Karl is a friend of Coach Phil Jackson, and Karl’s son, Coby, played the 2007-08 season with the Lakers, perhaps a reason he seemed to downplay the Lakers’ on-again, off-again tendencies this season. “I just think it’s incredibly tough to try to defend a championship for two or three years,” he said. “They get the team they’re playing’s best shot every night. They’ve probably got to play playoff-intensity basketball more often than we do. It’s hard to do. It’s hard to get to that mental level of commitment.”
Along those lines, Karl didn’t want to hear that Kobe Bryant was slowing down at age 32. “I know the ball is in his hands a lot more,” he said. “He’s still one of the top-five most difficult guys to prepare for because of his power, his influence. Right now he’s playing like a point guard because they are running a lot of pick-and-rolls for him.”
Bryant had 21 points and 10 assists in the Lakers’ 109-100 loss to Dallas on Wednesday. He also had three turnovers in the game-turning third quarter.

Ron-Ron time
Numerous Lakers had bad defensive games against Dallas — mainly Ron Artest, Shannon Brown, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol — but Artest wasn’t bothered by it. “As long as I play Ron Artest-type basketball and apply it to the team, we’ll be OK,” he said There’s nothing really to worry about.”  Jackson wondered whether Artest failed to be challenged by the thought of defending Mavericks forward-guard Sasha Pavlovic, who beat the Lakers for 11 points a week after signing a 10-day contract with Dallas. “I thought [Wednesday] night he had a little bit of a setback,” Jackson said. “Sometimes I worry about whether Ron’s intrigued by the game because of the quality of the player he has to play against.” So then Artest will have a solid game Friday against Anthony in Denver, no? “It depends upon whether he can stay on the floor,” Jackson said. “A lot of times they call fouls on Ron against Carmelo.”

Bynum is fine
Andrew Bynum practiced Thursday despite sustaining a hyperextended right elbow against Dallas. He wore a large wrap on the elbow Thursday, the latest creation by longtime Lakers trainer Gary Vitti. “Gary loves to make those kind of bandages and stuff like that,” Jackson said. “It’s a whole construction. He’s kind of like a carpenter.” Bynum is expected to play against Denver.  The article was written by Mike Bresnahan for the LA Times.

Kobe led the way with 23 points, Gasol had 21points and 13 rebounds. and Lamar Odom shot 6 for 7 from the field for 17 points and 8 rebounds. The bench sparked the Lakers again as Shannon Brown had 13, Steve Blake had 10 and Matt Barnes had a season high 16 points played solid defense and hit their shots behind the arc.  The rookies looked good as Derek Caracter had 6 points and Devin Ebanks had 4 points and a nice dunk late in the 4^th quarter.

Steve Blake to Devin Ebanks -- Dunk vs Memphis Grizzlies -- 11/2/2010

www.youtube.com/watch?v=N80bPxqYiiE

NBA Lakers vs Rockets Game Highlights

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zmBwkai6YM

Kobe Bryant scored 27 points, newcomer Steve Blake hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 18.8 seconds left and Los Angeles rallied late for a 112-110 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.  Pau Gasol had 29 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who hung the golden banner celebrating their 16th NBA championship and handed out their impossibly ostentatious rings in a surprisingly touching pregame ceremony.  “It’s always fun when this night comes and there’s a chance to enjoy it,” said Bryant, a five-time champion along with Derek Fisher. “And tonight it was a little more special because we all introduced each other. It’s special. We know the bond that we share, and for Fisher to bring me out there, that was great.”  But the champs then fell behind by 15 points before rallying for a fourth-quarter lead behind a 3-point barrage by Shannon Brown, who scored 14 of his 16 points in a 6½-minute span.

The clubs traded the lead four times in the final minute, but Houston’s Luis Scola missed a difficult scoop shot with 3 seconds left. After officials used a lengthy video review to award possession of the loose ball to Houston with 2.4 seconds to play, Aaron Brooks’ layup attempt at the buzzer was blocked by Lamar Odom.  “Getting those rings, you’re definitely on a high,” said Brown, who turned down significant free-agent offers for a shot at a three-peat. “You have to come back down, because that’s history. That’s something nobody can take away from you ever, but it doesn’t help us in the next game.” “They’re the world champs, and we knew it was going to be tough,” Houston coach Rick Adelman said. “But I thought we responded pretty well. I think for about seven minutes, we just didn’t play the way we’re capable of, and they got back in the game.”

The Rockets didn’t make the celebration easy in the Lakers’ first real home game since that gut-wrenching, come-from-behind victory in Game 7 of the NBA finals four months ago. Los Angeles trailed by 11 points late in the third quarter before a 21-4 run featuring 12 consecutive points.  The Lakers understandably had a little trouble focusing after the pregame festivities.

The nine remaining Lakers’ rings are small asteroids of excess designed by owner Jerry Buss. They feature 16 oversized diamonds for each Lakers title, a three-dimensional rendering of each player’s face and even a small piece of leather from a basketball used in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. In contrast, the ring ceremony was all heart. NBA commissioner David Stern and Lakers executive Jeanie Buss stood at center court waiting for coach Phil Jackson, who accepted his 11th ring and said a few kind words before introducing forward Luke Walton, who introduced Odom, who introduced Ron Artest — all the way to Fisher introducing Bryant to thunderous applause.  “I think that the players were emboldened by the ring,” Jackson said. “I think they were excited about it, so that part of it, I thought was good. I just didn’t think we played with the right speed and tempo in the first half. We got a lot of shots, not a lot of them good.”

The Lakers hung in with scoring from Bryant and Gasol, and Blake hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the final minute of the third quarter to trim Houston’s lead to five points entering the fourth.  Brown’s layup put the Lakers ahead 88-86 with 9:08 left near the end of the Lakers’ big run, but Houston took a 108-107 lead with 53 seconds left. Gasol and Scola traded baskets before Blake came open on the perimeter and confidently drained his third 3-pointer.  “It feels great to contribute in your first game, but it’s even better to win in your first game,” Blake said.  Sign up for Lakers News Alerts at LakerBuzz.com

Selected by the Lakers with the 43rd pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Ebanks, a 20 year-old early entry candidate out of West Virginia University, played two seasons for the Mountaineers, averaging 11.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 69 games. 

Ebanks was named to the Big East All-Rookie and All-Tournament team as a freshman and selected All-Big East Third Team as a sophomore, the 6’9” forward posted 16 career double-doubles at West Virginia and led the team in rebounding during each of his two seasons.

Additionally, Ebanks started all five games for the Lakers 2010 Summer League entry in Las Vegas, averaging 15.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 33.3 minutes.

Watch Shannon Brown Alley-Oop from Pau Gasol Game 6 NBA finals

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW5BDtEQimY

With all of the talk about Wade, Bosh, and LeBron taking less money to play together, a guy like Shannon Brown is taking a more significant pay cut. The big 3 in Miami may have left $50 million dollars on the table but they all signed contracts worth over $100 million each. They shouldn’t be in the poor house any time soon. The chance to win means more than cashing in for Shannon Brown.

The Lakers are pretty much set and ready to defend their championship. L.A. lost Jordan Farmar, Adam Morrison, Josh Powell, and D.J. Mbenga and replaced them with Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, Theo Ratliff, Derrick Caracter, and Devin Ebanks. Quietly the Lakers have had the best summer of any NBA team not not named Miami and Chicago. Article was written by Sherron Shabazz.  —Sign up for Lakers News Alerts!

Some might argue with me, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the Lakers now have the toughest team in the NBA.  Few would argue that last year they had the most talented team headlined by Kobe and Pau, but now they have enhanced their 2nd unit with very good defenders.  We added Matt Barnes and Steve Blake who are two gritty players who play solid defense and neither is afraid to shoot the 3, when called upon.  According to Ron Artest, “Barnes is tougher than nails Tougher than a penguin on steroids Tougher than Richard Simmons trying to take off his spandex.” Theo Ratliff certainly has had his day in the sun, but the 15-year veteran can still block shots and be counted on for 10-15 minutes if needed to. 

With Lakers draft picks, Derek Caracter and Devin Ebanks shining brightly in the summer league, it looks like the Lakers have their roster.  Laker’s free agent Shannon Brown is still a question mark for the Lakers, but it isstill  possible as Ebanks or Character could spend some time in the D-league. 

Let’s review the tough lineup the Lakers look to feature in the 2010-2011 season

1. Kobe Bryant -- Do I need to explain?

2. Ron Artest -- Ruthless lock-down defender who enjoys challenging opponents in every game.

3. Derek Fisher -- He proved in the playoff he still has something left in the tank.  Ask Ray Allen or Rajan Rondo if Fisher is still tough! Still pound for pound, he is one of the toughest guys in the league.

4. Pau Gasol - Ask Kevin Garnett why he was only able get 3 rebounds in game 7 of the Finals.  Ask Garnett if he still thinks Gasol is Soft…

5. Lamar Odom- Very underrated defender and great rebounder. When the game gets edgy, Odom usually wakes up and steps up.

6. Andrew Bynum -- His dedication was questioned in the past, but his willingness to play injured in the playoffs this year speaks volumes.

7. Luke Walton -- When is not injured he likes to tangle with oponents.

8. Steve Blake -- Gritty and unselfish point guard who plays solid defense and like to set up his team-mates to score.

9. Matt Barnes -- Very good defender who gets tougher every year. Not too many players have the balls to throw the basketball at Kobe Bryant’s face.

10. Sasha Vujacic -- Ever wonder why most opponents dislike Sasha?  This annoying international hoopster is not affraid to get in his competitors face.

11. Theo Ratliff -- This guy was once one of  league leaders in shot blocks and he has always put defense first.  Another guy who doesn’t back down to opponents

It is clear to me that the lakers have focused on solidifying their defense and 2nd unit this summer.  At this point, the Lakers are more focused on maintaining chemistry than adding talent.  With the Lakers overlooking free agents like Tracy McGrady and Larry Hughes saying they will play for the league minimum, it’s obvious the Lakers are more concerned with complimenting their roster on the court and inthe locker room.  The only question I have is -- - Are you ready for a 3-Peat Los Angeles?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm3H6Sck_PI

The Lakers also signed veteran center Theo Ratliffon Thursday.  Barnes announced earlier in the week he was signing with the Toronto Raptors, but a sign-and-trade deal that would have paid him $9 million over two years fell apart.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkXN-MqenAI

Ebanks, at 6’9″, 215 pounds, is a rangy, perimeter defender who can slash and cut.  Historically he’s a poor three-point shooter but in the early games of the Las Vegas Summer League, Devin has shown an improved stroke.  With an uncanny resemblance to former Laker Trevor Ariza, Ebanks may get the opportunity to play a similar role off the bench for the Lakers.  “Everybody says that [about Ariza] but I’m just trying to play like Devin Ebanks.  Everybody says I look like him and we but I’m just trying to focus on me,” said the Ebanks.

Caracter is a little undersized at 6’9″ but listed at 265 he’s got a lot of body despite losing a considerable amount of weight.  Derrick has been an NBA prospect since high school before struggling to live up the hype at the college level.  He’s looking forward to putting those days behind him.  “With a last name like mine, they’ll never forget about the character issues.  Some say it’s good; some say it’s bad,” said Derek.  “What’s most important is that my family and friends know who I am.  I just go out here and prove to these people that I’m here and I’m here to stay.  I just take one day at a time.”

Both Ebanks and Caracter have to make the squad.  As second-rounders, their contracts won’t necessarily be guaranteed initially by the Lakers.  “For second-round picks they played well.  That’s what summer league is for to see what they can do,” said Kupchak.  “A lot of times if they play well at summer league what that really means is that they’re worthy of an invitation to veteran’s camp.  So that’s what they’re trying to do right now, get invited to veteran’s camp and so far so good.”  After two hot shooting nights to start the summer, Ebanks has cooled some.  Through four games, he’s averaged 16.0 points on 41.4% shooting with 1.5 steals a game.
Caracter notched three straight double-doubles before breaking the streak on Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings.  Through four, Derrick has put up 16.8 points a night on 60.4% shooting with 9.3 boards and 1.5 blocks a game.  Right now Derrick is just focused on making it to and through training camp to the regular season with the Lakers.  “It starts off with finishing off strong the rest of my summer, getting invited to veteran’s camp,” said Caracter.  “Take one day at a time through the season and help in whatever way possible, whether it’s 15 seconds or 15 minutes -- try to help L.A. keep winning.”  Ebanks feels the same way. “I could have went higher [in the draft] but I’m happy I’m here.  I get a chance to play with the world champs -- hopefully I’ll make the roster.”  Kupchak is just happy that he has two prospects that have a real shot to make the squad, given L.A.’s draft position.  “They’re both high quality players.  It’s unlikely.  It’s kind of a function of where you’re drafted -- it doesn’t alwayswork out that way,” said Kupchak.  “Typically second-round picks have to work harder to make the roster -- so that’s what they’re going to have to do.”   Caracter wants to help the Lakers beat teams like the Miami HEAT.  He’s kept a close eye on the summer’s developments like the rest of the NBA. “You see guys now teaming up with each other just to get a ring.  It’s not an accident, those guys are like that.  It goes to show you that championships are important,” said Derrick.  “There are a lot of great players that are great but because they never won a championship, they were never held to a certain standard.”  By what they’ve shown so far in Vegas, both Ebanks and Caracter look promising.  Expect the Lakers to add both to the training camp roster in early October.  In the meantime they’ll just keep at it.  “Not settling.  Not settling for a little bit of success with what’s going on here,” said Caracter.  “Keeping my faith in God first and continuing to keep working hard and everything will fall into place.”
Article was written for HoopsWorld by ERIC PINCUS  Read the original article

The five-time NBA champion said he considered contract offers from several teams in the past two weeks after playing a key role in the Lakers’ championship repeat. He spoke with the Heat in South Beach last weekend, entertaining the prospect of running an offense for LeBron James Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, who all left free-agent money on the table to sign teammates of Fisher’s ability.The idea was enticing, but not enough to uproot his family and career from Los Angeles, where he has spent 11 of his 14 NBA seasons. “At the end of the day, there’s one person I could not turn away from,” Fisher said. “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.”  While Miami has commanded the basketball world’s attention in the past week, Fisher’s decision is the second positive development already in July for the Lakers’ ‘threepeat’ hopes: Coach Phil Jackson also decided to return for another season 11 days earlier.

Fisher likely isn’t bluffing about larger offers from other teams. The Lakers’ payroll already is stretched to the limit of the salary cap with the rest of Los Angeles’ veteran core signed to multiyear contracts, including Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest and Lamar Odom.  But Fisher decided he valued winning and consistency over a late-career cash grab—and the other time he left the Lakers for a big-money deal, he endured two miserable seasons in Golden State and one better year in Utah before returning to the Lakers in 2007.

Fisher first joined the Lakers in 1996, when Jerry West drafted the unsung guard from Arkansas-Little Rock and the franchise nurtured him into a consistent playmaker and occasional scorer. Since his return to Hollywood, he has started every regular-season game for the Lakers over the past three seasons. Fisher averaged 7.5 points and 2.5 assists last year. Although he sometimes struggles against quicker point guards, Fisher still has the veteran guile and poise necessary to perform at important moments—and that’s the quality Bryant values most in his longtime teammate.  “We’ve got to have him back,” Bryant said last month shortly after the Lakers’ victory parade. “Fish knows we need him, and we know we’ve got to keep him.

Fisher raised his game in the postseason, starting all 23 games and averaging 10.3 points and 2.8 assists to help the Lakers win their second straight title. He was particularly effective in the Western Conference semifinals against Utah’s Deron Williams, and he largely matched the efforts of veteran Steve Nash(notes) in the conference finals against the Phoenix Suns.  Fisher’s return means the most significant parts of the Lakers’ championship roster will return this fall. General manager Mitch Kupchak now must hunt for bargains and unsung players to fill in the gaps on his bench, which wasn’t particularly deep last season.

Los Angeles let free agent Jordan Farmar leave for New Jersey on Monday after signing Steve Blake last week. Blake, likely to be Fisher’s backup, is overjoyed to join a talented veteran team, while Farmar is convinced he should be an NBA starter after four inconsistent seasons with the Lakers.  High-flying backup guard Shannon Brown opted out of his contract to become a free agent, but says he hopes to stay with the Lakers.