Lakers Host Clippers: Rivalry?

The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Los Angeles Clippers for the "Battle of LA" on Halloween night at Staples Center.

The Los Angeles Lakers met early Friday morning to get a few shots up and watch film ahead of the Battle for LA against the LA Clippers on Halloween night.

After nearly an hour and a half, Bryon Scott's guys wrapped up and hit the showers in preparation for the 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time tip-off. Asked about the blooming rivalry, and Scott dismissed the notion that the Los Angeles Clippers had any claim to the city.

"When they get about 13 banners, then it'll be a rivalry," Scott smirked on Friday morning.

Scott made the same point during his introductory press conference, dismissing the notion that LA was turning from the Lakers to the Clippers.

"It’s not," Scott refuted the notion that LA was going to the Clippers at shootaround. "It’s always going to be purple and gold."

Although the Lakers and Clippers rivalry may have been up for debate, Scott's history with Clippers' point guard Chris Paul was not. Scott spoke highly of his former disciple and revealed that the two had communicated recently.

"I love Chris like a son," Scott said. "He's arguably the best point guard in the league—one of the best leaders in the league."

Aside from the off-court love and hate the Lakers' coach displayed to the Lakers' opponents on Halloween night, Scott discussed some of the Lakers’ shortcomings with regards to Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin.

New additions, Boozer and Lin have not yet found their footing in purple and gold. Boozer put up decent individual numbers in the season opener, but game no. 2 was a painful performance that featured Boozer scoring only four points and accounting for eight of the Lakers' 13 turnovers in the contest.

"It just wasn't his night," Scott said. "I'm sure it was a night he'd like to forget."

Scott added, "He's a veteran. I expect him to come out and play much better tonight. Most veteran guys when you're in this league and have a night like that, you want to come out and make an atonement."

Lin has not truly been able to get going in the early season. The 26-year-old point guard has thus far failed to create any meaningful imprint in either game. In his first two games with the Lakers, Lin is averaging a lowly 6.5 points, 3.5 assists, 2.0 rebounds in 20 minutes per game. Lin only attempted five shots in each of his first two games, and looking at the roster, that's inexcusable for a player with his ability.

"I think he just has to relax and play," Scott said about Lin. "Just play basketball. You’re the point guard out there. If you see something on the floor, call it."

"I just think he needs to be on the floor a little bit more and get comfortable," Scott cited missed time in training camp hurting the guard’s comfort level. "But (I'm) not real worried about it."

Contact Us