LAKERS NOTEBOOK: WALTON DELIVERS IN EXHIBITION VICTORY.Byline: ROSS SILER Staff Writer The sample size is admittedly small -- only six exhibition 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. in half-filled arenas -- but Lakers forward Luke Walton Luke Theodore Walton (born March 28 1980 in San Diego, California) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). His position is small forward. has looked anything but shaky when it comes to shooting the ball this season. Walton hit 5 of 9 shots in the Lakers' 113-106 victory over New Orleans New Orleans (ôr`lēənz –lənz, ôrlēnz`), city (2006 pop. 187,525), coextensive with Orleans parish, SE La., between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, 107 mi (172 km) by water from the river mouth; founded on Friday night and is shooting 54.5 percent for the preseason -- remarkable considering Walton has been a 41.5percent shooter for his career. With his shot falling, Walton has been able to show off his full skill set on the floor. He finished with 12 points and four assists Friday 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. and is averaging 9.2 points and 4.2 assists. ``He's playing with a lot of confidence,'' Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis Darrell Kurt Rambis (born February 25, 1958 in Cupertino, California) is an American former professional basketball player and current assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. said. ``I think there were stretches of last year where he was overly concerned with his shot and I think that brought some of his confidence down when he wasn't hitting his shot. ``But I think he's got a nice stroke right now and the rest of his game is there, the defense, the rebounding, the ability to pass the basketball. He's got a good head on his shoulders. He's really coming into his own as a player.'' The snapshots from Friday better tell the story of Walton's night. He knocked down fadeaway fade·a·way n. 1. The act or an instance of gradually diminishing in brightness, loudness, or strength until actual disappearance occurs. 2. Baseball a. A screwball. b. jumpers inside, found cutters from the high post and drilled two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Walton even posted up Hornets forward Peja Stojakovic in the third quarter and flipped in a left-handed shot in the lane. ``I worked on it all summer and it's just confidence,'' Walton said. ``I feel great with the ball. I'm comfortable right now. I'm not really worried about missing.'' The Lakers have opted not to start Walton even with Vladimir Radmanovic injured, instead counting on him to lead an inexperienced second unit with the likes of Jordan Farmar Jordan Robert Farmar (born November 30, 1986) is an American professional basketball player at starting point guard for the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers. He was previously the starting point guard for the UCLA men's basketball team. and Ronny Turiaf Ronny Turiaf (born January 13, 1983 in Le Robert, Martinique) is a French basketball player, selected in the second round (37th pick overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. . But Walton was on the floor at the end of Friday's game as the Hornets closed to within six points in the final two minutes. Walton said of finishing games, ``That's more fun than starting.'' The Lakers were led by Maurice Evans with 27 points and Lamar Odom, who narrowly missed a triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Injury report: The Lakers traded one sprained ankle for another Friday as guard Sasha Vujacic was unable to play but forward Brian Cook returned after sitting out the night before. Vujacic is day to day. That again left the Lakers with 10 available players and eight injured players only 11 days before the season opener. Jackson's return: The Lakers are hopeful that coach Phil Jackson can return for the team's final exhibition game Thursday in Anaheim. It would be Jackson's first game back after undergoing hip-replacement surgery Oct. 3. Star treatment: Lakers owner Jerry Buss will be honored Oct. 30 with a television star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a pavement along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States, which is embedded with more than 2,000 five-pointed stars featuring the names of not only human celebrities but fictional characters honored by . Buss is credited with helping launch the Prime Ticket sports network in 1985. ross.siler@dailynews.com (818) 713-3610 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: The Lakers' Luke Walton goes up for a shot against NewOrleans' Rasual Butler on Friday night at Staples Center. Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer |
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