Category: Los Angeles Lakers Blog

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Rumors commentary: Bynum improving

After seeing Andrew Bynum several times over the last week and a half, including once live, I understand why some still feel he’s got star, possibly superstar potential. He’s still got a ton of development and game refining to do, however… Word is, Gordan Giricek has locked himself in a room with no phone and is just surfing InsideHoops.com 18 hours a day, rocking back and forth while muttering stuff under his breath about Jerry Sloan, being a good defender, and how great InsideHoops.com is. Or, I could be making that up… The Bulls coaching job, at least for the rest of the season, appears to be Jim Boylan’s to lose. Better to keep someone from the current staff who knows the player strengths and weaknesses than bringing in someone new… Scott Skiles was fired because the team was losing but also because he and many key players weren’t getting along. It was simply time to move on… Jason Williams feels like a prostitute. I definitely feel badly for him. The dude has a rough life. I know that very few InsideHoops.com readers would quit their current jobs for an opportunity to make millions of dollars being a famous sports star… Eddy Curry is a nice guy who appears to lack killer instinct. He’s also extremely big, and it’s hard for him to become as quick, agile and explosive as people want him to be. He can leap if there’s room to leap, but otherwise, he’s just a really huge dude blessed with size but not too much else… Stephon Marbury sure is taking a very long time to return to the court… Inglewood, up to no good.

This light, unedited commentary accompanies today’s stories on the world famous InsideHoops.com NBA rumors page. Read that page each morning, and check back during the day as new stories develop. Also, talk with other fans on the web’s prime fan talk destination, the InsideHoops basketball message board.

Lakers recall Coby Karl from D-League

The Los Angeles Lakers have recalled guard Coby Karl from the NBA Development League’s Los Angeles D-Fenders, it was announced today.

Karl, who became the 11th NBA player assigned to a D-League affiliate this season on November 28, played 10 games (10 starts) with the D-Fenders, averaging 18.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 38.5 minutes while shooting .435 from three-point range and .492 from the field.

In two games with the Lakers this season, Karl, an undrafted rookie out of Boise State, has posted two points, one rebound and two assists in four total minutes.

Phil Jackson signs contract extension

Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson has signed a contract extension for an additional season as well as an option for a second year, which would ensure Jackson remaining with the team through the 2009-10 season, it was announced today by Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

“Nobody has been more successful from the sideline in the history of this game than Phil and his record obviously speaks for itself,” said Kupchak. “We’re excited to have a coach of his experience, stature and ability leading this team for the foreseeable future.”

“In the opinion of most people in basketball, and certainly in our opinion, Phil is the greatest coach in the history of the NBA, and we’re very pleased that he’s decided to stay with the Lakers for an extended period of time,” said Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss. “Simply put, he’s the best coach in the business and he will be a valuable part of the development of our team as we continue to improve.”

Jackson, currently in his 8th season as head coach of the Lakers, led his team to three consecutive NBA Championships in his first three seasons with Los Angeles (2000-02). Overall, Jackson has guided his teams to nine NBA Championships, tying him for first with the late Red Auerbach. The fastest coach to 900 career victories, Jackson’s total of 931 wins ranks 9th all-time. Jackson’s .699 winning percentage ranks best in league history.

Additionally, Jackson ranks first all time in NBA postseason history with a .699 winning percentage (179-77) while his 179 wins are the highest postseason victory total for any head coach.

“I enjoy working with the players and staff of this team, as well as the management and ownership,” said Jackson. “I’m looking forward to continuing my work with the Lakers and to continuing to live in the great city of Los Angeles.”

On September 7, Jackson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, earning induction in his first year of consideration for election.

Currently in his 17th season as an NBA head coach, Jackson served as head coach of the Chicago Bulls for nine seasons, leading Chicago to championships in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998 while compiling a regular-season record of 545-193.

Phil Jackson Lakers extension

Lakers coach Phil Jackson has made a decision on his future. The Los Angeles Times reports:

Coach Phil Jackson has decided to sign a contract extension that keeps him with the Lakers for two more seasons. Jackson met Wednesday with Jerry Buss and informed the Lakers owner of his decision. Jackson, 62, will get a modest raise from the three-year, $30-million contract he signed in June 2005, which was the richest per-annum coaching deal in U.S. pro sports history. Jackson is expected to make $11 million or $12 million a season in his new deal.

It’ll be interesting to see what type of roster changes the team makes this season and summer.

Pat Riley statement on accusation against Smush Parker

Pat Riley made a statement today on Smush Parker: “We are currently investigating the reported incident. Until we have concluded it, Smush will not be with the team. He has not been suspended and is currently on our inactive list. This is a legal matter and we will have no further comment until the legal process runs its course.”

The statement is in response to the following, as reported by the Miami Herald:

A Miami woman accusing Heat guard Smush Parker of twisting her arm during a dispute over a valet fee is seeking criminal charges against the five-year NBA player. Yomaira McKenzie, 41, said Parker ”lost it” Tuesday morning when he was asked to pay the $12 valet parking charge he allegedly owed at a condo building at 355 Biscayne Blvd. McKenzie is an assistant manager at Standard Valet, which services the building. According to a Miami police incident report, Parker, 26, claimed he had paid the fee in advance a night earlier. He said he did not have any available cash to pay Tuesday. Tension apparently escalated when Parker, denied his keys until he settled the debt, allegedly pushed a valet podium and grabbed McKenzie’s arm in an attempt to get his keys, according to the incident report. Parker was not arrested or charged at the scene Tuesday, which is standard procedure in most simple misdemeanor battery cases that aren’t witnessed by police.

Remember, it’s just an accusation. Parker’s innocent, until proven otherwise.

Lakers assign Coby Karl to D-League

The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned guard Coby Karl to the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Karl was signed by the Lakers as a free agent on July 30, 2007.  He has appeared in two games this season, averaging 1.0 points and 1.0 assists in 2.0 minutes.

The 6’5” guard from Boise State averaged 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists as a senior and was named First Team All-WAC.  Karl’s 1,698 career points ranks third on Boise State’s all-time scoring list while leaving Boise State as the all-time leader in games played (127) and three-pointers made (266).

Magic trade Trevor Ariza to Lakers for Maurice Evans and Brian Cook

The Orlando Magic have acquired forward Brian Cook and guard Maurice Evans from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for forward Trevor Ariza, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. In addition, the Magic have waived forward Bo Outlaw.

“Brian (Cook) helps bolster our frontcourt,” said Smith. “He is a power forward who shoots the ball extremely well, while also bringing added toughness to our roster. Maurice (Evans) is a tremendous athlete, a solid defender and capable of playing multiple positions. Both Brian and Maurice fit in very well with what we are trying to accomplish.”

Smith also added: “Trevor (Ariza) is a great talent and we certainly wish him well. We also thank Bo (Outlaw) for everything he has done for our organization as a player.”

Cook (6’9”, 250, 12/4/80, Illinois, 4 years) has played in six games (two starts) this season with the L.A. Lakers, averaging 2.3 ppg. and 1.7 rpg. in 11.7 minpg. Evans (6’5”, 220, 11/8/78, Texas, 4 years) has appeared in seven games this season with the Lakers, averaging 4.4 ppg., 1.7 apg. and 1.3 rpg. in 13.7 minpg.

Cook has played in 259 career NBA regular season games, all with the Lakers, averaging 6.6 ppg. and 3.2 rpg. in 16.0 minpg. He has shot .392 (162-413) from three-point range. Cook has also appeared in 25 postseason contests, averaging 3.0 ppg. and 1.6 rpg. in 7.0 minpg. Originally selected in the first round (24th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Lakers, Cook netted a career-high 28 points on Feb. 7, 2006 @ Dallas and pulled down a career-best 14 rebounds on Mar. 4, 2007 @ Phoenix.

Evans has appeared in 238 career NBA regular season games with Minnesota, Sacramento, Detroit and the Lakers, averaging 6.3 ppg. and 2.5 rpg. in 17.8 minpg. He has also played in 24 playoff outings, averaging 4.0 ppg. and 1.2 rpg. in 10.0 minpg. Evans originally signed as a free agent with Minnesota on July 23, 2001, after he was not selected during the 2001 NBA Draft. He poured in a career-high 26 points on Feb. 25, 2007 @ Golden State and recorded a career-best 14 rebounds on Mar. 8, 2005 vs. Memphis.

Ariza has played in 11 games this season with the Magic, averaging 3.3 ppg. and 2.2 rpg. in 10.5 minpg. Outlaw has played in two games with Orlando this season, averaging 2.0 ppg. in 3.5 minpg.

Lakers need to be on national TV more

The Los Angeles Lakers only have 328,238,101,204,104,111,428 games on national television this season. It isn’t enough.

I propose that every single Lakers game be televised not just on both ESPN and TNT but also on CBS, NBC, Fox, ABC and whatever the WB is called these days, as well as on HBO, Cartoon Network, Lifetime, MTV, VH1 and every other main station. All at the same time.

/end sarcasm