the Boomers had been given a 29-point lesson by No.9-ranked

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Nick Young took a long look around the Los Angeles Lakers bustling practice gym Monday, surveying the large gathering of cameras, reporters and teammates with a sardonic smile.Its kind of boring in here, the veteran guard said.For all the hubbub and optimism around the Lakers as they returned for a new season, the LA native realized something was missing.For the first time since 1995, the Lakers are heading into training camp without Kobe Bryant.The third-leading scorer in NBA history is ensconced in retirement in Orange County, his 60-point farewell game fading into legend with each passing week. Bryant left behind a franchise that must return from a team-worst 17-65 season with a new coach, several new players and a young core seeking an identity.It was all about Kobe, point guard DAngelo Russell said of his rookie season. Now its a different headline. Its about the young guys, the coaching staff. Theres so many more headlines.The Lakers have missed the playoffs in three straight seasons for the first time in franchise history, and coach Luke Walton isnt primarily concerned about ending that skid as he installs his system and attempts to mold a cohesive team for the first time in his own career.The former Golden State assistant and Lakers forward doesnt share Bryants binary belief that every season is either a championship campaign or an utter failure.Patience will definitely be important, said the 36-year-old Walton, who is four months younger than Lakers forward Metta World Peace. As we set our foundation, its important that we dont let whether or not were winning games take us from that path. We need to stay the course and see the big picture.Bryants final season was a traveling carnival devoted to showcasing the largely beloved star, with teammates reflexively deferring to him as the losses mounted. Nobody will defer to anybody else in the game plan envisioned by Walton, whose flowing offensive plan is welcomed by the Lakers top draft picks over the previous three years: Julius Randle, Russell and Brandon Ingram.Last year, we played a little bit too much for ourselves, thinking about our stats or whatever it may be, Randle said. That just doesnt work. Were playing for each other now. The energy, the vibe is different. You win 17 games, and everything is a press, a struggle. Its not fun. But its starting to become fun again.Some changes are bigger than others: After years of quiet in the Lakers practice gym, this team practices with musical accompaniment. Walton liked it when he played, and the Warriors do it.The Lakers have been working out together constantly for more than two weeks, but they still have plenty of team-building work to do this week at training camp in Santa Barbara.Los Angeles paid exorbitantly to sign free agents Luol Deng and Timofey Mozgov, and they added a grab-bag of veteran talent including Spanish point guard Jose Calderon, Chinese big man Yi Jianlian and forward Thomas Robinson. The Lakers also have 10 returning players from last seasons 17-win team, although Young is widely expected to be jettisoned at some point in the preseason.No newcomer is more important than Ingram, the rangy teenage forward and No. 2 pick from Duke. Russell is determined to take control of the Lakers offense after averaging 13.2 points and 3.3 assists as a rookie, while Randle said his recent workouts with Bryant have given his career the proper direction.I think its going to be fun, said guard Jordan Clarkson, who got a four-year, $50 million contract extension in July. Weve got a young, talented group of guys coming together. These are exciting times for us. Weve got a lot of work to do, but weve got a lot of room to grow.---Follow Greg Beacham at www.twitter.com/gregbeacham Al Macinnis Jersey . In the response filed Wednesday to the complaint by 30-year-old Alexander Bradley, attorneys say the former University of Florida player is invoking his Fifth Amendment right that protects people from incriminating themselves. Martin Brodeur Jersey . 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The Flyers have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in Canadas capital city. The Australian mens basketball team look to have plenty of work to do if they are to secure a breakthrough Olympic Games medal after a 81-68 loss to Lithuania in Sao Paulo on Saturday.World No.3 Lithuania took control early and were never headed in the Boomers penultimate warm-up match before the Games.After an encouraging win against world No.4 Argentina, the Boomers had been given a 29-point lesson by No.9-ranked Brazil and similarly struggled against three-times Games bronze medallists Lithuania.Shooting from the field again proved the Boomers Achilles heel, the Australians at 40 per cent for the match.The evening seemed typified by a David Andersen airball as he shot unmarked for a three-pointer inside the final minute.Injured Andrew Bogut again watched on from the stands but Joe Ingles enjoyed some game time, having linked with the squad midweek after his wife gave birth to twins.ddddddddddddIngles top scored for Australia with 16 points from his 23 minutes, Aron Baynes adding 14 and Patty Mills 11.Lithuania were led by towering Toronto Raptors centre Jonas Valanciunas (19 points) and Mantas Kalnietis (16 points).Unlike their fast start and slow finish in the disappointing loss to Brazil, the Boomers were very much behind the eight-ball early against Lithuania, falling behind 21-11 in the first quarter and 41-32 by halftime.From there the European powerhouses were never headed.The Boomers have one more match against China on Sunday before beginning their campaign against France on August 6. 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