The Laker team has started their workouts very early. It’s rare to see so much coverage of players during the off-season to see what they are each player is working on. Julius Randle changed his diet and did skills work. Jordan Clarkson did skills work as well. Jeremy Lin is working on his core, footwork, and defense. Even Ryan Kelly is using MMA training to get back into game-shape. Nick Young got some training in with Kobe Bryant as well. Steve Nash did a workout with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Robert Sacre participated for the Canadian FIBA team.

Kobe Bryant has had extensive coverage. He let the media know he was studying Paul Pierce’s game to adapt to the upcoming season. Just last Wednesday, he was back in Germany for a routine visit for his knee. Any footage of him involved with basketball activities has been kept secret, though a few Laker players have said he has looked good in the practice gym.

Robert Sacre and Jordan Clarkson appear to be having a routine leading up to training camp. I’m no expert, but it looks like they’re doing core work.

Expectations for the upcoming Laker season are lower than usual. It’s fair to project a .500 team. However, USA Today projected a 22-win outcome. It seems impossible considering just how injury-plagued the Lakers were last season. It was so bad, that Robert Sacre had fouled out of a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but was still allowed to play under NBA rules. Every foul he would commit after the sixth would be considered a technical foul. The Lakers, barely fielding eight players, managed to hang on and beat Kyrie Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers that night.

With Byron Scott leading the team with a championship mentality and the Laker players doing what they can to improve individually, a 22-win outcome seems highly unlikely. Even if Kobe Bryant doesn’t play all season, a team fielding Lin, Boozer, and Nick Young can’t be worse than last year, can they?

I don’t think so.

The Laker team has something to prove. They’ll be ready by the start of training camp.