The Lakers made two moves yesterday in a effort to make the team better and more competitive. First off, they re-signed forward Luke Walton to a six year contract extension, reportedly worth $5 million a year... Walton, very popular here in Los Angeles, really never looked elsewhere as it seemed clear from the start that he was going to give the Lakers every chance to sign him before he tested the free agent market...
And this morning, they have re-signed one of the most beloved Lakers ever in guard Derek Fisher. Fisher helped lead the Lakers to three straight titles from 2000-2002 and also made that amazing shot with no time left on the clock to defeat the San Antonio Spurs in game five of the 2004 conference semi-finals. The Lakers would go on to win game six of that series, and then defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in the conference finals before losing to the eventual champion Detroit Pistons.
Fisher spent his first eight years with the Lakers, the next two with the Golden State Warriors and also the Utah Jazz last year. Fisher asked to be released out of his contract with the Jazz due to his one-year-old daughter Tatum having a very rare form of eye cancer... the form of cancer is so rare that the only good clinics to be found for it are located in larger cities such as Los Angeles. Hopefully, Tatum can receive the care that she so badly needs and have a full recovery to normal health.
Without a doubt, bringing "D-Fish" back is definitely going to help the Lakers. He plays the game with a strong fire and will to win... he's also a great example as a role model and someone who can persevere... he is a leader and should help take some of that burden off of Kobe Bryant... With moving Kobe Bryant apparently no longer even a consideration, it appears the Lakers are moving in the right direction and trying to make the team better now...
-----
A short slate of baseball games last night was highlighted by the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. The Sox got to Blue Jays starter and all-star Roy Halladay early, pounding him for five runs in the first two innings... Manny Ramirez and Big Papi has big nights, combining to go 5-for-9 with three runs scored and five RBI's. Tim Wakefield pitched an effective six innings, allowing four runs on nine hits as the Red Sox won 7-4. For the knuckballing Wakefield, it was his 10th win of the year. Jonathan Papelbon struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 21st save. In New York, the Yankees took on the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and similarly roughed up their ace, James Shields. Shields gave up five earned runs in six innings, including allowing solo homers to Derek Jeter, Bobby Abreu and Alex Rodriguez. For A-Rod, it was his league leading 31st homer. Andy Pettite pitched an effective 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs and six hits as the Yankees won 7-3. The win was just the fifth of the year for Pettitte.
-----
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment