Training camp is only two days old, but I’m already thirsting to see what this group of players looks like on the floor together. Luckily, the fine folks at Lakers.com are of the same mindset and were nice enough to gift us all with some highlights from the scrimmage portion of Wednesday’s practice session:
http://youtu.be/RvjDx7cAESQ
Understand that these are clips pieced together from a lot of stop and go action where the coaches will intervene to use a particular play or two as teaching moments. This may allow an offensive player to get the type of position he may not otherwise or a side’s defense to get set and bottle up a certain action.
Even in saying that, though, it sure is nice to see actual basketball.
A couple of quick takeaways:
*Over the last couple of days, when asked about his health, Kobe Bryant has said that he “feels like (himself)” multiple times and the brief clips seem to reinforce that idea. He’s moving well, seems to get good elevation on his jumper, and made a decent defensive play on Nick Young by sliding his feet fairly well and recovering at the end of the action to get his hands on the ball. He also had couple of nice possessions working in the post and his footwork looked clean and precise. Again, these are spliced together clips that do not give us an entire picture of what Kobe fully looks like over the course of a full session, but these plays do start to lessen concerns that he is not 100% physically right now. Considering where he was at this point last year and how he looked when he first got back into game action after the season began, this is a very positive thing.
*Steve Nash also looks to be moving well. I do not want to overplay the significance of this since, as we all know, Nash’s problems aren’t so much how he plays when healthy, but whether or not his health is sustainable. But it’s nice to see Nash running fluidly and making some of the plays you know a healthy Nash is capable of making. The fading jumper he hit wasn’t anything to get super excited about, but it did show him extend for a loose ball and then create some needed separation to get his shot off against his man. These are skills Nash has mastered over his career, but also ones that have not always been at his disposal over the past two seasons due to his diminished health.
*Whether it was just the nature of the plays selected to highlight or indicative of what the team will try to do regularly, the team sure did seam to try to push the ball up the floor. Nash and Lin both like to play in the open court, so it would not surprise me if they tried to play with more pace than Scott’s team have been known for in the past. I’m not making any declarations at this point, but this will be something to watch for when the exhibition games start.
Overall, there’s really not a lot of deep analysis to be made here. Again, it’s a scrimmage with a fair amount of stopping the action and specific teaching moments from a coaching staff who is just starting to learn about the group they have (as well as the players learning what the coaches want). But, I’d be lying if I said watching the guys get up and down the floor and finish some plays didn’t get me itching for more.
Blake says
Watching that video and the article makes me laker drunk. 45 wins baby !
BM says
I know exactly what you mean, Darius.
Here’s another video, includes some extra footage (including a Kobe dunk at the end).
http://www.lakersnation.com/video-lakers-5-on-5-practice-scrimmage-layup-drills/2014/10/01/
BigCitySid says
Former Laker to be featured on postage stamp. An incredible honor. Love sharing good news: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11625312/wilt-chamberlain-set-appear-postage-stamp
BigCitySid says
A number of NBA writers give their opinions on what to expect of Kobe, number wise this season: http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2014/10/01/blogtable-kobe-putting-up-numbers/?ls=iref:nbahpt13a
BM says
Also, just for some perspective, for the closing portion of last season the Lakers starting line up included: Marshall, Meeks, Johnson, Kelly and Hill. Only 9 players suited up for the last couple of games. The level of injuries that we suffered was ridiculous and took most of the fun out of watching our team.
But this is a new season. And only X has any sort of injury worthy of note (so far). I’m genuinely so excited to get this season underway with the bunch of guys that we have.
Warren Wee Lim says
So nice to see Lakers basketball. Win or Lose.
Jack says
Follow-up comments regarding Jerke and rr’s posts from the previous thread.
I know its an unpopular position to take, but I agree with you that the Lakers’ current talent level would put them at or near the bottom of the Western Conference. Its hard for die hard fans to appreciate the fact that you still love the Lakers but that you can be totally objective in your assessment of their chances for the coming season.
Interesting to note that it may actually be a blessing that the Lakers are down during a time frame that sees so many teams in the West so strong. With player controlled opts out creating the potential for shorter contract lengths and younger players seeking larger contracts its hard for current strong teams to keep their stars and afford to retain young players who are emerging stars. This is creating shorter windows of opportunity for many teams seeking championships.
Its not out of the question that the Lakers could attain the required level of talent needed to compete while teams in front of them begin to have talent leakage due to player movement and cap restrictions.
Robert says
Many want to prognosticate the teams record this year, and many are making comparisons to last year. I think a different way to look at this would be to compare this year’s team to the 2012-2013 team (the Howard year). We finished 45-37 that year. That was with an off the charts Kobe who was 2 years younger and pre-injuries. Kobe averaged 27.3 ppg and 6 dimes in 78 games that year. DH averaged 17 and 12. In his 49 games, Pau averaged 14 and 9. We also had Antawn at 9 and 5 and MWP averaged 12 and 5. Nash averaged 13 and 7 during his 50 games. So the questions will be: Does KB play 78 and average 27 ppg? Does Nash play 50 or more and do better than 13 and 7? And do our newcomers do better than DH, Pau, MWP, and Antawn combined. Keep in mind that the 2013 team only won 45 games, so it is easy to see why Vegas has us at the low win totals. Of course we do have a significant upgrade at coach, but I am not sure how many games that is going to translate to with this roster – we will see.
Hale says
Robert,
Very realistic comparison. I will emotionally remain unrealistic but logically settle with every other team I hate not winning the finals.
Now show me Mike-less basketball.
Aaron says
Robert,
I really do respect your basketball intellect. That is why I will actually respond to your posts. And that is why I can’t let this go… Scott isn’t close to as good of a coach as MDA. Scott is a Lakers fan and cares about the Lakers in the long run (I.e. He will tank to get better picks) something MDA didn’t do. That’s why the Lakers needed to wait to hire Scott. If they actually could sign LBJ and Melo they would have actually hired a good coach. Instead they hired the coach who wouldn’t win two meaningless games at the end of the season that would result in the franchise losing it’s top lottery pick.
Robert says
Aaron: There are 2 types of coaches. There are the cerebral x’s and o’s type guys, and there are the relationship/motivational guys. Scott is definitely the later as you imply. He is not an x’s and o’s genius. MD was a disaster with motivation/relationships, and in my opinion, he was over rated as a strategist (playing up tempo with an old team for example). There is no question which type of coach we need now (as you also imply). So I agree with parts of what you say, but I will disagree as to who is better between Scott and MD – clearly : ) I wanted Scott and predicted on day 1 that he would be the selection. However I also stated that it was unlikely that he would be around long enough to lead us to the finals (both a comment on his longevity and the length of time it will take us to get there). So during this time of darkness and waiting, we need someone who will be loyal, uplifting, a perfect fit for Kobe, and a good motivator for the young guys. That is Byron Scott. We can hire the genius/great coach when we get a roster to benefit from it. Of course there are very few geniuses, which is why it s a complete disaster when you have the chance to hire one and hire MD instead.
Robert says
Hale: “Mike-less” Love it. “logically settle with every other team I hate not winning the finals.” For me – this would be the Celtics and the Spurs. Last year was not good – for a number of reasons : )
AusPhil says
No Celtics, Spurs , Clippers or Cavaliers. I can deal with any others!
Chris J says
Scott is a Lakers fan and cares about the Lakers in the long run (I.e. He will tank to get better picks) something MDA didn’t do.
——-
Yeah, sure. The Lakers hold a team option worth more than $4 million for Scott’s fourth year of his current contract, but Byron will be willing to tank so his record looks more awful, just so the Lakers can get a better draft pick? Because he’s “a fan.” Sure.
Next Aaron will be telling us the Lakers will absolutely be signing both LeBron and Carmelo in 2014, and there is no way in the world those two won’t be teammates this season. Oh, wait…
mud says
i like this team, one month before any games are played.
i think they can win a championship, if everything went really well for them. this certainly isn’t a super talented team, but there is plenty of talent to win basketball games. basketball isn’t won with stats, although it’s possible to use stats to talk about what happened.
some of you guys might be afraid of people laughing because your team did badly after you supported and enjoyed them. i suggest a new team until the Lakers are winning again. winning is certainly more fun. i agree with that, wholeheartedly.
you know what i think? i think any team with Kobe on the floor is still something to be reckoned with. Kobe isn’t washed up, he looks fine, he’s moving well. so is Nash. yes, they can get hurt, know what? so can Lebron. so can CP3, so can Dwight, so can Kyrie, so can Bledsoe, so can Paul George. odds are odds. never tell me the odds, kid.
gene says
Laker channel had more highlights from today (Thursday).and Kobe looked really good…No highlights from Randle..Nash also looked good…
Jerke says
@Jack – you make a great point about the new contractually reality and the guys on NBA radio have discussed it as well recently, as noted, I’m not up on this years team though there are plenty of interesting storylines – but the economics upcoming mean the Lakers will certainly have opportunities to upgrade this roster quickly w players coming free/increased cap room from new tv contracts/lin, nash etc… dropping off the roster.
@TheNumberOfFlopsIsTooDamnHigh – re: Davis, originally being drafted by TO Davis played great and I got to see basically every game he played as a rap – I think the most apt comparison I can think of him becoming (or at least what he was on his way to being) is the Raps own Amir johnson/Antonio Davis type player which certainly wouldnt be to shabby. He did play well along those lines but he really got lost in the shuffle after being traded to Mem. Hopefully he can return to where he left off. Also great point re Pau – I felt that way last year and it would’ve been a big hindrance for the lakers to have resigned Pau for anything more than one year.
rr says
some of you guys might be afraid of people laughing because your team did badly after you supported and enjoyed them.
___________________________
Nah. Some people just think the team is probably going to be lousy again, like it was last year. Doesn’t have anything to do with either courage or loyalty.
know what? so can Lebron. so can CP3, so can Dwight, so can Kyrie, so can Bledsoe, so can Paul George
————-
Like your original post about George’s injury was, this is kind of tasteless. Naming specific guys, including one who recently suffered a gruesome leg fracture, and speculating about any of them getting injured, is weak.
It is also a bad argument. Nash and Kobe will be a combined 76 years old on Opening Night and played 21 games between them last year, so there are obviously more reasons to be concerned about their health than there is to be about most of the other guys on the list.
mud says
rr- you don’t want anyone having fun?
and tasteless? tasteless is calling a guy washed up before he is. maybe by the start of the season, guys like Nash will be washed up. i’m just enjoying the thought that guys like him can do it one more time. i don’t care about the stats. i do care about what actually happens. i have no control over the stats, or the guys that have stats on the team. why should i worry about them, except to have conversations.
before Kobe and Nash were last injured, neither of them were going to suffer any major problems. that’s the thing about life, you don’t really know what will happen until it does. injuries and disappointment are part of the game. right at this very moment, however, the Lakers are a good team, working hard. certain Laker fans can feel good knowing that they were right and the team really stinks after they prove themselves to be as inept as expected. there’s some kind of cognitive dissonance there, but i’m not sure where, exactly..or am i? my name is mud and we both know what that spells backwards. i have the iq, but i lack the smarts.
theotherStephen says
AusPhil, I like your country! I’ve been in Sydney for a week, and it’s beautiful. I wanted to find somewhere to ball and talk about the NBA…I’ve been eating so much that I need to run. 🙂
BigCitySid says
Reading some of the post on here about the possibilities of the Lakers winning a title this year “if everything goes right” can be applied to any team in the NBA…which makes it a rather meaningless statement. There are many teams that can win the title this year if everything DOESN’T go right.
Food for thought: Most would agree this is a guard orientated league right now. Most would consider the Laker backcourt to be the strength of this season’s Laker team. How many think the the Lakers have a starting backcourt (Kobe/Nash) that will rank in the top 10 in the league? Top half? Top 20? Remember, we’re talking about both sides of the ball.
Starting to feel a bit like the parent who’s still attempting, unsuccessfully, to tell their 13 year old there’s no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny.
Sorry, the Lakers will not win a title this year. They will not be serious contenders this year. They probably won’t be pretenders this year. But they will be our Lakers this year.
Laker fan for life. Ready to see what they are ready to do.
J C says
Big City
I like the Kobe article.
With Kobe passing Jordan this year and coming off injury, he’s definitely one of the top stories in the league, not just the Lakers.
Craig W. says
chris y,
Exactly! Even if Phil had returned, he would have only stayed that one year. Now can we move on from, ‘We should have hired Phil instead of MDA’ statements in 2014/15?
R says
If the Lakers had a circa 2005 Kobe & a circa 2005 Nash to team up in the backcourt, then hiring a circa 2005 PJ to coach would be a commendable choice. However, time marches on, leveling everything & everybody in it’s path. Sigh.
R says
Father Time has limitless win shares.
Robert says
chris y: “he wanted Jim’s job and to bring in Brian Shaw.” That would have been the ultimate dream ! And then Derek Fisher as the #2 coach, and voila awesome management/coaching team. Stop teasing me chris y : )
BigCity: “Sorry, the Lakers will not win a title this year. They will not be serious contenders this year. They probably won’t be pretenders this year. But they will be our Lakers this year. Laker fan for life. Ready to see what they are ready to do.” Well said.
mud: If you feel the Lakers could win it all this year – fine. I for one will not make fun of that. However if myself and others have different expectations, then those should not be made fun of either. One thing for sure is that telling another Laker fan to disown the team and root for someone else is not a good thing. As BigCity states above, they are OUR Lakers. Not just yours, not just Jim’s. They are OURS. And sticking with them even when we are expecting bad results is in fact being a good fan. And that is what everyone on this forum is doing.
Julien says
BigCitySid,
My parents were always truthful with us kids, always told us there was No Santa Claus and No Easter bunny among many other truthful things. So you don’t need to convince me that neither one exist. However your belief that the Lakers are not contenders maybe not even pretenders is just your opinion at this point. It’s not truth or fact because not one game has been played and the season isn’t over. Unlike the SC/EB which it is both truth and fact they are lies.
The Lakers might not win the championship this year but they will be much better than the supposed experts, who are driving the Lakers suck, Kobe’s old, the Lakers lack talent conversation, think. The Lakers have enough NBA talent to compete and win night in and night out barring injuries to major players. I’m certainly willing to admit I was wrong if they actually suck, but are you willing to admit you were wrong if they don’t.
All the talk about the Lakers reminds me of how the Seattle Seahawks were dissed and doubted all season by the east coast biased media, and how they used that disrespect as fuel to rise to the top.
Again we may not win the “Ship” but we won’t suck and will make the playoffs.
rr says
and tasteless?
————–
IMO, yes. Injuries–especially serious ones, like George’s–are a drag. We don’t need to break out the crying towels, because they are part of the game. But IMO they are not things to talk about whimsically, and you did that right when George went down, and you did it again yesterday.
Plus, any team evaluation or prediction comes with the unspoken caveat: “Assuming decent health and no catastrophic injuries to big stars.” Literally almost every somewhat serious prognostication about the Lakers this year, whether by MSM guys, stat guys, or blog commenters, will start out with some caveat about Kobe’s health. But it is a little different in his case, since he is, as he has said, “70 in basketball years.”
rr says
The Lakers might not win the championship this year but they will be much better than the supposed experts, who are driving the Lakers suck, Kobe’s old, the Lakers lack talent conversation, think.
___
Again: players have track records and performance traits, and from those and other factors, people can take a stab at the performance range of the team. You can do that with stats, Monte Carlo-style sims, or in other ways. And if you look at the track records of the Lakers players, (as well that of their coach) and the competition in the West, it seems very unlikely that this will be a good team.
People reach that conclusion in different ways (for example, I look at stats a lot, whereas Robert doesn’t). But it is the most likely outcome.
Kobe is the main variable. but even if Kobe comes back pretty strong, he is 36 years old. There are going to be bad nights even if his body holds up.
bryan S. says
Between the predictions of the irrationally exuberant and the nabobs of negativity, the Laker season will play itself out. For the discerning, the joy will be in the journey;:the individual and collective growth of the players, a return to defensive principals that win or lose, means playing the right way, seeing the great Kobe Bryant, again gracing the court. Can’t wait, man.
mud says
i’m laughing at all those who are determined to have a bad season. you may get your wish, it’s certainly more than possible, but wait until the patient is fully dead to shovel on the dirt.
Rubenowski says
Man, Kobe looks better than I thought he would.
jerke says
Nick Young has a torn ligament in his right thumb and will miss about eight weeks, The Times has learned. Bad start for the Lakers.
Via bresnahan on twitter….
And so it begins…..
bryan S. says
Sounds like Nick Young will miss approximately 15 games. First three games: Rockets, Suns (back to back), Clippers. Hope Xavier will be ready to go by then . . .
Jack says
Well, the news about Young is a bummer. I had hoped for a fast start out of the gate and while this does not preclude that it certainly makes it more difficult. Outside of Kobe, Young is our best offensive player.
Additionally, Young was slated to split the SF position with Johnson. So out of necessity we may see a big lineup with Randle getting more than spot minutes at the Three. I think this may be a silver lining in that Randle will get a lot of minutes early.