Lakers players make sure their feet hit the line while running suicide sprints.
The Los Angeles Lakers have opened training camp and held their first practice under new head coach Byron Scott on Tuesday.
Scott’s approach is markedly different from that of previous coach Mike D’Antoni. Scott is more disciplined and structured, and so, it seems, are his practices.
Big difference in coaching style, D’Antoni kept it light, breezy & fun – Scott is establishing discipline, hard work & conditioning
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) September 30, 2014
The focus of their practice, at least what was open to the media, was conditioning and defense.
.@kobebryant on having Byron as HC: “It’s fantastic. He’s extremely focused.” Said practice was basically “running. Conditioning & D.” — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 30, 2014
Jeremy Lin said the Lakers spent about 98% of practice on defense (and conditioning) and 2% offense
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) September 30, 2014
Kobe on Byron Scott’s first practice as Lakers coach: “The most running I’ve ever done in an NBA practice.”
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) September 30, 2014
The guards running lines at the end of practice. https://t.co/NPRBHussfV — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 30, 2014
You can HEAR guys being winded as Byron Scott’s first Lakers practice winds down… http://t.co/I9c3TzG2mp — KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) September 30, 2014
With veteran guards Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant returning to form from injury-plagued seasons last year, neither was expected to go full-boar on day one. They were afforded the benefit of veteran treatment.
Kobe Bryant practiced for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Steve Nash practiced for 90 minutes. Everyone practiced except for Xavier Henry. — Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) September 30, 2014
Neither Nash nor Kobe taking part in intense post-practice conditioning with the team. Understandable. — Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) September 30, 2014
Coach Scott does not intend for the Lakers to lose on account of tired legs.
Scott said if and when the Lakers lose games, he doesn’t want it ever to be because the opposing team was in better condition
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) September 30, 2014
It will be interesting to see the impact that Scott’s old-school approach has on the Lakers when the season begins.
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Michael Brumagin writes the Tweet of the Day for SheridanHoops.com and is also a correspondent for BleacherReport.com. Follow @mbrumagin