Lakers Coach Losing Patience, Promises Changes

After a 2-11 start to the season, Los Angeles Lakers' coach told reporters that he would no longer be patient with his young players for repeating the same mistakes over and over again

"I woke up like I had a hangover, and I didn't drink, seriously," Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott stood in front of reporters on Monday morning. His team had fallen to 2-11 after suffering a home defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night, and watching the game back late at night did not help Scott sleep at night.

Scott did not seem content with the development process and specifically called out his players.

Scott said, "When I watched the game, basically on both ends, defensively we just didn't do the things that we talked about doing: trying to affect Damian (Lillard) as much as possible. We didn't do that, and I just thought we were just really, really soft defensively as the way we were trying to guard him. We weren't aggressive enough ."

The coach's criticism continued, "And then offensively, it was basically the same thing I've been seeing: our spacing. Guys are gravitating toward the ball, guys doing that 1-on-1. And we just don't have that type of team. We got to play together."

While Scott has sounded alarm bells and pointed out these types of criticisms in the month since the season started, Monday saw the coach approaching his boiling point. And he shared his frustrations with the team.

"Some of it is getting redundant," Scott told reporters. "I told them today, 'my patience has run thin.'"

What does that mean exactly? What can a coach of a 2-11 team that is full of developing NBA talent say or do at this point?

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"So defensively, if you're not doing the things that I need you to do, if you're not getting back in transition, if we say that we're going to 'red' on pick-and-roll, which means we're going to trap, if you don't do that, then I'm just going to start taking guys out because they got to start getting it," Scott said. "That's just the bottom line."

The 54-year-old continued, "Same thing offensively, if you're not setting screen, keeping spacing and rolling to the basket, if you're just holding the basketball, I just got to start making some changes as far as that's concerned."

Scott said that he would not hold a full unit accountable for the poor actions of one or two guys that he does not think are performing up to standard.

"If one or two guys make a mistake on a particular play, I'll take those two guys out," Scott promised. "This is all based on individuals."

After Sunday's loss, Scott had harped on a missed defensive assignment on the first play of the game. On Monday, the coach expanded on that thought as he sent his hard hitting message.

"First play of the game they run, Jordan goes under (the screen), and that's not our game plan," Scott continued. "Like I told them, that's a lack of focus. Things like that are the things that are really, really hurting us. D'Angelo did the same thing in the fourth quarter."

Calling out second-year Jordan Clarkson and rookie D'Angelo Russell by name sent a clear message that none of the young players have a pass. If the no. 2 pick and the Lakers' most consistent young player got called out for mistakes by name, Scott in effect singled out two of his young leaders as prime candidates for benching.

"I think guys are maybe getting a little too comfortable," he said. "They got to be held a little bit more accountable for their actions out there. Like I said, I've been lenient because they are young and they're learning, but it's that time that you got to start getting it."

Scott did not appear to be interested in waiting any longer and promised to have a quicker trigger finger against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.

Scott continued, "It's that point in time for me to start saying, 'alright guys, I've given you a lot of leeway, and you make mistakes. We show you over and over again on tape, we talk about it, but you continue to make those same mistakes, then I got to do something about it. And that is take you time away."

He added with a wry smile, "They were all shaking their heads like they understood, so we'll see if they do."

Scott has previously made similar threats, and a reporter perked up to ask why this occasion would be received as anything other than an idle threat.

Scott responded sternly, "I'm telling you right now that if I said it earlier and didn't hold their feet to the fire, I'm holding their feet to the fire now."

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