Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl It may all feel like a distant memory of the Lakers winning  the 2010 NBA title considering how the Lakers ended the 2011 postseason with a four-game sweep to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals. But Artest guaranteed to ESPN Los Angeles’ Stephen A. Smith in a 40-minute interview Wednesday that the Lakers will again pop the champagne bottles after winning the 2012 NBA title. Assuming there’s a season of course.
NBA: Ron Artest Comments On Name Change Hold Up, DWTS & NBA Lockout
Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest says he was inspired to change his name to Metta World Peace by Chad Ochocinco, assisted in selecting his new name by a mystery woman, and foiled in formally doing so — until at least his next court date on Sept. 16 — by a complete lack of knowledge about how to pay parking tickets.
NBA: Ron Artest’s Name Change to Metta World Peace Delayed Due to Outstanding Warrants
Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl Ron Artest’s bid to become Metta World Peace has been delayed.  A Los Angeles court commissioner delayed ruling on a name-change petition by the Lakers forward until Sept. 16.
NBA: Lakers’ Luke Walton Getting Job as Assistant Coach For Major College Team
Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl Instead of not filling the vacant third assistant position on his staff as he hinted last week, University of Memphis coach Josh Pastner has made an intriguing choice for the job. Pastner is on the verge of hiring fellow Arizona alum and current Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton as an assistant coach until the NBA lockout ends and play resumes.
NBA: Kobe Bryant & Luke Walton Give Generous Gift to Laid Off Workers
Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl Since pro athletes began earning millions of dollars for a season’s work, the idea of a “playoff bonus” seems almost quaint. The reward for making the playoffs, or even winning a series or two, numbers in the tens of thousands; but when you’re potentially making eight figures a year those bonuses hardly seem like a big deal. To regular schmos, though, that cash can go a long way. And the Los Angeles Lakers players, with Kobe Bryant and Luke Walton leading the charge, made sure the bonuses from last season’s disappointing playoff run went into the hands of the Lakers that needed it most. Namely, two video coordinators who were laid off by the Lakers as soon as the lockout started.  Guess what they gave?
