As is his norm, Byron Scott has been putting the Lakers through rigorous training camps in these opening days. The first practice of camp when over three hours while days two and three both offered two workouts each. The team seems to be responding well, drawing praise from Scott after all the sessions for their “spirit” and competitiveness, but it nonetheless can get grueling.
Part of putting in this much work is that the nicks and bruises can start to take hold. D’Angelo Russell is finding this out after dealing with a “minor” (his words) bone bruise in his foot towards the end of Thursday’s first practice session. From Mike Trudell at Lakers.com:
Lakers No. 2 overall pick D’Angelo Russell sat out the final few minutes of Thursday’s practice due to a bone bruise in his right foot, an injury he believes to be minor enough that he may play in the team’s second practice on Thursday evening.
“I feel fine,” Russell said. “It’s just a little bruise.”
The 19-year-old suggested that he needs to take better care to ice his foot, and hopes it’s just a small flare up due in part to all of the running the team’s been doing for the first three days of Byron Scott’s training camp.
“We’ll see how he feels later on tonight, see if he can go tonight,” said Scott. “And if not – if he has pain there – we’ll sit him down for precautionary reasons and we’ll get him ready for tomorrow. But right now he’s not ruled out for tonight’s practice.”
The Lakers are right to be cautious with Russell — they’re right to be with any player, really — who is just beginning his professional career. Even if he says he’s fine. After all, if he really is the gym rat he’s said to be, he’ll typically try to find his way onto the court. It’s important, then, that all sides be on the same page and, with Scott’s comments, it seems everyone is taking the proper approach here.
The good news, however, is that Russell does seem to be fine, especially if the standard is whether he returned to practice for Thursday night’s session:
The second Lakers practice (going now) is closed to media, but LAL PR say D'Angelo Russell (bone bruise in R foot) is practicing. Good news.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 2, 2015
Again, the Lakers can’t be too cautious with their prized rookie, but they also can’t treat him with kid gloves. If he says he’s pain free and the doctors check him out deem him good to go, getting out on the floor should be fine. The team will surely continue to monitor him and if any pain returns they can sit him down similar to how they did in the day’s earlier session.
Aynatix says
Keeping me informed, Thanks!
Everclear says
Well, that didn’t take long.
The Laker curse continues.
Davis Luv says
This makes me smile…
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/lakers-rumored-to-be-kevin-durant-s–primary-objective–in-free-agency–because-of-course-they-are-164113240.html
Austin basketball trainer says
I’m really excited to see how this kid would fair on a real NBA game. Together with Julius Randle the Lakes would be fun to watch. Hope this doesn’t get any serious. His one of the rookies that I’m really looking forward to watch play this season.
Snarky George says
I saw the article about KD as well. I have been an advocate of the mindset he’s not coming as our kids are unproven and the Lakers’ roster isn’t deep enough to compete yet.
Could Durant bypass teams that are closer to winning and choose the Lakers? I still say that while it is possible for him to do so it’s not likely. We’ll see how this plays out.
david h says
hey darius: except for the fact it’s casual Friday, I’ve outfitted myself with my favorite Hawaiian aloha shirt and couldn’t help but think; hey, the lakers are three hours behind California time and probably kobe and the recently hobbled deangelo are the only two lakers already working out there in 75 degree Hawaii. must be nice.
seems like it’s been a long, long time since we last saw the lakers, in particular one kobe Bryant in action. can hardly wait. that’s what we diehard fans are have been waiting for and more. sunday, just two days away….
Go lakers !!
Anon says
Jackie Moon is also allegedly coming here after his contract with the Flint Tropics runs out. Could be an asset to the team as a player-coach-motivator.