While the Knicks traded away the number 7 pick in the draft, the other big-city team in the NBA traded up to the 20th position.
This was the highest the Lakers have drafted since 1996.
Steve Dilbeck of the L.A. Daily News notes that the Lakers’ draft picks since then have been DeJuan Wheat, Paul Rogers, Sam Jacobson, Ruben Patterson, Toby Bailey, Tyronn Lue, Devean George, John Celestand and Madsen. Aside from Patterson, none of these players has had any impact in the NBA.
But with the 20th pick, the Lakers took Kareem Rush.
Rush is a legitimate prospect. He’s a big guard who can shoot, slash to the basket and defend. Coach Phil Jackson seldom takes an immediate liking to rookies, but the Lakers now have a talented young player with whom they can be patient, one who one day may be capable of starting.
Via L.A. Daily News
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Tim Brown of the Los Angeles Times reports that Lindsey Hunter will not test the free agent market. He notified the Lakers on Friday afternoon that he would return to the team next season, a decision that could cost the club as much as $8.1 million in the next two years. Samaki Walker exercised his $1.54 million player option last week meaning that most of the Championship winning team will be back for next season.
The Lakers' remaining free agents are Devean George, Brian Shaw, Mitch Richmond, Slava Medvedenko and Jelani McCoy. According to NBA regulations, the Lakers can negotiate with free agents beginning July 1 and can sign them on July 16.
Via Los Angeles Times
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As expected, Samaki Walker is staying with the Lakers. The Associated Press reported on Thursday that Walker is exercising his option to play next season with the Lakers.
Walker is one of only 13 players in the NBA having a player option for the coming season. We’re only expecting a couple to opt out of their contracts. The Lakers’ Lindsey Hunter also has an option, and probably will also opt to stay.
Via ESPN
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Lakers Jun 2002 Archive
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Plain Dealer | Jun 17, 2002
Yet another columnist calls for the NBA to get a grip on the officiating.
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Rocky Mountain News | Jun 15, 2002
Phils' Lakers need a challenge
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New York Post | Jun 14, 2002
K-Mart regrets post-game remarks
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Los Angeles Times | Jun 14, 2002
Even though the ratings for this years’ NBA Finals were up in Los Angeles, they were down nationwide.
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Daytona News-Journal | Jun 14, 2002
If Pat Williams awoke Wednesday at 6 a.
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New York Times | Jun 13, 2002
Bryant and the Lakers compete their three-peat
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Palm Beach Post | Jun 12, 2002
Justin Rice of the Palm Beach Post reports: Miami Heat coach Pat Riley may not coach the Lakers anymore, but he'll have reason to celebrate if they win their third consecutive NBA title.
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Tacoma News Tribune | Jun 11, 2002
Frank Hughes of the Tacoma News Tribune reports: Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson said he would like to relinquish his ownership stake in the soon-to-be NBA champions and help build another team, possibly the Seattle SuperSonics, into a winner.
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Houston Chronicle | Jun 11, 2002
"I never look back," O'Neal said last Wednesday, though he admitted the loss to the Rockets and the promises he made beginning that night continue to drive him.
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Los Angeles Times | Jun 11, 2002
Lonnie White of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Lakers are the only thing standing in the way of the Lakers.
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ESPN | Jun 10, 2002
Chad Ford of ESPN reports that the Lakers may be making a move on draft night.
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Houston Chronicle | Jun 10, 2002
The Houston Chronicle's Fran Blinebury rides Kobe Bryant's jock: You watch Kobe Bryant and you see Bob Cousy's creativity, Earl Monroe's spin move, Oscar Robertson's down-to-earth fundamentals, Julius Erving's skywalking, Larry Bird's jumper, Magic Johnson's penchant for the spotlight and Michael Jordan's disdain for failure.
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ESPN | Jun 10, 2002
Kobe scored 36 in game 3
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Philadelphia Daily News | Jun 8, 2002
Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that Even after this season's NBA All-Star Weekend generated more than $50 million for the economy of the Philadelphia area, 76ers chairman Ed Snider wasn't happy.
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Milwaukee Sentinel-Journal | Jun 8, 2002
Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Sentinel-Journal writes about the state of the NBA today and questions whether they are moving in the right direction.
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Chicago Tribune | Jun 8, 2002
Jackson challenged his team before Game 2
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New York Times | Jun 7, 2002
The New Jersey Nets are angry and encouraged.
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Chicago Sun-Times | Jun 7, 2002
Lacy J.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Jun 7, 2002
Kobe Bryant came out of High School.
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ESPN | Jun 6, 2002
Kidds' triple-double wasn't enough
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Houston Chronicle | Jun 5, 2002
Byron Scott does not hide his Lakers bloodlines or his deep Inglewood roots.
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San Francisco Chronicle | Jun 5, 2002
Consumer advocate and former Presidential Canadiate Ralph Nader and the League of Fans, a sports-industry watchdog, sent a letter to NBA Commissioner David Stern on Tuesday urging a review of the officiating in the aftermath of the "notorious" refereeing in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals between the Kings and the Lakers in L.
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San Francisco Chronicle | Jun 5, 2002
The San Francisco chronicle reports that Consumer Advocate Ralph Nader is calling for the NBA to review the officiating after the "notorious" refereeing in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals between the Kings and the Lakers in L.
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News Tribune | Jun 5, 2002
John McGrath of the News Tribune asks, “Would somebody please inform the New Jersey Nets that they just don't matter?”
They are a nice team with Jason Kidd leading the show.
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Star Tribune | Jun 5, 2002
Phil rubs Red the wrong way
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Dallas Morning News | Jun 4, 2002
Commissioner Stern finally has a legitimate rivalry to sell, the only problem being that it gets played out one round before the Finals start.
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Star-Telegram | Jun 4, 2002
The Los Angeles Lakers, being the premier team and the premier draw in the league, survived against the Kings.
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Denver Post | Jun 4, 2002
Marc J.
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Houston Chronicle | Jun 4, 2002
Having been pushed to their limit and beyond and having survived Kobe Bryant's sick stomach, Shaquille O'Neal's sore ankles and big toe and their collective hurt feelings, the Lakers can now get back to their natural state.
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Newsday | Jun 4, 2002
The Nets recognize that they can’t stop Shaquille O’neal.
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Los Angeles Times | Jun 4, 2002
Larry Stewart of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Lakers are bigger in Los Angeles than the Super Bowl.
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Los Angeles Times | Jun 3, 2002
Elliott Teaford of the Los Angeles Times reports that Chris Webber had a good game, but he disappeared when the Kings needed him the most.
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Associated Press | Jun 2, 2002
Shaq's back in the finals
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| Jun 2, 2002
Can Bibby and the Kings get past the Lakers today?
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| Jun 1, 2002
Kittles and the Nets booked their place in the NBA Finals last night
