Sacre takes advantage of opportunity with Lakers

He has been dressing and playing alongside Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Paul Gasol and Dwight Howard for three weeks, and Robert Sacre still has to pinch himself to make sure he's not dreaming.

Most guys who are the final pick of the NBA Draft are usually in Turkey by now, trying to figure out how to get around Istanbul. But the 7-foot Sacre might beat the long odds and be on the opening-night roster when the Los Angeles Lakers begin the season Oct. 30 against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center.

"I'm living my dream," Sacre said Friday before playing 33 minutes and scoring three points and grabbing seven rebounds in the Lakers' 103-98 preseason loss to the Sacramento Kings before 17,792 at the Thomas & Mack Center. "I look around and see Kobe, Dwight, Steve and the rest of the guys, and I still can't believe it."

With Howard being nursed along slowly after undergoing offseason back surgery, Sacre is getting an opportunity to prove he's more than the NBA's "Mr. Irrelevant" and some summer league fill-in. He has started every preseason game for the Lakers (0-5), averaging 6.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in 27 minutes.

"He's been pretty solid," Lakers coach Mike Brown said. "He's got a big body, he's limited his mistakes and he works hard.

"He's played well. He just keeps on keeping on. He's got a chance."

Sacre said he learned an important lesson in the NBA Summer League in July - be ready to be physical.

"I wanted to be prepared for the physicality," Sacre said. "I knew this was going to be far different from the summer league. I did two-a-days on my own every day, making sure my body was in the best possible shape."

He also got some sound advice from his former college coach, Gonzaga's Mark Few.

"He told me to do the things I did at Gonzaga - work hard, be a good listener and a good teammate," Sacre said.

He seems to have fit in well. Howard, in particular, has taken a liking to the rookie.

"Most rookies who come into the league tend to back down," Howard said. "(Sacre) plays hard all the time, and he has respect for the older players. You talk to him and it doesn't go in one ear and out the other. He listens to what you have to say, and he puts it to use."

Sacre said he would be a fool not to listen to Howard, Bryant, Gasol and Nash, who was one of his heroes growing up outside Vancouver, British Columbia.

"They've taken me under their wing, and they point out little things that have really helped me," Sacre said. "There might be something on defense where I need to be and they'll let me know.

"Kobe's got me watching film, learning how to defend certain guys. That's part of my job now, being prepared."

Sacre said the game is easier for him now than in July, despite the step up in talent.

"I'm on the floor with great players. MVPs," he said. "They have all that experience. But I'm happy with my game. I feel like I'm doing better. I just don't try to look too far ahead."

But maybe he can sneak a peek at the calendar. Opening night is 10 days away.

■ NOTES - Howard made the trip to Las Vegas but didn't suit up. He said he hopes to make his Lakers debut Sunday when they host the Kings. Brown said he'll leave the decision up to the team's medical staff. ... Marcus Thornton led the Kings (3-1) with 19 points. Bryant scored 22 and Gasol 20 for the Lakers.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.