Cook signs extension with Lakers
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Brian Cook signed a two-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers shortly before their season-opener against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.
Cook, a six-foot-nine, 250-pounder, signed the extension about 90 minutes before a the deadline, keeping him from becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Cook had career-high totals of 81 games, 7.9 points and 3.4 rebounds last season - his third with the Lakers after they made him a first-round draft pick in 2003.
"I feel great being here in Los Angeles, being with an organization that's a great organization - one of the best in the NBA," he said. "We've got a great chemistry here, everybody fights for each other. We have a winning attitude."
The 25-year-old Cook said he was literally pulled out of the layup line before the game to sign the contract, which he said has a third-year player option.
"I had to make a decision. I made it about 25 minutes before the game," he said after scoring nine points in 15 minutes to help the Lakers beat the Suns 114-106.
