(J Alexander Diaz/Lakers.com)
First Week of Camp Wrap Up
After a grueling week of practices in Byron Scott’s first Lakers training camp as head coach, here are 10 things you need to know about his squad heading into Monday’s preseason opening game in San Diego:
- Kobe Bryant looks terrific. Practicing every day, Bryant is fully healthy, having come into camp in midseason shape at around 215 pounds. No Laker has been more dominant in scrimmages or drills, and his mastery of NBA schemes has been a major help to the coaching staff in teaching the young guys. The best news L.A. could have gotten heading into the first preseason game was Kobe looking how he’s looked.
- L.A.’s other 19-year NBA veteran, Steve Nash, has "no issues whatsoever" after tweaking his ankle on Saturday, per his coach. Nash practiced on Sunday and played in the first part of the team scrimmage, looking very good toScott. The big key with Nash so far is that he’s had no recurrence of the crippling nerve issues that plagued him for the last two years. All good things so far.
Speaking of Nash and Scott, here’s how the point guard described the coach on NBATV: “Byron has been amazing so far. Detailed, concise, articulate. Nobody is (having to guess) what he’s talking about.” Kobe is equally on board, and very impressed with how his former teammate in 1996 has immediately commanded the respect of the roster. The intensity of the week of practice has been echoed up and down a roster that Bryant’s said has done more conditioning than any team he’s ever been on.
- Nick Young’s having Monday surgery after suffering a complete tear of the radial collateral ligament in his right (shooting) thumb, which will keep him out a number of weeks. But that didn’t keep him from doing conditioning and ballhandling drills at practice on Saturday and Sunday. He even made a few left-handed free throws while talking trash to teammates, and of course didn’t let the bad news affect his smile.
- The other injured players unable to practice right now are Ryan Kelly (hamstring) and Xavier Henry (back), though both are hopeful to return to the fray sooner than later. Henry’s still dealing with some issues with his knees, as well, while Kelly is otherwise healthy.
- Wesley Johnson has settled into the starting small forward role, and his direct challenge from Scott and Bryantis to be the team’s lockdown defender, perhaps the most important player on that end of the floor. Said Bryant: “He looks phenomenal. He looks incredible. He can run all day, he's defending with a passion. He's covering lanes … he's shooting at gaps defensively. He's playing post defense, perimeter defense. He's doing it all.” Here’s more on Johnson heading into his fifth season: What to Expect from Wes?
- Among the standouts at practice has been Jeremy Lin, who has showcased his ability to get to the rim with regularity, opening up the defense and creating good shots for his teammates. If Nash can stay healthy and ends up starting, Lin will still likely play more minutes. In fact, he and Johnson could vie for the most playing time on the team.
- Rookies Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson have spent some time shining in practice, and some time showing that they’re rookies, as expected. Both, however, do appear ready for NBA minutes, and Randle’s going to get his no matter what. Clarkson’s chances at playing time increased with Young’s injury, though he’ll have to battle veterans Wayne Ellington and Ronnie Price, not to mention whoever doesn’t start between Nash and Lin, since both can play on or off the ball. Randle, on the other hand, should be in a rotation with potential startersCarlos Boozer and Jordan Hill, plus Ed Davis and Robert Sacre.
- Two of Scott’s assistant coaches are complimenting each other quite well, with Jim Eyen focusing most on game preparation and putting in schemes, and Paul Pressey serving as the primary go-between for Scott and the players. Having the coaching staff on the same page is essential, especially with a new group, and the first week was very positive in that context according to multiple players.
- Price, signed just before training camp by Mitch Kupchak, has impressed everyone after one week, most notably Bryant and Scott, who’ve been going out of their way to praise him. Here’s a deeper look: Price Impresses Peers at Training Camp.
- Who's going to start on Monday? Based on the week of practice, it'll be: Nash, Bryant, Johnson, Boozer andHill. Coach Scott told me that he may well switch things up after the game against Denver to see if any different combinations work better, and Lin is one guy we might expect to get a more lengthy look with the starters.
Monday’s tip time against Denver in San Diego is at 7 p.m., a game you can watch on Time Warner Cable SportsNet (pregame show at 5:30 p.m.) and listen to on 710 AM ESPN Radio.
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