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Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash has no doubts his backup Jeremy Lin will have a big year ahead after witnessing his performance in his purple-and-gold debut with the Denver Nuggets last Monday. Nash, who finished 11 points and 5 assists in the Lakers first pre-season match, believed the former Harvard standout could be a really big piece of the team's success this season because of the way he orchestrates the offense. "Nash pointed to Lin's decision making ability, especially in pick and rolls and transition," via Lakers Nation.

Jeremy Lin played with Melo and James Harden. What sets Kobe apart? "How hard he works and his attention to detail." Lin on Kobe: "The stuff that he thinks about or talks about, only someone who is really trying to analyze every single thing about the game would be able to understand something like that."

Bryant and Nash both went through practice with the team Wednesday, but Nash was pulled early, as has been the case during training camp. While Scott believes Bryant can play 82 games and become the 25 points-per-night player he used to be, he has been much more cautious with Nash, who will turn 41 in February. While the Lakers will start the season with Nash as the starting point guard, Jeremy Lin is effectively the starter in waiting. He will likely play more minutes than Nash and could finish the season starting more games as well, depending on Nash’s health.

“He’s got to be ready every night,” Scott said of Lin. “Every game might be different. That’s one of the things we have that we just don’t know with Steve right now. Jeremy knows every game he’s going to play, but there’s going to be games that he’s going to start and he’s going to have to play a lot more minutes.”

There will also be times when both Lin and Nash are on the court together, which is a paring Lin is looking forward to. "I feel like when play together either of us can bring the ball up,” Lin said. “He can score the ball, so my job is to make sure I put him in a position where he can score the ball and where he likes it the best. We’ll both be able to facilitate and create for each other.

Nick Young: Scott is hopeful he can start running and conditioning by next week.

Wesley Johnson returned to practice Wednesday after suffering a sprain of the patella tendon in his left knee and will likely start Thursday’s game.

Xavier Henry did some light drills during practice but is still sidelined with back spasms and will not play Thursday. Scott said. “He can’t move as well as he wants to. His back is still tender, so we have to wait until that thing calms down.”

"I'm here to help him out however I can," Nash said. "If I can help give him advice or help with his game, then it will be a pleasure for me. I think he's got a lot of potential, and he's already kind of cemented himself in the league, so whatever he needs from me I'd love to help and I'd love to see him really succeed."

Lin and Nash worked out a few times in the offseason, and Lin hasn't been shy about asking Nash's advice on running an offense and being a better point guard. "I've been talking to him, and he told me how to play cat and mouse and change of pace and deception," Lin said. "I've learned the most just from watching him, but I ask him questions as well." "I feel like when we play together, either of us can bring the ball up," Lin said. "He can score the ball, so my job is to make sure I put him in a position where he can score the ball and where he likes it the best. We'll both be able to facilitate and create for each other."

"He cares about all the little things," Lin said. "It's like the stuff that he talks to me about, I didn't ever think about it. Little stuff. I'm, like, 'Oh, OK. That's one way to look at it.' He's challenging me to expand my perspective. "I think that's really important, and that's something that I love doing. It's a blessing that he's here in the same locker room." Where is your off hand? Is that the best angle to take? How can you fake as a defender? Are you taking this as a challenge? "Really small things you'll never see," Lin said. "It's just nice to have somebody who's pushing me and helping me, teaching me the tricks," Lin said. "It's also nice when he's one of the best to ever do it, even on the defensive end."

"Jeremy's biggest challenge, which he loves, is that I'm really going to challenge him to be a great defensive player—because he can," Bryant said. "He has the speed, he has the length, he has the size. He has never had to take on that challenge, but I think he can be a great defensive player."

The Lakers expect guard Jordan Clarkson will sit out for at least a week after being diagnosed on Friday with a moderate strain in his left calf muscle.

Lakers coach Byron Scott said the injury didn't seem serious and Lin could be ready to play by the Lakers’ next preseason game Thursday against the Utah Jazz.

“He probably plays in there Thursday,” Scott said. “But today he was walking a little gingerly and did some more treatment today."

"He's a little ginger," Byron Scott said of Lin after practice on Monday. "He said it feels a lot better today than it did yesterday. Thursday is going to be pretty much a game-time decision. I think he'll feel better by Thursday."

"Steve's OK. Him and Kobe today, I told both to just go in there and get treatment -- take the day off," said Scott. "We were doing just a bunch of shooting and offensive work."

Lin might not be able to play in Thursday's exhibition against Utah because of a sprained ankle, but he should be ready to go against Phoenix on Sunday in the fifth of the Lakers' eight preseason games.

"Steve's OK. Him and Kobe today, I told both to just go in there and get treatment -- take the day off," said Scott. "We were doing just a bunch of shooting and offensive work."

So Nash's nerves are fine afterall?

Other than scoring, Lin can create for others as well. He has pretty good athleticism that allows him to get around defenders, but sometimes he can get out of control. This is where Bryant can step in and help the young player with that. Bryant can take his mindfulness for the game that he has acquired under Phil Jackson and teach Lin to learn how to think through the game instead of feeling his way through the game.

ChokeFasncists wrote:Jeremy talking about his injury and a little about Nash's.

http://www.nba.com/lakers/video/141017linpractice
(tweaked his other ankle and hoping for a Sunday return)



Suggestions for Kobe to teach Lin:
http://www.rantsports.com/nba/2014/10/1 ... rs-better/

Other than scoring, Lin can create for others as well. He has pretty good athleticism that allows him to get around defenders, but sometimes he can get out of control. This is where Bryant can step in and help the young player with that. Bryant can take his mindfulness for the game that he has acquired under Phil Jackson and teach Lin to learn how to think through the game instead of feeling his way through the game.

bws94 wrote:

ChokeFasncists wrote:Jeremy talking about his injury and a little about Nash's.

http://www.nba.com/lakers/video/141017linpractice
(tweaked his other ankle and hoping for a Sunday return)



Suggestions for Kobe to teach Lin:
http://www.rantsports.com/nba/2014/10/1 ... rs-better/

Other than scoring, Lin can create for others as well. He has pretty good athleticism that allows him to get around defenders, but sometimes he can get out of control. This is where Bryant can step in and help the young player with that. Bryant can take his mindfulness for the game that he has acquired under Phil Jackson and teach Lin to learn how to think through the game instead of feeling his way through the game.

I think Nash is better suited for that role than Kobe. Kobe's biggest quality is his will, being an assassin, don't get down when you mess up mentality that can help Jeremy as well as the rookies on the team. Lin is a hard worker and serious and will put in the time and effort with Kobe. Nash can help Lin become more slippery (rather than relying always on his speed) and change speeds better, help with passing angles and timing, that sort of thing. I hope both can help him become a more consistent jump shooter which opens up options for him to penetrate. Otherwise, defenses will pack the paint against him.

Lakers coach Byron Scott said Saturday that point guard Jordan Clarkson (calf) is likely to return to preseason action Tuesday

"I expected things to happen. It's inevitable with everything I've gone through that there's going to be issues adapting back to the game," Nash said before practice at the team's facility. "On the other hand, I did get through seven or eight hard days well, which I didn't do last year. So there is some improvement, and if I can adapt continually once I heal up here, I'll be back on course."

Henry will journey to Dusseldorf, Germany, to receive Regenokine treatment.

In the Regenokine procedure, blood is removed from the affected area of a patient's body and spun in a centrifuge. A serum is then created and injected back into the targeted area to combat inflammation.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay and guard Ben McLemore have been cleared to play in the team's season opener next week.

The Kings said Saturday that a CT scan on Gay's jaw showed no fracture. He was injured in the second quarter of Sacramento's 93-92 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Friday night's preseason finale.

The team said McLemore received five stitches above his right eye following a collision with the Lakers' Wayne Ellington in the game in Las Vegas. McLemore also passed a concussion test.

The Kings open the season Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors.

The recent injuries of Wayne Ellington and Ronnie Price makes things that much tougher on the team with the start of the regular season only days away.

Ellington was diagnosed with a concussion while Price suffered a knee injury. Price’s injury could prove costly depending on how severe it is, but as of right now, it is only being referred to as a sore knee.

“They’re excellent proven players,” Bryant said. “Carlos came to camp in great shape, and he looks like the Boozer of old. Jeremy is quicker than I thought and he has a great feel for the game and where to get you the ball. I think they’re going to be very important to us, because we’re going to need their experience as well as their skill.”

“He’s one of the all-time greats, arguably the best ever,” said Lin, the 6-foot-3-inch guard the Lakers acquired via trade this summer. “Anytime you get a chance to play with someone like that, you want to soak up and learn as much as you can.

“When you’re playing with guys who are so gifted, you learn to pick your spots a little and be more efficient. You have to learn to play alongside him and compliment him, instead of being the guy who is making the plays.”

“He told me to stay aggressive, make plays and be myself.”

Injury Update (10/26/14)

Only 10 players will be available for the Lakers in their season opener against the Houston Rockets.

Wayne Ellington (concussion) and Ryan Kelly (hamstring) have both been ruled out for Tuesday’s matchup. They join fellow injured Lakers Steve Nash, Nick Young and Xavier Henry.

Ellington suffered his injury during a collision with Sacramento’s Ben McLemore in the fourth quarter of Friday’s preseason finale. Kelly has missed the entire preseason due to injuries to both hamstrings.

Lin Starting
Though Ronnie Price (knee) is probable for Tuesday, Jeremy Lin will start in his first game with the Lakers. Lin averaged 12.4 points and 6.2 assists in five preseason contests.

Lin finished with 15 points, five assists and four rebounds but, more importantly, he meshed well with Kobe Bryant.

“Jeremy makes a huge difference,” said the Lakers’ superstar, who finished with 27 points, “creating shots for others. We’ve got somebody else who can penetrate, make plays for others and put pressure on the defense. It’s a really big difference.”

“Defense,” point guard Jeremy Lin responded when asked what the strength of the team was entering the season. “I think we’re gritty and hard-nosed. I think that’ll be our calling card.”

With a smile, Scott added, "And if we can keep games close, then we have a guy — No. 24 — that’s proven over the years that he can pull games out, so we can rely on him when it comes down to that."

Scott said his team had enough guys to practice 5-on-5 on Monday, as Jordan Hill returned following a tweaked neck. Xavier Henry (knee) was back at the facility after taking a trip that included stops in New York and Germany. Nick Young no longer had a heavy cast on his thumb, but he did appear to be wearing protection over the area in question. Young (thumb), Henry (knee), Ryan Kelly (hamstring), Steve Nash (back) and Wayne Ellington (concussion) are all out for Tuesday’s game. Ronnie Price, who hurt his knee in the Lakers’ preseason finale, is questionable for the season opener.

Slava wrote:Disappointed to see Kelly not being healthy yet. I had high hopes for him coming into the season as our most dependable shooter.

Joey Ramirez reported at NBA.com that coach Byron Scott indicated that Henry would likely not play, noting that "even if he's healthy and he'd good enough to go, he probably wont play."

“He's telling me that he’s the elbow [near the free throw line] and below, and I’m the elbow and up,” Lin said of Bryant, referring to positioning on offense. “I’ve got the top of the key and the pick-and-rolls; he’s got the low-post isos and playing from the block.”

“[Bryant is] challenging me to be a great defensive player,” Lin said. “He thinks I have the tools to do it. … I’ve gotten better at containing dribble penetration and staying attached, fighting through picks. I’m more solid, I make fewer gambles, I make it more difficult on the offensive player. I’m better at getting deflections and trying to be disruptive.”

The Lakers have experienced a new wave of injuries, but none of which the team feels are serious. Forward Carlos Boozer (sore left shoulder) and guard Jeremy Lin (sore back) sat out Saturday’s practice, while Kobe Bryant stayed at home at his Orange County residence to rest his 36-year-old body.

“He (Henry) ’s not that explosive guy he used to be,” Scott said. “I don’t know if that will come back or not.”

“I’m already coming back and feel like I can move better and quicker,” said Henry, who re-signed this offseason with the Lakers to a one-year deal worth around $1 million. “Once I get back to my normal times, I can produce the way I want to.”

Yet his (Hill's) lack of defensive hustle is glaring, according to Scott.

“Offensively, he’s doing a (heck) of a job,” Scott said. “Defensively, though, he still has the inconsistency we’re talking about. He’s one of our main culprits – him and (Carlos) Boozer. They both know they have to get better.

“We show them on film (their weaknesses), so it’s not a secret. I’m not trying to hide it and they shouldn’t be shying away from it.”

Boozer is listed as probable for Sunday’s game, and Lin is expected to start.