Luke Walton pleased with how Julius Randle, Larry Nance have worked on their mid-range game

Lakers forward Julius Randle has worked with an unnamed shooting coach to develop his jumpshot this offseason. (Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles News Group)

Lakers forward Julius Randle has worked with an unnamed shooting coach to develop his jumpshot this offseason. (Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles News Group)

Defenders rarely offered a solution whenever Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. leaped toward the basket. It usually became inevitable Nance would throw down a thunderous dunk.

Defenders occasionally found ways to limit Julius Randle’s imposing power. Force him to his right hand. Double team him. Yet, Randle often overcame both tactics because of his brute strength and playmaking skills.

Despite those highlights currently capturing the value Nance and Randle bring, both players channeled their energy on something else this offseason. They spent plenty of time at the Lakers’ practice facility working on their mid-range jumper in hopes to add another coveted skill once training camp begins on Sept. 27.
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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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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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