EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) – Right after Roy Hibbert, Lou Williams and Brandon Bass received their new gold jerseys Wednesday, they all spoke variations on the same theme.
The three veteran NBA players entered the summer looking for a fresh start, and they’re all eager to get it with the Los Angeles Lakers.
They’re also looking forward to playing with Kobe Bryant – after they get a chance to talk to him.
“I appreciate the Lakers getting me out here, and I’m going to work extremely hard to make sure the Lakers get back to where they should be,” Hibbert said.
The Lakers were thrilled to swing a trade for Hibbert, the 7-foot-2 center who spent the past seven seasons with the Indiana Pacers. The two-time All-Star had already moved to Los Angeles before the deal happened, and he is determined to return to dominant defensive form after a perceived down season precipitated his departure from Indiana.