NEW TEAMMATE IS OBJECT OF SUMMER LOVE.Byline: Dave Shelburne Daily News Staff Writer The announcement, made just prior to tipoff at Thursday's Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns summer league game at The Pyramid in Long Beach, produced the loudest ovation of the day. About as big a roar, it turned out, as Lakers rookie 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. would subsequently elicit for any of a half-dozen spectacular moves he made during a 36-point effort in his team's 107-100 victory. The Lakers' fans were obviously stoked stoked adj. Slang 1. Exhilarated or excited. 2. Being or feeling high or intoxicated, especially from a drug. to hear the news that Orlando Magic The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). History Early years The Orlando Magic officially entered the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1989. free agent 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). had finally signed with Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. - for $120 million over seven seasons. And it seemed just as obvious, the newcomer combination of Bryant and O'Neal has unleashed some high expectations. ``Kobe is real good for this team,'' said 15-year-old Chasitiy Bradley of Long Beach. ``But Kobe and Shaq can bring this team up. I think they can win rings this season.'' Bill Bertka, a man with considerably longer Lakers-watching experience, was more reserved but just as enthusiastic. ``I was with the Lakers when (Wilt) Chamberlain came to the team and later on when Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) came and now Shaq,'' said the veteran assistant coach. ``Obviously, he's a force in the game. When you combine points, rebounds and assists, he's led the NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= the last two years. So he brings a huge arsenal to the team and everybody's excited.'' Including Bryant, who came to the Lakers as a first-round draft choice straight out of high school. The poised and precocious 17-year-old guard said he couldn't wait to drag defenders around screens set by the 7-foot-1, 320-pound O'Neal. Coach (Del) Harris told me (Wednesday) night,'' Bryant said. ``I got this great big grin on my face and said, `Oh, my goodness! Shaq's coming to the Lakers!' '' What will the team's latest Big Fella bring? ``Whatever he wants,'' said a beaming Bryant. ``He's like a man-child. Rebounding, defensive pressure, scoring inside . . . he creates a lot of different opportunities for the team.'' Reaction was similar in the stands behind the Lakers' bench, where 25-year fan John White of Eagle Rock called the signing of O'Neal ``absolutely'' worth the record price tag. Another big man, 6-foot-10 forward Corie Blount Corie Kasoun Blount (born January 4, 1969 in Monrovia, California) is an American former professional basketball player. A 6'9" power forward/center, Blount starred at the University of Cincinnati during the early 1990s, where he helped his team reach the Final Four in 1992 - a starting prospect before O'Neal's signing - called it a big move for the team. ``He's probably the best center in the game, so he's going to add a lot,'' said Blount. ``Elden (Campbell) wasn't no pushover push·o·ver n. 1. One that is easily defeated or taken advantage of. 2. Something that is easily done or attained. See Synonyms at breeze1. either,'' Blount said, laughing at the memories of his practice duels with the Lakers' other big front-court man, now a free agent but expected to be re-signed soon. ``It'll be fun.'' It definitely will be fun for the hometown fans who have cheered the Lakers since the Forum was built in Inglewood. ``I grew up in Inglewood and I think it's great,'' said Mike Miller, who took some time off from the San Diego Golf Academy San Diego Golf Academy (SDGA), is a two-year golf school accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). SDGA prepares students for management in the golf industry. San Diego Golf Academy is the oldest golf school in the world. to watch Thursday's summer-league play and was elated to hear of O'Neal's signing. ``He's another big-time player that can hopefully get a ring on some of the Lakers player who are young,'' Miller said. ``He brings a lot to this team.'' Including a hefty price tag - to the tune of $120 million. |
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