Walton Surgery
Luke Walton had surgery to remove bone spurs and scar tissue as well as clean up cartilage debris from the right ankle that bothered him the majority of the season.
The recovery process is expected to take six weeks, which would be the last week in August, giving Luke plenty of time to be right for training camp in October.
Full Press Release
Turiaf a Warrior
As was widely suspected, the Lakers did not match the lucrative offer sheet extended to Forward Ronny Turiaf meaning that #21 will be suiting up as a member of the Golden State Warriors next season.
All the things Turiaf brings to a team can not be summed up in the 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, but the dollars (a reported $17 million over 4 years) were just too much.
Ronny becomes apart of the new look Warriors who acquired free agent Corey Maggette after losing face of the franchise point-guard Baron Davis to the Clippers.
Ariza Working Out
Forward Trevor Ariza visited the team’s training facility this afternoon to get some shots up and run a few drills.
Since the season ended Trevor has been focusing on strengthening the ankle that caused him to miss time during the season and relaxing, recently returning from a trip to the Bahamas.
Contract Status: Restricted free agent
During stretches last season, Turiaf was arguably the Lakers’ most reliable player off the bench as the forward-center averaged seven points and four rebounds in 19 minutes of play. However, after Bynum went down with injury, Ronny was forced to play as an undersized center until the team traded for Gasol. The shifting of positions limited Turiaf’s game on both ends of the floor as he was often matched up against players that were much larger and taller than he. Still, only so much blame can be extended on the former Gonzaga player as Ronny was easily the Lakers’ most reliable big man off the bench.
If Ronny is back with in the purple and gold uniform next season, he figures to benefit greatly from the return of Bynum at the five spot. While he’ll no doubt be relied upon to back up Andrew from time to time, Turiaf should see more playing time at his much more natural four spot. Last season, Ronny came into camp with an improved outside shot—even drawing comparisons to Horace Grant. However, this offseason, Turiaf would be wise to work on his rebounding game after averaging only 1.4 a game in this year’s playoffs.
… in the 2008 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select…..
Barring any trades that will be the only time you hear NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver speak the Lakers name (Silver normally announces the second round picks after David Stern wraps up the first round).
The Lakers first round pick this year was conveyed to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the deal that landed Pau Gasol. Thus the Lakers hold only the third to last pick in the draft, a situation that has made it tough on the front office in trying to evaluate players.
“Because we don’t have a first round pick, agents will say, ‘Well why are we going to send him to work out for you when you don’t even have a pick.’ So it’s difficult for us,” explained General Manager Mitch Kupchak. “We really have to scramble to get players to come in, we have to look at a lot more tape and film, and then we have to travel to workouts to hopefully see these players.”
Good fortune has found the Lakers in the second round. Key bench contributors Luke Walton and Ronny Turiaf were both drafted after Stern had left the stage.
Continue reading ‘And With the 58th Pick…’
In his exit interview Center Chris Mihm expressed an intent to exercise his player option, giving the Lakers ten players under contract.
Those ten players are:
Kobe Bryant
Andrew Bynum
Pau Gasol
Derek Fisher
Jordan Farmar
Luke Walton
Lamar Odom
Vladimir Radmanovic
Trevor Ariza (exercised player option to stay with the team)
Chris Mihm (when he exercises his option)
They also have two restricted free agents in Ronny Turiaf and Sasha Vujacic.
When talking to the media last week General Manager Mitch Kupchak took a “they’re ours to lose” approach to the pair.
“Both players are restricted free agents, so we can’t lose either player. Ultimately it will be our choice if a player did not return,” said Kupchak.
Under NBA rules a restricted free agent’s original team has the right to match any offer extended to him during the free agency period. The Lakers will also have to look at luxury cap considerations when deciding who to bring back. The team is projected to be over next season’s luxury tax threshold and would have to pay a dollar-to-dollar penalty for money spent over the limit.
The following players from the 2007-2008 playoff roster are unrestricted free agents:
Ira Newble
DJ Mbenga
The Lakers hold the option with Coby Karl and he is expected to play for the team’s entry in the Las Vegas Summer League.
With free agency looming, Ronny Turiaf said that he hopes to remain a Laker next season, but understands that it is a business decision for both parties involved.
With the team’s Finals loss to Boston still lingering, the energetic big man said that his recovery process had been aided by the presence of his mother. According to Ronny, this season brought about a great deal of adversity for the Lakers, with injuries, trades and changing lineups all taking their toll on the team that finished with the Western Conference’s best record. Through the many challenges, Turiaf said that this Lakers squad maintained a special family-like bond of its own–a relationship that he hopes to continue building in the future.
Looking ahead to the upcoming offseason, Ronny said he plans on working on his rebounding ability, overall game and his conditioning, noting that he wants to return next season in even better shape than he was before entering the NBA Draft.
With Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals set to tip off tomorrow night, the Lakers talked about some of the matchups they’ll see against San Antonio.
As always with the Spurs, the conversation centered around former NBA Finals MVP Tim Duncan and what the team has to do to slow the center down.
“We’ve tried not to have to double team against Tim in the past knowing that so much of their offense relies on three point shooting from the perimeter and he’s a good passer that really breaks down the defense too,” said Coach Jackson. “But, there are always extenuating circumstances; people get in foul trouble and you have to start doing something to protect players to help your team out so there’s a chance we may have to double team him.”
Jackson said that the Lakers will initially throw Gasol at Duncan, adding that he expects the Spurs to go inside to Tim early and often.
“Without a doubt, he’s going to have to play him (Duncan),” said Jackson. “They’ll see what it’s like, they’ll test it out early to see if they can create a foul situation. That’s not unusual in that situation. We’ll probably do the same thing.”
Continue reading ‘Lakers Talk Matchups Against Spurs’
The Lakers nearly lost a 19 point lead in the second half, but were able to stop the Jazz when it mattered most en route to a 109-98 victory in Game 1 of the teams’ best of seven Western Conference Semifinals series. Kobe Bryant led the way for the Lakers with 38 points on 8-16 from the field, including 21-23 from the foul line.
Pau Gasol (18 points) and Lamar Odom (16 points, 9 rebounds) both had strong games for the Lakers, with the Spaniard pulling down a team-high 10 rebounds. As a team, L.A shot 45% from the field, but held the Jazz to just 38%, including a sub par 4-19 from behind the three point line. Derek Fisher had a stellar defensive game, stealing the ball six times.
“We just played hard for 48 minutes,” said Turiaf. “We stayed focused even though they had those runs, we weathered the storms and I think we did a good job staying together. Not getting mad at each other and I think when you pass the ball, share the ball you put yourself in the situations.”
Continue reading ‘Game 1: Lakers vs. Jazz Post-Game’
Ailing forward/center Ronny Turiaf, who was not even present in the building for Game 2, is ready to go for Saturday’s Game 3 contest.
Turiaf was able to eat and regain some of the strength that he lost while suffering a sore throat that caused him to lose 11 pounds.
“I feel alright. I’m ready to go,” said Turiaf.
Phil Jackson didn’t express the same confidence, but expects Ronny to be on the court today.
“I don’t know if he’ll lead them in cheers coming out of the locker room and going out to the court, but he’ll be able to play he says.”
Ronny Turiaf may have looked “slow and lethargic” on the court today, but according to Coach Jackson, he hopes to have Ronny be active for Game 3. “I thought he got a sweat today and I think he looks better.” Jackson noted. “He says he feels better.”
Turiaf has lost 11 founds due to the illness.
Before tonight’s game against the Nuggets, Coach Jackson said that Ronny Turiaf will not play tonight as he is still not feeling well.
Turiaf will not be present at STAPLES Center tonight with Jackson revealing, “He’s going to be back home, recovering, hopefully getting ready for Friday.”
In his absence, Jackson said that D.J. Mbenga–recently diagnosed with bruised ribs–will likely see playing time tonight, with Chris Mihm another option at center.
RSS Feed
