Matthew Valento

Matthew Valento graduated from Boise State University with a major in integrated media and strategic communications and a minor in journalism. He grew up in Santa Clarita, California and played basketball at Saugus High School. Along with writing for LakersNation.com, Matthew also hosts a basketball podcast called, "The Basketball Maestros." Contact: MattV@MediumLargeLA.com Twitter: @matthewvalento Instagram: matthew.valento
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673 Articles

Paul George Believes LeBron James & Luka Doncic Work As Lakers Teammates

After surprisingly being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, it has taken Luka Doncic some time to adjust to his new team and surroundings. That is especially the case since Doncic missed approximately six weeks with a calf strain, the…

Matthew Valento

JJ Redick: Rui Hachimura Was ‘Outstanding’ Matching Up With Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic

Heading into a daunting challenge against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night, the Los Angeles Lakers relied on their forwards like Rui Hachimura to play physical defense against Denver Nuggets three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Head coach JJ Redick has shown…

Matthew Valento

Lakers News: LeBron James Compares Connection With Luka Doncic To Receiver & Quarterback

Saturday was a big test for LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers as they made the trip to Denver take on the Nuggets, who won nine straight heading into this matchup. Admittedly, L.A. struggles mightily when they…

Matthew Valento

Dirk Nowitzki Explains Why He Wanted To Support Luka Doncic In Lakers Debut

Luka Doncic seemed to be penciled in to be a lifer for the Dallas Mavericks, like Dirk Nowitzki, who spent 21 years with the franchise. However, Dallas' front office had a different idea by shockingly trading Doncic to the Los…

Matthew Valento

Lakers News: Andscape Releases Kobe Bryant Documentary ‘Eight On Eight’

Andscape, a content studio from Disney and ESPN, debuted "Eight on Eight," which is a documentary telling the quiet benevolence of Hall of Famer and five-time NBA champion and Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. It is a one-hour film…

Matthew Valento

Lakers Vs. Nuggets Preview: Luka Doncic Returns For Tough Road Test

The Los Angeles Lakers are embarking on a challenging stretch of their schedule against playoff-caliber teams and it kicks off with a Denver Nuggets team that L.A. has struggled with in recent years. However, this Lakers squad now has Luka…

Matthew Valento

Victor Wembanyama: Lakers & Mavericks Luka Doncic Trade Is ‘Craziest I’ve Ever Seen’

The entire landscape of the Western Conference may have changed for years to come when the Los Angeles Lakers completed a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic. In a conference that will soon be taken over by…

Matthew Valento

Nikola Jokic Believes Both Lakers & Mavericks Won Luka Doncic Trade

Luka Doncic being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers shook the league to it's core. It was one of, if not the most surprising deal ever given Doncic's age and how much he meant to the Dallas Mavericks organization and…

Matthew Valento

Lakers Rumors: Mavericks Also Reached Out To Timberwolves & Bucks About Luka Doncic Trade

When news broke about Luka Doncic being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, many were surprised by the return the Dallas Mavericks got for trading away a top-three player in the league. Granted, L.A. parted ways with Anthony Davis and…

Matthew Valento

Jeanie Buss Makes First Public Comments Since Lakers’ Trade For Luka Doncic

Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka have received their fair share of scrutiny from the media and fanbase regarding their decision-making in recent years. However, that seemed to fall by the wayside as Pelinka put…

Matthew Valento