Lakers Hire Real Madrid's Messina

The Los Angeles Lakers seem to be collecting new coaches like my nephew collects Pokemon cards, the latest is European coach Ettore Messina the was added to the collection on Friday.

Messina spent the last two seasons as the head coach of the Spanish League Club, Real Madrid, will serve as a coaching consultant for the Lakers.

"I am honored to have received this opportunity from one of the greatest basketball organizations in the world," said Messina. 'I have great respect for coach Mike Brown and I'm excited to work with him and his staff."

Highly decorated, Messina was named one of the Euroleague's 10 Greatest All- Time Coaches in 2008. Other honors include European Coach of the Year (1998), Euroleague Coach of the Year (2006 and 2008) and Italian Coach of the Year (1990, 1993, 1998, 2001 and 2005).

Bryant 'Friend Requests' Pietrus

Kobe has made himself scarce to the media this summer, but seems he's looking to poke a few players and send out a few 'Friend Requests' in hopes of building up the Lakers squad for next year.

In addition to a myriad of questions we have for Kobe, like what are his thoughts on the new coaching staff, about his decision to get surgery on his knee in Germany, and the latest, why do you want Mikael Pietrus to come to the Lakers?

Pietrus, a Phoenix Suns guard with one year left on his contract, told the French newspaper L'Equipe (as first noted by Pro Basketball Talk's Kurt Helin and the Orange County Register's Janis Carr): “Phoenix did not play me, but that’s their problem. I continued to work. The only thing that interests me now is winning a title,” he said. “A lot of teams are interested in me, like the Lakers or the Celtics. This came from the best player in the world: Kobe Bryant. He told me two months ago that he would like to see me with the Lakers.”

Pietrus could possibly provide the Lake Show with some needed three-point shooting, averaging at least 36% from downtown the past five seasons, and some much needed athleticism considering Shannon Brown just opted out of his $2.37 million contract. But Pietrus is an inconsistent shooter overall, shooting 39.2% overall last year with Phoenix. He isn't exactly known to add much on defense. And the Lakers already have plenty of his type of player at the wing position, including Ron Artest, who's a better defender and Matt Barnes who also started ahead of Pietrus in Orlando.

So why would Kobe want Pietrus to play on the Lakers? Not, sure but I think he should just deny his 'Friend Request' and look elsewhere to strengthen the Lakers for their quest for a championship next season.

Kobe Gets Experimental in German-knee

The NBA lockout is underway, giving arguably the best player in the league a chance to get back into top form. Kobe has had his bout with injuries, even ignoring doctors advice by playing through them, including his finger injury and the ankle at the end of this season, the lockout may be an opportunity to get back into pristine game shape.

Although he did not miss much time on the floor, the five-time NBA champion has taken a beating on his aging body and now it may have finally caught up with him as his knees just aren’t what they used to be. The two-time NBA Finals MVP has decided to look outside the US to see if there is any way to get his knees back into game shape and ready for the upcoming NBA season.

Kobe plans to recouperate in Germany after undergoing an experimental procedure called platelet-rich plasma therapy. This procedure is becoming very popular with professional athletes in this country and around the world like Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee, Tiger Woods, and New York Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty having gone through this same procedure.

The procedure should be successful and with three to six years left of playing at a high level in the NBA, Kobe Bryant will need all the help he can get in order to continue playing at a championship level.

The Lake Show Hires Quin Snyder, Chuck Person as assistant coaches

Quin Snyder, Chuck Person, Mike Brown, Phil; We miss you already

Lakers hire two more to the cast of characters: Snyder, Person

as assistant coaches to Brown

Ex-Sonic Chuck Person and Quin Snyde have been hired by the Los Angeles Lakers as assistant coaches to the newly hired first-year coach Mike Brown.

Snyder, 44, was a Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach last season. Before working for the Sixers, Snyder spent three seasons coaching the Austin Toros in the NBA D-League and was the league's coach of the year for the 2008-09 season.

"With the addition of Quin to my coaching staff, we've added someone who has an extremely intelligent basketball mind," Brown said. "Quin's most valuable asset, however, is his passion for coaching and his ability to get the most out of the players he coaches."

Snyder was a college coach at Missouri for nearly seven full seasons and went 126-91; he resigned in February 2006 because he believed top school officials were unanimous in their decision to terminate his contract after the season.

"I am grateful to Mike Brown and the entire Lakers organization for providing me with this opportunity," ex-Duke point guard Snyder was quoted as saying on the team's website. "I'm looking forward to fulfilling whatever role I'm asked to assume. I could not be more excited to have this unique opportunity."

Person, 47, was an assistant on the staff of previous Lakers coach Phil Jackson. Person scored 13,858 points in his career.