A WIIN SURE IS NICE

The Jazz played against our Lakers in a preseason

game on Sunday. We won by score of: 98-91.

The Lakers of course depended on Kobe Bryant.

His 26 points on 7-of-22 shooting and 9-of-11

clip from the foul line in 31 minutes marking his latest

progression after playing in only 6 games last

season because of overlapping injuries to his

left Achilles tendon and his left knee. This happened

a day after Bryant threw down a one-handed dunk

in practice. But the Lakers also fueled a third-quarter

rally, outscoring Utah's second unit 31-18 with a

heavy dose of contributions from veteran forward

Carlos Boozer (19 points) training camp invitee Wayne

Ellington (9 points) Rookie forward Julius Randle ( 8

points) and versatile swingman Wesley Johnson (8

points). For only the second time in 5 exhibitions,

the Lakers also held an opponent under 100 points. Coach

Scott plans to play Bryant in the Lakers' 3 remaining

pre season heading into the 2014-15 season opener October

28th. Scott believes Clarkson will return either Tuesday

against Phoenix at Staples Center or Wednesday

against Portland in Ontario. Scott also added Lin's

possible return on Tuesday. This hinges on if he can
participate in a  full-contact scrimmage Monday 

that includes cutting and changing direction without

having additional strain on his left ankle.

Steve Nash is now back on the practice floor.

His presence actually was a rather rare sight. He 

spent the past week mostly in the trainers' room

dealing with back spasms and nerve irritation that

have plagued him for the past two yeas.

Nash spoke with reporters and seems to be

optimistic he can overcome his injuries that have

kept him sidelined. With all the work he has been

doing he said, he felt he would be in a position

to bounce back. He played in only 15 games last

season because of the  nerves affecting his back 

and hamstrings. After reporting feeling fully healthy

this off season and the first two weeks of training

camp, Nash played only the first quarter of the Lakers'

exhibitions when playing against Golden State and then

said he had to get out.

Jordan Clarkson could return either Tuesday or Wed-

nesday after missing a week with strained left

calf muscle.

Xavier Henry will be seeing Dr. Keith Pyne in N.Y.

City for his opinion and if necessary may be flying on

to Germany for additional treatment, ensuring that

he will stay sidelined for the Lakers remaining

pre-season games. The Lakers estimate Henry

will return on Friday.

So much for this roster right now. Time will tell.

Babs Wells