Hibbert, Williams, Bass eager for fresh starts with Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers post-free agency press conference produced a hilarious moment when their newly signed players were asked if they had heard from Kobe Bryant yet.

Earlier today, the Lakers’ free agent signings were introduced to the Los Angeles media. A reporter asked if Bryant had reached out to any of them, and stuff went from zero to awkward real quick.

“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.

Hibbert also feels that the Lakers’ organization has faith in him to recapture his All-Star form, and return to being on the top centers in the league.

Hibbert gave a slight head shake, leaving Bass and Williams to look at him hopefully to break the silence.

“My plan is to be a two-way presence on both ends of the court”, Bass said. My job is to make sure I clog up the paint, help-side defense, and whatever else I get on the offensive end is candy.

Hibbert is entering the final season of his contract, which will pay him right around $15.5 million. He watched Shaquille O’Neal’s rise intently while growing up, and he has worked with Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the past. All of that being said, Hibbert knows that this could be his last chance at earning a lucrative contract, and is doing everything he can to have a successful year. “To help my teammates anyway I can; do all the little things out there – set picks, run the floor, rebound and communicate on defense. He keeps up with me, so he always gives me some advice, something to work on”. The Sixth Man of the Year is willing to play any role to help the Lakers, who are coming off the worst season in franchise history.

Williams believes there will be plenty of shots to go around when he plays with Bryant and Nick Young. It’s a business. I’m really happy that I was able to land with a team that has such a rich tradition of big guys and have a winning tradition as well.

“I spent the first seven years in Indiana, and they were some great years up and down”, Hibbert said.

Bass joins the Lakers after playing four seasons with their biggest rival, the Boston Celtics.