The Los Angeles Lakers avoided a six-game losing streak in their 93-85 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night. Seven Lakers scored in double-figures and Lakers guard Jeremy Lin said their ball movement and unselfishness were key to their win.
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Lakers head coach Byron Scott said the Lakers defense in the third quarter was probably the best they’ve played all season. Scott’s been preaching defense since day one on the job as head coach, though it’s often been the Lakers defense that’s been most heavily criticized.
After the game, Scott was asked about the stamp that he’s hoping to impart on this Lakers franchise moving forward:
I think the stamp is really trying to be implemented on the defensive end. Offensively, I haven’t put anywhere near half the stuff that we could do or that I would like to do. But, on the defensive end is where I really have been trying to concentrate because I want that to be a culture of this organization because it has been for so many years.”
Scott also said he’s hoping that whoever is still on the Lakers roster next season will be ahead of the game in terms of what he wants the culture to be.
Kobe Bryant is also a giant part in helping Scott instill that culture, one of the reasons that Scott has asked Bryant to be on the bench for the remainder of the Lakers home games. Bryant joked that him being on the bench, was more for the “comfort” of Scott than anything else. Scott smiled upon hearing that, reiterating that he likes to see him on the bench.
Bryant was seen vigorously mentoring Lakers rookie Jordan Clarkson throughout the game, taking out a clipboard at one point. Post-game, Clarkson joked that his head was a little “clogged up” from all of Bryant’s teachings during the game.
Clarkson’s teachings will continue Wednesday, but this time from another veteran, Steve Nash. Clarkson said he expects to do some on court work with Nash on Wednesday.
[divide]Jordan Clarkson Talks About Kobe Bryant Vs. Steve Nash Mentorship