In a statement released by Mitch Kupchak, he has confirmed that Ron Artest has spoken with Laker management, and have intentions to sign a contract on July 8th.

The following is a statement released on Thursday evening from Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak:

“We have entered into discussions with Ron Artest and it is our intention to sign him to a contract at the conclusion of the moratorium period.”

The free agency moratorium period started on July 1, when free agents were allowed to begin speaking with NBA teams.

The period concludes on July 7, which sets July 8 as the date for the potential and official agreement between the Lakers and Artest.

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“1-2-3 Ring!!!”

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“Phil 10, Kobe 4″ -

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Lakers coach Phil Jackson has asked his players to leave their cell phones off until the Finals are over.

“Coach Phil Jackson told us to turn our cellphones off for the next two weeks and not to talk to anybody,” center Andrew Bynum told the Los Angeles Times.

Jackson is trying to limit distractions while the team is in Orlando. Rather than staying downtown, the Lakers will stay in a hotel miles away.

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In what might seem like a shocking move to some, Nike will continue to run commercials featuring the Kobe Bryant and LeBron James puppets. This despite the fact that James, unlike Bryant, isn’t playing in the Finals after his team—the Cleveland Cavaliers—was eliminated by the Orlando Magic.

“This is about celebrating two of the game’s best players and giving fans a glimpse into their personalities, not only on the court, but away from the game,” Nike spokesman Kejuan Wilkins said.

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Here, I’ll keep updated post with videos of all of the commercials.

“What kobe said to magic is true, I wouldn’t of won it without him fish and robert horry, and b shaw and fox and everybody dynasty baby”

From a recent THE_REAL_SHAQ twitter post. lol, he really wants to be part of these Lakers doesn’t he. I think he just wants to retire as a Laker.

The ‘Big Man’ was referring to an interview Kobe did with Magic Johnson on ABC.

The Lakers weren’t ready to play the Celtics in last year’s NBA Finals, but coach Phil Jackson believes his club is this time around.

“I felt they got there a year early as a team,” Jackson said of last year’s team.

“They didn’t have as much experience together. We got there on our emotion and energy, and some things fell ahead of us.”

Jackson didn’t give much credit to the Celtics, instead blaming the Lakers lack of preparedness for the loss in last year’s championship round.

“Really, this issue of being prepared and the preparedness of a team is always what your coaching is about,” he said. “Most of the time you want to go to a game and anticipate what they’ve gone through in practice is what they’re going to have to do in a game. But there’s nothing like the game.

“I think that’s the one thing we’re trying accomplish. We felt like last year we weren’t quite prepared for the type of game we were going to have to play against Boston. It has nothing to do with Boston as it has to do with the playoffs.”

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More Lakers Wallpapers

Lakers Playoff Wallpaper

Kobe Bryant Wallpaper

“Conference Champs” -

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