Tag: tennis betting

PLDT’s Kianna Dy still day-to-day, no timeline for return

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Kianna Dy.–Photo from PLDT High Speed Hitters

MANILA, Philippines — Kianna Dy’s availability remains day-to-day ahead of PLDT’s upcoming campaign in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference in July.

Dy, who has been missing the action since last year’s Invitational Conference due to a knee injury, is not giving a timeline on when she will make her debut as a High Speed Hitter but she assured that she is “doing good.”

“With my injury, we’re going day-by-day. And I just don’t want to give a specific date when I’m going to play because ayaw kong paasahin din yung sarili ko and also the supporters. So, we just go day-by-day and see what happens,” Dy told reporters during PLDT’s fan meet in the Volleyball Nations League on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: PVL: Kianna Dy can’t wait to play against former teammates

The star opposite spiker is crossing her fingers that she can play in the midseason conference with returning Russian import Elena Samoilenko, whom she faced in 2022 when she was still with F2 Logistics.

“She’s really nice. I’ve actually played against her the last time, so… [we’re] preparing for the next league and hopefully I get to join her play,” said Dy, who signed with PLDT with Majoy Baron and Kim Fajardo after F2 Logistics’ disbandment.

PLDT, led by Filipino-Canadian Savi Davison, is raring to end a three-conference semis drought after falling short in the All-Filipino Conference with an 8-3 record in fifth place.

READ: PVL: Kianna Dy says familiarity big factor in choosing PLDT

The top four of Reinforced will also qualify in the PVL Invitational Conference in September with two foreign guest teams.

Dy, whose with Fajardo, Erika Santos, Kiesha Bedonia, and Rachel Austerio, is enjoying the VNL fever with her teammates as she can’t wait to watch the clash of her favorite team Japan against USA on Sunday. 

“I actually am very excited to watch Japan, the next game because you know, they’re real-life Haikyu and I grew up watching Haikyuu so I’m very excited to watch them play,” said Dy, referring to a volleyball anime series “Haikyu!!”. “VNL is such a big event and we’re very proud to support the VNL and you know it’s high-play here so it’s nice watching players from other countries play here.”



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Josh Giddey didn’t want to come off bench, prompting trade

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Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder smiles as he runs up court during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on April 10, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Joshua Gateley/Getty Images/AFP

CHICAGO — The Bulls and Thunder finalized a deal sending Josh Giddey to Chicago and Alex Caruso to Oklahoma City on Friday, with the Thunder granting the 21-year-old Giddey’s trade request after he resisted the team’s plans to use him off the bench.

Giddey, a 6-foot-8 point guard from Australia, gets a fresh start after a challenging season in which his numbers dropped and he lost his starting job in the NBA playoffs.

In a statement, Thunder general manager Sam Presti said he told Giddey after the season that the team envisioned using him as as a reserve in 2024-25 “to maximize his many talents and deploy our team more efficiently over 48 minutes.”

“As we laid out to Josh how he could lean into his strengths and ultimately optimize our current roster and talent, it was hard to for him to envision, and conversations turned to him inquiring about potential opportunities elsewhere,” Presti said. “As always was the case, Josh demonstrated the utmost professionalism throughout the discussions.”

The Thunder went 57-25 to earn the top seed in the Western Conference and lost to Dallas in the conference semifinals.

READ: Thunder trade guard Josh Giddey to Bulls for Alex Caruso

Giddey was frequently booed on the road this season after an anonymous social media user accused him of having an improper relationship with an underage girl, leading to investigations by police in Newport Beach, California, and the NBA.

Newport Beach police completed their investigation in January and said detectives were “unable to corroborate any criminal activity.” The NBA also later dropped its investigation.

Giddey was the No. 6 overall pick in 2021 and he made the All-Rookie second team. He is a member of Australia’s national team that will play at the Paris Olympics this summer. He is an exceptional passer and his size makes him a solid rebounder.

Giddey averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists in his second season, but those numbers dropped to 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 2023-24.

Giddey’s play improved the second half of this season after the Thunder traded for Gordon Hayward. In April regular-season games, Giddey averaged 16.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 57.2% from the field.

Giddey’s playing time was reduced in the playoffs. He opened the second-round series against Dallas as a starter before being moved to a reserve role for the first time in his NBA career.

The 30-year-old Caruso, who plays point guard and shooting guard, was undrafted in 2016 and played for the Thunder’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, in 2016-17. He established himself as a defensive presence in four years with the Los Angeles Lakers and then three years with the Bulls.

He has career averages of 6.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He averaged a career-high 10.1 points this past season. He was on the all-defense first team in 2023 and the second team in 2024.

“Alex Caruso is a player we have always highly valued and followed,” Presti said. “He is the quintessential Thunder player; he is an exceptional competitor and teammate with a multi-dimensional skillset.”



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The Thunder also have Cason Wallace, a second-team All-Rookie selection this past season, at point guard.

Carlo Paalam ‘feeling better’ ahead of Paris Olympics

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FILE–The Philippines’ Carlo Paalam and Britain’s Galal Yafai fight during their men’s fly (48-52kg) boxing final bout during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on August 7, 2021. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / POOL / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines—Coming off an injury, Carlo Paalam is “feeling better” ahead of the Paris Olympics.

“Right now, it’s feeling better because I can really move it now,” said Paalam in Filipino, pertaining to his shoulder.

“Unlike before when it’s hard for me just even to change my clothes, now, by God’s grace, I’m adjusting with the help of my PTs (physical therapists) and coaches.”

READ: Paalam, Petecio relish being PH flag bearers for Paris Olympics

Paalam injured his shoulder last March which forced him to withdraw in the Round of 16 of the World Qualification Tournament.

The 25-year-old Paalam returned to action in June in the second World Boxing Olympic Qualification where he earned his ticket to the Paris Games following a unanimous decision win over India’s Sachin Sachin in the semifinal of the men’s 57kg division.

Although, Paalam is still not 100 percent, the injury doesn’t seem to be much of a concern for him as he goes for an Olympic gold three years after claiming silver at the Tokyo Olympics.

READ: Carlo Paalam hurries to be 100 percent battle-ready for Paris Olympics

“There’s some parts where it hurts sometimes but it’s very minimal,” he said.

“Sometimes I don’t feel it but I just enjoy it. This is a fight and I can manage it.”

Paalam is one of five Filipino boxers who will be competing at the Paris Games. Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial, who won silver and bronze medals in Tokyo, Hergie Bacyadan and Aira Villegas complete the Philippine boxing team in Paris.



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Family says no public memorial for Jerry West

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FILE – Jerry West, who was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame three times in a storied career as a player and executive and whose silhouette is considered to be the basis of the NBA logo, died Wednesday morning. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

LOS ANGELES — There will be no public memorial for NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West.

“We will honor Jerry’s wishes and mourn his passing privately,” his family said in a statement released Thursday by the Los Angeles Clippers.

West was working as a consultant for the Clippers when he died June 12 at age 86.

READ: Jerry West conflicted about the honor of being NBA logo inspiration

He was born in the West Virginia hamlet of Chelyan and starred at West Virginia University from 1957-60 before becoming the second overall pick in the NBA draft by the Minneapolis Lakers. The team relocated to Los Angeles and he became a 14-time All-Star and won the 1972 NBA championship with the Lakers.

“Jerry’s heart never left West Virginia,” the statement said.

The family said West can be honored through donations to four different funds at WVU: the Jerry West Academic Scholarship, the Jerry and Karen West Basketball Scholarship, the Jerry West Scholarship and the university’s children’s hospital building fund.

It was signed by his widow, Karen, and West’s five sons: David, Michael, Mark, Ryan and Jonnie, along with their spouses and children.



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Gonzales hot Binitin favorite

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Cailey Chanelle Gonzales, who dominated the girls’ 10-12 division in Iloilo, will come into the next Junior PGT Iloilo Visayas Series leg in Binitin in Iloilo next week as the player to beat.

After shooting a 36-hole, nine-over 149 total at Sta. Barbara to win by 17 shots, Gonzales is now training her sights on winning the Bacolod stop before she flies out with the Philippine delegation that will see action in the Junior Worlds in San Diego in the United States.

She is not making it a secret that she wants to win an international title, playing well at the tree-lined Binitin layout in Murcia town will definitely send her off well.

“My immediate dream is to win an international competition,” said Gonzales, an incoming Grade 6 student at De La Salle-Zobel.

The Binitin leg will be held June 24-27 before she skips the Marapara stop to fly to the US.

Meanwhile, John Rey Oro used a hot back nine to close out with a level par 70 on Thursday and destroy twin brother John Paul with a six-shot win in the premier 16-18 boys division at Iloilo Golf Club.

Ahead by just two shots entering their final nine holes, John Rey had three birdies in a three-hole span from the 10th, capped by a chip-in on the challenging par-3 13th that all but settled the outcome as he tallied a 72-hole 296.



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Gilas loses Scottie to old injury, will fly with only 11 men to Latvia

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An old problem reared its ugly head once again as Gilas Pilipinas on Friday officially lost Barangay Ginebra star Scottie Thompson to a recurring back injury with the Nationals having less than two weeks left before departing for a mammoth task of trying to make the Paris Olympics through the Riga, Latvia qualifiers.

“Scottie is out because of an injury,” team manager Richard del Rosario told the Inquirer just as the Nationals opened camp at Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna.

Thompson, according to Del Rosario, has been grounded by a slipped disc—the same back injury that hobbled him at times in his collegiate career and again kept him from playing three games early into the Gin Kings’ bid in the recently concluded Philippine Cup.

The tireless playmaker is the latest mainstay to be ruled out for the July 2-8 tournament that will complete the competing nations in the Summer Olympic Games in the glitzy fashion capital next month.

Thompson becomes the third man to be scratched from the team after two-way forward Jamie Malonzo and big man AJ Edu, who was a revelation in the Fiba World Cup the country hosted last year.

Latvia first

Team Philippines first clashes with host Latvia, ranked sixth in the World, and then Georgia.

Coach Tim Cone has already rued missing the 6-foot-11 Edu, whom he feels could be vital in battling Latvia’s big men. Now, he will be dealing with the loss of a do-it-all playmaker familiar with his system and its tendencies, and an integral cog in the long-haul cast geared toward returning to the Olympics either through the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) this year or the World Cup set in Qatar three years from now.

The Nationals kicked off their closed-door training camp with original, handpicked talents present. Japeth Aguilar and Ateneo center Mason Amos, tapped as reserves back in April, were again joined by practice players Ralph Cu and Donald Gumaru—both Cone guys at Ginebra.

The Philippines won’t be the only side dealing with a manpower crisis as Latvia’s Kristaps Porzingis is expected to opt out of the OQT, as he is set to undergo surgery for a leg injury that kept him from playing three games of the NBA Finals his Boston Celtics won over Dallas.

Arturs Zagars, a crowd darling during the last World Cup, is also still coping with a knee problem sustained while serving his mother club BC Wolves in the Lithuanian Basketball League (LBL).

“Obviously, I’m still working towards that,” he said of a possible OQT stint in an interview published on the LBL website.



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As things stand, Gilas will be having just 11 players for the OQTs that will be cohosted by Spain, Greece and Puerto Rico. And whatever problems related to such a short roster should be visible even to casual fans when the Nationals host the Taiwan Mustangs this Monday at PhilSports Arena in one of its many friendlies leading up to the Riga showcase.

Gilas played with an undermanned roster during the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers when many-time World Cup June Mar Fajardo and Edu were sidelined with varying injuries.

EJ Obiena’s Olympics stint ‘just a bonus’ for dad Emerson

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FILE–Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena.

MANILA, Philippines—Amid all his son EJ’s achievements so far, Emerson Obiena feels like a second stint in the Olympics feels like “just a bonus.”

Emerson, who was in attendance during the Philippine Airlines’ special dinner for the country’s Paris-bound athletes for the 2024 Olympics at Century Park Hotel on Wednesday, said he is already immensely proud of his son even before the Paris Summer Games where his EJ gets another shot at a historic medal.

“Well, to tell you the truth, this is just a bonus,” said Emerson in Filipino. “My dream when I started teaching pole vaulting was to develop world-class athletes. I’m already very proud of the achievements he’s made.”

READ: EJ Obiena nabs gold in Poland tilt as Paris Olympics looms

Emerson wasn’t just a father to EJ in his early years of training to become a world class pole vaulter.

After achieving triumph during his heyday as a pole vaulter himself, even winning a medal in the 1993 Southeast Asian Games, Emerson turned to training EJ to become where he is now as the world No. 2

From his humble beginnings at University of Santo Tomas to the world stage, Emerson has been behind EJ all the way.

But even Emerson acknowledged the up-and-down season that EJ’s been having this year with just a few weeks to go before the Paris Olympics late in July.

READ: EJ Obiena embraces responsibility as Asia’s top track and field athlete

If he had anything to say about it, having a rocky stint is normal for an athlete, especially considering EJ’s equipment mishaps in the past.

“In his past competitions, his problem was his equipment,” explained Emerson.

“Maybe somewhere along the way, they had a mishandling or an accident with the equipment so he wasn’t ready for those. His falls were dangerous,” he added.

Emerson also revealed that EJ’s hips were stretched during the season but it was nothing serious.

READ: The difference between EJ Obiena and Mondo Duplantis

It seems like EJ is still fairing well with the competition despite his hardships, winning gold in the Irena Szewinska Memorial on Friday with his highest jump of the year at 5.97 meters.

While the season has been rocky for EJ, Paris will be a different beast and Emerson acknowledged one of the athletes that EJ will be facing in France in a few weeks.

And Emerson knows all eyes will be on world No. 1 Mondo Duplantis.

“Anything can happen when it comes to game time. Until it’s over, you have to have hope. Mondo is one of the greatest. His caliber is far from the usual pole vaulters.”

“However, as you know, people make mistakes. Sometimes they have ups or downs so we can’t say what can happen there [in Paris]. I’m just hoping. Whatever color the medal is, it’s okay with me and I’ll be happy.”



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Before Paris, EJ will compete in Poznan, Poland on Sunday, Manila time.

Bong Go, PSC provide financial support to each Filipino Olympian

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Photo from the Office of Sen. Bong Go

MANILA, Philippines — As they represent the country and embark on the journey that brings them closer to their Olympic gold medal dream, the athletes representing the Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympics received an added boost from Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) on Friday.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, Go, who is a sports enthusiast and an athlete himself, expressed his unwavering support for Filipino Olympians as he personally led the turnover of checks together with PSC chair Richard Bachmann, commissioners Bong Coo and Ed Hayco, Executive Director Paulo Tatad, and other officials for the fifteen competing athletes with nine physically present during the ceremony held at the PSC office in Manila City.

Bong Go, PSC provide financial support to each Filipino Olympian

Photo from the Office of Sen. Bong Go

The financial support was made possible through the efforts of Go and the PSC. Each Filipino athlete competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics received P500,000 to help them in their preparations.

READ: Filipino aces fly to Paris Olympics with pocket money like no other

“Your budget is always something I fight for… I will fight for it because I know it helps you. As Nesty (Petecio) said, I know you’re not after the incentives, the honor, that cannot be bought. The honor you bring to our country, you will carry that for life,” Go said in Filipino.

The athletes who received financial support include Nesthy Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan, Aira Villegas, Eumir Marcial and Carlo Paalam for boxing; Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza, and Elreen Ann Ando for weightlifting; Carlos Edriel Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Jung, Emma Malabuyo for gymnastics; Joanie Delgaco for rowing; Samantha Catantan for fencing; and EJ Obiena for pole vaulting.

“Don’t thank us. We should be thanking you because you’ve given us the opportunity to serve you. I will never neglect our athletes,” said Go in his speech.

The senator also thanked the PSC officials for their collaborative efforts, emphasizing their shared advocacy for strengthening the country’s sports programs. “We need to work together to ensure our athletes have the support they need,” he expressed.

“The Philippine Sports Commission is very thankful for all the support received for the Filipino athletes. Special thanks to Senator Bong Go for your commitment to enrich our sector as the Chairperson of the Senate Committee of Sports. Your dedication to be always at the forefront and fight for better policies and programs for all the athletes deserved to be given a salute,” PSC Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo said.

Furthermore, Petecio also expressed the athletes’ gratitude, saying, “Sir, senator, we really feel the support you give us. We are deeply grateful for that because you made us feel the support we athletes need… I also want to be honest that I have felt the support now.”

Go, who is also the chair of the Senate committee on health and demography, has been a staunch advocate for sports, consistently promoting it as a means to steer the youth away from vices and promote a healthy lifestyle.

“Sports and health are connected. That’s why I always say ‘get into sports, stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit.’ When we are physically fit, we are healthy and our lives are extended. Sports are a big help, not only for physical health but also for mental health,” said Go.

The senator also shared that he has consistently supported the Philippine delegates in various international competitions. He earlier attended the Asian Games in China and the SEA Games in Cambodia, cheering on and motivating Filipino athletes firsthand as part of his steadfast support for Filipino athletes.

He firmly believes in the potential of Filipino athletes to excel on the global stage, frequently rallying the nation with his enthusiastic cheer, “Go for Gold! Always remember those words… Those are your motivation. We are here for you.”

Go’s sports advocacy extends beyond support to elite athletes as he continuously helps promote grassroots sports development in the country. This, he believes, will lay a strong foundation for future generations of Filipino athletes.

Notable among these is Republic Act No. 11470, authored and co-sponsored by Go, which established the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in New Clark City, Tarlac, aimed at providing specialized education and training for aspiring student athletes.

He also led the passage of Senate Bill No. 2514 or The Philippine National Games (PNG) Act. Already approved on the third reading by the Senate, the bill aims to institutionalize an inclusive platform for a national sports competition that extends to the grassroots to help identify and develop sports talents if enacted into law.

Recognizing the critical need for sufficient funding in the sports sector, the senator emphasized his successful efforts to secure an increased budget for sports programs as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee to significantly improve Filipino athletes’ preparation, training, and competitive performance in the international stage, as well as launch effective programs to cultivate the talents of young and aspiring sports enthusiasts in the grassroots.



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Go concluded the event by wishing the Olympian athletes good luck and encouraging them with the words, “Fight for the Philippines!” He assured them that win or lose, the entire nation stands proud and supportive. “As your chairman of the Senate committee on sports, I am always behind you,’ he affirmed.”

Ryan Garcia suspended for year; win over Haney ruled no-contest

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FILE–Ryan Garcia (white trunks) knocks down Devin Haney (gray trunks) during their WBC Super Lightweight title bout at Barclays Center on April 20, 2024 in New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP

Ryan Garcia was suspended for a year by the New York State Athletic Commission, which also ruled Thursday that his April 20 victory over Devin Haney would be considered a no-contest after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

The commission also said Garcia would have to forfeit the $1 million he made on the fight and pay a $10,000 fine.

Garcia would be eligible to fight again in New York state after April 20, 2025, if he passes a drug test, the commission ruled.

READ: Ryan Garcia failed drug test before Devin Haney win, ESPN reports

“The Commission will continue to hold athletes to the highest professional standards and protect the integrity of all sports under our jurisdiction,” NYSAC said in the statement.

Though the suspension applies only to fights in New York state, athletic commissions typically abide by rulings in other jurisdictions.

Garcia said several times on X, previously known as Twitter, before news of the suspension that he was retiring from boxing and later even posted that he wants to talk to UFC president Dana White about joining that organization.

READ: Ryan Garcia’s B-sample also tests positive for banned substance

“I really hope boxing good without me,” Garcia posted. “I fought everyone and was willing to. They have turned there (sic) back on me. I’m innocent. I stand by that I don’t care what everyone says. Gun yo my head I say I didn’t take PED’s.”

Garcia’s attorneys said in a statement he “was a victim of substance contamination” and that the boxer has repeatedly passed drug tests, even when not in training for a fight.

The statement said: “… he never intentionally took any banned substance. It’s simply not in his nature.”

ESPN previously reported that Garcia’s A-sample tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Ostarine the day before and the day of the bout with Haney, citing a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association letter. Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator, and its use can stimulate muscle growth. It is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The results of the test weren’t known until later.

Ryan Garcia defeated Haney by majority decision in New York. Garcia knocked Haney down three times and handed the WBC super lightweight champion his first loss, but did not win the title because he was over the weight limit.



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Haney thanked the commission in an interview with ESPN.

“The facts are the facts and I wasn’t on an even playing field,” Haney said. “Happy I was able to receive justice for what happened. It’s all part of my story and it’s only going to make me better. I look to enjoy this time with my family and friends and see what’s next.”

Lakers hiring JJ Redick as their new head coach

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Former NBA player JJ Redick is reported to be the next head coach for Los Angeles Lakers. Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images/AFP 

LOS ANGELES — JJ Redick is being hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, a person with knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the Lakers hadn’t yet publicly announced the decision to hire the former guard for his first coaching job.

The 39-year-old Redick is an extraordinary choice by the Lakers, who hired a 15-year veteran with absolutely no coaching experience to lead a franchise with 17 NBA titles, one of the biggest brand names in world sports — and LeBron James, the top scorer in league history.

READ: NBA: Lakers with public coaching search in hopes of pleasing LeBron

Redick was a proficient outside shooter for six teams before his retirement in September 2021, when he moved into a career in broadcasting and podcasting. He joined ESPN’s lead commentary team earlier this year.

ESPN first reported the decision.

Before Redick finished broadcasting the NBA Finals, he met with the Lakers last weekend and apparently did well enough to end the franchise’s lengthy coaching search. Less than two weeks after UConn coach Danny Hurley turned down the Lakers’ ardent advances, Redick has accepted the job in a remarkable three-year journey from the court to the broadcast booth to the Lakers’ bench.

Redick replaces Darvin Ham, who was fired May 3 despite leading the Lakers to two playoff berths and a Western Conference finals appearance in 2023.

Redick began recording a regular podcast with James two months ago, and their “Mind the Game” collaboration is already wildly popular, with listeners often emerging impressed by the duo’s basketball acumen and high-level discussion of tactics and motivation.

READ: JJ Redick installed as favorite to become 76ers next coach

Now these two minds will be working together for the Lakers, with Redick leading a roster headlined by LeBron, who is six months younger than Redick.

Everything is contingent on James deciding to return to play with Anthony Davis and the Lakers, of course. James, who will enter his 22nd NBA season this fall, could decline his $51.4 million contract option this month to become a free agent.

But hiring Redick seems to be another calculated move by the Lakers to maximize their chances of keeping the 20-time All-Star and the driving force behind their 2020 championship team.

Redick’s coaching experience is limited to his children’s youth teams, but he has been around the game his entire life. He is the leading scorer in the history of Duke, where he played four seasons under Mike Krzyzewski.

And though Redick is an unorthodox choice, his unlikely ascent is not without some precedent in Lakers lore and recent NBA history.

Pat Riley was a broadcaster for the Lakers in November 1979 when Paul Westhead took over as their head coach after Jack McKinney nearly died in a bicycle accident. Westhead hired Riley as an assistant without coaching experience, and Riley became the Lakers’ head coach in late 1981 after Westhead clashed with Magic Johnson.

Riley promptly led the Lakers to four championships in the 1980s to begin his incredible career as a coach and executive.

And then there’s Steve Kerr, the former shooting guard and Phoenix Suns executive who had never coached before he took over at Golden State in 2014. Kerr has led Stephen Curry’s Warriors to four championships and six NBA Finals appearances in the past decade.

Redick’s arrival ends another unusual offseason coaching search for owner Jeanie Buss, general manager Rob Pelinka and the Lakers, who are hiring their eighth head coach since Phil Jackson’s final departure in 2011, and their fourth since James arrived as a free agent in 2018.

Los Angeles needed six weeks to settle on Ham in the summer of 2022, but the longtime assistant coach was dismissed after the Lakers lost to defending champion Denver in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Ham led the Lakers to two winning seasons and a victory in the inaugural In-Season Tournament last year, but many fans and observers — and, clearly, the Lakers’ front office — were not impressed by his leadership or preparation.

Davis memorably said during the playoffs that the Lakers “have stretches where we don’t know what we’re doing on both ends of the floor.”



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The Lakers hired Ham after firing Frank Vogel, who had been fired exactly 18 months after he won a title in the Florida bubble. Vogel replaced Luke Walton after another long coaching search in which the Lakers were widely reported to have wanted Tyronn Lue, only for a deal to fall apart over issues with money and control.