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Celtics Defeat Lakers, Win 17th Championship
06.17.08
In a disappointing end to a wonderful season, the Boston Celtics dominated the Lakers 131-92, to claim their 17th NBA title, and their first in 22 years.
Despite the loss, the Lakers have plenty to be proud of. A team that most figured would win 40-45 games and compete for only the 7th or 8th spot in the West, wound up winning 57 games and earned the top seed in the most-competitive Western Conference ever. In addition, Kobe Bryant shook off his offseason turmoil and had his best team-oriented season, which culminated in him winning his first Most Valuable Player award.
This season also saw the emergence of center, Andrew Bynum, who took a giant step forward averaging 13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.06 blocks before suffering a season-ending knee injury on January 13th. The Lakers also acquired Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies in early February, which helped catapult the team back into contention in the West, after the devastating loss of Bynum.
The Lakers bench also proved to be a bright spot for the team all season, led by Sasha Vujacic, the 4th-year guard who had by far his best season averaging 8.8 points per game, and shooting .437 from the 3-point line. Second-year guard Jordan Farmar also showed great potential in his second year, raising his scoring to 9.1 points per game, more than doubling his output from 2006-07.
So while the season did end on a sour note, there is a huge upside for the Lakers and the future looks bright for another title run in 2008-09 and beyond.
Phil Jackson Named NBA Coach of the Month
12.01.03
Phil Jackson, along with Indiana’s Rick Carlisle, were named NBA Coaches of the Month for games from October 28th through November.
The Lakers were 14-3 through November, and have won 25 straight home regular season games, including a 10-0 start this year. They’re also currently on a 6-game winning streak and have impressive blow-out wins over Indiana and San Antonio in the last week.
The Lakers are second in the league in scoring at 103.1 points per game, and in field goal percentage at .472.
Link: NBA.com – Carlisle, Jackson Named Coaches of the Month
Kobe Bryant a No-Show at Training Camp
10.03.03
Kobe Bryant, who was scheduled to fly out on a private plane with other Laker veteran players for Hawaii’s training camp, did not make the trip Thursday, October 2nd, due to being “under the weather.”
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak had no other information on Bryant’s absence, and refused to say anything further regarding the situation.
Laker coach Phil Jackson added, “We’re obviously disappointed that Kobe’s not here with the basketball club, with his teammates. This is a team thing, it’s about us as a basketball team and what the best is for our team. So we’ll commence tonight and go on as usual. No one is bigger than this team or the game. That’s the way it is.”
Earlier in the day, Colorado judge Frederick Gannett ruled that the accuser’ in Bryant’s sexual assault case, would not have to testify at the preliminary hearing, and that the hearing would be open to the public. There have been no indications that Bryant’s absence from training camp has anything to do with these events.
Jackson said he did not know when or even if Bryant would show up for the team’s training camp in Hawaii, but he did say, “We have plenty of players, we have a good team, we’re confident in what we’re going to do. We’re hopeful Kobe will join us and that’s as much I can say about it.”
Reporters have already flocked to the the islands in droves, hoping to get comments from Bryant, and the team is expecting even more media attention over the next few days. Jackson said he tried to call the Laker All-Star on Wednesday, but was told he wasn’t taking calls.
Stay tuned.
Bryon Russell Signs With Lakers
10.01.03
Bryon Russell, who spent most of his 10-year career with Karl Malone and the Utah Jazz, has signed with the Lakers today.
Russell, who averaged 4.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 70 games with the Washington Wizards last season, was a second-round draft pick of the Utah Jazz in 1993. The Cal State Long Beach graduate spent his first nine seasons in Utah, and has the dubious distinction of being the defender on Michael Jordan’s title-clinching shot in the 1998 NBA Finals.
The Lakers hope Russell can fill the small forward hole left vacant by Rick Fox, who continues to recover from off-season ankle surgery, and may not be able to play until January.
Russell has career averages of 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
Brian Shaw Retires, Joins Front Office
09.23.03
Brian Shaw, an integral member of the Lakers three straight championships, will retire after 14 seasons in the NBA. He will take a front office position with the team.
Shaw, a 6’6″ guard who graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara, was well-respected by teammates for his steady play. He will be fondly remembered by Laker fans for his barrage of three-pointers in one of the team’s most memorable playoff games, the Game 7 4th quarter comeback against the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2000 Western Conference Finals.
Shaw was taken in first round of the 1988 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. He also spent time with Miami, Orlando, Golden State, Philadelphia, and Portland, and averaged 6.9 points in 943 games.
Besides the three titles he won with the Lakers, Shaw also teamed with Laker center Shaquille O’Neal in Orlando, when the two helped lead the Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995.
Media Link: Yahoo! – “Lakers guard Brian Shaw retiring, taking front office position”
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