<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> Talk about your brief period as a free agent. It was nerve wracking. Even though it was short, it was the whole time period leading up to that. L.A. is where I wanted to stay, I made that clear to my agent, but we had backup plans with other teams. Meetings setup and stuff like that. My agent and Mitch called me that first day and we agreed on that offer that I felt was something I was satisfied with and something the Lakers were happy with then we might as well sign it and get it done as opposed to going and looking somewhere else. </p> I was actually in Las Vegas when I got the call at a good friend of mine’s bachelor party. We were all packing up, getting ready to get on a plane to fly back home when I talked to Mitch and my agent. We ended up cancelling our flights and staying for an extra night. It ended up being a pretty fun evening.</p> How do you think this contract changes your role with the team? I don’t think the contract changes my role much. We agreed on a contract because they like what I do and what I bring to the table. Obviously I’m still working out, working on my game, and trying to get better. I’ll keep doing the things I do well to help the team win. As far as personally, it takes a lot of stress off you. When you’re playing in a free agent year you get worried about every time you have a bad game and it starts messing with your head. Now I know I still have to perform, but now I just go out there and do what I need to do. It’s nice to have the security of knowing that I’ll be here in LA and playing for this team that I want to play for.</p> Do you take on more of a leadership role now that you have this long-term deal? Absolutely. I absolutely do.</p> It’s been the same at every level. In College my freshman/sophomore year I was more of a role player, but by the time I was a Junior I was a leader. It was the same way in High School and it’s going to be the same way now. </p> I think the first couple years you learn how to play at this level. You apply your game and the more you play the more you become a leader and the more the younger kids look to you for information and for leadership. So I’ll definitely make it more of a point to be a leader out there this year.</p> Last year you worked on your outside shooting a lot, what have you been focusing on this summer? That’s what I’ve been working on this summer too, mainly my shot. The type of team we are, with the offense we play, you’re going to get a lot of open shots so that’s the main thing I’ve been working on. I’ve also been out there running and lifting weights. </p> The way I play I try to have a complete game so I kind of try to work on everything and bring it to the court. So it’s not just one thing, but shooting has been the focus.</p> Any lingering effects from last season’s ankle injury? No the ankle’s great. It just needed some time off to get strong again. Now that it’s had that proper rest I don’t even think about it anymore.</p> What does it mean to have Derek Fisher back? Fish is great. He’s gonna be so big for us. Talk about leadership, that’s another huge thing right there. He’s got the respect of everyone in this league, he’s won championships and he knows how to play the triangle offense already. Just playing with him these last couple days is great. Just knowing you’ve got someone like that playing with you.</p> Were you contacted by the University of Arizona about making that $3.5 million donation? No way. They were looking for one player to do it and get the naming rights. I think it was down to Richard (Jefferson), Gilbert (Arenas), and Jason Terry.</p> What’s your take on the Gilbert v. Richard feud? Oh it’s funny man. It’s been going on since college. It’s all fun and games when you know them. It gets a little much when we’re all together because no else gets a word in besides the two of them.</div></p> Source: Lakers.com</p> </p>
Nice find shape. It's nice to hear that Luke Walton's ankle has healed. Hopefully he continues to work hard in the offseason byperfecting his shot, because during the second half of the season, his shooting percentages really fell off. Although you could probably say that he wasn't 100% with his ankle problems. I'm also hoping Luke Walton works on his defense this season, seeing that defensethe weakest part of his game. I know he's working hard this offseason, he has a terrific work ethic. The guy came from being literally unable to score a single point on offense, to being pretty much our third option last season. Hopefullyhe doesn't slack off after the contract extension, and actually earns his pay
<font color="#ff0000">Will be a good team as long as evrybody stays healthy and it's nice to know that Luke's ankle has healed.</font>
Nice to found out that his ankle is feeling better i just really hope that we won't have as much injuries as we had last season.
