Inside the Lakers

Kareem update

2009-11-07T15:43:31Z

Here's the latest on the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Memphis scuttlebutt, thanks to our friends at the Memphis Commercial-Appeal:

"The Grizzlies still are in 'serious negotiations' with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to help coach their centers, according to team owner Michael Heisley. Abdul-Jabbar visited Memphis on Oct. 25 to attend a practice and meet with Griz players and management. Heisley said both sides are trying to iron out a working arrangement.

"'It's a matter of how much time Kareem will give to us,' Heisley said. 'We're trying to come to an understanding of how Kareem will work. I want to make sure we're getting somebody who will give attention to these kids and help them. He's got a lot of commitments.'

"Abdul-Jabbar, 62, is under contract with the Lakers after having tutored Andrew Bynum over the past several seasons. Memphis, however, asked for and received permission from the Lakers to speak with Abdul-Jabbar.

"'He wants to come and we want him to come,' Heisley said. 'It's really a question of whether he's got commitments that will keep him away from the team more than we'd like.'

Lakers 114, Grizzlies 98

2009-11-07T06:02:13Z

Kobe Bryant scored 41 points on 19-for-30 shooting, Ron Artest added 19 points and DJ Mbenga scored five points and grabbed a team-leading 13 rebounds in place of injured center Andrew Bynum. Bryant had 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting in the third quarter, when the Lakers built a 12-point lead en route to their fifth victory in six games. Rudy Gay led Memphis with 22 points, and former USC standout O.J. Mayo had 15 points.

Josh Powell added 13 points in a reserve role for the Lakers, prompting Coach Phil Jackson to say, "He has been our most reliable substitute this year off the bench. He is shooting the ball well and he is much more comfortable playing in this offense. He knows the niches he can find and our players know how to use him well, too."

The Lakers are 5-1; the Grizzlies are 1-5.

Halftime: Grizzlies 51, Lakers 49

2009-11-07T04:39:41Z

Kobe Bryant hit a jump shot late in the half that gave him 14 points in the game and 24,000 for his career. At 31 years, 75 days, he is the youngest player in league history to reach the milestone. Wilt Chamberlain was 31 years, 113 days when he scored his 24,000th point. Bryant finished the half with a team-leading 16 points. The Lakers were without Pau Gasol (strained right hamstring) and Andrew Bynum (strained right elbow). DJ Mbenga started in place of Bynum, who was hurt in Wednesday's OT win at Houston.

Artest vs. Barkley

2009-11-07T03:18:00Z

Ron Artest wasn't happy that Charles Barkley criticized him Thursday for his many off-the-court pursuits, just after TNT showed a feature on the Lakers' forward. So, Artest spent most of Friday afternoon blasting Barkley on his Twitter feed. Artest then vented for nearly 12 minutes to reporters before tonight's game against Memphis.

]]> Here's the gist of the rant:

"TNT did a(n interview), and the first two or three minutes was about how I give back to the community, the Lakers' community. They showed this. They did a story on me on TNT last night. The next part was how I'm loving L.A. and the next part was about my music and how I helped the Rockets last year. He tried to turn the whole story around. 'Ron Artest, he wants to rap and do all this stuff. He better be focused.' That whole story had nothing to do with that. TNT was trying to make me look good. Charles tried to make we look bad. ... Charles totally took my spotlight, you know? He could have picked another time to do that. He could have took that another time. He was just saying, 'Ron Artest better not go in there rapping and being a distraction." ... So, he took that whole spotlight they did on me, he took that away. He wouldn't do that to Dwyane Wade, to LeBron James, he definitely wouldn't do that to any of his Nike people ... Here I am, just doing a lot of things in the community, had a great season last year, took a team basically with the Hall of Famers out, almost took them to the championship. I'm, like, all right. Where's all this stuff coming from?

"The main thing is, I don't do a lot of other things. I don't do State Farm commercials. I don't do Nike commercials. I don't do Sprite commercials. You don't see me jumping in the water. I don't do nothing else but music. That's all I do. I'm not doing commercials in the playoffs. So, that's like saying Kobe should never have done that commercial in the playoffs. Or LeBron James. What's the difference. The good thing is that it's not the first thing I've been through, so I can deal with that. That's the good thing. So, it's not like something that would bother me, but it was something I felt was worth speaking about. ... I do a lot of good things. I've been with my wife since I was 15 years old. What can he say about that? I'm still with my high school sweetheart in the NBA. ... I'm not going nowhere. I would never leave my wife for no girl. I'm going to be movies, acting, a video with Toni Braxton. I'm not leaving my wife just because there are so many pretty women out here. I think that's successful. I think people, kids, can learn from that. What's he got to say about that?

"I'm still the last one in the gym. What about that? For him to throw me off of my rhythm, I'm rapping about women in Afghanistan getting abused. Isn't that a good thing? They're getting abused and nobody knows about it. The song probably wasn't great, but the idea was good. The message was there. If they talk about me on TNT, he shouldn't say anything. I notice he likes (San Antonio's Manu) Ginobili and Pau (Gasol). Kenny (Smith) wasn't there. If Kenny was there, it would have been different. The thing about me, I don't know how Barkley got his position. I would love to work for the NBA or TNT. I wouldn't kiss nobody's (rear end). I would love to work in the front office, but you could bet I wouldn't kiss nobody's (rear) to get that position. Maybe I need to be more like Tiger Woods, but that's impossible. I can't do that. I think he just took my shine. ... Let me explode first. Let it happen.

"It was a great piece by TNT, and Charles was, like, why is he rapping? Then, he's talking about this might be my last go-around. Last go-around for what? I signed for five years. Maybe I might get another contract after this. Why are you telling general managers this is my last go-around? Maybe I want to play 20 years in the NBA. I'm in good shape. Can I get another three-year deal, if I choose not to retire after this contract? Last go-around for what? I'm having fun playing basketball. So, he's, like, I don't even know what he's talking about. Last go-around. If he has any issues, he can talk to Mitch or Kobe. Don't talk to me. I was planning to go to Greece, and my agent told me, 'L.A. wants you.' Don't talk to me.

"No, it don't (matter what Barkley says), but I thought it was important that I say something about him and what kind of person he is. He's been doing to it to me for a long time. Last year, that's why I said he was overrated. I liked how he played. He was big like me. Strong. Real athletic. I've got the same type of body. Maybe a little better shape, but I've got the same body. So, I enjoyed his play. He was strong and could run. I think he wants me to be something I'm not. I think that's what it is. More NBA stature player. A model citizen, and I think I am by default. Instinctively, I think I do good things. It's totally not done for the cameras. ... It's all right. I'm still in L.A. Jack Nicholson is going to be here tonight."

Bynum, Gasol listed as doubtful

2009-11-05T22:43:05Z

Andrew Bynum underwent an MRI exam today that revealed he suffered a strained right elbow when Houston's Chuck Hayes smacked him in the closing seconds of the Lakers' overtime victory Wednesday night. Bynum was said to be doubtful to play in Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. He did not practice today and left the gym with an electronic stimulating device on his injured elbow.

Meanwhile, Pau Gasol practiced with his teammates for the first time since suffering a setback on his strained right hamstring Oct. 14. He said he is "very doubtful" to play Friday. Gasol also said he might be ready to play Sunday against the New Orleans Hornets, and if not then, then he could play Thursday against the Phoenix Suns.

If neither Bynum nor Gasol can play Friday, then DJ Mbenga might start at center. It's also possible that Lamar Odom could move from power forward to center, with perhaps Josh Powell or Luke Walton filling his spot in the starting lineup.

Bynum injury update

2009-11-05T05:33:37Z

HOUSTON -- It turned out that Andrew Bynum suffered a sprained right elbow when Houston's Chuck Hayes fouled him in the closing seconds of overtime tonight. Bynum went to the free throw line and made one of two free throws, giving the Lakers a 103-102 lead that held up. Bynum later said, "The elbow sucks. I can hardly lift it up. We'll take (X-rays) and see what they say. They took a whack at me and that was that."

Lakers 103, Rockets 102 (OT)

2009-11-05T04:32:25Z

HOUSTON -- Derek Fisher stripped the ball from a driving Trevor Ariza in the dying seconds of the overtime and the Lakers held on for a one-point victory over the Rockets. Fisher did not score in the game. Ariza had 15 points, including the 3-pointer that sent the game to overtime tied at 92-all. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 41 points on 15-for-30 shooting, one night after he had 31 points in their overtime victory over Oklahoma City. Andrew Bynum scored 17 points, including the go-ahead free throw with 24.7 left in OT. He also had 17 rebounds. Ron Artest had 15 points in his return to Houston.

Halftime: Rockets 48, Lakers 44

2009-11-05T02:45:04Z

HOUSTON -- The Lakers didn't lack for chances, but couldn't capitalize on them during a lackluster first half that featured their first look at Trevor Ariza in a Rockets uniform and the Rockets first look at Ron Artest in a Lakers uniform.Neither was a significant factor. Ariza had six points on 2-for-10 shooting in the first half; Artest had five points on 2-for-5 shooting. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 17 points, and Andrew Bynum had 10. Carl Landry led the Rockets with 14 points. The Lakers shot 37.5 percent in the first half.

Gasol cleared to practice

2009-11-05T00:34:16Z

HOUSTON -- Medical personnel from near and far checked the MRI taken of Pau Gasol's right hamstring and everyone agreed it was nothing more than a strain that's now healed. Gasol was cleared to resume normal basketball activities, but he will not play tonight against the Houston Rockets. He is expected to practice Thursday, assuming the Lakers conduct one after flying home late tonight from Texas. Lakers coach Phil Jackson was uncertain whether Gasol could play Friday against his former team, the Memphis Grizzlies. "I'm sure he would love to play against Memphis," Jackson said. In addition to the Lakers' medical staff, Gasol had doctors in his native Spain also check the results of the MRI.

Sasha dating Sharapova?

2009-11-04T05:49:35Z

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Is it true? Sasha Vujacic would neither confirm nor deny reports that he is dating tennis superstar Maria Sharapova. He said he liked tennis, then he directed a handful of reporters to "Go ask Lamar about his personal life. I'm sure he wants to talk about it." Lamar Odom married reality television star Khloe Kardashian a few days before training camp opened in late September. Odom has revealed little about their wedding.

So, is the Machine dating Maria? The Machine wouldn't say for sure.

When told Sharapova "is very nice," Vujacic said, "I know."

When told Sharapova "is very smart," he responded, "I know."

Moments earlier, Lakers public relations czar John Black busted Vujacic's chops for keeping his relationship a secret from him. "I thought you were my guy," Black said, laughing as Vujacic smiled and turned a darker shade of crimson.

Lakers 101, Thunder 98 (OT)

2009-11-04T03:53:04Z

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Kobe Bryant, playing despite a sore throat, scored 31 points, Andrew Bynum added 22 points and 10 rebounds and Ron Artest scored 20 points and played superb defense on Kevin Durant as the Lakers defeated the Thunder tonight. Durant scored 28 points on 10-for-19 shooting through three quarters, but with Artest hounding him, he went scoreless on 0-for-5 shooting in the fourth quarter plus overtime.

Halftime: Lakers 52, Thunder 51

2009-11-04T02:13:08Z

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Andrew Bynum scored 16 points and Kobe Bryant had 14 as the Lakers held a narrow lead at halftime tonight at the Ford Center. The Lakers led by as many as 13 points in the first half. The Thunder led only once, at 41-40. The Lakers went on a 12-0 run after losing the lead, but Oklahoma City roared back before the break. Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 20 points on 6-for-10 shooting. Ron Artest checked Durant.

Medical news on Kobe, Pau

2009-11-04T00:22:14Z

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Kobe Bryant came down with a fever and a sore throat last night, but the fever is gone and he's expected to play tonight against the Thunder despite still having a sore throat. Pau Gasol underwent an MRI on his strained right hamstring Monday, but the Lakers are still awaiting the results. A sonogram taken recently indicated he might have suffered a tear. Gasol won't play tonight or Wednesday at Houston.

Another Gasol update

2009-11-02T23:59:51Z

Pau Gasol had an MRI exam performed on his injured right hamstring this morning. The results won't be available until Tuesday. The Lakers also said Gasol recently underwent a sonogram that showed a possible tear with Coach Phil Jackson telling reporters after practice today, "The last diagnostic test we did showed he had a slight tear, so we wanted to see what that progress was. I think it's going to turn out really well."

LeBron to the Lakers?

2009-11-02T23:49:20Z

Our friend Sam Smith, who nows writes on Bulls.com after a stellar career covering the league for the Chicago Tribune, has a gut feeling LeBron James will end up signing with the Lakers when he becomes a free agent next summer. Now, you must remember that Sam likes to toss things out there without any facts to back up his theories. He admits this is another of those times, but he lays out the scenario this way:

"The Lakers certainly have no salary cap room. They are in no position to pay James, which remains the No. 1 priority for all free agents. James just has to explain to the Cavs he's leaving. If they don't accommodate him, he's going to New York or Miami and they get nothing. But if they do in a sign and trade to save the franchise, they get a young, potential All-Star center in Andrew Bynum. Maybe Lamar Odom as well or Ron Artest. Draft picks, some pieces like Jordan Farmar. The Cavs can compete in the East with a star center and some pieces added to what they have. It's better than nothing as cap room doesn't mean anything in Cleveland. No one's going there.

"Look, I believe James has no idea yet what he wants to do next summer. But I also believe the Lakers' scenario makes the most sense for him if he wants a chance to be considered among the greatest winners of all-time. I believe that's what he's about now, and he accomplishes that only with the Lakers."