Los Angeles Lakers Blog – Page 133 – NBA Blog

Lakers sign Matt Barnes

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent forward Matt Barnes, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Per team policy terms of the contract were not released.

Barnes, a seven-year NBA veteran, appeared in 81 games (58 starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 8.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 25.9 minutes while posting five double-doubles and leading the Magic in scoring six times, in rebounds on four occasions and in assists twice.

Originally selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round (46th overall pick) of the 2002 NBA Draft, Barnes has averaged 7.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 444 career games (162 starts).

A 6’7” forward, Barnes played four seasons collegiately at UCLA where he became the 43rd player in school history to reach 1,000 career points and helped the Bruins reach the NCAA Sweet 16 in each of his last three seasons.

Lakers sign Theo Ratliff

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent center Theo Ratliff, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Per team policy terms of the contract were not released.

“I’ve had a long and very rewarding career, and joining a storied and legendary franchise such as the Lakers adds an even more special element,” Ratliff said. “I look forward to playing for Coach Jackson and with great players such as Kobe, Derek, Pau, Lamar, Ron Artest, Andrew Bynum and all my other new teammates, and hopefully to helping the Lakers win a third straight championship.”

Ratliff, a 15-year NBA veteran, appeared in 49 games (29 starts) last season with the San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte Bobcats, averaging 3.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.24 blocks in 16.4 minutes. Acquired from the Spurs on February 18, Ratliff started 26-of-28 games with Charlotte, averaging 5.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.54 blocks while finishing the season ranked 12th league-wide in blocks per 48 minutes (3.63).

“Theo has long been considered to be one of the best defensive big men in the league,” said Kupchak. “He is a consummate professional and a welcome addition to our team. Together with Bynum, Gasol, Odom and Artest, he gives us a formidable and deep front line.”

Originally selected by the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 1995 NBA Draft (18th overall), Ratliff has twice been named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1999 and 2004), has led the league in blocked shots three times (2000-01, 2002-03 and 2003-04) and is one of seven players in NBA history to capture the blocked shots title three or more times. Voted the starting center in the 2001 NBA All-Star Game, Ratliff ranks 18th in NBA history in career blocked shots (1,963) and owns career averages of 7.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.45 blocks and 25.5 minutes in 800 games.

Andrew Bynum postpones knee surgery

The AP reports:

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum has postponed his knee surgery.

Lakers spokesman John Black said Tuesday that Bynum pushed back the date of his surgery to correct a meniscus tear in his right knee to July 28.

Bynum injured his knee in Game 6 of the Lakers’ playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

InsideHoops.com editor says:

Stating the obvious, but Bynum should avoid coming back until he’s 100 percent and try to put this injury stuff behind him for good.

Shaq TV dispute settled

WENN.COM reports:

Executives behind basketball ace-turned-reality TV star Shaquille O’Neal’s hit show SHAQ VS. have reached a settlement with a disgruntled author who alleged they stole his concept for the programme.

Writer Todd Gallagher filed suit against O’Neal’s talent representatives at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment in October (09), claiming they had agreed to turn his book, Andy Roddick Beat Me with a Frying Pan, into a TV series in 2008…

The court case has now been dismissed after the two parties reached a deal. The details of the settlement have not been released to the press but is said to be in the six-figures, according to TMZ.com.

Respect Steve Blake

Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register reports:

Blake is a far better athlete than is generally understood, with Mitch Kupchak revealing that in Blake’s Lakers pre-draft workout he “tested out as one of the best players we’ve ever had as far as physical ability.” That was seven years ago, and even though Blake still looks like a dude working behind a Subway counter, he actually does mixed martial arts that showcase his uncommon core strength.

Blake’s competitive fire would fit well in the Octagon, too. He can be found on YouTube going face-to-chest to 7-footers Andrew Bogut and Dwight Howard in just the past six months, standing up for himself. The over-under on confrontations between Blake and Sasha Vujacic in practice next season? I’ll say 12 … unless Vujacic and his expiring contract get traded before they get there, though the odds of that salary dump decreased when free agent Raja Bell chose Utah over the Lakers.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I’m thinking Derek Fisher will still start for the Lakers, but then sit quickly, with Blake getting the bulk of second and third quarter minutes. And then maybe Fisher plays in the end to nail a clutch jumper or two. But Blake very well could start. Looking forward to finding out.

Jazz reach agreement with swingman Raja Bell

Tim Buckley of the Deseret News reports:

The Jazz have reached an agreement with free agent Raja Bell, a veteran swingman who played previously in Utah and last was with the Golden State Warriors.

Details of the agreement, which the Jazz did not confirm, were not immediately known.

Bell is coming off recent wrist surgery that curtailed his 2009-10 season.

The deal is contingent on Bell passing a physical exam.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Good signing for both parties. Old Bell can still provide defense and veteran experience off the bench, plus he can trip opposing players with his cane.

Lakers re-sign Derek Fisher

The Los Angeles Lakers have re-signed free agent guard Derek Fisher, it was announced by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Per team policy terms of the contract were not released.

Fisher, a five-time NBA Champion with the Lakers (2000-02, 2009-10), returns for his fourth straight season with Los Angeles and 12th overall. A 14-year NBA veteran, the 6’1” guard, who played in all 82 games in 2009-10 for the fifth straight season, ranks second among all active players with 413 consecutive regular season games played.

With the Lakers’ victory over Boston in the 2010 NBA Finals, Fisher won his 33rd career playoff series, tops among all active players in the NBA. The combination of head coach Phil Jackson and Fisher has now accounted for 108 postseason victories, the third highest total for a player/coach duo in league history, trailing only Jackson/Kobe Bryant (114) and Jackson/Scottie Pippen (110).

As an individual, Fisher ranks among franchise leaders in playoff games played (3rd/183), regular season games played (9th/790), playoff steals (3rd/205), regular season steals (8th/829), playoff 3-point field goals made (2nd/212) and regular season 3-point field goals made (2nd/759). League-wide, Fisher’s total of 224 playoff 3-point field goals made ranks him 6th in NBA postseason history while his total of 43 3-point field goals in the NBA Finals is 3rd most all-time.

Originally selected by the Lakers in the first round (24th overall) of the 1996 NBA Draft, Fisher entered the league alongside then-rookie Kobe Bryant and spent eight years (1996-2004) with Los Angeles before signing with the Warriors as a free agent in 2004. Since returning to the Lakers prior to the 2007-08 campaign after two seasons in Golden State and one in Utah, Fisher has helped the Lakers to three consecutive NBA Finals appearances and two consecutive NBA Championships. In 1,028 career regular season games, Fisher is averaging 9.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.08 steals.

Derek Fisher will stay with Lakers

Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles reports:

Derek Fisher has decided to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Credit Kobe Bryant with the assist.

“I have decided to continue with Kobe, continue with our teammates and the fans of Los Angeles,” Fisher said in a statement. “While this may not be the most lucrative contract I’ve been offered this offseason, it is the most valuable. I am confident I will continue to lead this team on and off the court. Let the hunt for six begin.” …

“Kobe Bryant asked me to stay but supported whatever decision I made. He and I have played together for 11 seasons, came into the league together as kids, and has been loyal to me even when others had doubts. We have won five championships together.”

Jordan Farmar will join Nets

The New Jersey Nets have reached an agreement in principle with free agent guard Jordan Farmar, Nets President Rod Thorn announced tonight. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released. The agreement is contingent on the passing of the required physical.

The deal is for three-years, $12-million, reports the Los Angeles Times.

“Jordan will be an excellent complement to Devin in the backcourt,” said Thorn. “He comes to the Nets with championship pedigree, which will prove to be invaluable to his teammates.”

Farmar, 6’2”/180, is a four-year NBA veteran with career averages of 6.9 points and 2.1 assists in 18.1 minutes over 301 career games with the Los Angeles Lakers. The UCLA product was selected by the Lakers in the first round (26th overall) of the 2006 NBA draft. Farmar helped the Lakers win back-to-back championships in 2008-09 and 2009-10. In 69 career postseason contests, Farmar holds playoff averages of 5.9 points and 1.4 assists in 15.0 minutes per game Last season, Farmar appeared in all 82 games for the Lakers, posting averages of 7.2 points on 43.5% shooting and 1.5 assists in 18.0 minutes per game.

Clippers sign Brian Cook

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed free agent forward Brian Cook. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

Cook, 29, appeared in 15 games for the Houston Rockets last season, averaging 1.4 points and 0.6 rebounds. A seven-year NBA veteran, the six-foot-nine, 234 pound Cook has appeared in 349 career games with the Rockets, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers, tallying career averages of 5.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.3 blocks.

The former University of Illinois star was originally drafted by the Lakers with the 24th overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft. As a rookie, Cook appeared in 35 games and 13 playoff contests as a member of the 2004 Western Conference Champions. Cook played four complete seasons with the Lakers, making a career-high 81 appearances in 2005-06, the same season he averaged a career-best 7.9 points and 3.4 rebounds.

In his career, Cook has played in 31 total playoff games, averaging 2.7 points and 1.7 rebounds. A career 39 percent three-point shooter, Cook has attempted over 80 three-pointers in five different pro seasons, shooting nearly 43 percent from beyond the arc in 2005-06.

Cook joined the Orlando Magic in a trade on Nov. 20, 2007 where he played in 66 total games from 2007-2009. The Lincoln, Illinois native was then traded to Houston on Feb. 19, 2009 as a part of a three-team trade. The Rockets waived Cook on Feb. 19, 2010.

The 2002-03 Big Ten Player of the Year and Third-Team All-American selection as a senior, Cook averaged 20.0 points and 7.6 rebounds in his final college season and finished his Illinois career as the third leading scorer in school history.

Cook’s father Norm was a star at the University of Kansas and played in 27 NBA games with the Celtics and Denver Nuggets from 1976-78.