RealGM Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers Wiretap

Lakers Want To Keep Vujacic And Turiaf

The Lakers are looking to keep both Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf in town, according to The Los Angeles Times.

They don't have the cap space to sign any big-name players, but the Lakers still want to retain both Vujacic and Turiaf. They are both restricted free agents, meaning L.A. can match any offer sheet they sign with another team.

"A lot of it's going to depend on the progress we make with Sasha and Ronny," Kupchak said of what other moves they might make. "I think we feel if we can bring those two players back, and we get Trevor [Ariza] and Andrew [Bynum] back, we'd be happy going into training camp with that group. If we run into a roadblock . . . then we'll have to look in other directions."

Via The Los Angeles Times


Kobe Bryant Won't Discuss Shaquille O'Neal

Kobe Bryant is taking the high road and will not respond to the sledging handed to him by former teammate Shaquille O'Neal in a recent rap, the L.A. Times are reporting.

"I didn't take it any kind of way whatsoever," Bryant said Saturday, before declining to take any more questions on the topic.

Via L.A. Times


Artest Will Opt Out?

Ron Artest will exercise his Kings' option to become a free agent, according to Pete Vecsey of the New York Post.

He also reports that the Lakers, Spurs, and Mavericks are the teams that will be most interested in him.

Via New York Post


Lakers Jun 2008 Archive

  • Sheriff Wants Shaq's Badges Back After Kobe Rap

    Shaquille O'Neal has been asked to give his special deputy's badge because of the language used to mock former teammate Kobe Bryant in a rap video recently.

  • Kobe Putting Off Surgery To Play In Olympics

    Kobe Bryant decided to put off surgery on his injured hand in order to play for the United States at the Olympics in Beijing later this summer.

  • Shaq Rap Rips Kobe

    It looks as though Shaquille O'Neal is not quite over the rift with former Laker teammate Kobe Bryant.

  • Ariza Exercises Option For '09

    Trevor Ariza will be back with the Lakers next season after exercising his player option.

  • Lakers Look At Changes Next Season

    Could Lamar Odom be the Lakers' starting shooting guard next season?

  • Could Richard Jefferson Become A Laker?

    Could the Lakers trade Lamar Odom to the Nets for swingman Richard Jefferson?

  • Pau: Just Wait Until Next Year

    Pau Gasol insists that things will be a little different for the Lakers next season.

  • Vujacic, Turiaf Hope To Remain In L.A.

    Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf hope to remain a part of the Lakers' bench rotation next season.

  • Kobe: 'I'm Comfortable With What We Have'

    Kobe Bryant left the Lakers much happier with where the team is this year than he was last year, saying that he is happy with whatever Mitch Kupchak decides this offseason.

  • Lakers Will Take Wait And See Approach On Bynum Extension

    Andrew Bynum can sign a five-year extension before Oct. 31 that keeps him under contract through 2013-14, a total of six seasons.

  • Game 6 Draws Best Finals Ratings Since 2000

    Game Six of the NBA Finals drew the highest NBA Finals rating in eight years.

  • Odom Likely Candidate To Be Traded

    After being shown up in the NBA Finals, could Lamar Odom's time with the Lakers be coming to an end?

  • Boston Fans To Kobe: You're Not Jordan

    The fans in Boston began a chant referring to the comparisons of Kobe Bryant to Michael Jordan.

  • Artest 99 Percent Sure He Won't Opt Out Of Contract

    Sacramento forward Ron Artest told ESPN.com that he's, "99 percent sure I won't opt out of my contract" this month to become a free agent July 1.

  • Banner No. 17 In Boston!

    The Boston Celtics won their seventeenth NBA Title after dominating the Los Angeles Lakers 131-92 on Tuesday night.

  • Ray Allen, Perkins Expected To Play In Game 6

    The Boston Celtics will regain starting center Kendrick Perkins for Game 6 tonight against the Lakers as Boston tries to win the championship at home.

  • Crawford, Rush And Salvatore Assigned Game 6

    The referees working Game 6 of the NBA Finals will be Joey Crawford, Eddie Rush, and Bennett Salvatore.

  • Vujacic: Celtics Play Too Rough

    Sasha Vujacic believes that the Celtics have been playing too rough through the first five games of the NBA Finals.

  • Lakers Say They're Far From Finished

    After losing big leads in the last two games, holding on for the win in only one, the Lakers still believe they are a chance to take out this years' NBA title despite having to win the last two games on the road.

  • Ray Allen Doesn't Travel With Teammates

    After having to leave the Staples Center early after Boston's game 5 loss due to heath concerns with one of his children, Celtics' guard Ray Allen did not travel with the team back to Boston on Monday.

  • Celtics Encounter Travel Woes

    The Celtics became the third team during these playoffs to have travel problems with Boston's charter plane experiencing mechanical problems in L.A. on Monday.

  • Allen Skips Postgame Presser For Family Matter

    Ray Allen was not available for the post-game press conference following Los Angeles' Game 5 win on Sunday night due to health concerns with one of his children.

  • Shoulder Strain Keeps Celts' Perkins Out Of Game 5

    Kendrick Perkins' strained left shoulder kept him out of Game 5 on Sunday night and may also keep the Celtics' starting center out out of Game 6, as well.

  • Jackson Has No Desire To Coach U.S.

    Lakers' Head Coach Phil Jackson has no desire to coach the U.S. Senior National Team at the 2012 Olympics.

  • L.A. Sends Finals Back To Boston

    The Lakers weathered a pair of Celtic storms on Sunday night to earn a 103-98 win in Game Five and send the NBA Finals back to Boston.

  • Gasol Vows To Be More Aggressive

    Pau Gasol has vowed to be more aggressive against the Celtics in Game Five on Sunday night.

  • Celtics' Perkins Confident He Will Play

    Boston center Kendrick Perkins is confident he will play in Game Five on Sunday night as the Celtics look to secure the NBA Title.

  • Kobe Not Feeling Pressure, Says Finals 'Ain't Over'

    The L.A. Lakers play a do-or-die Game 5 later today.

  • Perkins Favoring Shoulder At Practice

    Despite favoring his strained right shoulder, Celtics' big man Kendrick Perkins says he still hopes to play in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

  • Kobe Criticized For Drinking Comment

    Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant has been criticized for telling reporters following the team's Game Four loss that the best way to deal with the defeat was to drink it off.

  • Phil Tries To Motivate Kobe Following Loss

    Lakers' Coach Phil Jackson is trying to motivate Kobe Bryant following the team's historic collapse in Game Four on Thursday night.

  • Ratings Spiked As Boston Charged Back Late In Game 4

    Fans who turned off their televisions when the Lakers got off to a big lead in Game 4 returned to the game as Boston began making their improbable comeback.

  • Tendinitis Bothering Odom During Finals?

    The tendinitis in Lamar Odom's knee has flared up during the NBA Finals against the Celtics.

  • Down 24, Celtics Rally To Beat Lakers

    The Celtics rallied from a 24-point deficit to beat the Lakers 97-91 on Thursday night to take a 3-1 series lead.

  • Rondo Expects To Play In Game Four

    Rajon Rondo expects to play on Thursday night in Game Four of the NBA Finals.

  • Finals Ratings Increase 52% From Last Year But Trail 2004

    The ratings have not come close to matching those from the 2004 NBA Finals between Detroit and the Lakers.

  • Vujacic Playing Himself Into A Raise?

    Sasha Vujacic's strong postseason is making it more of a lock that he can make much more than $2.6 million.

  • Celtics Cite Jet Lag For Struggles

    Many of the Celtic players are blaming jet lag after the six hour flight from Boston and Los Angeles for their struggles in Game 3.

  • Celtics' Rondo Misses Practice With Ankle Injury

    While he has no intention of missing Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Celtics' guard Rajon Rondo was not able to go through practice with his teammates on Wednesday because of the ankle injury he suffered during Game 3.

  • Kobe To Schilling: 'Go Yankees!'

    Kobe Bryant on Wednesday responded to Curt Schilling's negative web site comments with "Go Yankees!"

  • Could Magic Or Lakers Court Arenas?

    It is widely believed that Gilbert Arenas will re-sign with the Wizards after officially opting out on Tuesday, but the Lakers and Magic could court the guard.

  • Donaghy Docs Allege Refs Altered Playoff Games

    Disgraced ex-referee Tim Donaghy alleged in a filing made in U.S. District Court in New York on Tuesday that other referees have influenced NBA games as well as himself, including important playoff games.

  • L.A. Survives Game Three

    The Lakers won 87-81 on Tuesday night to pull within a game of the Celtics despite trailing midway through the fourth.

  • Phil Jackson Will Not Be Fined

    Phil Jackson will not be fined for the critical comments he made about the officiating in Game Two on Sunday.

  • Jackson: 'Odom Was Confused'

    Lakers' Coach Phil Jackson said that forward Lamar Odom was confused in Game Two against the Celtics on Sunday night.

  • Lakers Complain About Refs After Game Two

    The Lakers aren't sure why referees seem to be calling so many fouls on them through the first two games of the NBA Finals.

  • Cassell Sprains Wrist In Game 2

    Celtics' reserve guard Sam Cassell sprained his wrist during the second quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night.

  • Celtics Survive Giant Scare To Take 2-0 Lead

    Boston streaked to a 2-0 series lead in the NBA Finals on Sunday night after defeating Los Angeles 108-102, despite letting a 24-point lead vanish in the fourth quarter.

  • Rivers: Perkins Will Be Ready To Play

    Celtics' center Kendrick Perkins will be ready to play in Game Two of the NBA Finals on Sunday night despite an ankle sprain.

  • Lakers-Celtics Final Boosts TV Ratings 38 Percent

    The Lakers-Celtics matchup in Game One of the NBA Finals gave the league's television ratings a big boost.

  • Phil Jackson: Paul Pierce No Willis Reed

    Phil Jackson is not buying the whole Paul Pierce miraculous comeback story in Game 1, questioning the legitimacy of the severity of Pierce's pain.

  • Pierce Says Great Chance He'll Play In Game 2

    Paul Pierce said on Friday that there is a "great chance" he'll be in uniform when the Celtics and Lakers battle in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday.

  • Pierce: I Had To Get Back Out There

    Paul Pierce came Boston's rescue in the third quarter of Game One of the NBA Finals on Thursday night despite a sprained knee.

  • Governors Make 'Chowder Vs. Salad' Finals Bet

    Massachusetts' Governor Deval Patrick and California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made a friendly wager on the outcome of the NBA Finals.

  • Boston's Big Three Lead Celtics To Game 1 Win

    Garnett scored 24 points, Pierce finished with 22, and Allen added 19, as the Celtics defeated the Lakers 98-88 in Game 1 of the NBA finals on Thursday night in Boston.

  • NBA To Auction Off Game-Worn Finals Jerseys

    The NBA announced on Wednesday that it will auction online the jerseys worn by the players during two games of the Finals this week between the Lakers and Celtics.

  • Bosh Gets Job With 'The Tonight Show'

    Toronto forward Chris Bosh has landed a gig with NBC's "The Tonight Show" as a special NBA Finals correspondent.

  • Tony Allen Gets Through Full Workout

    Boston reserve guard Tony Allen made it through a full workout with the team on Tuesday.

  • Bird: Pierce Has To Win A Title

    Larry Bird thinks Paul Pierce needs to win a title in order to be considered one of Boston's greatest players.

  • Van Gundy Sees Lakers Dynasty

    Former NBA coach and current ABC analyst Jeff Van Gundy believes that the Lakers are about to begin another dynasty.

  • Allen Denies Any Issues With Bryant

    Celtics' guard Ray Allen has denied that there is any ill will between him and Lakers' star Kobe Bryant.

  • Celtics' Tony Allen Doubtful For NBA Finals

    The Boston Celtics may be without guard Tony Allen for the NBA Finals against the Lakers.

  • Ranking The Best Players Of The 2008 Playoffs

    Which players have played the best through the Conference Finals?

  • Lakers 38% Better When Kobe Isn't A High Volume Shooter

    The Lakers were 38% more likely to win during the regular season when Kobe was not a high-volume shooter and their offense was more balanced.

  • TNT's Ratings Up 25% For Western Finals

    This year the Western Conference Finals averaged a viewing audience of 4.2% of U.S. households.

  • WhatIfSports Simulates 2008 NBA Finals 10k Times

    Our friends at WhatIfSports.com have simulated the 2008 NBA Finals between the Celtics and Lakers 10,000 times in order to determine the likelihood of either team winning it all.

  • Shaq: 'My Name Will Be Remembered'

    Shaquille O'Neal told a Chicago radio show on Thursday that he will be remembered upon his retirement.

  • Celtics Bump Red Sox An Hour Earlier

    The Red Sox will start their game against the Rays on Thursday night one hour earlier to allow Boston fans to watch Game One of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and Lakers.