The Los Angeles Lakers first practice on Day 3 of training camp involved plenty of 5-on-5 scrimmaging to go along with conditioning. And, unlike yesterday, where in the very limited amount of time the media was allowed to watch, Kobe Bryant didn’t appear too involved in the offense, Bryant was very active on Thursday.
“Definitely,” head coach Byron Scott said about wanting to get Bryant more involved offensively this morning. “If we can get him to the elbow and on the mid-wing and the mid-post, he can be so effective for us, as far as just making shots and making passes and plays for other guys, I just think it’s great he’s working with the other guys so well.”
D’Angelo Russell suffered a minor setback, a bone bruise in his right foot, which he didn’t seem worried about. Scott said Russell participated in all of practice, with the exception of about 5-6 minutes of scrimmaging and the running drills and says he is not ruled out for the evening session. However, if Russell still feels soreness, they will take precautionary measures and sit him out.
— What will Kobe Bryant make this season? Find out here! —
Lakers guard Lou Williams praised Russell and Jordan Clarkson for the leadership they’ve already shown in camp.
“I’ll be honest, they’ve been amazing,” Williams said about Russell and Clarkson. “Very impressed by the way they’ve taken this team by the horns, just leading everybody, making sure guys are getting in the right spot. To be so young and be ready for that responsibility, I’ve been really impressed.”
Williams also noted how high the competitiveness has been in just three days of training camp, not only because of the youth on the team, but also because of the veterans are trying to prove themselves.
Clarkson is already starting to prove that last year’s success was no fluke. Scott said Clarkson’s progress from last year’s training camp to this year, is “night and day.” Other than confidence, Scott said it’s Clarkson’s pace and understanding of the game that’s evolved, and Clarkson has learned how to control and when to use his speed.
Scott also said Roy Hibbert is establishing himself as a defensive captain, communicating well with both the younger players and the veterans.
Lakers will partake in another evening practice on Thursday, which Bryant will not participate in.
