Which Laker do you think hit the game-winning shot in the final contest of five-on-five drills during Wednesday’s practice at L.A.’s facility?
Yup, it was Kobe.
For the first time this preseason, we watched the final 20 or so minutes of practice before hearing from a few of the guys and head coach Phil Jackson afterwards.
Quick teaser - Check back tomorrow to hear what Lamar Odom thinks about the WWE, 50 Cent mixed tapes and v-neck shirts. But until then, here’s a quick A through E summary from today:
A) Sasha Vujacic and Luke Walton both competed in practice, and both looked improved on their respectively hurt ankles. Vujacic in particular was moving quite well laterally and up-and-down, and told assembled media after practice that he would be with the team in Fresno on Thursday.
B) At the end of practice, the Lakers split up into three teams (purple, white and green) and played games to 15 by ones and twos (winner stayed). The purple team featured Bryant, Odom, Pau Gasol, Jordan Farmar and Vladimir Radmonivic, with Andrew Bynum rotating between the purples and the whites. That white team also included Vujacic, Trevor Ariza, Josh Powell and Brandon Heath, while the greens featured Walton, Coby Karl, D.J. Mbenga, Sun Yue and C.J. Giles. Needless to say, the purples won the two games we watched. Bryant’s game winner over the greens came from about 20 feet out with Sun defending.
C) Pau Gasol grabbed a mop to wipe some perspiration off the floor. That was fun.
D) If you had no idea who anyone was while watching a Lakers practice (like if you were from Wasilla), it would still take about 10 seconds to figure out who runs the show. It’s Kobe. Mentally, physically, vocally – Bryant sets the tone. And guess who won the wind sprints at the end of practice?
E) Videos of Jackson, Bynum and Vujacic after practice are available on lakers.com. The Lakers are in Fresno tomorrow to face the Clippers, and we’ll be there live with a running game diary. Later.
Vujacic
