The Los Angeles Lakers are getting along famously so far in training camp. But, according to comments from head coach Frank Vogel, LeBron James, and Russell Westbrook over the past two days, the level of competition has been extremely high in 5-on-5 scrimmages. On Friday, we may have seen our first physical indicator of the intensity in El Segundo, when Carmelo Anthony showed up to his media session rubbing what appeared to be a bruise under his right eye. The culprit: Anthony Davis.
“You got to ask Anthony Davis, man,” Anthony joked when asked what happened to his eye. “Just a war wound. He tried to take me out early.”
Carmelo Anthony when asked about the scratch by his left eye after the third day of training camp: “You got to ask Anthony Davis, man.” He then let out a laugh. “Just a war wound.” pic.twitter.com/u5i5W8bwl1
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 1, 2021
Unfortunately, Davis did not speak to the media.
Anthony said he's noticed a “different level of focus and intensity” in the Lakers' first few practices. “The way we're approaching practice, each breakdown, each play. We're engaged.”
Melo was then asked whether he's considering retirement after the season, his 19th. Anthony said he “isn't even thinking about” it.
“My body will tell me that,” he said. “My game is still there.”
As a follow-up, a reporter brought up Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who has aspirations to play through at least age 45. Carmelo was quick to point out a key difference between him and Brady.
Considering his eye bruise, the point was especially well-taken.
Speaking of injuries, Trevor Ariza missed his second practice in a row with ankle soreness, though it's nothing the Lakers are overly concerned about. That said, Vogel is holding Ariza, LeBron, Russ, and Melo out of Sunday's preseason opener against the Brooklyn Nets.
General rest, not the “war wound,” will be the reason for Anthony's absence from Sunday's game. The same goes for LeBron and Westbrook.
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