TRAINING DAY

Notes From Camp Laker

BY TIM DAVID HARVEY



King James aint got nothing on the Lakers.

It's September 25th and were at the Toyota Sports Centre. There's cameras and recorders aplenty as champions in gold sport for photos in front of green screens. Yes once again media day has rolled round and the Lakers look as fresh as ever entering training camp, even if two of their stars aren't ready for a knees up and their coach is taking his shadow past 5 o'clock.

These Lakers look ready. Maybe it's because the target on the Lakers back has now shifted to the back of LeBron James and his Miami Heat or maybe it's because the Lakers are in that three-peat confidence, comfort zone. In the eyes of some critics the sun may now shine brighter in Miami than Los Angeles but these Lakers are out to prove that showtime is about to have it's run in Hollywood once again.

It starts with Kobe as always. Bryant looks confident coming off his knee surgery, smiling for he cameras with that Killer Jordan-esque grin whilst coolly flipping the Spalding behind his back.

Then we have Andrew Bynum, like Kobe and like himself last year and the year before Drew is recovering from knee surgery. Now although it seems like Bynum may as well go fishing with Greg Oden and Yao Ming for the time being Andrew is pivotal in the post for Los Angeles. The teams success may rest on those strong shoulders and weak knees but one things for sure no matter how much time number 17 spends on the chilling list, when he's on the court he's nothing but hot.



Also back in purple and gold are the usual suspects ready to do criminal damage to the rest of the league. Guilty as charged are Spanish bullfighter Pau Gasol ready to do even more damage in the paint. There's also Hollywood smooth, Lamar Odom fresh off winning Gold for his country and marrying one of the flyest girls in the city. Let's not forget Ron Artest who's now in his sophomore year with the Lakeshow after making good on his promise to be responsible for the teams Championship glory in his rookie Laker season. Also in the building are two guys who after long negotiations re-upped and kept California in bay. One Laker legend and saviour for the ages in Derek Fisher and one dunking, spark plugging, tenacious dynamo in Shannon Brown.



There's some new guys as well motoring in to the Toyota Sports centre. Defensive specialist Matt Barnes will look to put his domestic abuse allegations aside to give the Lakers homecourt advantage on defence. With Ron, Ron and the 'doberman' the Lakers now have a trio of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Now it's going to be hard for anyone to get through the door. The championship adorned Staples Centre is the Lakers house and they live in it. Also trying on his new Laker jersey is tough guard Steve Blake who may not look like a Basketball player, but with his skills, defence and sharp eye is a definite good look for LA.



As all the players answer questions and catch up one man looks at this group on this day, maybe for the last time. This could really be 'The Last Season' for Phil Jackson but believe this his team has found it's soul. The zen master is looking to believe in the quest for three one more time. He's already seen Red and raised him. Phil's got his game face on. He's even wearing the same beard he wore in those glorious Chicago Bulls days. Phil Jackson aint concerned with this media day stuff. He sarcastically told reporters that he'd missed them. Phil's not concerned about the preseason, he's already labelled it 'a bust'. What P-Jax is concerned about its what matters, the season ahead and when it unfolds he's not going to miss a thing.

Jordan Farmar and Adam Morrison may be gone and Trey Johnson, Anthony Roberson, Andrew Naymick and Russell Hicks may follow them soon but for the Lakers that will remain under contract it's all business. The Lakers may not have poached any of the top free agents this summer, swung any blockbuster deals or been involved in Carmelo Anthony talks but one thing is for certain. When it comes to the peak of the biggest stage, the Lakers will be the word.

This is chess, not checkers.