http://my.lakers.com/blogs Stay up to day with the latest news, updates, and press conferences from your Los Angeles Lakers. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:19:21 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en A statement released on Thursday evening from Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak: We have entered into discussions with Ron Artest and it is our intention to sign him to a contract at the conclusion of the moratorium period. The free agency moratorium period started on July 1, when free agents were allowed ... http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2009/07/02/mitch-kupchak-statement-on-ron-artest/ Kobe Bryant did not opt out of his current deal and remains under contract with the Lakers for two more seasons, according to Lakers spokesman John Black. The Finals MVP will once again have an option to opt out of his contract at the conclusion of the coming 2009-10 season, ... http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2009/07/01/bryant-opts-not-to-opt/ Power forward Josh Powell and center D.J. Mbenga will remain on the Lakers' roster for the 2009-10 season after L.A. opted not to terminate their respective non-guaranteed contracts by the July 1 deadline, according to Lakers spokesman John Black. Powell and Mbenga each had a year left on their contracts, and ... http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2009/07/01/powell-mbenga-back-for-2009-10/ Rookie guard Sun Yue currently has one year left on his two-year, non-guaranteed deal with the Lakers, and according to team spokesman John Black, L.A. has until August 1st to decide whether or not to terminate his contract. In the meantime, Sun said in his exit interview that he's deciding whether ... http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2009/07/01/sun-yue-update/ When you watch "Forrest Gump," it takes just a few seconds to realize that Tom Hanks can do a bit of acting. Observe President Obama give a speech, tune in to see Albert Pujos hit a baseball or listen to Jay-Z perform one of his songs, and your conclusion makes itself ... http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2009/06/30/wait-shannon-brown-doesnt-lift-weights/ Up next in our run of post-championship locker room series is Shannon Brown, who came to the Lakers midseason from Charlotte before realizing his childhood dream. I'm really numb, to be honest. My teammates were holding me back telling me not to cry. It's just something you work so hard for. ... http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2009/06/29/in-the-championship-locker-room-brown/ It's already been 15 days since the Lakers used a 99-86 drubbing of the Orlando Magic to win the franchise's 15th NBA Championship. A lot's happened since then, including the NBA Draft, exit interviews, the comical premiere of "Real World Cancun" (year 22?!) and even the melancholy passing away of ... http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2009/06/29/in-the-championship-locker-room/ The Lakers selected Chinemelu Elonu from Texas A&M (via Nigeria) with the 59th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. A 6-10 junior, Elonu was drafted after the Lakers traded the draft rights to Patrick Beverley - whom they'd selected at No. 42 - to the Miami Heat for a ... http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2009/06/25/lakers-conclude-draft-with-chinemelu-elonu/ A quick transcription of Mitch Kupchak's initial reactions after L.A. traded its first pick (29) and took Patrick Beverley*** (who played in Ukraine this past season) with its second (42). Kupchak talked about why L.A. traded the pick (for cash and a future second rounder) and addressed the move in ... http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2009/06/25/mitch-kupchaks-initial-draft-reactions/ Here's a release from USA Basketball detailing Trevor Ariza's invitation to Team USA Mini camp in Las Vegas: Twenty-five top rising NBA players have accepted invitations from USA Basketball to participate in the 2009 USA Basketball Men's National Team mini-camp that will be conducted July 22-25 in Las Vegas, Nev. The ... http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2009/06/25/ariza-invited-to-team-usa-mini-camp/