Lakers News: Latest on Mark Cuban Comments, Tyrus Thomas Workout and More
The Los Angeles Lakers notched their second win of the season Tuesday, defeating the Atlanta Hawks due to an all-around team effort. Kobe Bryant took fewer shots, Carlos Boozer finally stepped up, Jeremy Lin was on fire, and Nick Young's return was a welcome sight.
Sure, declaring the Lakers have officially turned things around and are ready to make a run this season is still a bit of a stretch, but it was a sight for sore eyes to see the team finally perform up to its potential. However, one NBA owner probably wasn't too happy with the game's result.
That interesting bit of news, and several other pieces of information, surfaced around the Web prior to the team's game. Here's a look at what Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban had to say about the Lakers and a look at some other recent team happenings.
Mark Cuban Comments
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is well known for his outspoken personality. Whether he's commenting on his own team, another NBA franchise, world affairs or a start-up business on TV's Shark Tank, he's never one to hold back.
Well, he certainly shared his feelings Tuesday about the Lakers. Here's a look at what he had to say on a local radio show, via Baxter Holmes of ESPN:
Cuban didn't exactly get his wish Tuesday night, as the Lakers notched a win; however, the team is still deep in the cellar with a 2-9 record and one game against the Houston Rockets remaining before heading to Dallas to take on his Mavericks on Friday.
Of course, Cuban is a rival owner, and he's entitled to his own opinion, but Holmes reminded us in his ESPN column that this isn't the first time the Mavericks owner has lashed out at Los Angeles. Here's what he said back in 2012: "I don't know, I don't care, I just hope they suck. You know, like any other team."
The Lakers will get an opportunity to have the last laugh if they can pull out a victory in Dallas.
Tyrus Thomas Workout
Once rookie power forward Julius Randle was lost for the season, the Lakers had an immediate need at the position, and it hasn't been addressed yet.
It looks at though one option to fill the void will come from Thomas, who hasn't latched on with a team since his ongoing rash of injuries forced the Charlotte Bobcats to release him via the amnesty clause during the 2012-13 season. Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders tweeted the news:
This is a pretty interesting choice for the Lakers considering Thomas' history. A former first-round selection, he never lived up to expectations, playing in less than 55 games in each of his last five NBA seasons. That sure doesn't seem to be what an injury-riddled Lakers team needs.
In Thomas' most recent season, he played in 26 games, starting two, and averaged 4.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game.
Wayne Ellington Latest
Ellington hasn't taken the court since a November 9 contest against the Charlotte Hornets. The shooting guard has been missed in the team's rotation, but his absence is more than justified. He was granted indefinite leave from the team on November 11. The Lakers' official Twitter account relayed the terrible circumstances:
Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times tweeted the funeral had concluded and Ellington was expected back in the near future:
On Tuesday, Holmes tweeted exactly when Ellington would rejoin the team:
Through five games played with Los Angeles this season, Ellington averaged 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting an impressive 57.1 percent from the floor in 20.6 minutes per game. His presence back on the court will be welcomed.
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