Coach

Lakers Host T-Wolves, Scott Explains Development

The Los Angeles Lakers have lost 10 games in a row, which is tied for the franchise record, so Tuesday's game against Minnesota carries with it extra importance

The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Minnesota Timberwoves on Tuesday night at Staples Center, and the Lakers enter the contest tied for the franchise record with a 10-game losing streak. If LA loses to Minnesota on Tuesday, LA will not only project to be the worst team in franchise history, but this current group will also own a dubious losing streak record.

While the Lakers have lost 14 of their last 15 games, Minnesota is not exactly setting a championship pace. The Timberwolves have lost four in a row and 15 of their last 17 games. LA could conceivably win this game, which is more than what has been said about most games the Lakers take part in. After all, LA trailed by 27 points to the Charlotte Hornets during Sunday's demoralizing defeat.

Tuesday will feature another round of the top two picks in the 2015 NBA Draft going head-to-head. No. 1 pick Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 16.6 points and 9.9 rebounds in nearly 30 minutes per game with 49 starts in 49 appearances. Towns appears on track to gain Rookie of the Year honors, and the center's consistent playing time and role have allowed the 7-footer and the Timberwolves avoid controversy.

No. 2 pick D'Angelo Russell has been the center of constant controversy, as the Lakers' rookie has been moved back and forth from the starting lineup to the bench. Over 48 appearances, Russell is averaging 11.9 points, 3.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds in nearly 27 minutes on the court. However, the combo guard has only started 22 games, though Lakers coach Byron Scott has revealed that Russell will return to LA’s starting five before the end of the season.

"When I took (Russell) out of the starting lineup, it was more of, not only that he wasn't playing great but more to let him know that you still haven't earned this," Scott explained his controversial lineup change from earlier in the season. "You still have to fight for this—nothing's given."

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Scott continued, "[The] Prime example is Kobe (Bryant). He didn't start for three years. I didn't want (Russell) to just feel that, 'this is who I am, I should be starting on the Lakers, because I'm the second pick.' No, you start because you work hard, and you earn it."

Upon being notified that LA Clippers broadcaster Don MacLean had leveled comments criticizing Scott's restrained development of Russell, Scott took a verbal jab back at the broadcaster by stating that MacLean's opinion helps explain why the former UCLA Bruin was not coaching.

"You don't let a guy almost go out there and embarrass himself, kill himself by playing 35 minutes and creating 10, 12, 15 turnovers," Scott explained his development philosophy. "The one thing that can do is self-destruct him as an individual, so what I try to do is teach these guys, but also protect them from making mistakes like that, from getting ridiculed after a game like that."

"My job is to help these guys develop and that's what I'm going to continue to do," Scott reminded reporters. "Sometimes it's going to be 20 minutes; sometimes it's going to be 25; sometimes it's going to be 30."

On Tuesday night, Russell expects to continue to play as a reserve when the 9-41 Lakers host the 14-35 Timberwolves. Tip-off for the two worst teams in the Western Conference is at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time. 

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