Radmanovic to Start

After Luke Walton went down with a foot injury earlier this week, Jackson started Trevor Ariza in his place Sunday against the Trail Blazers. But tonight, it’s back to the bench for Ariza, the place he actually prefers, as Phil Jackson told reporters before the game that Vladimir Radmanovic would return to the starting lineup to face the New Orleans Hornets. There are a few obvious reasons why Jackson’s making the switch: Vladi prefers to start, and Ariza would rather come off the bench; Vladi spreads the floor better than Ariza, who’s struggled a bit with...read full article

Lakers' Walton won't need surgery

The news was mixed for Luke Walton on Monday. On one hand, he learned he won't need surgery on his injured right foot after visiting with a specialist. On the other, he found out he will be sidelined for at least two weeks because of sesamoiditis, a condition on the ball of the foot more often associated with long-distance runners or dancers. As an added bonus, he was fitted with a fashionable black walking boot that will protect his foot while allowing him to walk without the aid of crutches. He also began rehabilitation exercises in a pool...read full article

Luke Walton out for at least two weeks

The Lakers announced that forward Luke Walton will be sidelined at least two weeks because of an injury in his right foot. Walton was examined today by foot specialist Dr. Ken Jung from the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Group, who said the Lakers forward is suffering from sesamoiditis, or irritation in the sesamoids, the small bones that run to the big toe. Walton, who was buried on the Lakers bench when the season began, had started 11 consecutive games at small forward but injured his foot before Friday's game against Utah. Although Walton played...read full article

I don't like Mondays... except when they include Laker practice vids!

Perhaps if the Boomtown Rats had peaked during the dawn of a certain purple and gold blog, they would have developed a different outlook on the day after Sunday. Of course, Luke Walton is an actual Laker and he's feeling down today. But who can blame the guy, after learning he'll miss at least two weeks with sesamoiditis, a foot malady that will keep him...read full article

Lakers fans aren't in the mood to give Luke Walton a break

Today's thoughts: Why is Walton starting (or even playing)? Why aren't the Lakers shopping for small forwards? And why can't every day be like Christmas?

Readers questions for Lakers beat reporter Mike Bresnahan.

Question: Do you ever ask yourself, "Just what is Luke Walton doing starting for the Lakers?" Earlier in the season when the team actually seemed organized and on message, Walton was safely on the bench (buried like some frozen thing from a sci-fi film). Looking at his turnovers and low number of assists shows that he is not the "organizer" playmaker...read full article

Lakers' Luke Walton may be scrambling for court time

The team has a logjam of talent at small forward and Jackson is still trying to define the forward's role.

Once, Luke Walton was the starting small forward for the Lakers, seemingly putting him on the path to success.

He was awarded a six-year, $30-million contract during the summer of 2007 after having a career year during the 2006-07 season in which he started 60 games, and all five of the Lakers' playoff games. But now Walton is in a struggle to find minutes because of the log jam of talent at his position. And it hasn't helped that Walton fell behind in training camp while recovering from ankle surgery.

"My job is to go out and play. His job is to determine who plays where, when and how much," Walton said of Lakers Coach Phil Jackson. "That's out of my control."  When Walton was a starter during the 2006-07 season, he averaged career highs in points (11.4), rebounds (5.0), assists (4.3) and minutes (33.0).

Last season he played in 74 games, but only 31 as a starter.

Walton's role this season has yet to be determined.

"I really don't know," Jackson said today after practice. That's because Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, Vladimir Radmanovic and even Kobe Bryant all will spend time at the small forward position.

Woman charged with stalking Lakers' Luke Walton

Stacy Elizabeth Beshear is accused of following Walton to practice and his home.

An El Segundo woman has been charged with one misdemeanor count for stalking Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton at the team's practice facility in El Segundo and at his Manhattan Beach home.

Stacy Elizabeth Beshear, 34, was arrested Sept. 18 and appeared in Torrance Superior Court on Sept. 22 for arraignment and was released, Sgt. Steve Tobias of the Manhattan Beach Police Dept. said today.

Walton told police last year that Beshear was harassing him in November and December.

"She had been following him to his practice site and following him home and repeatedly asking him to sign basketballs after he'd already done so," Tobias said. "At one point, she got upset and was taking a Sharpie pen to his vehicle after he refused to sign a soccer ball."

Manhattan Beach police then met with Beshear, and she stopped what she was doing...read full article

Walton's Wish: Getting Back on the Court

Lakers forward recovers slowly from ankle surgery.

Without any clocks inside the gym, it was easy for Luke Walton to lose track of time. An hour, then another slipped by without him knowing.  The Lakers forward was captivated by the sloppy pick-up game he watched while running on a weight-resistant treadmill. If only he could play a pick-up game, he thought.  If only Walton could be out on the court, running plays and making baskets. If only he could dish off to Andrew Bynum like he used to and watch wide-eyed as the Lakers center slammed the ball in. If only he could run without worry on his surgically repaired right ankle.  Walton expects to get medical clearance Wednesday from the doctor, giving him the go-ahead to begin more rigorous workouts. He ran Tuesday on a wind-bubble treadmill that reduces body weight on joints, the first time he has tested his ankle since having surgery less than two months ago.

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed and if I get it (clearance), I'm going to start...read full article