LOS ANGELES -- With the Lakers about to play their first game after a six-day layoff due to the Southern California wildfires, their coach, JJ Redick, took a moment to focus on something he hoped could be gained after so much has been lost.
"I think a group functions best when you draw strength from each other," said Redick, whose home was one of the thousands lost to the fires in the past week. "Then it's our job to go give strength, and give hope and give joy. Sports are a lot of things, and sports can certainly provide an escape and a distraction, and hopefully sports, and tonight, can provide some joy as well.