Archive for September, 2010

Mark Medina reports that Phil Jackson will not play Kobe Bryant more than 12 to 16 minutes per game during the Lakers’ two-game swing through Europe. The team takes flight today for London and Jackson took a moment to speak with reporters before heading off to catch the charter. “We want him to be out there on the court and play. Whether it’s a six-to-eight minute run, or two of them, that’s what I’d prefer.” Fully aware of how popular KB24 is in Europe, Jackson had previously jokingly referred to Bryant’s limited minutes as ‘Beckham payback time’. Very much the [...]

For the first time since 1991 the Los Angeles Lakers will play a friendly game of hoops outside of North America. Today the team will make a company move to London where they’ll open the preseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves then will trek down to Spain where Barcelona FC awaits. Phil Jackson isn’t exactly ecstatic about his team’s camp routine being interrupted by the European excursion.  ”This training camp is kind of a bust, as we call it. We don’t anticipate that the first two weeks we’re going to gain any ground. It’s our turn to go [to Europe] and [...]

Psst…hey…don’t tell anybody this but…you know that guy who plays for the Lakers? Kobe Bryant I think is his name. Yeah, well, you might not know this but if the Lake Show wins the NBA title this season, which would make it a three-peat, yes another three-peat. Well…that Kobe guy would have as many rings as Michael Jordan. Ok, so maybe you did know that. If you’re reading this blog you’re fully aware. If you’re an NBA neophyte then you’d assume the Miami Heat have it in bag. Almost like how everybody just knew the Cleveland Cavaliers were supposed to [...]

So few NBA franchises enjoy the cohesive relationship shared between ownership, the general manager and head coach as the Los Angeles Lakers do. Between the limitless funds and shrewd business practices of Hall of Famer Dr. Jerry Buss, the (dare I say it) Jerry West-esque eye for talent of Mitch Kupchak and the basketball wisdom of Phil Jackson, the Lake Show is filled will all-starts in all phases of basketball operations. Look no further than the off-season acquisition of Steve Blake as the latest entry into Kupchak’s soon to be released book titled ” How to Win Titles and Influence [...]

Is it just me or is Bill Plaschke becoming more and more like T.J. Simers? Today, in the L.A. Times, Plascke kicks off his coverage of the Lakers – who open camp tomorrow – with, of all things, a rant about Andrew Bynum’s knee. Sure, Plaschke has good reason to be sour on Bynum for the big man postponing surgery until after his World Cup trip. After hobbling so badly in Game 7 of the NBA Finals that he lasted but 19 minutes while scoring only one basket, Bynum blew off the operating room to attend the World Cup in [...]

How do you know the NBA season is just around the corner? When you see your first Andrew Bynum injury report, that’s how. David Aldridge penned an NBA injury manifesto and had the following to say about Bynum’s progress (or lack thereof) following his offseason knee surgery. Bynum in fact will not participate in any preseason games. He will travel with the team, but he has not yet been cleared to begin basketball activities on the court. The Lakers hope Bynum will be able to do some work on court later in the preseason. Bynum wasn’t expected to be ready [...]

We’re just days away from the Los Angeles Lakers starting camp for the upcoming season. Today, we’ll take a look at the roster and breakdown the expectations for each player. Ron Artest (6-7/260, F, 12th year) – What can you say about Ron that hasn’t already been said? While Artest came through in the clutch, the Lakers would like to see a little more offensive consistency from the defensive stalwart. Ron Ron is still an elite defender who will again be asked to harass the likes of Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and that guy in South Beach. Matt Barnes (6-7/226, [...]

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban continues to write checks his basketball team can’t cash. Of course Cubes has the dough to cut those checks, the thing is his squad just doesn’t have the sense to invest his funds wisely. Yesterday, in an interview, Cuban proclaimed his Mavs to have the size and depth to compete with the Lake Show. When asked if the Mavericks can beat the Lakers, Cuban had the following to say. “Hell yes. That’s it. Hell yes. We’ve got the size now. We’ve got the depth. We’ve got a lot more depth than the Lakers. It’s not [...]

In the market for a knock down shooter, the desperate Boston Celtics are working out former Laker Adam Morrison. Having already signed one former Laker well past his prime, Shaquille O’Neal, the Celtics continue to scrape the bottom of the championship barrel in hopes of getting a little Purple and Gold fortune in Beantown. Morrison’s disappointing career made a brief pit stop in Los Angeles where the former Gonzaga Bulldog won two rings, one of which came at the expense of the C’s. So impressed with Morrison’s ability to cheer on his team from the sideline, Boston is almost certainly [...]

Prosecutors in Sacramento have delayed the date set for Matt Barnes to appear in court as more information is gathered in the on-going domestic violence investigation. Barnes gets a brief reprieve until October 18th as the Sacramento DA determines whether or not any charges will be filed. From a hoops standpoint, the date will affect Barnes and the Lakers who will play a preseason game the night before the court date and will be in the middle of a span of three games in four days during that time frame. Barnes’ fiancée, Gloria Govan, has come forward stating that Barnes [...]