As the Lakers have reflected on their 2010 NBA championship, two themes have emerged. They especially appreciated this title because they earned it by beating their archrival, the Boston Celtics, and because it capped a season full of challenges stemming from injuries, inconsistent performances and fatigue. Yet, not all players have experienced the joy of winning in the same way. Their reactions can be different, and quite telling.
Not everyone celebrated like Ron Artest, for instance, who proclaimed giddiness over a Wheaties championship box to reporters and shared his random, fun-filled thoughts in tweets.
Lamar Odom may not have been singing the praises of Wheaties, but he savored the win as well. "The feeling is amazing," the Lakers forward said of nabbing the championship. That’s opposed to losing – which, he noted, really hurts.
Lakers forward Pau Gasol uses the pain of remembered loss to boost his motivation. “Something that I like to do mentally is picture how it feels to lose," he said. "If we lose this game … how hard it's going to be,” and then he does “whatever it takes so it doesn't get to that point."
But for guard Kobe Bryant, it’s not “I really don’t want to lose this series. We want to pummel these guys,” it’s all about “the joy of winning,” he said. “Everything else adds to it. … It's always the excitement of winning."
Yet as much as the chance to win provided motivation, criticism may have added fuel to Bryant’s fire. There was the perception that he was too old against the Thunder's youth, and the semifinals matchup against Utah likely reminded him of his early struggles against the Jazz. The West Finals series against Phoenix probably brought back memories of the Lakers' 2006 and 2007 first-round exits to the Suns. Eventually, the NBA Finals against Boston partly served as redemption for the 2008 Finals loss, as well as adding to the historic rivalry.
As the Lakers prepare for next season, it’s interesting to mull what kind of attitude is the best for winning. The answer could prove important in the team’s chance at a three-peat.
Over the years, Lakers legends have used both positive and negative energy as part of their success strategies. Lakers owner Jerry Buss has shown willingness to spend money to build a championship team even if it eats into his profits. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson stresses meditation so his team relaxes and visualizes success. He has said he values the journey to a championship even more than the Larry O'Brien trophy itself. Lakers guard Derek Fisher prides himself on being a positive role model. He’s provided leadership in a utility position, although he has admitted that the bite of criticism – age and slowness against quicker guards – has pushed him to succeed.
Magic Johnson, who won five titles with the Lakers, personified the positive persona. Jerry West, who won a title in 1972 and helped orchestrate the Lakers' three-peat from 2000-2002 as general manager, was known as a perfectionist who succeeded through constant self-doubt.
Perhaps winning can become too much of a given for a championship team, becoming numbing at times for the Lakers. There’s a false impression that success can come at the flip of a switch. The fear of losing can provide a nice jolt, a reminder that success can be fleeting.
Balance is needed, though.
I've always appreciated Bryant's joy in small victories. After a reporter asked Bryant in his recent exit interview how much it helped working with Lakers shooting coach Chuck Person and former Celtics scout Mike Procopio, I followed up, remarking to Bryant that he seemed to gain satisfaction from adding a new wrinkle to his game.
"It's just fun for me," Bryant answered. "I enjoy what I do. So you love what you do, you're constantly looking for ways to do it better or do it different. I just love the game."
-- Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
A season after Ron Artest stormed cross court to get in Kobe Bryant's face during the 2009 NBA playoffs, Bryant welcomed his arrival in L.A. with open arms. Four seasons after Raja Bell clotheslined him in a Lakers' playoff game against the Phoenix Suns, Bryant apparently is doing the same thing.
Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski recently reported that both the Lakers and Bell share a "strong mutual interest to reach agreement on a deal," with Bryant being what Wojnarowski described as a "strong advocate" for a deal to happen. For those wondering how Bryant can go from enemy to friend in a heartbeat simply don't understand that he views adversaries and teammates simply in the context of basketball. It's fair to say Bryant doesn't have many friends in the game within his inner circle, although he created bonds with several teammates in the 2008 Olympics. It's also fair to say that even if Bryant feels personal satisfaction in dominating opponents, that animosity quickly dies once the game ends and if they wind up becoming his teammate.
That's why in addition to Bell's defensive toughness and effective outside shooting, Bryant's endorsement of Bell means the Lakers would highly benefit from his presence. Bryant likes a player if he believes their work ethic is solid and they have good intentions in helping the team. Even when Artest went through his struggles last season in shooting and understanding the triangle offense, for example, Bryant forever praised him because of his solid defense and willingness to play hard every game.
"There's been times where I've been on the road where I couldn't sleep and I'd go to the gym and work out at 12 o'clock at night and Ron's in there," Bryant said during his exit interview. "He's working there and we get a chance to talk about the season and the commitment to winning. I think that's where bonds are forged."
That same bond can happen with Bell. The Times' Mike Bresnahan and Broderick Turner recently reported that with the Lakers' recently agreeing to terms with Steve Blake, the team has under $2 million left on the mid-level exception, so it remains financially unclear if acquiring Bell is feasible. If that were to happen, however, the inevitable storyline would involve Bell's clothesline on Bryant in Game 5 of the 2006 NBA playoffs, and whether the two have patched things up since then.I spoke to Artest earlier in the playoffs about what the transformation was like for him to go from defending Bryant to becoming his teammate. He likened it to suddenly becoming involved in a television show he was just watching. And if the Bell signing happened, the same transformation would take place, creating a show Bryant, Bell and Lakers fans alike would all want to witness.
Photo: The Lakers have reported interest in free agent guard Raja Bell. Credit: Robert Gauthier/LAT.
-- The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding argues the Lakers are taking a realistic approach regarding Derek Fisher.
-- ESPN's Chad Ford writes in the Daily Dime Chat that Fisher could land in Miami or Cleveland depending on where LeBron James and Dwyane Wade go.
-- ESPN Los Angeles' Brian Kamenetzky updates the Lakers' off-season to-do list.
-- Those wanting to ensure the Lakers success at the ESPY Awards can vote here. Kobe Bryant is up for Best Male Athlete and the Best NBA Player, the Lakers is nominated as the Best Team and Phil Jackson has the chance to be considered the Best Coach.
-- Tennis star Rafael Nadal gives fellow Spaniard and Lakers forward Pau Gasol some love.
-- Forum Blue and Gold's Darius previews the Vegas Summer League.
-- Silver Screen and Roll's DexterFishmore breaks down the summer league roster.
-- Lakers.com's Mike Trudell wishes Gasol a happy 30th birthday.
Tweet of the Day: "So hoping Kanye interupts announcement. AK RT @Chris_Broussard: LeBron will announce his decision Thursday night 9 pm on ESPN" -- ESPNLandOLakers (ESPN Los Angeles' Andy Kamenetzky).
Favorite Ron Artest tweet: ""I'm in the process of seeing my therapist for random thoughts" is probably my favorite as it speaks volumes of Ron-Ron's thought process. He's always on 'random mode' and you just gotta love that!!!!!" -- Carlos DeeP
Reader Comment of the Day: "someday i'm going to try to solve the world's energy problems by inventing a car that runs on opinions. Of course, the downside to this will be that the US has to invade to make the Laker's Blog safe for democracy." -- phred
--Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: Lakers guard Derek Fisher is still in negotiations with the organization. Credit: Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times.
Just a housekeeping note: Yes, I plan to have a live chat Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m. and continuing during LeBron James' 6 p.m. special on ESPN, in which he is expected to share his free-agent plans. Will he join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami and completely devastate the city of Cleveland? Will he devote the hourlong slot to share why he's going to stick it out with the Cavaliers? Or will this must-see event involve a surprise, such as why the Clippers just seemed to have too good of an offer to pass up?
Keep in mind that my participation in the chat is tentative at this point. If there is any media availability Thursday on anything Lakers-related, there's a chance I may be tied up putting together the write-ups and video from that session, leaving everyone to enjoy the show unmoderated. However, if all remains quiet on the Lakers front, I'll be sure to join in on the fun.
The main question I want answered isn't which team James decides to play for, but how on Earth will he fill an hourlong program. Will it feature President Obama giving an introductory speech? Will it showcase James giving a PowerPoint presentation on his decision-making process? Will Jay-Z perform in hopes that he can seal the deal for the Nets? Or will the segment really just be a 55-minute edition of "SportsCenter," with the last five minutes detailing James' decision? The possibilities are endless.
Feel free to share your predictions in the comments sections below. Whatever happens, be comforted to know that we'll all witness it in the live chat together.
-- Mark Medina
twitter.com/latmedina
E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@tgmail.com
Photo: LeBron James Credit: Paul Tople / Associated Press
Amid the hoopla surrounding the news that LeBron James will announce in an hourlong special Thursday on ESPN his future whereabouts, a few on Twitter and in the L.A. Times Lakers blog joked that Kobe Bryant must be laughing right now.
Actually, he's starting his basketball camp.
The Kobe Basketball Academy runs from Wednesday through Sunday at UC Santa Barbara for kids between 8 and 18, going, costing $575 for day campers and $700 for night campers. It serves as the perfect counterpoint that Bryant is teaching kids basketball fundamentals at the same time James' hourlong special reflects the excess and ego that define much of modern sports.
Bryant has often talked about how he benefited during his childhood from striking a good balance between just going out and playing and also properly learning the fundamentals of the game. So it's interesting to see how he approaches the camp. But if this video from last year reveals anything, it shows that both Bryant and the campers had a blast.
-- Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Forget LeBron James' hourlong ESPN special Thursday that will detail where he wants to play. The Lakers provide more riveting reality television.
The New York Post's Kelly Magee recently reported that Lamar Odom and his wife, Khloe Kardashian, will soon be in a reality TV show together. The Hollywood Reporter mentioned back in April that Ron Artest agreed to get his own reality series, though he later shared that filming wouldn't start until after the season began.
It's not completely clear what each reality show will entail. The Post's report mentioned that Odom's show "will chronicle shock-jock Khloe's quest to get pregnant by her multimillion-dollar Laker husband." After the Lakers' parade, Artest revealed that he was being filmed while rapping his song "Champion" a cappella. Even if we're left in the dark on what each show will feature, Lakers fans at least know what to anticipate.
Here are two ideas for both shows.
1. With Kardashian issuing Odom a Rolls-Royce after the Lakers won the championship, the two debate whether this should actually be part of their prenuptial agreement. The conversation becomes contentious at first, raising questions on whether they can trust each other, but they eventually agree it should just serve as a gift and nothing else.
2. Amid the reports that say Kardashian and Kobe Bryant's wife, Vanessa Bryant, don't like each other, we get the real scoop on the apparent animosity between the two basketball moms. If there is indeed a fight, Artest can play peacemaker.
3. Artest has spent plenty of time on Twitter these days, but one day he goes over the limit. He types one too many tweets, causing Twitter to shut his access and leave him wondering what to do with himself the rest of the day.
4. After Artest made the rap single "Champion" with Dr. Dre, many in the hip-hop community lauded Artest for his effort. In this episode, the likes of Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg teach Artest how to freestyle. The sessions ends in Eminem and Artest having a war of words and ultimately coming to blows. They then release separate battle tracks dissing each other.
Which reality TV show -- Odom's or Artest's -- would you prefer to watch? Vote in the poll below and feel free to suggest a few episode ideas in the comments section.
-- Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo at top: Lamar Odom plans to star in an upcoming reality TV show with wife Khloe Kardashian. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
Lower photo: Ron Artest is also filming a reality TV series. Credit: Gus Ruelas / Associated Press
No. 4 Derrick Caracter, forward/center, 6-9, 275 pounds, Texas El Paso, rookie
Outlook: Caracter, whom the Lakers selected with their 58th pick, said he dropped from 305 pounds to 277 after his career with the Miners because of more sleep and selective eating habits. He plans to decrease to 270 to show his conditioning isn't an issue, an area Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said he thought could improve. And Caracter hopes he can prove he's mature by listening to his teammates and staying out of trouble, a process that happened once he transferred from Louisville to UTEP.
No. 3 Devin Ebanks, forward, 6-9, 210, West Virginia, rookie
Outlook: Ebanks, whom the Lakers selected with their 43rd pick, appears to be the favorite to crack a roster spot. He helped the Mountaineers to their first Final Four since 1959 and the most wins in school history because of his lock-down defense and rebounding (a team-leading 8.1 per game). Kupchak also said he selected Ebanks in case Luke Walton's back doesn't fully heal next season.
No. 8 Gerald Green, forward, 6-8, 200, Gulf Shores Academy (Texas), sixth season
Outlook: He entered the 2005 NBA draft considered to be the next Tracy McGrady. But four years later, the 18th pick of the NBA draft has proved that winning the NBA Dunk Contest in 2007 does lead to job security. In his five-year career, Green has bounced from Boston (2005-2007), Minnesota (2007-2008), Houston (2008), Dallas (2008) and Lokomotiv Kuban of Russia (2009).
No. 31 Rob Kurz, forward, 6-9, 230, Notre Dame, third season
Outlook: Kurz showed promise, averaging 17.5 points and 10 rebounds per game last season with the NBA D-League's Fort Wayne Mad Ants, but he has little to show for his NBA experience. Kurz played 40 games in the 2008-2009 season for Golden State, but shot only 38.9% overall. He agreed to a non-guaranteed contract with Cleveland prior to the 2009-10 season, but the Cavaliers dumped him after the preseason. He signed with the Bulls in early April but never played a game before being waived June 30.
No. 7 Ibrahim Jaaber, guard, 6-2, 170, Pennsylvania, rookie
Outlook: The former Ivy League player of the year in 2007 and 2008 set the league's career record for steals (303) and finished third and second nationally during his junior and senior years, respectively. Yet, he went undrafted in 2007 and played for Detroit's summer league team before jumping to professional gigs in Greece, Italy and Belgium. Since then, NBA Draft Express believes that Jaabar has improved his perimeter shooting "enough to at least make him an option for NBA teams looking for an athletic defensive- minded backup." The Lakers could surely use one of those.
No. 34 Ben McCauley, forward, 6-9, 237, North Carolina State, rookie
Outlook: This is the second consecutive season McCauley has played on the Lakers' summer league team, averaging 11.8 points and 7.6 rebounds last year in five games. His game isn't solely defined by his presence. McCauley shot 47% from three-point range last season with Strasbourg IG in the French Pro A League, but the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo reports that NBA scouts told McCauley he needs to improve on his defense.
No. 36 Drew Naymick, center, 6-11, 235, Michigan State, third season
No. 32 Frank Robinson, guard, 6-4, 193, Cal State Fullerton, second season
Outlook: The former Cal State Fullerton standout may benefit from playing on the D-Fenders, the Lakers' minor league affiliate, this past season. NBA Draft Express credits Robinson's length, stretch and lateral quickness as qualities that make him a good defensive player. However, he's shown inconsistency with his perimeter shooting. Nonetheless, the D-Fenders coaching staff told the Daily Titan that Robinson emerged as a complete combo guard, defending the team's top player and becoming a reliable scoring option.
No. 15 Tyler Sanborn, center, 6-10, 270, Guilford College (N.C.), rookie
No. 44 Courtney Sims, center, 6-11, 245, Michigan, fourth season
Outlook: Sims has had brief stints with Phoenix, Indiana and New York while bouncing around the D-League, something he's acknowledged has taken a mental toll. According to NBA Draft Express, he can create his own shot but struggles in staying disciplined on defensive rotations.
No. 2 D.J. Strawberry, guard, 6-5, 199, Maryland, fourth season
Outlook: When I interned at the Washington Times in 2007, Strawberry acknowledged to me he may have to take a circuitous route to the NBA because he was deemed to be only a defensive specialist at Maryland. Yet he entered that year's draft hoping NBA teams would want such a player, considering the way San Antonio's Bruce Bowen defended Cleveland's LeBron James in the 2007 NBA Finals, a feat the Mater Dei standout accomplished against James in high school. "A lot of teams are going to need a defensive player like me," Strawberry told me at the time.
It turns out Strawberry was right with his initial prediction. After the Suns selected him with the 57th pick -- and soon signing a two-year contract -- he was assigned to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, beginning a pattern of quick turnover with various teams, including the Houston Rockets (2008), Fortitudo Bologna of Italy (2008-2010), the NBA D-League's Reno Bighorns (2010) and now the Lakers' summer league roster. Strawberry lacks consistency in his offensive game, but he could provide some defensive energy to the Lakers' backcourt.
-- Mark Medina
twitter.com/latmedina
E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: West Virginia forward Devin Ebanks tries to split the defense of Kentucky's Patrick Patterson (54) and DeMarcus Cousins during the Mountaineers' 73-66 victory over the Wildcats in the NCAA tournament's East Regional final. Credit: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images
With the Clippers' hiring of Vinny Del Negro as their new coach, the team's courtship of LeBron James and summer league play about to begin, The Times' Lisa Dillman has a lot to monitor. Yet somehow she managed to squeeze in a few minutes to talk with the L.A. Times Lakers blog about the Lakers formalizing a deal Thursday with former Clippers guard Steve Blake on a four-year deal worth $16 million.
Dillman saw Blake play last season after the Clippers acquired him in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers in which the Clippers also got Travis Outlaw and cash for veteran forward Marcus Camby. Dillman also contributed to The Times' Lakers playoff coverage, so she she has terrific insight on what Blake provided to the Clippers and how that can carry over with the Lakers.
-- Whether the Clippers have a shot at landing James
-- Dillman's impressions of Blake's play with the Clippers
-- What Blake was like in the locker room and as a teammate
-- What Blake brings to the Lakers
-- How Blake and his wife, Kristen, are already getting a warm reception on Twitter. You can follow Steve here and Kristen here.
You can follow Dillman's Clippers coverage at The Times' website and on Twitter.
-- Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
As the Lakers have reflected on their 2010 NBA championship, two themes have emerged. They especially appreciated this title because they earned it by beating their archrival, the Boston Celtics, and because it capped a season full of challenges stemming from injuries, inconsistent performances and fatigue. Yet, not all players have experienced the joy of winning in the same way. Their reactions can be different, and quite telling.
Not everyone celebrated like Ron Artest, for instance, who proclaimed giddiness over a Wheaties championship box to reporters and shared his random, fun-filled thoughts in tweets.
Lamar Odom may not have been singing the praises of Wheaties, but he savored the win as well. "The feeling is amazing," the Lakers forward said of nabbing the championship. That’s opposed to losing – which, he noted, really hurts.
Lakers forward Pau Gasol uses the pain of remembered loss to boost his motivation. “Something that I like to do mentally is picture how it feels to lose," he said. "If we lose this game … how hard it's going to be,” and then he does “whatever it takes so it doesn't get to that point."
But for guard Kobe Bryant, it’s not “I really don’t want to lose this series. We want to pummel these guys,” it’s all about “the joy of winning,” he said. “Everything else adds to it. … It's always the excitement of winning."
Yet as much as the chance to win provided motivation, criticism may have added fuel to Bryant’s fire. There was the perception that he was too old against the Thunder's youth, and the semifinals matchup against Utah likely reminded him of his early struggles against the Jazz. The West Finals series against Phoenix probably brought back memories of the Lakers' 2006 and 2007 first-round exits to the Suns. Eventually, the NBA Finals against Boston partly served as redemption for the 2008 Finals loss, as well as adding to the historic rivalry.
As the Lakers prepare for next season, it’s interesting to mull what kind of attitude is the best for winning. The answer could prove important in the team’s chance at a three-peat.
Over the years, Lakers legends have used both positive and negative energy as part of their success strategies. Lakers owner Jerry Buss has shown willingness to spend money to build a championship team even if it eats into his profits. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson stresses meditation so his team relaxes and visualizes success. He has said he values the journey to a championship even more than the Larry O'Brien trophy itself. Lakers guard Derek Fisher prides himself on being a positive role model. He’s provided leadership in a utility position, although he has admitted that the bite of criticism – age and slowness against quicker guards – has pushed him to succeed.
Magic Johnson, who won five titles with the Lakers, personified the positive persona. Jerry West, who won a title in 1972 and helped orchestrate the Lakers' three-peat from 2000-2002 as general manager, was known as a perfectionist who succeeded through constant self-doubt.
Perhaps winning can become too much of a given for a championship team, becoming numbing at times for the Lakers. There’s a false impression that success can come at the flip of a switch. The fear of losing can provide a nice jolt, a reminder that success can be fleeting.
Balance is needed, though.
I've always appreciated Bryant's joy in small victories. After a reporter asked Bryant in his recent exit interview how much it helped working with Lakers shooting coach Chuck Person and former Celtics scout Mike Procopio, I followed up, remarking to Bryant that he seemed to gain satisfaction from adding a new wrinkle to his game.
"It's just fun for me," Bryant answered. "I enjoy what I do. So you love what you do, you're constantly looking for ways to do it better or do it different. I just love the game."
-- Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
A season after Ron Artest stormed cross court to get in Kobe Bryant's face during the 2009 NBA playoffs, Bryant welcomed his arrival in L.A. with open arms. Four seasons after Raja Bell clotheslined him in a Lakers' playoff game against the Phoenix Suns, Bryant apparently is doing the same thing.
Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski recently reported that both the Lakers and Bell share a "strong mutual interest to reach agreement on a deal," with Bryant being what Wojnarowski described as a "strong advocate" for a deal to happen. For those wondering how Bryant can go from enemy to friend in a heartbeat simply don't understand that he views adversaries and teammates simply in the context of basketball. It's fair to say Bryant doesn't have many friends in the game within his inner circle, although he created bonds with several teammates in the 2008 Olympics. It's also fair to say that even if Bryant feels personal satisfaction in dominating opponents, that animosity quickly dies once the game ends and if they wind up becoming his teammate.
That's why in addition to Bell's defensive toughness and effective outside shooting, Bryant's endorsement of Bell means the Lakers would highly benefit from his presence. Bryant likes a player if he believes their work ethic is solid and they have good intentions in helping the team. Even when Artest went through his struggles last season in shooting and understanding the triangle offense, for example, Bryant forever praised him because of his solid defense and willingness to play hard every game.
"There's been times where I've been on the road where I couldn't sleep and I'd go to the gym and work out at 12 o'clock at night and Ron's in there," Bryant said during his exit interview. "He's working there and we get a chance to talk about the season and the commitment to winning. I think that's where bonds are forged."
That same bond can happen with Bell. The Times' Mike Bresnahan and Broderick Turner recently reported that with the Lakers' recently agreeing to terms with Steve Blake, the team has under $2 million left on the mid-level exception, so it remains financially unclear if acquiring Bell is feasible. If that were to happen, however, the inevitable storyline would involve Bell's clothesline on Bryant in Game 5 of the 2006 NBA playoffs, and whether the two have patched things up since then.I spoke to Artest earlier in the playoffs about what the transformation was like for him to go from defending Bryant to becoming his teammate. He likened it to suddenly becoming involved in a television show he was just watching. And if the Bell signing happened, the same transformation would take place, creating a show Bryant, Bell and Lakers fans alike would all want to witness.
Photo: The Lakers have reported interest in free agent guard Raja Bell. Credit: Robert Gauthier/LAT.
As the Lakers have reflected on their 2010 NBA championship, two themes have emerged. They especially appreciated this title because they earned it by beating their archrival, the Boston Celtics, and because it capped a season full of challenges stemming from injuries, inconsistent performances and fatigue. Yet, not all players have experienced the joy of winning in the same way. Their reactions can be different, and quite telling.
Not everyone celebrated like Ron Artest, for instance, who proclaimed giddiness over a Wheaties championship box to reporters and shared his random, fun-filled thoughts in tweets.
Lamar Odom may not have been singing the praises of Wheaties, but he savored the win as well. "The feeling is amazing," the Lakers forward said of nabbing the championship. That’s opposed to losing – which, he noted, really hurts.
Lakers forward Pau Gasol uses the pain of remembered loss to boost his motivation. “Something that I like to do mentally is picture how it feels to lose," he said. "If we lose this game … how hard it's going to be,” and then he does “whatever it takes so it doesn't get to that point."
But for guard Kobe Bryant, it’s not “I really don’t want to lose this series. We want to pummel these guys,” it’s all about “the joy of winning,” he said. “Everything else adds to it. … It's always the excitement of winning."
Yet as much as the chance to win provided motivation, criticism may have added fuel to Bryant’s fire. There was the perception that he was too old against the Thunder's youth, and the semifinals matchup against Utah likely reminded him of his early struggles against the Jazz. The West Finals series against Phoenix probably brought back memories of the Lakers' 2006 and 2007 first-round exits to the Suns. Eventually, the NBA Finals against Boston partly served as redemption for the 2008 Finals loss, as well as adding to the historic rivalry.
As the Lakers prepare for next season, it’s interesting to mull what kind of attitude is the best for winning. The answer could prove important in the team’s chance at a three-peat.
Over the years, Lakers legends have used both positive and negative energy as part of their success strategies. Lakers owner Jerry Buss has shown willingness to spend money to build a championship team even if it eats into his profits. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson stresses meditation so his team relaxes and visualizes success. He has said he values the journey to a championship even more than the Larry O'Brien trophy itself. Lakers guard Derek Fisher prides himself on being a positive role model. He’s provided leadership in a utility position, although he has admitted that the bite of criticism – age and slowness against quicker guards – has pushed him to succeed.
Magic Johnson, who won five titles with the Lakers, personified the positive persona. Jerry West, who won a title in 1972 and helped orchestrate the Lakers' three-peat from 2000-2002 as general manager, was known as a perfectionist who succeeded through constant self-doubt.
Perhaps winning can become too much of a given for a championship team, becoming numbing at times for the Lakers. There’s a false impression that success can come at the flip of a switch. The fear of losing can provide a nice jolt, a reminder that success can be fleeting.
Balance is needed, though.
I've always appreciated Bryant's joy in small victories. After a reporter asked Bryant in his recent exit interview how much it helped working with Lakers shooting coach Chuck Person and former Celtics scout Mike Procopio, I followed up, remarking to Bryant that he seemed to gain satisfaction from adding a new wrinkle to his game.
"It's just fun for me," Bryant answered. "I enjoy what I do. So you love what you do, you're constantly looking for ways to do it better or do it different. I just love the game."
-- Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
A season after Ron Artest stormed cross court to get in Kobe Bryant's face during the 2009 NBA playoffs, Bryant welcomed his arrival in L.A. with open arms. Four seasons after Raja Bell clotheslined him in a Lakers' playoff game against the Phoenix Suns, Bryant apparently is doing the same thing.
Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski recently reported that both the Lakers and Bell share a "strong mutual interest to reach agreement on a deal," with Bryant being what Wojnarowski described as a "strong advocate" for a deal to happen. For those wondering how Bryant can go from enemy to friend in a heartbeat simply don't understand that he views adversaries and teammates simply in the context of basketball. It's fair to say Bryant doesn't have many friends in the game within his inner circle, although he created bonds with several teammates in the 2008 Olympics. It's also fair to say that even if Bryant feels personal satisfaction in dominating opponents, that animosity quickly dies once the game ends and if they wind up becoming his teammate.
That's why in addition to Bell's defensive toughness and effective outside shooting, Bryant's endorsement of Bell means the Lakers would highly benefit from his presence. Bryant likes a player if he believes their work ethic is solid and they have good intentions in helping the team. Even when Artest went through his struggles last season in shooting and understanding the triangle offense, for example, Bryant forever praised him because of his solid defense and willingness to play hard every game.
"There's been times where I've been on the road where I couldn't sleep and I'd go to the gym and work out at 12 o'clock at night and Ron's in there," Bryant said during his exit interview. "He's working there and we get a chance to talk about the season and the commitment to winning. I think that's where bonds are forged."
That same bond can happen with Bell. The Times' Mike Bresnahan and Broderick Turner recently reported that with the Lakers' recently agreeing to terms with Steve Blake, the team has under $2 million left on the mid-level exception, so it remains financially unclear if acquiring Bell is feasible. If that were to happen, however, the inevitable storyline would involve Bell's clothesline on Bryant in Game 5 of the 2006 NBA playoffs, and whether the two have patched things up since then.I spoke to Artest earlier in the playoffs about what the transformation was like for him to go from defending Bryant to becoming his teammate. He likened it to suddenly becoming involved in a television show he was just watching. And if the Bell signing happened, the same transformation would take place, creating a show Bryant, Bell and Lakers fans alike would all want to witness.
Photo: The Lakers have reported interest in free agent guard Raja Bell. Credit: Robert Gauthier/LAT.
Amid the hoopla surrounding the news that LeBron James will announce in an hourlong special Thursday on ESPN his future whereabouts, a few on Twitter and in the L.A. Times Lakers blog joked that Kobe Bryant must be laughing right now.
Actually, he's starting his basketball camp.
The Kobe Basketball Academy runs from Wednesday through Sunday at UC Santa Barbara for kids between 8 and 18, going, costing $575 for day campers and $700 for night campers. It serves as the perfect counterpoint that Bryant is teaching kids basketball fundamentals at the same time James' hourlong special reflects the excess and ego that define much of modern sports.
Bryant has often talked about how he benefited during his childhood from striking a good balance between just going out and playing and also properly learning the fundamentals of the game. So it's interesting to see how he approaches the camp. But if this video from last year reveals anything, it shows that both Bryant and the campers had a blast.
-- Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
-- The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding argues the Lakers are taking a realistic approach regarding Derek Fisher.
-- ESPN's Chad Ford writes in the Daily Dime Chat that Fisher could land in Miami or Cleveland depending on where LeBron James and Dwyane Wade go.
-- ESPN Los Angeles' Brian Kamenetzky updates the Lakers' off-season to-do list.
-- Those wanting to ensure the Lakers success at the ESPY Awards can vote here. Kobe Bryant is up for Best Male Athlete and the Best NBA Player, the Lakers is nominated as the Best Team and Phil Jackson has the chance to be considered the Best Coach.
-- Tennis star Rafael Nadal gives fellow Spaniard and Lakers forward Pau Gasol some love.
-- Forum Blue and Gold's Darius previews the Vegas Summer League.
-- Silver Screen and Roll's DexterFishmore breaks down the summer league roster.
-- Lakers.com's Mike Trudell wishes Gasol a happy 30th birthday.
Tweet of the Day: "So hoping Kanye interupts announcement. AK RT @Chris_Broussard: LeBron will announce his decision Thursday night 9 pm on ESPN" -- ESPNLandOLakers (ESPN Los Angeles' Andy Kamenetzky).
Favorite Ron Artest tweet: ""I'm in the process of seeing my therapist for random thoughts" is probably my favorite as it speaks volumes of Ron-Ron's thought process. He's always on 'random mode' and you just gotta love that!!!!!" -- Carlos DeeP
Reader Comment of the Day: "someday i'm going to try to solve the world's energy problems by inventing a car that runs on opinions. Of course, the downside to this will be that the US has to invade to make the Laker's Blog safe for democracy." -- phred
--Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: Lakers guard Derek Fisher is still in negotiations with the organization. Credit: Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times.
Forget LeBron James' hourlong ESPN special Thursday that will detail where he wants to play. The Lakers provide more riveting reality television.
The New York Post's Kelly Magee recently reported that Lamar Odom and his wife, Khloe Kardashian, will soon be in a reality TV show together. The Hollywood Reporter mentioned back in April that Ron Artest agreed to get his own reality series, though he later shared that filming wouldn't start until after the season began.
It's not completely clear what each reality show will entail. The Post's report mentioned that Odom's show "will chronicle shock-jock Khloe's quest to get pregnant by her multimillion-dollar Laker husband." After the Lakers' parade, Artest revealed that he was being filmed while rapping his song "Champion" a cappella. Even if we're left in the dark on what each show will feature, Lakers fans at least know what to anticipate.
Here are two ideas for both shows.
1. With Kardashian issuing Odom a Rolls-Royce after the Lakers won the championship, the two debate whether this should actually be part of their prenuptial agreement. The conversation becomes contentious at first, raising questions on whether they can trust each other, but they eventually agree it should just serve as a gift and nothing else.
2. Amid the reports that say Kardashian and Kobe Bryant's wife, Vanessa Bryant, don't like each other, we get the real scoop on the apparent animosity between the two basketball moms. If there is indeed a fight, Artest can play peacemaker.
3. Artest has spent plenty of time on Twitter these days, but one day he goes over the limit. He types one too many tweets, causing Twitter to shut his access and leave him wondering what to do with himself the rest of the day.
4. After Artest made the rap single "Champion" with Dr. Dre, many in the hip-hop community lauded Artest for his effort. In this episode, the likes of Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg teach Artest how to freestyle. The sessions ends in Eminem and Artest having a war of words and ultimately coming to blows. They then release separate battle tracks dissing each other.
Which reality TV show -- Odom's or Artest's -- would you prefer to watch? Vote in the poll below and feel free to suggest a few episode ideas in the comments section.
-- Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo at top: Lamar Odom plans to star in an upcoming reality TV show with wife Khloe Kardashian. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
Lower photo: Ron Artest is also filming a reality TV series. Credit: Gus Ruelas / Associated Press
Just a housekeeping note: Yes, I plan to have a live chat Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m. and continuing during LeBron James' 6 p.m. special on ESPN, in which he is expected to share his free-agent plans. Will he join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami and completely devastate the city of Cleveland? Will he devote the hourlong slot to share why he's going to stick it out with the Cavaliers? Or will this must-see event involve a surprise, such as why the Clippers just seemed to have too good of an offer to pass up?
Keep in mind that my participation in the chat is tentative at this point. If there is any media availability Thursday on anything Lakers-related, there's a chance I may be tied up putting together the write-ups and video from that session, leaving everyone to enjoy the show unmoderated. However, if all remains quiet on the Lakers front, I'll be sure to join in on the fun.
The main question I want answered isn't which team James decides to play for, but how on Earth will he fill an hourlong program. Will it feature President Obama giving an introductory speech? Will it showcase James giving a PowerPoint presentation on his decision-making process? Will Jay-Z perform in hopes that he can seal the deal for the Nets? Or will the segment really just be a 55-minute edition of "SportsCenter," with the last five minutes detailing James' decision? The possibilities are endless.
Feel free to share your predictions in the comments sections below. Whatever happens, be comforted to know that we'll all witness it in the live chat together.
-- Mark Medina
twitter.com/latmedina
E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@tgmail.com
Photo: LeBron James Credit: Paul Tople / Associated Press
No. 4 Derrick Caracter, forward/center, 6-9, 275 pounds, Texas El Paso, rookie
Outlook: Caracter, whom the Lakers selected with their 58th pick, said he dropped from 305 pounds to 277 after his career with the Miners because of more sleep and selective eating habits. He plans to decrease to 270 to show his conditioning isn't an issue, an area Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said he thought could improve. And Caracter hopes he can prove he's mature by listening to his teammates and staying out of trouble, a process that happened once he transferred from Louisville to UTEP.
No. 3 Devin Ebanks, forward, 6-9, 210, West Virginia, rookie
Outlook: Ebanks, whom the Lakers selected with their 43rd pick, appears to be the favorite to crack a roster spot. He helped the Mountaineers to their first Final Four since 1959 and the most wins in school history because of his lock-down defense and rebounding (a team-leading 8.1 per game). Kupchak also said he selected Ebanks in case Luke Walton's back doesn't fully heal next season.
No. 8 Gerald Green, forward, 6-8, 200, Gulf Shores Academy (Texas), sixth season
Outlook: He entered the 2005 NBA draft considered to be the next Tracy McGrady. But four years later, the 18th pick of the NBA draft has proved that winning the NBA Dunk Contest in 2007 does lead to job security. In his five-year career, Green has bounced from Boston (2005-2007), Minnesota (2007-2008), Houston (2008), Dallas (2008) and Lokomotiv Kuban of Russia (2009).
No. 31 Rob Kurz, forward, 6-9, 230, Notre Dame, third season
Outlook: Kurz showed promise, averaging 17.5 points and 10 rebounds per game last season with the NBA D-League's Fort Wayne Mad Ants, but he has little to show for his NBA experience. Kurz played 40 games in the 2008-2009 season for Golden State, but shot only 38.9% overall. He agreed to a non-guaranteed contract with Cleveland prior to the 2009-10 season, but the Cavaliers dumped him after the preseason. He signed with the Bulls in early April but never played a game before being waived June 30.
No. 7 Ibrahim Jaaber, guard, 6-2, 170, Pennsylvania, rookie
Outlook: The former Ivy League player of the year in 2007 and 2008 set the league's career record for steals (303) and finished third and second nationally during his junior and senior years, respectively. Yet, he went undrafted in 2007 and played for Detroit's summer league team before jumping to professional gigs in Greece, Italy and Belgium. Since then, NBA Draft Express believes that Jaabar has improved his perimeter shooting "enough to at least make him an option for NBA teams looking for an athletic defensive- minded backup." The Lakers could surely use one of those.
No. 34 Ben McCauley, forward, 6-9, 237, North Carolina State, rookie
Outlook: This is the second consecutive season McCauley has played on the Lakers' summer league team, averaging 11.8 points and 7.6 rebounds last year in five games. His game isn't solely defined by his presence. McCauley shot 47% from three-point range last season with Strasbourg IG in the French Pro A League, but the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo reports that NBA scouts told McCauley he needs to improve on his defense.
No. 36 Drew Naymick, center, 6-11, 235, Michigan State, third season
No. 32 Frank Robinson, guard, 6-4, 193, Cal State Fullerton, second season
Outlook: The former Cal State Fullerton standout may benefit from playing on the D-Fenders, the Lakers' minor league affiliate, this past season. NBA Draft Express credits Robinson's length, stretch and lateral quickness as qualities that make him a good defensive player. However, he's shown inconsistency with his perimeter shooting. Nonetheless, the D-Fenders coaching staff told the Daily Titan that Robinson emerged as a complete combo guard, defending the team's top player and becoming a reliable scoring option.
No. 15 Tyler Sanborn, center, 6-10, 270, Guilford College (N.C.), rookie
No. 44 Courtney Sims, center, 6-11, 245, Michigan, fourth season
Outlook: Sims has had brief stints with Phoenix, Indiana and New York while bouncing around the D-League, something he's acknowledged has taken a mental toll. According to NBA Draft Express, he can create his own shot but struggles in staying disciplined on defensive rotations.
No. 2 D.J. Strawberry, guard, 6-5, 199, Maryland, fourth season
Outlook: When I interned at the Washington Times in 2007, Strawberry acknowledged to me he may have to take a circuitous route to the NBA because he was deemed to be only a defensive specialist at Maryland. Yet he entered that year's draft hoping NBA teams would want such a player, considering the way San Antonio's Bruce Bowen defended Cleveland's LeBron James in the 2007 NBA Finals, a feat the Mater Dei standout accomplished against James in high school. "A lot of teams are going to need a defensive player like me," Strawberry told me at the time.
It turns out Strawberry was right with his initial prediction. After the Suns selected him with the 57th pick -- and soon signing a two-year contract -- he was assigned to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, beginning a pattern of quick turnover with various teams, including the Houston Rockets (2008), Fortitudo Bologna of Italy (2008-2010), the NBA D-League's Reno Bighorns (2010) and now the Lakers' summer league roster. Strawberry lacks consistency in his offensive game, but he could provide some defensive energy to the Lakers' backcourt.
-- Mark Medina
twitter.com/latmedina
E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: West Virginia forward Devin Ebanks tries to split the defense of Kentucky's Patrick Patterson (54) and DeMarcus Cousins during the Mountaineers' 73-66 victory over the Wildcats in the NCAA tournament's East Regional final. Credit: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images
Amid the hoopla surrounding the news that LeBron James will announce in an hourlong special Thursday on ESPN his future whereabouts, a few on Twitter and in the L.A. Times Lakers blog joked that Kobe Bryant must be laughing right now.
Actually, he's starting his basketball camp.
The Kobe Basketball Academy runs from Wednesday through Sunday at UC Santa Barbara for kids between 8 and 18, going, costing $575 for day campers and $700 for night campers. It serves as the perfect counterpoint that Bryant is teaching kids basketball fundamentals at the same time James' hourlong special reflects the excess and ego that define much of modern sports.
Bryant has often talked about how he benefited during his childhood from striking a good balance between just going out and playing and also properly learning the fundamentals of the game. So it's interesting to see how he approaches the camp. But if this video from last year reveals anything, it shows that both Bryant and the campers had a blast.
-- Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
-- The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding argues the Lakers are taking a realistic approach regarding Derek Fisher.
-- ESPN's Chad Ford writes in the Daily Dime Chat that Fisher could land in Miami or Cleveland depending on where LeBron James and Dwyane Wade go.
-- ESPN Los Angeles' Brian Kamenetzky updates the Lakers' off-season to-do list.
-- Those wanting to ensure the Lakers success at the ESPY Awards can vote here. Kobe Bryant is up for Best Male Athlete and the Best NBA Player, the Lakers is nominated as the Best Team and Phil Jackson has the chance to be considered the Best Coach.
-- Tennis star Rafael Nadal gives fellow Spaniard and Lakers forward Pau Gasol some love.
-- Forum Blue and Gold's Darius previews the Vegas Summer League.
-- Silver Screen and Roll's DexterFishmore breaks down the summer league roster.
-- Lakers.com's Mike Trudell wishes Gasol a happy 30th birthday.
Tweet of the Day: "So hoping Kanye interupts announcement. AK RT @Chris_Broussard: LeBron will announce his decision Thursday night 9 pm on ESPN" -- ESPNLandOLakers (ESPN Los Angeles' Andy Kamenetzky).
Favorite Ron Artest tweet: ""I'm in the process of seeing my therapist for random thoughts" is probably my favorite as it speaks volumes of Ron-Ron's thought process. He's always on 'random mode' and you just gotta love that!!!!!" -- Carlos DeeP
Reader Comment of the Day: "someday i'm going to try to solve the world's energy problems by inventing a car that runs on opinions. Of course, the downside to this will be that the US has to invade to make the Laker's Blog safe for democracy." -- phred
--Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: Lakers guard Derek Fisher is still in negotiations with the organization. Credit: Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times.