Byron Scott called conversations with Kobe Bryant “interesting”

Kobe Bryant and Lakers coach Byron Scott continue to take steps to lesson Bryant's workload, and Scott said he "can't argue with the results." (Jae C. Hong/The Associated Press)

Kobe Bryant and Lakers coach Byron Scott continue to take steps to lesson Bryant’s workload, and Scott said he “can’t argue with the results.” (Jae C. Hong/The Associated Press)

By Tony Ciniglio
Daily News Staff Writer

Lakers coach Byron Scott had texted Kobe Bryant that he did not need to come to practice on Saturday.

Bryant arrived anyway.

“By the time he got my text, he was already on his way,” Scott said. “Once he got here, I told him to get something to eat, get back out and I’d see him tomorrow.”

So Bryant did not officially practice, part of Scott’s plan Continue reading “Byron Scott called conversations with Kobe Bryant “interesting”” »

Tarik Black practices Saturday, but no timetable for his Lakers debut

Recently acquired Tarik Black practiced Saturday with the Lakers, but Lakers coach Byron Scott still does not have a timetable for Black's debut with the Lakers.  Photo by John Raoux/AP

Recently acquired Tarik Black practiced Saturday with the Lakers, but Lakers coach Byron Scott still does not have a timetable for Black’s debut with the Lakers. Photo by John Raoux/AP

By Tony Ciniglio
Daily News Staff Writer

Newly acquired Tarik Black practiced with the Lakers on Saturday, but Coach Bryon Scott said he did not have a timetable for when Black might make his debut.

“It’s just me trying to find him playing time, and I will,” Scott said. “I don’t know Continue reading “Tarik Black practices Saturday, but no timetable for his Lakers debut” »

Ed Davis shoots 150 free throws at practice — and makes 115 of them

One night after missing a potential game-tying free throw in the closing seconds against Memphis, the Lakers' Ed Davis shot 150 free throws at practice and has shown improvement at the free-throw line. Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

One night after missing a potential game-tying free throw in the closing seconds against Memphis, the Lakers’ Ed Davis shot 150 free throws at practice and has shown improvement at the free-throw line. Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

By Tony Ciniglio
Daily News staff writer

Ed Davis did not shy away from the free-throw line at Saturday’s practice, one day after missing a potential game-tying free throw in the closing seconds of a 109-106 loss to Memphis.

Davis said he shot 150 free throws. And maybe more impressively, he made 115.

“You’ve just got to get in the gym more and keep working at it,” Davis said. “I’m glad I got to experience something like that. I wish it was a different outcome, but you live and you learn.”

Davis — shooting 51.7 percent from the free throw line this season — actually finished Friday’s game making 6 of 8 free throws and is 9 of 12 in his last two games since Lakers coach Byron Scott make a small tweak.

“With Ed, I saw one little thing. I moved him over just a tad (to his left). I think it centered him more,” Scott said. “He’s been making it ever since.

“Some of it is technique, some of it is just doing it on a day to day basis. Now it’s just a matter when he gets up there, he feels more comfortable and has that confidence.”

Atlanta’s Kent Bazemore valued multi-year deal over fondness for Lakers

Kent Bazemore spent only two months last season with the Lakers, averaging a career-high 13.1 points on 45.1 percent shooting. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News)

Kent Bazemore spent only two months last season with the Lakers, averaging a career-high 13.1 points on 45.1 percent shooting. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News)

ATLANTA — He often stayed up way past his bedtime watching Lakers star Kobe Brant put on a show. Kent Bazemore would then drift off to sleep dreaming someday he would wear the purple and gold uniform while playing alongside his favorite idol.

But all those years later, Bazemore discovered that nostalgia would not become as strong as other factors determining his NBA future. So as he mulled his free agency options this summer, Bazemore decided to sign with the Atlanta Hawks instead. The thought process strictly involved dollars and sense, his two-year guaranteed deal worth $6 million marking the first time in four NBA seasons he would have relative stability. Before, Bazemore had journeyman roles with the Golden State Warriors (2012-14) and Lakers (2014) without much security.

“Having a non guaranteed contract is the most stressful thing in the world, especially when January rolls around and that deadline comes up,” Bazemore said. “You start losing sleep. Being guaranteed is great. Now it’s just about working and trying to earn your stripes.”
Continue reading “Atlanta’s Kent Bazemore valued multi-year deal over fondness for Lakers” »

Lakers’ Ryan Kelly doubtful for Sunday

Ryan Kelly returned to practice on Saturday in a limited capacity but his status remains up in the air for Sunday’s game as he continues to battle a right hamstring injury.

“He’s questionable but it’s more like doubtful. I want to see if he can go a full day of practice on Monday and then we’ll go from there,” Byron Scott said.

Nick Young returns to first practice since suffering injury

On first glance, Nick Young appeared his usual self shooting on the court. Except that was shooting and dribbling with his left hand as his right hand was in a sling.

It was Young’s first appearance since tearing the radial collateral ligament in his thumb guarding Kobe Bryant. He later joined the team for sprints at the end of practice as Byron Scott said it was encouraging to see him run despite the sling. Continue reading “Nick Young returns to first practice since suffering injury” »

Jeremy Lin suffers sprained ankle in practice

It seems like the Lakers’ injury woes continued to get worse as Jeremy Lin suffered a sprained left ankle during practice and will be re-evaluated for tomorrow’s game against Golden State.

Lakers coach Byron Scott said Lin suffered the injury during 5-on-5 workouts after being stepped on by Robert Sacre. He was able to walk off the court on his own power but was in pain.

Continue reading “Jeremy Lin suffers sprained ankle in practice” »

Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and Jordan Hill injured and won’t play vs. Houston

The hits keep coming for the Lakers, who announced Monday that Dwight Howard suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder and will be sidelined indefinitely. The team also said Pau Gasol has a concussion and also will be out indefinitely. Jordan Hill has a right hip injury and won’t travel with the team to Houston for Tuesday’s game.

Continue reading “Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and Jordan Hill injured and won’t play vs. Houston” »

Steve Nash looks good in practice, but when will he actually play in a game?

When the doors to the Lakers’ practice facility opened Thursday afternoon and reporters were granted access to the gym, they were treated to the sight of Steve Nash working his magic with the basketball in his hands during the team’s scrimmage.

Nash ran away from Darius Morris’ defensive pressure and darted into the paint before passing to an open Metta World Peace for a jump shot that hit nothing but net. A few moments later, Nash set up Jodie Meeks for a 3-pointer that also was good.

Continue reading “Steve Nash looks good in practice, but when will he actually play in a game?” »

Dwight Howard on Batman and whether the worst is over for the Lakers

Lakers center Dwight Howard either gave a thoughtful answer or a silly one when a reporter asked Monday if the worst was over for the team. Said Howard:

“Some of our players, we watch ‘Batman’ a lot. ‘The Dark Knight.’ There’s a point in the movie where he says, ‘The night is the darkest right before the dawn.’ Which basically means right now this is probably the darkest moment for our team. It’s not going to last forever. The sun’s going to come up. I think we’re going to be where we need to be. … We’re not playing our best brand of basketball right now. We’d love to be 20-0 or whatever it may be right now. Sometimes being 20-0 could put you in a position where you feel like you’re already there. We know we have to work out of this and we will. We can continue to get better at it and we won’t lose faith.”

So, wait, the guy known as Superman watches “Batman” movies?