A SEASON WITHOUT PRECEDENT LAKERS ENTER OVERLOADED WITH TALENT, UNCERTAINTY.Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer HONOLULU - The sun will rise over paradise this morning, casting a tropical glow across the most fascinating story in sports, and a blanket of tranquility over a summer of turmoil. In this surreal setting, a fallen icon will try to regain his standing, an aging warrior will seek out validation and a proud franchise will take a deep breath and hope for the best. The site is Oahu, but it might as well be Fantasy Island This article has multiple issues: * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It needs additional references or sources for verification. for the Lakers, who have packed an unusual amount of baggage for such a short stay. They have nine days here to plan for a season with no known precedent. Expectations have never been higher, and yet the troubles have never been greater for a team that has known both. The Lakers need a spiritual guide as well as a coach, and in Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson (born September 17, 1945 in Deer Lodge, Montana) is the current coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, an American professional basketball team. they have both, a Mr. Rourke in gym shorts Gym Shorts are an article of clothing typical worn by people when exercising. They are typically made out of cotton, or various meshes to allow maxium cofmort and ease. Brands such as Nike, Under Armor, and Reebok all make gym shorts. . While he lacks Ricardo Montalban's accent and all-white suit, Jackson exudes a similarly mystical air - the man who can balance dreams and drama. Only Jackson can provide security for a team under an unfathomable media siege. Only he can sow harmony from a roster heavy with Hall-of-Fame egos, or provide a safe haven 1. Designated area(s) to which noncombatants of the United States Government's responsibility and commercial vehicles and materiel may be evacuated during a domestic or other valid emergency. 2. for the charismatic superstar under criminal indictment. Only Jackson can welcome this odd assortment of personalities to the island and create the illusion that all is well with a few simple gestures and a warm greeting. ``Smiles, everyone. Smiiiiles.'' His guest list looks something like this: --Kobe Bryant, age 25: The Lakers' most dynamic player, the heir to Michael Jordan This article is about the former basketball player. For other uses, see Michael Jordan (disambiguation). Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17 1963) is a retired American professional basketball player. and for all intents and purposes Adv. 1. for all intents and purposes - in every practical sense; "to all intents and purposes the case is closed"; "the rest are for all practical purposes useless" for all practical purposes, to all intents and purposes , the face of the NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= , has become just another flawed hero. Charged with raping a 19-year-old Colorado woman, Bryant enters this season fighting for his life. The attention from media and fans will be intense, and potentially overwhelming. On the road, there could be protests outside team hotels, and distasteful taunts from fans. There will probably be threats. The tabloids are sure to stalk his every move. Every maneuver in an Eagle, Colo., courtroom has the potential to impact the season, or tear Bryant away from his team for days at a time. The first glimpse First Glimpse is a monthly consumer electronics magazine published by Sandhills Publishing Company in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. The magazine was known as CE Lifestyles before a name change in early 2006. into how he will handle it all comes Friday, when he meets the media for the first time. --Shaquille O'Neal, age 31: The man who calls himself the M.D.E. - most dominant ever - enters the new season with a new goal: proving the title still fits. O'Neal lost some of his power and agility last season, the Lakers lost their championship mantle after winning three in a row and the power shifted toward Texas. Tim Duncan Timothy "Tim" Theodore Duncan (born April 25 1976 in Christiansted, St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands)[1] is an American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 6'11" (2. won the MVP (Multimedia Video Processor) A high-speed DSP chip from Texas Instruments, introduced in 1994. Officially introduced as the TMS320C80, it combines RISC technology with the functionality of four DSPs on one chip. award, led San Antonio San Antonio (săn ăntō`nēō, əntōn`), city (1990 pop. 935,933), seat of Bexar co., S central Tex., at the source of the San Antonio River; inc. 1837. to its second championship in five years and in some minds, usurped O'Neal's title as the game's best big man. A frustrated, angry O'Neal lashed out at his employers, demanded more help on the court and promised to do his part by getting in better condition. He hired a personal trainer personal trainer person n → (persönlicher) Fitnesstrainer m, (persönliche) Fitnesstrainerin f for the first time, lost more than 15 pounds this summer and is said to be in his best shape since his MVP season of 1999-2000. --Karl Malone, age 40: He is regarded as perhaps the best power forward in the history of the game, and as a lovable underdog at the same time. Malone is one of the best players in any sport not to win a championship, having futilely chased a title for 18 years in Utah. He sacrificed millions to join the Lakers, answering O'Neal's call - literal and figurative - for reinforcements. For the first time in nearly two decades, Malone is without his basketball soul mate, John Stockton This article is about the professional basketball player. For the U.S. Senator from New Jersey, see John P. Stockton. John Houston Stockton (born March 26, 1962) is a retired American professional basketball player who spent his entire career (1984–2003) as a . For the first time in his life, he is not the No. 1 player on his team, nor even No. 2. They will be considered acceptable sacrifices if he's cradling the Larry O'Brien
Lawrence "Larry" Francis O'Brien, Jr. (July 7 1917 – September 28, 1990) was one of the United States Democratic Party's leading electoral strategists when, for more than two Trophy in June. --Gary Payton, age 35: If only his defensive prowess on the court could somehow help in court as well. Payton will join Bryant in the backcourt and try to alleviate some of the pressure from opposing guards and has vowed to help shield him as well from outside pressures. It was Payton, one of the best guards of his era, who once played mentor to Bryant at All-Star weekend, so it will be a natural role for him to give counsel on other matters. Fiercely competitive and sometimes fiery to a fault, Payton followed Malone's lead and sacrificed money to pursue his first championship. It might depend on how well he bonds with his new backcourt mate, or in the most extreme circumstance, how well he can replace him. --Mitch Kupchak, age 48: The Lakers general manager at last emerged from Jerry West's shadow with one of the best free-agent hauls in league history. He created a Dream Team without an Olympic stage. If Malone and Payton mesh with Bryant and O'Neal and restore the Lakers' championship aura, Kupchak will be executive of the year. If the chemistry experiment backfires, Malone and Payton can leave as free agents next summer, along with Bryant. Also landing in Mr. Rourke's den this week: Rick Fox, the wise older veteran trying to return from foot surgery; Derek Fisher Derek Lamar Fisher (born August 9 1974 in Little Rock, Arkansas) is an American professional basketball player with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was with the Utah Jazz but asked to be released from his contract to care for his 10-month-old daughter, who has cancer. , the gutty former playoff hero pushed back to the bench; and Horace Grant Horace Junior Grant (born July 4 1965 in Augusta, Georgia) is a retired American basketball player. He attended and played college basketball at Clemson University, before playing professionally in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he became a 4-time NBA champion. , the old Jackson stand-by, looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. one last shot at glory. ``There's no doubt that it's a unique year,'' Kupchak said. ``There's no doubt. Whether it was the situation with Kobe alone, it would have made the year unique, or if that didn't occur and it was Gary and Karl, bringing them on board, it would be unique. But the combination of all of it is going to make it that much more of a unique year and more of a challenge for those players and organizationally.'' Smiles, everyone. Smiiiiles. Howard Beck, (818)713-3613 howard.beck(at)dailynews.com LAKERS AT A GLANCE How the Lakers shape up as they open training camp in Honolulu. Players with fewer than three years of service report today. Veterans with at least four years of service report Friday. The Lakers open the season Oct. 28 against the Dallas Mavericks  The introduction of this article is too short.To comply with Wikipedia's lead section guidelines, it should be expanded. at Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. . PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP C - Shaquille O'Neal: Lighter, stronger, hungrier and happier. PF - Karl Malone: A legend, but can he hit buzzer-beating 3-pointers? SF - Devean George: In this lineup, he might never shoot again. SG - Kobe Bryant: Legal troubles aside, can he adapt to this lineup? PG - Gary Payton: For one year at least, Lakers boast greatest backcourt ever. TOP RESERVES G - Derek Fisher: Must adapt to bench role after two years as starter. C/PF - Horace Grant: Back again, for as long as his 38-year-old body can hold up. PF - Slava Medvedenko: With Madsen, Walker gone, he'll get steady minutes. SF - Rick Fox: Recovering from foot surgery, probably out until January. LOOKING FOR A ROLE PG - Jannero Pargo: Showed promise as a rookie but could be expendable. SG - Kareem Rush: Won't get minutes until he improves ballhandling, defense. SF - Luke Walton: Heady rookie will get opportunities while Fox is out. PF - Brian Cook: First-round pick gets benefit of great mentors - Malone and Grant. FOURTEENTH MAN The Lakers figure to open the season with 14 players, and the above group probably has locked up the first 13 roster spots. The top candidate for the final spot is second-year center Jamal Sampson. Others in camp include guards Ime Udoka and Maurice Carter, forwards Koko Archibong and Stephan Pelle and center Eric Chenowith. CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1 -- color) Phil Jackson's guidance might be needed more this year than in any season throughout a coaching career that has produced nine NBA titles. Edna T. Simpson/Special to the Daily News (2) no caption (Kobe Bryant) Box: LAKERS AT A GLANCE (see text) |
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