http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/10327350/Players-I-like-%28really!%29

Stu to have surgery on a torn meniscus Monday

Lakers television color commentator Stu Lantz suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee and will have surgery on Monday.

When asked how long he’ll be out after the surgery, Lantz responded: “I’ll be back Thursday. I’m old-school. I play hurt.”

Lantz laughed. He won’t miss any games.

He did Friday night’s game and will do Sunday’s game.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/11/lakers-vs-grizzlies-lakerss-commentator-lantz-to-have-surgery.html

"I was ecstatic," Bryant said. "I was like a kid learning something new. It’s like opening up that Christmas gift. You know what’s in it and it’s the excitement of opening it. That’s the feeling I had."

Kobe on working with Hakeem

“The Grizzlies still are in ‘serious negotiations’ with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to help coach their centers, according to team owner Michael Heisley. Abdul-Jabbar visited Memphis on Oct. 25 to attend a practice and meet with Griz players and management. Heisley said both sides are trying to iron out a working arrangement.

“’It’s a matter of how much time Kareem will give to us,’ Heisley said. ’We’re trying to come to an understanding of how Kareem will work. I want to make sure we’re getting somebody who will give attention to these kids and help them. He’s got a lot of commitments.’

and a Kareem update http://www.insidesocal.com/lakers/2009/11/kareem-update.html

and one more, Kobe talks about scoring binge.

Kobe Bryant had some interesting thoughts today on his latest scoring binge. He has scored 41 points in three of the last four games, including back-to-back contests. He is averaging 34.5 points through six games so far this season, tops in the NBA.

“It’s easier because I have better teammates,” he said. "They can make decisions with the ball. They understand the offense. We’ve been playing together for a while. It’s not like I have to go get it on the perimeter and then try to beat three or four guys.

“You look at the points I’m getting, they’re almost all from below the free throw line. It’s almost silly to think about it. I never would have had those opportunities in the past. I have guys who I’m playing with who are threats, who can make 3s.

“The defense has to honor them and I can post up. It makes it a lot easier. You look back then and I had to beat three or four guys (to score 81 points) against the Raptors and the Raptors were (lousy in 2005-06) that year.

“Think about it, it’s crazy. It’s stuff I don’t have to do now. It’s stuff I had to do just to keep us competitive.”

http://www.insidesocal.com/lakers/2009/11/kobe-talks-about-scoring-binge.html