Team in need of some rest

HONOLULU - Not everyone wearing a purple-and-gold jersey had an enormous ice pack strapped to an appendage during the first week of training camp.

It just seemed that way.

Luke Walton has a strained right hamstring.

Kobe Bryant has a sore right knee.

Lamar Odom is still recovering from offseason surgery on his left shoulder.

Kwame Brown is rebounding from surgery on his left ankle and right shoulder.

Chris Mihm also had ankle surgery.

The Los Angeles Lakers canceled the first of their two scheduled practices Sunday at Iolani High School, giving the players a chance to rest and recover before an extended afternoon workout. Sunday was to be the last of the team's two-a-days.

"It's too far away to be concerned," Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson said when asked if he was troubled by the injuries. "We're comfortable with the fact that these guys look good. Obviously, there's more of a threat of injury than the reality of it."

Injuries should worry the Los Angeles Lakers. After all, a seemingly endless string of them helped derail their progress last season. The Los Angeles Lakers had a 26-13 record after defeating the Spurs on Jan. 17 in San Antonio, but limped to a final mark of 42-40.

Walton played only 60 games last season. Kobe Bryant sat out five games. Odom was limited to 56games. Kwame Brown played 41. Mihm didn't play at all.

When asked last week about the aspect of his game he hoped to improve most this season, Kwame Brown said he simply hoped to be healthier.

"I just feel a responsibility to play more games," Kwame Brown said. "I only played in 41 last year and I think it hurt us. Hopefully, I can play all 82 this year because we're definitely a better team with me in there."

It's uncertain whether Odom, Kwame Brown and Mihm will be sound enough to play by opening night Oct. 30 against the Houston Rockets.

Back to school: Center Andrew Bynum spent part of his summer in a college classroom, which made him like a lot of other 19-year-olds trying to get ahead in their coursework. Andrew Bynum said he received a B grade in a history class at Loyola Marymount.

Andrew Bynum said he also planned to take an online course during the season, and eventually wants to get a degree.

"I want to get a degree, but it's going to take, like, 12 years," he joked.

Andrew Bynum also participated in a gym class. The Los Angeles Lakers asked him to improve his strength, endurance and conditioning during the summer, so he hired a personal trainer during the offseason.

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