Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash draw rave reviews in five-on-five scrimmage

Once their Hall of Fame induction officially materializes for Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash, these images will likely become lost amid the dizzying array of memorable performances.

But for a pair that spent more time in the past year bonding in the training room than actually on a basketball court, Bryant and Nash showed plenty of moments in the team’s first formal five-on-five scrimmage on Wednesday that left the Lakers inspired. Both Bryant and Nash appeared to shed plenty of layers of rust after playing in only a combined 21 games last season because of too many ailments to count.

After playing in only six games last season amid left Achilles and left knee injuries, Bryant provided numerous highlights that included a right-handed dunk, multiple pull-up jumpers and fluid movement. A week ago, Bryant impressed the Lakers during an informal five-on-five scrimmage with his movement, shooting accuracy and lift, though he did not dunk. This scrimmage also featured three officials.

“I understand the level of curiosity,” Bryant said. “I just do what I do.”

After appearing in only 15 games last season because of nerve root irritation in his back and hamstrings, Nash appeared like his vintage self in so many ways. He ran pick-and-roll sets naturally. Bryant set Nash up for an open 18-foot jumper that he canned. Nash set up others too many times to count.

“Steve impressed me and Kobe impressed me,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said. “For not playing basketball that much, to play the way they did today and get up and down the floor the way they did yesterday, I was impressed.”

It has become a long time before the Lakers saw such instances. They haven’t played in a game since March 30, 2013 before Nash’s hamstrings worsened. Less than a month later, Bryant tore his left Achilles. And with that, the Lakers remain insistent on pumping the brakes regarding their work load.

Bryant playfully scolded reporters and called them “rusty” for peppering him with questions about his health and return. In several different variances, Bryant said, “I’m fine,” and reported feeling only “a little sore” after participating in practices on Tuesday and Wednesday that put a high emphasis on conditioning drills. Yet, Bryant’s effort hardly did anything in changing his plan to sit him out of Wednesday’s evening session.

“If he has something left it in the tank, that’s great,” Scott said. “He can save it for tomorrow.”

The Lakers will have two-a-day sessions on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday before their preseason opener on Monday against the Denver Nuggets in San Diego. Before that time, Bryant said he does not feel as if he needs to make any more progression beyond following his daily ritual in icing his legs, staying hydrated, eating nutritious foods and resting.

“Just using this time to really button things up as a team and get execution down,” Bryant said. “I’m pretty patient. Even though the games are coming eventually, but I’m not necessarily rushing to get to them.”

Still, Bryant appeared as his normal competitive self during the scrimmages.

Nick Young continuously exchanged trash talk, some of which Bryant ignored and some of which Bryant responded when officials called him for a foul after Young drove to the basket. Bryant often pulled teammates to the the side, including veteran Carlos Boozer and rookies Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson to point out schemes. During one play, Bryant called out for Jordan Hill to rotate on help defense.

“It’s no different than what I’ve always done,” Bryant said. “When you’re on the floor, you try to put guys in the right positions. A lot of times when you see things as players, Steve does too, you communicate with each other and try to make adjustments so you’re thinking the game through. It’s important as a team to scheme well together.”

Still some things are different.

Bryant lost 10-12 pounds this past summer by staying more strict to his diet, something he has followed through on in the previous two seasons. Even with his dunk that he showcased, Bryant hardly expects to show much explosiveness whether he plays at shooting guard or small forward.

“There will be certain guys where I was younger I could beat with quickness,” Bryant said. “Now, probably not. You make those adjustments from game to game.”

And with that, Scott wants more clarity on how well Bryant will attack the basket. But with the Lakers only instituting 10 percent of their offense, Bryant and Nash impressed Scott enough that he declared them his lone definitive starters.

Said Scott: “I loved what I saw with Kobe and Steve.”

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com