Los Angeles Lakers Wiretap

Tomjanovich Misses Game With Stomach Virus

While Kobe Bryant was able to take a seat courtside to cheer his Lakers teammates on Sunday against the Charlotte Bobcats, the news wasn't quite as good for Lakers head coach Rudy Tomjanovich, who was forced to miss the game with a stomach virus.

The Lakers won the game 101-90.

"Having Kobe over there was definitely a plus," forward Lamar Odom said. "We needed to win, by any means. It was our longest losing streak of the year, so of course it felt good. Chris Mihm played really well tonight, and we needed a game like that from him. He was all over the boards, blocking shots -- he was everywhere."

Frank Hamblen, the only holdover from former coach Phil Jackson's staff, guided the team in Tomjanovich's absence.

"I'm used to seeing Rudy jumping around and being vocal out there, so it was it was strange not seeing him," Mihm said. "But Frank did a great job. He commanded a presence. He kept guys under control, made subs when he needed to and made sure we didn't panic out there."

Via ESPN


Kobe Bryant To Miss At Least Nine More Games

The Lakers have stated that Kobe Bryant is expected to miss as many as nine more games because of a severely sprained right ankle.

Bryant, who was injured Jan. 13, already has sat out six games and could miss four home games and a five-game road trip that begins Feb. 6, Lakers spokesman John Black told the Los Angeles Times for Friday's edition.

"As of today, it's unlikely that he'll play on the trip," Black told the paper. "We maintain hope that he'll be back soon. He's a fast healer compared to most people, but that was a severe sprain."

Via ESPN


Bryant Accuser Dealt With Tabloid Publications

According to Kobe Bryant’s attorneys, the woman accusing the Lakers’ star of rape reached a money settlement with the owners of The Globe and other tabloids that printed her picture and stories about her hotel encounter with Bryant.

The woman has denied the claim, saying Bryant is trying to shift responsibility away from himself.

L. Lin Wood, an attorney representing the woman, did not immediately return after-hours phone messages Thursday. Calls to tabloid publisher American Media Inc., based in Boca Raton, Fla., went unanswered Thursday evening.

Via CBS4 Denver


Lakers Jan 2005 Archive

  • Bryant Will Be Out Two More Weeks, If Not Longer

    It now seems that Kobe Bryant may not be back with the Los Angeles Lakers until after the All-Star break, on Feb 22.

  • Bryant Hearing Set For Feb. 2

    With both attorneys bickering over the rules for witness interviews and whether the NBA star will be able to blame the emotional distress of his accuser on others, the accuser and accused are gearing up for the Feb 2nd hearing.

  • Malone Is Closer To Retiring

    Karl Malone will decide on his future in the next week or two and is moving closer to retirement, his agent, Dwight Manley, said Monday.

  • George Close To Returning To Lakers Line-Up

    Devean George is close to coming back from off-season surgery on his left ankle, a return delayed more than two months because of complications in his left leg.

  • CT Scan Confirms That Kobe Bryant Has No Fracture

    A CT scan confirmed there was no fracture on the right foot of Kobe Bryant.

  • Kobe Placed On IL, Out At Least 5 Games

    The Lakers will be without their anchor for at least the next 5 games due to a severe ankle sprain.

  • Kobe Bryant Badly Sprains Right Ankle, X-Rays Negative, MRI On Friday

    Lakers star Kobe Bryant sustained what the team called a severely sprained right ankle midway through the first quarter of Thursday night's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers and had to be helped off the court.

  • Lakers Defeat Minnesota, Make 16 3-Pointers

    In a rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals, the L.

  • Kobe's Accuser Won't File Civil Suit In California

    An attorney for the woman accusing Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant of rape said on Sunday that she wants a public airing of her lawsuit in Denver federal court as promptly as possible.

  • Shaq: "This Guy (Wade) Is On The Same Planet That I'm On."

    Shaquille O'Neal continues to speak highly of Dwayne Wade in comparisons to Penny Hardaway and Kobe Bryant, with whom the center had tempestuous relationships with.

  • Bryant's Attorneys Accused Of Delaying Civil Trial

    Attorneys for the woman who accused Kobe Bryant of rape say his defense team is requesting to interview news media organizations that covered the case for the sole purpose of delaying her civil trial.

  • Vlade Has Back Surgery, Out About Three Months

    Vlade Divac underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc Thursday and is expected to miss about three months.

  • Bryant's Jersey Sales Plummet

    Kobe Bryant's once popular number 8 Lakers jersey has plummeted down to #72 for the month of December, according to point-of-sale data tabulated by a Florida market research firm.

  • Terry Nearly Perfect In Win Over Lakers

    Jason Terry was 9 of 10 from the floor and made all 5 of his attempted 3-pointer in Dallas' win over the Lakers

  • Bowen Holds Kobe To 17, Scores 25 Of His Own

    Bruce Bowen scored a career-high 24 points and helped limit Kobe Bryant to 17 as the San Antonio Spurs defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 100-83 on Tuesday night.

  • Cooper Receives Warm Welcome In LA

    Former Laker Michael Cooper received cheers and chants of “Coop” during the pre-game introductions on Sunday for his return to Staples Center as the newly appointed Nuggets head coach, however the former Laker star was not as nostalgic as one might think.

  • Kobe Scores 40+ Points For 3rd Consecutive Game Against Denver

    For the 3rd consecutive game Kobe Bryant scored more than 40 points, as the Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets by a final score of 99-91.