After twenty games, Lakers head coach Byron Scott made changes to the Lakers starting lineup in their loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, which saw Ed Davis and Ronnie Price replacing Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer in the starting lineup.
After Monday’s practice, Scott assured that he’s not in the business of massaging egos, doing simply what he feels gives the team the best chance to win:
I don’t massage egos, I really don’t. It is, what it is. If you’re 5-15 at that time, from a coaching standpoint, you have to make some type of changes. For me, I don’t have to go to players to go and talk to them, at least I don’t make it a point to. Jeremy came to me and talked to me about it, I told him what I thought, I thought he handled it extremely well.”
After the Lakers loss Sunday night, Scott told the media that Boozer was not happy with the change, though clarified that it was a good thing, as it speaks to his competitiveness. The media didn’t get a chance to talk to Boozer about the change Sunday night, as Boozer left before talking to the media. But, the media waited around for him after practice on Monday.
Boozer voiced his “surprise” at the change, but also echoed that he would do whatever to help the team win. Boozer says he’s still yet to discuss the change with Scott, as he missed Sunday’s shootaround with a respiratory infection.
Scott said one of the biggest reasons for the change was to give the starting lineup more defensive intensity, though Boozer said he had a different opinion:
“That’s just his opinion. I have a different opinion. I’ll keep it to myself.”
Boozer said it felt different coming off the bench, noting that it was the first time he’s been dropped to the second unit in his career. Scott says he plans to stick with this lineup for about 10-15 games before he considers making any additional changes.
[divide]Kobe Bryant, Jeremy Lin, Nick Young React To Lineup Changes