“I had to grow up fast. I had to learn plays, learn my role, what I have to do on the field . . . I feel improvement every day of the week,” Langley said.

Starter Mike Bolsinger was removed in the fourth inning of the Dodgers’ 5-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants. (Josie Lepe/Bay Area News Group)

Clayton Kershaw needs six strikeouts Sunday to become the first pitcher in 13 years to strike out 300 in a single season, but he’s voluntarily limiting his own chances of reaching the milestone.

Everyone moved out of Julius Randle’s way, as the Lakers forward sprinted his way up the court eager to show something he could not for eleven painful months.

The Lakers were nearing the end of a 30-minute full-court scrimmage on Wednesday here at Stan Sheriff Center when a fast-break opportunity emerged. Before the defense had any time to set up, Randle cut into the lane. His teammate, Lou Williams, made eye contact. Then, Williams lofted up an alley-oop that Randle threw down with force.

This only marked the second day of the Lakers’ training camp. But those days have meant everything to Randle, who played only 14 minutes in his NBA rookie year before fracturing his right tibia and sitting out the rest of the season. Even when he healed enough to play in Summer League two months ago, Randle averaged only 20.5 minutes per game and sat out in a back-to-back. This time, the Lakers have released Randle’s handcuffs.

“It’s been good,” Randle said, a smile forming as he said those words. “It’s been a year. It was amazing.”

It remains understandable Randle would feel that way. But it still sounded amusing. After all, Randle had just completed a 2 1/2 hour practice filled with conditioning drills, shooting exercises and scrimmaging. The Lakers would then have a two-hour evening session. Who would have thought Randle would relish such physical torture?

“Yeah, that’s true,” Randle said, “especially after last year.”

Then, Randle looked winded after going through Scott’s conditioning drills. After completing sprints, Randle often hunched over onto the ground with beads of sweat dripping down his face. This time, Randle has completed all of those drills without looking fatigued or experiencing any setbacks with his surgically repaired right leg and right foot.

Lakers coach Byron Scott notices something else, too.

“Confidence,” Scott said. “Now he feels he can definitely play at this level. Last year, he was guessing and wondering if he could.”

The Lakers selected Randle seventh overall after becoming intrigued with his versatility as a bruising power forward and playmaker. But Scott often mentioned during training camp how Randle looked lost on the court. Randle also admittedly struggled with adapting to the game’s pace.

The Lakers never could learn how Randle would handle those hiccups throughout the 2014-15 season, the campaign ending with a 21-61 record partly because of Randle’s absence. But he compensated elsewhere.

Randle lost about 20 pounds of fat and gained 10 pounds of muscle by cutting out sugary sweets, fried foods and anything else heavy on carbohydrates. He watched countless games on film and in person. Randle listened to Kobe Bryant’s advice on staying patient with step he took with rehab. He eagerly took notes during his summer workouts with Metta World Peace about body positioning, moving off-the-ball and defending. Add all that up, and Randle said he “felt the game slowing down for me.”

“He’s playing great right now. I’m really excited,” World Peace said. “He’s playing really, really well right now. I’m looking forward to seeing him make progress.”

But some of that progress has limitations.

Scott may have encouraged Randle to bring the ball up the court anytime he gets a rebound. Scott has said the same thing to Kobe Bryant, D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson. But portions of Wednesday’s scrimmage featured veteran power forward Brandon Bass playing in that group. Scott insisted he will try other lineups throughout training camp, but that combination could serve eventually represent the Lakers’ starting unit. Scott also admitted he’s “still not sure” on Randle’s potential.

“That’s kind of not really our decision, but coach’s decision,” Randle said. “It’s out there playing basketball. I’m going to compete regardless. I love the game. So I’m going to compete regardless.”

Randle did that on Wednesday, ending with a painful feeling he once forget and has since relished.

“Pretty much the soreness, I forgot about that,” Randle said. “It’s cool, I guess. I’d rather be sore than on the sideline.”

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Julius Randle faces no restrictions entering training camp
Lakers’ Kobe Bryant: ‘We’re being smart’ on maximizing health, practice

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com

Elena Barlett added eight kills and two blocks for Chadwick (12-1, 4-0). Kate Borden had five kills and five digs.

Ryan D’Angelo added four aces for Vistamar.

Amy Gaal, Isabelle Lau and Lindsay Giese all swept in singles for the Mustangs.

In doubles, Isabella-Katarina Draskovic and Madi Giese-Drew Waller both swept in doubles for Mira Costa (9-1).

“I think most Trojans (fans) are just trying to figure out what happens toward the end of the season.”

— Former USC tailback Anthony Davis on 1090-AM

The outfielder has made minimal progress in his recovery from a hamstring strain this month and isn’t expected to be ready for the National League Division Series. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that there is no plan for Puig to rejoin the Dodgers when they return home Friday for the final series of the regular season.

Otherwise, the lineup has a fairly normal look. That should be the case for the final five games of the season, manager Don Mattingly said:

The Dodgers’ full lineup against Giants right-hander Mike Leake:

Carl Crawford LF
Jimmy Rollins SS
Corey Seager 3B
Andre Ethier RF
Chase Utley 2B
Yasmani Grandal 1B
Austin Barnes C
Joc Pederson CF
Mike Bolsinger P

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant wears an ice pack on his shoulder during team practice at the Stan Sheriff Center, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, in Honolulu. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HONOLULU — Just as nearly everyone here slept comfortably in their beds, Kobe Bryant woke up to prepare for something that has consumed him nearly his entire life.

The Lakers star trained.

He woke up at an ungodly hour for an individual workout to strengthen his body, most notably the surgically repaired right shoulder he has rehabbed in the past eight months. Bryant then arrived to practice early for an individual shooting workout to accelerate his rhythm. The Lakers’ star then participated in most of the Lakers’ 2 1/2 hour practice that started at 11 a.m, which consisted of full-court 5-on-0 and 5-on-5 drills.

“I felt pretty good,” Bryant said on Wednesday after the Lakers practiced here at Stan Sheriff Center. “I was moving well and could get the spots I wanted to and do what I wanted to on the floor.”

It may seem like a heavy workload for the Lakers’ 37-year-old guard considering his season has ended abruptly for three consecutive years because of ailments to his left Achilles tendon, left knee and right shoulder. But that explains why Bryant skipped portions of the Lakers’ conditioning drills and layup lines. Bryant also will rest during the Lakers’ evening portion of practice, a two-hour session Lakers coach Byron Scott plans to devote toward technical drills.

In between his first and second days of practices, Bryant has undergone repeated treatment that includes modalities, massages and ice bags.

“It was good,” Bryant said. “But honestly my summer regimen was much worse.”

It appears Bryant wants to push the envelope in strengthening his body and shedding off rust, while trimming his workload. But during portions of the Lakers’ scrimmage that were open to reporters, Bryant adopted a less-is-more approach.

The Lakers’ star dismissed playing at small forward instead of shooting guard, noting he has played that position before “in the last 10 years.” But as he played with D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Brandon Bass and Roy Hibbert, Bryant did not shoot at all, let alone touch the ball.

“I don’t think it matters, man. You play the flow of the game and see what comes,” Bryant said. “I don’t have to handle the ball at all. That leaves more time to catch and shoot.”

Bryant still provided a presence where he frequently shouted out defensive coverages. Of course, teammates have noticed his intensive practice itinerary. Randle came with Bryant to practice early, while Metta World Peace was already working out in the weight room.

“It was fun,” Bryant said. “At the end, we got a chance to go up and down a bit. That was good.”

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Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell to have locker next to Kobe Bryant

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com

Our sports section in tomorrow’s newspapers will feature this story on UCLA running back Paul Perkins, examining his skill set as well as why he seems to stay under the radar.

Here’s a photo gallery with shot from each of Perkins’ games since the start of the 2014 season.

The award, voted on by Dodger uniformed personnel, will be presented to Greinke by Campanella’s daughter, Joni Campanella Roan, during pregame ceremonies Sunday.

Former Dodgers to win the award include Rafael Furcal (2006), Russell Martin (2007), James Loney (2008), Juan Pierre (2009), Jamey Carroll (2010), Matt Kemp (2011), A.J. Ellis (2012) and Clayton Kershaw (2013-14), who became the award’s first two-time recipient.

Doc Rivers/Photo by Associated Press

Doc Rivers is on the NBA’s competition committee. One new rule it established over the summer was playoff seedings. Previously, any team winning its division was guaranteed a top 4 seed, even if it had an inferior record to a team that did not win its division.

That has now been changed so seedings will be based solely on record.

One rule change that would have been welcomed by fans didn’t get done. That’s the Hack-a-Shaq that affected the Clippers and post DeAndre Jordan, one of the worst free-throw shooters in the league.

When an opponent would make it a point to continually foul Jordan on purpose, it slowed the game down and made it downright difficult to watch.

But Rivers said the possibility of change there got little play.

“There really wasn’t a lot of talk (about that),” he said. “That rule is a tough one. I get it, again, for the fans; it’s ugly. It looks bad. But it’s tough to change a rule for five or six guys (in the league).”

Los Angeles Lakers Media Day in El Segundo Monday September 28, 2015. Nick Young smiles during interview.
Photo By Robert Casillas / Daily Breeze

So many things happened that made Nick Young’s normally infectious smile turn into a frown.

The Lakers finished 21-61 last season in what marked their worst record in franchise history. Young shot only 36.6 percent from the field, his worst mark in his eight-year NBA career. He missed the last two months of the season because of fractured left knee. Through it all, Young clashed with Lakers coach Byron Scott amid his role, his inconsistency, his tardiness to games and for an infamous post-game celebration. Once it all ended, the Lakers tried trading Young this summer only to find uninterested suitors.

But Young reported to the Lakers’ training camp still bearing the same smile, vowing that he will write a script that entails a happier ending.

“We all got something to prove,” Young said. “I went in my Batcave and got my mind right. I feel good. I got away from everything and got back to playing and enjoying it.”

Young has said he focused this summer both on weight training and on following Scott’s advice to diversify his game as a passer, off-the-ball shooter and defender. After the two strongly became at odds last season, the tension has simmered down. Two weeks after publicly expressing his frustration about Scott’s criticism, Young changed his sentiment following his exit meeting. Young said the dialogue continued this summer.

“It’s been great. We sat down and talked and went to his camp and talked to his kids,” Young said of Scott. “We needed to go through that and needed to talk. I’m just going to do whatever it takes to get out there.”

If not, the Lakers could lean more on Lou Williams. Though Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak have maintained the two could co-exist, Williams is the reigning NBA’s sixth man of the year because of his high-volume scoring. The sentiment around the NBA suggests Williams has a positive locker room presence, something that lacked in Young’s second-year with the Lakers amid his aforementioned struggles.

How will this dynamic work if the Lakers encounter early-season struggles or Young falls out of the rotation?

“I’m not trying to be the center of the soap opera or the drama. I’m going to end up doing Marshawn Lynch interviews,” Young joked, referring to the Seattle Seahawks’ running back for declining media requests. “I’m going to take the Marshawn Lynch approach. I’ll put Swaggy in a cage.”

Young stayed in true form, however, during the Lakers’ Media Day on a number of topics.

He offered an optimistic prediction on Kobe Bryant’s 20th and perhaps final NBA season after nursing season-ending injuries in the last three seasons to his left Achilles tendon, left knee and right shoulder.

“He’s going to play a full season. I know it’s been tough on him,” Young said of Bryant. “He’s not used to being in situations like this. It was a blessing in disguise. I think he learned from it. I see he’s been going to each booth today. He normally skips out after a few minutes. He’s ready.”

Young laughed about the potential comedy as he readies sharing a locker room with Metta World Peace. Will Young legally change his name to “Swaggy P” the same way the former Ron Artest did?

“Nah, that’s too much work,” Young said. “It’s already pretty much my name. Nobody calls me Nick out there in the streets. I’ll change my name back to Nicholas. Call me Nicholas for now on.”

Then Young retold an old joke on how he blamed last shooting woes on the rim, saying he would take it on the date even if it made his fiance, hip-hop artist Iggy Azalea, jealous.

“We got back on the same page,” Young said of the rim. “I took her to Morton’s Steakhouse, got her a steak or two. Now I’m good. It’s going to go in this year.”

The Lakers anxiously await.

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Lakers’ Mitch Kupchak defends Nick Young’s personality

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com

“It’s a very talented team that’s not going to reach expectations. They aren’t going to win the South Division, they aren’t going to win the Pac-12, and that was the expectation. They’re just not tough enough.”

I was on Pac-12 Networks yesterday evening to talk a bit about UCLA football with Mike Yam.

Earlier in the year, however, Sarkisian made a Reggie Bush reference when talking about freshman tailback Dominic Davis. And then there was the famous Lane Kiffin comparison of Dillon Baxter to Reggie Bush. Perhaps it would be better, though, if Bush’s name were not mentioned.

Sabrina Li shot a 41 and Nicole Chernoff and Dana Otera each shot a 46 for PV (4-3).

Julienne Enge led West (4-3) with a 45 and Daphne Yang and Katherine Fukuda each shot a 46 for West.

HONOULU — The exercised involved a simple three-man drill, but Lakers rookie guard D’Angelo Russell struggled to process it all.

The drill itself is simple and elementary for any basketball team, let alone the Lakers. But what left Russell pinching himself on his first day of Lakers’ training camp here at Stan Sheriff Center entailed who also completed the drill. His name is Kobe Bryant. He is entering his 20th and perhaps final NBA season. And when Bryant made his preseason debut here on Oct. 10, 1996, Russell had only turned 221 days old.

“It was great. You try to keep it off your mind like this guys is not right besides you,” Russell said Tuesday after the Lakers’ practiced. “That’s something you have to get past. If you want to be the best, we have to look at him as a mentor and not look at him as a fan.”

That explains why Russell took notes on how Bryant looked in his first practice since tearing the rotator cuff in his right shoulder eight months ago, an injury that required season-ending surgery. Toward the tail end of practice, Bryant skipped portions of the Lakers’ sprinting and shooting drills while receiving treatment on his shoulder.

“He looked good. You could tell he was trying to pace himself a little bit,” Russell said of Bryant. “I didn’t really know what to expect. Coming in, I didn’t think he’d be go through the whole practice knowing it’s his first one back. He looked good.”

That explains why Russell arose early Monday morning in hopes to squeeze an early workout in, though a certain Lakers’ teammate already beat him to the punch.

“I couldn’t sleep last night, so I woke up really early just ready to get here. But I know Kobe got here early,” Russell said. “I know I plan on getting here early also. It was like the first day of school honestly.”

And on that first day of school, Russell’s teacher already handed out a generous evaluation.

“He knows the little details about the game here and there,” Bryant said of Russell. “He loves the game. When you have player that loves the game, it’s my responsibility to make sure he never loses sight of that through difficult moments and even the great moments and focus on the love of the game. Once you have that, you’ll probably solve everything. So stay focused on that. I have to keep him locked in there.”

Bryant did not stop there.

“He has a lot of poise out there,” Bryant said of Russell. “He’s very calm under duress. He doesn’t seem fazed by much.”

Well, with perhaps one exception.

Russell admitted feeling overwhelmed with Bryant’s presence. Russell’s eyes also lit up when informed about Bryant’s glowing assessment.

“Those are high words,” Russell said. “I feel like a lot of guys have that one inspiration off the court that keeps them going. Mine is being on the court. I have the opportunity to be blessed and play every day. I really take those strong words into consideration. I keep working. You’re getting paid to do something you love. Not a lot of guys get to dream of something when you’re young and make it a reality.”

Yet, Bryant still shed down layers of his steely persona. Moments before talking to reporters, Bryant stopped to chat with Russell and Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson. Then, Bryant laughed with them and embraced them.

“He’s going to get some wisdom from one of the greatest players that ever played the game,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said of Russell. “Kobe, obviously during the drills, is taking him to the side and talking to him and I saw that this morning. D’Angelo is one of those guys that’s a sponge. He wants to learn. That’s a great relationship to have and to be able to talk to somebody that’s been there so many times and been so successful.”

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitterfa and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com

I’m pretty sure the guy next to Clint Dempsey won’t be in the starting XI for the 6:30 p.m. game on Fox Sports 1, however.

From the Sounders press release:

The initiative marks the first time an MLS club has altered its jerseys for any match mid-season, as well as the first time Sounders FC has worn anything other than Rave Green jerseys for an MLS regular season home fixture. The new Halo 5: Guardians-inspired jerseys utilize Sounders FC’s Pitch Black third kits. During warmups, Sounders FC players are also wearing limited edition pre-match training tops, custom-made with Sounders FC and Halo 5: Guardians branding. Sunday’s match is the only opportunity that fans have to buy this one-of-a-kind jersey, as a limited supply of 200 are available for purchase at the CenturyLink Field Pro Shop.

UCLA defensive coordinator Tom Bradley talked about what he saw the Bruins do wrong against Arizona last Saturday, from his own playcalling to what opponents may do now that the team’s struggles against the zone read have been revealed.

Story here

UCLA fullback Nate Iese (32) celebrates a touchdown with defensive tackle Eli Ankou during the Bruins’ 62-27 win at Arizona State on Sept. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

No. 7 UCLA Bruins (4-0, 1-0) vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (2-2, 0-1)
Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 3, 4:30 p.m., Rose Bowl
TV: FOX (Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, Molly McGrath)
Radio: AM 570 (Bill Roth, Matt Stevens, Wayne Cook)

Scouting report: Has there been a more disappointing team in the Pac-12 than Arizona State? Oregon has an argument after falling on its face against Utah, but the Ducks at least had some good stretches prior to Saturday. A Sun Devils team that Todd Graham billed as his best yet fell from No. 15 to unranked after one game and hasn’t recovered. … Against UCLA, Stanford and USC last year, quarterback Mike Bercovici completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,243 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. That set up big expectations for his ascension to full-time starter, but against Texas A&M and the Trojans this year, he’s fallen to 55.3 percent for 471 yards, one touchdown and one interception. … ASU ranked top-10 nationally in turnover margin in both 2013 and 2014. So far in 2015, it is stuck down at No. 98, averaging -0.75 per game. The team has already lost seven fumbles after totaling just 10 over the last two seasons.

Series history: UCLA leads the all-time series, 19-11-1, but neither team has held an extended win streak over the other. The Bruins’ longest capped out at four wins (1976, 1979-81), although that did begin a stretch of nine wins in 11 meetings. The most consecutive games ASU has won is three (’95, ’96, ’99).

Key players:

QB Mike Bercovici, RSr., 6-2, 210 — 93/157, 1,071 yards, 7 TD, 2 INT
— His yards per attempt are down a full yard from his junior season to 6.8. That puts him second-to-last among Pac-12 starters, ahead of only Oregon State true freshman Seth Collins (6.1).

RB Demario Richard, So., 5-10, 220 — 70 carries, 429 yards, 4 TD
– The most consistent part of the ASU offense this season, Richard has run for three straight 100-yard games and leads the conference with 614 yards from scrimmage — one ahead of UCLA’s Paul Perkins.

WR D.J. Foster, Sr., 6-4, 213 — 22 catches, 189 yards, 1 TD, 21 carries, 111 yards
– He is only the fourth player in NCAA history to hit 2,000 rushing yards and 2,000 receiving yards in his career. For some reason, he’s gone from 19.7 touches per game to 10.8.

S Jordan Simone, RSr., 6-0, 190 — 37 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INT
— The former walk-on turned himself into an all-conference honorable mention as a junior, and has assumed the role as the team’s leading tackler following Damarious Randall becoming a first-round draft pick.

LB Salamo Fiso, RJr., 6-0, 230 — 36 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 1 sack
– In his third season as a starter, he leads the Pac-12 in tackles for loss and ranks top 10 nationally

Line: UCLA opened as a 13.5-point favorite.

Opponent in GIF form:

via GIPHY

Fun fact:

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant wears an ice pack on his shoulder during team practice at the Stan Sheriff Center, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, in Honolulu. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HONOLULU — The nostalgia struck Kobe Bryant and Byron Scott, their return trip here to Stan Sheriff Center sparking memories that seem so long ago.

Scott began his last NBA season 19 years ago at training camp here at the same time Bryant entered the league, the player-mentor relationship eventually morphing to a coach-player partnership.

“It feels beautiful,” Bryant said. “It’s the cycle nature of sports. It feels good to be in this moment.”

Scott and Bryant experienced this moment many times.

The late Lakers owner Jerry Buss began this tradition in 1988, which morphed into the Lakers going here for eight of the nine next NBA exhibition seasons. Scott appeared in five of those training camps from 1988-1990, 1992 and 1996, viewing them as a refuge from the ordinary.

“It was always great to come here to get away from Los Angeles for a little while so you concentrate and focus on the things you had to do in training camp,” Scott said. “Now you can’t go home to your wife, girlfriends and kids. You have to stay around with your teammate and get that camaraderie and togetherness that you want.”

Bryant sounded just as sentimental, saying he has “a lot of great memories here” and that he “felt like a local from day one.” But Bryant did not always experience the camaraderie that Scott enjoyed at training camp here.

The Lakers came here in the middle of their three-peat in 2001. But the Lakers’ training camp in Hawaii also coincided with less positive incidents. Bryant missing training camp here after being accused of sexual assault, though charges were later dropped (2003). The Lakers returned in 2005 a season after the Lakers missed the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. The Lakers came back in 2007 a few months after Bryant had publicly demanded a trade amid frustration with the franchise’s rebuilding efforts.

Still, Bryant marveled that he played along enough to return again after Lakers president Jeanie Buss spearheaded the trip as a way to continue tradition and attract potential free agents.

“All my teammates that were here before,” Bryant said, “they’re all now either retired or coaching. Or on TV.”

The Lakers will hold practices here this week, including two-a-day sessions on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. They will play two exhibition games against the Utah Jazz on Sunday and Tuesday and hold practices on Monday and Wednesday before returning to Los Angeles.

“It’s great to be back in Hawaii,” Scott said. “I don’t know if it’s [Kobe’s] last training camp or not, but to be back at the place he started is very special.”

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Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell to have locker next to Kobe Bryant

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com

Clayton Kershaw (22) gets a hug from Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis (17) after the final out of the Dodgers’ 8-0 win over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Chandon Brut Classic is $264 a case. Kershaw’s pitching in the Dodgers’ 8-0, NL West-clinching win over the Giants was priceless. The box score is here.

Corey Seager has relegated Jimmy Rollins to the Dodgers’ bench.

Sydney Hall had 12 kills for the Knights (10-3, 1-0 Del Ray League) and setter Tiffany Phillips had 19 assists in Bishop Montgomery’s eighth straight win of the season. Gillian Miles and Carolyn Vaimoso each had seven kills.

Madison Reynolds and Jessica Seto had 11 digs each and Seto also fired off four service aces.

HONOLULU — The players lined up on one side of the court, waiting for Lakers coach Byron Scott to blow his whistle to signal the beginning of yet another arduous exercise. Then it happened, the shriek of Scott’s whistle prompting all of his players to run up and down the court.

Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson finished the drills first, prompting Scott to say “the kid seems like he can run all day.” Lakers guard Kobe Bryant sat on a trainer’s table, but Scott reported Bryant “remained ahead of the pack” in conditioning drills he participated before the Lakers permitted reporters to view practice. And then there was Lakers rookie guard D’Angelo Russell, who completed the drills adequately before admitting afterwards he hardly enjoyed them.

“Running is punishment to me,” Russell said after the Lakers’ first day of training camp on Tuesday at Stan Sheriff Center. “I don’t think anyone wants to run for fun unless you’re a track star. I don’t think they enjoy it either.”

But Russell knew well ahead of time what would greet him in his first NBA practice. Scott has developed a league-wide reputation for holding training camps that place a heavy emphasis on running. Russell spent part of his offseason completing conditioning drills to prepare. Yet, Russell still described the process as “tough.”

“It’s all mental,” Russell said. “It’s something you have to do and prepare your body for.”

Yet, Scott sounded far more forgiving on Russell’s first practice than the intensity of his running drills.

“His conditioning was really good and he shot the ball extremely well,” Scott said of Russell. “On the defensive end, he’s working on some of those things we want him to work on that end of the floor with communication and understanding where he needs to be.”

Even if he felt tired, the 19-year-old Russell showed enough stamina and quickness to make most of his attempts in shooting drills open to the media. But tougher tests await.

The Lakers will hold two-a-day sessions on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Of course, the grind of an 82-game NBA season exposes every player’s durability and conditioning with each passing moment.

“I want to see which guys are willing to bust their butts. I’m going to find out,” Scott said. “One of my pet peeves, if we’re going to lose some games this year, it’s not going to be because we’re not in shape. If we’re going to lose games, it’s because some teams are better than we are that night. The one thing I want our team in that fourth quarter is be strong mentally as well as physically.”

Scott said the Lakers passed the first test, singling out Russell, Bryant, Clarkson, Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass, Tarik Black and Ryan Kelly as players that impressed him with their conditioning level.

“Half the guys were in great shape and terrific shape. The other half were in good shape,” Scott said. “There was not one person that wasn’t ready for camp. Usually I have a couple guys throwing up.”

But it appears the experience left a sour taste in Russell’s mouth, the Lakers’ rookie admitting a return trip to Hawaii on vacation may spark unpleasant memories about his first day in training camp.

“I probably wouldn’t want to come back knowing there’s a lot of running,” Russell said. “I’ll have to be with my family with no basketball shoes.”

Moments later, Russell expressed something that enabled him to push through amid the endless whistles.

“It comes with the success you have,” Russell said. “You have to run and put yourself in tip top shape.”

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Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell to have locker next to Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant not sure what to expect from himself, Lakers

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant unsure about retirement date

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langews.com

Kassy Laveaga led the team with 13 kills, while Hazey Vaifanua ran the offense to the tune of 15 assists. Allison Dias had 15 digs for the Warriors.

Clare Lenihan had 12 kills and 12 digs for Chadwick (11-2, 4-0 Prep League). Elena Bartlett had six kills while Courtney Bond has seven kills and 17 digs. Taryn Gurbach tallied 10 digs for the Dolphins.

Tuesday’s victory was revenge for a five-set loss last season at King Drew when San Pedro relinquished a 2-0 lead.

Katie Bentovoja led San Pedro (7-8, 3-1 Marine League) with a team-high 10 kills. The Pirates were strong from the service line behind Amya Crouch’s seven aces. Crouch also led the team in assists with 22.

Allison Lyons had 23 digs and four aces while Brianna Corallo pitched in everywhere on the court with three kills, four aces and six digs.

Novilla, the reigning Daily Breeze Girls Golfer of the Year, again had the low score for the Tartars, shooing 2-over 38. Tanoura was not far behind as she fired off a 3-over 39.

Kelly Chow and Hannah Son both shot 10-over 46 for Torrance to help the Tartars (6-3, 3-0 Pioneer League) continue their undefeated league season.

Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig has been sidelined all of September with a hamstring strain. (Sarah Reingewirtz/Staff photographer)

SAN FRANCISCO — Dodgers manager Don Mattingly offered an encouraging piece of news on outfielder Yasiel Puig.

“He actually played in some kind of game,” yesterday and today, Mattingly said. “He was able to get some ABs and stuff, just continuing to be able to some things.”

Sidelined since Aug. 27 with hamstring problems, Puig has made minimal progress out of the Dodgers’ Camelback Ranch facility in Glendale, Arizona.

It’s still far too soon to judge Puig’s availability for a potential first-round playoff series. Mattingly said that Puig didn’t play the outfield and offered no news about how well Puig is running. The manager recently said that Puig is running at 80 percent.

“I’m not quite sure how they do that — let him have at bats and not run easy,” Mattingly said.

Update (6:37 p.m.): Thanks to Chris Kusiolek for uploading this video of Puig at the plate today:

Cody Ponce vs. Yaisel Puig. 98 with slight cut action https://t.co/V7FHKNCIIe

— Chris Kusiolek (@CaliKusiolek) September 30, 2015

Even 90 years later, replacing an established veteran with a young up-and-comer is still hard, whether the manager is Miller Huggins or Don Mattingly, whether the veteran is Wally Pipp or Jimmy Rollins.

“Nothing like this is ever easy,” said Mattingly, who effectively chose 21-year-old Corey Seager over the 36-year-old Rollins as his everyday shortstop Tuesday.

Seager is batting fifth and playing shortstop against one of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball, Madison Bumgarner. He also started Monday against Giants right-hander Jake Peavy.

Tuesday’s decision was a somewhat unusual one for Mattingly, who often makes out his lineup card based on handedness. Tuesday, he stacked his lineup with six right-handers, as well as Seager, left-handed first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw against the left-handed Bumgarner.

It appears Seager is in the Dodgers’ lineup to stay, relegating Rollins to a bench role. Mattingly wouldn’t offer an overview of the shortstop position Tuesday — “I’m not trying to view it,” he said, “other than to put out the lineup that gives us the best chance to win tonight” — though the change is significant enough that he recently met with Rollins to discuss it.

“It’s definitely a conversation, that’s for sure, out of respect to him, his career, what he’s done in his career,” Mattingly said. “But also I feel like he’s been a huge part of our club this year, getting it where we are right now — his leadership in the middle of the diamond, in the clubhouse. I feel he’s been a rock in that circumstance.”

Seager is batting .342 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 22 games. He’s reached base in each of his 20 starts to begin his career, something no Dodger has done since 1953.

Rollins has played 142 games in his first season as a Dodger, batting a career-low .225 with 13 home runs and 41 RBIs. His 12 stolen bases (in 20 attempts) are also a career low. During his 15 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, Rollins won a World Series, a National League MVP award, four Gold Glove Awards and was named to three All-Star games.

“Again, I have a ton of respect for who Jimmy is, number one,” Mattingly said. “You don’t just do this and not get attached to guys, love who they are, what they bring, have respect for how hard it is to do. Nothing about having that conversation with Jimmy is easy.”

Rollins was held out of the Dodgers’ starting lineup in 14 games earlier this month because of an injury to his right index finger. It was during this time, Mattingly said, that Seager seized the job.

“Opportunity knocks and he seemed to do well right away,” Mattingly said. “If Jimmy doesn’t hurt his index finger, we may not be having this conversation right now.”

The Dodgers get their second crack at eliminating the Giants from the National League West race at AT&T Park tonight.

Pablo Prigioni/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers

Pablo Prigioni is 38, but he’s only going to be in his fourth NBA season because the native of Argentina previously played professionally in Argentina and Spain.

Coach Doc Rivers likes what he’s seen so far from Prigioni, who this past season toiled for the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets.

“He is just a wonderful guy to have on your basketball team,” Rivers said. “Plays his role, he’s been a coach out there on the floor at times.”

Austin Rivers, son of Doc, has been working hard at becoming an even better defensive player than he already was. He said he plans on picking Prigioni’s brain for help.

“I’m still going to learn, get tips from Pablo Prigioni, who has been around,” Austin Rivers said. “Pablo has a lot of techniques to get his hands on balls, so does Chris (Paul).”

Wesley Johnson/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers

Wesley Johnson this week was asked about being an inconsistent player, and he said that figures to change this season now that he’s on a deep team with the likes of Blake Griffin and Chris Paul anchoring it. Keep in mind the previous two seasons Johnson was with the Lakers, one of the league’s worst teams of late.

Speaking Tuesday in general terms and not specifically about Johnson, coach Doc Rivers believes playing on a good team can make the difference for a role player.

“When you’re on a good team and a role player, you’re a better player,” he said from training camp at UC Irvine. “You play better, kind of get your role better. When you’re on a bad team, usually no one actually knows their role and everyone is fighting each other to be the man because the team’s bad, you don’t believe the guy that’s good is that good.

“So I think it’s a lot easier when you come to a team and it’s clear who the guys are.”

Paul Pierce/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards

Coach Doc Rivers was asked again Tuesday if he has made a decision as to who is going to start at small forward this season. As of right now, it’s either going to be Paul Pierce or Wesley Johnson. Lance Stephenson would also be a possibility, but Rivers said this week he would prefer to keep him on what figures to be a dynamite second unit.

Rivers still isn’t sure which way he’s going to go, but it could be they’ll both start at times.

“I think it’s going to be one of those things where it changes from night to night,” Rivers said. “There will be nights when Wes starts, nights when Paul starts. I  think we’re versatile enough to be able to do that.”

Rivers then made reporters laugh when one asked if matchups and such will determine who starts on a given night.

“Yeah, matchups, Paul’s age, a lot of things,” he said.

Pierce will be 38 on Oct. 13. Johnson is 28.

Doc Rivers/Photo by Associated Press

The Clippers will open their six-game exhibition season Friday when they play host to the Denver Nuggets at 7:30 p.m. at Staples Center. Then they travel for a Sunday game against Toronto in Canada before embarking on a trip to China, where they will play the Charlotte Hornets on Oct. 10 and Oct. 14.

It’s good for bonding, Doc Rivers said, especially for a team with so many new faces.

“The China travel is a little much, but if we’re going to go, I guess this year would probably be the right year to go because we have so many guys,” he said.  “It will give us a chance to get to know each other a little bit better.”

The Clippers’ final two exhibition games will be Oct. 20 against Golden State and Oct. 22 against Portland – both games will be at Staples Center.

Los Angeles Lakers Media Day in El Segundo Monday September 28, 2015. Roy Hibbert interview.
Photo By Robert Casillas / Daily Breeze

All the numbers suggest the NBA teams should go small, the influx of speedy point guards and outside shooters forcing the game to put less of an emphasis on size and power.

But to break that trend, Lakers center Roy Hibbert wants to take advantage of another number. His weight. Hibbert spent a significant chunk of his offseason losing 15 pounds in fat, so he would no longer become seen as a plodding big man.

“With how the NBA is going, you have a lot of quick centers,” Hibbert said on Monday at the Lakers’ Media Day at their practice facility in El Segundo. “It’s changed some things up. But I feel I’m in a place where I can hold my own in the post and get up and down the court.”

One of those centers includes Golden State’s Andrew Bogut, whose contributions Hibbert believes quickly became overshadowed with the outside shooting from Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson’s emergence as well as the defense from Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green. Yet, the 7-foot Bogut still landed on the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team and finished sixth in Defensive Player of the Year votes despite averaging a career-low 23.6 minutes per game.

“He didn’t score a lot, and he’s not the fastest guy out there. No disrespect to him,” Hibbert said of Bogut. “He was a friend of mien and I’ve known him for a while. I admire his game and how he sacrifices what he does to help his team win a championship. I don’t mind being the older guy that has to sacrifice and be the defensive anchor.”

Hibbert sure had to sacrifice in his last season with the Indiana Pacers. He averaged only 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds in 25.3 minutes amid the Pacers’ quest to player smaller and faster. The Pacers then traded Hibbert to the Lakers for only a second round pick just to expend his $15.51 million salary. But the Lakers are leaning on Hibbert’s credentials as a former two-time All-Star and an All-NBA second defensive team member to revamp the Lakers after finishing 29th out of 30 NBA teams in defensive efficiency.

Hibbert embraced that concept, mindful that his role could ease Kobe Bryant’s burden and enable him to have a successful comeback after nursing three season-ending injuries in consecutive years.

“He’s one of the greatest players to play the game,” Hibbert said of Bryant. “I’m expecting him to do what he does. Im going to be sure im ready to go to help him ut and fall in line. I expected him to be what he’s always been, and I’ll be here to help.”

Part of that hinges on Hibbert’s dieting. He listened to the Lakers’ feedback in varying his eating times and nourishing his body with more protein. He did not listen to the voice inside his head.

“Would I like to have a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting? Yeah, I would,” Hibbert said, laughing. “But this is part of my game.”

Hibbert will find out on Tuesday how much of a difference that made, his first step in countering the analytics suggest his decreased value in a league lacking traditional big men.

“I’ll see how it goes after training camp,” Hibbert said. “So if any of you guys make the trip to Hawaii, Ill have an answer for you.”

RELATED:

Lakers’ Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle provide advice handling Kobe Bryant’s expectations

Lakers’ Mitch Kupchak believes Roy Hibbert could have long-term future here

Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell to have locker next to Kobe Bryant

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com

Lakers forward Julius Randle holds court. Photo By Robert Casillas / Daily Breeze

After only completing a string of exhibition games, Julius Randle heard some life-altering feedback that Kobe Bryant delivered with brutal honesty.

“If you [bleep] this up, you’re a really big idiot,” Bryant told Randle.

Mere moments after stepping on the practice court, Jordan Clarkson wound up defending Bryant and soon experienced the scorn most defenders experience after the Lakers’ star scores on them.

“Don’t hurt yourself young fella,” Bryant said to Clarkson after sinking a mid-range jumper over him.

Both Randle and Clarkson still have limited perspective playing with Bryant.

Randle played only 14 minutes in the NBA season opener last year before fracturing his right tibia and missing the rest of his rookie season.Clarkson did not become the Lakers’ starting point guard until Bryant needed season-ending surgery on his right shoulder after playing 35 games. But both players offered perspective on what the Lakers’ other crop of young players will need to do to absorb Bryant’s stern leadership style.

“Leaving it all out there on the line and just play hard,” said Clarkson, who made the NBA’s All-Rookie First team after averaging 15.8 points on 45.8 percent shooting, five assists and 4.2 rebounds in 32.1 minutes through 38 games as a starter. “That’s all Coach ever asks for, to give your best effort. If you’re trying to make efforts for the team to win, and putting it all on the line, that’s where you gain your respect at all times.”

Bryant granted Clarkson that respect as he quickly grew into a combo guard capable of creating his own shot. Bryant often drew up X’s and O’s diagrams whenever he attended some of the Lakers’ home games to point out pick-and-roll coverages and spacing. Clarkson also noted in an article for The Players’ Tribune not to sweat the fact that he had missed a wide-open layup in a nationally televised game against Chicago on Christmas Day.

Meanwhile, Bryant represented one of the first to call Randle hours after his season-ending injury. Randle has often credited Bryant for his persistent feedback on dieting and staying patient with rehabbing.

“I think we’ll be fine. Kobe is an all time great. More than anything, this young corps should want to learn from him,” Randle said. “It’ll elevate our game by learning from him.”

The candidates seem plenty.

No. 2 draft pick D’Angelo Russell will likely share ball handling duties with Bryant. Rookie forward Anthony Brown will likely have the unenviable task of guarding Bryant in practice. Reserve scorer Lou Williams could pick up tips on both enhancing his scoring and adjusting with Bryant on the floor. Roy Hibbert could receive feedback from Bryant on the various nuances other former frontcourt teammates, including Shaquille O’Neal and Pau Gasol.

Plenty of whom reported to the Lakers’ informal workouts at their practice facility leading into training camp, eager to provide a more compelling narrative to last year’s 21-61 finish that represented the Lakers’ worst record in franchise history.

“We’ve got a lot of guys that, they want to learn and have a good season,” Clarkson said. “Last year wasn’t fun losing all those games, but at the same time we did learn a lot and we worked and we kept improving. That’s all we can ask for and now we’ve got to put it all together during training camp and hopefully get some wins.”

And it appears Bryant has already noticed.

“Players that love the game, you never have to convince them to get into the gym,” Bryant said. “They do it naturally because they love doing it.”

RELATED:

Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell to have locker next to Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant not sure what to expect from himself, Lakers

Julius Randle: from rehab to research to rejuvenated

Lakers’ Jordan Clarkson not satisfied with promising rookie season

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com

For more information on the infographic, including the methodology behind the rankings, visit the GoEuro website.

Former Laker James Worthy will work with the team’s frontcourt players this upcoming season. Photo credit: John McCoy / Staff Photographer

The man provided a commanding presence, James Worthy’s dapper suit, friendly personality and Hall of Fame resume attracting plenty of reporters, Lakers officials and players alike to chat with the former Showtime Laker.

Worthy appeared at the Lakers’ practice facility for the team’s media day on Monday as an analyst for Time Warner Cable SportsNet, but it turns out his role will become more involved for the 2015-16 season. The Lakers hired Worthy to work with Byron Scott’s coaching staff, mainly to develop the team’s core of frontcourt players in Julius Randle, Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass, Larry Nance Jr. and Tarik Black.

The reasons appear pretty self-explanatory after Worthy won three NBA championships with the Showtime Lakers during his 12-year NBA career and being named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history.

“You got one of the best post players that ever played the game,” said Lakers coach Byron Scott, one of Worthy’s former teammates. “We’ll let James come in and kind of teach those guys some of the things he was able to accomplish in this league. We’re trying to take advantage of every situation that we can to make sure we give our players a chance to get even better a lot sooner.”

Worthy traveled to Honolulu for the Lakers’ training camp beginning on Tuesday where he will both retain his role as a TWC SportsNet analyst and begin working with the Lakers’ frontcourt players. He attended training camp sessions last year, narrowing his focus with Lakers forward Julius Randle. Though he played only 14 minutes in the Lakers’ season opener before fracturing his right tibia, Randle has largely credited Worthy’s support. Worthy called Randle shortly after his injury, and frequently implored the Lakers’ rookie to study game film. Worthy also provided perspective after fracturing his left tibia his rookie year with the Lakers late in the 1982-83 season and missed the playoffs.

“I learned a lot from him last year,” Randle said. “It was huge for me. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be great to pick his brain again. He saw me the other day and I was very excited to get that opportunity.”

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant also shared that Worthy taught him various post moves, instruction the Lakers’ star relished amid his quest to fight old age by resorting to his fundamentals.

“It’s amazing,” Bryant said of the hire. “It’s an extremely smart move. We’re one of these organizations that is very fortunate to have some of the all-time greats have played here. You’ve got to use that.”

Worthy, whom the Lakers selected first overall in 1982, earned the nickname “Big Game” amid a his 12-year career here (1982-1994). He finished sixth all-time in scoring (16,320), seventh in field-goal percentage (52.1%) and third in steals (1,041). Worth also made seven NBA All-Star teams (1986-92), won the Finals MVP (1988) and posted a triple double in Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons.

“James was one of the best forwards to ever play the game,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. “We feel he will be a valuable addition to the coaching staff and will do an excellent job teaching our group of big men. We are pleased and fortunate to welcome him back to the organization.”

RELATED:

Kobe Bryant not sure what to expect from himself, Lakers

LA Lakers’ Metta World Peace eager to take a mentorship role

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant unsure about retirement date

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com

UCLA coach Jim Mora talked about the Bruins’ upcoming matchup with Arizona State this Saturday, touching on quarterback Mike Bercovici’s development since last season and Todd Graham’s defensive style.

No. 7 UCLA is currently ranked three spots above Utah in the Associated Press poll, but one Pac-12 Networks analyst thinks the Utes may still currently have the better resume.

Glenn Parker, a former Arizona offensive lineman who went on to start 141 games in the NFL, said that Utah’s 62-20 win at Oregon will stick out when it comes time for the playoff selection committee to start making decisions. That blowout knocked the Ducks out of the top 25 for the first time after 98 straight weeks.

“Utah, they won a big game in Autzen, a place where no one goes and has a big game,” Parker said. “They did it, and they dismantled a good program. The folks that are watching for the playoffs, a lot of those people are back east. They’re Big Ten people. They watched Oregon go into Michigan State and play a very, very good team within one play of winning that game.

“I think it has more cachet nationally right now. Utah just, I think, appears better to the average person out there than UCLA does at this moment.”

Kobe Bryant is swarmed Monday as he talks about the upcoming season, which is expected to be his last in a Lakers uniform. ROBERT CASILLAS — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Everyone watched Kobe Bryant’s every movement. The Lakers’ star attracted mob-like attention as he walked around the Lakers’ practice facility to film endless promotional spots and conduct endless interviews on Monday at the team’s annual Media Day.

Each step Bryant takes on the court in the 2015-16 NBA season could cause the same frenzy. He enters his 20th NBA season that pays him $25 million, and the intrigue goes beyond whether he can stay healthy after his season ended abruptly for three consecutive years because of ailing injuries. The debate will linger on if this will mark Bryant’s last NBA season. All of which led the Lakers’ star to express uncertainty in blunt terms.

“Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t,” Bryant said. “Hell if I know. I don’t know.”

Bryant spoke those words without any hint of sarcasm or vagueness. The Lakers’ star maintained he has no idea what to expect on how well he and his teammates play, let alone whether he wants to prolong his NBA career.

The conventional wisdom suggests Bryant’s future will hinge on if he can stay healthy and how quickly the Lakers’ core of young players develop, two variables that will determine the length of the franchise’s current rebuilding project. But Bryant suggested other unforseen circumstances could emerge influence his thinking.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” Bryant said. “I’ve thought about it a little bit in terms of, what is the deciding factor? How do players actually know when it’s time to hang them up, truly? Everybody kind of gives you guys the standard cookie-cutter answers – relaxing, golfing, spending time with the family, things like that. But, really, how do you truly know? And I don’t know. I’ll have a much better answer when that time comes for me.”

But that will hardly stop anyone from offering take.

New York Knicks president and former Lakers coach Phil Jackson suggested Bryant may leave the Lakers for another NBA team this season, indirectly suggesting the Knicks as a possibility.

“I can’t spend my season responding to what everybody says,” Bryant said. “Everybody is going to have opinions. I can’t comment on every single opinion that everybody makes, even if it’s a coach that I won so many championships with and know extremely well. It’s still his opinion. There will be many others.”

Usually, the Lakers’ star would express annoyance over such a debate. Case in point, Bryant said sarcastically that he will make his announcement on his NBA future in two days. But Bryant seemed intrigued about the discussion, mindful it centers on a productive NBA career that has spanned five NBA championships and a third-place standing on the league’s all-time scoring list. Bryant will also soon become the lone Lakers player to play for the franchise for 20 seasons.

“It could get to become a pain in the [butt,],” Bryant said about the discussion surrounding his pending retirement. “But when I sit back and think about it, it’s actually cool, because it means that you’ve had a really good career and people want to know when the time is coming for you to hang ‘em up. Like me, don’t like me, [but people] respect the career that I’ve had. I think that’s a pretty damn cool thing.”

But Bryant has his limits.

He may have spoken to former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter about his retirement last year as well as their recent business partnership with “The Players Tribune.” But Bryant did not sound interested in a farewell tour, even if the Lakers will honor him with unspecific tributes during home games to commemorate his 20th NBA season.

“We’re completely different people. I couldn’t do that,” Bryant said. “We joke that he and I couldn’t be any more opposite with personalities. It’s fun just kind of hearing his perspective and what he went through and kind of what triggered the decision for him to step away from the game. I don’t know what that’s going to be for me.”

Bryant maintains that feeling will linger for the next eight months, his thoughts dwelling more on how he can help the 2015-16 Lakers overachieve than determining when his last stand will take place.

“I don’t dwell on it too much, honestly. If it is, it is. If it isn’t, I’ll be ready for next season. I don’t spend too much time thinking about it. I’ve got enough to think about,” Bryant said. “We’ve got such a young team and a lot of things to solve. So I have to – in all seriousness – spend my energy thinking about that stuff. I’m not going to BS you guys. If I going to think about it or if I was going to make decision or if I knew, I’d say it. It’s no big deal to me. But I really have to focus on this group, because it is going to be a challenge to put this puzzle together.”

RELATED:

Julius Randle faces no restrictions entering training camp

LA Lakers’ Metta World Peace eager to take a mentorship role

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant feels uncertain about 2015-16 season

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com

Andre Ethier reacts after he made the first of two outs on Chase Utley’s ground ball that ended the 11th inning Monday. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

SAN FRANCISCO — Hold the champagne — again. Alejandro De Aza’s sacrifice fly against Adam Liberatore in the 12th inning gave the Giants a 3-2 win over the Dodgers on Monday. The box score is here.

Kiké Hernandez returned from the disabled list after missing 27 games with a strained left hamstring. In the top of the 10th inning, he singled in his first at-bat since Aug. 30, and made a nice running catch in the bottom of the inning to preserve a 2-2 tie. He also singled in the 12th.

Isabella-Katarina Draskovic, Madi Giese-Jackie Soliman and Lindsay Giese-Lena Nagy each won their two sets in doubles.

Amy Gaal won two singles sets for Mira Costa (8-0), which hosts Peninsula Tuesday in  a key Bay League showdown.

“It got me from not being able to play to being able to play,” the first baseman said.

Gonzalez is hitless in his last 12 at-bats.

“I could’ve played yesterday, I’m pretty confident,” he said, “but they wanted to give me another day. Their concern is the same as mine: to be ready for the playoffs.”

Puig, however, seems more likely to be sidelined until the National League Championship Series at the earliest.

“They’re still talking about him running at 80 percent,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “It doesn’t sound like within the next seven days … he will be here playing games. I know he’s taken live BP, working on outfield play, doing all the rehab-type stuff.”

The first game of the National League Division Series is a week from Friday. Puig hasn’t played since Aug. 27.

“It’s hard to talk too much (about when Puig would return) because he’s just not ready to play yet,” Mattingly said. “Once he gets ready to play, then we can see where he’s at. He will have a lot of at-bats under his belt. The one thing we’ve been able to do is live BP with guys that are actually getting game situations, not knowing what’s coming, game timing-type of stuff without actually playing in a game.

“Getting that leg ready seems to be the hardest part.”

Peraza, who will miss his 13th straight game tonight, is running “around 90 percent,” Mattingly said. Like Puig, he has no target date for a return, but at least seems like more of a possibility to appear in the NLDS.

“I don’t know how close he is, but he’s running pretty good,” Mattingly said.

The two players are working in the Dodgers’ fall instructional league camp in Glendale, Arizona.

Doc Rivers/Photo by Associated Press

Coach Doc Rivers on Monday talked about how spirited the first few days of camp have been at UC Irvine. There were two scrimmages this day, with the first and second units each winning one.

“It’s been good,” Rivers said. “And I think it’s been great for the starters because they have to deal with guys coming after them and not really showing them a lot of … you know, they’re just playing them.”

Newcomer Lance Stephenson has been playing with the second unit. He likes making the first unit sweat, and vice-versa.
“Definitely, we want them to work hard and we want them to push us at the same time, man,” he said. “That’s what Doc picked us up for and we came to help the team, to help the second unit and make it hard for them (the first unit) in practice. So come the game, they’ll be ready and we’ll be ready.”

Josh Smith/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets

Power forward Josh Smith likes a lot of things about his new team. The seriousness with which it has conducted itself the first three days of training camp is at the top of the list.

“It’s definitely competitive,” Smith said Monday from training camp at UC Irvine. “We see the vision early and what’s great about what’s going on is there is no air space for any BS, you know what I mean? There’s a lot of policing going around, which is great for the team to be able to kind of get everybody geared on the right vision and right direction to go.”

Which direction is that? Smith was asked.

“Winning the championship, finishing last,” he said.

Smith explained.

“Our owner (Steve Ballmer) had a team dinner a couple of days ago and that’s what really stuck to me,” he said. “Everybody always wants to be first, but it’s all about being last, finishing last, being the last team standing. And that really stuck with me. And if everyone has that mentality, we can do some special things this year. “

Lance Stephenson/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets

Lance Stephenson on Monday afternoon stood inside the Bren Center at UC Irvine following the third of five training days there. Stephenson is one of the several new players on this Clippers team, and he was shaking his head when asked about the abundance of talent suiting up every day.

“The talent on this team, I mean, even when we’re playing in scrimmages, it feels like an All-Star game to me,” said Stephenson, a 6-foot-5 wing. “I feel like this squad has so many weapons and we’ve just gotta put it together and put in the pieces and work hard and bring it to guys.”

This will not be a boring team, Stephenson said. Quite the contrary.

“I mean, they was fun to watch before I got here,” he said. “So adding me and Josh (Smith), I mean, we’ve got Paul Pierce. We’ve got so many exciting players to watch, I think our team is the team to watch.”

Austin Rivers/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers

It was Monday, the third day of training camp for the Clippers at UC Irvine. Third-year coach Doc Rivers has seen a lot in a short time, what with several new faces on the team.

But after practice, he was asked if any of the returning players had shown him anything new or surprising. He proceeded to speak specifically about his son, reserve guard Austin Rivers, and post DeAndre Jordan.

“I think Austin is playing more like the playoffs all the time now,” Doc Rivers said. “He’s been very good, hard to  stop. And then his defense has been great. But that’s something we saw at the end of the year, anyway, so I guess we expected that.

“Other than that, everybody’s just better. D.J.’s better. D.J.’s in great shape, he’s playing terrific. I guess D.J.’s passing has surprised me. He’s really making great passes from the post and we haven’t seen that.”

UCLA linebacker Kenny Young didn’t take much solace in the final score of the Bruins’ 56-30 win at Arizona on Saturday, focusing instead on the 353 yards they gave up on the ground.

“That’s embarrassing,” the sophomore said. “Look at how many yards we gave up. That’s embarrassing for me. That’s embarrassing to put on TV. … We missed 21 tackles. Come on, man. We’re supposed to be one of the top defenses, and we missed 21 tackles.”

Courtesy MLSSoccer.com

The Galaxy ended their scoring drought in a 3-2 win over FC Dallas on Sunday at StubHub Center. The team is now back on top of the table in both the Western Conference and the Supporters Shield race.

Now that we can stop talking about that pesky scoring drought that lasted three games, we can look forward to the final three games of the regular season and what’s going on in other parts of MLS:

Links:

• OK, not done talking about last night’s game yet. Here’s a recap of the 3-2 win that put the Galaxy back on top of the conference and the Supporters’ Shield race.
• Video of Bruce Arena’s press conference and transcript
• Full quote sheet from the Galaxy
• LAGalaxy.com’s Adam Serrano with his analysis, including a note on Steven Gerrard’s good game
• Slo-mo highlights from the Galaxy

Looking forward

OK, now let’s see what the rest of the season could have in store for the Galaxy.

Here’s the current Western Conference table as it stands now.

Because the Whitecaps lost to New York City FC on Saturday, they’ve dropped to second. The Sounders and Sporting Kansas City tied on Sunday, which puts just the tiniest bit more breathing room for the Galaxy at the top. San Jose pulled out a close one against Real Salt Lake on Sunday, so the Earthquakes are surely in the playoff hunt as well.

The Galaxy have only three games left in the season (at Seattle, vs. Portland and at Sporting Kansas City). For now, the Galaxy are the leaders in the clubhouse, but FC Dallas has five games left and could come back to take the lead, despite the loss Sunday. Dallas does lead the Western Conference in points per game (1.62), barely edging out the Galaxy (1.61), but the Galaxy downplayed the disparity of games left.

“There’s one team with 50 points and that’s us,” Bruce Arena said. “We got 50 in the bank; somebody else has to get that. That’s the most important thing.”

Said Robbie Keane: “I’ll take the points on the board all day long than the games in hand. You have to win the games in hand.”

Just for fun

Giovani dos Santos and Robbie Keane, teammates from way back at Tottenham, have developed a strong chemistry both on and off the pitch in Los Angeles. After Keane scored in the 14th minute off an assist from dos Santos, the pair whipped out their best dance moves. (See GIF in tweet).

Aaaaaaaaaaaand we’re back for the second half! Watch live on @FS1! http://t.co/NEq4ZQgvxR #LAvDAL pic.twitter.com/CGPbho3RHk

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) September 28, 2015

Not sure if it was supposed to be a whip/nae nae type move, but it was fun nonetheless. Dos Santos was asked about it after the game as well: “The dance? It was a celebration that Robbie told me before the game to do that for his son and we did.”

Jamal Crawford/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers

Jamal Crawford heard the rumors during the off-season, and he’s on Twitter, so he sees all that. He knew there were once again trade rumors with his name mentioned. With all the new player acquisitions, his departure seemed a possibility.

It was a bit nerve-racking, he said at training camp this week in Irvine.

“There were some stressful points, there were some points where it was like, you know what? It’s part of the business,” he said. “I was looking back, and from my first year here, the only three guys here who I played with are Blake (Griffin), D.J. (DeAndre Jordan) and Chris (Paul), and myself. So I guess in that time I’m one of those four guys who have been here. So, obviously, I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

Crawford, 35, is entering his 16th season, fourth with the Clippers.

Hit the jump for a full transcript of Bruce Arena’s comments:

On the start to the game: It was a good start. We played well. I think the first half, going in with a one-goal advantage wasn’t right. We conceded that goal and put them back in the game. Give their player credit, No. 21 (Michael Barrios) for not quitting on the play, but we could have done better there. Second half, I thought they started the half pretty strong. Getting the third goal was important for us and the fourth goal was there for us and we didn’t take it. It still kept them a little bit alive. And obviously the last five minutes or so was hectic. But a good start to the game. Two good teams. I think it was an exciting game. A game where both teams created chances and I think it’s a fair result.

On Steven Gerrard’s goal: It was a good goal. He and Juninho played another good game together. I thought it was good, I think the goal will be good for Stevie’s confidence and overall he played well.

On if this game had extra importance considering Dallas has more games to play than the Galaxy: Who knows with everything in this league right now. There’s one team in this league with 50 points right now and that’s us. We have 50 in the bank right now and somebody else has to get that. That’s most important. We’ll get our team ready for the game next week.

On the speed of Dallas: The 11 (Fabian Castillo) and 21 (Barrios) were dangerous all night. At times we did a good job, but those are two really good players, they’re difficult to neutralize. At times we did a pretty good job and other times they had the advantage. It was a good matchup and a good game.

On the recent scoring drought and what they did differently: We scored. There’s been nothing wrong with us. I know you guys just look at the scoreline and leave it at that. It’s all a bunch of crap. Our team is going to score goals.

The Bruins’ 56-30 win at Arizona on Saturday night bumped them up two spots to No. 7 in the Associated Press poll — matching the ranking they took into the 2014 season. Don’t count on Mora caring much.

“I don’t think it matters to us what people think of us,” he said Saturday. “I think the external expectations, they’re for you guys to talk about.

“We talk about our own expectations. We have our own standard, and that’s what we try to play to — regardless of who we’re playing, where we’re playing, what the circumstances are, and what people outside are saying.”

See the full AP poll below:

1. Ohio State (45)
2. Michigan State (5)
3. Ole Miss (10)
4. TCU
5. Baylor
6. Notre Dame
7. UCLA
8. Georgia
9. LSU
10. Utah (1)
11. Florida State
12. Clemson
13. Alabama
14. Texas A&M
15. Oklahoma
16. Northwestern
17. USC
18. Stanford
19. Wisconsin
20. Oklahoma State
21. Mississippi State
22. Michigan
23. West Virginia
24. Cal
25. Florida

The Bruins’ kickoff against Arizona State is set for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff on FOX. This is the second time that UCLA has appeared on the network this season, and the third time that even cord-cutters can catch the game without access to cable or satellite.

The unranked Sun Devils are coming off a 42-14 loss to USC.

Photo by Steve McCrank/Staff Photographer

The Galaxy face FC Dallas in a big MLS matchup today (6:30 p.m., FOX Sports 1) for potential playoff seeding as both teams are tied for second in the Western Conference. Many players, including A.J. DeLaGarza, Omar Gonzalez and Sebastian Lletget, called it a “must-win.”

The team is on a four-game winless streak, having not won since the star-studded affair that was the 5-1 drubbing of New York City FC. The Galaxy have four games remaining in the regular season, with all four games against current play-off bound teams.

Here’s everything you need to know for game day:

GAME DAY (and other stuff) LINKS:

• Previewing the game with a focus on the mentality of a championship team always under fire.

With big-name international stars, a glamorous market and five MLS Cups, the Galaxy are fighting to maintain the legacy of excellence they set for themselves as teams feverishly try to knock them off.

“We’re going to get everyone’s best game of the year, everyone is going to be excited to play us,” said A.J. DeLaGarza, who was drafted out of college by the Galaxy in 2009. “For us, that’s tough to face every single week whether we’re here or on the road. But we have the players and the professionalism to get through that. We haven’t at some times this year and now is going to be the real test.”

• Nick Green’s weekly soccer column asks whether the Galaxy’s slump has knocked them out of the championship conversation.
• It’s another sellout so make sure to arrive early.
• The Corner of the Galaxy podcast talks Steven Gerrard, Bruce Arena and FC Dallas.
• Giovani dos Santos is hopeful to make the final cut for the CONCACAF Cup
• Also on the CONCACAF Cup game, it could be coming to a theater near you.
• Video of Steven Gerrard’s media availability this week

SEBASTIAN LLETGET TRYING TO SHAKE OFF RECENT STRUGGLES

Courtesy LA Galaxy

Lletget made the transition from forgotten American player stuck in West Ham’s development program to young, MLS star look so effortless. But it seems even being “Da Boy” isn’t without its struggles.

In concordance with the Galaxy’s recent slide, Lletget hasn’t played a full 90 in his past three games. He hasn’t scored, and he has no more than one shot per game, none of which fell on goal. The dynamic relationship he has with Robbie Rogers on the left side of the field hasn’t been as productive as it was previously.

On Thursday, Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said Lletget is going through a freshman slump, if you will, as the midfielder is really in his first year as a professional.

“I think he’s hit a wall a little bit physically and usually what happens is you generally have a lull for some weeks, but then you start to get your legs back and you’re back again to normal,” Arena said.

Lletget echoed with some of Arena’s thoughts, saying that the grind of the season is both mentally and physically taxing.

“I feel like we’ve grinded it out for a long time, that was a big toll on our bodies,” Lletget said. “Mentally as well, and for some of us, physically, especially me, because I haven’t had this much consistency in a while. But I feel like I’ll be fine, I’m training very well, and I’m confident.”

EARLY GOALS COME BACK TO BITE GALAXY

Of the 39 goals allowed by the Galaxy this year in all competitions, 10 have been within the first 15 minutes of games, including three in the past four.

Conceding early goals has been a problem for the Galaxy all year, but until recently, the offense was always able to pull the team out of an early hole. Arena said teams are playing more defensively against the Galaxy in recent games, putting numbers back to quell any chance of a Galaxy counter.

The head coach also stressed that the poor results of recent weeks haven’t come from technical deficiencies, but from mental ones. Omar Gonzalez specifically said being ready to mentally match the energy of opposing teams at the start of games is important for the rest of the season.

“Teams get up to play us because who we are; we’re the Galaxy,” Gonzalez said. “Every game for them is like a playoff game. We have to get up and match that energy.”

No. 9 UCLA won its 12th straight game away from the Rose Bowl on Saturday, thumping No. 16 Arizona in a 56-30 blowout. Here’s our coverage from the night, which produced mixed reactions depending on which side of the ball you asked about.

» Mark Whicker’s column on Josh Rosen and Paul Perkins, who teamed up to help power UCLA’s offense.
» The Bruins’ defense did enough to beat the Wildcats, but what Jim Mora saw at Arizona Stadium made him “sick to (his) stomach.”
» Field position helped UCLA put Arizona in a big, early hole.

Deontay Wilder/Photo courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions

Deontay Wilder on Saturday evening defended his heavyweight world title for the second time by stopping Johann Duhaupas of France in the 11th round at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala. The bout was stopped by referee Jack Reiss at 55 seconds.

Wilder, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., made his first defense in Birmingham as well, when he knocked out Eric Molina in the ninth round in June at Bartow Arena.

Wilder is now 35-0 with 34 knockouts. The only fighter he hasn’t knocked out as a pro is Bermane Stiverne, from whom Wilder took the title with a unanimous decision in January in Las Vegas.

Wilder was winning by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 99-91 at the time of the stoppage. There was heavy swelling under Wilder’s left eye, but he dominated and really beat up Duhaupas.

Also on the NBC-televised card, heavyweight prospect Dominic Breazeale of Alhambra is now 16-0 after winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Fred Kassi in the semi-main event. Breazeale, a 2012 U.S. Olympian, won by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 100-90.

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena was recognized with a Spirit of Courage award Thursday in downtown Los Angeles.

The award is given to Californians who exemplify courage in the fight for a more fair and just society.

Here’s more from the press release:

When Bruce hired Robbie Rogers in 2013, he became the first coach in any major league U.S. men’s sport to hire an openly gay athlete. LA Galaxy mid-fielder Robbie Rogers will speak and present the award. Before winning an MLS Championship with the Galaxy, Robbie represented the U.S. in the 2008 Olympics. In 2013, he launched “Beyond It,” an anti-discrimination campaign. His biography, Coming Out to Play, was published last November.

Galaxy’s Giovani dos Santos gets the ball past Sounders’ keeper Stefan Frei (24) for a goal in a MLS soccer game at the StubHub Center Sunday, August 09, 2015, Carson, CA.. The Galaxy won 3-1 and was the debut MLS game for Mexican star player Giovani dos Santos.Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle SoundersPhoto by Steve McCrank/Staff Photographer

In less than a week, the United States and Mexico will trim down their provisional rosters for the Oct. 10 showdown between the two federations at the Rose Bowl. After he was left off the team for two international friendlies earlier in the month, dos Santos is hopeful he can make the cut when rosters are trimmed Oct. 1.

“For me, it’s always a dream come true going to the national team,” dos Santos said Thursday after training with the LA Galaxy. “It’s only a pre list so hopefully I can be on the final list.”

Thursday was dos Santos’ first meeting with the media in almost exactly a month. In eight appearances with the Galaxy, he has scored three goals and notched six assists. In his six MLS caps, he has two goals and three assists, but the Galaxy have struggled offensively lately, not scoring a goal in MLS play since the 70th minute of a 5-1 shellacking of NYC FC on Aug. 23. The Galaxy came away from a CONCACAF Champions League game against Central FC on Wednesday with a 1-1 draw and resume MLS play Sunday against FC Dallas in a game that’s expecting a capacity crowd. It will be final game for dos Santos and the Galaxy before rosters are trimmed for the CONCACAF Cup game.

“I think I know I have to play a very good game before that game (on Oct. 10),” dos Santos said, “and hopefully I can show what I can bring to my national team.”

Photo by Brad Graverson/The Daily Breeze

If you weren’t lucky enough to win the ticket lottery for Oct. 10’s United States vs. Mexico CONCACAF Cup matchup in the Rose Bowl (or if you would rather not pony up several hundred dollars for tickets), 200 movie theaters across the nation have partnered with Fox Sports 1 to show the game live.

Two theaters in the South Bay, two in Long Beach and two in Los Angeles will be showing the game on Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Click here for a full list of theaters. Tickets went on sale Friday online, but it seems as if the online server is having some trouble displaying showtimes, so calling your local theater to confirm is probably the safest bet right now.

After provisional rosters were released earlier this month, both teams will cut their lineups down to 23 players on Oct. 1. The LA Galaxy have four players on the provisional rosters: Giovani dos Santos for Mexico and Gyasi Zardes, Omar Gonzalez and Alan Gordon for the United States.

Mexico will be missing its captain after Andres Guardado injured his ankle during the UEFA Champions League against Manchester United.

The game starts at 3 p.m. and is being broadcast live on Univision (Ch. 34 in LA).

¡Acompáñanos en el #UDFieston este sábado para vivir juntos el #ClásicoNacional! pic.twitter.com/YVObsnWRkK

— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) September 22, 2015

Floyd Mayweather Jr./Photo by Gene Blevins, Hogan Photos

A story published Thursday by the Associated Press has Floyd Mayweather Jr. claiming he did nothing wrong by taking an IV solution to re-hydrate following the weigh-in for this past May’s welterweight title fight with Manny Pacquiao, won by Mayweather via unanimous decision at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Mayweather reportedly did not receive a formal exemption from the United States Anti-Doping Agency for the IV until weeks after the fight, but USADA admits it knew of the IV before Mayweather took it and that it contained no illegal substances.

Deontay Wilder/Photo courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions

Heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder will make the second defense of his belt when he takes on Frenchman Johann Duhaupas on Sept. 26 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala. (on NBC).

Wilder, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., is 34-0 with 33 knockouts. He also made his first defense in his home state when he knocked out Eric Molina in the ninth round in June at Bartow Arena in Birmingham.

Duhaupas has never fought in the United States. But Wilder says Duhaupas will be a tough nut to crack.

“I know my opponent has great size and that’s what we’re looking for in opponents,” Wilder said. “He has a great record and he’s never been knocked out … until he faces me. I know Duhaupas is tough and he comes to fight and that’s exactly what we need.”

Wilder is 6-foot-7. Duhaupas, who is 6-5, is 32-2 with 20 knockouts. He is the No. 12-ranked contender to Wilder’s belt.

“Deontay is a good boxer, but I have the heart of a lion and the mental fortitude to handle anything in the ring,” Duhaupas said.

Saul ‘Canel’ Alvarez/Photo courtesy of Golden Boy Promotions

Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico will defend his middleweight world title against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez of Mexico on Nov. 21 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas (on HBO pay-per-view). It took some time for an accord to be reached, but the fight was finally announced Thursday by Golden Boy Promotions and Roc Nation Sports.

Cotto, 34, is 40-4 with 33 knockouts. He’ll be looking to make the second successful defense of his title.

Alvarez, a former junior middleweight champion, is 45-1-1 with 32 knockouts.

Cotto is coming off a fourth-round technical knockout of Daniel Geale in June in Brooklyn. Alvarez most recently knocked out James Kirkland in the third round in May in Houston.

Diaz, who was down in the first round, did not answer the bell for the 10th. Diaz, of New Brunswick, N.J., is 18-4-1.

The card was staged by Golden Boy Promotions.

Floyd Mayweather Jr./Photo by Gene Blevins, Hogan Photos

Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Tuesday finally announced his next opponent. It will be former world champion Andre Berto.

The two will square off for Mayweather’s two welterweight belts Sept. 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas (on Showtime pay-per-view).

Mayweather, 38, waited a long time before deciding who might be the last opponent of his career. A news release claims it will be just that, but most in the industry believe Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) will fight one more time after this for a chance to finish 50-0.

“I’m ready to get back in the ring on Sept. 12 and prove again to the whole world why I’m the best ever,” Mayweather said. “I always bring my ‘A’ game and this fight against Andre Berto is no exception.”

Berto (30-3, 23 KOs) believes he’ll be the first to hand Mayweather a defeat. But that’s not likely.

“I’m coming to kick Floyd’s ass on Sept. 12,” he said. “Best believe that I plan to bring it to Floyd and I’m not concerned about what 48 other fighters have been unable to do. Somebody is getting knocked out and it won’t be me.”

Danny Garcia/Photo courtesy of Ed Diller, DiBella Entertainment

Danny Garcia of Philadelphia on Friday emerged with a ninth-round technical knockout of Paulie Malignaggi in the welterweight main event at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Garcia (31-0, 18 KOs), a junior welterweight (140-pound) champion, had fought his previous two bouts at respective catch-weights of 141 and 143 pounds as he transitions to the 147-pound limit. Garcia weighed 146 3/4 for this one.

The lopsided bout was waved off at 2:22 of the round by referee Arthur Mercante.

This could be the last bout of Malignaggi’s career at age 34. The former junior welterweight and welterweight champion from Brooklyn is 33-7 with seven knockouts.

Sergey Kovalev, left, and Nadjim Mohammedi do the obligatory staredown following Friday’s weigh-in/Photo courtesy of David Spagnolo, Main Events

Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev once again lived up to his moniker when he retained his three light heavyweight titles by knocking out Nadjib Mohammedi in the third round Saturday at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Kovalev decked Mohammedi (37-4), of France, in the second and third rounds. Mohammedi rose after the final knockdown, but referee Kenny Bayless waved off the bout at 2:38.

Kovalev, of Russia, is now 28-0-1 with 25 knockouts. He has made six title defenses.

Gennady Golovkin/Photo courtesy of K2 Promotions

Several outlets are reporting that an agreement has been reached for middleweight champions Gennady Golovkin and David Lemieux to square off in a title-unification bout Oct. 17 at Madison Square Garden (on HBO pay-per-view).

Golovkin, 33, is from Los Angeles via Kazakhstan. He is 33-0 with 30 knockouts, 14-0 with 14 knockouts in world-title fights. He also won an interim title fight with Milton Nunez by first-round knockout.

Lemieux, 26, is from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He is 34-2 with 31 knockouts. He won a vacant title via 12-round decision over Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam in June in Montreal.

Carl Frampton shown at Friday’s weigh-in/Photo courtesy of Lucas Noonan, PBC

Carl Frampton of Belfast, Northern Ireland on Saturday afternoon was decked twice in the first round by Alejandro Gonzalez Jr., but Frampton recovered to retain his super bantamweight world title with a unanimous decision at Don Haskins Convention Center in El Paso, Texas. The Premier Boxing Champions card was televised by CBS.

Frampton (21-0, 14 KOs) won by scores of 115-109, 116-108 and 116-108. Gonzalez (25-2-2, 15 KOs), of Mexico, had  two points deducted for low blows. It was Frampton’s U.S. debut.

The semi-main event saw heavyweights Chris Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) of Riverside and Fred Kassi (18-3-1, 10 KOs)  of New Orleans box to a 10-round majority draw. The scores were 95-95, 95-95 and 96-94 for Arreola.