Marion admitted that he had talked with the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant in the last few days but also confirmed that the two are friends and stay in touch. The Suns team member said he was genuinely excited about the prospect of playing for the City of Angels. “Why wouldn’t I be?” Marion said. “You have a great organization, great ownership there with the Lakers. I don’t see no problems with playing there.” Marion, who is the highest paid member on the Suns, has one more year left in his contract and has the ability to opt out of it next year to become a free agent, according to the SportingNews article. Marion said he has been happy with his career with the Suns despite rumors that have circulated throughout the media. “There’s been things that have been said in the media, but I don’t want to get into all that,” Marion said. “That’s not going to accomplish anything. Most people don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. The way I look at it is, I love Phoenix, I love the fans. I love my teammates. Don’t let anybody tell you that I don’t. Some of the stuff that has happened is messed up. But pointing fingers and all that, I am bigger than that.” Marion, who said he was hoping to retire as a Phoenix Sun, said he was still open to the option of going to play for another team but that it would be tough. While he ponder the possibilities, the deal may not even go through with the Lakers and it’s starting to come down to the last minute: the Lakers begin training camp Monday, Oct. 12. With the clock ticking down, be sure not to miss any of this season’s action. Get Lakers tickets at Stubhub.com.
Bryant’s teammate Chris Mihm expects him at training camp; makes predictions about new talent
As anticipation for the Lakers’ training camp mounts and eager fans wait anxiously to hear whether team star Kobe Bryant decides to show after a summer of complaints about recruits and trading, Lakers center Chris Mihm has come forward with some reassurance for on-edge Los Angeles enthusiasts, according to a recent Orange County Register story published on the newspaper’s Web site.
“I don’t anticipate any problems,” Mihm said to those attending the Orange County Register’s Insiders event at the newspaper’s Hoiles Auditorium the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 25. “(I) fully anticipate Kobe to come.”
Mihm, who was out all last season due to an ankle injury and has announced that he might be switching roles to become a power forward this season, has declared his teammate Bryant a sure thing for the camp and is also making predictions about the newest upcoming players, Derek Fisher and Andrew Bynum, according to the article. Mihms is convinced that Fisher - who was recently re-signed with the Lakers after leaving them in 2004 to go to the Golden State Warriors - will be the perfect re-addition to the team, adding that certain something it has been lacking for the past few seasons. “He’s going to provide a really good veteran presence at the point guard for us,” Mihm said. “I think it’s something we’ve had some younger guys playing point for us and it’s a really hard position to play in this league. At point guard you’re asked to be the floor leader; he’s going to be a good stability basketball-wise because he knows the triangle (offense) also.” Mihm was just cleared in July by doctors as ready to play and seems ready to take on his responsibilities as one of the third-year returning veterans for the team. Training camp starts Oct. 11 in Honolulu, Hawaii for the Lakers and if you haven’t yet picked out your season seats, then what are you waiting for? Grab a pair of Lakers tickets now at Stubhub.com.
Lakers learn a few new moves from Rockettes
In the midst of the Lakers practice Tuesday, Sept . 25, four Radio City Rockettes busted onto the El Segundo training center’s court to teach the NBA stars a thing or two - in the way of dancing. Vladimir Radmonvic, Sasha Vujacic, Javaris Crittenton and forward Brian Cook were instructed how to bend their knees and wrists properly, point their toes and pose while performing a kickline, according to an article published Sept. 26 by the Daily Breeze. The tutorial was headed up by Rockette Krista Harvey, who has been a part of the squad since 2001 and said her husband was jealous she was getting the chance to meet the big-time basketball players. Dressed in red, Santa-like suits, the four girls showed the players how to high-kick and in return the men showed them how to shoot from the free-throw line.
While the Lakers are preparing for their upcoming season and trying to get their minds off what might transpire from teammate Kobe Bryant’s unhappy sentiments, the Rockettes are practicing for their Christmas production, which opens in December in Orange County, and figured they could help the Lakers have a little fun in the meantime, according to the article. Of the four players, each one was given five minute lessons and their progress - although not star worthy - was still decent. Crittenton, who told Harvey to slow down as she went over the leg moves, afterward said “I was caught off guard. That was fun.” Cook, who joked with the dancers about making the routine “more manly,” told press that he had a blast after the lessons concluded but toward the beginning commented “They are trying to teach us to dance. The other three are doing pretty well. That’s not my forte.” Cook and the others will be focusing on their forte for the next few weeks and as the season opens, fans await any news concerning the fate of the team and Bryant. If you are still waiting to get Lakers tickets for this season, stop procrastinating and get them now at Stubhub.com!
Which teams will give the Lakers a run for their money this season?
As the NBA prepares for the official 2007-08 season, the Los Angles Lakers are left in a state of limbo, speculating whether star point-guard Kobe Bryant will return to play alongside his team. The leagues MVP point-scorer for last season has been voicing his concern with the Lakers’ need to acquire new talent since the end of last season and even came out on public radio with a request that he wished to be traded. Now, although Bryant has already allegedly made accommodations to receive his physical examination before training camp begins Oct. 11 in Honolulu, Hawaii, speculations are still swirling about whether he will return. What isn’t under speculation, however, is how the team is being viewed going into the season’s play, according to an article in the Los Angels Times.
In late May, Lakers’ team members Kwame Brown and Lamar Odom underwent surgery and now it is unclear whether the two will be able to start the season in full health. On top of that, new drafts were slim and Bryant’s old complaints (”I’m still frustrated. I’m waiting for them to make some changes,” and “We definitely have to get to that elite level, and get to that elite level, like, now”) are bound to resurface - that is, if he shows up at training camp. Now that the Portland Trail Blazers have lost prized rookie Greg Oden to knee surgery, Bryant can rest a bit more easily, yet the Lakers still face heavy competition from long-time elite teams Phoenix Suns (who finished six games ahead of the San Antonio Spurs last season and signed Grant Hill this summer), the Spurs (who’ve garnered three titles in the past five seasons) and Dallas (who finished nine games ahead of the Spurs in last season’s play). With competition thick, including Denver, Houston and Utah, the Lakers are left as one of four possible teams left vying for a spot in this season’s playoffs, comes a speculation from the LA Times sports critic.
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Will Kobe Bryant return to the Lakers?
Lakers forward Kobe Bryant, who has shown hesitancy in returning to his NBA league this year, has reportedly scheduled a time for his pre-training-camp physical examination, furthering rumors that the MVP top-scoring league player will in fact be a part of the team this season, according to a recent story published by the Orange County Register. As the team prepares for an Oct. 11 start date for training camp, which will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii, speculations that Bryant would not be participating have been swirling due to Bryant’s complaints after last season about recruiting new talent for the team and his eventual request to the team’s front office to be traded - neither of those wishes have been granted. Although the NBA star has not been seen at the team’s workout facilities in El Segundo, California, all summer and has instead spent time out of town on a promotional tour for his new line of Nike sneakers and playing on the USA basketball team in Las Vegas.
Despite those discrepancies, the Lakers’ team spokesperson John Black has issued a statement: ” We have no reason to believe that he won’t be there,” in regards to Bryant’s attendance at training camp. As the days tick down, the status of the teams players also seems debatable, according to the Orange County Register report. Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown are still recovering from their respective shoulder surgeries, while center Chris Mihm is on the road to rehabilitation after an ankle surgery. Coach Phil Jackson, who is still coming back from last year’s right hip-replacement surgery, is on the third and final year of his contract with the team and has been offered a two-year extension with the team, although no final negotiations have begun as of yet. Jackson also shared in Bryant’s desire to make some team line-up changes, and although that did not seem to happen for the Lakers, the team still has the potential to come back and do some damage this season, with big hopes from Jackson, Bryant and the rest of its members of making it to the championships.
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Larry Turner bulks up and gets pumped for season after signing two-year contract with Lakers
Larry Turner, the recent Tennessee State University graduate who just signed a two year free agent contract with the Los Angels Lakers, told The Tenessean on Friday, Sept. 21 that he is ready to start off the season strong and will be working extra hard at this week’s training camp, where he has already completed his first workout on Wednesday and has been working in one-on-one sessions with Lakers’ forward center Kwame Brown.
“I’m excited and looking forward to it,'’ Turner said. “It’s always been my dream to play in the NBA.”
The 6′11, 255 pound forward was transferred from the Oklahoma Tigers to the Lakers, which surprised some since he was not on the team’s starting line up and only averaged 5.8 points and 6.1 rebounds. Under the new contract, Turner will have to perform well at camp in order to stay on with the Lakers and if he can maintain his performance through Jan. 10 then he will be guaranteed his yearly salary, according to article. The Lakers - who have been experiencing some unrest over the summer due to complaints from forward Kobe Bryant, who had hesitations about whether the team will be able to compete on a championship level - seem to have pulled together for now, after coach Phil Jackson made the admission that he was forming an alliance with Bryant to work together and devise a game plan for the season. With the addition of new talented players, that can only mean the team is on its way up. Lakers assistant coach and former player Kurt Rambis said he has been impressed with Turners’ performance so far. “He’s a big guy that runs the floor, plays hard, listens, blocks shots, rebounds the basketball,” Lakers assistant coach and former player Kurt Rambis told Lakers.com. “He’s big and strong and has a big body.”
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Fifth year forward Luke Walton on Basketball Without Borders, upcoming season
Fifth year Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton, who recently made the transition of signing a contract with the team, has expressed his relief of finally belonging fully to the NBA squad in an interview with NBA media, in which he called being a free agent “nerve wracking” because he ultimately knew that LA was where he wanted to stay.
“I don’t think the contract changes my role much,” Walton said. “We agreed on a contract because they like what I do and what I bring to the table. Obviously I’m still working out, working on my game, and trying to get better. I’ll keep doing the things I do well to help the team win. As far as personally, it takes a lot of stress off you. When you’re playing in a free agent year you get worried about every time you have a bad game and it starts messing with your head. Now I know I still have to perform, but now I just go out there and do what I need to do. It’s nice to have the security of knowing that I’ll be here in LA and playing for this team that I want to play for.”
Walton participated in the Basketball Without Borders program for the third consecutive year this summer and said he plans to volunteer his time each year from now on to the educational workshop, which helps youth in many different countries learn basketball skills at instructional camps and also teaches them life lessons. This year’s program was held in San Paulo, Brazil, and through sponsorship was able to donate twenty computers, a library, and two full-court basketball facilities to an under priviledged neighborhood in the city. Walton, joined by several others, visited children in the hospital and spent a day at the Special Olympics.
As Walton prepares to jump into the season, he hopes to become more of an intricate part of the team, he said. “I think the first couple years you learn how to play at this level,” Walton said. “You apply your game and the more you play the more you become a leader and the more the younger kids look to you for information and for leadership. So I’ll definitely make it more of a point to be a leader out there this year.”
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School supply drive to be held by Lakers’ forward Vladimir Radmanovic
The Los Angeles Lakers’ forward Vladimir Radmanovic will host a school supply drive Saturday, Sept. 22, to benefit Five Acres, a Los Angeles County organization dedicated to helping child victims of abuse and neglect by providing outreach services for emotionally abused, disturbed and neglected children. The event, which will be held at the Figueroa Street Staples in downtown LA, will encourage people to come out to the store to purchase pre-maid backpacks full of school supplies or Staples gift cards to be donated to families in need, according an announcement posted on the Lakers’ official Web site. Taking place from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, the event is giving away two free tickets to a Lakers season game bo anyone who purchases $200 worth of Staples gift cards or five or more school supplies back packs.
Radmanovic, hailing from Serbia and Montenegro College, is 6′10″ and has been playing professional basketball for about six years. He averages about 6.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game and initially played for the Seattle Sonics but then moved over to LA in 2005 and has been there ever since. Radmanovic also played for a short stint on the Los Angeles Clippers and now he is hoping to make a contribution back to the communtiy with this particular fundraising event for Five Acres. Earlier, in February of this year, the basketball star - joined by LA teammate Maurice Evans - visited the organization and talked with the youth there about the importance of overcoming adversity and also taught them some of their court techniques and shooting hints after the speech when Radmanovic invited the children to play a game of hoops with them. Now as the star helps raise money toward the youth’s future, he hopes to continue that message of good will.
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Free agent forward Elton Brown signed to Lakers; team prepares for season
Free agent forward Elton Brown, a 6′9″ University of Virginia graduate, was signed Monday, Sept. 17 to the LA Lakers at a time when the controversy is still swirling about whether Kobe Bryant will return and whether the team has established a successful roster before going into pre-season training. Brown, whose college basketball career was very successful, joins the team as University of Virginia’s 20th highest scorer of all-time, garnering 1,356 points and 600 rebounds during his four years at the school, according to a Sept. 17 story published at HoopsWorld. com. The forward spent his 2005-06 year in Greece, playing for its national league and averaging 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. During the 2006-07 season, Brown was a part of the Colorado 14ers and averaged 18.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 50 games.
As speculation spins about what this new player will be able to contribute to the game, Brown may not even have the space to keep after training camp if they do not make any additional trades. The Lakers currently have 17 signed players under contract, including newly signed Javaris Crittendon, but starting players will most likely be changed before the season’s opening game. As analysts evaluate who will be starting and who will be placed aside, Bryant continues to stay mum on whether he will return for training camp, which is slated to begin in October. According to Hoops World, the Lakers are not interested in trading Bryant so if he does choose to avoid camp, they will still hold fast, but Lakers fans continue to be concerned that the MVP all-star will abandon his team due to management’s lack of meeting the initial concerns he voiced a the end of last season about acquiring a more diverse and talented roster. While many issues are still up in the air, where to get good season tickets is not one of them. For Lakers tickets visit Stubhub.com.
Former LA Lakers’ star Magic Johnson endorses predsidential candidate Hillary Clinton
In the light of the upcoming 2008 presidential election, the race is on and as big name stars begin to show support to their favorite contender, former Los Angeles Lakers mega-star Magic Johnson officially endorsed candidate and former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton during a party Friday, Sept. 14 at his Beverely Hills home, according to an AP story published on the Topix Web site. The gathering, which was staged just days after TV host Oprah Winfrey held a similar fund raising event for candidate Barack Obama at her seaside estate, represents what some analysts have labeled a Democratic face off for one of the party’s key voting groups - blacks.
Although Johnson’s party was less lavish than the latter - Winfrey’s charade raised $3 million and featured celebrity comic Chris Rock and big-time actor Forest Whitaker - independent polls still show that California’s black vote remains divided between Clinton and Obama. Because of the clout her husband established with the group during his years in office, Clinton has gained a stable following and cites her years of experience and public advocacy as reasons why she would be a better candidate than her Democratic competitor. “My attitude is, I don’t deserve anyone’s vote. I have to earn everyone’s vote,” Clinton said. The senator also participated in a public forum in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts, at which Obama also spoke.
Johnson, the NBA Hall-of-Fame legend, is credited helped transform the status of the league during the 1990s with his phenomenal dribbling and passings skills, making the NBA a multi-million dollar organization. The basketball star has his own enterprise dealing with everything from movie theaters to health clubs, has major clout in the business world. He has publicly endorsed the Democratic party and also continues to stay in close contact with the Lakers, acting as an official supporter of the team in many situations. To show your support, make sure to grab a pair of Lakers tickets for the upcoming season at Stubhub.com.