Media day notebook
Here's an online-only notebook from media day:
By Ross Siler
Staff Writer
EL SEGUNDO--Whether he realized it or not, Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic was rubbing the newfound muscles on his arms as he talked Monday about his off-season.
Vujacic weighed in for his third season at 205 pounds, looking considerably thicker in his arms and upper body, up from his listed weight of 193 pounds as a skinny rookie in October 2004.
He spent part of his summer training with his old coach in the mountains outside of Belgrade, Serbia, and said his goal for this season was to simply ``bring more than I did last year,’’ when Vujacic regained his confidence after a lowly rookie season.
Vujacic played in all 82 games last season and averaged 3.9 points while shooting 34.6 percent. The Lakers have until Oct. 31 to exercise the fourth-year option in his rookie contract; Vujacic admitted this is a big season for him even though he is only 22.
``I had two seasons to see how the NBA works,’’ Vujacic said. ``I think with putting a little bit extra muscle on me, it’s going to help me out in the next season.’’
Vujacic’s size could give him an edge in matching up against bigger guards on defense. The Lakers have four ball-handling guards competing for minutes in Smush Parker, Shammond Williams, Jordan Farmar and Vujacic.
Still hurting: It has been nearly seven months since Chris Mihm severely sprained his right ankle in the final minute of the Lakers’ March 12 game. Only recently has Mihm been able to say ``it’s finally starting to feel like an ankle again.’’
After a summer of setbacks, Mihm underwent surgery to clean up the ankle on July 26. He was told by doctors it would be two months until he was able to run again and three months before he could play full speed.
If Mihm followed that timetable, he wouldn’t resume playing until Oct. 26, five days before the season opener against Phoenix.
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