LOS ANGELES (AP) -First come the championship rings and the raising of their 15th championship banner, along with a few minutes of revelry reflecting on last season. Then it’s time for the Los Angeles Lakers to begin anew as defending NBA champions for the first time since 2002.
They’ll open Tuesday night against No. 1 draft pick Blake Griffin and the Clippers after a preseason dogged by injuries to Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and Luke Walton.
Since winning the title against Orlando, the Lakers added free-agent Ron Artest, who signed a five-year deal worth about $33 million, switching places with Trevor Ariza, who left the Lakers to take Artest’s spot with the Houston Rockets.
Add A Comment