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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1048 Articles

Dalton Knecht: ‘Special’ To Have First Basketball Camp In Tennessee

Transitioning from NCAA to the NBA takes time and Los Angeles Lakers sophomore forward Dalton Knecht appeared to make that transition look easy as a rookie. Unfortunately, things have not panned out in L.A. since the rescinded trade over a…

Magic Johnson: Lakers Need To Get Younger & More Athletic

NBA free agency is just around the corner and the Los Angeles Lakers are amongst several Western Conference teams looking to make considerable roster changes. After Luka Doncic's first full season in Los Angeles, it is apparent that he wants…

Pau Gasol Congratulates Knicks On Winning NBA Championship

The parity era is here in the NBA, with now eight different champions in the last eight years, which goes to show how hard it is to repeat in this day and age.. The New York Knicks snapped their 53-year…

Magic Johnson Believes Lakers & LeBron James Need To Make Decision ‘Soon’

Plenty of important decisions loom this summer for the Los Angeles Lakers with LeBron James as arguably their most more important. He will be heavily coveted as a free agent, but a return to the Lakers also seems to make…

Lakers News: Austin Reaves Shares ‘Pinch Me’ Moments In NBA

There is no denying that Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves deserved All-Star consideration given his strong play to begin the year. Unfortunately, injury prevented him from solidifying his case and perhaps next year he will be on everyone's radar.…

Danny Green Outlines Type Of Players Lakers Need To Surround Luka Doncic

Free agency kicks off on June 30 and the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves once again in a position needing to make multiple moves to become a serious championship contender. While March was a great month for L.A., there was…

Lakers News: LeBron James Dismisses Hobby As Sign Of Retirement Being Near

Golf quickly became a passion for Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James, as most aging players tend to pick up as an offseason activity. Since Los Angeles' season came to an end back on May 11, James has already…

Lakers News: Marcus Smart Explains Difference In Personality On & Off Court

A flaw heading into this past season for the Los Angeles Lakers was their lack of intensity on defense. Marcus Smart was brought in off the buyout market to aid in those efforts and to his credit, he was a…

Lakers News: LeBron James Explains What 23rd Season Meant To Him

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James still being able to impact winning at 41-years-old after 23 seasons is pretty crazy to think about. And now, he needs to decide if he wants to keep doing it for a 24th season.…

Knicks Join 2001 Lakers In NBA Playoff History

The NBA Finals are underway between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, which features two hungry teams looking to end their respective franchises' droughts of not winning a title. New York stunned San Antonio by winning both games…