Elgin Baylor, Lakers great and aerialist pioneer, dies at 86
LOS ANGELES โ Elgin Baylor soared through the 1960s with a high-scoring, high-flying artistry that that became the model for the modern basketball player. With a silky-smooth jumper and fluid athleticism, Baylor played a major role in revolutionizing basketball from a ground-bound sport into an aerial show. Baylorโs second career as a personnel executive for 22 1/2 years with the woebegone Los Angeles Clippers was far less successful, but he remained a beloved basketball figure in Los Angeles and beyond. When the Lakers moved to Los Angeles in 1960, Baylor became the centerpiece of their Hollywood revival. A Los Angeles County jury unanimously ruled in the Clippersโ favor in March 2011, refusing to award any damages.
LeBron considers load management, maps future with Lakers
James chose that year deliberately: His oldest son, LeBron James Jr., will graduate from high school in 2023. The uniqueness of 2020 has forced James and the Lakers to consider whether they should practice load management this season. James and the Lakers haven't decided on their plans for the regular season, with James saying there's โa fine lineโ between strategic rest and unnecessary inactivity. We think heโs going to be very effective and provide extraordinary value for every year he decides to play as a Laker. Iโm sure heโll hang many jerseys someday, but we hope one of those will be a Lakers jersey.โ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Coaching can wait: Rondo plots future, but stays in present
For the first time in his long career, Rondo is the oldest guy on the team. โTo be honest, Iโve been doing that for the last five or six years of my career,โ Rondo said. I've been working to understand young talent, understand the (collective bargaining agreement). This is a young team with so much upside and versatility. ... We're on the the upswing for great things here in the city of Atlanta.โHis future career can wait.
SOCIAL: #ForKobe goes viral as Lakers seek to win first NBA championship in decade
HOUSTON โ The Los Angeles Lakers are one game away from winning an NBA Championship. This could also be the first one for Los Angles since Kobe Bryant brought the team a championship in 2010. Overall, the Lakers franchise has won 16 championships, 31 conference titles and 23 division titles. Bryant, who tragically died in a helicopter crash with eight others including 13-year-old daughter Gianna in January, won five championships for the Lakers. Many fans took to social media hoping the Lakers would win the NBA Championship in Bryantโs honor.
Rockets fall to Lakers 112-102 in Game 3, now down 2-1 in series
The Los Angeles Lakers take the lead, 2-1, in the Western Conference semifinals series against the Houston Rockets Tuesday night. The Lakers defeated the Rockets 112-102 in Game 3. The Rockets will take on the Lakers in Game 4 on Thursday.