Matthew Valento

Santa Clarita

Staff Writer at Lakers Nation

@LakersNation @RaptorsNationTV staff writer | Host of The Basketball Maestros and Basketball Banter

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Articles

Masai Ujiri Praises Toronto’s Bench Production This Season

5 days ago | yardbarker.com | Matthew Valento

The bench production has been an issue for Toronto since entering this new phase, but perhaps they have found some options. Obviosuly, the Raptors are going to rely heavily on their starters next season, but having three to five capable bench players could not hurt. It is also worth noting that a first-round draft pick looms large this summer and hopefully that prospect can produce right away.
Lakers News: Sasha Vujacic Compares Luka Doncic To Kobe Bryant

1 week ago | lakersnation.com | Matthew Valento

When trading for Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers knew they had found their next superstar, hopefully for the next decade-plus. Obviously, the All-NBA guard needed time to adjust to his new situation and there was even an outside chance that Doncic may have not wanted to be in L.A. considering he didn’t ask to be traded. However, he looks to be settling in with the postseason looming and is ready to embrace the Lakers as his new home, moving on from his Dallas era.
Colin Castleton Returns To Toronto On Standard Contract

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Matthew Valento

The undrafted center has been searching for a home after initially being on a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023. Since then Castleton has played with the Memphis Grizzlies, 76ers and Raptors. In his previous 10 games with Toronto, the 6’10” center averaged 6.9 points and 7.4 rebounds on 47.4 percent shooting from the field. His best game came against the Utah Jazz back on March 14, where he put up 13 points and 7 rebounds.
Lakers News: Austin Reaves Expresses Appreciation For LeBron James

1 week ago | lakersnation.com | Matthew Valento

Arguably the most significant contributor to the Los Angeles Lakers winning 50 games was Austin Reaves, who took a massive leap as a secondary ball handler and scorer. Particularly in the second half of the season, Reaves played at an All-Star level, averaging over 23 points per game.
Lakers Video: LeBron James Congratulates Alex Ovechkin On Breaking NHL Goals Record

1 week ago | lakersnation.com | Matthew Valento

In his 22nd season in the NBA, it feels like Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is breaking records every game. Being a productive player at age 40 through all the mileage he has accumulated is not easy, but James is doing just that. Despite being known for his unselfish play and ability to make plays for his teammates, James notably surpassedLakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to be the all-time scoring leader in 2023.
Rui Hachimura: JJ Redick Accomplished Goal Of Winning 50 Games In First Season With Lakers

1 week ago | lakersnation.com | Matthew Valento

Not many rookie head coaches can say they went through the adversity JJ Redick did in his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Navigating and managing all sorts of personalities is challenging for veteran coaches, but Redick managed to maintain a high level of buy-in from his players as a rookie. He dealt with different iterations of the roster and also had to overcome his house being burned down in the Palisades fire.
Luka Doncic Emphasizes It Will Take 'Everyone' For Lakers To Win Championship

1 week ago | lakersnation.com | Matthew Valento

After a blowout win against the Houston Rockets, Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers have clinched the third seed in the Western Conference and now await the postseason. By acquiring Doncic, expectations have skyrocketed as championship hopes are back in L.A. There have been hiccups along the way, but head coach JJ Redick continued to keep his players bought in.
Toronto Converts A.J. Lawson To Two-Year Contract

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Matthew Valento

In the month of April, Lawson has scored double figures in five of six games. Mainly, the 24-year-old is know for his slashing and defensive tendencies. Which has been a positive skillset with limited scoring options out on the floor. He is currently averaging 8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 42.1 percent from the field and 33 percent from 3-point range.
Raptors Draft Lottery: Officially Locked Into 7th Best Odds

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Matthew Valento

One game remains for the Toronto Raptors this season, but they are focused on the NBA Draft. Everything is cosmetic as this point with Toronto being locked into the 7th best draft odds. But, never say never to the Raptors possibly moving up when the ping pong balls start rolling. When the NBA implemented flattened odds, there have been more unpredictable outcomes. Some teams have climbed into the top-3 or even No. 1, but it is not likely.
Lakers Trying To Build 'Great Habits' In Final Stretch Of Regular Season

2 weeks ago | lakersnation.com | Matthew Valento

As the regular season winds down, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are in a heated race to keep themselves as a top-four seed in the Western Conference. Heading into play on Sunday, L.A. had the hardest remaining schedule with five games remaining, including a two-game mini-series against the first-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Shockingly, the Lakers drilled 22 3-pointers and played motivated on both sides of the ball, which led to a dominant 126-99 win.