Basketball

Judge Mulls Motion by Pilot in Kobe Bryant Suit to Move Case to OC

A judge today took under submission a motion by the estate of the pilot in the Jan. 26 helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and eight others to move a lawsuit brought by Bryant’s widow to Orange County to ensure a fair trial. 

   Vanessa Bryant brought the case on Feb. 24 in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of herself and her surviving three daughters, including the youngest, Capri, who turned one-year-old on Sunday. 

   The case was later transferred to Van Nuys Superior Court and names as defendants the estate of the late chopper pilot, Ara Zobayan, plus Island Express Helicopters and Island Express Holding Corp. Judge Virginia Keeny heard arguments on the change-of-venue motion, then took the case under

OC Supervisors Approve Aug. 24 as Kobe Bryant Day

   Orange County supervisors today voted to declare Aug. 24 as Kobe Bryant Day. 

   Bryant was born on Aug. 23 and wore the number 24 in his playing days, said Orange County Board Chairwoman Michelle Steel, explaining why she settled on Aug. 24 as the date to honor the former Lakers great who died Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash that also killed his daughter and seven others. 

Paul George Thinks Ivica Zubac is Playoff Ready

Playoffs are around the corner, and George expects excellent things from Zubac. With all the playoff experience on the Clippers, George says Zubac will be able to learn abruptly. He states, “I expect good things from him. I think again, a good thing about it, he’s got so much playoff experience around him our job is to make the process easy for him. Again, everyone is going to make mistakes. I’m still learning the game. It’s going to come naturally. But I think he’s ready for the experience.”

Reshanda Gray Empowers Youth While Competing with the L.A. Sparks

Giving back can not only help a person in need, but also help the giver by instilling in them a sense of perspective and purpose. This was the case for Los Angeles Sparks forward Reshanda Gray prior to the time she earned a contract with the Sparks. 

The New York Liberty waived Gray in May 26 and the Sparks signed her in June 27. Being waived was difficult news for Gray. 

NBA EXTENDS COMMUNITY TESTING PROGRAM AS PART OF 2019-20 SEASON RESTART IN ORLANDO

The NBA announced today a new community testing program providing thousands of no-cost COVID-19 PCR tests in Orlando, Fla. and team markets nationwide.  The program, which is a part of NBA Together, the league’s global community and social engagement campaign that aims to support, engage, educate and inspire youth, families and fans in response to the coronavirus pandemic, tipped off earlier this month and will run through August.  The Health and Safety Protocols for the Resumption of the 2019-20 NBA Season, which were finalized with the National Basketball Players Association in June, included plans for several community testing programs.

Lakers Sign J.R. Smith

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard J.R. Smith as a Substitute Player for the NBA season restart, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.