Lakers big man Tarik Black spoke on his mindset, new coaches in LA, and his outlook on the 2016-17 season at the ESPNLA 710 All-Star Celebrity Game
Newly signed Los Angeles Lakers forward and fan-favorite Tarik Black was one of the coaches last weekend in the ESPNLA 710 All-Star Celebrity Game, which benefited the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund for The V Foundation. Said tournament was sponsored by 24 Hour Fitness, and Scott’s former employer, ESPN, along with others.
The event kicked off this year’s Nike Basketball 3ON3 Tournament on Friday, August 7 outside of STAPLES Center. Black would not play in the game, he didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize his health or contract. When describing his coaching strategy, he emphasized only one thing, saying “I want them just to have fun with one another.”
Black’s team, the Hollywood All-Stars, included many familiar faces for Lakers fans, such as play-by-play man John Ireland, TWC Sportsnet reporter Mike Trudell, and ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne. In addition to Lakers media, ESPN analyst and former NFL player Marcellus Wiley Jr. also was a member of Black’s squad, among others.
More from Lake Show Life
- Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
- Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
- Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
- Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
- Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated
Prior to the coaching victory for the Lakers forward, Black spoke with me and Arizona Wildcats point guard Trey Mason speaking on the his coaching strategy on that night, but also about his mentality heading into the 2016-17 NBA season with the Lakers. Moreover, he talked about his new coach and this new era blooming in Los Angeles.
The most poignant thing Black had to say was regarding outlets such as ESPN piling it on the Lakers about how horrible they’ll be. Black had his own thoughts, saying, “Everyone thinking that we aren’t going to be that good or thinking we are going to be last in the West—it’s preseason. I love the fact they are against us.”
“I don’t care what anybody’s speculation is—I know how great I can be, I define it for myself,” Black said. “I don’t think anybody sets the bar as high as myself.” That certainly seems like the proper mentality that you need in the heat of a young team looking to make something of themselves.
Here’s a look at the full interview with Tarik Black:
At the time that the third-year NBA forward agreed to a two-year, $12.8 million deal with the Lakers in July, Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News interviewed Black who told him about a conversation he and his Lakers head Luke Walton had prior to signing on the dotted line. Black’s message to Walton was simple, saying “I don’t ask to be given anything. I just ask for a fair shot—if I earn something, give it to me.”
Next: Lakers: Team Development the Big Winner of Westbrook Extension
Black and Walton first developed a relationship during the 2011 NBA lockout when a still-playing Walton was hired on as an assistant at the University of Memphis for the duration of the lockout. Thus, Walton’s response spoke volumes about his feelings toward Black, saying of Black’s demands for a fair shot, “I respect that, appreciate that, and will honor that.” And the rest is history.