Earlier in the week it was D’Angelo Russell’s foot which limited him in practice. We have also recently learned that Metta World Peace has been dealing with a calf issue which kept him out of a couple of practices too. Now, for Saturday’s session, it’s two rookies who are banged up and sitting out:
Injury update: Marcelo Huertas has a right hamstring strain. Larry Nance, Jr. has a back spasms. Neither are practicing.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 3, 2015
Scott called the injuries to Huertas and Nance, Jr. "minor" and said there's no real concern.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 3, 2015
Of both “injuries” it’s Huertas’ which would concern me most. I’m not a doctor and have no additional background than the tweet above. But last year Ryan Kelly dealt with hamstring issues (on both legs) during training camp and they lingered into the regular season. Not all strains are created equal, but the Lakers do not need a repeat of what Kelly went through with Huertas, especially when you consider the point guard depth on the current roster.
Nance’s back spasms shouldn’t be diminished, but players deal with these often enough that I’m less concerned. Nance does not have a history of back problems, which lessens my concern. I mean, if this were Steve Nash or 1990 Larry Bird, I’d be singing a different tune, but luckily it’s not. Hopefully Nance sits out today, gets some treatment, and feels better soon.
There’s no word on whether Huertas or Nance will be available to play in the Lakers’ pre-season opener Sunday, but my guess is both sit out. If only for precautionary purposes, neither player needs to be pushed into game action when, as is his norm, Byron Scott is pushing them plenty hard in camp*. Here’s to both guys healing up quickly, though, and to them getting back on the floor, fully healthy, soon.
*I know some will connect these injuries to Byron’s hard camp. I’ve no clue if that is fair or not. Again, I’m not a doctor and I’m in no position to say the heavy conditioning and long sessions have contributed to what Huertas and Nance are going through. That said, it’s now known to be true that fatigue does lead to injuries and I’m sure Byron would be the first to tell you his players are fatigued. Again, though, I’m not a medical professional nor on the Lakers’ training staff. I will not pretend to know if these things are tied to each other or not. I will say, however, that I wish we weren’t in a position where we had to speculate on whether they are connected or not.
rr says
where we had to speculate on whether they are connected or not.
—
No one forced you to speculate, and it would be just as easy to say that
a) This is another ding on the training staff.
or
b) It is just one of those things.
If the Lakers are the only team, or one of the few teams, running two-a-days at this intensity, and they have had an unusual number of guys getting nicked up early in training camp as compared to other teams, then those data points would in fact indicate that Scott’s practice routine is indeed a problem. I don’t have have any data on either of those questions.
Darius Soriano says
RR has a habit of taking one sentence and taking it out of context/adding his own meaning, so, I’ll just repeat – I am not speculating. I said multiple times I’m in no position to know. I am not a doctor & am not at camp.
I will add, however, that I have read up on soft tissue injuries & spoken to folks around the NBA & trainers and their comments are that those types of injuries aren’t typically on the trainers. Recovery & treatment, however, are. So if this lingers for Huertas or he comes back & thhen reinjures himself shortly after, I’d lean more towards the training staff.
mud says
always with the negative waves, Moriarty….
LKK says
For those of us outside the LA/TWC viewing area; According to my TV guide, the game today will be on NBA TV @ 9:00 pm EST which is 6:00 pm PST. Can’t wait!
LKK says
Saw a quote from Kobe that he is definitely playing… Said in effect that he owes it to the fans who travelled to Hawaii to see the team play. I’m sure Kobe is as anxious to see how he fares in a game as the rest of us.
Ed says
We don`t enough about the injury history of either player. I know from experience though that a new guy wants to show the coaches that he`s tough and can play through,so the warning signs aren`t acknowledged and then the player misses more time. If either player misses the next game,it`s time to be concerned.
anon says
always with the negative waves
kills so many threads . . .
rubenowski says
Anthony Davis has a bad ankle, Kidd-Gilchrist has a dislocated shoulder, and D. Rose has a broken face courtesy of a well-deserved shot after saying dumb things to the media. And those are only the ones we know about. Let’s just hope for the best with our team. It’s not the end of the world. I’m sure BS will let the players rest. If not, then…that’s just BS!
T Rogers says
Injuries or not I’m just glad to see a Lakers game. Looking forward to seeing Randle and Kobe in action.