October 2010 Archives

This one was over by the end of the first quarter, which is kind of silly if you think about it. The Lakers worked over the defenseless Warriors en route to their third consecutive victory to start the season. Pau Gasol scored 26 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and added four assists. Kobe Bryant had 20 points and seven rebounds and Lamar Odom had 16 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. Monta Ellis had 20 points for Golden State. The question now is, when will the Lakers lose a game? It might not happen this week, what with games against Memphis on Tuesday, Sacramento on Wednesday and Toronto on Friday. The Lakers could be 8-0 by the time they play the Nuggets in Denver on Nov. 11.

The Lakers are halfway to their third straight victory to start the season, toying with the Golden State Warriors in the first half tonight at Staples Center. Four of their five starters have scored in double figures already, led by Pau Gasol with 16 points. Lamar Odom had 13 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. He might get a triple-double if he plays enough in the second half. The way things are going, it might be a stretch. Monta Ellis has 17 for Golden State, which has resorted to chucking 3-pointers in an attempt to play catch-up.

Coach Phil Jackson gave the Lakers' starters a break from practice today, after all five of them scored in double figures in the team's 114-106 victory Friday over the Suns. Only the backups practiced, and that included Luke Walton, who has a nagging strained right hamstring. Walton has been inactive for the Lakers' first two games. He could be sound enough to make his season debut tonight against the Golden State Warriors. If it doesn't happen tonight, then Tuesday against the Memphis Grizzlies might be a better bet.

PHOENIX -- Here's some of what Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry said about the Lakers: "There's a lot of talk about that team in South Beach. (The Lakers) are flying right there under the radar. ... Those guys in the locker room over there, they love that challenge," he said. "It gives them something to be focused in on for this year. Rather than just repeating, I think they feel like they're underdogs. I don't know why when you've been to the finals the last three years and won two (titles). I still think they're the team to beat."

PHOENIX -- All five starters scored in double figures, led by Kobe Bryant with 25 points, and the Lakers gave Phil Jackson his 1,100th coaching victory tonight with a win over the Phoenix Suns. It was a rematch of the Western Conference finals last spring, and the Lakers won that one, too. Pau Gasol added 21 points and Lamar Odom had 18 points and a team-leading 17 rebounds for the Lakers (2-0). Grant Hill had 21 for Phoenix (1-2).

PHOENIX -- It was fast, but not as fast as the Phoenix Suns might have liked in the first half tonight. The Lakers didn't allow the Suns to run amok in the first half, holding modest leads for most of the early minutes. The Lakers might have taken too many shots too quickly, but for the most part their pacing was just fine against the hyperactive Suns. Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 14 points on 7-for-9 shooting, and Kobe Bryant scored 12 on 5-for-12 shooting. Grant Hill scored 14 points on 7-for-12 shooting a little more than 16 minutes.

PHOENIX -- Luke Walton was listed as "out" for tonight's game against the Suns. After sitting out Tuesday's regular-season opener against the Rockets because of a strained right hamstring, he said he hoped to practice Wednesday or Thursday. It didn't happen, and he was left off the active roster tonight, joining Andrew Bynum (right knee surgery). Theo Ratliff, who has tendinitis in his left knee, was listed as questionable to play.

Neither Walton nor Bynum traveled with the team.

It's true. Ron Artest will raffle off his championship ring and donate the proceeds to charity. Check out the details at his website ronartest.com.

On the day after they opened the season with a 112-110 victory over the Houston Rockets, the Lakers returned to the practice court today in El Segundo. Well, some of them returned to the practice court anyway. Kobe Bryant did not participate in the workout. He was joined on the sidelines by Andrew Bynum (right knee surgery), Theo Ratliff (tendinitis left knee) and Luke Walton (strained right hamstring). Walton might give it a try today.

As a rule, Bryant practices infrequently, but the Lakers also are determined to limit his activity after he underwent offseason right knee surgery. Bryant scored 27 points on 8-for-20 shooting and played 37 minutes, 4 seconds Tuesday against the Rockets.

Here's some of what Kobe Bryant had to say after the Lakers pulled out a 112-110 victory over the Houston Rockets: "It was good, it was a good game. The bench came out and did a great job. Steve (Blake) hit a couple of huge 3s for us. Shannon (Brown) was extremely active on both ends of the floor. We were a deep team last year, as well. This year we have better chemistry in terms of the pieces fitting better together coming off the bench."

Bryant played 37 minutes, 4 seconds, which he said was not a big test on his surgically-repaired right knee. He also said, "Phil (Jackson) asked me how I felt and I told him I was ready to go, so I knew this morning. I feel good."

Bryant on setting up Blake for the go-ahead 3-pointer: "We talked about getting that exact shot during a timeout. We executed at the right time."

Bryant on receiving his fifth championship ring: 'It's always fun when this night comes. You get a chance to enjoy it and tonight was an even more special one because we all introduced each other. You know the bond we share together."

So this is what the new season might look like for the Lakers: Steve Blake sinking the go-ahead 3-pointer tonight off a pass from a driving Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol leading the Lakers in scoring and rebounding (29 and 11), Bryant recording seven assists (to go with 27 points), Shannon Brown scoring 14 of his 16 in the fourth quarter, Derek Fisher sitting on the bench during crunch time while Blake and Brown stay in the game until the end. It's a reminder of the Lakers' depth, even as they struggled with the Rockets tonight.

Did anyone not see this coming? The Lakers went through the championship ring ceremony as if floating on clouds. Then they played as if they were floating on clouds instead of battling the Houston Rockets in the trenches. The Lakers shot a woeful 38.9 percent in the first half tonight at Staples Center. The Rockets shot a credible 47.9 percent. The Lakers had a few flashes of excellence, but could not sustain them. Kobe Bryant scored 13 points on 4-for-12 shooting. Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol scored 12 apiece. Kevin Martin scored 19 and Aaron Brooks had 18 for Houston.

When the ball goes up tonight, Kobe Bryant will become the longest-tenured Laker in the franchise's history. This is his 15th season in purple-and-gold, one more than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. Magic Johnson played 13 seasons with the Lakers. John Stockton holds the league mark with 19 seasons with the Utah Jazz.

The Lakers will go with their 12 healthiest players for the regular-season opener Tuesday night against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center. Andrew Bynum and Luke Walton will start the season on the inactive list. Bynum's right knee isn't sound yet after offseason surgery and Walton aggravated his strained right hamstring Friday. Rookie forwards Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks will be in uniform and available to play against Houston.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson called Thanksgiving a "reasonable" date for center Andrew Bynum's return to the active roster. Jackson said today that the 7-foot Bynum ran on a treadmill and participated in a shooting drill with his teammates. He was shooting flat-footed and "not jumping and not dunking," according to Jackson. Bynum underwent surgery on his right knee July 28 and has been making a long, slow recovery. He has missed large portions of each of the last three seasons because of knee injuries. Of course, this makes it four consecutive seasons. Bynum could be out 15 games if Jackson's target date is correct.

The Lakers' disjointed training camp came to an end tonight, but not until they worked five extra minutes to defeat the Golden State Warriors in Ontario. They finished with a 4-4 record after starting 0-2 on their trip to London and Barcelona. Injuries are the biggest issue facing the Lakers going into Tuesday's opener against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center. Kobe Bryant isn't close to 100 percent after having right knee surgery in the offseason. Andrew Bynum hasn't practiced yet after his offseason right knee surgery. Luke Walton aggravated his strained right hamstring tonight. Lamar Odom didn't play because of a broken nose. Theo Ratliff didn't play because of a sore left knee. A slow start seems inevitable while the Lakers try to get everyone healthy for the long haul.

Luke Walton aggravated his strained right hamstring in the first half of tonight's exhibition game against the Golden State Warriors in Ontario. Walton played only 4 minutes, 30 seconds tonight and did not score. He was rule out of the rest of the game. His status for opening night Tuesday is not immediately known. He scored five points in the Lakers' victory over the Warriors in San Diego after sitting out their first six exhibitions.

Coach Phil Jackson remained at home tonight because of flu-like symptoms and will miss the Lakers' exhibition finale against the Golden State Warriors. Brian Shaw, who made his coaching debut in Thursday's victory over the Warriors in San Diego, will guide the team again. Also, the Lakers expect Kobe Bryant to play tonight. He didn't play Thursday, resting his surgically-repaired right knee. Opening night is Tuesday at Staples Center.

SAN DIEGO -- Pau Gasol scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 26 minutes to lead the Lakers past the Golden State Warriors in an exhibition game tonight. Steve Blake added 18 points and six assists and Lamar Odom had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers (3-4). The teams play again tonight in Ontario. Kobe Bryant did not play tonight, choosing to rest his surgically-repaired right knee instead of playing on the San Diego Sports Arena's ancient court. Sasha Vujacic replaced him and scored nine points. Luke Walton, who sat out the first six exhibitions because of a hamstring injury, had five points.

Phil Jackson missed the game because of an illness and Brian Shaw filled in as the Lakers' coach. Shaw called only one timeout during the game. Later, he explained why: "If you sat in that locker room, you could see how hot it was and how much it smelled and you wanted to get out of here as quick as possible."

SAN DIEGO -- Sasha Vujacic and tennis standout Maria Sharapova are engaged to be married, the Lakers backup guard confirmed tonight. He wouldn't dish on the details, as they might say in the tabloids, but he did say he popped the question on the one-year anniversary of their first meeting. They were introduced at a party held by mutual friends in Manhattan Beach. No date has been set for the wedding.

SAN DIEGO -- Phil Jackson came down with flu-like symptoms and won't coach the team in tonight's exhibition game against the Golden State Warriors, a Lakers spokesman said. Brian Shaw will handle the coaching duties in Jackson's absence. It's not known if he will be available to coach the team in its exhibition finale against the Warriors in Ontario. Jackson last missed a game April 9 in Portland because of swelling in his lower right leg.

Also, the Lakers waived free agents Trey Johnson and Andrew Naymick.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson and photographer Andy Bernstein have collaborated on a fine book called "Journey to the Ring," which chronicles (in Jackson's words and Bernstein's photos) the Lakers' march to their second consecutive NBA championship. Mostly, it's a photo essay with plenty of revealing behind-the-scenes looks at the Lakers players, coaches and staff during the 2009-10 season. Bernstein's black-and-white shots add a touch of drama to the story, an elegance and intimacy to the season. Love the shot of Jackson helping fix Thanksgiving dinner. There's also one of Ron Artest playing touch football on the beach with a few new friends. The book is due to be released in stores early next month. You also can order online now at www.journeytothering.com.

Not to sound like a shill, but check it out. It's definitely worth a look.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he might keep Kobe Bryant from playing his customary high number of minutes when the regular season starts Tuesday. Bryant has been slow to recovery from offseason surgery on his right knee, and Jackson doesn't want him playing his usual number of minutes until he regains his strength and explosiveness. Bryant averaged almost 39 minutes last season. His shot has been off target during exhibition play this month. He is averaging 11 points on 27.3 percent shooting. It seems like a sound move considering the stakes are high this season for the Lakers, who are trying for a three-peat.

Well, the less said about the Lakers' second consecutive loss to the Utah Jazz the better. The Lakers shot 33.3 percent tonight at the Honda Center and topped 20 points in a quarter only once, in the fourth when the made a belated charge at the Jazz. Matt Barnes and Shannon Brown scored 13 points apiece, Pau Gasol had 11 and Steve Blake scored 10. C.J. Miles scored 14 for the Jazz (7-0). Here's some observations from Gasol:

"Defensively, we've got to step it up a notch, be more aggressive, just try to play these next two games like they were regular season games, with the intensity that's required to win. ... Obviously, we understand every night we're going to be challenged every night, and we have to respond to it every night. Otherwise, if we're not 100 percent ready we're going to get outhustled sometimes ... The real games start on the 26th and that's what matters."

Luke Walton probably won't make his exhibition debut in Tuesday's game against the Utah Jazz at the Honda Center in Anaheim. But he might do so in Thursday's exhibition against the Golden State Warriors in San Diego. If not then, then it might be in the next night's rematch between the Lakers and the Warriors in Ontario. Walton has been sidelined since the first week of training camp by a strained right hamstring, which could be related to the back injury that limited him to 29 games last season. He said his back feels fine finally.

Magic Johnson sold his minority share in the Lakers to a local doctor and longtime season ticket holder, the team announced today. The amount of the sale was undisclosed. Johnson guided the Lakers to five NBA championships in the 1980s, served as a coach briefly in the 1990s and has been a part owner of the team for more than 10 years. He sold his stake in the team to Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, chairman of the Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation and a Lakers season ticket holder for 25 years.

"After heavy deliberations and a weighing heart, I have decided to sell my share of the Lakers to Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong," Johnson said in a statement released by the team. "Dr. Soon-Shiong is a super Lakers fan, an outstanding businessman, a dedicated philanthropist and one of the most active community leaders in Los Angeles.

"I am truly humbled to have been a Lakers player for 13 years and an owner for over 10 years. I thank Dr. (Jerry) Buss from the deepest part of my heart and soul for allowing me such an incredible opportunity. I will continue to work alongside Dr. Buss, Jeanie Buss and Mitch Kupchak in their efforts to continually build and sustain the best NBA franchise in the league.

"This was a bittersweet business decision made on behalf of my family and myself, and I want to assure all the wonderful and loyal Lakers fans that my decision will in no way affect my dedication and support for the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I am and will always be a Laker for life."

However, Johnson said during the offseason he would have an interest in joining the group that buys the Detroit Pistons or serving in a front-office capacity. Selling his share in the Lakers clears the way for him to join the Pistons, his hometown team while growing up in East Lansing, Mich., and while attending Michigan State.

"If somebody said, 'Hey, can you come and think about helping (Pistons GM) Joe Dumars?' Then I would think about it," Johnson said in August.

Pau Gasol scored 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds in 36 minutes, 31 seconds in the Lakers' loss tonight to the Utah Jazz. Kobe Bryant scored 19 points on 7-for-8 shooting in the third quarter after going scoreless on 0-for-4 shooting in the first half. He did not play in the fourth quarter despite the pleas of some of the fans at Staples Center. Ron Artest had 17 points and Lamar Odom had eight points plus 15 rebounds. So, it wasn't all bad for the Lakers, who fell to 2-3 in exhibition play. They must cut down on their turnovers. They had 20 tonight, one night after committing 22 in a victory over the Denver Nuggets.

No surprise, but Lakers coach Phil Jackson said tonight he would keep Derek Fisher's minutes to 30 or fewer per game this season. He said he hasn't decided how best to divide the minutes between Fisher and Steve Blake. He indicated he might even try Shannon Brown at point guard in order to give Brown a few more minutes. Jackson also said only Blake and Lamar Odom among the Lakers' reserves would average more than 20 minutes.

Kobe Bryant scored 18 points on 5-for-13 shooting and also had eight rebounds to lead the Lakers past the Denver Nuggets in an exhibition game tonight at Staples Center. Lamar Odom and rookie Devin Ebanks each added 14 points. Odom also had six rebounds and seven assists as the Lakers improved to 2-2. Ebanks had seven rebounds. Former UCLA standout Arron Afflalo scored 20 points for the Nuggets. Carmelo Anthony didn't play.

Bryant on the play of Ebanks during training camp and in four exhibition games: "Devin's going a great job. He's making all the right plays. He's getting all the hustle points. He's making timely jumpers. Defensively, he's active. He's very impressive."

Lamar Odom said he hopes to be picked to join Team USA for the 2012 London Olympics after helping to lead the Americans to the World Championships last month in Turkey. He also said he hopes to win as many international championships and NBA titles as possible. He's not bashful about being greedy when the championships are decided. Here's more from the Lakers' versatile forward:

"I want more of everything. I want it all. I want a gold in the Olympics, as many rings as I can get, because you don't know how long this is going to last. Wanna keep racking 'em up. I'm not sure (about London), but hopefully."

Asked to compare winning NBA titles for the Lakers and a world title for the U.S., he said: "It's a different kind of pride. You're standing on the podium and your flag is being raised, your head can go off. This is a grind and winning the NBA championship is a little different, but at the end of the day, winning is winning. If you're a winner and you've won before you can understand how it feels and you can appreciate it."

Asked if greed was good, he said: "Yeah, why not. We're sportsman. We can get as much as we can get. If we can get it, because when it's over, it's over."

The Lakers have ruled out playing backup guard Sasha Vujacic in either of this weekend's exhibition games at Staples Center after he suffered a concussion in practice Thursday. He is scheduled to be re-evaluated by the team's medical staff Monday. He was injured when Lamar Odom cracked in the face with an accidental elbow.

Backup shooting guard Sasha Vujacic suffered a concussion when he was elbowed accidentally during today's practice. Lamar Odom struck him just below the left eye during a scrimmage. The Lakers said he would be out indefinitely, but would be re-evaluated today. He had two points, one rebound, one assist and two blocked shots in 14:24 during Wednesday's victory over the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS -- The Lakers' first exhibition victory in three tries didn't lack for story lines. There was Kobe Bryant looking a lot like Kobe Bryant as he moved effortlessly around the court. He played almost 19 minutes and showed few signs of his slow recovery from offseason knee surgery. Then there was his wonky shot. He made only 2 of 10 shots and scored seven points. He had made only 4 of 28 shots in three exhibitions. There was more, too. Ron Artest and Pau Gasol had 18 points apiece and Shannon Brown had 17. Lamar Odom picked up a technical foul for raising his arms to protest a foul, violating a new rule forbidding such displays of dissent. Lakers coach Phil Jackson also had a technical foul. The Lakers broken open the game by outscoring the Kings, 28-12, in the third quarter. The backups then held on for the Lakers' first exhibition win after two losses last week in Europe. Oh yeah, and Mike Tyson was seated courtside. Nice!

LAS VEGAS -- That's what Jeanie Buss, the boss' daughter, tells her boyfriend, Lakers coach Phil Jackson. At least, that's what she tells him during exhibition games, when Jackson makes it clear he could care less about wins and losses. "Jeanie tells me always I'm the worst preseason coach in the history of the NBA," Jackson said before the Lakers tried to avoid a 0-3 start to the exhibition season tonight against Sacramento. "She's always riding me about that. I tell her the reality is we're trying to get the players in shape. Maybe the last couple of games you can get it together a little bit before the regular season."

Kobe Bryant practiced with his teammates today and is on track to play roughly 16 to 18 minutes in Wednesday's exhibition against the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas. He has played only limited minutes in the Lakers' first two exhibitions after having offseason knee surgery. "He came out about mid-practice," Phil Jackson said. "I think he looked OK, actually. He had a shooting workout and a weight workout this morning before he stepped out to practice. So it tempered how he looked a little bit. He had gone through a full regime before he took the floor (but) I thought he looked better than he has so far."

Derek Fisher's minutes went down last season. So did his scoring average. He turned 36 in August. The Lakers re-signed him, but they also signed free agent Steve Blake to serve as his backup this season. Fisher said he's aware his minutes might be trimmed further this season. He played an average of 27.2 minutes last season and averaged 7.5 points. in 2008-09, he averaged 29.8 minutes and 9.9 points. Here's Fisher on the situation:

"I think there's a reason why we went out and signed Steve Blake, so I'm a realist in that regard. I can't remember the last time I played in excess of 30 minutes a game in the regular season. I'm not coming into this season expecting to play more than that. However many minutes there are, I plan to maximize them, take advantage of opportunities and do the things I'm capable of doing."

Fisher has played 413 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak in the NBA.

Ron Artest talked today about losing weight, saying he hoped to begin the season at 245 pounds, which would be down from the 260 or so he usually carries. He said he had stopped drinking alcohol over the summer, avoiding the carbohydrates in beer. Then out of nowhere, with his conversation with reporters apparently over, Artest added, "Even if they legalize marijuana (with a California ballot initiative Nov. 3), I won't be smoking marijuana."