Franchise

lalnkioski

Big thank you to the ones who show up for us season after season.

thank-you-lakers-fans

Thank You Lakers Fans

everybody-everything-every-time-playoff-basketball

Everybody. Everything. Every time. Playoff Basketball.

none

During halftime of Sunday's game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, Jordan Preciado of Whittier, Calif., won a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander by scoring 66 points in the Toyota Skills Challenge Finals.

Preciado competed against three other contestants tonight after qualifying based on scores from previous Toyota Skills Challenge Contests throughout the season.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The brand new 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was awarded courtesy of the Southern California Toyota Dealers.&nbsp;Toyota and the Lakers have team up together for over 47 years.

jordan-preciado-wins-2024-toyota-skills-challenge-finals

Jordan Preciado Wins 2024 Toyota Skills Challenge Finals

Michael Cooper has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, class of 2024.

Cooper was named to eight NBA All-Defensive Teams, taking home First-Team accolades five times and winning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1987. The former third-round draft pick (60th overall) out of the University of New Mexico spent his entire 12-year NBA career (1978-90) with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five championships while routinely matching up with the opponent’s top shooter.

The 6-foot-5 forward largely played as a sixth man and in addition to his defense was known for his knee-high socks and being on the receiving end of alley-oops from Magic Johnson. The Pasadena native played in more than 80 games in nine of his 12 seasons.

Following his playing career, Cooper entered the coaching ranks and earned WNBA Coach of the Year accolades in 2000 with the Los Angeles Sparks before winning back-to-back WNBA titles in 2001-02.

michael-cooper-inducted-into-basketball-hall-of-fame-2024

Michael Cooper Inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame

Jerry West has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2024 as a contributor. As General Manager, West totaled eight NBA championships in Los Angeles (1980, ‘82, ‘85, ‘87-88, 2000-02). West helped build the great Showtime dynasty, including drafting Magic Johnson and James Worthy, won Executive of the Year in 1995, and brought in Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and Phil Jackson between 1996 and 2000.

Jerry West was already enshrined as a player in 1980 and a member of the 1960 US Olympic Team in 2010.  In addition to his front office role with the Lakers, West played a role in the front offices for the Memphis Grizzlies, where he was again named Executive of the Year in 2004, Golden State Warriors, and LA Clippers.

West is the first member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to be inducted as both a player and a contributor.

jerry-west-inducted-into-basketball-hall-of-fame-2024-as-contributor

Jerry West Inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame as Contributor

Taylor Geas

“Shut up you haters, we’re on top right now. And we will be for a while.” - Lakers Gaming&nbsp;

On March 16, 2024, Lakers Gaming defeated Magic Gaming to become Slam Open Champions in the first 3 vs. 3 tournament of their season.&nbsp;

Now, more than a week later, amid week two of their second tournament, the Switch Open, they are still undefeated.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Even with this success, the week of practice preceding the tournament was concerning.&nbsp;

“It didn’t look, it didn’t sound good. It didn’t look good at all,” Shooting Guard, Dhwan White (ShiftyKaii) said. “But we kept working towards it, we fixed our communication, we fixed our gameplay. And then as we got closer and closer to the tournament, we realized we were getting better and better.”&nbsp;

Each tournament is three weeks, and each week is considered a round. The first week is seeding games while the second and third weeks are double elimination brackets, and by the end of week three, a champion is crowned.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In week one of the Slam Tournament, Lakers Gaming played the Warriors Gaming Squad, Blazers Gaming, Kings Guard Gaming, and Jazz Gaming. They went 4-0 and earned the top seed in the bracket for week two. They stayed undefeated through week two, beating Team Glitchy, a community (amateur) team.&nbsp;&nbsp;

That Saturday of the following week they were in the Finals and set to play Magic Gaming. This was their first series against them, and the loser was set to move down to the loser's bracket.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Lakers Gaming Center Veron Coates (YooVc) said how their game plan “is to always make the other team uncomfortable.” The series went to Game 5, with Magic Gaming falling from the winner’s bracket. Magic Gaming then faced the top team in the lower bracket, beat them, and had the opportunity for redemption against Lakers Gaming.  

It was Lakers Gaming against Magic Gaming again in the winner’s bracket, with the Lakers up 1-0 in the double elimination round. They needed one more to take it all but lost 1-3. Now 1-1, they had to face Magic Gaming for a third time that Saturday. It was win or bust.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Like the Lakers and ShiftyKaii, Magic Gaming’s strongest player is their guard. In an effort to disrupt everything Magic Gaming thought they knew about them, ShiftyKaii had be willing to share the ball, and his teammates YooVc and Arshia Karimi (Krazy) had to be willing and able to hit big shots.&nbsp;

Wondering how that game plan panned out?&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We swept them,” Krazy said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“3-0,” Guard Vincent Magnaldi added.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Yeaaaaah,” YooVo chimed in.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sweeps are rare in the 2KL because of the level of talent and the intricate details needed to secure a win: Best of 5 series. Games are to 21. Win by 2. But Lakers Gaming grabbed their first title in less than 20 minutes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I knew if we were going to beat them,” ShiftyKaii explained, “We’d have to give them our all. And we did.”&nbsp;

Winning this championship awarded the team $100,000 and qualified them for the Playoffs in May.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Most of the guys were aligned on saving their portion of the money, investing it and letting it grow. But Rookie Dvnxsty has other plans, “I’m going shopping: new going out clothes, some jewelry, probably get a necklace or chain or something.&nbsp;

That’s the difference between the vets and the Rookies,” he pointed out with a laugh.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Trell’s rookie year he bought shoes that glowed,” General Manager Matt Makovec pointed out and everyone broke out in laughter.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I made a lot of dumb purchases,” Trellyb said with a smirk.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Make no mistake though, it’s not always laughing and joking in this league.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Trash talk comes in different levels in the 2KL. Twitter trash talk is very prevalent. There’s trash talk in sub chats with no public access. Then there’s in-person game play where you’ll get a distinct advantage if you can break another player down.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The team is used to going to Washington DC and playing in person and trash talking in person. There, things can get incredibly heated.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“In person, it’s at its peak,” YooVc said. Charging the stage, swearing, threatening, etc. constitutes a fine. “If you say certain things, it will hit you over the head,” YooVc continued, explaining that one time in the Playoffs, 2KL officials worried he and an opponent were going to fight; he was hit with a $700 fine.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I like trash talking. …I like to hit them where it hurts, you know what I’m saying?” Trellyb added.&nbsp;

One time Lakers Gaming was facing 76ers GC, and they knew their center was getting traded so during the game Trellyb was telling him, “You’re gone after this game. This is your last time wearing these colors.” The team explained how you get distinct advantages if you can break an opponent down and how primarily, trash talk is just in the moment. It’s to throw opponents off their game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

But sometimes, as Krazy put it, “Sometimes I don’t like somebody.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The thing about trash talk is it only means something if you have the skills to back it up.  

Lakers Gaming is a team made up of highly intelligent players. They are dedicated to their craft; Krazy, YooVc, and ShiftyKaii play three scrims (scrimmages) together every day, solely focused on improving their shooting. Dvnxsty explained how there are ways to get better outside of merely playing. He prides himself on being a good shooter and he explained how there’s a point in the jump shot where when you release the shooting button, it’s a perfect release every time. It looks the same every time. However, the timing of the jump shot changes due to other factors including contesting, the preceding dribble move, etc. So, Dvnxsty takes a picture of the perfect jump shot to study and examines the form when it is a perfect release, giving him higher chances of replicating during game time.&nbsp;

And every player on the team can identify what archetypes their opponents are. Archetypes depict the players' play styles characterized by player behaviors. The team analyzes the statistics, patterns, and behaviors of their opponents in order to determine what each one is going to do, when, and how—and then they make high-IQ adjustments to stop them entirely.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The most rewarding part is waking up and getting paid to play the game every day.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“…it’s still hard work, I feel like people don’t think it’s hard work,” ShiftyKaii explained.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The job takes discipline and a desire to get better. And getting better can be brutal sometimes explained Head Coach Brian “Nacho” Traynor.&nbsp; The success of the team is rooted in player trust and open communication. Sometimes criticism and accountability can be ruthless, but it’s always for the betterment of the team.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“There needs to be a tough skin. There needs to be a tough skin because there’s a common goal,” Coach Nacho said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This is a squad that understands that; they have that. They genuinely care about one another and put team success before individual accolades. As mentioned above, this is the point in their season where the tournaments are 3 vs. 3, 5 vs. 5 will start in May, which means two players are on the bench right now. Krazy, YooVvc, and ShiftyKaii have been in the starting lineup and the guys that played in the championship.&nbsp;&nbsp;

But Trellyb and Dvnxsty were a part of the victory, a part of the win, their knowledge of the game, their encouragement, their energy. They all brought this ship home.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“To me,” Dvnxsty said, “it doesn’t feel like I won because I didn’t play but everybody else won.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Hey, we’re a team bro,” Trellyb declared.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Everyone’s always talking about changing the culture,” Trellyb continued, “We did that.”&nbsp;

At the conclusion of the interview, the team rose from their seats and made their way to the door but paused for a moment and looked back before leaving. They had one more message to share: They’ll be back in here again, for another interview—because more content, more praise, more success is coming.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“What we’re looking for is just to get respect as a franchise,” Makovec stated.   

give-lakers-gaming-their-flowers

Give Lakers Gaming Their Flowers 

The Los Angeles Lakers hosted an art exhibition at the UCLA Health Training Center practice facility Monday evening featuring 40 works of art across a broad range of media and materials from 14 Los Angeles-area artists of color.  &nbsp;

“It’s an honor to exhibit this beautiful art at our training facility,” said Los Angeles Lakers President of Business Operations Tim Harris. “Thank you to this year’s contributing artists who brought an exceptional level of emotion and energy to this exhibition. It’s a privilege to share your stories.” &nbsp;

More than 200 artists, collectors, fans and Lakers players and executives gathered for the exhibition, which explored the rich cultural landscape of Los Angeles, highlighting works of art that celebrate LA’s vibrant, individual communities and collective efforts. &nbsp;

“Since the very early days of Dr. Buss, the Lakers have always been about representing and reflecting the best of Los Angeles,” continued Harris. “We are proud to be a connection point in our city that brings together sports, entertainment, arts, culture and community.” &nbsp;

The exhibition is part of the Lakers In the Paint program, presented by DWS, that recognizes, supports and uplifts BIPOC artists in the Los Angeles community through in-kind funding and long-term programming.    &nbsp;

Through the program, the Los Angeles Lakers have acquired multiple works of art to display at the UCLA Health Training Center practice facility and front office to visually reflect and contribute to a diverse and inclusive workspace. This year, the players and staff selected six pieces by artists Jennia Fredrique Aponte, Sydni Peeler, Jacqueline Valenzuela, Edwin Marcelin, Alicia Savio and HK Zamani.   &nbsp;

The full In the Paint 2023-24 collection can be viewed online at bandofvices.com/itp2024. Net proceeds from the artwork sales benefit the artists and the Lakers Youth Foundation.  &nbsp; &nbsp;

Chosen by a selection committee, this year’s contributing artists include Jennia Fredrique Aponte, Christen Austin, Domonique Brown, Bryan Ida, Brandon Jones, Edwin Marcelin, Michael Massenburg, Khang Nguyen, Jora Nelstein, Sydni Peeler, Alicia Savio, Hedy Torres, Jacqueline Valenzuela and HK Zamani. 

An additional 10 up-and-coming BIPOC artists from the Los Angeles region will each receive a $10,000 grant on behalf of the Lakers Youth Foundation to elevate their artistic endeavors. These grantees will be recognized at the Lakers game Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. 

 The Lakers In the Paint program, presented by DWS, is in collaboration with LA-based arts and culture company Band of Vices. Support for the program comes from DWS, Bibigo, MGM Rewards and Hennessy.   

lakers-host-bipoc-art-exhibition-at-training-facility-022724

Lakers Host BIPOC Art Exhibition at Training Facility

Mike Trudell

The level of inspiration that Kobe Bryant provided in his twenty years as a Laker is hard to quantify.

When his statue was revealed following a poignant ceremony outside of&nbsp;Crypto.com&nbsp;Arena on Thursday afternoon, that inspiration was sure to hit Lakers fans, Kobe’s former teammates and especially his family in myriad ways.

“Kobe has so many people that have supported him all over the world from the very beginning, and this moment isn't just for Kobe, but it's for all of you that have been rooting for him all of these years,” said Kobe’s wife, Vanessa, in the anchor leg of five speeches honoring the Black Mamba. “To the fans here in LA, this is a special city. Kobe was so proud to represent. You welcomed him with open arms and have been so important to him, our family, and his legacy. It brings me joy to see how much love you have for all of us. We love you back.”

Kobe’s statue, standing 19 feet tall, portrays an image of No. 8 after he scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 22, 2006. Kobe was 27 years old in his 10th&nbsp;NBA season, at the midpoint of his spectacular, Hall of Fame career. Kobe is pointing up with one finger, an image that can be interpreted in many ways.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fellow Lakers and Hall of Fame legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who’s also represented in bronze in Star Plaza, offered some meaningful intuition.&nbsp;

“This statue may look like Kobe, but really it's what excellence looks like, what discipline looks like, what commitment looks like, what love of family looks like,” said the Captain. “We learned from him that the limits of what is physically possible can be expanded, given enough effort and enough heart. That was insight; that was Kobe.&nbsp;

“The statue is a wonderful contribution. It captures a person frozen in time, while at the same time acknowledges that the reason there is a statue in the first place is because that person is timeless. We're all here today to honor a man who represents not just extraordinary sports achievement but also timeless values that inspire us all to try harder to be not just better, but our best.”

Lakers CEO and Governor Jeanie Buss witnessed Kobe’s entire career, and reflected upon the massive impact he made upon the franchise that her father acquired in 1979, and loved so much.

“Trading for Kobe back in 1996 set this franchise and this city on a journey that was beyond our wildest dreams,” she said. “We all know the numbers tell a story: 20 years with one team, 33,643 points, 18 All-Star selections, a league MVP award, two NBA Finals MVPs, and the one that mattered the most to Kobe himself, five NBA championships.”

Current Lakers VP of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka was Kobe’s long-time agent, and very close friend. Pelinka reflected upon an emotional day by weaving together Kobe’s on-court play with his off-court persona.

“I was thinking of being in the presence of that statue and just how powerful it is,” said Pelinka. “Kobe was a social genius in that every moment of life was bigger than life itself. Whether that’s hitting the game-winning shot on the court, whether that’s being a dad to his daughter, whether that’s being a friend or a husband, he had just such a superhero ability to make moments bigger than they were.”

Vanessa Bryant noted that Kobe himself picked the pose, and then announced that there will be two more statues to come, one including Kobe and their beloved daughter Gianna, and one of Kobe wearing No. 24 in the latter stages of his career. She mentioned one particular detail that was important her: the inclusion of all four of their daughter’s names tattooed on Kobe’s arm. She also requested the inclusion of Kobe’s five championship trophies, some of his most prominent career accolades, a sheath QR code linking to memorable Kobe highlights, and even a nod to the triangle offense of Phil Jackson and Tex Winter.

“The amount of work that (Vanessa) did in perfecting his wish was really incredible,” said Pelinka. “Every detail was considered, and I just got to sit back as her older brother and be proud of how it all came together and how it looks. She’s a stickler for the details, and they were able to meet sort of the vision that Kobe wanted and she saw for the statue. Incredible day.”

Derek Fisher was drafted in the same year, 1996, and was by Kobe’s side for each of their five titles, but Fish focused first on Kobe’s family.

“Vanessa, thank you for allowing me to be here,” he said, looking ahead to her daughters, seated in the front row. “Natalia, Bianca, Capri: this is special. Your dad, as you know, and your husband, one of the greatest human beings, not just basketball players, one of the greatest human beings to ever walk this earth, and one of the greatest basketball players to ever touch a basketball.”

In 2007, the Lakers traded for Pau Gasol, and he not only helped Kobe get to three straight NBA Finals, and two championships, but also became extremely close with Bryant and his family.

“Just the impact that he’s had on so many people, the values that he shared,” Gasol told us on Spectrum SportsNet. “So many emotions. I was just so fortunate to be able to be on the same team, to have helped in some way enlarge his legacy, and I learned so much. He pushed me to be a better player, a better person overall, and obviously it’s very hard today not having him here in such an important, meaningful moment, but at the same time we are celebrating him and honoring him and his legacy, which goes beyond.”

Another Laker legend with a statue of his own, Magic Johnson, recalled what it was like for him to watch Kobe carry on the legacy as only he could.

“I am a Laker,” said Magic Johnson to us on Spectrum after the ceremony. “For me to come, every single night, to watch this young man play? Man! Just moment after moment, and you would go home always, every single game, saying, ‘I can’t believe he did that move,’ or ‘scored that many points’ … he made us just fall in love even more so with the Lakers, and with him. There will never be another Kobe.”

magic-johnson-interview-about-kobe-bryant-statue

Magic Johnson Interview about Kobe Bryant Statue

Jerry West, not only a Lakers legend himself with a statue close to where Kobe’s statue lies, also drafted Kobe in 1996 after trading Vlade Divać to Charlotte, while acquiring Shaquille O’Neal in free agency, leading eventually to three straight titles from 2000-02.

“The memory of what an incredible career he had,” reflected West after the statue reveal. “He was so diverse; a great personality off the court. Was obviously an incredible competitor with particularly great skill, and to think he played here for so many years, and people had the privilege of watching someone like him with Shaquille O’Neal, was pretty special.&nbsp;

“There are two different sides to athletes, some athletes that are incredibly competitive, and these special players show up every night. You don’t need to ask them to play, regardless of circumstances. He was one of those players, and again, on top of that, just incredible skill. The city of Los Angeles loved him.”

Kobe’s coach for all five of his championships, Phil Jackson, spoke of the early struggles as he attempted to reign in the incredibly strong desire Kobe had to be great, in order to maintain the proper flow within a team. Jackson even had Michael Jordan, whom Kobe modeled a healthy chunk of his game after, meet with Bryant after a game, only to watch Kobe say ‘I can take you one-on-one.’ And yet, Jackson concluded his message by citing the growth that he witnessed from Kobe, who matured into a leader of men.

“Jay Leno invited the team to go on the Tonight Show, and about seven or eight (players) came on … as Jay Leno was trying to make humor, he said, ‘Who's this guy that was never in a uniform, always dressed, that's sitting behind you right there,’ and Kobe said, ‘Don't make fun of Adam Morrison. He's one of our teammates. He puts in the work. He may not get to dress, but he puts in the work, and he's part of our team.’ Then I knew, that's when I was the proudest of Kobe.”

Long-time Lakers analyst Stu Lantz, who beautifully weaved together the speakers with introductions and conclusions, then looked to his right at Vanessa Bryant.

“I don't know if you remember this, Vanessa, but it was maybe the first year or second year that Staples opened, and we were in the family room, and I just commented to you about you should give a seminar on how to raise children,” said Lantz. “I had never in my long life met more well-behaved children than the Bryants. It was truly amazing. That discipline to do things of that nature obviously was within the family. Kobe was great at what he did. Vanessa, you're great at what you do.”

“I’ll leave you with one of my husband’s amazing quotes,” she offered: “Leave the game better than you found it. And when it comes time for you to leave, leave a legend.”