Howard works out with Lakers for first time

NBA: Dwight Howard partici- pated in his first practice with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, going through a lengthy workout with no concerns about his surgically repaired back.

Howard (pictured above) worked out with the Lakers’ new starting five during much of the afternoon practice at the Lakers’ training complex, running offensive drills with Steve Nash and playing a little 1-on-1 against Pau Gasol. After finishing up the workout with drills in the Lakers’ new Princeton-inflected offense, he got a few quick pointers from Kobe Bryant.

Howard’s performance was encouraging to the Lakers, who are being careful with their new franchise center five months after surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back.

“I didn’t surprise myself,” Howard said. “I’ve been working hard to get on the court. I want to continue to work hard, (and) we haven’t had any setbacks, so I want to continue to do whatever I can to get on the court.”

The six-time All-Star center hasn’t committed to any timetable for his Lakers debut.

Associated Press

Arians holds no illusions

NFL: Bruce Arians always wanted to coach his own NFL team.

The chance has arrived, and not how he wanted it to go. He will be replacing an old friend on an interim basis in the middle of a season because of a serious illness. The longtime NFL offensive coordinator has no illusions about the job as he tries to help the Colts get better while everyone hopes coach Chuck Pagano returns soon from leukemia treatments.

“This isn’t a head coaching job for me right now,” Arians said after being named Indy’s interim coach Monday. “It’s just an expanded role as coordinator until Chuck comes back.”

Associated Press