Some people are concerned that Kobe Bryant won’t return to form, but Derek Fisher isn’t among them. “Yes.” Fisher told Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News when asked if the 35-year-old will recover well. “Physically, you may not be able to run as fast, jump as high and explode as much. But when you’re as skilled as he is, you can still go out and dominate games and be extremely effective.” The latest out of Los Angeles..
- The Lakers have a decision to make now that Shawne Williams‘ 10-day contract has expired, as Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times examines. If the Lakers wait until Wednesday to re-sign the forward, he would be available for the team’s final six games in the month of February. The franchise could also choose to wait until after the trade deadline, preserving an open roster spot in case a deal materializes that brings in one more player than the Lakers send out.
- Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak says he has no regrets about signing Steve Nash to a three-year, $27MM deal, but there’s no denying that the move has been a bust, writes Medina. “Life rarely goes as planned. I didn’t think it was a guarantee of anything happening here. I just thought it was a great opportunity to play for a great franchise,” said the injured veteran. “Everyone faces ups and downs in their life.“
- Clippers guard Chris Paul says he’ll fully support whatever decision Knicks star Carmelo Anthony makes in free agency, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post.
- When asked if his reputation as an abrasive teammate hurt the Lakers‘ chances of recruiting a top free agent, Bryant told reporters, including Berman (on Twitter), that he’s only a pain in the neck when he sees that his teammates aren’t committed.