Changes are brewing for this Lakers team with rumors of certain players making their exits to other teams or becoming free agents. Tuesday and Wednesday’s exit interviews proved telling as each player got to sit down with Mitch Kupchak and Mike Brown before meeting with the media. For a video recap of the events, click here, or check out my low down right now.
Bynum: Bynum talked much about wanting to remain a Laker. But, he also understands that basketball is a business and if he gets traded he would play anywhere he went with the same vigor and passion. Lastly, Bynum addressed his season stating that he thought he played well despite reports on his consistency.
Gasol: Gasol came to the table with a somber expression, understanding that there may be a possibility he would get traded for next season. He affirmed, though, that he wants to stay a Laker, and found his facilitator roll this season a little much for him to handle. Gasol plans to work hard this summer with the Olympics.
Mike Brown: Arriving with a smile, Brown discussed his faults during this year, saying how the shortened season affected his ability to get to know the players as well as he would have liked. Brown also talked about how he thought the entire Lakers team “gave him everything;” the team was at where he thought they could be at, but overall, he was still disappointed with this season.
Mitch Kupchak: The question on everyone’s mind as Kupchak took his seat was whether or not change was going to take place. Stating that without winning this season, and not being where the Lakers has hoped, yes some change would occur, especially when it came to those players who would become free agents. Mitch was impressed, however, with Mike Brown and the coaching staff, praising what they accomplished with the time they were given.
And for those of you curious about this year’s Lakers Nation Report Cards, you can find those here, or click the links below.
Andrew Bynum
Metta World Peace
Matt Barnes
Kobe Bryant
Steve Blake
Jordan Hill
Ramon Sessions
Pau Gasol
Mike Brown
The season is over, and I am sure many of you are asking, what do I watch now? If you’re like me, you’ll be rooting for the Kings to take the Stanley Cup and the Dodgers to keep having one of the best records in the MLB. And, don’t forget, summer equals the start of college football. But just in case you miss basketball too much, we do have the Olympics this summer where you can root for team USA. So don’t worry; there are plenty of L.A. sports teams to keep you pumped until the start of the 2012-2013 season.
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Lakers Nation News
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Bynum’s Off Court Issues Worsening?
Lakers News
Lakers to Pursue Andre Iguodala [Silver Screen and Roll]
On World Peace’s Exit Interview [Forum Blue and Gold]
What Drives Kobe and His Dwindling Inner Circle [ESPN]
Lakers Roster Options are Limited [LA Times]
Which Lakers Earned Their Paycheck [Silver Screen and Roll]
Kobe Bryant and the Lakers’ Uncertain Future [Yahoo Sports]
Bynum and the Evolution of His Running Style [The Classical]
Lakers Position Needs: Where Do They Need Players? [OC Register]
Some Big Questions About Lakers Future [LA Times]
Lakers Exit Interviews: Future Up in the Air [Silver Screen and Roll]
NBA News
Is Shaq Magic’s New GM? [Pro Basketball Talk]
Iverson Delivers Ball Game Before Game 6 [NBA.com]
Reliance on Garnett Creates Dilemma [Yahoo Sports]
Lamar Odom Wants to Play for Knicks [Pro Basketball Talk]
Larry Bird’s SOFT Label for the Pacers [SLAM Online]
Jrue Holiday Edges Celtics, Forces Game 7 [ESPN.com]
Show of Hands: Harden or Wade? [Shaky Ankles]
Heat’s Haslem Suspended for Game 6 Due to Flagrant Foul [NBA.com]
Udonis Haslem and Dexter Pittman Suspended for Flagrant Fouls Against Pacers [Yahoo Sports]
Lebron James Bracing for More Hard Fouls Against the Pacers [ESPN.com]
Iverson: “I Want to Play Basketball So Bad” [Eye on Basketball]
Olympic Basketball Schedule Released [Pro Basketball Talk]
