AND THE CYCLE BEGINS ANEW LAKERS TO OPEN ANOTHER SEASON AS CHAMPS, EYE BIGGER THINGS.Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer Right on cue, the rings arrive tonight. Just as they did last October and the October before that. The Laker life cycle is now more steady, more predictable and more constant than L.A. weather. June is the season for winning championships. October is set aside for celebrating. And of course, the months of November through March are set aside for raising doubts, creating panic and listlessly list·less adj. Lacking energy or disinclined to exert effort; lethargic: reacted to the latest crisis with listless resignation. wandering through the schedule. Already, it appears the Lakers will hold to that form. They'll get their championship rings tonight in a pregame ceremony 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. . But the giddiness won't last long. The opening weeks of the season are brutal, starting with the San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and are the current NBA Champions after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2007 NBA Finals. tonight, a road game at Portland on Wednesday and a three-game trip to the East next week. Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (pronounced "shak-KEEL") (born March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, generally regarded as one of the most dominant in the National Basketball Association (NBA). is out for a minimum of five to seven games, in rehabilitation for his toe. Rick Fox is serving a six-game sentence for his momentary lapse of reason last Friday. Coach 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. has casually forecast, more than once, an 0-7 start. And, of course, the biggest Lakers bogeyman is always looming around the corner: boredom. The regular season no longer holds intrigue for the three-time defending champions, who won just 56 and 58 games in the past two years. There was something routine, almost anticlimactic an·ti·cli·max n. 1. A decline viewed in disappointing contrast with a previous rise: the anticlimax of a brilliant career. 2. , about the three-peat. No longer. The mission now is clear, and new and absolutely compelling, even for a team with a suspect attention span. The Lakers can become the first team since the 1960s Boston Celtics to win four consecutive championships. If the enthusiasm in Kobe Bryant's voice means anything, that's all the motivation they need. ``It makes it enjoyable,'' Bryant said. ``Because even the three-peat, it's been done before. So there's a lot of pressure to do that. Like people expected us to do that, and if we didn't do that, then we can't be considered (among the great teams). ``Now it's like, nobody's done this. Now it's a freshness. It's not that pressure, it's not that load. It's more like, `This is our turn now. We can put the pressure on somebody else 15 years down the road.' So it's a newness.'' The fresh challenge, and the fresh memory of a Sacramento Kings team that nearly knocked them out of the playoffs, brought focus to the Lakers this summer. Bryant bulked up by 15 pounds. Devean George Devean Jamar George (born August 29 1977 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. He typically plays small forward but because of his athleticism and defensive activity, can defend many shooting guards as well. and Samaki Walker Samaki Ijuma Walker (born February 25 1976 in Columbus, Ohio) is an American professional basketball player currently signed with the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA. [1] added new muscle as well, while the older veterans, Fox and Brian Shaw Brian K. Shaw (born March 22, 1966 in Oakland, California) is a former professional basketball player. The 6' 6" Shaw could play both guard spots, but was used primarily at point guard over the course of his 14 seasons in the league. , dropped pounds to add quickness. With the exception of O'Neal's toe, they are in excellent shape. ``Hopefully,'' O'Neal said, ``the guys do well. But we've proven that once we're on the same page, it doesn't matter what the outcome is for us.'' It's Bryant's team for the next two weeks. He leads an unsettled group into the season. With Fox out, new Laker Tracy Murray Tracy Lamonte Murray (born July 25 1971 in Los Angeles, California) is a former professional basketballer in the National Basketball Association who played for six different NBA franchises and two Greek clubs, with a final unimpressive stint in France. will suddenly be a key player. A lack of veteran guards means Shaw could play big minutes for the first time in years. It also means rookies Kareem Rush Kareem Lamar Rush (born October 30, 1980 in Kansas City, Missouri) is an American professional basketball player positioned at shooting guard currently under contract with the Indiana Pacers. and Janerro Pargo will get plenty of floor time. Some combination of Samaki Walker, Slava Medvedenko Stanislav (Slava) Medvedenko (Ukrainian: Станіслав (Слава) Медведенко and newcomer Soumaila Samake Soumaila Samake (born March 18 1978, in Bougouni) is a professional basketball player from Mali. He was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in the second round of the 2000 NBA Draft, and played for the Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers as the backup of Shaquille O'Neal. will try to fill O'Neal's slot. As recently as Friday night, Jackson was skeptical about his team's readiness. ``I hope,'' he said, ``they're ready when the bell answers on Tuesday night, but really it's hard to anticipate. ... The way we're playing right now, we are really not set up to be in a good position to win that ballgame.'' The pressure falls to Bryant to make it all work, but he said he won't do anything differently in O'Neal's absence. ``Same with him, same without him,'' he said. ``It's not important for me to change my game and go out and try to score 30 or 40 points. It's just important for me to stay within the offense, keep my teammates involved. Last season, you notice when he was out my scoring decreased, assists picked up, so it's just about creating opportunities for my teammates and keeping them heavily involved in the game.'' And as for Jackson's gloomy predictions? The Lakers no longer pay them much mind. ``I don't think anybody takes that too seriously,'' Bryant said. ``But we're looking forward to the challenge and we have a tough schedule.'' AT-A-GLANCE 1. COACH: Phil Jackson Looking back: Padded incredible legacy by presiding over his third three-peat and tying Red Auerbach's record for championships (nine). Looking ahead: Relishing chance to pass Auerbach and become first coach in 36 years to win four consecutive championships. Jackson was twice denied that chance in Chicago - by M.J.'s retirement in '93 and by breakup of Bulls in '98. STARTING FIVE: 2. CENTER Shaquille O'Neal Looking back: Recovered from surgery on one toe, endured season-long troubles with another toe and endured the pain to earn third consecutive Finals 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. . Looking ahead: Toe surgery means another slow start, and he's carrying some extra pounds. But long-term outlook is bright, and he seems primed for another MVP season. 3. FORWARD Samaki Walker Looking back: Solid first season with Lakers overshadowed by late-season elbow and knee injuries, and a disappointing playoff performance. Looking ahead: Polished up his jump shot and added some muscle and will again provide key minutes at forward and center. 4. FORWARD Rick Fox Looking back: Had one of his worst offensive seasons of career (.421 FG percentage, 7.9 points), but remained a defensive stopper and playoff stalwart. Looking ahead: Dropped 15 pounds in offseason to regain quickness, but he'll continue to be pushed by Devean George. 5. GUARD Kobe Bryant Kobe Bean Bryant (born July 23 1978) is an American All-Star shooting guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. Looking back: Posted best all-around numbers of his career - 25.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists - and solidified reputation as one of the all-time-great playoff performers. Looking ahead: Only thing standing between him and MVP trophy is Shaq. 6. GUARD 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. Looking back: Solidified role as team's No. 3 scorer (11.2 points a game), but looked slow after second foot surgery and defense suffered at times. Looking ahead: Healthy to start season for first time since 2000, he has regained quickness and should be less vulnerable to speedy point guards. TOP RESERVES: F Robert Horry Robert Horry (born August 25, 1970 in Harford County, Maryland) is an American National Basketball Association basketball player. Currently playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Horry is is known for his ability to make clutch shots in big games. Looking back: Mr. Clutch for the new millennium, single-handedly saved the three-peat drive with Game 4 3-pointer against Kings. Looking ahead: A potential free agent next summer (team option), Lakers will be watching for any sign of slowdown. F Devean George Looking back: Breakout season earned him a steady role in rotation, and a fat new contract. Looking ahead: Not as consistent offensively as Lakers would like, but versatility and outstanding defense make him key member of the rotation. G Brian Shaw Looking back: Posted career lows in scoring average (2.9), minutes (631) and games played Games played (most often abbreviated as G or GP) is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated (in any capacity); the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested. (58) but remained key contributor in playoffs. Looking ahead: Thin guard corps means Shaw (37 in March) will be primary backup to Bryant and Fisher and will play extended minutes. C Soumaila Samake Looking back: Did not play in NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= last season. Played 34 games for New Jersey in 2000-01. Looking ahead: He's raw, but he's 7-feet tall and hustles, so Lakers will let him play until O'Neal's toe is healed. KEY RESERVES: F Tracy Murray Looking back: Averaged 5.7 points with Toronto, played just 40 games as a result of injuries. Looking ahead: Ace 3-point shooter, iffy if·fy adj. if·fi·er, if·fi·est Informal Doubtful; uncertain: an iffy proposition. [From if. defender, and he's stuck behind Fox and George at small forward. F-C Slava Medvedenko Looking back: Averaged 4.7 points in 10.3 minutes but fell out of rotation in playoffs. Looking ahead: Gifted shooter and ballhandler but still struggling with triangle offense  This article or section may be confusing or unclear for some readers.Please [improve the article] or discuss this issue on the talk page. and hasn't earned team's confidence. F Mark Madsen Mark Ellsworth Madsen (born January 28 1976 in Walnut Creek, California) is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. After attending San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, California, Madsen, who is a Mormon, served for two years Looking back: Brought his usual energy and hustle in rare minutes on the court but failed to break into regular rotation. Looking ahead: A probable free agent next summer, he needs a solid season to establish his worth as a pro. G Kareem Rush Looking back: Selected 20th overall in the June draft after averaging 18.9 points in three seasons at Missouri. Looking ahead: Rookies don't play much on Jackson-coached teams, but Lakers are thin at guard, and Rush can shoot, so he'll get his opportunities. G Janerro Pargo Looking back: Went undrafted after averaging 14.4 points in two seasons at Arkansas. Looking ahead: Speedy and sure-handed, he could be the next Ty Lue. CAPTION(S): 6 photos, 2 boxes Photo: (1) Phil Jackson (2) Shaquille O'Neal (3) Samaki Walker (4) Rick Fox (5) Kobe Bryant (6) Derek Fisher Box: (1) 2002-03 LAKERS SCHEDULE (2) AT-A-GLANCE (see text) |
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