Check out highlights in the video below of Team USA's 86-85 victory Sunday over Spain.
-- TrueHoop's Kevin Arnovitz observes that the "Lakers have assumed a posture of professional incumbency."
-- The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding reports that Ron Artest has switched numbers from 37 to 15.
-- Ball Don't Lie's Kelly Dwyer argues that Dwyane Wade is a better shooting guard than Kobe Bryant.
-- ESPN Los Angeles' Andy Kamenetzky wonders how the Lakers would do without Kobe Bryant for the whole season.
-- ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan credits Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose and Jim Boeheim's 2-3 zone for Team USA's win.
-- NBA.com's John Schuhmann has news and notes on USA's victory.
In the video below, Lakers forward Pau Gasol shares what his offseason has entailed.
-- Fox Sports West's Matt Smith looks at Lamar Odom's role with Team USA.
-- The New York Times' Pete Thamel looks more at Boeheim's zone.
-- But the Game Is On's Mark Travis breaks down what makes Gasol an effective passer.
-- Forum Blue & Gold's Darius Soriano breaks down Bryant's fundamentals.
Tweet of the Day: "Not much Lakers news going on these days, but here's a reminder that Monday, Aug. 23, is Kobe Bryant's 32nd birthday." -- mcten (ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin)
Reader Comment of the Day: "The big discussion today in the off season is whether or not Shaq's jersey should be retired by the Lakers. I believe that it will be, eventually but i say that grudgingly. From a professional point of view, actual performance on the court, Shaq's deserves to have his number retired and probably will. but from an emotional standpoint and as a die-hard Lakers fan, I have my reservations. getting your jersey retired at the Staples Center is more difficult than getting into the Hall of Fame. That is a minimum requirement. First of all, Shaq only played 7 years with the Lakers, so by the time he finishes his career, he would have played more seasons with other teams than the Lakers including 5 with Orlando alone. Also, i might be wrong, but i believe that every laker up on the rafters, retired as a Laker even if some of them started at another team. In either case, every single one of those players are totally identified as a Laker legend and many of them stayed with the laker organisation after retirement. Jerry West (long time legendary laker GM), Worthy (K-Cal 9), Magic (part owner), Kareem (coach to bynum). all of them with the exception of Wilt Chamberlain played at least a decade with the Lakers. Wilt the exception is still totally identified as a Laker player and he is responsible for the Lakers' first championship in Los Angeles. Kareem (14 seasons), Magic, West, Worthy, their whole careers. Shaq's 7 years is kind of weak in comparison. now, my emotional reasons. Shaq has disrepected the laker organization during his time here and after he left. His departure was nasty. not only his feud with kobe, but also his feud with Jerry Buss." -- crystal
-- Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com