HoopsHype.com Rumors

Surveying the NBA landscape, Michael Cooper provided a bold prediction. "The Lakers are about to win the championship four years in a row," Cooper said in a phone interview. Cooper, who played for the Lakers from 1978-90, laughed when reminded that former Lakers coach Pat Riley guaranteed a Lakers' repeat during the 1987 NBA championship parade. One year later, Riley appeared clairvoyant. Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Pat Riley, Michael Cooper 

The red carpet was more like a Lakers reunion Monday night at the launch of NBA 2K12 in West Los Angeles. Magic Johnson, cover boy for the latest 2K Sports video game, was joined by Lakers General manager Mitch Kupchak, former GM and player Jerry West, Lakers great Michael Cooper and new coach Mike Brown at the Best Buy parking lot where fans waited for the game to go on sale. "It blew me away," Johnson said about being featured on one of three covers. "Any time you can be on the cover, especially because I played a long time ago, you have to feel good about that." Larry Bird and Michael Jordan are the other two NBA greats who have the image on the new game that also features 15 legendary players, such as West and Cooper. Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Jerry West, Mike Brown, Magic Johnson, Videogames, Michael Cooper 

That enabled Cooper to speak freely on why he doesn't believe Bryant possibly playing for Virtus Bologna in the Italian League should spark concerns about his injuries. "I don't think it's a good thing or a bad thing," said Cooper, who played in Italy during the 1990-91 season for Pallacanestro Virtus Roma. "I think players should be making as much money as they can in the short amount of time your body can provide for you. Unfortunately the lockout is forcing him to go over there, but I don't think it will do anything with the lockout." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Lockout, Italy, Michael Cooper, Virtus Bologna 

MT: Who were some of the other more notable tough guys you’ve had in your 27 years as the team’s trainer? Vitti: Derek Fisher. Michael Cooper. A.C. Green. All Iron Men. These guys were tough, man, they played no matter what. And there were a lot of guys, so you hate to single guys out. But I’ll tell you who was a tough kid: Chris Mihm. As bad as his situation was, that kid went out and tried. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, AC Green, Gary Vitti, Michael Cooper