/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/40914758/20140321_mje_aj5_724.0.jpg)
The Los Angeles Lakers are making their final training camp push before their first preseason game of the season, but there was another setback. Steve Nash tweaked his ankle during practice, but the injury is not expected to sideline him. Just another nick for the Lakers to buff out before the season starts.
Speaking of setbacks, Xavier Henry still has no timetable on a return, and Byron Scott is hopeful Ryan Kelly can join the team by the end of next week as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Nick Young showed up at training camp, but was only there for defensive drills and conditioning. If there's any silver lining, it's that he can still work with the team and make sure his cardio stays in tip-top shape:
Can't keep him away from the court. #GoLakers pic.twitter.com/JwiN5vv83l
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 4, 2014
Kobe Bryant took the opportunity to remind the world he'll never pass up a chance to get in some good trash talk, letting Swaggy P know why he shouldn't have been reaching in against him in the first place:
Young hurt thumb reaching in on defense, hitting Kobe's elbow. Kobe to Nick: "My body is made of steel, that's why."
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) October 4, 2014
Speaking of Kobe, NBA TV stopped by Lakers camp for their "Real Training Camp" series, and the Black Mamba was clearly thrilled about spending time with the cameras:
.@kobebryant stopped by after practice to chat with some old friends on @NBATV. pic.twitter.com/yPCXjG6NF7
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 4, 2014
Still, he took the time to shoot a pretty nice promo for NBA TV that gave a nice, isolated, glimpse of him getting ready for the season, including this money quote:
"If there's an element of doubt, as far as my game goes and being old age, or something like that .... I don't think that holds any value. The fact that I was playing my best basketball before I got hurt. The injury's a thing, right. We'll just have to see who's right."
Here's the full Kobe video:
And here's a "Best of Phantom Cam" video from Lakers training camp, if you're into slow motion training camp highlights. Spoiler: Kobe hits shots over both Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle:
The Lakers have one more day of training camp before heading down to San Diego to face the Denver Nuggets on Oct. 6, tipping-off preseason basketball.