Laker News - Summer 2011

Summer time in our land and winter time
in N. Zealand and Australia yet they too
like keeping abreast of what is going on
with the NBA. One thing that is most
annoying to me is that it appears our
former Laker assistant coach, Kurt Rambis
has been let go from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
If this was a given, why on earth did they not
give him the opportunity to come back here and
coach our team when Phil Jackson retired?
Makes no sense to me but powers that be decreed
otherwise. Also, Spero Dedes declined the Lakers
offer to step in as their new T.V. play-by-play man
and is set to take the job with the New York Knicks
instead, industry sources say. The Lakers announced
Tuesday that Bill Macdonald would call games next
season on Fox Sports West and KCAL-Channel 9 partnered
with Stu Lantz. Dedes has worked with the Lakers radio
voice for the past 6 seasons & was first in line to
replace Joel Meyers when his contract was not renewed
last April. Macdonald stepped in for Joel who left to
do an NFL Playoff radio assignment. That was the night
that our Kobe Bryant scored a franchise-record 81 points.
Macdonald says he is humbled and thrilled. He grew up
listening to Chick Hearn & became a Lakers fan in the '60's.
He says "I just want to make the Lakers & the fans proud".
Time Warner Cable takes over the Lakers media package
starting in 2012-13 & will have a say then in who
broadcasts the games on T.V.
Lakers Derek Fisher, Players Association President, claims
as the leagues collective bargaining agreement expires
June 30th, we are still just really too far apart on the
largest issue of hard salary cap & some economic issues
as well. Though Commissioner David Stern refused to call
in his last offer, he said the "cupboard is getting barer
and barer". Meanwhile 15 yr. old WNBA is looking pretty good!!
More data later as it emerges this summer. Keep cool!
Babs Wells

It is Official!

Shaq, former Laker player, has decided to hang
it up after 19 seasons of NBA playing.
He has been dabbling in law enforcement so
it is just possible he may decide on another
career as such. We wish him well in his future
days no matter which way the path takes him.
Our new Lakers Coach, Mike Brown, told some
reporters recently while attending a news conference,
that "This is still his team (speaking of Kobe Bryant)
Kobe is Kobe. He has five titles and is one of the
greatest ever. His role will not change. We'll make
sure he'll have the ball in the sweet spots he likes
to have it. He has a great understanding of my
vision and he is on board".
Lakers general manager, Mitch Kupchak, has
no concerns about a clash. Matt Barnes was
at the news conference as well and feels
evidently, very good about this new coach
and says that he was very impressed with him.
"Mike Brown is coming into L.A., one of the
biggest markets, one of the best teams in
sports history. To carry himself the way he
did, and to answer all the questions and not
shy away from anything, to me, showed a lot
and I believe he is ready and just hope he has
thick skin".
Brown had a 272-138 record in five seasons in
Cleveland and guided the LeBron James-led
Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2007.
The Cavaliers also advanced to the Eastern
Conference twice. They did not win their
first NBA Championship however.
Barnes, by the way, has said that he would
exercise his $19 million option for 2011-12
to remain with the Lakers.
Lets' please not be judgemental but give
this new Laker Coach a chance. Okay?
Babs Wells