Two of the kids

The Lakers have been gathering in advance of training camp, which opens next week. General manager Mitch Kupchak said he was particularly impressed by Ronny Turiaf, who has had a whirlwind schedule here at the end of summer.

Starting with the FIBA world championships, Turiaf has been to Japan, Martinique, Paris, New York and now Los Angeles. The Lakers probably would have preferred that he play for their summer-league team and spend the summer working out at the team's practice facility. But Turiaf couldn't turn down the chance to play for his country, and it sounds like he could be an impact player for the Lakers this season.

I hadn't heard much over the summer about Sasha Vujacic, who will be entering his third season. Kupchak said Vujacic has grown into his body and was rolling the sleeves up on his shirt to show off some muscles on the practice court. Said Kupchak: ``He doesn't look like a kid any more.''