Of the three off-season acquisitions for the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, forward Brandon Bass was probably the least known. While Roy Hibbert is a former All-Star and Lou Williams won Sixth Man of the Year last season, Bass has long been a solid professional who does his job every night.
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Bass was drafted by New Orleans in 2003 where he was coached by now Lakers head coach Byron Scott for his first two years in the league. At his introductory press conference, Bass said that Scott motivated him to get in the gym during those years via the Los Angeles Lakers’ official Twitter:
Brandon Bass says that Byron Scott provided him motivation when together in NO: "I just knew I had to get in the gym and get my grind on."
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 22, 2015
The hard work paid off as even though Bass never got much playing time under Scott in New Orleans, he quickly blossomed once leaving. He has averaged at least eight points and four rebounds in seven of his last eight seasons in the NBA including double-figure points in three of the last four.
Bass is comfortable both starting and coming off the bench and he could be doing both this season. He will likely battle with Julius Randle for the starting power forward spot, but should get plenty of minutes regardless of if he’s in the starting lineup or not.
Hibbert’s focus is mainly on improving the Lakers defense and Williams’ job is to give the team some extra offensive punch off the bench. Bass is capable of filling in whatever role he needs to and Byron Scott motivating him like he did when he was a rookie should only help.
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