Laker News

"It's all my about my health," said Divac, 37. "I can probably play a year or two like this, but I won't be me out there. I don't want to cheat basketball. They asked me about my back and I told them honestly that it's not where I want it to be. Any time I try to work hard, it bothers me a little bit. When you feel that way, it's probably time to stop."

One of the first European players to have an NBA impact, the Yugoslavian-born Divac averaged 11.8 points over 16 seasons with the Lakers, Charlotte and Sacramento. He was replaced on the Laker roster by Adam Parada, a 7-foot center from UC Irvine.

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So, who or what could possibly surprise us......Ronny Turiaf. Not under contract and still recovering from his heart surgury, Ronny paid his own way to be there. He showed up at camp, and even though he was unable to run with the team, he shot baskets on the side line, flashed a smile and told everyone that he will be back, maybe even this season.

Ronnie was a fan favorite during his years at Gonzaga University. Then, when he began to work out with the Lakers during the summer leagues, he became a fan favorite with the Lakers as well. With his great attitude, what he possibly lacks in skill he more than makes up for in hustle.

If Ronnie were healthy and available for training camp, its possible you would not have seen Corrie Blount signed at the last minute to join the Lakers. JamFan

On media day Kobe discussed the changes he has made for this year. Kobe, no longer the HumV, is now a sleek Corvette Stingray. This off season he altered his workout, reducing his weight to 215, and increased his wind sprint workout to create the speed of a point guard and the stamina to prevent fading in the waning moments of a game. He is now leaner and hungry. He wants to be able to run all day and have the strength to be there and make that game winning shot. As Mohammed Ali would say "He wants to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee."

It makes you wonder if Kobe also has become a student of the history of the game. Some of the old timers of the game claim that the shooters of the 60's, 70's and early 80's were better shooters on a percentage basis because they didn't bulk up so much with weightlifting. All you have to do is look at old footage of classic NBA games and you can see that it is true. Nobody would have called Rick Barry or Jerry West "Mr. Muscle." Next Kobe will also be wearing the short shorts. Nah. JamFan

Blount, an 11-year NBA veteran, most recently played for the Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls during the 2003-04 season, averaging 4.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 62 combined games including three starts.

Selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 25th pick in the first round of the 1993 NBA Draft, Blount was originally acquired by the Lakers in 1995 and in 199 games with Los Angeles from 1995-1999, averaged 3.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in 14.6 minutes.

The signing of Blount sets the Lakers preseason roster at 20 players. Training Camp opens tomorrow, October 4 at the University of Hawaii’s Stan Sheriff Center.

Arenas said he got a phone call Sunday night from Brown, who offered an explanation for inflammatory comments that appeared in Sunday's Washington Post.

"He called me and said everything was misconstrued, and I accepted it," Arenas said Monday at the Wizards' media day.

Brown, now with the Los Angeles Lakers, burned his Wizards bridges several times over in the Post interview, but his most severe accusation was aimed at Arenas. Brown told the paper that Arenas was to blame for Brown getting little playing time in Game 3 of the second-round playoff series against the Chicago Bulls.

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At first, Bynum was afraid to bang bodies with a legend. But now he's surprised and appreciative of the 58-year-old Abdul-Jabbar's ability to work with him on the court.

"Since he can still play a little bit, he'll actually show you exactly what he means and how to do it," Bynum said.

A little bit? It's a measure of the affinity Abdul-Jabbar must have for his pupil that he lets a kid who is exactly 38,387 points behind him get away with such a remark — and even adds to it.

"Very little," Abdul-Jabbar said. "Emphasis on the little."

He's teaching Bynum the art of the sky hook. Bynum's footwork is there, now it's a matter of putting more arc into the shot.

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