Laker Nation

After three surgeries and countless frustrating moments because of right ankle problems, he says he’s fit and ‘playing above the rim again.’

A healthy Andrew Bynum will provide a much-needed defensive presence for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Experiments were in full concoction still, the ideas dreamed up during a summer of reflection taking shape on the court, as well as off it, even though they may never see the light of day once the regular season begins.

Ariza's lack of calcium, doctors have told him, led to a Vitamin D deficiency and ultimately to weak bones. It's a key reason behind his fractured foot he suffered last season.

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol might sit out some of the Los Angeles Lakers' preseason games after a hectic offseason.

John Hollinger recaps the Lakers' last season. off-season moves, and the upcoming 2008-09 season.

The young guys hung together, unsure and unknowing what they were supposed to do or where to go during Monday’s media session.

Andrew and David find their way out of the offseason swamp and make their first steps into the 2008-09 PRE-SEASON, complete with a visit from Chris Manning who shared his experiences from Lakers Media Day! Plus, Dr. Andrew gets into the REAL reason behind Sun Yue’s mononucleosis.

Lamar Odom would rather start. He would rather have a big season and get another big contract to replace the one that expires at the end of this season. He would also rather win a championship with the Lakers than be elsewhere.

Kobe Bryant walked over to the far side of the court and initiated the conversation with Jerry Buss today after practice. What a difference a year makes.

Media Day! Yippee - it is officially the start of Lakers training camp and it feels like the first day of a new school year. Everyone is back tan and healthy and gosh darn it if I didn't miss them (the players, the media, the training and coaching staff).

He stood there Monday, a prince who had become king, and decreed: “I am happy. There’s a lot to be happy about, a lot to be thankful about.”

Flanked by his two 7-footers, a basketball in his hands, another season stretching in front of him, Kobe Bryant narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips.

I’m not one for putting the future ahead of the present, but my 2008-09 Lakers will have much more than Kobe Bryant: As Mitch Kupchak put it recently, this long and deep roster has me “challenged to get really creative.”