After all the summer speculation about free agent signings, and trades that didn't happen, we finally go from practice to an actual game Tuesday at 10PM Pacific. For those of you in the southern California area the game will be televised on channel 9 KCAL. This will be our first glimpse of what the team is going to look like this year, which is going to be a lot like what it looked like last year. Or is it? The first couple of months of the season the Lakers started quickly and were actually playing good. They certainly looked like a different team the second half of the season with all the injuries. Lamar Odom, Kwame Brown, Chris Mihm, Luke Walton, and Vlad Radmanovic all spent substantial time on the injured list. The Lakers were never the same after that.
With the addition of Derek Fisher, Javaris Crittenton, Coby Karl, and just getting everybody back healthy, will make this team almost look like it has a retooled roster. Tonight, we may not see, Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown as they continue to rehab their off season surguries. Others that have had nagging injuries but still should play include Luke Walton (hamstring), Kobe Bryant (knee) and Chris Mihm (ankle).
So who has been the biggest surprise of training camp. Well that depends on who you want to believe. Coach has been speaking up about some of the young guys.
Jordan Farmar - has bulked up, looks like a vet running the triangle, and suddenly has become a stud outside shooter.
Coby Karl - has been one of the biggest surprises. An undrafted walk on, he is one of the team's best 3 point shooters. A recovering cancer patient, his story is a remarkable one. He is the son of Coach George Karl of the Denver Nuggets.
Andrew Bynum - everyone is talking about his new "Dwight Howard" style body. He hit 56% from the field last year and should be stronger this season. So far he is outplaying Kwame Brown and Chirs Mihm and should secure the starting job as center. Even "Big Man Camp" Pete Newell talked about this kid's future and he has trained the best centers the world has ever seen.
Ronny Turiaf - As Ronny transforms from a rookie style player to a seasoned one, coach has said that he may start Ronny instead of Walton. An opportunistic scorer, Ronny hit 55% from the field last season, and projected over 30 minutes he would bring 10 PPG and 8 RPG. Most importantly he brings a lot of energy to the floor.
Vlad Radmanovic - his hand is fully healed and has recovered from his snowboarding accident and the reports are that he is stroking it from the outside. This is exactly why the team signed him and he is finally looking good.
Kobe Bryant - is not a surprise other than actually showing up for camp. We had already seen a glimpse of what Kobe brings this season by what he did in the summer games. He is about 18 points lighter, quicker, and has rededicated himself to defense.
Elton Brown - Coach says he has been one of the most impressive players during the first week of camp and is apparently trying real hard. Problem is that there currently isn't a roster spot available for this young forward.
Derek Fisher - nothing to be surprised about here during camp. The surprise will come at how much better the Lakers will play with his confident guiding hand running the offense during the regular season.
The projected starting lineup tonight is Kobe, Fish, VladRad, Ronny and AB. So sit back ane enjoy. We will all have to stay up late tonight because the game is on Hawaii time, but I know some of you just might Tivo the game and watch it tomorrow. Is time to stop talking about "PRACTICE," and let the games begin.
JamFan aka Don Allen
