Lakers to debut new look
VicXnews
http://www2.sgvtribune.com/sports/ci_3104761
By Ross Siler, Associated Press
Inside SOCAL
HONOLULU -- The last time the Lakers played an exhibition game in Hawaii
two years ago, Shaquille O'Neal gave voice to one very public contract
demand while Kobe Bryant boarded a plane bound for a preliminary hearing in
Eagle, Colo.
Suffice it to say, the greatest soap opera in sports will be far less of a
spectacle tonight as the Lakers play their preseason opener against the
Golden State Warriors.
That is, of course, unless Kwame Brown or Chris Mihm feels the need to
follow up a blocked shot by yelling about getting paid -- as O'Neal did --
within earshot of owner Jerry Buss.
If nothing else, tonight's game will give fans their first chance to see
Kobe Bryant and coach Phil Jackson together again as well as watch the
Lakers start the climb back toward respectability, after missing the
playoffs last season for the first time in 11 years.
"I don't think anybody's really thinking about last season as it pertains
to this team," Bryant said Monday. "What we try to do is focus on the daily
improvements. And tomorrow is another step in that direction."
The Lakers will play the Warriors, who finished with an identical 34-48
record last season and have similar playoff aspirations, again Wednesday
before returning to Los Angeles.
On the list, meanwhile, of things he hoped to get accomplished, Jackson
listed showing the crowd a good time and seeing a semblance of team play.
He had not settled on a starting lineup and added that he would just as
soon start the preseason a full two weeks after opening training camp.
Jackson also was asked if tonight's game would be of personal significance,
coming 16 months after he walked off the court at The Palace of Auburn
Hills following the Lakers' NBA Finals loss to the Detroit Pistons.
"Not particularly," Jackson answered. He went on to joke about probably
losing more exhibition games than any coach in league history, a lack of
emphasis on the preseason that hasn't changed despite now having one of the
youngest teams of his career.
Perhaps the biggest change from last season will be the structure the
Lakers have adopted on offense and defense. They have devoted seven days of
training camp not only to learning the intricacies of Jackson's triangle
offense but also the most basic elements of how to throw a pass and how to
cut to the basket.
"I think one of the biggest things we've done is start over from the
beginning," Mihm said. "When you do that and get structure like that, guys
know what they're supposed to do and you have accountability.'
The Lakers also will get the chance to show fans a new look on defense,
where they will try to use their youth and pressure teams more than in the
past.
"They haven't seen us do that, really, ever, as far getting after teams and
trying to dog them for lengths at a time," Bryant said.
The Lakers' two biggest summer acquisitions, Brown and guard Aaron McKie,
will make their debut tonight. So will Lamar Odom in his new role as a
point forward. Odom said he hoped to play even as he continues to recover
from shoulder surgery.
Even though KCAL and FSN West both passed on broadcasting the game, fans
will be able to watch tonight through an arrangement the Lakers and NBA
made with DirecTV, Dish Network and cable systems with iN DEMAND pay-per-
view.
The game will be broadcast free to such customers in Southern California,
though the feed will come from the Warriors' broadcast on FSN Bay Area.
Wednesday's game will not be televised, but both games can be heard on XTRA
570-AM.
Rookie center Andrew Bynum will not play tonight and is making slow
progress in his return from an abdominal strain. Yet Jackson did not seem
overly concerned, saying that now is the time for the Lakers to address any
physical problems Bynum has.
"We have to remember that this guy's grown about six inches in the last two
years," Jackson added.
Brian Tung
> Even though KCAL and FSN West both passed on broadcasting the game, fans
> will be able to watch tonight through an arrangement the Lakers and NBA
> made with DirecTV, Dish Network and cable systems with iN DEMAND pay-per-
> view.
>
> The game will be broadcast free to such customers in Southern California,
> though the feed will come from the Warriors' broadcast on FSN Bay Area.
So how does this work? Do I go to the inDemand page on my Adelphia
box and request the game, and it comes for free?
> Wednesday's game will not be televised, but both games can be heard on XTRA
> 570-AM.
Bummer.
--
Brian Tung <br...@isi.edu>
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Terraholm
> VicXnews wrote:
>> Even though KCAL and FSN West both passed on broadcasting the game,
>> fans will be able to watch tonight through an arrangement the Lakers
>> and NBA made with DirecTV, Dish Network and cable systems with iN
>> DEMAND pay-per- view.
>>
>> The game will be broadcast free to such customers in Southern
>> California, though the feed will come from the Warriors' broadcast
>> on FSN Bay Area.
>
> So how does this work? Do I go to the inDemand page on my Adelphia
> box and request the game, and it comes for free?
More likely it would be shown on the regular Lakers channels but with the warrior feed.
>
>> Wednesday's game will not be televised, but both games can be heard
>> on XTRA 570-AM.
>
> Bummer.
For people out of the area pre-season games are free for the radio feeds at nba.com
--
Laurel T
"The only difference between me and
General Custer is that he didn't have to
watch the game films the next day"
A coach after a blow out loss
Blazer Fan Dan
Terraholm wrote:
> For people out of the area pre-season games are free for the radio feeds at nba.com
there are other ways, online, to listen..but I caint be saying how..
Gary Collard
>
> Even though KCAL and FSN West both passed on broadcasting the game, fans
> will be able to watch tonight through an arrangement the Lakers and NBA
> made with DirecTV, Dish Network and cable systems with iN DEMAND pay-per-
> view.
NBA League Pass customers on DirecTV can get it on channel 753, according
to the on screen guide which is updated nightly.
--
Gary Collard
SABR-L Moderator
gmco...@yahoo.com
http://sarcastipundit.blogspot.com/
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