Big new in La-La Land . . .

[Guest_Randy]

Jim Jackson Signed, Medvedenko Released
By Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer

With an eye to the immediate future, the Lakers said goodbye to part of their past, signing free-agent swingman Jim Jackson and waiving injured forward Slava Medvedenko.

Jackson, 35, will be asked to add a veteran presence and outside touch to a team that has shot inconsistently throughout the season but is fighting for a playoff spot.

On his 12th team in 14 seasons, Jackson played in 27 games this season before being released by the Phoenix Suns last week, averaging 3.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in 15.6 minutes. He has not played since Jan. 4 but was practicing with the Suns until he was waived. His minutes were reduced this season when Phoenix added Eddie House and James Jones.

Jackson, the fourth overall pick in the 1992 draft, averaged 8.8 points and 3.9 rebounds last season for a Phoenix team that won a league-best 62 games and lost to San Antonio in the Western Conference finals.

Jackson, 6 feet 6 and 220 pounds, will be paid about $500,000, his contract contingent on passing a physical today in Los Angeles. It is not expected to be a problem.

Medvedenko, who will be 27 next month, played only two games this season and underwent season-ending surgery in January for a herniated disk in his back.

Signed as a free agent in August 2000, Medvedenko played on two Laker championship teams. He was re-signed to a two-year, $6-million deal before the 2004-05 season but played only 23 games after that because of injuries and ineffectiveness.

For his career, Medvedenko has averaged 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 249 games

Goes to show you how little it takes to excite Laker fans these days!!!  

[jn]

You Lakers fans be sure and invite the rest of us for the inevitable "Good riddance Slava" party.  

[westkoast]

You Lakers fans be sure and invite the rest of us for the inevitable "Good riddance Slava" party.

I am having a party at my place tonight.  There are not three people more happy he is gone than my brother, my roomate, and myself.

Would have been happy if they just straight cut him and let some random high school player take his spot.  Jim Jackson actually is more than we can ask for LOL

[Laker Fan]

One small step forward, don't let the door knob hit ya' Slava!