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Benjamin Royer

@thebenroyer.bsky.social
580 followers 935 following 1.6K posts

Lakers for OCR/SCNG | ex: Los Angeles Times, Daily Bruin | rt ≠ endorsement | proud USC annenberg, UCLA alum

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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 17h
I asked Lakers coach JJ Redick about assistant coach Greg St. Jean, who is seen across the league as one of the standout assistants who could be next in line for a HC job. “Jack of all trades, master of none.” More from Redick on St. Jean, who is leading defensive efforts:
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 18h
Walker Kessler said he’s trusting the coaching staff/training staff’s plan, but he’s still quite hungry to get back on the court for in-game action: “I think it'd be a little different if I played last season, but because I didn't play last season, … I want to play really bad.”
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 19h
Lakers center Walker Kessler participated in live play during practice on Sunday, per JJ Redick. Redick, like Saturday, is not committing to Kessler playing in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Story: Luka Dončić regrets how last season ended — his injury curtailing the Lakers' postseason hopes, he told Sports Illustrated. Now, the Slovenian star is using the moment as fuel for what's to come. From Saturday's practice in El Segundo: www.ocregister.com/2026/10/10/l...
ocregister.com
Lakers’ Luka Doncic using last year’s injury to fuel championship hopes
Having told Sports Illustrated how he regretted managing a hamstring injury late last season, the Slovenian star says it’s now motivating him this season.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Collin Sexton (lower-leg injury) is a “little bit further behind” Walker Kessler (finger), per Lakers coach JJ Redick. Redick wouldn’t commit to Kessler playing Tuesday in Las Vegas. More: Ziaire Williams is dealing with a foot contusion. Arthur Kaluma returned to practice.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
The Lakers make a roster move for their final two preseason games. ➡️ Rafael Castro ⬅️ William Kyle III
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
I asked Lakers forward Jake LaRavia about reworking his shot with coach JJ Redick, considering his shooting expertise. “Obviously, someone of his stature that had such a good NBA career with 3-point shooting, I was extremely down to take all the advice that he had to give me.”
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
I asked if there was an sorry that Sexton would not be available for the opener. Redick said no.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Lakers defeat the Sacramento Kings for the second time in the preseason, this time at home in a 114-110 victory. Luka Dončić tallied a team-high 23 points on 6-for-16 shooting. Austin Reaves went 10/6/8 in this preseason debut. Jake LaRavia tallied 17 points (3-6 on 3ptrs).
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Luka Doncic in midseason form. Called for a technical foul here in the third quarter of a preseason game.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Austin Reaves with the easy feed for an Adou Thiero alley-oop. Feels like we're gonna see a lot of that this year.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
I asked Lakers coach JJ Redick about two-way guard Chris Manon, and what he needs to do to break into the Lakers rotation. “We're invested in him and we're invested in his development and his career.” More from Redick below:
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Lakers coach JJ Redick says that Austin Reaves will play. Ziaire Williams, Walker Kessler, Arthur Kaluma, Collin Sexton, Cameron Carr and Dalton Knecht won’t play.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
We’re back.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Story: Jeanie Buss’ five siblings – Jimmy, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse – filed a response in court over the battle to sell their 17.8% stake in Lakers. Wednesday's filing calls Jeanie's petition an effort to “protect her own personal interests.” More: www.ocregister.com/2026/10/07/j...
ocregister.com
Jeanie Buss’ 5 siblings file response in court over battle to sell minority stake in Lakers
Jimmy, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse Buss said in a statement Wednesday that their sister is violating the trust by not allowing them to use their tag-along rights to sell a 17.8% stake to Bob Iger an...
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
The Lakers defeat the Sacramento Kings 127-103 in their preseason opener. They’ll play the Warriors on Tuesday to complete a preseason B2B (for some reason) before hosting the Kings at Crypto (dot) com Arena on Thursday night. Rookie Cameron Carr had 19 points in his debut.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Looking forward to see how Ziaire Williams — who has garnered plenty of buzz throughout the first week of training camp — plays in his first preseason game with the Lakers. My conversation with the new Lakers wing, who starts Monday, from over the summer: www.ocregister.com/2026/08/31/e...
ocregister.com
Exclusive: Ziaire Williams talks Lancaster basketball clinic, joining Lakers
Williams, who was raised in Lancaster, joined the Lakers on a one-year deal during the offseason. He spoke to the Southern California News Group about his annual clinic and his fit on his new team.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Story: 4 practices. 4 takeaways. The Lakers launch their preseason slate Monday evening in Sacramento. But before then, read about how the new-look squad are evolving into the 2026-27 season. On Luka’s leadership, offense, big man depth, Cam Carr & more: www.ocregister.com/2026/10/04/f...
ocregister.com
Four takeaways from four practices at Lakers training camp
With the Lakers’ first preseason game set for Monday against the Sacramento Kings at 7 p.m., here are four takeaways as the new-look Lakers begin to gel in El Segundo.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Story: Guarding Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić in practice? Just ask Matisse Thybulle. “It’s so hard,” said the Lakers veteran wing. www.ocregister.com/2026/10/03/h...
ocregister.com
How Lakers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves make practice ‘so hard’
New wing Matisse Thybulle, known for his defensive acumen, says guarding the two stars is a challenge that helps him improve.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Bronny James was asked about being the third longest-tenured player (with Dalton Knecht) on the Lakers. “AR keeps calling me a vet. I'm like, I guess.”
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Matisse Thybulle says he’ll leave the decision on whether he starts or not to the Lakers coaching staff: “For me, if my teammates are happy with how I'm playing, if the coaches are happy with how I’m playing, that's a good sign to me that I'm doing a good job.”
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Reposted by Benjamin Royer
Col. Gustavo Arellano @gustavoarellano.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
MY LATEST @latimes.com COLUMNA: My dad, Steve Hilton and tacos. What could go wrong? Share, porfas!
latimes.com
Commentary: My dad, Steve Hilton and tacos. What could go wrong?
Columnist Gustavo Arellano and his father met with Steve Hilton, a Republican running for California governor, at King Taco.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Pooh Jeter confirms his hiring as the Lakers director of pro scouting with a change to his X profile:
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
NEWS: The Lakers have announced Lawrence Tanter's successor as public address announcer – a familiar face to the L.A. sports media scene: Former KTLA sports anchor Derrin Horton. “It’s a dream,” Horton said Thursday. Free read on @ocregister.bsky.social: www.ocregister.com/2026/10/01/l...
ocregister.com
Lakers hire Derrin Horton as Lawrence Tanter’s successor as PA announcer
Horton, who has spent more than 30 years in broadcasting, most notably as a KTLA sports anchor, follows longtime arena voice Tanter, who died last week after retiring in June.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Lakers coach JJ Redick said that they’ve been working with assistant GM Rohan Ramadas on data, strategy and analytics: “There's some cool stuff we're rolling out for player development, some stuff that, frankly, Rob and I, envisioned two years ago and just didn't have the manpower to do it.”
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Story: Any team with Luka Doncic at the head is going to score — that’s no question. But these Lakers are as bullish as it gets for their defensive prospects heading into the season ahead. “We can be one of the defensive teams in the league for sure.” www.ocregister.com/2026/09/30/h...
ocregister.com
How the rebuilt Lakers are approaching defense this season
The Lakers have identified defense as their focus during the early days of training camp, and coaches and players are bullish about the potential they are seeing from a group of disruptive wings.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
JJ Redick on Matisse Thybulle: “Matisse is such a unique player; he just really is. I think our guys, hopefully, at some point this season, will pick up on the fact that if he's in the passing lane, you shouldn't pass the ball over there because he's probably going to steal it.“
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Lakers coach JJ Redick says that Luka Doncic will play during the preseason.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Story: Walker Kessler is now on the Lakers, and he was first to admit there were first-day jitters as training camp began Tuesday. “But getting out there warming up, being with the guys, it all went away. The rest of it took care of itself.” Read here: www.ocregister.com/2026/09/29/w...
ocregister.com
Walker Kessler brushes off first-day jitters as Lakers begin training camp
Kessler, the prized offseason addition of the Lakers, has been spoken about as the cornerstone of how the Lakers will be able to improve from their second-round exit a season ago.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
How many Luka Dončić lobs for his new center Walker Kessler in his first official practice with the Lakers? "Today? A couple. Like four probably. Yeah, we have a good connection. It's pretty easy playing with him."  More from Walker Kessler on Tuesday’s training camp opening:
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I asked Luka Doncic how Lakers C Walker Kessler's 7-2 frame in the post opens up the floor: "It definitely opens up a lot. I would say both ends of the floor. But especially on offense, it opens a lot. If somebody steps up a little bit, you just throw it up there, he's there."
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I asked Walker Kessler about what he’s noticed about JJ Redick’s coaching style. Kessler pointed to a morning film session — themed on the hero’s journey — in which the 7-2 center was so motivated by the Lakers coach, he said, he was ready to go out and fight.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Coach JJ Redick said that there is no glaring health concerns with this Lakers roster, but added that a few guys (he didn’t say who) aren’t in full-contact action yet. Redick said that those who are contact drills/court work will be later this week.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I asked coach JJ Redick about Sandro Mamukelashvili’s fit on the Lakers. Redick called Mamu an “offensive connector” when on the floor. “He can fit in a number of places. I'm sure he'll see minutes versus certain teams at the five. He'll play some on the wing.”
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Lakers coach JJ Redick: “This is a meritocracy. You got to earn your minutes and you cheer for your teammates while you're doing it.”
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Story: Entering a new chapter of his NBA career, Bronny James was reflective and honest at Lakers media day on Monday. “It’s a motivating factor for me just getting up every day and trying to prove myself as Bronny instead of LeBron.” Read more here: www.ocregister.com/2026/09/29/b...
ocregister.com
Bronny James ready to step into his own Lakers spotlight
With LeBron James departing the Lakers after eight seasons, Bronny James says he’s ready to forge his own path entering his third year with the organization.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Story: Austin Reaves is old-ish. In the way of longevity as a Laker, he now stands alone. He and Luka Doncic are the leaders of the Lakers, and the pair addressed that —along with the addition of Walker Kessler — and more at the Lakers annual media day: www.ocregister.com/2026/09/28/a...
ocregister.com
Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic pave way for new Lakers at annual media day
Reaves, signed to a lucrative new contract in the offseason, and Doncic are set to be the team’s leaders on and off the court as they lead a new-look squad into the 2026-27 season.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Dalton Knecht on what he needs to do to earn one of the Lakers’ 15 roster spots: “I think every single one of us is super competitive,” he said, mentioning the open runs at the facility. “Just going out there, staying confident in who I am is going to be the biggest thing.”
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Bronny James on the conversations with LeBron James, about his choice to play in Philly: "We're men of very little words when it comes to talking about business and what we're going to do, and how we feel about each other, so there wasn't really much to be honest with you."
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Bronny James, who notes that the league and media have only known him as Bronny, when he's LeBron James Jr.: "It's a motivating factor for me, just getting up every day and trying to prove myself as Bronny."
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I asked Bronny James about how fulfilling the experience was last season, building a role for himself on the Lakers. “It was great for me. Great for my confidence. Great for my development as a player.” James says he’s learning from and speaking with Collin Sexton a lot.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"I love it," Jake LaRavia says about being able to play passing lanes, pressure more with Walker Kessler at the 5. "I'm a gambling man.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"I hit a mental lapse last season, and I wasn't able to shake back from it," Jake LaRavia said. LaRavia said he's done a lot of mental reflection during the offseason to avoid that happening again, and worked on his jump shot, finding a more consistent rhythm.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Matisse Thybulle says he "feels great" going into the year. Says they started the return to play process right away after signing so that he'd be ready to go for the season. "I know how I play impacts winning."
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Kevon Looney says he's 100% healthy going into the 2026-27 season. "Things was going a little weird in New Orleans. (I've been) healthy for a while."
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Kevon Looney on the Lakers' roster makeup: "It's kind of crazy being the oldest guy on the team."
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I asked Collin Sexton about defense, which he says he's "dialing in" on ahead of the 2026-27 season. Sexton says he knows what he can offer offensively, but has been studying Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart's seasons with the Lakers as what he can also offer the team.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Collin Sexton said he relishes bringing the power off of the bench. "It's the spark off the bench that usually helps the starters," he says.
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Benjamin Royer @thebenroyer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Quentin Grimes says that the team has gotten along well quickly, and has gelled on the court at a rapid pace. Grimes says that the Lakers will "shock" a lot of people in the NBA season ahead.
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