Philippines, 17 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


BRYANT, GASOL, HOWARD, NASH AND WORLD PEACE, L.A. LAKERS FORMIDABLE FIVE


PhilBoxing.com




Dwight Howard and Steve Nash joined the Los Angeles Lakers led by Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol in the first day of practice. Canadian Nash was signed from the Phoenix Suns while Howard was acquired from the Orlando Magic via a four-tem deal. Both All-Stars have yet to win an NBA championship ring.

Nash started with the Suns and played also for the Dallas Mavericks teaming-up with Dirk Nowitzki. He returned to the Suns and was not able to join the Dallas champion team. While at the Suns, he became a two-time Most Valuable Player in 2005-2006. Nash was chosen to the All-NBA first team in 2005-2007 and was an 8-time NBA All Star. He was also a 5-time NBA assist leader.

Howard became a 5-time All-NBA first team, 6-time NBA All-Star, and 3-time Defensive Player of the Year, 4-time rebounding champion, 2-time blocks leader, and 2008 NBA Slam Dunk champion. He was the starting center of the gold-winning USA team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

It is obvious that both Nash and Howard want to grab an NBA championship that is why they decided to join the Lakers this season. And with Bryant and Gasol, the line up looks more formidable than ever. Bryant won five and Gasol had two titles in the Lakers.

Bryant was the 2008 league MVP, two-time NBA Finals MVP, 14-time NBA All-Star with 4 All-Star MVP awards, 10-time All-NBA first team, 2-time scoring champion and 1997 Slam Dunk champion. He was a member of the gold-winning USA team in the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics.

Gasol is the 2002 NBA Rookie of the Year, 4-time NBA All-Star, FIBA World Championship MVP, EuroBasket MVP, and a mainstay of the Spanish team which garnered the silver medal in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and gold in the 2006 FIBA world championship.

Metta World Peace (Ron Artest) was a member of the Lakers? 2010 NBA champions. He was the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year.

?All the pieces fit,? Bryant said. ?We all do different things. We all fit together naturally. We just have to keep doing the things we have been doing our entire careers.?

With Howard filling up the center, Gasol can concentrate playing at the power-forward position. Nash?s exceptional play-making skills can set up Bryant, and World Peace. They comprise the Lakers fearsome five.

But all eyes were on Bryant and Howard. Kobe was all praises on Superman?s defensive and rebounding skills. He is grooming the All-Star center as his heir apparent at the Lakers? leadership.

"This is my team, but I want to make sure that Dwight, when I retire, this is going to be his," Bryant said. "I want to teach him everything I possibly know, so that when I step away, this organization can ride on as if I never left."

Many fans see it as a move of surpassing Michael Jordan?s six titles with the Chicago Bulls. The Lakers have won 16 NBA titles in 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010. The last five titles were with Bryant.

?Let?s start with winning the first game,? Bryant said.

(Photo of Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace from twitter.com/Lakers)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • “The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
    , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.