Lakers in the News 7/25/12: Lakers introduce Antawn Jamison - Howard deal still possible per Mitch

Cha*n · Star Player Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 7233

Lakers Sign Antawn Jamison Veteran forward inks a deal to fortify L.A.'s bench.

EL SEGUNDO – The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent forward Antawn Jamison, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.
Jamison, a 6’9” 235-pound forward out of North Carolina, has averaged 19.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 985 career games (858 starts) over 14 NBA seasons with Golden State, Dallas, Washington and Cleveland. Drafted by the Toronto Raptors with the fourth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft before being traded to Golden State in exchange for college teammate Vince Carter, Jamison averaged 19.0 points and 9.9 rebounds in three seasons at UNC. In his final season with the Tar Heels, Jamison averaged 22.2 points and 10.5 rebounds, while earning AP Player of the Year, the John R. Wooden Award and the Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year Award.

Ranked in the top ten on the NBA active leaders list in both points (8th/19,246) and rebounds (10th/7,740), Jamison was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year for the 2003-04 season as a member of the Dallas Mavericks and is a two-time NBA All-Star (2005, 2008).

Last season, Jamison averaged 17.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 33.1 minutes in 65 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers, ranking 26th league-wide in points per game. Jamison also joined Dirk Nowitzki as the only player in NBA history to accumulate at least 19,000 points, 7,000 rebounds and 1,000 three-pointers made over his career.

Cha*n · Star Player Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 7233

Lakers sign F Jamison

Published July 25, 2012

El Segundo, CA – The Los Angeles Lakers signed free agent forward Antawn Jamison on Wednesday.

Jamison, a 14-year veteran, spent last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 17.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists through 65 games.

Jamison, who was selected with the fourth overall pick by the Toronto Raptors in the 1998 draft but was quickly traded to the Golden State Warriors, has appeared in 985 career games with 858 starts for the Warriors, Mavericks, Wizards and Cavaliers.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/07/25/lakers-sign-f-jamison/#ixzz21gToPZLk

Cha*n · Star Player Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 7233

Warning: Bleacher Report

L.A. Lakers: Can Antawn Jamison Help Fans Forget Lamar Odom?

Lost in the good feelings of the recent Steve Nash signing and the constant Dwight Howard speculation is the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers managed to acquire their most prolific bench scorer in some time.

The Lakers answered their lead guard questions, at least on the offensive end, by dealing for Nash. Antawn Jamison's under-the-radar one year deal should have the same effect on the Lakers dismal reserve unit.

Jamison's 17.2 points per game average in 2011-12 is nearly half of what the Lakers bench unit averaged combined. Jamison ranks as the highest scoring double-digit reserve to wear the purple and gold since Lamar Odom left town, and then came back in different colors.

Cha*n · Star Player Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 7233

Antawn Jamison Inks Deal with Los Angeles Lakers: A Fan’s Reaction

.By Paul Rados

As expected, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be without Antawn Jamison who opted to sign a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, July 25. He will be paid the veteran's minimum salary.

Last season with the Cavaliers Jamison averaged 17.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. In addition to the Lakers, both the Charlotte Bobcats and the Miami Heat were aggressively pursuing his services. Los Angeles targeted Jamison for his ability to provide scoring and rebounding off the bench.

During his 14-year career Jamison has averaged 19.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists through 985 games. He is a career 45.1 percent shooter from the floor and a 34.6 percent shooter from three-point range.

Cha*n · Star Player Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 7233

Mitch Kupchak doesn't see Andrew Bynum's contract extension as imminent

By Mark Medina

July 25, 2012, 4:43 p.m.
As free agency progresses, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak finds himself sleeping fewer hours.

And that routine is unlikely to change.

Even after acquiring an elite point guard (Steve Nash) and two forwards (Antawn Jamison, Jordan Hill), Kupchak hardly sounded as if the Lakers are entering the 2012-13 season with their final roster. The most critical question involves their center Andrew Bynum. Kupchak said he talked with Bynum's representive, David Lee, on Wednesday about a long-term contract extension, a meeting he described as "positive and productive."

But is such a Bynum signing imminent?

"The next day or two? The next week or two?" Kupchak asked. "No I don't think so. Hopefully it progresses."

The Lakers are still hoping to trade for Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, but numerous reports suggest Orlando is in no hurry to ship the disgruntled center. Regardless, Bynum would likely be the centerpiece if such a deal took place. It could then hinge on what contracts the Lakers would absorb and whether the Magic, or a third team, would want Bynum without any assurances that he would sign an extension.

Cha*n · Star Player Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 7233

Ice Cube questions commitment from Andrew Bynum, Dwight Howard

By Mark Medina

July 25, 2012, 11:01 a.m.
The Lakers have provided plenty of reasons for Ice Cube to rap his famed classic "It Was a Good Day."

The Lakers have acquired veteran elite point guard Steve Nash. They haven't broken up their core roster. And they upgraded their bench by acquiring Antawn Jamison and keeping Jordan Hill.

Still, the actor-rapper and Lakers fan appeared on ESPN's "First Take" filled with reservations about the Purple & Gold. Cube told it like it was just as he did on NWA's albums.

"I feel great about the perimeter," Ice Cube said. "I'm still worrying about what's happening in the frontcourt. I'm still worried about what's up with my bigs. Do ya'll want a ring or not? Are ya'll full? We need to see them battle. We need to see [Andrew] Bynum. We need to see Pau [Gasol]. We need to see ya'll battling for position, and then Steve Nash will deliver you the ball."

Cha*n · Star Player Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 7233

Why The Lakers Need The Team USA Version Of Kobe Bryant

By: Jonathan Tjarks
Jul 25, 2012 6:35 PM EDT

In Team USA’s 100-78 victory over Spain on Tuesday, Kobe Bryant had six points, four rebounds and three assists. The most remarkable part of his performance was how unremarkable it was: he scored in the flow of the offense, picking and choosing his spots while making plays for his teammates.

In contrast, Kobe was the offense when the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs. By Game 5, he was demanding the ball nearly every time up the floor while repeatedly taking contested shots over multiple defenders. He scored 42 points, but he took 33 shots without handing out a single assist.

Kobe, one of the most gifted one-on-one scorers in the NBA, can almost always create his own shot. However, the value of that skill diminishes when you have extremely talented teammates. The standard for a quality field goal attempt is a lot lower when your second and third options are defensive specialists than when they are All-Stars.

And over the last two years, no one in the NBA has taken more low-quality shots than Kobe. That was partly out of necessity -- the lack of perimeter shooting on the Lakers often forced the ball in his hands with the shot-clock winding down -- but mostly because it’s the way he’s most comfortable playing.

wolfpaclaker · Retired Number Joined: 29 May 2002 Posts: 58344

Thanks Ch*an

Interesting to see what sort of impact Jamison will have on the Lakers.

Cha*n · Star Player Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 7233

Yes, this is a new article-development

Sources: Dwight Howard wants trade

Updated: July 25, 2012, 9:48 PM ET

By Chris Broussard and Ramona Shelburne | ESPNLosAngeles.com

Dwight Howard reiterated to Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan on Wednesday during a meeting in Los Angeles that he still wants to be traded and will leave as a free agent after next season.

The Magic considered the meeting as an opportunity to check in with Howard and brief him on their plans going forward, league sources told The Los Angeles Lakers would seem to be a team that has moved on with their business as the Magic pulled back on trade talks involving Howard.

The Lakers introduced new forward Antawn Jamison on Wednesday, announced the re-signing of forward Jordan Hill and have had preliminary discussions about an extension for center Andrew Bynum.

While Orlando regroups to assess its options with Howard, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said as far as he's concerned, the door remains open for the team to trade for Howard.

"Typically it slows down in August, but the brakes are never on," Kupchak said coyly.

Cha*n · Star Player Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 7233

Lakers introduce Antawn Jamison

Updated: July 25, 2012, 9:28 PM ET
By Andy Kamenetzky | ESPNLosAngeles.com

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Veteran forward Antawn Jamison was all smiles during his introductory news conference with the Los Angeles Lakers at their facilities in El Segundo.

A 14-year veteran, Jamison has enjoyed the individual success that comes with being a two-time All-Star and a Sixth Man of the Year. And he's made plenty of money over the course of his career. But realistic opportunities to compete for a championship have been few and far between. As the key reserve for a revamped Lakers squad, the chance to win a title awaits, and Jamison can't wait to get started.

In the past, I'm probably second or first option that coaches are trying to scheme against. Trying to find a way to get the ball out of his hands or make things difficult for him. In this situation, I might be the last guy he's even thinking about. For that to open, I'm definitely eager for those scenarios to happen.
” -- Antawn Jamison

"To be a part of a great organization, great teammates, great coaching staff, it's definitely a great day for me and hopefully for the Lakers as well," Jamison said.

ChefLinda · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 6:39 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Cha*n!

Cha*n · Star Player Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 7233

Thanks everyone. It's been nice to work on a team doing the news and hope it doesn't stop.

Cha*n · Star Player Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 7233

Antawn Jamison is excited to be a Laker
One thing the Lakers could offer the veteran forward is a chance to contend for a title.

Veteran forward Antawn Jamison signed a one-year deal with the Lakers on Wednesday. (Danny Johnston / Associated Press / April 23, 2012)

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www.goldstar.comBy Ben Bolch

July 25, 2012, 8:06 p.m.
Antawn Jamison's role has been curtailed, his pay drastically reduced.

His opportunity to win a first NBA title?

That's one enhancement the Lakers could offer the veteran forward after 14 seasons that ended without so much as a trip to a conference final.

"It was one of those scenarios that you kind of dream that can somehow form or take place," Jamison said Wednesday at the Lakers' training facility after officially signing a one-year contract for the veteran's minimum of $1.4 million.