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Catching Up With Sasha Vujacic
2007-09-18 02:23:00
Lakers.com had an interview with Sasha Vujacic to see what he was up to this summer. On what he's been working on this summer: "I?ve been on a weight program, I?ve done a couple basketball camps, and I?ve been working a lot on my penetrating the defense. I work out a couple hours a day realizing that it?s going to be very competitive next year. I just want to earn my spot from the beginning and like I?ve said many times before, I just want to show what I was brought here for and win a championship with the Lakers very soon." Did you like this post? Consider buying me a soda.
More About: News , Lakers , Jaci

Chris Mihm Interview
2007-09-15 05:23:00
After missing all of last season and the end part of the season before, Chris Mihm is ready to come back and help the Lakers win games this season. Mihm says he's 90%-100% recovered from his injury, and he is working on getting his strength and conditioning back. He also says that his foot isn't bothering him anymore, that he can move around well, and that he can jump as well as he could before, which is a good sign. Check out the interview with part one here and part two here. Did you like this post? Consider buying me a soda.
More About: News , Interview

Ronny Turiaf Talks About Kobe Bryant
2007-09-13 04:53:00
Kobe Bryant has been keeping in touch with Lakers teammate Ronny Turiaf over the summer through text messages, one of which might have played a small part in inspiring Bryant's tenacious man-to-man defense at the recently completed Tournament of the Americas."I was giving him a hard time about stopping Leandro [Barbosa of Brazil], and he did it," said Turiaf, who is playing here for France. "He's playing with a chip on his shoulder as far as stopping the best player on the other team, playing his best basketball, and I'm hoping he can carry that on for us this year."Turiaf's use of the word "us" prompted the question of whether he thinks Bryant will still be with the Lakers once the season begins -- not exactly a certainty given the trade request Bryant put in with the Lakers earlier this summer."That's really none of my business," Turiaf said. "That's between him and management. As far as I know, I'm hoping and wishing he's going to be with us because I have a special relat...
More About: Kobe Bryant , Kobe

Will Kobe Show Up?
2007-09-11 02:57:00
Still plenty of speculation about whether Kobe Bryant shows up to training camp or not next month, Hoopsworld chimes in on the situation. "While Bryant has quieted his push for a trade, he hasn't backed off it either. With the entire world watching the summer games, he's chosen to remain silent to any questions pertaining to the Lakers. It's a concern because he's kept himself out of touch. He doesn't work out in El Segundo at the team's facility. He doesn't talk to management. Depending on whom you ask Bryant may not even show for training camp.""Perhaps Bryant has no choice but to play out the season. Maybe Andrew Bynum progresses significantly and the team is better than anyone expected. Maybe Bryant is rejuvenated and remains a Laker for life . . . rings soon follow, etc. But what if he really doesn't show for training camp? Would the Lakers have to trade him then? Would he take it as far as sitting for actual games? What would be the financial repercussio...
More About: Show

Phil Jackson In The Hall Of Fame
2007-09-08 06:34:00
After nine NBA championships as a coach, tied for the most with Red Auerbach, Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson has made it to the Hall of Fame . Jackson gives plenty of credit to Red Holzman, his former coach back when he played with the New York Knicks. Jackson said that Holzman took him "under his wing, he didn't have an assistant coach, he made me his assistant coach and taught the game to me and taught me a lot about the game and encouraged me to go into coaching." "He always believed in what was called the middle path," said Jackson of Holzman. "I appreciated that, his ability to handle players, particularly a team that was full of college players of the year. Cazzie Russell and Bill Bradley were both competing for the same job, but the ability for both of them to play as a team directly reflected [Holzman's] ability to handle people and make them play as a group. That ability to handle people probably was the trademark that I learned more than anything else. He treate...
More About: News

Lakers Report Card
2007-09-06 05:31:00
Just in time for the start of the new school year, the Lake rs have been graded on their offseason moves. The Lakers were given thumbs up for signing Derek Fisher, resigning Chris Mihm and Luke Walton, and drafting Javaris Crittenton, and were given thumbs down for Kobe Bryant's outburst and for losing out on Kevin Garnett. SI's grade for the Lakers: D. Did you like this post? Consider buying me a soda.
More About: News , Card , Report

Quick Laker Updates
2007-09-01 02:52:00
While Kobe Bryant has been playing for Team USA in the FIBA Americas Tournament, Kobe has kept his Lake r business and Team USA business separate. Mitch Kupchak was in attendance in Las Vegas for the USA vs. Uruguay game, but Kobe said he "hadn't really had a chance to speak to [him]." Hopefully this is not a bad sign. And a quick note on the official Lakers website. Lakers.com will be relaunched in October with a new look. From the sneak peak that can be seen, looks like it will have a cleaner, more streamlined look to it, which looks nice. Did you like this post? Consider buying me a soda.
More About: News , Updates , Quick

A Fallback Plan?
2007-08-29 08:04:00
With the plans that the Lakers had of getting at least another star player to play beside Kobe Bryant close to being shut or shut down already, the Lakers possibly have another plan to fall back on. A trade with the Milwaukee Bucks would send Yi Jianlian, who doesn't want to report to the Bucks, and Bobby Simmons to the Lakers in return for Kwame Brown, Jordan Farmar, and a future first round pick with Sasha Vujacic or Maurice Evans being thrown in the deal if needed. Normally, I don't think the Bucks would take the deal, but if Yi still refuses to play for them, they might be forced to take the deal if they get no other deals that fit what they are looking for. Still, the Bucks would get a nice up and coming point guard in Farmar, a decent post defender in Brown, and a first round pick to help in the future. The Lakers get someone who has been said to have a lot of potential in Yi (the Lakers were one of the few teams to work out with Yi, and were said to be impressed), and g...
More About: News , Commentary , Rumors , Plan

Kobe Changes Up His Shooting Technique
2007-08-26 06:09:00
When watching Kobe in the Team USA games recently, I have noticed that Kobe's shot has looked a little different than I had seen before. Turns out, he did change his method of shooting. "I went from more of a stiff release to more of a looser one. Just because I fractured my hand some years ago, and just the rotation of the ball after that has been a little different. So, I had to change it up a little bit." Also, even though that Kobe is the best player in the NBA today, he still constantly has to prove that fact. CBS Sportsline does a nice job of illustrating that situation. Did you like this post? Consider buying me a soda.
More About: News , Technique , Shooting , Lakers

Former Lakers Coach Butch van Breda Kolff Dies
2007-08-25 01:30:00
From Yahoo: "Butch van Breda Kolff, who twice guided the Los Angeles Lake rs to the NBA Finals, has died. He was 84. A longtime collegiate and pro coach, van Breda Kolff passed away in Spokane on Wednesday." "'Although it was many years ago, and before my ownership of the team, Butch van Breda Kolff was an important part of the Lakers' success during our early years in Los Angeles,' Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss said. 'We're sorry to hear of his passing and would like to send our condolences to his family and friends.'" "'Butch was a real basketball purist who believed in a team-oriented game, and I enjoyed playing for him very much,' Hall of Famer Jerry West said. 'Not only did I have two of the best seasons of my career while he was our coach, but our team enjoyed a high level of success as well, even though we unfortunately lost to the Celtics in the NBA Finals both years. I'm saddened to hear that he's passed away and send my deepest sympathies to his family.'" Di...
More About: News , Coach , Dies

Lakers Sign Larry Turner
2007-08-23 08:55:00
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent center Larry Turner , it was announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released. Turner, a 6-11 center from Tennessee State, averaged 5.8 points and 6.1 rebounds as a senior. Turner played for the Lakers 2007 Summer-Pro League team, averaging 7.4 points and 5.2 rebounds in five games. Did you like this post? Consider buying me a soda.
More About: News , Sign

Quiet, Maybe Too Quiet For The Lakers
2007-08-22 14:44:00
It's been pretty quiet in Lake r Land. Kobe Bryant hasn't said much lately. Sure, some think that Kobe will push for a trade after playing with Jason Kidd for the Olympic basketball qualifiers, but that's just talk at this point. Kobe did have a short talk with Rachel Nichols of ESPN though: "Nichols: You said one day you wanted to be traded, you said you wanted to be a Laker for Life. There were different phone calls back and forth. Bryant: I think a lot of people misinterpreted it. But that's water under the bridge to me, because going forward, we're handling our situation between ourselves, meaning the Lakers organization and myself. If things, if things were to be different, we both would have handled the situation a little differently. Nichols: When you look back on that, are you thinking ... Oh God, what was I doing then? Bryant: Yeah, sure, it was just frustration. Frustration gets the best of everybody." Also from ESPN, J.A. Adande answered a few Laker questions ...
More About: News , Quiet

A Trade Between Co-tenants?
2007-08-18 08:29:00
With the injury to Elton Brand, the Clippers lost a major player from their team for at least part of the season. They will need someone to step up at the power forward position, or trade for a power forward. It has been suggested that the Clippers trade Corey Maggette and filler (to make salaries match) to the Lakers for Kwame Brown. This trade gives the Clippers a short term fix for the power forward position, giving them a decent post defender who is on the last year of his contract, and gives the Lakers another scorer to go along with Kobe Bryant. Question is, would both teams want this deal? For Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak, absolutely! He would be out of his mind not to take this deal if it was offered. The Lakers would be getting a very good player and getting rid of someone who is not very good at all. For Clippers GM Elgin Baylor, I would highly doubt that he would take this deal, even with the Elton Brand injury. Kwame has a horrible time even catching the ball, let al...
More About: News , Commentary , Rumors , Trade

Jermaine O'Neal Trade Commentary And Suggestion
2007-08-12 13:17:00
Jermaine O'Neal recently said that his top two destinations are to the Los Angeles Lakers or to the New Jersey Nets, with the Lakers getting the nod over the Nets. Indiana has said that they want Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum for O'Neal. That is too much talent to give up, so the Lakers have not made that deal. Larry Bird knows that the Lakers are desperate to get Kobe help, and that this is the Lakers' best opportunity available since Kevin Garnett is unavailable after going to Boston. With that said, Bird wants both the multi-faceted talent of Odom and the potential upside of Bynum if he is going to give up his star player. What Bird needs to look at is the fact that O'Neal may start losing value as time goes on. O'Neal may be a star, but it takes one injury to significantly lower his value, causing any chance of trading away O'Neal to be pulled of the table. Then what? O'Neal walks away at the end of his contract with the Pacers not getting anything in return. It do...
More About: News , Commentary , Trade , Suggestion

The On Again, Off Again O'Neal Story
2007-08-09 08:34:00
We keep hearing about Jermaine O'Neal first wanting to be traded to the Lakers , then saying that he didn't say that. Whatever it is, at least two people think that it will actually happen. From Hoopsworld: "Right now Jermaine O'Neal is a Pacer. However any decent general manager knows you don't want guys on your team who want to be traded. Simple as that. I expect him to go to the Lakers when he's moved. One reason is Kobe Bryant has yet to see the Lakes make a move to better the team now. New Jersey is a long shot. He's in the same conference as the Nets. Can't see that happening. They don't want to lose to the Nets in the playoffs with O'Neal killing them on the inside. He'd have to go out West." Also, Fox Sports gives its take on the whole situation. Did you like this post? Consider buying me a soda.
More About: News , Commentary , Story , Rumors

Lakers Schedule
2007-08-03 08:26:00
The NBA posted the 2007-08 schedule today for all 30 teams. The full Lake rs schedule is at the end of this post, and some of the important games include: Oct. 30, Lakers vs. Houston - This is the opening night of the season, which will mark the debut of Javaris Crittenton, the return of Derek Fisher in a Laker jersey, and Kobe Bryant's first game back after asking to be traded.Nov. 2, Lakers @ Phoenix - The Lakers' first away game, this is also the first time that the Lakers will play the Suns since losing 4-1 in last season's playoffs to Phoenix.Nov. 13, Lakers @ San Antonio - The Lakers actually won the season series against the Spurs last season 2-1, with the only loss coming from a Michael Finley three pointer that was the game winner in overtime on Jan. 28. It will interesting to see if the Lakers will still match up as well as they did last season against the Spurs.Nov. 27, Lakers vs. Seattle - Kevin Durant plays in his first game against Kobe. This will definitely be i...
More About: News , Commentary , Schedule

Derek Fisher's 0.4 Second Buzzer Beater
2007-07-30 05:53:00
I thought in honor of Derek Fisher signing back to the Lakers, I would post his miracle shot that beat the buzzer for the win in the 2004 NBA playoffs against the Spurs. I still remember the moment quite easily like it was yesterday. Kobe Bryant hits a jumper to give the Lakers the lead. Then Tim Duncan hits an extremely tough shot with 0.4 seconds left to give the Spurs the one point lead. I still remember how tough it was to watch that shot go through the hoop with that little time left on the clock. But I still kept hope that the Lakers could still win the game because I have seen some crazy things happen in Laker games, and any time left on the clock meant that the Lakers still had a chance. The last play was very nerve-wrecking to watch. The Spurs defense was all over the Lakers. Kobe, who was obviously going to be the first option with the numerous game winners and buzzer beaters he has hit, was being double teamed and couldn't get open. Fisher got open enough to cat...
More About: Video , Commentary , Flashback , Beater , Econ

Free Agent And Trade Talk
2007-07-29 03:08:00
Lots of Laker related free agent and trade talk going around the web. KCAL9 interviewer John Ireland says why he thinks a big trade hasn't went down yet, saying: "They are waiting to make sure Kevin Garnett doesn't move. This isn't to suggest that Garnett will move to the Lakers, but if Minnesota decides to trade him, the Lakers want to have all of their available parts to make an offer. Remember that Garnett could leave at the end of the year, so it makes no sense for the Wolves not to move him. That could be in December, or just before the trade deadline, but I think the Lakers are smart to make sure they have a seat at that table." Charley Rosen of Fox Sports answered a few Laker questions in his mailbag, including saying that Portland would be the best fit for Kobe if he were to get traded, and his views on trading for Kevin Garnett or Jermaine O'Neal. Said Rosen: "Assuming they'd have to part with Odom (plus Bynum and/or Brown), obtaining Jermaine O'Neal would be a l...
More About: News , Agent , Free , Talk , Trade

The Latest About Fisher
2007-07-26 03:22:00
Not a lot of new news going on lately about the Lakers , but there are still some articles going around of course about the Derek Fisher signing. The transcript of Derek Fisher's press conference is online, and here is a little bit of what he had to say: "It?s extremely exciting [to be back in L.A.]. Probably just today I?m getting a chance to start to think about the basketball aspects of coming back. I?ve been a little guarded because of how many things have gone into getting here, not knowing if this moment would ever come. It?s exciting to think about working with Kobe, working alongside of him and all the guys on the team. I think this team over the last couple years even though it doesn?t maybe feel that way Mitch and the guys that have been here because of spoiling themselves and ourselves in the past as we were winning championships it doesn?t seem like there?s been a great deal to be proud about, but any team that?s made the playoffs the last couple years in the Western C...
More About: News

Three Way Deal Including Odom Fell Through
2007-07-22 05:34:00
According to Yahoo Sports, a three way deal among the Lakers , Bobcats, and Nets fell through when Bobcats owner Michael Jordan pulled out of the deal. The Bobcats would have received Richard Jefferson from the Nets, the Nets would have received Lamar Odom from the Lakers, and the Lakers would have received Gerald Wallace from the Bobcats. In my opinion, this would have been just a lateral move for every team, and it wouldn't have helped or hurt any of them. All of them have similar stats and skills, so the trade wouldn't have pushed any team over the top. From Jordan's perspective, it seems like he felt the same way and didn't want to make a trade just to make a move unless it would help his team, which is of course what any owner or GM should think about when making a trade. Did you like this post? Consider buying me a soda.
More About: Commentary , Rumors , Deal

It's Official: Fisher Is (Again) A Laker, Mihm Too
2007-07-22 01:32:00
After being released by the Utah Jazz from his contract, Derek Fisher is returning to the Lake rs . Fisher, after leaving the Jazz to find a city with better medical facilities for his daughter Tatum for treatment of a rare eye cancer, signed a 3 year contract worth $14 million according to the L.A. Times. Fisher will most likely start for the Lakers, giving them the veteran point guard that they have been looking for. He will join Kobe Bryant as the only remaining members of the 2000-2002 champions on the Lakers. Chris Mihm will also be rejoining the Lakers, signing a $5 million dollar contract for 2 years. Mihm missed all of last season and the end of the season before that, and comes back to the Lakers after also working out with the Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Regarding his ankle, Mihm said, "I did a workout for the Lakers [Thursday], about 45 minutes, went pretty hard, and the ankle feels great." The Mihm si...
More About: News , Official

Welcome
2007-07-21 14:05:00
I welcome everyone to Lakers Worldwide. I have created this blog because I am a big Laker fan, and thought, "Hey, why don't I start a blog about the Lakers?" So here I am. I enjoy watching the Lakers, and watching Laker games is one of my favorite things to do. I think that I will really enjoy blogging about the Lakers, and I hope that you will enjoy reading and commenting along with me. Thanks for reading my Lakers Worldwide blog. Did you like this post? Consider buying me a soda.