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Phil’s mindtricks? Or is it really how he feels about the kid? Either way, Bynum will bring enough to put us over the top - book it…
RealGM: Lakers coach Phil Jackson doesn’t believe that center Andrew Bynum can obtain his goal of averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds this season.
“Well, I guess it’s good to have goals,” Jackson said. “It’s not possible. There’s just not enough offense for everyone to do that kind of stuff.”
ESPN: Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol might sit out some of the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason games after a hectic offseason.
Bryant helped lead the United States to a victory over Gasol and Spain in the gold medal game in the Summer Olympics. Bryant and Gasol each took only a few weeks off before reporting for the first day of training camp Tuesday.
Bryant and Gasol played a carefree game of one-on-one near the end of the first of the Lakers’ two practices. Their teammates, meanwhile, ran a set of wind sprints at the conclusion of their morning workout.
“This week I’m just seeing how they feel, how’s their energy level, and then we’ll adjust,” coach Phil Jackson said. “I was told not to say that I wasn’t going to play Kobe in exhibition games.
“So I’m not going to say Kobe’s not going to play in this exhibition game or that exhibition game. But there is a chance they may not play in an exhibition game.”
Jackson said last week he was determined to monitor Bryant’s playing time more closely this season. The reigning NBA MVP, who turned 30 on Aug. 23 and is entering his 13th season, averaged 28.3 points in 38.9 minutes in leading the Lakers to the NBA Finals last season.
“Phil does a good job of making sure we stay in good condition, but that he doesn’t overexert us too much because of the long summer we had,” Bryant said. “I feel great. I could run all day. I’m in shape, so I’m ready to go.”
The Lakers play their first preseason game Oct. 7.
O.C. Register: The young guys hung together, unsure and unknowing what they were supposed to do or where to go during Monday’s media session.
Few reporters approached them. Even fewer television cameras sought them out. So the group of rookies joked around, laughed and then took a group photo.
Yet, by the time Lakers training camp ends, one player, maybe two, will emerge from the pack, separated by their superior ball-handling skills, shooting ability or defensive play and be rewarded with a roster spot.
The competition for the final two roster spots will be fierce as training camp opens Tuesday. Coach Phil Jackson traditionally likes to carry only 14 players, allowing him leeway later on in the season in case the Lakers suffer multiple injuries.
The rookies know this and are aware of each other’s competitive drive.
“I feel the spots are open for someone to take, for the rookies to take, you just have to go out there and take them,” said Dwayne Mitchell, a free agent guard who played last season for Iowa in the NBA Developmental League.
“They are going to take the best two guys, the two guys they feel can best help them, this team and improve their game.”
Continue reading ‘Lakers youngsters fight for last roster spots’
Don’t worry too much! Its not THAT bad.
OC Register: Sasha Vujacic sprained his left ankle during the Tuesday night scrimmage. It was diagnosed as a moderate sprain, but Vujacic suggested he could be back in action in a few days.
Vujacic ran into DJ Mbenga during a baseline drive when Mbenga tried to take a charge. Vujacic said it’s an area on the outside of his ankle that is causing sharp pain.
“I was going to the basket,” Vujacic said. “Hard to believe, but I was going to the basket.”
Vujacic noted that he should be able to do more of that now that he’s “210″ — and to be completely honest with you, I initially thought he said he was “too tan.”
It’s no coincidence that a moment later when Lamar Odom was joking with Vujacic about getting hurt, Vujacic asked Odom to tell reporters how Vujacic got hurt.
“Tanning?” Odom deadpanned.
O.C. Register: Lamar Odom would rather start. He would rather have a big season and get another big contract to replace the one that expires at the end of this season. He would also rather win a championship with the Lakers than be elsewhere.
So Odom acknowledged he’s conflicted about his personal and team agendas, especially after Phil Jackson continues to ponder his brainstorm from the end of last season that the Lakers might be better served with Odom as a sixth man and defensive ace Trevor Ariza starting.
“Whatever he wants, I guess I would do,” Odom said. “But I wouldn’t suggest (a reserve role), especially in a year where I want to be on the court for obvious reasons.”
Jackson and Odom have spoken briefly about the matter, but Jackson remains set on waiting and seeing what kind of defense the tall frontcourt of Odom, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum can deliver together for the starting lineup. Jackson brought up the name of San Antonio’s Manu Ginobili to reporters after practice as an example of how elite teams usually have a starting-caliber player coming off the bench.
Jackson also offered this little dig when asked about the possible bench role motivating Odom to work harder: “I don’t know. I’ve never seen Lamar motivated before.”
This is something that should be interesting. Perhaps media day wasn’t all drama free as we had hoped?
L.A.Times: Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said recently that he is considering making Lamar Odom the team’s sixth man this season. The Lakers convened this afternoon for a media session in El Segundo before the start of training camp Tuesday and Odom voiced his disdain for Jackson’s idea.
“He must have woke up and bumped his head. He probably hit his head on something — boom,” Odom said about Jackson. “To start off like that, you’ve got to be out of your . . . mind.”
Remember all the times you were nervous about that European team sweeping Kobe from us? Fear not. It was all a “joke” according to Kobe…
O.C. Register: Team USA winning the gold medal was a big one. Here’s another one for everyone stateside — and especially Lakers fans sweating Kobe Bryant’s option to terminate his Lakers contract at season’s end: Bryant has no intention of jumping to Europe and playing there.
A lot of cool Phil Jackson news just hit including him wanting to limit Kobe’s minutes to keep him healthy for the post-season. A fellow fan and friend once told me, “I love Kobe so much I don’t want to watch him play (to keep him healthy).” I think I might have that going on right now!
Yahoo: Don’t be fooled by Phil Jackson’s tan and relaxed demeanor. He’s still upset about missing out on another NBA title last summer.
“There’s still a little angst and anger there,” the Los Angeles Lakers’ coach told reporters Friday at the team’s practice facility.
The Lakers lost the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics in six games in June, costing the Hall of Fame coach a chance at his league-record 10th coaching title.
Jackson appeared tanned, rested and relaxed as he spoke with reporters about his summer of boating, swimming and spending time with his grandchildren. He also spoke of possible changes that could help Los Angeles win another title.
Although the Lakers have the core of their rotation back from last season, Jackson said he’s not content with the status quo. Above all, he’s eager to see how well Andrew Bynum mixes with fellow 7-footer Pau Gasol.
Continue reading ‘Phil Jackson returns relaxed, ready, and will limit Kobe’s minutes’
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