News 'n Views - Aug 2016: ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne Talks Expectations in LA (Video)
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 7:14 am    Post subject:

There is nowhere to go but up for the Lakers
by Grant Goldberg - lakersoutsiders.com

GO INTO THIS UPCOMING SEASON WITH AN OPEN MIND AND YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED.

Throughout the last three seasons, the Lakers have been riddled with injuries and questionable coaching decisions. They have been ridiculed during their time at the bottom of the league. With 65 wins out of 246 games, the Lakers have been in their darkest days of their historically great franchise.

That is going to change. It will, but (In my best DJ Khaled voice) patience is a major key. Change won’t come overnight, as we’ve seen over the last three seasons. And it will continue to be an uphill battle. But the Lakers are on that uphill road with Luke Walton behind the wheel, not on the downhill skid with Byron Scott not braking for anybody.

65 wins in 246 tries is abysmal – the rock bottom for the Purple and Gold. But we shouldn’t be looking at the win total next year. Not because it will be low in all likelihood; but this year, quality of play will tell much more about this team than wins will.

Walton’s likability and modern coaching style will better allow him to tap into each player’s outstanding qualities. Better spacing will open things up for D’Angelo Russell’s spot-up shooting and passing vision. The transition heavy tempo will allow Jordan Clarkson to show off his athleticism, along with Julius Randle and Larry Nance, Jr.Walton’s likability and modern coaching style will better allow him to tap into each player’s outstanding qualities. Better spacing will open things up for D’Angelo Russell’s spot-up shooting and passing vision. The transition heavy tempo will allow Jordan Clarkson to show off his athleticism, along with Julius Randle and Larry Nance, Jr.

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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 7:15 am    Post subject:

Jordan Farmar On What To Expect With Luke Walton As Head Coach (Video)
by lakersnation.com
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 7:16 am    Post subject:

Ivica Zubac could be solid long-term piece for Los Angeles
by Gary Kester - sbnation.com

Ivica Zubac showed plenty of potential in Lakers Summer League play, but a surplus of big men could hinder his impact as a rookie.

After an extremely long, dreadful 2015-16 campaign finally came to a close for the Lakers, it was obviously time to upgrade the roster. Of the most critical upgrades necessary were the small forward and center positions, and heading into the 2016 NBA Draft, virtually everyone knew that one of those would be addressed by Los Angeles selecting Brandon Ingram with the second-overall pick. With the No. 32 overall pick, many expected the Lakers to take a big man, although they went with one that flew in under the radar.

Enter Ivica Zubac. The 19-year-old Croatian big man was a surprising pick, but one that garnered the Lakers plenty of praise from several international scouts who believed he very easily could have been selected much higher in this year’s draft. Although he was a bit of an unknown, Zubac became a fan favorite as soon as he stepped in front of a microphone, talking about his childhood that included being a die-hard Lakers fan. Having a last name that is basically its own nickname generator doesn’t hurt either.

As easy as it is for Lakers fans to like Zubac off the court, he delivered a pleasant surprise with his stellar play on it through the 2016 NBA Summer League. In the five games Los Angeles played in Las Vegas, Zubac logged 23.2 minutes per game, averaging 10.6 points on an astounding 64.7 percent shooting to go along with 7.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks.

The big man provided a skill set that appeared far more advanced than his age might suggest. Offensively, he was patient down on the block when he looked to score, doing an adequate job of surveying the defense before going to work in the post. On multiple occasions, he even flashed his ability to step away from the basket and knock down a midrange jumper off the catch.

Zubac showed excellent touch with his jump hook after using his 7-foot-1, 265 pound frame to create separation. He also used that strength to help free up his guards with great contact on screens in pick-and-roll action, though his quickness in regards to rolling to the basket could use a little work.

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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 7:18 am    Post subject:

Larry Nance Jr. raises more awareness about Crohn’s disease
by Mark Medina - insidesocal.com

Soon enough, the Lakers informal practice will likely lead to highlight reels. It could range anywhere from high-flying dunks, forceful blocks or hustle plays.

Those will likely come from one energetic force: Lakers second-year forward Larry Nance Jr.

“I’m going to be bouncing off the walls,” Nance said. “I’m serious.”

The reasons may not just stem from Nance wanting to build off his promising rookie season as the Lakers’ 27th overall pick. It might go beyond Nance’s excitement from training without any limitations after nursing a sprained right wrist in the Lakers’ Summer League finale.

Nance will also be less than a day removed from receiving an infusion of Remicade, which he has taken every 7 ½ weeks ever since he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 16. That treatment often lead to some early naps. But Nance also compared his later reaction to the medicine toward what the “Popeye” character felt after eating spinach.

“It’s not fair,” Nance said. “I feel like I have super human strength.”

That became the crux of Nance’s message when he spent Wednesday afternoon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. As he received an infusion, Nance made several visits with about 25 children that either had Crohn’s disease or another inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Later on, Nance joined some of those children at the hospital’s basketball court,while also signing autographs and posing for pictures.

“The biggest thing I say is you do have a disease, but it’s a disease you can make work around your schedule,” Nance said. “You can do it. I’m sitting proof that once you get it figured out, make your disease work around you.”

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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 7:19 am    Post subject:

Lakers add Casey Owens to Luke Walton’s coaching staff
by Harrison Faigen - silverscreenandroll.com

Los Angeles continues to build their coaching staff.

The Los Angeles Lakers added former Los Angeles D-Fenders head coach Casey Owens to their coaching staff, according to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. Owens led the D-Fenders to the D-League Finals last season, where the team lost in three games to the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

The D-Fenders were fourth in the league in offensive efficiency under Owens as the team played a pass-happy, fast-paced style last season. What role he’ll take with the Lakers remains unclear, but Owens was universally well-regarded by his players and those in the D-Fenders’ organization. The team bonded strongly in the playoffs on their run to the finals as the four-seed, having to win on the road in each of their series to advance.

Walton actually once served as a player development coach with the D-Fenders under Owens, and he now gives his former boss his first NBA call-up after Owens served as Jesse Mermuys lead assistant with the Lakers’ Las Vegas Summer League team.

Owens' former D-Fenders point guard Josh Magette thinks his old coach can help the Lakers.

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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 7:23 am    Post subject:

NBA season preview: Los Angeles Lakers

http://hoopshype.com/2016/08/16/nba-season-preview-los-angeles-lakers/
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 2:08 pm    Post subject:

lakerjoshua wrote:
Once the season starts. I petition that Lakers outsiders not be considered news.


Not the only ones, too.
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 2:16 pm    Post subject:

pio2u wrote:
Master’s Degree Candidate Tarik Black Follows in Father’s Real Estate Footsteps

Quote:
In July—the same month he re-signed with the Lakers for two years, $12.85 million after going undrafted in 2014—Black attended the NBPA’s second annual Real Estate Symposium. And this month, he participated in the NBPA’s second annual Business, Entrepreneurship and Franchising Symposium.

Black, 24, was the youngest player by far in both programs. He discussed why he’s already preparing for life after basketball.


http://nbpa.com/masters-degree-candidate-tarik-black-follows-in-fathers-real-estate-footsteps/



I haven't seen him play much but i always like what I read about the guy's personality and character. This is really interesting and in some depth. Anyone reading this - can you fill me in on his weaknesses? As I recall, he is a hustler, active, jumps quickly and good teammate.
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 4:08 am    Post subject:

focus wrote:
lakerjoshua wrote:
Once the season starts. I petition that Lakers outsiders not be considered news.


Not the only ones, too.


Co-sign
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 6:33 am    Post subject:

2Cleva wrote:
focus wrote:
lakerjoshua wrote:
Once the season starts. I petition that Lakers outsiders not be considered news.


Not the only ones, too.


Co-sign


Random articles are fine as long as it doesn't contain rumors and trade talk. I always wanna hear what others think about the team rather it's negative or positive.
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 7:04 am    Post subject:

"Ivica Zubac alone cannot save this franchise, contrary to popular belief. A Huertas-Calderon backcourt, despite all the star power, won’t win 74 games by itself. The Yi Jianlian signing may have fans thinking a championship is in the immediate future, but we need to temper those expectations. Things take time."

Some great August stuff! Hahahaha
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:00 am    Post subject:

Luke Walton makes more tweaks to coaching staff
by Mark Medina - insidesocal.com

The changes to the Lakers’ coaching staff has not just involved Luke Walton replacing Byron Scott.

Walton has also mostly replaced Scott’s staff with his own assistants. The Lakers announced on Friday that Walton will have Brian Keefe, Jud Buechler, and Theo Robertson as player development coaches. Casey Owens will be the Lakers’ assistant coach and advance professional scout after serving as the head coach for the D-Fenders, the Lakers’ Development League affiliate. The Lakers also promoted Will Scott as the team’s video coordinator after previously serving as an assistant coach/video coordinator for the D-Fenders (2015-16) and video coordinator for the WNBA’s Sparks (2014, 2015).

The Lakers had already named Brian Shaw as associate head coach, as well as Jesse Mermuys and Mark Madsen as assistant coaches.

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:02 am    Post subject:

Julius Randle Will Prove The Doubters Wrong
by Hannah Kulik - lakersnation.com

It is easy to forget that Julius Randle is only 21 years old. Compared with other young players on the Los Angeles Lakers, he has a quiet, stable maturity to him. He is not rumored to be dating a Kardashian like Jordan Clarkson nor does he get himself into hot water in assorted ways like D’Angelo Russell. He was recently engaged to his college sweetheart, and the picture he posted afterward is one of the few times anyone in Los Angeles has seen him smile.

But no one should confuse the facade with what lies beneath the surface, an intense basketball player with a burning desire to be great. For those who underestimate him, beware, Randle is gunning to prove he is one of the best power forwards in the NBA and here’s why you shouldn’t bet against him.

Randle entered the league with a chip on his shoulder after dropping to seventh in the 2014 NBA Draft due primarily to concerns about a previous foot injury. He was a three-time Texas state champion in high school, rated the second best prospect in the nation by Rivals.com after averaging 32.5 points and 22.5 rebounds per game his senior year. He then starred for one season at the University of Kentucky, where he often played like a man among boys while averaging 15 points and 10.4 rebounds per contest. He set the University of Kentucky freshman record for double-doubles, besting a mark that had been shared by two players who have done pretty well in the NBA, DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis.

Many seem to have forgotten, so it bears remembering that Randle was no ordinary high school or college star, he was a special talent by any measure.

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:05 am    Post subject:

Lakers Reportedly Sign Zach Auguste
by Austin Green - lakersoutsiders.com

The Los Angeles Lakers have yet again added to their frontcourt after reportedly signing Chinese big man Yi Jianlian last week. Zach Auguste, who played for the team’s summer league squad, has reached a deal to remain in purple and gold according to Eric Pinus of Baskeball Insiders:

I hear the Lakers have a deal with Zach Auguste, who played for the summer league squad, haven't gotten word on terms
2:33 PM - 21 Aug 2016


Auguste was a fan-favorite in college, spending all four years playing for Mike Brey at Notre Dame. The big man averaged 10 points per game and had plenty of highlight-worthy plays:

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 2:39 pm    Post subject:

Kobe starts $100 million investment fund

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The fund, known as Bryant Stibel, is being co-managed by investor Jeff Stibel. The two met through mutual friends, Stibel said.
Bryant Stibel has already made investments in 15 companies, including LegalZoom and home juicing company Juicero, according to their website. The firm was founded in 2013, but is going public now with the retirement of Bryant from the Lakers.
Stibel said the firm is focused on companies at all stages of growth.


http://www.nba.com/2016/news/08/22/kobe-bryant-venture-capital-fund.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 6:58 pm    Post subject:

pio2u wrote:
NBA season preview: Los Angeles Lakers

http://hoopshype.com/2016/08/16/nba-season-preview-los-angeles-lakers/


Quote:

STRENGTHS: Super interesting young nucleus with the likes of D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle … They ooze with talent and have been surrounded with heady veterans like Luol Deng and Jose Calderon, who should bring much-needed mentorship, professionalism and experience to that locker room … Deng has had a lot of success transitioning for the small forward to the power forward spot … They are in a pretty good spot in terms of quickness and athleticism … New culture under Luke Walton, who will probably see more eye-to-eye with the team’s young players … They can’t possibly be as dysfunctional as they’ve been in the past few years.

WEAKNESSES: They are not in win-now mode … The first season after the Kobe Bryant era should be about developing young talent … There will be a lot of mistakes borne out of inexperience … Bad decision-making plagued the team last year and there will be a lot of that this season too … Having so many players looking to establish themselves in the league typically doesn’t translate into unselfish play … Defensive effort and focus can only improve, but you can count on the Lakers being one of the worst clubs in the NBA in those areas … Not that they have great defensive personnel, anyway, especially at the guard positions … Not enough shooters, although they will probably hit more than 31.7 percent of their three-point attempts this time … Can Timofey Mozgov succeed where Roy Hibbert failed? … Based on his recent injury problems, perhaps not.


What I like about the roster
1) The team has drafted six lottery talents in the past drafts and five of them will be in the regular rotation
2) Four solid veterans are added to form a balanced 9-men rotation

Dislike
1) The remaining players, except for Zubac, have a low ceiling. To make things worse, they have low floor too.
2) The team ties about one third of their cap to Mozgov/Deng for four years. If you add the extension for Randle/DLo, the team will have only two summers left to improve in free agency.
3) Because they will most likely lose two of the next three 1st rounders, assets are limited to improve via trade.

Note:
If hoopshype is right about the salary numbers, the team must have faith in Zubac to give him guaranteed three year contract at more than the minimum. Black for 6M is still a puzzle to me, and his second year is guaranteed too?
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 1:30 am    Post subject:

Los Angeles declares August 24th ‘Kobe Bryant Day’



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Among his astonishing list of accomplishments, Kobe Bryant’s 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers ranks him No. 1 all-time for NBA players who played for a single franchise, and ‘Kobe Bryant Day’ is the City of Los Angeles’ way of thanking him for his single-minded dedication to excellence, the fans and the entire City and region of Los Angeles,” said L.A. City Councilmember José Huizar. “For 20 years, we were all the beneficiaries of Kobe’s incredible talent and legendary work ethic, and on 8-24 we’ll gather to say, ‘Thank you, Mamba.’”

It should be a nice couple of days in a row for the Mamba, with his birthday being on the 23rd of this month. Nice birthday gift, Los Angeles.


http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2016/8/22/12597474/los-angeles-to-name-8-24-kobe-bryant-day

https://lakersoutsiders.com/2016/08/22/los-angeles-declares-august-24th-kobe-bryant-day/


http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2659277-kobe-bryant-day-declared-by-los-angeles-city-council?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 3:07 pm    Post subject:

Potential Position Logjams to Watch - Lakers

Lakers Overfill Frontcourt Void
Quote:
Perhaps the most glaring hole on a 2015-16 roster full of questionable parts was the Lakers’ starting center position. Beyond all the madness and rotation uncertainty, the Lakers simply didn’t get much positive play from their centers regardless of who former coach Byron Scott put down low. From Roy Hibbert to Tarik Black to Robert Sacre to even undersized Brandon Bass, L.A. struggled to find a viable answer at the position most nights.


http://www.basketballinsiders.com/potential-position-logjams-to-watch/
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 7:39 pm    Post subject:

Kobe Versus The NBA
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Across his 20-year, 1,566-game career, Kobe Bryant has produced some of the most legendary moments in Lakers — and NBA — history. No team truly avoided the strike of the Black Mamba, who had at least one extraordinary triumph over each other franchise.

http://www.nba.com/lakers/kobevsthenba
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 10:13 am    Post subject:

5 Reasons For Los Angeles Lakers Fans To Be Optimistic In 2016-17

Quote:
Coming off a miserable 2015-16 campaign, the Los Angeles Lakers have nowhere to go but up–which is why fans everywhere should be excited about this season’s outlook.


http://hoopshabit.com/2016/08/25/los-angeles-lakers-5-reasons-optimistic/
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 9:28 pm    Post subject:

Luke Walton has been getting advice from Kobe Bryant since becoming Lakers head coach

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"He's someone I've called multiple times since taking this job to pick his brain,” Walton told Chris McGee of Time Warner Cable Sportsnet of Bryant’s support. “He's someone I know will be there for me if I need him to be, so to have his support and encouragement in developing a young team, with the fans being patient with us is big."


http://sports.yahoo.com/m/7a0dd9bd-1b93-372e-ae94-6b6694bb06e0/ss_luke-walton-has-been-getting.html
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 7:38 am    Post subject:

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne Talks Expectations in LA (Video)
by Shereen Rayan - lakeshowlife.com

EPSN 710 reporter Ramona Shelburne talks with the Lake Show Life about expectations for next season in Los Angeles


With Lakers’ forward, Tarik Black coaching her, Ramona Shelburne recently played in the ESPNLA 710 All-Star Celebrity Game earlier this month. It was great fun for a great cause as the funds raised from the game benefited the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund for The V Foundation.

Ramona played some great defense during the game, likely due to the fact that she was indeed a college athlete. She played outfield for the Stanford Cardinal softball team from 1998-2001, and her athleticism showed during the game. The guys totally underestimated her, something we’re sure they regretted each time she blocked a pass.

We previously brought you interviews with play-by-play man John Ireland and TWC Sportsnet sideline reporter Mike Trudell, as well as Tarik Black to share their thoughts on the Lakers and the influence head coach Luke Walton has had so far on the organization.

In this interview, Shelburne talks about what it means to be relied upon to be the source for Lakers’ news saying, “If I am going to put my name on something, then I make sure I feel pretty good about it.”

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PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 7:39 am    Post subject:

Brandon Ingram will show enough flashes to tantalize Lakers fans
by silverscreenandroll.com

Los Angeles’ shiny new lottery pick will try to make an immediate impact in his rookie season, but the purple and gold faithful should focus their expectations on growth over results.

A year after selecting D’Angelo Russell with the second overall pick, the ping pong gods smiled upon the Los Angeles Lakers and allowed them to keep their top-three protected pick. They were fortunate enough to select second in a consensus two-pick draft, taking Duke product Brandon Ingram.

At 6’9" (6’10"? he’s still growing!) and around 195 pounds, Ingram still needs to add muscle to his frame in order to withstand the pounding of the modern NBA. On the other hand, he has already demonstrated the kind of potential that had NBA fans drooling in the lead-up to the draft while averaging a strong but not eye-popping 12.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 27 minutes during Las Vegas Summer League.

As he develops, Ingram’s ceiling is limitless. Due to his length, wiry frame and size, he has commonly (some might say relentlessly) drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant throughout the draft process. Ingram may carry a similar competitive fire to KD, but their games were quite different upon entering the league. Durant was already an elite offensive player, averaging nearly 26 points and 11 rebounds a night while dominating his college competition. For his part, Ingram averaged a respectable 17 points and seven boards, but made his living on the defensive end, where his college accomplishments dwarfed Durant's.

That’s good news for Lakers fans, who have been hoping to find an athletic defender to guard the likes of Durant and Kawhi Leonard for years to come. In the short-term, Ingram may be outmuscled in the post, but his length and closing speed will enable him to compete on that end of the court. Although his contributions will be more limited on offense, Ingram should develop into a versatile playmaker and solid shooter over time, given that he shot over 40 percent from three in his lone season at Duke last year.

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PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 7:41 am    Post subject:

D’Angelo Russell poised to ascend under Luke Walton
by Will Reeve Jr. - todaysfastbreak.com

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t whiff on D’Angelo Russell when they selected him second overall in the 2015 NBA draft. In fact, he’s far more likely to be a star in the NBA than most dare imagine.

A look at his humble stat-line from the 2015 season (13.2 points, 3.3 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game on 41 percent shooting, 35.1 percent from outside the arc), could tempt one to draw the conclusion that he’s not a dynamic enough player to ever justify his No. 2 pick status — resist said temptation.

Others argue that Russell plays too slow and isn’t explosive enough to be an elite point guard in the NBA. Conjecture aside, the reality is that Russell plays under control for a young player, which is a great thing. Thus, he always appears to be going at around 70 percent and moves in a smooth, fluid fashion. When he needs to call upon explosiveness?

Yes, he also possesses plenty of that:

Just watch D'Angelo's Russell's vertical jump test. 30.5" standing vert. 39" max vert. Much better than expected.
1:18 PM - 1 Jun 2015


For comparison’s sake, Houston Rockets star shooting guard James Harden posted a 31.5″ standing vertical leap, with a 37″ max vertical in 2009 — two inches less than Russell. Both men are listed at 6-foot-5. Which is a fact that should yield much more discussion than it has to date in NBA circles.

Harden was listed at 218 pounds during his freshman year in college, and likely will always be thicker than Russell (195 pounds), but expect to see the second-year Lakers point guard fill out over the next 24 months. As it stands currently, the 20-year-old is already pretty stout for his position:

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PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 7:43 am    Post subject:

Why Minneapolis Lakers' loss to Globetrotters was so meaningful
by Johnette Howard - espn.com

The Harlem Globetrotters are seen today as an entertainment-first team that couldn't compete against the NBA's best in a legitimate competition. And if the Minneapolis Lakers are remembered at all beyond the Twin Cities, it's usually for being the NBA's first dynasty behind 6-foot-10 George Mikan or moving to Los Angeles in 1960 and establishing a winning tradition there.

But the basketball world was a dramatically different place when the all-white Minneapolis Lakers first played the all-black Globetrotters on Feb. 19, 1948. The exhibition was the opening game of a doubleheader that also featured the Chicago Stags against the New York Knicks in a Basketball Association of America game. A sellout crowd of 17,823 packed the old Chicago Stadium.

"Little did we realize it would turn out to be one of the most memorable basketball games of all time," Max Winter, the Lakers franchise's first general manager, told Minneapolis-based author Stew Thornley.

Segregation was finally on its way out in basketball. But the Lakers-Globetrotters series gave it one last shove.

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