Rudy Garcidueñas of the Los Angeles Lakers
let's talk
mon 7/6/2009
Rudy Garcidueñas has been part of more Los Angeles Lakers championships than Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal combined. For over 20 years, Garcidueñas has been the Lakers' equipment manager, sharing a spot on the bench with a who's who of coaches and players, including Pat Riley, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Phil Jackson, and of course, Kobe and Shaq.
We got a hold of the beloved Garcidueñas and asked him about his favorite players, championship memories and… meditation.
Of all the NBA championships you've experienced, which one stands out the most?
It's difficult to say which one stands out the most. Each team had its own unique blend of players. The back to back championships in '80s were special as well as the championships with Shaq & Kobe.
What are the most rewarding and stressful parts of your job?
The most rewarding part is being able to get to know so many different players and people throughout the years. The travel can be fun and stressful as well. It's fun at the beginning of the year and by the end of the season you are tired of jumping on planes and buses.
Do you speak Spanish with Pau Gasol?
Yes. I try to as much as I can but he speaks much better than I do.
Top row: Rudy Garcidueñas, trainer Gary Vitti, Derek Fisher. Bottom row: Luke Walton, Josh Powell, DJ Mbenga.
Who's the biggest joker on the team?
We have a few guys who enjoy pranks & laughing it up. Luke [Walton] & Jordan [Farmar] can be a devious tag team. Shannon [Brown] & Adam [Morrison] seemed to fit right in.
Does Phil Jackson make you meditate?
No, he doesn't require I meditate. Phil did more of that with the teams when he first came here. Not so much now.
Who are your favorite Lakers of all-time and why?
It's hard to pick just a few. Everyone who has put on a Lakers uniform as long as I've been around has been a joy to know. From all the greats like Magic, Kareem, Kobe & Shaq to countless other guys who have played with us they were all part of special experiences.
Did Shaquille O'Neal really buy you a car?
Yes, Shaq helped out with a vehicle when he first got to the team. I was using my own car for hauling everything around and he didn't think I should be doing that so he helped out with a truck.
welcome to the dollhouse
daily dos
fri 6/26/2009
Basketball superstar Shaquille O'Neal will join LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kobe Bryant will soon face-off with his two biggest rivals.
special sauce
daily dos
mon 6/15/2009
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic four games to one to win the franchise's 15th NBA title. Lakers coach Phil Jackson became the first NBA coach to win 10 championships. Kobe Bryant was named Finals MVP.
sez who?
daily dos
fri 6/5/2009
Listen to Lil Wayne pay homage to one his favorite basketball players on a new track, "Kobe Bryant."
sin city
daily dos
thu 4/30/2009
Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, Kobe Bryant, Lil' Wayne and Bolivian President Evo Morales are some of the finalists for Time magazine's "Time 100" list.
pump your brakes
daily dos
thu 3/26/2009
Kobe Bryant's former housekeeper, Maria Jimenez, is suing the NBA star for emotional distress and unpaid wages. Jimenez claims Kobe's wife, Vanessa Bryant, once made her dig through dog feces to retrieve a tag for an expensive blouse.
pump your brakes
daily dos
thu 3/26/2009
Hector Huerta Rios, a high-ranking member of the Beltran Leyva cartel, was arrested in Monterrey one day after his name appeared on Mexico's most-wanted drug traffickers list.
LeBron James vs. Kobe Bryant
versus
tue 3/17/2009
| name | LeBron Raymone James. | Kobe Bean Bryant. |
| born in | Akron, Ohio. | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. |
| birthdate | December 30, 1984. | August 23, 1978. |
| nickname | King James. | Black Mamba. |
| height | 6' 8". | 6' 6". |
| weight | 250 lbs. | 205 lbs. |
| high school | St. Vincent - St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. | Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. |
| college | Entered the NBA draft straight out of high school. | Entered the NBA draft straight out of high school. |
| drafted | 1st overall in 2003 by the Cleveland Cavaliers. | 13th overall in 1996 by the Charlotte Hornets and traded to the Los Angeless Lakers. |
| current team | Cleveland Cavaliers. | Los Angeles Lakers. |
| jersey number | 23. | 24 (previously, 8). |
| once called the next | Michael Jordan. | Michael Jordan. |
| position | Small forward or "point forward." | Shooting guard. |
| often described as | A "freak of nature" with an unparalleled combination of size, speed and strength. | A perfectionist driven by his singular desire to be the best. |
| standout achievements | Rookie of the Year (2003-04 and 2004-05). Five-time All-Star. | Three NBA championships, league MVP (2006-07) and 11-time All-Star. |
| worth | Net worth close to $1 billion in 2007. | Net worth valued at $200 million in 2008. |
| personal life | Married with two children to high school sweetheart Savannah Brinson. | Married with two children to Vanessa Laine. |
| endorsements | Nike, State Farm, Sprite, Bubblicious, MSN, Upper Deck and Glacéau. | Nike, Vitamin Water, Guitar Hero, Upper Deck and GameLoft. |
| controversy | Wore a New York Yankees cap during a baseball game between the Yanks and his hometown Cleveland Indians. | Accused of sexual assault. The case was dropped when the accuser declined to testify. |
| bet you didn't know | Established The LeBron James Family Foundation, which helps single parents and inner-city children. | Part owner of Italian basketball team Olimpia Milano. |
| the critics | JockBio.com: "LeBron makes the game look easy—unless you are wearing an enemy uniform." | JockBio.com: "Kobe is the reason fans stopped raising an eyebrow when high-school stars skipped college and went directly to the pros." |
| in their own words | "I think you do what's best for you and your family. And you do what's best for your career. I think loyalty definitely has a big part to do with it… Every night I go out, play hard, that's loyalty." - LeBron James. | "Once you get to the top, the hard work becomes staying on top. But you have to work to get there. You always have to be on edge. You always have to take every practice, every game, like it is your last." - Kobe Bryant. |
| best commercial | Putting the moves on Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger. | Jumping over a speeding Aston Martin. |
life after death
daily dos
sun 10/26/2008
Celebrity athletes A-Rod, Michael Phelps, Kobe Bryant and Tony Hawk making the band for Guitar Hero: World Tour.
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