Allanon
05-21-2008, 02:11 AM
Snippets from the LA Times.
The $10,000 thanks to teammates
The Lakers were enjoying their dinner at a South Bay restaurant, each receiving a $9,800 watch as a gift from Kobe Bryant, when reality hit.
The Lakers got together again to view a playoff game, this time watching the Spurs finish off New Orleans.
At the restaurant, Bryant gave each of his teammates a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch as thanks for helping him win the most valuable player award. Then the Lakers went their separate ways, knowing what awaited them Wednesday in the opener of the Western Conference finals -- defense, defense, tradition and more defense.
The Weapon
Forward Trevor Ariza, who hasn't played since Jan. 20 because of a broken bone in his right foot, finished a scrimmage at Monday's practice with an eye-catching reverse dunk. He is expected to return to game action at some point in the West finals.
"He looked good today," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. "There's still some recognition skills [where] he's re-orienting himself to what we do. His speed and athleticism is always a factor. He runs the lanes. His defense is aggressive. There's a lot of things that Trevor does naturally that are very beneficial to team play at both ends of the floor."
Having Trevor back is going to be huge. Ariza Highlights for the doubters
_p6MpMn47mE
DLTJ5AptyPs
The $10,000 thanks to teammates
The Lakers were enjoying their dinner at a South Bay restaurant, each receiving a $9,800 watch as a gift from Kobe Bryant, when reality hit.
The Lakers got together again to view a playoff game, this time watching the Spurs finish off New Orleans.
At the restaurant, Bryant gave each of his teammates a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch as thanks for helping him win the most valuable player award. Then the Lakers went their separate ways, knowing what awaited them Wednesday in the opener of the Western Conference finals -- defense, defense, tradition and more defense.
The Weapon
Forward Trevor Ariza, who hasn't played since Jan. 20 because of a broken bone in his right foot, finished a scrimmage at Monday's practice with an eye-catching reverse dunk. He is expected to return to game action at some point in the West finals.
"He looked good today," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. "There's still some recognition skills [where] he's re-orienting himself to what we do. His speed and athleticism is always a factor. He runs the lanes. His defense is aggressive. There's a lot of things that Trevor does naturally that are very beneficial to team play at both ends of the floor."
Having Trevor back is going to be huge. Ariza Highlights for the doubters
_p6MpMn47mE
DLTJ5AptyPs