Scott: Lakers' bench incident shows 'guys care'
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott said several of his players engaged in a verbal “altercation” on the bench during the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s 120-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets, which dropped the Lakers to 0-4 this season.
“It was late in the fourth quarter, where we were losing the game and guys weren’t happy,” Scott said after practice Wednesday at the team’s facility.
“A few guys kind of discussed it in a very angry way. If they would have just sat on the bench with a smile on their face, I would’ve been much more concerned.”
Scott added, “I loved it. It tells me guys care.”
Scott wouldn’t reveal which players engaged in the verbal fracas, nor did he say that it was concerning, but he did say that it was the first such altercation involving any of his players this season.
“I don’t know if we needed it, but sometimes I think it’s necessary if guys need to go at each other, kind of hold each other accountable,” Scott said. “I like the fact that guys weren’t just sitting there smiling, having a good time when we were down by 8, 9 points with 35 seconds left. I like the edge that they got.”
Forward Julius Randle, who was on the court during the bench incident, said it was a natural thing.
“We don’t want to lose, man,” he said. “[We’re] just competitive. [It’s] just how it is. We’ve got guys in here that care. It’s going to happen.”
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