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Sport Lakers newcomer Wesley Matthews shares touching Kobe Bryant story

01:30  25 november  2020
01:30  25 november  2020 Source:   msn.com

The LeBron Effect: How James impacted his Lakers teammates

The LeBron Effect: How James impacted his Lakers teammates Given the monumental impact that star players have in the NBA, the simple fact that basketball is a team game can often get overlooked. One of the defining tests of NBA superstardom is a player’s ability to positively influence his teammates’ play. Stars can improve a teammate’s play through not only their own play, but also their presence; the greatest players of all-time carry an aura with them that embodies winning. © Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Oct 11, 2020; Lakers forward LeBron James (23) holds up four fingers after winning his fourth NBA championship after Game 6 of the 2020 NBA Finals.

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Wesley Matthews suffered the same injury last season as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers. While the recovery process is approximately a year, Matthews was ready by opening night and credits Kobe . According Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, Kobe

However, stories like Shumpert’s help keep his legacy alive. To so many, Bryant was an inspiration and his work on the basketball court has left a lasting impact on those who watched him both near and far and he Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Duke University head basketball coach…

Wesley Matthews is now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, and the significance is definitely not lost on him.

a basketball player with a football ball: Wesley Matthews (9) drives for the basket against New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9). © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports Wesley Matthews (9) drives for the basket against New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9).

Speaking with the media Tuesday for the first time as a Laker, the veteran swingman shared a great story about the late Kobe Bryant. Matthews said that Bryant was there for him after he suffered a torn Achilles.

“One of the people that helped me through mine was Kobe,” said Matthews, per Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet. “He shared his wisdom about it. It helped motivate me because he was honest. He said it’s going to be hard. It’s what I needed to hear.”

NFL Week 10 picks against the spread

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RELATED: Kobe Bryant 's Sister Sharia Washington Gets a Tattoo in His and Gianna’s Honor. Ahead of Kobe 's birthday, Vanessa Bryant also shared how much she missed her late husband. Highlighting some of the thoughtful gifts she had received from loved ones

Kobe Bryant block Wesley Matthews and assist Shannon Brown for the dunk Jazz Lakers Playoffs - Продолжительность: 0:23 m0l0k0vell0cet 7 960 просмотров.

Trudell adds that Matthews was emotional recalling the moment and wished to thank Bryant for reaching out when he didn’t have to.

Bryant, who passed away in a helicopter crash in January along with his daugther Gianna and seven others, tore his own Achilles in 2013 at age 34. He returned to play three more NBA seasons. Matthews, now 34 himself, suffered his tear in 2015. He has since returned to a solid level of play, and next season will mark his sixth since the injury.

Another NBA player recently shared a similar story, and it is obvious that Bryant’s impact will continue to be felt for a long time to come.

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Kevin Love says he still has suicidal thoughts

Kevin Love says he still has suicidal thoughts Love said there were points in his life where basketball was his only escape, which is why he went to a very dark place after injuring his hand in 2012. He said therapy and opening up about his issues has helped tremendously, but he still has days that are “super brutal.”“I’ve obviously had days that I really do struggle, I suffer a lot from imposter theory as well,” Love explained. “Like I sometimes don’t feel deserving. I don’t feel like I’m worthy of what I’ve accomplished, or the success I’ve had, and a lot of times I feel like a fraud, because I don’t feel like I’ve achieved enough.

Kobe Bryant was always known as one of the most intense athletes in sports history during his 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers . Following Bryant ’s shocking and tragic death along with his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others, a number of players including Lou Williams told their

Jennifer Hudson swept everyone away on Sunday night. During the 2020 NBA All-Star game, the Oscar winner paid a special tribute to the late Kobe Bryant The songstress' touching tribute kicked things off. Common also honored the 41-year-old star, before introducing the players. At the time of Bryant 's

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Related slideshow: The 25 best NBA nicknames of all time (Provided by Yardbarker)

  • Slide 1 of 26: If you are an NBA player, there is a good chance you are a known name. You may very well be a star and even one who surpasses the world of sports fandom. Everybody knows Michael Jordan, right? Some guys are known by only one name. Shaq. Kobe. LeBron. Then there are the famous nicknames and the maybe not-as-famous nicknames that are still fun. Who doesn’t like a good nickname? We certainly do, and so do NBA fans. Here are our 25 favorite NBA nicknames.
    1/26 SLIDES © Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

    The 25 best NBA nicknames of all time

    If you are an NBA player, there is a good chance you are a known name. You may very well be a star and even one who surpasses the world of sports fandom. Everybody knows Michael Jordan, right? Some guys are known by only one name. Shaq. Kobe. LeBron. Then there are the famous nicknames and the maybe not-as-famous nicknames that are still fun. Who doesn’t like a good nickname? We certainly do, and so do NBA fans. Here are our 25 favorite NBA nicknames.
  • Slide 2 of 26: This is a nickname that has superseded his actual name. How many people call him Earvin Johnson? Nobody, right? He’s Magic Johnson. That’s what he’s been known as since he basically became famous. That’s what he’s known as now. Johnson will always be Magic, which is also a great nickname for a crazy talented point guard.
    2/26 SLIDES © Focus on Sport/Getty Images

    Magic

    This is a nickname that has superseded his actual name. How many people call him Earvin Johnson? Nobody, right? He’s Magic Johnson. That’s what he’s been known as since he basically became famous. That’s what he’s known as now. Johnson will always be Magic, which is also a great nickname for a crazy talented point guard.
  • Slide 3 of 26: It’s such a simple nickname, but it’s so iconic. His name is Julius Erving, and he was a “doctor” of basketball, so he became known as Dr. J. And yet it just stuck with everybody. Dr. J just rolls off the tongue, and Erving’s amazing dunks and stellar play certainly helped embed the nickname in our minds.
    3/26 SLIDES © Focus on Sport/Getty Images

    Dr. J

    It’s such a simple nickname, but it’s so iconic. His name is Julius Erving, and he was a “doctor” of basketball, so he became known as Dr. J. And yet it just stuck with everybody. Dr. J just rolls off the tongue, and Erving’s amazing dunks and stellar play certainly helped embed the nickname in our minds.
  • Slide 4 of 26: The U.S Postal Service doesn’t actually have that “Neither rain nor snow…” motto, but we still think of mail carriers as being largely reliable. That’s how Karl Malone got his nickname, “The Mailman.” Malone always delivered — except on Sunday and national holidays, we guess.
    4/26 SLIDES © Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images

    The Mailman

    The U.S Postal Service doesn’t actually have that “Neither rain nor snow…” motto, but we still think of mail carriers as being largely reliable. That’s how Karl Malone got his nickname, “The Mailman.” Malone always delivered — except on Sunday and national holidays, we guess.
  • Slide 5 of 26: “Air Jordan” isn’t super creative for a guy named Michael Jordan. And yet it was perfect. Jordan was a dunk champion. His “Jumpman” logo is still iconic. Flying through the air is MJ’s thing. It’s a pitch-perfect nickname.
    5/26 SLIDES © Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

    The Big O

    Until Russell Westbrook came around, Oscar Robertson was the last player to average a triple-double over a whole NBA season. “The Big” whatever is usually a decent nickname concept, but none of them tops “The Big O” as a nickname. It’s just fun to call somebody “The Big O.”
  • Slide 6 of 26: Until Russell Westbrook came around, Oscar Robertson was the last player to average a triple-double over a whole NBA season. “The Big” whatever is usually a decent nickname concept, but none of them tops “The Big O” as a nickname. It’s just fun to call somebody “The Big O.”
    6/26 SLIDES © Bettmann/Getty Images

    Wilt the Stilt

    Rhyming is a good choice for nicknames. There are a couple of those on this list. Wilt Chamberlain was tall (7-foot-1). So are people who walk on stilts. Hence, Wilt the Stilt. It’s not an intimidating nickname, but it’s fresh enough to be fun.
  • Slide 7 of 26: Rhyming is a good choice for nicknames. There are a couple of those on this list. Wilt Chamberlain was tall (7-foot-1). So are people who walk on stilts. Hence, Wilt the Stilt. It’s not an intimidating nickname, but it’s fresh enough to be fun.
    7/26 SLIDES © Bettmann/Getty Images

    The Answer

    What is Allen Iverson the answer to? We aren’t sure. That wasn’t really what was important. All that mattered was A.I. (not as good of a nickname) was the Answer. It was a formidable nickname and fitting for a guy who changed the NBA.
  • Slide 8 of 26: What is Allen Iverson the answer to? We aren’t sure. That wasn’t really what was important. All that mattered was A.I. (not as good of a nickname) was the Answer. It was a formidable nickname and fitting for a guy who changed the NBA.
    8/26 SLIDES © Jamie Squire/Getty Images

    The Glove

    Most guys get nicknames for their physical traits or their offensive acumen. Not Gary Payton. He earned his nickname for his defensive skills. Payton is the only point guard to ever be Defensive Player of the Year. He fit to the guys he was guarding like a glove. Works for us.
  • Slide 9 of 26: Most guys get nicknames for their physical traits or their offensive acumen. Not Gary Payton. He earned his nickname for his defensive skills. Payton is the only point guard to ever be Defensive Player of the Year. He fit to the guys he was guarding like a glove. Works for us.
    9/26 SLIDES © HECTOR MATA/AFP via Getty Images

    The Dream

    Call him Akeem. Call him Hakeem. We just known that Hakeem Olajuwon is “The Dream.” It’s a rhyming nickname and a perfect one. He had his Dream Shake. He had those basketball shoes that were way cheaper than Jordan’s. You can even just call him “Dream,” and people will know whom you’re talking about.
  • Slide 10 of 26: Call him Akeem. Call him Hakeem. We just known that Hakeem Olajuwon is “The Dream.” It’s a rhyming nickname and a perfect one. He had his Dream Shake. He had those basketball shoes that were way cheaper than Jordan’s. You can even just call him “Dream,” and people will know whom you’re talking about.
    10/26 SLIDES © Getty Images

    The Round Mound of Rebound

    Some people call Charles Barkley “Sir Charles,” which is kind of blah. However, Barkley was a hefty, formidable rebounder who wasn’t maybe as much of a physical specimen as some of his fellow big men. “The Round Mound of Rebound” just works perfectly, and it’s maybe the most amusing NBA nickname ever.
  • Slide 11 of 26: It kind of feels like Giannis Antetokounmpo got a nickname right out of the gate because of the difficulty in spelling, and pronouncing, his actual name. However, Giannis is Greek, and he’s a physical freak, and those words rhyme. Now he’s a two-time MVP, and The Greek Freak has entered the lexicon.
    11/26 SLIDES © Harry How/Getty Images

    Vinsanity

    Vince Carter had a ton of nicknames: “Air Canada.” “Half Man, Half Amazing.” The best of the bunch, though, is “Vinsanity.” His dunking skills were insane, or rather “Vinesane.” It just rolls off the tongue, and until “Linsanity” it was the one “insanity” nickname out there.
  • Slide 12 of 26: Some people call Charles Barkley “Sir Charles,” which is kind of blah. However, Barkley was a hefty, formidable rebounder who wasn’t maybe as much of a physical specimen as some of his fellow big men. “The Round Mound of Rebound” just works perfectly, and it’s maybe the most amusing NBA nickname ever.
    12/26 SLIDES © ROBERT SULLIVAN/AFP via Getty Images

    Clyde the Glide

    Man, when Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler were on the same team, it was a dynamic nickname duo. Maybe “Clyde the Glide” doesn’t make a ton of sense, but we don’t care. Everybody calls him “Clyde the Glide” so you know that works as a nickname.
  • Slide 13 of 26: Vince Carter had a ton of nicknames: “Air Canada.” “Half Man, Half Amazing.” The best of the bunch, though, is “Vinsanity.” His dunking skills were insane, or rather “Vinesane.” It just rolls off the tongue, and until “Linsanity” it was the one “insanity” nickname out there.
    13/26 SLIDES © Otto Greule Jr/Allsport

    The Process

    Joel Embiid likes to have fun. When Sam Hinkie tore down the 76ers to rebuild them, it became known by fans as “The Process.” “Trust The Process” became the rallying cry. Naturally, Embiid, one of the players drafted during that time, decided to give himself the nickname “The Process.” We don’t usually like self-given nicknames, but this one is fun enough to get a pass. Now, if only Embiid and the Sixers could complete that process.
  • Slide 14 of 26: Man, when Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler were on the same team, it was a dynamic nickname duo. Maybe “Clyde the Glide” doesn’t make a ton of sense, but we don’t care. Everybody calls him “Clyde the Glide” so you know that works as a nickname.
    14/26 SLIDES © JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images

    The Dunkin' Dutchman

    Rik Smits was a giant guy from the Netherlands who was an underrated player. He was even an All-Star once. When you are over 7-foot tall it’s pretty easy to dunk. It’s also super fun to call a guy “The Dunkin’ Dutchman.”
  • Slide 15 of 26: Joel Embiid likes to have fun. When Sam Hinkie tore down the 76ers to rebuild them, it became known by fans as “The Process.” “Trust The Process” became the rallying cry. Naturally, Embiid, one of the players drafted during that time, decided to give himself the nickname “The Process.” We don’t usually like self-given nicknames, but this one is fun enough to get a pass. Now, if only Embiid and the Sixers could complete that process.
    15/26 SLIDES © Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

    Splash Mountain

    This is the newest one on the list, and we owe it all to Brook Lopez beginning to shoot threes. The 7-foot center, who had spent his entire career by the basket, was suddenly splashing treys. However, he’s still a mountain of a man, so we get this awesome nickname.
  • Slide 16 of 26: Rik Smits was a giant guy from the Netherlands who was an underrated player. He was even an All-Star once. When you are over 7-foot tall it’s pretty easy to dunk. It’s also super fun to call a guy “The Dunkin’ Dutchman.”
    16/26 SLIDES © Focus on Sport/Getty Images

    Pistol Pete

    There was a time when Pete Maravich was wearing a jersey that just said “Pistol” on it. He’s not the only Pistol Pete. That’s also the nickname of Oklahoma State’s mascot. However, it’s alliterative and cool, so we still did it for Maravich.
  • Slide 17 of 26: Shawn Kemp was one of those players who wasn’t overrated necessarily, but he is oversized in our memory because of his big, splashy highlights. It rains a lot in Seattle, and if you get buckets you could be said to be making it rain. Plus, “Rain Man” is a movie that existed. So the nickname was tweaked a bit to “Reign Man” to call to mind royalty, and a nickname was born.
    17/26 SLIDES © Doug Pensinger/ALLSPORT

    Big Shot Bob

    Robert Horry won seven NBA titles even though he was never THAT good of a player. He averaged 7.0 points per game in his career; however, Horry made several iconic big shots. Before he even retired he was being called “Big Shot Bob,” which is, frankly, a great nickname.
  • Slide 18 of 26: This is the newest one on the list, and we owe it all to Brook Lopez beginning to shoot threes. The 7-foot center, who had spent his entire career by the basket, was suddenly splashing treys. However, he’s still a mountain of a man, so we get this awesome nickname.
    18/26 SLIDES © Dylan Buell/Getty Images

    Chief

    Robert Parish played for 21 seasons, and for an NBA-record 1,611 regular-season games. He had a long time to earn a nickname. However, Parish wasn’t the most dynamic of personalities. That’s actually how he got his nickname. He was called “Chief” after the big, quiet character from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”
  • Slide 19 of 26: There was a time when Pete Maravich was wearing a jersey that just said “Pistol” on it. He’s not the only Pistol Pete. That’s also the nickname of Oklahoma State’s mascot. However, it’s alliterative and cool, so we still did it for Maravich.
    19/26 SLIDES © Focus on Sport/Getty Images

    The Worm

    Dennis Rodman’s nickname “The Worm” is an indelible one. It’s evocative and unusual. How did he get it though? Well, there are conflicting stories. We can’t say for sure how it started. It doesn’t matter. Rodman was an outsized personality, and he earned an outsized nickname.
  • Slide 20 of 26: Robert Horry won seven NBA titles even though he was never THAT good of a player. He averaged 7.0 points per game in his career; however, Horry made several iconic big shots. Before he even retired he was being called “Big Shot Bob,” which is, frankly, a great nickname.
    20/26 SLIDES © Nick Laham/Getty Images

    Big Dog

    A few players in NBA history have been called “Big Dog.” We get it, since it’s a really good nickname. However, to us, the quintessential “Big Dog” is Glenn Robinson. His son, Glenn Robinson III, is now in the NBA. Maybe we could call him “Little Dog?” Or maybe “The Puppy?” Or would that maybe not go over well?
  • Slide 21 of 26: Robert Parish played for 21 seasons, and for an NBA-record 1,611 regular-season games. He had a long time to earn a nickname. However, Parish wasn’t the most dynamic of personalities. That’s actually how he got his nickname. He was called “Chief” after the big, quiet character from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”
    21/26 SLIDES © Tom Berg/WireImage

    The Jet

    Kenny Smith is on TNT’s NBA programming with two other nicknamed gentleman in Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal. Smith has a nickname of his own though. You could say he’s called Kenny “The Jet” Smith because of his speed. In truth, we know it’s because of the Elton John song “Benny and the Jets” as much as anything else.
  • Slide 22 of 26: Dennis Rodman’s nickname “The Worm” is an indelible one. It’s evocative and unusual. How did he get it though? Well, there are conflicting stories. We can’t say for sure how it started. It doesn’t matter. Rodman was an outsized personality, and he earned an outsized nickname.
    22/26 SLIDES © TOM MIHALEK/AFP via Getty Images

    Sauce Castillo

    This is maybe the best nickname story of the bunch. Nik Stauskas was never a remarkable NBA player. However, one day the closed captioning on a game turned “Nik Stauskas” into “Sauce Castillo.” In the modern era that was able to go viral, and a guy who never made much of an impact on the court got a great nickname anyway.
  • Slide 23 of 26: A few players in NBA history have been called “Big Dog.” We get it, since it’s a really good nickname. However, to us, the quintessential “Big Dog” is Glenn Robinson. His son, Glenn Robinson III, is now in the NBA. Maybe we could call him “Little Dog?” Or maybe “The Puppy?” Or would that maybe not go over well?
    23/26 SLIDES © Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

    Big Ben

    Sure, technically Big Ben is just the bell — not the clock or the giant tower. Let’s not get pedantic. We think of Big Ben as being tall and foreboding. That makes it a perfect nickname for Ben Wallace, who was arguably the best defensive player in the NBA during his time with the Pistons. When he got a rebound, they would also play a bell chiming in Detroit. Not bad for an undersized, undrafted player.
  • Slide 24 of 26: Kenny Smith is on TNT’s NBA programming with two other nicknamed gentleman in Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal. Smith has a nickname of his own though. You could say he’s called Kenny “The Jet” Smith because of his speed. In truth, we know it’s because of the Elton John song “Benny and the Jets” as much as anything else.
    24/26 SLIDES © Tim de Frisco /Allsport
  • Slide 25 of 26: This is maybe the best nickname story of the bunch. Nik Stauskas was never a remarkable NBA player. However, one day the closed captioning on a game turned “Nik Stauskas” into “Sauce Castillo.” In the modern era that was able to go viral, and a guy who never made much of an impact on the court got a great nickname anyway.
    25/26 SLIDES © Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
  • Slide 26 of 26: Sure, technically Big Ben is just the bell — not the clock or the giant tower. Let’s not get pedantic. We think of Big Ben as being tall and foreboding. That makes it a perfect nickname for Ben Wallace, who was arguably the best defensive player in the NBA during his time with the Pistons. When he got a rebound, they would also play a bell chiming in Detroit. Not bad for an undersized, undrafted player.
    26/26 SLIDES © Elsa/Getty Images

NBA partial schedule released: Top 25 games to watch in first half of the season .
The Los Angeles Lakers will play on opening night and on Christmas, with 23 national TV appearances in the first half of the NBA season.On Friday, the league released its regular-season schedule through March 4 – a total of 558 games. The remainder of the schedule – another 522 games – will be released at a later date, most likely in February.

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