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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720 Articles

Rui Hachimura: JJ Redick Accomplished Goal Of Winning 50 Games In First Season With Lakers

Not many rookie head coaches can say they went through the adversity JJ Redick did in his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Navigating and managing all sorts of personalities is challenging for veteran coaches, but Redick managed to…

Lakers Video: LeBron James Congratulates Alex Ovechkin On Breaking NHL Goals Record

In his 22nd season in the NBA, it feels like Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is breaking records every game. Being a productive player at age 40 through all the mileage he has accumulated is not easy, but James…

LeBron James: Lakers Trying To Build ‘Great Habits’ In Final Stretch Of Regular Season

As the regular season winds down, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are in a heated race to keep themselves as a top-four seed in the Western Conference. Heading into play on Sunday, L.A. had the hardest remaining schedule…

Austin Reaves Pleased With Lakers’ Play In ‘Huge’ Win Over Thunder

Sunday afternoon presented a daunting challenge for the Los Angeles Lakers as they took on the No. 1 seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in a mini two-game series on the road. However, Austin Reaves and company were ready to play on…

JJ Redick: Dalton Knecht Could Help Lakers Win Multiple Playoff Games

As the postseason nears, Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht has often found himself on the outside looking in for a rotation spot. Head coach JJ Redick is beginning to key in on a playoff rotation consisting of eight or…

Lakers Video: Luka Doncic & Warriors’ Stephen Curry Want To Play Game Of HORSE

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic is obviously a generational talent, but his ability to make trick shots is also impressive. Since arriving in L.A., fans have seen Doncic take these absurd shots during his pregame warmup. This lighthearted approach…

Tracy McGrady Doesn’t Believe LeBron James Would Fare Well In 1-On-1 Competition

There is no debate that Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is one of the greatest, if not the greatest player in NBA history. This conversation revolves around NBA circles seemingly every day as James continues to impress in his…

Austin Reaves & Luka Doncic Know Lakers Are In For Challenge Against Thunder

With five games remaining in the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers are getting ready for two games in a row on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who Luka Doncic faced last postseason. Due to how close seeding…

Lakers News: El Pollo Loco Announces Partnership With Dalton Knecht

When the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Dalton Knecht, he knew his life was about to change playing for one of the most popular organizations in sports. Born in North Dakota, Knecht playing in L.A. automatically presents plenty of opportunities to…

Rui Hachimura Enjoying ‘Wide Open’ Shots Created By Lakers’ Stars

Injuries affect every NBA team, some more than others, but it unfortunately struck the Los Angeles Lakers at a bad time with LeBron James and Rui Hachimura recently missing extended time. Both James and Hachimura have returned in time to…