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The Los Angeles Lakers just finished the first of two practices on their second day of training camp in Hawaii, and we have a very early look at a possible starting lineup:
Kobe playing with Russell, Clarkson, Bass and Hibbert.
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) September 30, 2015
One notable name missing from that group? Lakers' 2014 lottery pick Julius Randle. But not to worry, apparently he was one of the "starters," but must have been taking a rest when the media was let in, according to the lineups provided by Mike Trudell:
Up front, it was Hibbert-Randle and then Bass-Sacre working with the purple team. Black, Kelly, Nance Jr. and Upshaw with the whites.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 30, 2015
Russell, Clarkson and Kobe had Lou Williams also working into their unit. Nick Young was carrying the O for the second group.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 30, 2015
In fact, Clarkson and Randle may have been two of the best players on the floor, at least according to one observer:
From somebody who watched the entirety of practice (we media just come in at the end) on who stood out: the 2014 picks, Clarkson + Randle.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 30, 2015
And if the first thought that came into your mind at the thought of Bryant, Randle, Clarkson, and Russell sharing the floor was "these guys should get out and run" you are not alone:
Something Scott is excited about with the Russell-Clarkson-Kobe-Randle group: all four can grab a board and push in transition.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 30, 2015
Randle also apparently wants to add some dunking to that equation:
And after talking up how he thought his minutes would be "less heavy" after yesterday's practice, it would seem Bryant is backing up his words by deferring to his teammates on the floor so far:
Kobe, Russell, Clarkson all played together in little bit media saw -- about 6 possessions. Kobe never touched the ball.
— Bill Oram (@billoram) September 30, 2015
And even without Kobe touching the ball, second-year Lakers head coach Byron Scott was a fan of what he saw from this group:
Scott liked Kobe playing at the 3 alongside Russell/Randle today and said he'll probably use that line up for the rest of the week.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 30, 2015
Kobe was also happy with that role, and might even use some of the extra energy on defense:
Kobe at SF: "I don't have to handle the ball really at all." Said Clarkson and Russell can handle that and he can just get to his spots.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 1, 2015
We only saw last few minutes of scrimmage. Hard to really say much. Kobe communicated a lot on defense for what it's worth
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) September 30, 2015
According to Mike Trudell, Kobe will sit out of the second practice of the day as part of the Lakers' plan to prevent unnecessary wear and tear on the 37-year old, but here are some photos of the team scrimmagin together, courtesy of the Lakers' Twitter feed:
5-on-5 action at the end of today's first practice. pic.twitter.com/opuq1nsNJo
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 30, 2015
Stay tuned to Silver Screen and Roll for plenty more updates from Hawaii.