Golden State can’t
escape Lakers’ shadow
With all of the glitz and controversy surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers these days, it's easy to forget that another NBA team is opening training camp on Oahu this week.
The Golden State Warriors were scheduled to arrive last night and open camp this morning at the Cannon Activities Center on the Brigham Young University-Hawaii campus in Laie.
The Lakers also opened camp this morning at the University of Hawaii's Stan Sheriff Center. The Lakers and Warriors meet for two exhibition games Oct. 7 and 8 at the Sheriff Center.
Both teams are scheduled to practice twice a day during their stays in Hawaii. Practices are closed to the public.
The camps opened today for players with three or fewer years of experience. Veterans report on Friday.
BYUH basketball coach Ken Wagner said this is the first time in his tenure an NBA team has come over to train on the North Shore campus. He said the last time he was at a school that hosted a professional team's camp was more than a decade ago when the Utah Jazz practiced at Dixie College in St. George, Utah.
He's hoping his players will get a boost from watching some of the pros in action.
"It'll be a lot of fun, and hopefully it'll motivate people to work harder. I think it gets them kind of fired up," Wagner said. "We're excited about it. It's always fun seeing players that are the best in the world."
The Lakers, led by coach Phil Jackson, arrive with significant buzz surrounding them both on the court and off, most significantly Kobe Bryant's sexual assault case. The additions of Karl Malone and Gary Payton to a lineup featuring Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal were among the biggest acquisitions of the NBA's offseason.
Although the Lakers begin their quest for their fourth NBA title in five seasons far from home, the trip won't be a respite from the spotlight.
"The distractions have followed us here," Lakers public relations director John Black said. "We love Los Angeles, but if we can't be there, this is the second best place to be."
Golden State lost leading scorers Antawn Jamison and Gilbert Arenas over the summer, but added veteran guards Nick Van Exel and Calbert Cheaney to go along with Jason Richardson.
"It creates a unique bonding and team-building situation when you are on the road together. With so many new players this season every minute of practice helps," Golden State coach Eric Musselman said on the Warriors' Web site.
