Archive for July, 2009
Lamar Odom re-signing recap
Lamar Odom’s re-signing presser took place earlier this afternoon in El Segundo, here are some highlights for you guys.
Later this afternoon, Lamar joined our partners at AM570 for an interview with Matt Money. Rather interesting conversation…
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Special thanks to David Vassegh for the Lamar Odom coverage.
On behalf of Lakers fans everywhere, it’s good to have Lamar Odom back. Let the drive for five begin!
Lakers will not pick up option on Sun Yue
Inside the Lakers: The Lakers have decided not to pick up their option on guard Sun Yue, according to his agent Charles Bonsignore.
The team was intrigued by the 6-foot-9 point guard from China, but due to its already-stiff luxury tax burden, and the depth on the team’s roster, both sides agreed it would be in their best interest to let Sun go and pursue other opportunities in the NBA.
“We really appreciated the opportunity the Lakers gave Sun and the way they approached the entire situation,” Bonginore said. “They were all class. But because of the depth on their roster, we both knew that even if he made the team there wouldn’t be a lot of opportunity to play. And the Lakers didn’t want to hold him back.”
Sun appeared in just 10 games for the Lakers as a rookie, but the coaching staff was said to be intrigued with his potential. On a team that won the NBA championship, with three other point guards on the roster, there wasn’t a lot of playing time to go around.
Continue reading ‘Lakers will not pick up option on Sun Yue’
Lakers call Leon Powe?
How will this guy who torched us in game two NBA Finals look like in a Laker uniform? Sound-off!
NBA.com: The Cavaliers are Leon Powe’s first choice for a new team, according to a source, with the Orlando Magic second. Dallas and the L.A. Lakers have also made inquiries about Powe, who suffered a third serious knee injury in Game 2 of Boston’s first-round series against Chicago.
Powe underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee a week later. The most optimistic scenario is a recovery time of six to eight months, with a February return the hoped-for date. But it’s not a certainty that Powe will sign with any of those teams.
Lamar Odom Press Conference at 2:00PM PST
The Lakers will be holding a live press conference today in their El Segundo training facility to announce the re-signing of Lamar Odom.
You’ll be able to view the press conference live on Lakers.com at 2:00PM PST.
Kobe’s Coattail Aint all That Bad
I love Odom and this is why…
L.A. Times: Odom said he didn’t want to leave Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Fisher and the rest of the Lakers, especially Bryant.
“Riding off Kobe’s coattail ain’t bad,” Odom said, laughing. “He’s got something special going around. I’ve got to be around. I’ve got to be one of the apostles. There was no way I was going to pass up playing with Kobe, Pau, Andrew and Ron-Ron.”
LD2k Video: “Candyman Is Back”
Title: Candyman Is Back!
Created By: LD2k (Video)
Length: 1:10
Size: 23MB
Type: MPEG-4 (HQ)
Play With: You can use Quicktime or VLC Player.
Odom talks about his return
Lamar Odom speaks about his return.
ESPN: “I always wanted to come back because we won the championship,” Odom told ESPN.com. “I’m playing for the biggest brand in the world. And I’m playing with the most fluid, talented center in the world in Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum’s coming back and of course Kobe Bryant.
“But to now get an opportunity to play with Ron Artest, a guy I’ve known 16 years, it means a lot. I told Ron Ron a few weeks ago I couldn’t walk away. I still had to fight. Everytime negotiations didn’t go the way I thought, I just took a step back, like them pulling the offer off the table, I just knew I had to fight.”
BREAKING NEWS: Odom, Lakers agree on deal; 4 year/33 million
UPDATE: ESPN 710 reported he declined a 5yr/40 mil deal to go to Portland; Give Odom props!
Welcome back the candy man! Can we think DYNASTY!?
ESPN: Free agent forward Lamar Odom will return to the Los Angeles Lakers, an NBA source said Thursday.
Odom will sign a four-year contract, with the fourth year at the team option, the source said. One source with knowledge of the talks told ESPN.com the four-year deal is worth $33 million if the Lakers exercise the final year of the contract.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak declined comment and Odom’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, did not immediately return a voice mail.
Odom’s signing was the most significant free agent move left to play out this summer, as it restores a pivotal piece to the Lakers’ championship team. The versatile, 6-foot-9 Odom averaged 11.3 points and 8.2 rebounds during the regular season and 12.3 points and 9.1 rebounds during the playoffs, despite injuring his back in a fall during the Western Conference semifinals against Houston.
Odom’s destination for the 2009-10 season had remained in doubt after the Lakers pulled an initial offer of a reported $27 million guaranteed over three years off the table. As the other franchises with significant salary cap space spent their money elsewhere, the Miami Heat emerged as a serious contender for Odom’s services. On Tuesday, the Portland Trail Blazers also got into the mix, offering a five-year, $40 million deal, according to a source close to Odom.
Odom coming back to Lakers (per League source)
John Hollinger of ESPN just posted this on his Twitter…
Twitter: A league source just told me Odom is going back to the Lakers.
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