Lakers: Anthony Brown making most of opportunity

Anthony Brown’s journey with the Lakers has been hot and cold to say the least. On Friday, he made his second start of the season and recorded five points and five rebounds against Philadelphia.

On Saturday afternoon, he was assigned back to the D-League and will be in uniform for the D-Fenders’ game against the Bakersfield Jam.

It has been that kind of journey for Brown so far but the rookie from Stanford is starting to find his groove and maximize his time on the court, no matter how limited.

“Every game for me, I feel like I’m getting more comfortable,” Brown said Saturday, “First time I was out there against [Oklahoma City], the game was moving so fast for me and now it’s starting to slow down a bit game by game.”

Aside from his starts, Brown has only played more than 20 minutes once in his nine games this season. His first start saw him thrown into the fire guarding Kevin Durant but against Philadelphia, he showed a glimpse of his shooting touch making his lone 3-point attempt.

He only attempted three shots all game but found ways to make affect the game with his defense and rebounding, something that impressed head coach Byron Scott.

“He took what the defense gave him and didn’t try to force anything. He did the exact thing, we wanted him to do, which was guard,” Scott said. “He just needs more time and he’ll get that. His experience with just being in school for four years I think absolutely helps him out.”

Scott did said that Brown could eventually find his way into getting more minutes as a full-time backup, although the timetable for that has yet to be determined. Until then, Brown,who was an standout player at Ocean View High School, is learning how to adjust and thrive when he can.

“I’m just trying to make an impact anyway I can. Shooting, defense, rebounding,” Brown said, “I just have to be ready for my shot knowing that I’m not going to get a ton of shots.”

Lakers: Kobe Bryant questionable to play Sunday

Lakers head coach Byron Scott said Saturday that Kobe Bryant will be questionable to play on Sunday following Bryant’s shoulder injury that kept him out of Friday’s win against Philadelphia.

“He said it felt better but we’ll see how it feels tomorrow,” Scott said. “From yesterday to today he said it felt a lot better. What that means, I don’t know yet.”

Scott added that he has not gotten any indication from Lakers head athletic trainer Gary Vitti that this is a longterm issue but rather another sign of the game taking its toll on Bryant.

“He hasn’t given me any concern that this is how it’s going to be the rest of the season,” Scott said. “I think this is one of those things that the wear and tear of playing for 20 years and the surgeries have taken a little bit of a toll on him.”

Lakers: Larry Nance Sr. shares son’s potential Dunk Contest plans

The Lakers had an extra visitor Wednesday as Larry Nance Sr. stopped by practice and observed his son, Larry Jr.

Nance, who played in the NBA for 13 seasons, watched practice wearing a team hat, which he said was an adjustment from his days facing the Lakers while playing for Phoenix in the 1980s.

“They were always a tough team that came through and beat the crap out of us all the time,” said Nance, who recalled chasing James Worthy and guarding Magic Johnson as well as Lakers coach Byron Scott’s shooting prowess.

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Lakers: Robert Upshaw, Michael Frazier make D-Fenders Training Camp roster

The Lakers announced late Saturday that former training camp roster invitees Robert Upshaw and Michael Frazier had made the D-Fenders training camp roster.

Both Upshaw and Frazier were waived on October 20 after appearing in four preseason games. Fans were a bit surprised that Upshaw, a 7-0 center, did not make the team but now the undrafted rookie out of Washington will have a chance to develop and refine his skills in the D-League.

Training camp for the D-Fenders opens on Wednesday.

Byron Scott preaches patience on D’Angelo Russell and young players

Two games into his rookie season, D’Angelo Russell’s play has become as much discussion as the Lakers’ struggles as a whole. The guard has as many assists (four) as turnovers.

After scoring 13 points and only turning the ball over once against Sacramento, Russell showed fewer nerves and more improvement in head coach Byron Scott’s eyes, especially in his decision making.

“He’s 19 years old and played in two professional games. It’s going to take a while to understand what this league is all about,” Scott said.

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Lakers: Byron Scott says team was “fatigued” in loss to Sacramento

After watching the tape of last night’s 132-114 loss to Sacramento, Lakers head coach Byron Scott found an unusual culprit aiding his team’s defensive struggles. Fatigue.

It’s a bit unusual to hear that two games into the regular season and something Scott said he hadn’t noticed in years past coaching.

But upon review and talking with the team, tired legs may have been a factor in the team falling behind by as many 31 last night.

“What I did see was guys making the effort but they just looked fatigued,” Scott said.

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Teammates confident in Kobe Bryant before LA Lakers training camp

The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant didn’t practice Tuesday in Phoenix and may not play in today’s game in New Orleans to preserve his 36-year-old body. Hans Gutknecht ‑ Staff Photographer

The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant was cleared for practice earlier this month after tearing his rotator cuff in January. Hans Gutknecht ‑ Staff Photographer

Lakers rookie Larry Nance Jr. called Kobe Bryant’s mere presence in the room at the Lakers’ media day on Monday “electrifying.”

Bryant commanded the attention of a gym’s worth of reporters, and the 37-year-old was a primary topic of conversation in interviews with other Lakers players as well as he prepares for his 20th NBA season.

Bryant was cleared for practice earlier this month after suffering a right shoulder injury in January. His teammates haven’t seen him in action on the court yet, but they expressed nothing by confidence in Bryant.

“It’s Kobe,” center Tarik Black said. “You know he’s been in the gym. He’s put up a million shots. He’s probably in better shape than even myself. He’s probably going to be able to outrun me because that’s Kobe and that’s what he does.”
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Lakers’ 2015-16 schedule not easy, but plenty interesting

The Lakers’ 2015-16 schedule largely reflects the team’s prospects after an offseason finally infused with some hope. Nothing figures to come easy – 17 of their first 24 games are on the road, including an eight-game road trip in December – but the intrigue is exemplified by a season-opener pitting Timberwolves overall No. 1 draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns against No. 2 pick D’Angelo Russell at Staples Center.

Should next season be Kobe Bryant’s last, there will be plenty of interest beyond watching the development of youth the likes of Russell, Jordan Clarkson and a healthy Julius Randle. March 10 could be the last time Bryant and Lebron James share the same floor if Kobe retires following the April 13 regular season finale when his two-year, $48.5 million contract expires.

Coming off the worst season in franchise history, the schedule makers still consider the Lakers a draw. They will be on national television 28 times, including a Christmas day home game on ESPN against the Clippers, part of a marquee lineup that includes an NBA Finals rematch between the Cavaliers and Warriors
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2015-16 NBA schedule released: Top 10 Lakers matchups

Oct. 28: Timberwolves at Lakers
Season opener gives fans look at Russell vs Karl-Anthony Towns.

Nov. 24: Lakers at Warriors
Young Lakers visit defending NBA champions in hostile environment.

Nov. 29: Pacers at Lakers
Roy Hibbert’s first crack at the team who gave up on him.

Dec. 17: Rockets at Lakers
Laker fans relish chance to welcome Dwight Howard back to town.

Dec. 25: Clippers at Lakers
Lakers hoping 7-game losing streak to rival ends this season.

Jan. 8: Thunder at Lakers
D’ Angelo Russell will matchup with L.A. native Russell Westbrook

Feb. 4: Lakers at Pelicans
Start of brutal mid-season stretch including Spurs, Bulls, Grizzlies.

Feb. 19: Spurs at Lakers
Free agent target LaMarcus Aldridge returns as member of Spurs

March 10: Cavaliers at Lakers
Could be the last time Kobe, LeBron share the floor.

April 3: Celtics at Lakers
Lakers host historic rival to begin tough season-ending stretch.

Lakers, Clippers will play each other on Christmas day

Despite the lopsided nature of the intracity rivalry, the Lakers and Clippers will play each other in a marquee setting this coming NBA season.

L.A.’s two basketball teams will face off at 7:30 p.m. Christmas day, according to the 2015-16 NBA schedule released Wednesday afternoon.

The Clippers have beaten the Lakers seven consecutive times. In fact. the Clippers’ lone loss over the past three years of the hallway series remains a 116-103 Lakers triumph in the 2013 season opener. The Lakers have not only lost 11 of their past 12 to the Clippers, those contests have been decided by a margin of nearly 20 points per game.
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