Mark Jackson says he’s honored to be held in Steve Nash’s company

Persisting pain in his back has prevented Steve Nash from showcasing why he’s climbed up to fourth place on the NBA’s all-time assists list.

But should Nash play at any point this season, it’s likely he will climb up that list. He’s compiled 10,278 assists in 1,208 games through 18 seasons, leaving him 57 shy of passing Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson for the No. 3 spot.

“He’s an all-time great and he’s a guy that did it the right way,” Jackson said. “A true professional, a class act. Hopefully he comes back quickly and healthy, but he’s a guy that I have a tremendous amount of respect for. And I always tell my kids or anybody that asks (if) I get concerned when guys that I think can’t play are about to pass me on the assists list. That has not happened yet. It’s been guys that I consider all-time greats and it’s an honor for me to be in any category with those guys.”

Nash climbed from fifth to fourth last season after surpassing former Lakers great Magic Johnson, who compiled 10,141 assists in 906 games. But he still trails Jackson (10,334 assists), Jason Kidd (12,091 assists) and John Stockton (15,806).

Jackson played 17 seasons until age 39 with stints in New York, the Clippers, Indiana, Denver, Toronto and Houston, averaging eight assists per game. Meanwhile, the 39-year-old Nash has averaged 8.5 assists per game. Does Jackson see any similarities?

“I have no MVP awards,” Jackson said with a laugh.

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com

Minneapolis Lakers Hall of Famer Vern Mikkelsen dies at age 85

Vern Mikkelson, a Hall of Fame forward for the Minneapolis Lakers, died Thursday at age 85 surrounded by his family at home Wayzata, MN, the Lakers announced.

“Vern was one of the first in a long line of great Lakers players, and a key link to our franchise’s early years in Minnesota,” Lakers president Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “We appreciate his contributions to the Lakers and our legacy, and we send our condolences and best wishes to his family.”

THe Lakers drafted the 6’7″ Mikkelson, who joined another future Hall of Famer in center George Mikan. Mikkelson played all 10 of his seasons with the Lakers, where he became a six-time All-Star and helped them to four NBA championships in (1950, 1952-54). Mikkelson, a Fresno native, played collegiately at Hamline University before his professional career. Mikkelson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995 after also serving as coach and general manager of the ABA’s Minnesota Pipers.

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Pau Gasol may take a charge for the sake of charity

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com

Steve Nash adamant he won’t retire and will stay patient with recovery

Lakers' Steve Nash works around Hawks' Dennis Schroder during game action at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA Sunday, November 3, 2013. ( Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News )

Lakers’ Steve Nash works around Hawks’ Dennis Schroder during game action at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA Sunday, November 3, 2013. ( Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News )

Although Steve Nash only described the recovery process surrounding nerve pain in his back as “a little bit better,” that hasn’t soured his determination in eventually returning to the floor. At least not enough to consider retirement.

“I don’t know where that came from. For me, I realize I have about 18 months of basketball,” said Nash, whose contract with the Lakers worth $19 million ends after the 2014-15 season. “I want the most out of this that I can possibly get. I don’t know if that’s going to be one game or the vast majority of what’s left. But I got a long life without basketball. I don’t want to give in too soon. I want to make the most of this opportunity to play if I can.”

Nash will sit out for at least the next five games, including home games this weekend against Golden State (tonight) and Sacramento (Sunday) at Staples Center. Nash will then travel to Vancouver, BC with his personal trainer Rick Celebrini during the Lakers’ trip next week to Washington (Nov. 26), Brooklyn (Nov. 27) and Detroit (Nov. 29). Both Nash and the Lakers will return to Los Angeles next weekend before hosting the Portland Trail Blazers Dec. 1 at Staples Center.

Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said he won’t require Nash to practice before returning, making it possible he could play against Portland. But in what D’Antoni called the “best case scenario,” the Lakers have four days before playing Dec. 6 in Sacramento. The Lakers will likely take off Dec. 2, giving Nash potentially three days of practice before returning.

“He’s frustrated. I’m sure he wants to play,” D’Antoni said. “But he’s got a process he has to go through. He just has to get well and be able to be effective. He wants to be effective, first and foremost. And he wants to play. That kind of goes hand in hand. He just has to bite his tongue a little bit, stay upbeat and hopefully the process works itself out.”
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Steve Blake’s on-court intensity paying off with the Lakers

LakersÕ Steve Blake drives around DetroitÕs Andre Drummond during first half action at Staples Center Sunday, November 17, 2013.  ( Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News )

Lakers’ Steve Blake drives around Detroit’s Andre Drummond during first half action at Staples Center Sunday, November 17, 2013. ( Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News )

Once Steve Blake steps onto the court, he morphs into a different person.

No more Mr. Nice Guy who relentlessly praises teammates and coaches. Instead, Blake becomes the fiery competitor that hustles for loose balls, looks for open teammates and cans shots with usually dependable accuracy. So much that Kobe Bryant has called him “Vino Blanco,” a twist on the nickname he’s given himself.

How to explain the identity switch?

“I’m just competitive,” Blake said. “I don’t like to lose. So I really want to beat everybody every time I’m out. That’s the way we got to play. So that’s what I do.”

Blake epitomizes how the Lakers (5-7) are trying to overachieve beyond a 12th place ranking in the Western Conference by becoming the sum greater than the individual parts. Blake also has outlined how the Lakers can make the most of their tenuous backcourt as they wait for the pending return of Kobe Bryant (left Achilles tendon) and Steve Nash (back). Mix in a bit of Mamba clutchness with a game-winner against Houston and a pinch of Nash playmaking everywhere else, and you have Blake, an unassuming personality who’d rather let his game provide all the talking.

Well, it’s speaking pretty loudly.

Blake ranks eighth in the NBA averaging 7.2 assists per game. He enters the Lakers’ game tonight against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center logging at least 10 assists in four consecutive games. And his 16-assists in the Lakers’ 114-99 win Sunday over the Detroit Pistons marked the first Laker to log at least 15 assists in a game since Gary Payton did so Jan. 17, 2004. That milestone puts Blake in elite company among other Lakers, including Magic Johnson (having a career-high 21 assists Dec. 16, 1990 against the Indiana Pacers) and Nick Van Exel (23 assists Jan. 5, 1997 against the former Vancouver Grizzlies).

Not a bad way to fill in a hobbled Nash, whose health struggles have hurt him showing off his Hall of Fame credentials that’s made him earn a fourth place ranking on the NBA’s all-time assists list.

“If you have someone who is wide open, you go get him the ball,” Blake said. “But when someone is hot, it’s your job as a point guard to know that and run a play for him or put him in a position to get him a shot. I’m always keeping that in mind.”
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Pau Gasol may take a charge for the sake of charity

Lori Shepler lines up books for Pau Gasol to autograph. Gasol is the subject of a documentary book by photojournalist Lori Shepler. Over a period of 4 years, Shepler followed Gasol through the most intimate moments of his life on and off the basketball court. Proceeds from the book will go to the Gasol foundation, a non profit set up to benefit children. Gasol signed the book at theNike store at Staples Center in  Los Angeles, CA. 11/19/2013. photo by (John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News)

Lori Shepler lines up books for Pau Gasol to autograph. Gasol is the subject of a documentary book by photojournalist Lori Shepler. Over a period of 4 years, Shepler followed Gasol through the most intimate moments of his life on and off the basketball court. Proceeds from the book will go to the Gasol foundation, a non profit set up to benefit children. Gasol signed the book at theNike store at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. 11/19/2013. photo by (John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News)

The Lakers want Pau Gasol to have a more dominating presence, and this time the reasons go beyond filling Kobe Bryant’s leadership void.

Gasol has pledged he will donate $1,000 for every point he scores when the Lakers host the Golden State Warriors Friday at Staples Center to UNICEF’s relief efforts to victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. But in a sign that he hasn’t really stopped coaching, former Lakers coach Phil Jackson issued Gasol a different challenge.

 

Will Gasol do it?

“For every charge,” Gasol said, laughing. “I might be able to take a charge then. It will be the first one of the season.”

Gasol has gone through similar efforts in recent years including ones for relief efforts regarding Japan’s earthquake and tsunami in 2011 and Haiti’s earthquake in 2010. For his latest initiative, Gasol has asked fans to help donate through Crowdrise.com.

“Hopefully more people will collaborate and donate. This country has been destroyed by this catastrophe,” said Gasol, who’s in the final year of his contract worth $19.3 million. “I feel great doing it and I feel like if we have the means to help people there who are going through this type of terrible tragedy, we should all be able to help and contribute.”

So will Gasol tie Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record by scoring 100 points to ensure a $100,000 donation?

“That’s out of my range,” Gasol said with a smirk.

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com

Billy Hunter accuses Kobe Bryant of interfering with NBA labor negotiations

Lakers' Kobe Bryant participates in team practice at the Toyota Sports Center Tuesday, November 19, 2013, in El Segundo, CA.  After practice, Bryant discusses with the media his return from injury. Photo by Steve McCrank/DailyBreeze

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant participates in team practice at the Toyota Sports Center Tuesday, November 19, 2013, in El Segundo, CA. After practice, Bryant discusses with the media his return from injury.
Photo by Steve McCrank/DailyBreeze

Former NBA players’ union executive director Billy Hunter accused Bryant and agent Rob Pelinka of acting on behalf of former union president Derek Fisher to end the 2011 lockout, according to a Los Angeles Superior Court filing on Thursday.

In the filing that also is part of an early termination lawsuit, Hunter stated Bryant and Pelinka called him the night before he was scheduled to meet with NBA officials in October, 2011 urging him to accept a 50-50 split of basketball-related income.

“Bryant told me to agree to the new CBA (collective bargaining agreement) at a 50-50 share of BRI, saying, ‘I know that tomorrow is a big day. You can put this thing to bed. Do the deal,’ and also telling me, ‘I got your back,’ ” Hunter said in the filing. “What Bryant and Pelinka were telling me is that a 50-50 deal had already been completed behind my back.”

Hunter said in the court filing that Fisher, Bryant’s former teammate, denied secretly negotiating with the owners. Hunter also wroter Fisher indicated Bryant and Pelinka had secret negotiations with NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver. Both sides eventually agreed to a near 50-50 split.

Bryant didn’t speak to reporters on Thursday. Pelinka and Fisher’s business manager, Jamie Wior, did not return calls for comment.

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com

Steve Nash to miss at least five more games due to back issues

Lakers' Steve Nash drives through HawksÕ Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll during game action at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA Sunday, November 3, 2013. ( Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News )

Lakers’ Steve Nash drives through HawksÕ Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll during game action at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA Sunday, November 3, 2013. ( Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News )

Persisting nerve issues in his back will ensure Steve Nash misses at least the next five games, providing more uncertainty on whether the Lakers’ 39-year-old point guard can overcome an injury that has already sidelined him for nearly two weeks.

Nash will continue rehabbing with his personal trainer Rick Celebrini in Los Angeles this weekend, while the Lakers play a pair of home games Friday (vs. Golden State) and Sunday (vs. Sacramento) at Staples Center. Nash will then train in Vancouver during the Lakers’ trip next week to Washington (Nov. 26), Brooklyn (Nov. 27) and Detroit (Nov. 29).

“He’s progressing,” Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said. “Steve is still in the process of working out and getting back. He’s not in gear yet.”

What still has held Nash back?

“Conditioning and trying to get over the nerve pain and get his body aligned,” D’Antoni said. “It’ll probably be another week or 10 days and then he’ll try it. If it works, it works. If not, he’ll go back and try it again.”

Nash left the second half of the Lakers’ loss Nov. 10 against Minnesota after experiencing additional pain in his back. But he’s battled ailments all season, including his back, nerve issues in his left hamstring and surgically repaired left leg, neck stiffness and a sore left ankle. Nash has averaged only 6.7 points on 26.1 percent shooting in 22.5 minutes through six games.

Even with the persisting injuries, the Lakers and those close to Nash insist he has not considered retirement. He has two years remaining on a contract that will pay him $19 million, though the Lakers could waive him this offseason via the so-called “stretch provision.”

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James Worthy tabs Kevin Love as top free agent Lakers should pursue

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com

Kobe Bryant misses Thursday’s practice with soreness in left foot

Lakers' Kobe Bryant participates in team practice at the Toyota Sports Center Tuesday, November 19, 2013, in El Segundo, CA.  After practice, Bryant discusses with the media his return from injury. Photo by Steve McCrank/DailyBreeze

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant participates in team practice at the Toyota Sports Center Tuesday, November 19, 2013, in El Segundo, CA. After practice, Bryant discusses with the media his return from injury.
Photo by Steve McCrank/DailyBreeze

Kobe Bryant skipped Thursday’s practice because of what Lakers described as soreness in his left foot.

But the Lakers refused to call Bryant’s absence as a setback. Instead, they characterized Bryant’s decision to miss the Lakers’ third consecutive day of practice as his ongoing effort to ensure he doesn’t experience any additional strain on his left Achilles tendon. Bryant was later seen walking to his car outside of the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo without nursing any limp.

But it’s safe to pencil Bryant out when the Lakers (5-7) host the Golden State Warriors (8-3) Friday at Staples Center. It appears unlikely Bryant will return when the Lakers play Sunday against the Sacramento Kings, either.

“It’s just precautionary,” Lakers’ coach Mike D’Antoni said. “I know everybody is eager. It’s going to be a little bit of a process and make sure he’s healthy when he comes back.”
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James Worthy tabs Kevin Love as top free agent Lakers should pursue

Former Lakers star James Worthy, who is an analyst for Time Warner Cable SportsNet, tabs Minnesota forward Kevin Love as the top free agent the Lakers should target. Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Former Lakers star James Worthy, who is an analyst for Time Warner Cable SportsNet, tabs Minnesota forward Kevin Love as the top free agent the Lakers should target. Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

For once, a large segment of the Lakers’ fanbase no longer have championship or bust aspirations.

So many uncertainties have happened clouding that picture, ranging from the pending return of Kobe Bryant (left Achilles tendon) and Steve Nash (back). So many offseason departures left the Lakers with depleted talent, including Dwight Howard (bolted to Houston via free agency) and Metta World Peace (joined New York after being waived in a cost-cutting measure). So many of the team’s struggles both past (last year’s first-round sweep to San Antonio) and present (a 5-7 record) suggest rocky times ahead.

That’s why plenty of fans are targeting next offseason when a crop of free agents, including Miami’s LeBron James and New York’s Carmelo Anthony, will be available on the open market. But former Lakers star James Worthy, who is an analyst for Time Warner Cable SportsNet, tabbed those scenarios as “media hype” considering the unlikelihood James would leave a championship contending team and Anthony leaving a franchise that has revolved around him. Instead, Worthy tried to offer a more pragmatic outlook.

“I love a guy like Kevin Love if a guy like that would be available,” Worthy said in an appearance Wednesday at the Lakers’ All-Access event at Staples Center, hosted by the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission. “You don’t need to just go for the LeBron’s, though who wouldn’t want to play with LeBron? But look at the youth movement the Lakers have now. Kobe probably has a few more years left. Pau has a lot of years on his body. So you have to look for somebody who’s a variety player and who can complement everybody.”
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Luke Walton recalls Phil Jackson’s mind games

Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson talks to the media about the Lakers at a Time Warner event to honor the late Jerry Buss in Los Angeles.  Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News

Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson talks to the media about the Lakers at a Time Warner event to honor the late Jerry Buss in Los Angeles. Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News

The mystique surrounding Phil Jackson goes beyond his 11 championship rings, how he handled the NBA’s top egos and whether he’ll ever have a large influence again within the Lakers organization.

Plenty of intrigue has always surrounded Jackson’s penchant for mind games, tweaking a player here and poking fun at an opponent there. These games were very real and always seemed to fill a specific purpose.

“He did it obviously to make you a stronger and better player,” former Lakers forward Luke Walton recalled Wednesday at the Lakers’ All-Access event at Staples Center, hosted by the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission. “He used to put the team in situations that they had to fight their way out of to help build a bond. While it was going on, it doesn’t make any sense. You want to win the game.”

Walton, who now serves as a player development coach for the D-Fenders and a part-time analyst for Time Warner Cable SportsNet, then offered a detailed story that left Kobe Bryant fuming at Jackson. And it hardly involved the so-called “Jedi Master,” as Walton described Jackson, calling Bryant uncoachable or needling him for not passing the ball enough.

“There was times he would purposely not call fouls for Kobe at practice,” Walton said. “Kobe would lose it. He would storm out of there yelling at people. Phil would have this little grin on this face. You’d ask him why. He’d say well, there’s going to be a time in a game he doesn’t get a foul he wants. He needs to know how to play through that. It’s little things like that he’d do purposefully all the time that would piss players off at times. But ultimately it made our team a lot better.”
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