It was recently reported that Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott and general manager Mitch Kupchak would likely meet following the team’s eight game road trip.
That meeting took place with the two discussing Scott’s plan on developing the team’s young core of D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, and Jordan Clarkson.
After returning home this month and following practice on Monday, Scott revealed that the development plan will continue as he has planned according to Robert Morales of the Long Beach Press-Telegram:
“We talked when we were on the road and just talked about some of the things we’ve been doing, what we’re trying to do with the guys, and we’re just going to continue to do it,”
Scott also outlined the main things he is trying to teach the young players:
“The one thing with these guys that we’re trying to do is just keep banging it in their heads how important it is to keep that work ethic, keep working hard […] The other thing with them we’re trying to instill is just team basketball,” he said. “They’re so used to having the ball in their hands wherever they’ve been and if they don’t have it, they go get it. And I’m trying to teach them spacing and just staying away and letting other people play.”
The good thing for the Lakers is that this young core is already blessed with a great work ethic. Clarkson and Randle are widely considered to be the two people who spend the most extra time in the gym while Russell is also consistently seen putting in extra work with coaches.
Most haven’t been a fan of Scott’s methods in teaching the young core, but there have been some signs of players beginning to figure things out. Whether or not fans agree with it, the Lakers look set to continue with Scott’s plans for the rest of this season at least.
