News 'n Views - Feb 2016: Lakers believe they can meld new offensive set with Kobe’s presence
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 20, 2016 10:34 pm    Post subject:

Julius Randle's hard work is already leading to improved shooting
by Harrison Faigen - silverscreenandroll.com

The Lakers' shooting coach detailed the work the sophomore forward has put into improving his jumper.

From the moment the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Kentucky product Julius Randle seventh overall in the 2014 NBA draft, it was universally understood that the burly-but-versatile forward would have to improve his jump shot in order to reach his full potential. After losing essentially his entire rookie year to a broken leg, Randle spoke during the summer about how working out the kinks in his jumper was one of his top off-season priorities because of how it would open up the floor for him.

To begin the year the results were not promising, but the Lakers hired Tracy Murray (a career 43 percent shooter, 38.8 percent on three pointers) to work with their young roster, and Randle has been one of the coach's most eager pupils.

Murray spoke with Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News about Randle's recent progress since moving into the starting lineup, and he detailed the amount of work the Lakers' young forward has put in to improving a previously shaky jumper and how the two plan to continue to improve it during the off-sesason (emphasis mine):

"Right now with games involved, he has the routine where he'll shoot 20 shots each in five to seven spots... I was taking 800 to 1000 shots per day. I was a shooter. But he can't do that during the season. During the offseason, he can complete so many drills that we're going to be working on to broaden his shooting game. We're going to work on quite a few. We're going to shoot for that range.

Murray mentioned that the Lakers were sticking to a lower workload right now because Randle is still playing in games, but it makes sense for the two to ramp that up during the summer. Randle has already seen a recent spike in his field goal percentage, which could be a result of this extra work.

Over his last 14 games since taking Larry Nance, Jr.'s place in the starting lineup, Randle has shot 46.1 percent (as compared to his season average of 41.8 percent). He has also went 3-6 on threes, but that is an exceedingly small sample size, too small to attempt to draw any definitive conclusions.

Randle has finished more consistently around the rim since moving into the starting lineup, and while his jumper has not been an efficient weapon, it has been better (starting lineup percentage on the left, season averages on the right):

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PostPosted: Sat Feb 20, 2016 10:36 pm    Post subject:

Kobe Bryant offers sympathy for Lakers’ coach Byron Scott
by Mark Medina - dailynews.com

The fanbase mostly has become frustrated with coach Byron Scott’s every move. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak also has declined this week to offer any vote of confidence.

But with Scott serving both as his rookie mentor and strong advocate during his 20th and final NBA season, Kobe Bryant offered some sympathy for the Lakers’ embattled coach.

Bryant credited Scott for “channeling his inner Zen” while overseeing the Lakers (11-45) field the Western Conference’s worst record entering Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bulls (28-26) at United Center.

“It’s been very tough. But I think he’s managing it very well,” Bryant said of Scott. “He’s remaining consistent and continuing to try to bring the best out of these young guys and demanding the best from them. He’s doing the best he can in the situation.”


That might not be enough.

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PostPosted: Sat Feb 20, 2016 10:37 pm    Post subject:

TDIKH: February 20, 2011
by nba.com

Just leave it to the hometown hero to give an MVP-worthy performance among the league’s best.

In front of his own Staples Center crowd, Kobe Bryant poured in 34 points to lead the Western Conference’s victory in the 2011 All-Star Game.

Bryant tied the NBA’s record by capturing his fourth All-Star MVP, while shooting 14-of-26 in the process.

“It feels great, being at home here and playing in front of the home crowd,” Bryant said during the trophy presentation. “This will be my last All-Star Game in front of these home fans, so it feels good to do it.”

However, Bryant was much more than just a scorer, also collecting 14 rebounds — including an All-Star record 10 on the offensive glass.

Kevin Durant (34 points) and Lakers teammate Pau Gasol (17 points) helped Bryant fend off a late push by the East, which was led by a 29-point triple-double from LeBron James.

Bryant, who also had three steals, did most of his damage early with 21 points before halftime.

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PostPosted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 9:16 am    Post subject:

Kobe, who was almost a Bull, has fond memories but no more rivalry with Michael Jordan
by Mike Bresnahan - latimes.com

Those were harrowing days for the Lakers in the unsettling spring and summer of 2007.

They were not a playoff team then, jettisoning Shaquille O'Neal three years earlier in favor of a petulant but wonderfully talented 25-year-old Kobe Bryant.

Unhappy with all the losing in Los Angeles while O'Neal partied, and won, in Miami, Bryant demanded a trade after the Steve Nash-led Phoenix Suns eliminated the Lakers in a quick 2007 first-round playoff series.

Bryant held all the aces, including a no-trade clause. He could choose his destination. The team at the top of his list is the one the Lakers play Sunday — the Chicago Bulls.

Bryant's final game against the Bulls provides one of two legitimate "what-if" scenarios in his career.

He almost jumped to the Clippers as a free agent in 2004 and badly wanted to join the Bulls three years later. The problem for Bryant was any trade with the Lakers would have gutted the Bulls.

Chicago would have sent promising young players Luol Deng and Ben Gordon, leaving too little behind. This was unacceptable to Bryant, who, remember, actually wanted to join a good team.

Cooler heads prevailed, Bryant's in particular, as coach Phil Jackson and Lakers owner Jerry Buss tried their best to convince him to stay.

The Lakers would eventually acquire Pau Gasol in February 2008, go to three straight NBA Finals, win two of them, and hang on to one satisfied Bryant.

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PostPosted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 9:17 am    Post subject:

Lakers Draft Prospects: Ben Simmons Breakdown
by Cody Williams - lakeshowlife.com

Breaking down possible Lakers pick and 2016 NBA Draft prospect Ben Simmons

The 2016 NBA Draft is largely a crapshoot for the Los Angeles Lakers at this point. Even though they still maintain the second-worst record in the NBA at 11-45, the Lakers still are at risk of losing their first-round draft pick as it’s only top-3 protected. If the Ping-Pong balls don’t fall their way, there’s a possibility that the Lakers will have to send their pick to the Philadelphia 76ers.

However, there is also still at least a decent chance that the lottery falls in favor of the Lakers as there’s a 55.8 percent chance that they wind up with a pick in the top-3 and a 19.9 percent chance that the Lakers get the No. 1-overall pick. If the latter is the way that things fortunately fall for LA, it’s almost a foregone conclusion that they would take LSU Tigers freshman Ben Simmons.

Simmons is the consensus best player in the 2016 NBA Draft and rightfully so. The Aussie transport now residing in Baton Rouge occupied that position before the season ever began and has only furthered that perception as his freshman season has moved forward.

However, it’s more than just the stats—no matter how impressive averaging 19.3 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists is for a college power forward—that make Simmons such a special NBA prospect. He also has tremendous upside at just 19 years old.

So, in the interest of optimism for the Lakers, let’s take a deep dive into Simmons as an NBA prospect, breaking down his offense, defense, physical tools, and his fit with the Lakers.

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PostPosted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 9:18 am    Post subject:

Report: Wizards, Lakers not frontrunners for Kevin Durant
by Grey Papke - larrybrownsports.com

The Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers would reportedly be on the fringes of the Kevin Durant sweepstakes.

The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski appeared on The Big Lead with Jason McIntyre Saturday and revealed that Durant would be looking for an immediate contender in free agency, not a project, which does not bode well for the Thunder or the Lakers.

“Washington and the Lakers, they are not frontrunners for Kevin Durant,” Wojnarowski said, via The Big Lead. “He wants to win a championship. If he leaves Oklahoma – he may end up staying there – Golden State is the team that is worrisome for Oklahoma City. That’s the team that has Kevin Durant’s attention. Kevin Durant wants to win a Championship right away. Either he wants to do that in Oklahoma City, with the group they have, or he’s going to go somewhere he can win a title right away.

“Kevin Durant doesn’t care if they have the 1st pick, 2nd pick, 3rd pick – no free agent cares. No free agent of his stature cares what draft pick the team has, because that guy’s not going to help them win a Championship in the next 2-3 years.”

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PostPosted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 4:49 pm    Post subject:

Kobe Bryant ‘Tried Everything’ To Get Pau Gasol To Stay With Lakers
by Ryan Ward - lakersnation.com

Kobe Bryant has had a lot of teammates come and go over the years with some of them finding it incredibly difficult to play alongside the Los Angeles Lakers superstar. Current Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol is one of the few exceptions.

Before facing Gasol for the last time on Sunday night in Chicago, Bryant talked about trying to get the two-time NBA champion to re-sign with the Lakers in the summer of 2014. Kobe said he did everything he could to try to convince Gasol to stay in Los Angeles via Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times:

Kobe on Pau leaving LA: "I tried everything under the sun to get him to stay. He just felt completely disrespected." Too many trade rumors/

Bryant and Gasol still have a close bond to this day despite the perennial All-Star forward deciding to leave the Lakers for the Bulls. Both players still speak highly of one another and seem to have a friendship which will stand the test of time.

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PostPosted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 4:50 pm    Post subject:

Pau Gasol: MJ and Kobe 'had a very special relationship'
by Nick Friedell - espn.go.com

As Kobe Bryant continues his retirement tour on Sunday night in Chicago, his longstanding relationship with Michael Jordan is sure to be a topic of discussion. Former Los Angeles Lakers teammate and current Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol acknowledged recently that he and Bryant shared several conversations about the Jordan connection in the past.

"He talked to me about when he played [against] Michael the first few times," Gasol said. "Asking a few questions and how he mentored him throughout his career. They had a very special relationship; I think he looked up to Michael a lot. And [Kobe] was able to reciprocate and replicate a lot of the things that Michael did and has done. So [he's] a pretty special player."

From a personal perspective, Gasol is looking forward to playing against his old friend one more time. The pair squared off a couple of times during last week's All-Star Game. Gasol knows Sunday's regular-season matchup won't have the same good-natured feel, but he is excited nonetheless.

"It's going to be fun," he said. "The last two times that we played against each other in L.A. it was really emotional, really cool. I think this last time at the All-Star Game ... we also had our moment and it was really nice. I look forward to going at it one last time against him and enjoying the experience by making sure my mind is in the right place and I help my team to win."

As for the reception Bryant will get, Gasol joked that his buddy may hear a few boos from the Chicago crowd.

"Terrible," he said of the expected reception. "They're going to boo him. They're going to boo him all game long, every time he touches the ball."

After a good laugh, Gasol said he thinks Bryant will be cheered and embraced in Chicago the same way he has been all over the league.

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PostPosted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 4:51 pm    Post subject:

Kobe Bryant On Michael Jordan’s Influence: ‘No Words Can Really Do It Justice’
by Ryan Ward - lakersnation.com

Throughout Kobe Bryant’s entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers, the superstar guard has been compared to one NBA legend more than any other. Bryant’s game is almost a carbon copy to Michael Jordan’s when he led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships with both players approaching the game the same way.

Before facing the Chicago Bulls for a final time at the United Center on Sunday, Bryant was asked about Jordan and how he’s influenced him over the years. Kobe said the following about his longtime mentor, via Lakers reporter Mike Trudell:

Jordan’s influence on Kobe: “No words can really do it justice… I studied Michael exclusively. He was extremely open to (mentoring me).”

One attribute that made Bryant and Jordan such unstoppable forces throughout their careers is their will to win. Kobe believes their competitiveness has no equal, via Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:

Kobe on MJ: "Our competitiveness are second to none."

Bryant also talked about almost forcing a trade to the Bulls back in 2007. Kobe was at odds with the Lakers front office at the time due to the lack of talent around him in Los Angeles.

The superstar was so fed up with his situation in Los Angeles that he was ready to leave the team with Chicago being one of his preferred destinations. Bryant was asked whether playing in Jordan’s shadow would’ve bothered him had he been traded to the Bulls, via Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times:

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PostPosted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 4:52 pm    Post subject:

TDIKH: February 21, 2003
by nba.com

Kobe Bryant erupted for his eighth straight 40-point game and nobody — not even Bonzi Wells’ mother — was going to stop him.

“Everybody had their hands in Kobe’s face,” said Wells, who led Portland with 25 points. “My mama had a hand in his face and he still hit it. Kobe is playing at an unbelievable level and hitting big shots.”

Bryant dropped exactly 40 — hitting a jumper with nine seconds left to extend the streak — in leading the Lakers to a 92-84 win over the Trail Blazers.

He was hot from the start, scoring 15 in he first quarter alone and 10 more in the following period.

Bryant also added seven rebounds and five steals, while Shaquille O’Neal returned from injury to provide 24 points and 12 rebounds.

Portland managed to tie the game at 80 with 3:28 left, but Bryant responded with a pair of free throws to spark a 12-1 run that sealed off any chance of a comeback.

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PostPosted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 6:43 am    Post subject:

D'Angelo Russell showed why he deserves to start for the Lakers for the rest of the season
by Harrison Faigen - silverscreenandroll.com

And no, it's not just because he's the second overall pick.

D'Angelo Russell made his return to the Los Angeles Lakers' starting lineup on Sunday night against the Chicago Bulls and showed that he has earned his place on merit, and not just the pedigree of being the team's second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Russell wouldn't have it any other way.

"I feel like I want to just keep proving that I deserve to start." Russell told media after the Lakers' loss. "That I deserve to be out there and play crunch time minutes, and with these last few games I want to show that."

Show that Russell did, scoring 15 points on 6 of 13 shooting to go with 6 assists and 1 steal in just over 34 minutes, and his coach was impressed enough to declare that Russell will start for the remainder of the Lakers' season. Russell's combination of smooth scoring and intuitive playmaking were on full display against Chicago, with Russell's proficiency on mid-range pull-up jumpers especially sticking out.

The 19-year old rookie has shot 46.5 percent on pull-up jump shots this season, with this go-to allowing Russell to score with ease even when it appears he is settling:

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PostPosted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 6:44 am    Post subject:

Byron Scott Says D’Angelo Russell Will Start Rest Of 2015-16 Season
by Corey Hansford - lakersnation.com

Ever since D’Angelo Russell was moved to the bench by head coach Byron Scott in December, Lakers fans everywhere have been calling for him to be inserted back into the starting lineup.

Scott always maintained that Russell would return to the starting lineup after the All-Star Break and he made true on that word as Russell made his first start since December 12 on Sunday night against the Chicago Bulls.

After the game, Scott said that Russell will remain a starter for the rest of the season according to Baxter Holmes of ESPN:

Byron says @Dloading will start for the rest of the season.

Russell had a solid game in his return to the starting lineup totaling 15 points and six assists in the loss to the Bulls. Even more importantly, he played 34 minutes in the game, second only to Jordan Clarkson, and committed only two turnovers in the loss.

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PostPosted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 6:46 am    Post subject:

Kobe details Michael Jordan’s influence on his game
by Mark Medina - insidesocal.com

The video scoreboard pinpointed a moment that Kobe Bryant remembered vividly 20 years later.

On Dec. 17, 1996, Bryant squared off against Michael Jordan for the first time in his life. But despite spending a childhood studying Jordan “exclusively”, Bryant could not prepare for the first in-person interaction. Then, Jordan drove past Bryant baseline for a dunk.

“That was the coolest thing. I have seen that spin move so many times,” Bryant said before the Lakers played the Bulls on Sunday in what marked his final game at United Center. “I knew he was going to do it. But the timing on TV and in person are two completely different things. He spun right before I thought he was going to spin. I thought that was pretty cool.”

Jordan led the Bulls to victory that night with 30 points on a 10-of-32 clip, while an 18-year-old Bryant had five points on 2-of-5 shooting. But Bryant turned out quite all right after winning five NBA championships, even if it trailed Jordan’s six rings.

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PostPosted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 6:46 am    Post subject:

Kevin Martin: NBA ‘Losing An Ambassador Of The Game’ When Kobe Bryant Retires
by Ryan Ward - lakersnation.com

With 26 games left on the schedule for Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, he is entering the final stretch of his NBA career with a lot of his peers in the league sharing their experiences and admiration for the five-time NBA champion.

Veteran guard Kevin Martin of the Minnesota Timberwolves is one of the latest to share his thoughts about the future Hall of Famer. Martin has faced Bryant numerous times over the years while playing his entire career in the Western Conference.

Along with a memorable experience as a rookie going up against Bryant in the preseason with Lindsey Thiry of the Los Angeles Times, Martin talked about what the NBA will be like after Kobe officially retires after this season:

“It will be like we are losing an ambassador of the game,” he said. “So you always want to think of guys like him and play in their honor after they are done and just realize you can’t take anything for granted when it comes to this game.”

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 7:13 am    Post subject:

TDIKH: February 22, 2002
by nba.com

It was a moment of triumph and redemption for Kobe Bryant.

Just three days after his game-winning shot against Boston was waved off for being a hair too late, he sunk an 18-foot buzzer-beater to steal victory in Charlotte.

Bryant fell to the floor after releasing his shot over George Lynch, and it didn’t take long to get up, as his fellow Lakers ran over to lift him up in celebration.

“My teammates were a little concerned because I threw a pump-fake and they thought the shot was after the buzzer,” Bryant told reporters. “But it wasn’t. I was positive I beat it this time.”

Bryant entered the fourth quarter with only 10 points, but he finished the night with 21, while also notching nine rebounds, six assists and three steals.

Shaquille O’Neal did much of the heavy lifting during the 96-94 win, scoring 31 points on a 12-of-18 clip.

But it took both stars to fend off a Charlotte attack headed by Baron Davis, who unleashed an effort of 37 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals.

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 7:15 am    Post subject:

Byron Scott blames ugly loss to Bucks on Lakers youth
by Bill Oram - ocregister.com

Two dozen games remain in a season that, up to this point, was built around Kobe Bryant’s forthcoming departure. Byron Scott finally seems ready to devote the remainder of the season to the growth of his young stars.

D’Angelo Russell is back in the starting lineup with Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle, and the three players, each in either his first or second season, should have every opportunity to thrive.

With greater responsibility also comes increased culpability when the Lakers are at their worst.

The Lakers lost, 108-101, to the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. They trailed by 28 points and allowed 54 points in the paint through three quarters.

The Bucks slammed home dunk after dunk, including one lobbed off the backboard.

Scott said the Lakers failed to implement any of the things discussed in the morning shootaround and that his players “can’t wait until 7 o’clock to get ready to play.”

“We’re not taking this as serious as we should as a basketball team,” he said on the Time Warner Cable postgame broadcast, “and that comes with youth. Our young guys got to learn that they have to be much better prepared as far as understanding what they have to do night in and night out.”

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 7:16 am    Post subject:

Lakers might shut down Larry Nance, Jr. for the rest of the season
by Harrison Faigen - silverscreenandroll.com

The rookie's knee continues to be a problem.

Larry Nance, Jr has already missed nine games with a knee injury, and the problem flared up again on Monday night against the Milwaukee Bucks. Nance, Jr. left the eventual loss after playing just over a minute in the third quarter when it was clear the knee was bothering him too much. The rookie aggravated the injury during the first half when landing awkwardly following a layup.

After the game, Lakers head coach Byron Scott gave an update on the knee, telling reporters that he and Gary Vitti had discussed shutting the first-year forward down for the rest of the season as a precautionary measure, according to Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times. Such a decision would make some sense if the Lakers have any concerns about the knee, as Nance, Jr.'s future should be prioritized over any small short-term gain Los Angeles would get from having him on the floor.

However, Nance, Jr., sounds like he is more optimistic and does not want to miss any further time if possible:

Larry Nance, Jr. says his knee is fine and he plans to play Wednesday. Said it was “precautionary” that he was taken out w/LAL down big.

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 7:18 am    Post subject:

Robert Upshaw scores career high 18 points in D-Fenders' win
by Harrison Faigen - silverscreenandroll.com

The big man looks like he could be heading towards a call-up.

With the Los Angeles Lakers losing their 46th game of the season on Sunday night and any hope of meaningful contests this season well out of reach, many have begun to examine what the future may hold for the team. Much of that speculation has focused on the ongoing development of D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle with the Lakers, as well as college draft prospects like Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram that the team could look to select with it's top-three selection in the upcoming NBA draft should the team retain it.

However, the Lakers have a potential prospect right in their backyard (or more accurately, their practice facility) in big man Robert Upshaw. The undrafted seven footer was one of the team's final cuts in the preseason, and since his return from an extended bout with a viral illness, Upshaw has been impressive for the team's D-League affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders.

In eight games since returning from his illness, Upshaw has averaged 9.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in just 15.3 minutes per game, averages that translate to 22.1 points and 11.1 rebounds per-36 minutes. While the big man still needs to cut down on his fouls (oh which he averages 2.1 per game, or 5 per-36 minutes), he has shown some good things since reintegrating back into the D-Fenders' lineup.

Upshaw set a new career high of 18 points on an efficient 9-11 shooting night on Sunday against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, and he demonstrated an impressive array of finishes around the rim as well as an improving jumper in doing so. Upshaw also showed off his ability to dive to the rim in transition and after setting ball screens. More importantly, as anyone who has watched the Lakers this season can attest, Upshaw can catch passes and make a decisive move out of these sets. The rookie also blocked two shots and grabbed five rebounds in just 20 minutes of floor time. You can watch full highlights of the performance here:

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 8:10 am    Post subject:

The piece by Harrison Faigen looks very much like a report of the opinions from LG....
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PG Johnson / Goodrich
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 10:09 am    Post subject:

lakersfreak wrote:
Byron Scott blames ugly loss to Bucks on Lakers youth
“We’re not taking this as serious as we should as a basketball team,” he said on the Time Warner Cable postgame broadcast, “and that comes with youth. Our young guys got to learn that they have to be much better prepared as far as understanding what they have to do night in and night out.”

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Yeah I was extremely annoyed with that part of his interview in particular last night. There are just so many layers of wrong with that statement...
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 10:40 am    Post subject:

TDRock wrote:
lakersfreak wrote:
Byron Scott blames ugly loss to Bucks on Lakers youth
“We’re not taking this as serious as we should as a basketball team,” he said on the Time Warner Cable postgame broadcast, “and that comes with youth. Our young guys got to learn that they have to be much better prepared as far as understanding what they have to do night in and night out.”

Continued....


Yeah I was extremely annoyed with that part of his interview in particular last night. There are just so many layers of wrong with that statement...


Yea, if only there was someone on the team who got paid to help them prepared.
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 1:36 pm    Post subject:

TDRock wrote:
lakersfreak wrote:
Byron Scott blames ugly loss to Bucks on Lakers youth
“We’re not taking this as serious as we should as a basketball team,” he said on the Time Warner Cable postgame broadcast, “and that comes with youth. Our young guys got to learn that they have to be much better prepared as far as understanding what they have to do night in and night out.”

Continued....


Yeah I was extremely annoyed with that part of his interview in particular last night. There are just so many layers of wrong with that statement...


Well it can't be Byron's fault, so it's probably on the young guys.
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 2:06 pm    Post subject:

Byron BLAME Scott.
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 3:23 pm    Post subject:

Jeanie Buss says she has only spoken to Byron Scott three times since he was hired
by Harrison Faigen - silverscreenandroll.com

The embattled coach did not receive a glowing endorsement from the Lakers owner.

Byron Scott has been under fire this season. The Los Angeles Lakers head coach is in his second year with the team, and the purple and gold are well on their way to another lottery appearance. After finishing second to last and 23rd in defensive and offensive efficiency, respectively, during the 2014-15 season, the Lakers now rank last and second to last in those categories in 2015-16.

The heat on Scott's seat has seemingly increased with each consecutive loss and/or press conference, and the Los Angeles Times reported last week that while he would be allowed to coach the rest of the season, the organization was already "torn" on whether or not to fire Scott this summer.

When speaking to Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt on their "A to Z Podcast" today, Lakers president Jeanie Buss did not give Scott a ringing endorsement when asked about all of the criticism he has received this season:

"I haven't had a conversation with Byron Scott (about the challenges of the Bryant dynamic)," Jeanie said. "I think I've talked to him maybe three times since he was hired. And I know he must be extremely busy with such a young group of players (but) I don't really know if that's how he feels about it. He hasn't expressed that to me but yet we really haven't had too many conversations where that would ever come up."

Part of this could be traced back to Buss not having to deal with Scott on a day-to-day basis due to her position being to mostly oversee the business side of the operations while her brother Jim and Mitch Kupchak deal with the basketball operations, something Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News explained when appearing on A.M. 570.

"I would say that that's more of a product of how the organization is structured where she oversees the business end, she doesn't oversee the basketball end and not that being any sign of her being upset with Byron," said Medina. "Not only in that, but in basketball operations in general, she has maintained a comfortable distance from that, I think to send the message that she's given them all of the space they need to do the job that they are hired to do, and she doesn't want to be seen as meddling."

Medina also mentioned "that even if the Lakers were contending for a championship this season, Jeanie wouldn't have much contact with Byron," something that Buss also intimated in her interview with USA Today:
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 3:24 pm    Post subject:

Why all the animosity toward Lakers Coach Byron Scott? Firing him won't change anything
by Dylan Hernandez - latimes.com

Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak might not be saying anything about Coach Byron Scott, but the fans are making their voices heard, whether it's on the radio airwaves or in the comments section under the online versions of Mike Bresnahan's stories. Their pitchforks are out. They want Scott fired.

The blood thirst is curious, considering how well this season has unfolded.

Seriously.

The team's 11-47 record? Who cares? Look at the roster. This team never had a chance.

If anything, the historically awful record should bolster Scott's stealth candidacy for Coach of the Year. Remember, the Lakers' first-round selection in the upcoming draft will belong to the Philadelphia 76ers unless it falls in the top three, meaning every loss is in fact a win and every win a loss. What looks like the second-worst record in the NBA is actually the second-best, as far as the Lakers are concerned. This draft pick, which could be turned into Ben Simmons of LSU or Brandon Ingram of Duke, is probably their single-most effective vehicle to climb back into contention.

More ridiculous is the criticism directed at Scott and the Lakers for allowing Kobe Bryant's farewell to dictate their season.

While Bryant's final months as an active player are being extensively chronicled, what's been understated is the strangely electric atmosphere at Staples Center. It's as if Bryant is now a religious figure. Or Donald Trump.

Bryant touches the ball, and the arena buzzes. He knocks down a routine shot, and the fans react as if he sank a buzzer-beater in a conference final.

Allowing Bryant to showcase what remains of his once-in-a-generation ability isn't a problem. It's basic customer service. He's about the only reason fans are paying as much as they are to watch some really dreadful basketball. Bryant should be permitted to shoot as much as he wants, whenever he wants.

Continued....
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