The health of Dwight Howard continues to weigh on the minds of the Los Angeles Lakers, but for the second consecutive day at Lakers training camp, Howard participated in full practices, going through 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 contact drills.

Lakers head coach Mike Brown likes what he sees from Howard and remains optimistic for an earlier than expected return from the new Laker big man, according to 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."

Despite voicing that he would like to be ready by the season opener against the Dallas Mavericks, Howard insist that there's no rush to get back on the court until he feels 100 percent ready to compete.

"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."

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