News 'n Views - Apr 2016: Luke Walton gives Lakers fans someone to believe in
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LakersMDGurl
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:17 am    Post subject:

lakersfreak wrote:
Lakers’ Coach Wish List Contains Ten Names?
by basketballinsiders.com

The Lakers are compiling a long wish list of coaching candidates for their search. Among the candidates the Lakers will look at are:

    Luke Walton - NO
    Kevin Ollie - YES
    Jay Wright - Hmmm
    Roy Williams - HMM
    Tom Izzo -HMM
    John Calipari - YES
    Ettore Messina -ok
    Jeff Van Gundy -YES
    David Blatt
-UH UH

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Jeff Hornacek YES is also expected to be on the Lakers’ list.

The Lakers are expected to begin contacting candidates in the next day or two, sources said.

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PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:18 am    Post subject:

LakersMDGurl wrote:
lakersfreak wrote:
Lakers’ Coach Wish List Contains Ten Names?
by basketballinsiders.com

The Lakers are compiling a long wish list of coaching candidates for their search. Among the candidates the Lakers will look at are:

    Luke Walton - NO
    Kevin Ollie - YES
    Jay Wright - Hmmm
    Roy Williams - HMM
    Tom Izzo -HMM
    John Calipari - YES
    Ettore Messina -ok
    Jeff Van Gundy -YES
    David Blatt
-UH UH

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Jeff Hornacek YES is also expected to be on the Lakers’ list.

The Lakers are expected to begin contacting candidates in the next day or two, sources said.

Continued....


My picks in Bold
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 11:34 am    Post subject:

Luke Walton is the 'favored candidate' for the Lakers head coaching job
by Harrison Faigen - silverscreenandroll.com

More signs pointing to Luke coming back to Los Angeles

Ever since the Los Angeles Lakers elected to part ways with head coach Byron Scott on Sunday night, speculation has run rampant on who will replace him. The team is reportedly compiling a "long list" of candidates and expect to fill their coaching position before the start of free agency.

Could it be University of Connecticut men's basketball coach Kevin Ollie? The 13-year NBA veteran reportedly has interest in the job, but is said to want some say in personnel if he were to take it.

What about San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina? The Lakers have reportedly asked for and received permission to interview the Euroleague coaching legend who formerly worked for the team as an assistant to Mike Brown during the latter's tenure as head coach.

The odds-on favorite for the position, however, has to be Golden State Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton. The former Lakers forward led the Warriors to a 40-4 record while filling in for interim coach Steve Kerr, and Lakers vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss is reportedly "partial" to his candidacy.

According to Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News, those watching the NBA from afar aren't the only ones predicting Walton will land the gig:

The Lakers have not decided [on a coach], though the sentiment around the league casts Walton as a favored candidate.

Walton being heavily assumed to be the next Lakers head coach is no surprise. Walton's success with the Warriors, his age, and recent status as an NBA player would likely allow Walton to connect with the Lakers young core. His prior employment by the Lakers and the organizational familiarity also can't hurt his candidacy.

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PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 11:35 am    Post subject:

Lakers Have Contacted Former Rockets Coach Jeff Van Gundy
by Corey Hansford - lakersnation.com

With the Los Angeles Lakers expected to have a long list of candidates for their head coaching vacancy, there will be a number of different kinds of coaches interviewed. Of the names floating around so far, probably the most experienced is former New York Knicks and Houston Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy.

Van Gundy has more than 10 seasons of NBA experience under his belt, missing the playoffs only once in those years.

According to Sam Amick of USA Today, the Lakers have contacted Van Gundy and he does have interest in the Lakers position:

According to a person with knowledge of Van Gundy’s situation, he has also been contacted by the Lakers and does have an interest in the position. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the process.

The Lakers will probably have some competition soon for Van Gundy’s services if he is one of their favorites as the Houston Rockets are reportedly interested in a reunion with Van Gundy. The Rockets are still in the playoffs, but trail 3-1 to the Golden State Warriors so their season will likely be over soon.

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PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 11:37 am    Post subject:

Kevin Ollie would want player personnel input as Lakers coach
by Harrison Faigen - silverscreenandroll.com

Would the team give it to him?

The Los Angeles Lakers elected to part ways with Byron Scott on Sunday night, and have already begun to compile a "long list" of potential replacements.

The team's coaching search in expected to include veteran head coach Jeff Van Gundy and Golden State Warriors assistant Luke Walton, the latter of whom vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss is said to be "partial" to. The Lakers have also already asked for and received permission to interview San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina.

Another name the team has reported interest in is former NBA guard and current University of Connecticut men's basketball head coach, Kevin Ollie. The 13-year NBA veteran has coached the Huskies to a record of 97-44 during his time at UConn, and is reportedly interested in the Lakers head coaching job. According to a source close to Ollie interviewed by Adam Zagoria of SNY, however, Ollie would want some level of input in the Lakers front office before agreeing to come aboard:

"He's gotta be involved in player personnel decisions," the source said. "Mitch Kupchak has to be willing to involve him in player personnel. He has to have a say-so in that."

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PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:43 pm    Post subject:

The Babylon Bee (think of a Christian version of the Onion) did a story on Kobe's retirement: http://babylonbee.com/news/kobe-worshipers-struggle-find-new-deity/
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 6:35 am    Post subject:

Lakers Want Next Head Coach To Be ‘Recruiter-In-Chief’
by Corey Hansford - lakersnation.com

As the Los Angeles Lakers begin the search to find their next head coach, the franchise will be looking at a number of different attributes that each potential coach can bring to the table. Guys like Luke Walton, Ettore Messina, and Kevin Ollie have all been mentioned as potential candidates.

Some coaches are better at player development while others are great at communicating. Some coaches are great at in-game strategy and adjustments, and the best are usually some combination of everything.

A number of names have been mentioned as possible candidates for the head coaching position, but according to Sean Deveney of The Sporting News, the Lakers are looking for someone who can help recruit free agents to Los Angeles:

The Lakers are looking for a coach. But more than Xs and Os, more than establishing a style of play and seeking a developer of young players, the Lakers are looking for a new, “recruiter-in-chief,” as one source said.

Deveney added that bringing in someone who can pitch players on joining the Lakers is arguably the top priority:

“That appears to be the No. 1 priority,” a league source told Sporting News. “It’s not just finding a guy to work with what’s on the roster. They need a coach who can pitch players.”

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PostPosted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 6:41 am    Post subject:

Lakers to take 'legit look' at Ettore Messina if they can't hire Luke Walton
by Harrison Faigen - silverscreenandroll.com

Lakers' coaching priorities appear to be established

The Los Angeles Lakers parted ways with head coach Byron Scott on Sunday night, and since then there have been countless rumors about who the team will hire as their next head coach. In all of that scuttlebutt and anonymous sourcing, two names have remained constant: Luke Walton and Ettore Messina.

The two men's resumes are impressive. In Walton's brief time as a head coach, he led the Golden State Warriors to a 40-4 record while Steve Kerr recovered from back surgery. Messina's own list of coaching plaudits is longer, with 4 Euroleague titles and several years spent as an NBA assistant coach with the Lakers and in his current position with the Spurs.

Lakers vice president Jim Buss is said to be 'partial' to Walton, and the Lakers have already asked for and received permission to speak with Messina. The two assistants are currently in the middle of playoff runs, but based on the latest report from Marc Stein of ESPN, it sounds like the two are the Lakers top targets:

NBA coaching scuttle: Hearing Ettore Messina will get a very legit look from the Lakers if they can't lure Luke Walton out of Golden State. - Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) April 27, 2016

The Lakers already know the European coaching legend's work after Messina's stint as a Lakers assistant and now he's got Spurs appeal, too. - Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) April 27, 2016


With Tom Thibodeau and Scott Brooks off of the market, these are the top two names on the wish lists of many Lakers fans as well, and considerably better options than the names most heavily discussed during the Lakers' last coaching search.

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PostPosted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 6:50 am    Post subject:

Lakers have bigger issue than coaching — Jim and Jeanie Buss
by Vincent Bonsignore - dailynews.com

The Lakers are looking for a new head coach. Take five!

Take your seat, Byron Scott. It’s the one next to Mike Brown and Mike D’Antoni, your two predecessors. Thanks for your service, as brief as it was.

The Lakers pulled the rug out from under Scott on Sunday, much the same way they did would-be saviors D’Antoni and Brown before him. It’s been five years since Phil Jackson moved on from the Lakers, and four coaches have been brought in and shown the door.

The constants are Kupchak and Jim and Jeanie Buss.

And more dysfunction than Season 3 of the Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Luke Walton, step on up.

Or Kevin Ollie or Jeff Van Gundy or Ettore Messina or David Blatt.

Someone among that group is likely to be the next Lakers head coach.

But how long before Buss and Kupchak have to yell “Cut!” — like the four other times they have over the past five years — to stop what wasn’t working and go in a different direction?

More pertinently, how long before Jeanie Buss realizes the Lakers’ biggest problem isn’t a coaching issue but an organizational one?

Beginning with the wobbly relationship between her and her brother, the Lakers’ two-headed leadership council?

Or the naive, self-imposed deadline Jim Buss set two years ago promising to step down as executive vice president if the Lakers aren’t competing for the Western Conference final by next season?

One that might impede the Lakers’ efforts this summer securing top-notch free agents and a respected coach.

Jeanie Buss intends to hold her brother to his words, which means he might be expected to clear out even if the Lakers make a dramatic turnaround next season but fall short of the Western Conference finals.

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PostPosted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 6:51 am    Post subject:

Jeanie Buss says front office will be judged by “wins and losses”
by Mark Medina - insidesocal.com

The ticking clock has sounded louder and louder.

The Lakers’ continual struggles has brought more reminders of the self-imposed timeline Lakers executive vice president of player personnel Jim Buss outlined regarding his expectations on how long it would take for the team to become Western Conference contenders.

In 2014, Jim Buss told his five siblings, including Lakers president Jeanie Buss, he would step down in three years if the team did not reach that benchmark. That expiration date apparently is set for after the 2016-17 season.

“He’s the one who made it public,” Jeanie Buss said an appearance on Colin Cowherd’s radio show on Tuesday. “I have no reason to think he cannot be successful in terms of putting together a winning team.”

There are plenty of reasons to wonder, though, if it is realistic to achieve that goal in one year.

For all the glory surrounding the Lakers’ 16 NBA championships. they have only set recent trends in losing and instability.

They have set franchise records for worst losses in a season for two consecutive years. They have struck out both in playoff appearances and landing an elite free agent for three consecutive years. They have gone through a coaching search for the fourth time in five years.

And yet…

“What I made clear to our front office is we’re going to be judged by wins and losses,” Jeanie Buss said. “It isn’t about having a marquee star player and coming in last place. That’s not what Lakers basketball is. Lakers basketball is winning basketball.”

The Lakers believe they can win soon for a number of reasons.

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PostPosted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 6:54 am    Post subject:

Kobe Makes First Post-Retirement Appearance on 'Ellen' (Videos)
by Joey Ramirez - nba.com

Two weeks into his retirement, Kobe Bryant made his first media appearance on "The Ellen Degeneres Show" on Wednesday.

The 20-year veteran looked back on scoring 60 points in his career finale, commented on his relationship with fellow former Laker Shaquille O'Neal and more.

“I was pretty calm, because it doesn’t really dawn on you (initially),” Bryant said of his last game. “But then I walked in the arena and you can kind of feel the electricity. You kind of start getting a little nostalgic and then you realize everybody is here to watch this final game — don’t suck.”

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PostPosted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 9:17 pm    Post subject:

Derek Fisher thinks he could bring Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to the Lakers
by Harrison Faigen - silverscreenandroll.com

Could Fisher help Los Angeles reel in some big, ahem, fish in free agency?

The Los Angeles Lakers have had issues recruiting free agents over the last several years. From their failure to re-sign Dwight Howard, to their inability to close the deal with Carmelo Anthony, and most memorably their totally botched recruiting pitch to LaMarcus Aldridge, the team clearly needs some help on that end.

To address that problem, Sean Deveney of Sporting News reported that the front office is looking for "recruiter-in-chief" as their next head coach. If that's the case, former Lakers point guard Derek Fisher thinks he can help in that respect, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. Isola wrote Wednesday that while he is a "long-shot candidate" to land the job, Fisher believes his ties to two of the league's biggest free agents over the next two summers should make him an attractive candidate to the Lakers front office as it attempts to hit home runs in free agency (h/t Lakers Outsiders):

Fisher, according to a source, is hoping that his connections to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will make him more attractive to the Lakers, who have missed out on key free agents the past few summers.

Fisher was teammates with both Durant and Westbrook in Oklahoma City and remains close to both. Durant is slated to become a free agent on July 1st and Westbrook free the following summer.


The only issue with this line of thinking is the idea that Westbrook or Durant are going to base their free agency decision on a coach more than the talent on the roster. It's in the latter area where Los Angeles is lacking, and it's hard to believe that Durant and/or Westbrook would want to play for Fisher badly enough to overlook that.

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PostPosted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 9:18 pm    Post subject:

Bill Walton Advises Son, Luke Walton, Not to Take Lakers’ Job
by Eric Yee - lakeshowlife.com

NBA legend, Bill Walton, had some interesting advice to son, Luke Walton, in regards to the Lakers’ head coaching vacancy

Almost exactly a month ago to date, Bill Walton was asked by ESPN about the prospect of his son leaving his position as assistant coach of the Golden State Warriors for a head coaching job.

At the time, the availability in question was with the New York Knicks and his answer was not shocking when you consider his old school persona.

Per Ian Begley of ESPN, the elder Walton revealed,

I want what’s best for Luke Walton.

I’m a warrior of the Golden State. It doesn’t get any better than what he’s got right now ever in life, and money will not make that happen again. It’s there now. Head coaching jobs, they’re open for a reason, and what he’s got, just stay there.


Only a month removed from said interview, Bill gave almost exactly the same advice, but this time in regards to the Los Angeles Lakers’ head coaching vacancy.

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PostPosted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 9:19 pm    Post subject:

Lute Olson wants Luke Walton to be the next Lakers coach
by Gary Kester - lakersoutsiders.com

As each day passes in the search for the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, more and more buzz continues to build.

With general manager Mitch Kupchak and part-owner/vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss reaching out to potential coaching candidates, they have just been allowed to interview the fan-favorite for the position.

Kupchak called Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and was granted permission to interview his assistant and former Laker, Luke Walton. The Lakers and Walton will be allowed to discuss the job opening as soon as the Warriors finish their series with the Houston Rockets, which could come tonight at Oracle Arena.

Walton and Kerr both have a connection beyond their time as coaches of the Warriors. They each went to the University of Arizona, and they remain close with the iconic Lute Olson, who coached the men’s basketball program from 1983 to 2008, reaching the Final Four five times and winning the national championship in 1997.

Olson was interviewed by USA Today Sports’ Sam Amick, and he wants to see Walton back in Los Angeles next season as their next coach.

“I’d love to see him with the Lakers,” Olson, the 81-year-old who lives in Tucson, Ariz. with his wife, Kelly, told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. “He has a home in Manhattan Beach still, or a condo or whatever. Just having him close by would be really nice. It would give us a reason to go into LA other than shopping.”

Olson raved about the job that Walton did in Kerr’s absence this season, as the Warriors used a 24-0 start to go 39-4 before their head coach returned from offseason back surgery. Olson was impressed with Walton’s sideline demeanor this season and the respect that the Warriors players had for him.

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PostPosted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 1:36 am    Post subject:

lakersfreak wrote:
Derek Fisher thinks he could bring Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to the Lakers
by Harrison Faigen - silverscreenandroll.com

Could Fisher help Los Angeles reel in some big, ahem, fish in free agency?

The Los Angeles Lakers have had issues recruiting free agents over the last several years. From their failure to re-sign Dwight Howard, to their inability to close the deal with Carmelo Anthony, and most memorably their totally botched recruiting pitch to LaMarcus Aldridge, the team clearly needs some help on that end.

To address that problem, Sean Deveney of Sporting News reported that the front office is looking for "recruiter-in-chief" as their next head coach. If that's the case, former Lakers point guard Derek Fisher thinks he can help in that respect, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. Isola wrote Wednesday that while he is a "long-shot candidate" to land the job, Fisher believes his ties to two of the league's biggest free agents over the next two summers should make him an attractive candidate to the Lakers front office as it attempts to hit home runs in free agency (h/t Lakers Outsiders):

Fisher, according to a source, is hoping that his connections to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will make him more attractive to the Lakers, who have missed out on key free agents the past few summers.

Fisher was teammates with both Durant and Westbrook in Oklahoma City and remains close to both. Durant is slated to become a free agent on July 1st and Westbrook free the following summer.


The only issue with this line of thinking is the idea that Westbrook or Durant are going to base their free agency decision on a coach more than the talent on the roster. It's in the latter area where Los Angeles is lacking, and it's hard to believe that Durant and/or Westbrook would want to play for Fisher badly enough to overlook that.

Continued....


The Los Angeles Thunder... not sure I like the sound of that.
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 6:53 am    Post subject:

Jim Buss must take a page out of his dad's book for the Lakers' coaching search
by silverscreenandroll.com

It was November 19, 1981, and the Los Angeles Lakers were sitting coachless.

Dr. Jerry Buss had just released Paul Westhead, their coach who had led them to a title just 2 years prior. The situation was murky at best. The Lakers had underperformed in the playoffs in the season before, and Magic Johnson wasn't happy with Westhead and his coaching tactics. According to Dr. Buss, Jerry had "already decided to fire him" before Magic's "me or him" demand. Whatever the reason, Jerry Buss took bold initiative to let go a pretty successful coach (Westhead had a championship and a career 111-50 coaching record).

The following day, Jerry Buss had a press conference to introduce the new head coach. Part of Jerry's displeasure was the fact that the Lakers played slow and not a "particular brand of basketball [Jerry had] grown accustomed to."

So he wanted, or needed, to make a change. Dr. Buss could have easily looked for an experienced coach, and to be fair, he did install Jerry West (who himself wasn't all that experienced, despite coaching the Lakers for 3 years before Westhead) as the "offensive coach" (amidst heavy confusion, no doubt). But Dr. Buss stuck with his decision and decided to let assistant coach Pat Riley take the helm with Jerry West's help.

Pat Riley was a former Laker who won a championship with the 1972 team with Wilt, West, and Goodrich. Before that, he played at the University of Kentucky for legendary coach Adolph Rupp. As a junior (his 2nd year on the "varsity team"), Riley lost in the championship game. In the NBA, Riley was mostly a role player during his 9 years in the league. He averaged 7.4 PPG, 1.6 RPG, and 1.7 APG. He dealt with injuries during his career. However, he was a fan favorite off the bench with the Lakers (and earned the nickname "Riles").

After coach Jack McKinney became severely injured, Pat Riley moved down from the broadcast booth to the sidelines in order to help Paul Westhead as an assistant. 2 years after moving down, Pat Riley was pushed into the spotlight as Lakers head coach - at the ripe age of 36. The team proceeded to win 17 of the next 20 games. Pat Riley spent the next 9 years in LA, where he won 5 championships.

So what does this all have to do with Jim Buss? Let me ask you a question, as you were reading the previous two paragraphs, did somebody else come to mind, aside from Pat Riley?

Well, if he didn't, let me introduce you to him.

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PostPosted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 6:54 am    Post subject:

Lakers plan to interview former Cavaliers coach David Blatt
by Gary Kester - lakersoutsiders.com

The Los Angeles Lakers are not wasting any time.

Ever since they made the decision to part ways with Byron Scott as their head coach, Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss have been extremely active. After recently receiving permission to interview San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina, the Lakers were also granted permission to discuss the job with Golden State Warriors assistant and former Laker, Luke Walton.

Those two candidates appear to be at the top of their list, but Kupchak and Buss are not done there.

ESPN’s Marc Stein is reporting that the Lakers are planning to also conduct an interview with former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt.

The Lakers, sources say, also plan to interview former Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt and have strong interest in UConn coach Kevin Ollie, who grew up a Laker fan in Southern California and has strong relationships from his playing days with stars known to interest L.A. in free agency this summer and beyond, such as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

The Ollie news and his connection to the Thunder’s star duo is well-documented at this point, but this is the first actual report of Los Angeles intending to interview Blatt.

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PostPosted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 6:56 am    Post subject:

Key Offseason Dates
by Joey Ramirez - nba.com

This offseason promises to be a monumental one for the Lakers, who will hire a new coach and look to reload in their first season of the post-Kobe Bryant era.

Below are the most important dates to keep in mind as the offseason rolls on:

Draft Combine (May 11-15): Teams get their first up-close look at their potential draftees at this showcase in Chicago. There, draft hopefuls go through an array of tests, from vertical jump and bench press to 5-on-5 and personal interviews, plus everything in between.

Draft Lottery (May 17): The ping-pong balls will decide if the Lakers keep their first round pick, which is sent to Philadelphia if it falls to fourth overall or lower. After recording the NBA's second-worst record this season, Los Angeles has a 55.8 percent chance of keeping that pick in the top three.

NBA Draft (June 23): Should the Lakers retain their high selection, they will have the opportunity to add another heralded young player to their current crop, which includes former lottery picks D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle. The purple and gold will also draft in the second spot of the second round (No. 32 overall).

Free Agency Begins (July 1): Bryant's retirement obviously leaves a huge gap for the Lakers, who will look to add veterans to complement their crop of young talent. High on their list of priorities will be attempting to land established players via free agency.

Summer League (July 8-10): Lakers fans will get their first look at their new draft picks, while a few returning players look to sharpen their skills. Russell has already expressed his desire to play in the Las Vegas tournament this year, while possibly being joined by Randle, Larry Nance Jr. and others.

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PostPosted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 6:57 am    Post subject:

Lakers Give Fans A Chance To Own Memorabilia From Kobe Bryant’s Final Game
by Serena Winters - lakersnation.com

The Los Angeles Lakers are offering several opportunities for fans to take home a commemorative piece of Kobe Bryant’s final game at Staples Center, some with a higher price tag, but others for a much more affordable $10 raffle ticket. The other great thing is that proceeds will benefit the Lakers Youth Foundation.

For those with heavier pockets, the Lakers are auctioning off the three panels of hardwood that combined to create the No. 8 on the commemorative court created just for Kobe’s final game on April 13th, 2016. After that game, Bryant took to the court and autographed his former jersey number.

MeiGray, the NBA’s official game used memorabilia authenticator, will sell those three panels as a single item in an on-line auction, which will run until May 13, 2016, with a starting bid of $10,000. For those interested, you can head over to the auctioning site here.

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PostPosted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 6:58 am    Post subject:

Watch Every Single Larry Nance Jr. Dunk From the 2015-16 Season (Video)
by Eric Yee - lakeshowlife.com

Looking back at his highlights, it has become apparent that Larry Nance Jr. was the steal of the 2015 NBA Draft for the Lakers

When the Los Angeles Lakers decided to use their 27th draft pick on Larry Nance Jr., despite already having sophomore, Julius Randle, on the roster, many critics questioned their decision to do so.

However, now that the season has come to an end, it appears that Los Angeles may have found yet another diamond in the rough similar to their Jordan Clarkson pick only a season before.

In minimal playing time this season, Nance Jr. demonstrated his ability to work with both Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell in the pick and roll, even show casing his mid-range jumper at times, and also impressed with his hustle on the defensive end of the ball.

That said, it wasn’t his hustle or heart that won the fans over, but rather his athletic, gravity defying dunks that sealed the deal.

In an amazing six and a half minute YouTube compilation video, you can watch every Larry Nance Jr. dunk from the 2015-16 season including but not limited to a variety of tomahawks, put back and poster dunks.

Continued....
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ChefLinda
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:52 am    Post subject:

Big thanks again to lakersfreak for going above and beyond to bring us these great news threads!
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 12:28 pm    Post subject:

lakersfreak wrote:
Jim Buss must take a page out of his dad's book for the Lakers' coaching search
by silverscreenandroll.com

It was November 19, 1981, and the Los Angeles Lakers were sitting coachless.

Dr. Jerry Buss had just released Paul Westhead, their coach who had led them to a title just 2 years prior. The situation was murky at best. The Lakers had underperformed in the playoffs in the season before, and Magic Johnson wasn't happy with Westhead and his coaching tactics. According to Dr. Buss, Jerry had "already decided to fire him" before Magic's "me or him" demand. Whatever the reason, Jerry Buss took bold initiative to let go a pretty successful coach (Westhead had a championship and a career 111-50 coaching record).

The following day, Jerry Buss had a press conference to introduce the new head coach. Part of Jerry's displeasure was the fact that the Lakers played slow and not a "particular brand of basketball [Jerry had] grown accustomed to."

So he wanted, or needed, to make a change. Dr. Buss could have easily looked for an experienced coach, and to be fair, he did install Jerry West (who himself wasn't all that experienced, despite coaching the Lakers for 3 years before Westhead) as the "offensive coach" (amidst heavy confusion, no doubt). But Dr. Buss stuck with his decision and decided to let assistant coach Pat Riley take the helm with Jerry West's help.

Pat Riley was a former Laker who won a championship with the 1972 team with Wilt, West, and Goodrich. Before that, he played at the University of Kentucky for legendary coach Adolph Rupp. As a junior (his 2nd year on the "varsity team"), Riley lost in the championship game. In the NBA, Riley was mostly a role player during his 9 years in the league. He averaged 7.4 PPG, 1.6 RPG, and 1.7 APG. He dealt with injuries during his career. However, he was a fan favorite off the bench with the Lakers (and earned the nickname "Riles").

After coach Jack McKinney became severely injured, Pat Riley moved down from the broadcast booth to the sidelines in order to help Paul Westhead as an assistant. 2 years after moving down, Pat Riley was pushed into the spotlight as Lakers head coach - at the ripe age of 36. The team proceeded to win 17 of the next 20 games. Pat Riley spent the next 9 years in LA, where he won 5 championships.

So what does this all have to do with Jim Buss? Let me ask you a question, as you were reading the previous two paragraphs, did somebody else come to mind, aside from Pat Riley?

Well, if he didn't, let me introduce you to him.

Continued....


I love this article! It is destiny!
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 6:32 pm    Post subject:

Luke Walton to be new Lakers coach
by espn.go.com

The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed with Luke Walton to be their new head coach, the team announced Friday night.

"We're excited to bring Luke back to Los Angeles, where we feel he's going to start an outstanding coaching career," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a release. "He's one of the brightest young coaching minds in the game and we feel fortunate that he'll be leading the on-court future of our team."

Walton had been serving as an assistant for the Golden State Warriors, who granted him permission to interview with the Lakers after their first-round Western Conference playoff series concluded Wednesday.

The 36-year-old had become a hot coaching commodity after ‎posting a 39-4 record -- including a record 24-0 start -- as the Warriors' interim coach this season while Steve Kerr was recovering from complications stemming from two offseason back surgeries.

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PostPosted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 6:36 pm    Post subject:

Phil Jackson could replace Jim Buss if the Lakers strike out in free agency
by Harrison Faigen - silverscreenandroll.com

But it wouldn't happen until next summer

The Los Angeles Lakers' first order of business right now is to wrap up their coaching search before free agency. The team has already interviewed Luke Walton, a meeting that reportedly went "well," with interviews with Ettore Messina and David Blatt still to come.

The Lakers getting a coach in place before attempting to woo free agents is something they didn't do the last time they had to undergo a coaching search, and an important step if reports are true that they want their next head coach to be "a recruiter-in-chief.'

Free agency is hugely important for the Lakers this year because of Lakers vice president Jim Buss' self-imposed deadline to return the team to the Western Conference Finals by next summer or step down. The team has missed out on making significant improvements in free agency the last few summers, and according to Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders, a regime change could be on the horizon if it happens again (h/t Lakers Outsiders):

Lakers could easily strike out further this summer, if so, expect a regime change with Phil Jackson a real possibility to replace Jim

— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) April 29, 2016


Given his close relationship with his fiancee and Lakers president Jeanie Buss, New York Knicks president Phil Jackson has been frequently rumored to be on the verge of a return to Los Angeles as an executive next summer. Jackson reportedly has an opt-out in his contract that would allow him to return to the Lakers next summer, and there has been so much smoke you have to wonder if there is fire (or at least if Rick Carlisle was right about the way Jackson spends his time in Montana).

Continued....
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Dr. Funkbot
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 8:58 pm    Post subject:

Dr. Funkbot wrote:
lakersfreak wrote:
Jim Buss must take a page out of his dad's book for the Lakers' coaching search
by silverscreenandroll.com

It was November 19, 1981, and the Los Angeles Lakers were sitting coachless.

Dr. Jerry Buss had just released Paul Westhead, their coach who had led them to a title just 2 years prior. The situation was murky at best. The Lakers had underperformed in the playoffs in the season before, and Magic Johnson wasn't happy with Westhead and his coaching tactics. According to Dr. Buss, Jerry had "already decided to fire him" before Magic's "me or him" demand. Whatever the reason, Jerry Buss took bold initiative to let go a pretty successful coach (Westhead had a championship and a career 111-50 coaching record).

The following day, Jerry Buss had a press conference to introduce the new head coach. Part of Jerry's displeasure was the fact that the Lakers played slow and not a "particular brand of basketball [Jerry had] grown accustomed to."

So he wanted, or needed, to make a change. Dr. Buss could have easily looked for an experienced coach, and to be fair, he did install Jerry West (who himself wasn't all that experienced, despite coaching the Lakers for 3 years before Westhead) as the "offensive coach" (amidst heavy confusion, no doubt). But Dr. Buss stuck with his decision and decided to let assistant coach Pat Riley take the helm with Jerry West's help.

Pat Riley was a former Laker who won a championship with the 1972 team with Wilt, West, and Goodrich. Before that, he played at the University of Kentucky for legendary coach Adolph Rupp. As a junior (his 2nd year on the "varsity team"), Riley lost in the championship game. In the NBA, Riley was mostly a role player during his 9 years in the league. He averaged 7.4 PPG, 1.6 RPG, and 1.7 APG. He dealt with injuries during his career. However, he was a fan favorite off the bench with the Lakers (and earned the nickname "Riles").

After coach Jack McKinney became severely injured, Pat Riley moved down from the broadcast booth to the sidelines in order to help Paul Westhead as an assistant. 2 years after moving down, Pat Riley was pushed into the spotlight as Lakers head coach - at the ripe age of 36. The team proceeded to win 17 of the next 20 games. Pat Riley spent the next 9 years in LA, where he won 5 championships.

So what does this all have to do with Jim Buss? Let me ask you a question, as you were reading the previous two paragraphs, did somebody else come to mind, aside from Pat Riley?

Well, if he didn't, let me introduce you to him.

Continued....


I love this article! It is destiny!


Yes!!! It was destiny! So happy right now!!!
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