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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1040 Articles

Magic Johnson: Luka Doncic Is Most Unguardable Player In NBA

Over the Los Angeles Lakers' eight-game winning streak, Luka Doncic is averaging a ridiculous 40.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 2.4 steals on 50.2% from the field and 42.2% from 3-point range. These are the types of returns L.A. envisioned…

LeBron James Wants Lakers To Strive For Nuggets’ Championship DNA

LeBron James finds himself in an interesting predicament with the Los Angeles Lakers, as he needs to find ways to help out Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. For the first time in his 23-year career, he has not been asked…

Lakers News: JJ Redick Appreciates LeBron James Diving For Late Loose Ball

Saturday night was another test for LeBron James and Los Angeles Lakers in the Denver Nuggets. Los Angeles' downside this season has been not beating above .500 teams and they beat both the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks…

Lakers’ Luka Doncic Praises Pick-And-Roll Chemistry With Deandre Ayton

Media attention never ends for the Los Angeles Lakers, as they are a big-market team featuring superstars like Luka Doncic and LeBron James. A downside of that attention is that role players face backlash for inconsistent play, and Deandre Ayton…

South Bay Lakers Secure Franchise-Record 11th Straight Win

When the Los Angeles Lakers hired JJ Redick as their next head coach, it was evident there needed to be a change in approach. L.A. never earned a reputation for developing young talent, but under this new CBA, every team…

JJ Redick Commends LeBron James’ Sacrifice To Help Lakers

On Thursday night against the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James made his return to the lineup after missing three straight games. During his absence, speculation grew about whether James truly raised L.A.'s ceiling for winning games. This…

Lakers News: JJ Redick Remains Confident In Jake LaRavia

Jake LaRavia has struggled for the Los Angeles Lakers, despite their four straight wins. His three-point shooting took a nose dive as he is currently 1-for-14 from distance in March. LaRavia does not have a reputation of a knockdown shooter,…

Lakers News: LeBron James Opens Up About Legacy Ahead Of Eventual Retirement

Retirement is a day that comes for every professional athlete, yet it feels like Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will never hang it up. Despite dealing with nagging injuries in his 23rd season, James found a way to still…

Lakers News: Magic Johnson Congratulates LeBron James On Breaking NBA FG Record

Through nearly 23 years in the NBA, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has seemingly every accolade possible. However, another box remained unchecked as leading up to this week, he was second in field goals made behind another Lakers legend…

JJ Redick: Upcoming Schedule Gives Lakers Chance To Prove Themselves Against Quality Competition

As the regular season winds down, JJ Redick and the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a peculiar situation. Record wise, L.A. is not a bad team at 38-25, but they have struggled against playoff-caliber competition. On Thursday against the…