Category Archives: Lakers

Lakers D-League affiliate names second head coach this offseason

Posted on by
Reply

Former assistant Casey Owens was announced as the Los Angeles D-Fenders new head coach on Tuesday after the Lakers NBA Developmental League team’s initial choice departed shortly after he was hired.

Conner Henry was tabbed the D-Fenders head coach June 10, but accepted a position on the Orlando Magic coaching staff June 26. Owens, who has coached in China, Venezuela, the NBA D-League and the Continental Basketball Association, was a D-Fenders assistant in 2013-14.

“I want to thank (D-Fenders General Manager) Nick Mazzella, the Buss family and the entire organization for this opportunity,” Owens said. “I am excited to return to El Segundo and the NBA Development League and look forward to the challenge of helping assemble a team that will compete for a championship.”

Phil Hubbard lasted just one season as the D-Fenders head coach, finishing fourth in the West Division with a 17-33 record last year. The previous season, during which Owens was an assistant, the D-Fenders won the West Division with a 31-19 record before being swept out of the playoffs in the first round by a Santa Cruz Warriors team for which Hubbard was an assistant. Four D-Fenders earned call-ups during the 2013-14 campaign, including Manny Harris and Shawne Williams, who joined the Lakers.
Continue reading “Lakers D-League affiliate names second head coach this offseason” »

Lakers’ Jeremy Lin, Ryan Kelly return to starting lineup

Posted on by
Reply

It’s no secret that Jeremy Lin has been playing mostly well since being demoted to the bench in December. After a season-high 29 points on Sunday against Philadelphia, Lin will be rewarded with a return to the starting lineup on Tuesday at Oklahoma City.

Byron Scott announced the decision following practice on Monday by saying that Lin would be paired with Jordan Clarkson and it was something he had considered the previous weeks based on Lin’s performances leading up to Sunday

“It had nothing to do with last night but last night obviously made it a little bit easier to throw him in there because he played so well. We’ll see what happens on this trip,” Scott said.

Continue reading “Lakers’ Jeremy Lin, Ryan Kelly return to starting lineup” »

Kevin Love on Kobe Bryant’s relentlessness: “You’ve got to show a guy like that respect”

Posted on by
Reply
Kevin Love said Kobe Bryant does not take no for an answer and that "you have to show a guy like that respect." (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Kevin Love said Kobe Bryant does not take no for an answer and that “you have to show respect for someone like that.” (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

By Tony Ciniglio
Los Angeles Daily News

Former UCLA star Kevin Love found himself right at home during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ morning shootaround at UCLA at the Student Activities Center.

“It’s always fun to be back here, though I guess I don’t have enough pull to be at Pauley Pavilion,” Love said, laughing.

Love said after six years with the relatively low-key Minnesota Timberwolves, he is adjusting to being part of one of the NBA’s most scrutinized franchises with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in Cleveland.

And of course a stop in L.A. wouldn’t be complete without being asked about Kobe Bryant and what the Lakers superstar is going through this season.

“It’s pretty unbelievable for him, at his age, to come back from an Achilles injury and how a lot of resolve,” Love said. “He’s got a big heart. He’s Continue reading “Kevin Love on Kobe Bryant’s relentlessness: “You’ve got to show a guy like that respect”” »

LeBron James said Kobe Bryant’s struggles are making him think

Posted on by
Reply
LeBron James, right, said watching Kobe Bryant, left, recently has made him think about his longevity. "Absolutely," James said. (Alan Diaz/The Associated Press)

LeBron James, right, said watching Kobe Bryant, left, recently has made him think about his longevity. “Absolutely,” James said. (Alan Diaz/The Associated Press)

By Tony Ciniglio
Los Angeles Daily News

LeBron James held court for the L.A. media at the Cleveland Cavaliers’ morning shootaround Thursday.

Of course James was asked about his own team’s chemistry. But maybe one of the more interesting takes was his response to a question about whether the end of Kobe Bryant’s career makes him take pause.

“Absolutely. Absolutely,” James said. “You just live Continue reading “LeBron James said Kobe Bryant’s struggles are making him think” »

Lakers gear up for LeBron’s Cavs; Jordan Hill, Ronnie Price probable

Posted on by
1
Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are set to square off on Thursday. The Lakers should also be getting reinforcements with Jordan Hill (knee) and Ronnie Price (elbow) listed as probable for game./GETTY IMAGES

Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are set to square off on Thursday. The Lakers should also be getting reinforcements with Jordan Hill (knee) and Ronnie Price (elbow) listed as probable for game./GETTY IMAGES

By Tony Ciniglio
Los Angeles Daily News

So Kobe Bryant is expected to play against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, preserving the Kobe Bryant-LeBron James showdown.

The Lakers are also expecting to have other reinforcements.

Lakers forward Jordan Hill, Continue reading “Lakers gear up for LeBron’s Cavs; Jordan Hill, Ronnie Price probable” »

Lakers coach Byron Scott: no talks to shut down Kobe Bryant

Posted on by
Reply
Lakers head coach Byron Scott and Kobe Bryant have not talked about shutting Bryant down for the season, but it continues to be a game-by-game approach to limit the superstar's minutes. Friday, January 2, 2015. The Grizzlies beat the Lakers 109-106. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News)"

Lakers head coach Byron Scott and Kobe Bryant have not talked about shutting Bryant down for the season, but it continues to be a game-by-game approach to limit the superstar’s minutes. Friday, January 2, 2015. The Grizzlies beat the Lakers 109-106. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News)”

By Tony Ciniglio
Los Angeles Daily News

The Kobe Bryant tightrope walk continued Wednesday.

Bryant’s workload continues to be a major discussion, particularly in light of a poor performance Tuesday against the Miami Heat where he was 3 of 19 from the field and just 2 of 9 from 3-point range.

Bryant missed six of the last 12 games before Tuesday, including the previous two games, to rest his aging 36-year-old body that has 19 years of NBA wear and tear.

Bryant rarely practices. He has a 32-minute cap when he plays, whether there is overtime or not. He is schedule to play against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, then take Friday off against the Utah Jazz as part of the Lakers’ plan to hold him out on the back end of back-to-back games.

But Lakers coach Byron Scott denied there is a plan to shut down Bryant for the season. Bryant is scheduled to make $23.5 million this season and $25 million next season.

“There have been no discussions Continue reading “Lakers coach Byron Scott: no talks to shut down Kobe Bryant” »

Lakers might be driving Byron Scott to drink, lose sleep

Posted on by
Reply

Byron Scott

By Tony Ciniglio
Los Angeles Daily News

Lakers coach Byron Scott joked after Tuesday’s ugly loss to the Miami Heat that he might need a bottle of vodka nearby if he watched the game film.

Scott admitted Wednesday that he sometimes loses sleep trying to figure out Continue reading “Lakers might be driving Byron Scott to drink, lose sleep” »

Byron Scott called conversations with Kobe Bryant “interesting”

Posted on by
Reply
Kobe Bryant and Lakers coach Byron Scott continue to take steps to lesson Bryant's workload, and Scott said he "can't argue with the results." (Jae C. Hong/The Associated Press)

Kobe Bryant and Lakers coach Byron Scott continue to take steps to lesson Bryant’s workload, and Scott said he “can’t argue with the results.” (Jae C. Hong/The Associated Press)

By Tony Ciniglio
Daily News Staff Writer

Lakers coach Byron Scott had texted Kobe Bryant that he did not need to come to practice on Saturday.

Bryant arrived anyway.

“By the time he got my text, he was already on his way,” Scott said. “Once he got here, I told him to get something to eat, get back out and I’d see him tomorrow.”

So Bryant did not officially practice, part of Scott’s plan Continue reading “Byron Scott called conversations with Kobe Bryant “interesting”” »

Ed Davis shoots 150 free throws at practice — and makes 115 of them

Posted on by
Reply
One night after missing a potential game-tying free throw in the closing seconds against Memphis, the Lakers' Ed Davis shot 150 free throws at practice and has shown improvement at the free-throw line. Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

One night after missing a potential game-tying free throw in the closing seconds against Memphis, the Lakers’ Ed Davis shot 150 free throws at practice and has shown improvement at the free-throw line. Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

By Tony Ciniglio
Daily News staff writer

Ed Davis did not shy away from the free-throw line at Saturday’s practice, one day after missing a potential game-tying free throw in the closing seconds of a 109-106 loss to Memphis.

Davis said he shot 150 free throws. And maybe more impressively, he made 115.

“You’ve just got to get in the gym more and keep working at it,” Davis said. “I’m glad I got to experience something like that. I wish it was a different outcome, but you live and you learn.”

Davis — shooting 51.7 percent from the free throw line this season — actually finished Friday’s game making 6 of 8 free throws and is 9 of 12 in his last two games since Lakers coach Byron Scott make a small tweak.

“With Ed, I saw one little thing. I moved him over just a tad (to his left). I think it centered him more,” Scott said. “He’s been making it ever since.

“Some of it is technique, some of it is just doing it on a day to day basis. Now it’s just a matter when he gets up there, he feels more comfortable and has that confidence.”

Lakers’ Ryan Kelly doubtful for Sunday

Posted on by
Reply

Ryan Kelly returned to practice on Saturday in a limited capacity but his status remains up in the air for Sunday’s game as he continues to battle a right hamstring injury.

“He’s questionable but it’s more like doubtful. I want to see if he can go a full day of practice on Monday and then we’ll go from there,” Byron Scott said.