featured-image

Lakers Bring Aboard Veteran Brandon Bass

The Lakers welcomed Brandon Bass to Los Angeles on Wednesday, officially introducing the 10-year veteran power forward. The 6-foot-8 Bass will make a rare transition this season, joining the purple and gold immediately after four seasons with the rival Boston Celtics.

Bass, who has missed just one game over the last three seasons, brings a decade of NBA experience to the Lakers. Those 10 years of knowledge figure to be helpful toward mentoring some of L.A.’s young bigs, including fellow power forward Julius Randle.

“My plan is to be a two-way presence on both ends of the court,” Bass said. “To help my teammates anyway I can; do all the little things out there — set picks, run the floor, rebound and communicate on defense. (I’m) trying to lead by example.”

In trying to lead, Bass will be following the guidance of a familiar face in head coach Byron Scott. The pair were together for Bass’ first two seasons in the NBA, from 2005 to 2007 with the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.

Bass recalls Scott being driving force during his early years in the league.

“My first two (years), I didn’t play as much,” Bass said. “Just a lot of motivation. I knew I had to get in the gym and get my grind on.”

Last season, Bass started 43 of Boston’s 82 games, ranking second on the team in field goal percentage (50.4). The 30-year-old also averaged 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds. Bass earned the starting job in January and never let it go, boosting his numbers to 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in this role.