Lakers Show Confidence on Media Day

Yesterday (Sept. 29) was the Los Angeles Lakers’ media day, and the team gathered at their training facility to talk about the upcoming season, showing they are confident in their ability to secure another NBA championship win. After beating the Orlando Magic in last season’s NBA Finals in June, the Lakers swapped small forward Trevor Ariza for Ron Artest, signing him a five-year, $33.9-million contract with the Lakers after he left the Houston Rockets. Said Laker Derek Fisher about the big move, “There’s also a good place for change in terms of a new hunger and enthusiasm and passion for winning that maybe sometimes after guys have won, it becomes more difficult to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. I think that’s where Ron is going to be the biggest asset for us is that I don’t think there will be a day this season where he will allow other people to take a day off because they’ve already won a championship before. That’s what he’s here.”

Said Kobe Bryant about the upcoming season, “We understand the challenge of winning another [title]. We have a chance here. We have the talent to win another one. If we don’t, it’s because of our lack of focus, or something else, or an injury here or there. That’s something that we want to try to avoid and try to defend our title.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on September 30, 2009 - Post a comment

Lakers’ Training Camp Begins Tomorrow

The defending NBA champions, the Los Angeles Lakers, have their media day today (Sept. 29), begin training camp on Wednesday (Sept. 30) and will have their first exhibition game against Golden State in Anaheim on Oct. 7. The Los Angeles Times listed five things to watch as the Lakers open training camp and begin the road to opening night of the NBA season, when they host their hometown rivals the Clippers at Staples Center on Oct. 27. Not surprisingly, Ron Artest is the first variable, as he swapped places with fellow forward Trevor Ariza in signing a five-year contract with the Lakers (Ariza inked a similar deal with the Houston Rockets).

Center Andrew Bynum comes next, as his health seems to always be an issue. Last January Bynum suffered a torn knee ligament and sat out 32 games, averaging just 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in the playoffs (a stark contrast to his previous averages of 26.2 points, 14 rebounds and 3.2 blocks). After signing a four-year, $33-million contract to remain with the Lakers, Lamar Odom is back (and is the third variable listed by the Times). At number four is Kobe Bryant, or more specifically his age. Bryant, 31, will be entering his 14th season, which has some wondering if his age will begin to show. Lastly, the NBA hasn’t had a repeat champion since 2002 with the Lakers so everyone will be waiting to see what will happen this June.

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Permalink - Posted in General on September 29, 2009 - Post a comment

Phil Jackson’s Meet and Greet

On Friday (September 25), Lakers’ Coach Phil Jackson had a meet and greet with the press. Jackson’s talks with the media came before Tuesday’s official Media Day, and the Los Angeles Times reported on what he had to say. Jackson addressed the issue of the possibility of international players’ (like Pau Gasol, Sasha Vujacic and Pau Gasol) getting burnt out prior to the Lakers’ season saying, “My concern is not to overdo it. Jackson also joked about sending Gasol a text cautioning the Spaniard not to “expect to be coddled when he comes in” (Gasol was granted two weeks off to treat his injury).

While Doc Buss and Jackson have yet to officially discuss an extension of his career, Jackson said he didn’t want to be viewed as a “lame duck” coach in the meet and greet and also discussed bringing Ron Artest into the Lakers’ fold. Said Jackson of Artest, “He’ll have an important role.” Jackson did address Artest’s tendency to post clips of himself on YouTube and Tweet frequently, as well as Lamar Odom’s marriage to Khloe Kardashian over the weekend saying, “There’s a certain amount of privacy that we’ll have to demand from them, so that our business doesn’t become street business. These guys are professionals. They’ll understand that.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on September 28, 2009 - Post a comment

Los Angeles D-Fenders Coach Named

According to The Press-Telegram, Chucky Brown was named the coach of the Los Angeles D-Fenders on Monday (September 21). Brown served as assistant coach with the NBA Development League for its first three seasons and is set to succeed Dan Panaggio as coach of the D-Fenders; Panaggio served as the D-Fender’s coach for the first three seasons. In addition Brown, 41, was also an assistant coach with with Roanoke Dazzle of the NBA Development League  for two seasons and coached the Raleigh Knights of the World Basketball Association in 2004.

Chucky Brown played in the NBA from 1989 to 2002 for a record-tying 12 teams in the league, with the Los Angeles Lakers among them. Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak, who owns the D-Fenders, said, “We think Chucky Brown has a bright future in coaching and are excited to have him as the next head coach of the Los Angeles D-Fenders.” During the 2008-2009 season, the D-Fenders were 19-31 and finished fifth in the six-team West Division.

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Permalink - Posted in General on September 25, 2009 - Post a comment

Lamar Odom to Tie the Knot

Talk about a whirlwind romance! According to the Associated Press, Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom is set to wed E! reality television star Khloe Kardashian. Khloe, 25, appears on E!’s Keeping Up With the Kardashians along with the rest of her family and also stars in an E! spinoff show titled Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami. Khloe also competed on The Celebrity Apprentice earlier this year. According to E! News, Khloe posted a statement of her Celebuzz blog yesterday (September 22) saying, “Hi dolls. I’m thrilled to finally be able to tell you that the news is true … Lamar and I are getting married on Sunday!!! I couldnt’ be happier and I’m so excited that I can finally share the news with you. Your well wishes have meant the world to me and I am truly so blessed to have such amazing fans, family and friends during this incredible time in my life.”

Odom, 29, recently signed a four-year contract with the Lakers this summer and was a key player in helping the franchise win its 15th NBA championship title in June. Odom has a daughter, Destiny, and son, Lamar Jr., from a previous relationship. Tragically, Odom’s other son Jayden died it his crib when he was just seven months old in 2006.

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Permalink - Posted in General on September 24, 2009 - Post a comment

Ron Artest Makes Some Gaffs in San Diego

During a stop in San Diego for his first promotion appearance for his new team, the Los Angeles Lakers, Ron Artest made some gaffs that caused some laughs. Said Artest, “I didn’t realize how far L.A.’s tentacles, or whatever you want to call them, extend, all the way to San Diego. I thought I was going to be getting some Golden State Warrior fans, because I didn’t know where I was at. Most of the fans are Lakers fans, so that’s great. And I’m also here to say that next year I’ll be trying out for the San Diego Chargers, so I look forward to that. Hopefully I can play some baseball. Is there a baseball team here?” This caused an eruption of laughter, as Artest was told he was wearing a San Diego Padres hat! “I know I’m wearing the hat. I just love the SD. The logo looks great. I didn’t realize there was a baseball team in San Diego.”

Arest also spoke about his previous heated moments with Kobe Bryant saying, “That was friendship what you saw there with me and Kobe. That’s like hard-core friendship, you know, like back in the days–fight against your best friend when you were younger and go out and get some ice cream later? That’s what that was. It was so competitive.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on September 23, 2009 - Post a comment

Ron Artest May Be Blamed If Lakers Don’t Repeat Last Season

According to the Los Angeles Times, newly acquired Laker Ron Artest may shoulder the blame if the Lakers fail to repeat last season’s championship win this season. While promoting the Lakers’ exhibition game against the Denver Nuggets (which will take place Oct. 23 at the San Diego Sports Arena), Artest said that fans would be justified in blaming him if the Lakers fail to secure another NBA Championship title this season: “They should. That’s exactly what should happen if we don’t repeat. They won last year, and I’m the new addition. The fans expect to repeat. Everybodyin L.A. expects a second ring. And if we don’t then yeah, they should point it right at me, throwing tomatoes and everything.”

On July 8 Artest joined the Lakers as a free agent, inking a five-year deal worth approximately $33 million. Artest basically swaped places with Trevor Ariza (who left L.A. to take Artest’s spot with the Houston Rockets) as the Lakers’ only addition. Artest wore an all-black Kobe Bryant jersey to pay tribute to his new teammate and appeared excited to make his first promotional appearance for his new team saying, “It makes me more excited, gives me a better understanding of what jersey I’m actually putting on. So today I decided to wear the black Kobe Bryant jersey, because he is the ‘Black Mamba,’ and I’m really happy to be a part of this team and I’m really excited just to be an addition, an asset, to the guy, to the (Derek) Fishers and the (Andrew) Bynums and all the rest of the players.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on September 22, 2009 - Post a comment

Rumor Has It Mickael Gelabale Will Sign with the Lakers

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Jorge Sierra of Hoopshype.com says the Lakers are close to signing former Sonic Mickael Gelabale. According to Sierra, the 26-year-old, 6′7″ Frenchman will have a shot at making the team out of training camp on a “make-good contract,” which means there is no financial commitment until he makes the team. Gelabale dropped out of the NBA subsequent to tearing his right ACL during his second season in Seattle in 2008 and played six games with the D-Fenders last season in the NBDL, during which he averaged 4.3 boards a game.

Gelabale told Sierra his health is “ducky” and sees himself as an asset on the defensive end saying, “The knees are very good. We had some tests in Los Angeles and both of my knees are very, very stong. I’ve been working out a lot and now I’m even able to do things I couldn’t do before.” Gelabale also revealed, “…I chose the Lakers because I think I can make the team. I can bring my defense to the Lakers. I remember there have been times when I played against Kobe that he would congratulate after the game for being such a good defender. I know it’s going to be hard to make the team, but you have to start somewhere.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on September 21, 2009 - Post a comment

Who Is Lakers Forward Lamar Odom Dating?

You know it’s the offseason when reports of who Lakers’ players are dating dominate the headlines, but training camp starts September 29 so there will only be a few more days of this. With that said, the New York Daily News is reporting that Lakers’ forward Lamar Odom is dating Khloe Kardashian. Along with her sisters Kourtney and Kim, Khloe stars in E! reality shows The Kardashians and Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami. According to Hollyscoop.com, the newly minted couple “instantly hit it off” after meeting at the Rom Artest party at Hollywood nightclub Halo on August 27 and recently hit another Hollywood hot spot, Guys and Dolls.

A source told Usmagazine.com, “He was holding her hand and every time a good song came on, she would pull him up to dance and steal kisses here and there. There is no denying the chemistry between these two.” Kim told People.com, “They’re very happy. They’ve been together for a few weeks, and are literally inseparable. Khloe thinks he’s amazing and makes her laugh and smile constantly.” Odom, 29, recently inked a four-year, $33 million contract with the Lakers and was a key factor in helping L.A. win the NBA Championship in June.

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Permalink - Posted in General on September 18, 2009 - Post a comment

Andrew Bynum’s Health and the Upcoming Lakers’ Season

Andrew Bynum was drafted 10th overall by the Lakers in 2005 and became the youngest player ever to appear in an NBA game later on that same year, but Bynum’s chronic knee trouble has caused problems for the Lakers in the past and may prove to be a key issue this season. While the Lakers’ 2008-09 NBA championship season was nearly perfect, had Andrew Bynum been healthy it would have been that much better. In 2007 Bynum suffered an injury to his left kneecap that limited him to 35 regular-season games and barred him from the playoffs. Then, in 2008 Bynum endured an injury to his right knee (although this time he recovered to play in the championship run).

During the offseason, 21-year-old Bynum worked out in Atlanta, which caused some to think that he was injured. Bynum’s agent, David Lee, however claims those rumors are false saying that “there aren’t any problems” and that Bynum will be back in L.A. before training camp begins on September 29. Last season, Bynum appeared in 50 regular-season contests for the Lakers and averaged 14.3 points, eight rebounds and 1.8 blocks in just under 29 minutes per game. Bynum, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol combine to give the Lakers one of the league’s most powerful attacks and if he stays healthy this season the Lakers will be that much of a sure thing to make it to the playoffs.

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Permalink - Posted in General on September 17, 2009 - Post a comment


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