Mike Brown Encouraged By Dwight Howard’s Progress

Health-wise, Lakers head coach Mike Brown likes what he sees from center Dwight Howard. And even though team doctors have to clear the big fella for contact, he’s shown enough during drills for his coach to feel optimistic. From the team website: “As much as he’s practicing, to me he’s back,’ said Lakers head coach Mike Brown after the team completed the first of two Wednesday practices. ‘Just waiting for the doctors (and) trainers to clear him. When that happens, he’ll go full tilt. But he looks good out there.’ The night session would feature the first full court 5-on-5 scrimmage, the one thing L.A.’s training staff will hold Howard out of as his rehabilitation process continues. ‘I’m still trying to regain strength,’ Howard explained. ‘I’m not playing until I’m 100 percent. Just because I’m doing drills with the team or running up and down, it doesn’t mean I’m ready to play in a game. There’s a difference between running up and down and being actually out there battling. When I’m 100 percent and able to go, then I’ll go.'”