Even though the Lakers have been all over Europe this offseason they can still count on their annual, preseason double date with the Golden State Warriors in California before the season begins. The first of both clashes played in the traditional, old San Diego Sports Arena tipped off last night. The Lakers where without either head player Kobe Bryant or head coach Phil Jackson. The Lake Show were a 'Shaw' thing however as they triumphed behind Pau Gasols big 26 minutes of 23 points and 7 rebounds. In the Zen masters absence coach and former role player/champion Brian Shaw successfully ran things for L.A. Perhaps this game acted as a significant trial for a job opening that Brian maybe almost sure of in the near future. After a down exhibition warm up the Lakers are looking to pick up the pace en route to the start of the new season next week. Lamar Odom added 16 and 12 rebounds, continuing his all round great form while newcomer Steve Blake stamped down 18 points and 6 assists, proving he's planting his feet comfortably with this team. Although a lot of Lakers are carrying sick notes, forward Luke Walton was back in uniform and back to work registering 5 points in the contest.
It's not just the Lakers' Shannon Brown (who is engaged to R&B superstar Monica) who's loved up in matrimony this summer. Sasha Vujacic (who replaced Kobe Bryant with 9 points in last nights exhibition with the Warriors) is also getting hitched. Last night, the backcourt stud who once dated Paris Hilton announced his engagement to Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova. Sasha and Sharapova met last year at a friends barbecue and their love heated up from there. Vujacic did the gentlemanly thing and popped the question on the couple's one year anniversary and Maria said yes to the old romantics proposal of marriage. Sasha made the three-time Grand Slam champ and world number 18 his number one saying, "We are engaged and are both really happy." A date hasn't been set as of yet but we wish all the best to this couple. Congratulations.
The Lake Show are waiving goodbye to some friends they made over the summer. In order to trim their roster LA have requested waivers on guard Trey Johnson and center Andrew Naymick. Both players impressed during the preseason. In London Kobe had a lot of fun in warm ups matching up with Naymick, as did Naymick, but were sure not as much, (he was guarding him after all). Also in the London game against Minnesota, Johnson recorded some impressive time, hitting treys and looking comfortable. He almost beat the buzzer at halftime with a sweet teardrop. Still like these two contracts he was just a little too short unfortunately and so close. We wish you all the best of luck guys in the NBA and thanks for everything. In related news former sharp shooting, suit wearing Laker Adam Morrison was waived by the Washington Wizards without a week passing worth of work. Former lottery choice Mo' would still make a great option for any team, it's time he got his chance. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
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