Scott tired of Lakers' inconsistent, porous defense
EL SEGUNDO - It's not as if Byron Scott is talking to a blank wall or empty room. But are any of the players listening when the Lakers coach stresses defense in team meetings?
So far it doesn't seem that way.
Despite Scott's constant pleas and lectures, the Lakers are giving up a league-high 112.5 points a game. They allowed Dallas to score 140 points nearly a week after giving up 136 points to Golden State. It's a constant refrain that has grown weary for Scott.
'It does feel like I'm talking to myself when it comes to the defensive end of the floor and trying to stress how important it is to our guys each and every night,' Scott said after a short practice at the Lakers' training facility Saturday.
'Because there are nights, like Atlanta and Houston, where we do it, but then there are other nights like Dallas when we just don't.'
The Mavericks had eight players in double figures, three with 20 points or more.
Scott said he didn't mince his words with his players Saturday.
'It (porous defense) doesn't set well with me at all,' he said. 'I didn't take it out on them this morning, but I let them know that it doesn't set well with me. The one thing we are looking for at that end of the floor is consistency.
'We talked about the effort and the effort has gotten better, but the consistency every single night we want done and it's what I'm looking for.'
A CONSISTENT HILL
Jordan Hill has been one of the Lakers' most consistent performers so far this season, next to Kobe Bryant. Hill has scored in double figures in all but the first two games of the season and is averaging 14.2 points and 9.7 rebounds.
Yet his lack of defensive hustle is glaring, according to Scott.
'Offensively, he's doing a (heck) of a job,' Scott said. 'Defensively, though, he still has the inconsistency we're talking about. He's one of our main culprits - him and (Carlos) Boozer. They both know they have to get better.
'We show them on film (their weaknesses), so it's not a secret. I'm not trying to hide it and they shouldn't be shying away from it.'
A DAY OF REST
Bryant blamed his heavy legs for his 6-of-22 shooting performance in a blowout to Dallas and Scott wasn't surprised. Not after hearing that the Lakers star went to the gym hours before Friday's game and shot baskets until he made 300.
So Scott ordered Bryant to stay home in Newport Beach on Saturday, rest his 36-year-old legs and get re-charged for Sunday's game against Denver.
'Sometimes that can hurt you more than help you,' Scott said of Bryant's legendary work ethic.
'He's probably playing with the dogs and the girls (daughters) and having a good time, but at least it's not the constant running up and down and jumping.'
Bryant wasn't the only player who sat out practice. Boozer, who has a sore left shoulder, and Jeremy Lin, who has a mildly sore back, both got treatment and didn't practice.
Boozer is listed as probable for Sunday's game, and Lin is expected to start.
Contact the writer: jcarr@ocregister.com
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