Scott, Randle get along fine
SACRAMENTO — Byron Scott fired back a bit at media reports, saying he got along just fine with Julius Randle.
Earlier in the week, the Lakers’ coach said the young power forward was acting immature and needed to grow up.
“If you want to believe all the reports out there, then obviously, if you read them, then we’ve got a terrible relationship,” Scott said Thursday.
“But if you want to know the truth, we’ve got a great relationship. He knows that at times, as I’ve told him, because I care about him so much as a basketball player and as a person, I’m going to be hard on him. And I expect him to be disappointed in certain things.
“But I expect him to learn and I expect him to be a great player in this league. That’s what it’s all about. All the popular [opinions] on me being not a great communicator with my young guys, him and I got a great relationship. D’Angelo [Russell] as well.”
Scott didn’t like the way Randle pouted on the bench after getting removed from Sunday’s 97-77 victory over Phoenix.
“He’s got to grow up. Simple as that,” Scott said Monday. “I chalk it up to immaturity and just being inexperienced in this level. It’s going to happen again. I’m going to take him out of other games that he’s not going to like.”
Randle chafed when removed from the starting lineup a month ago and said Sunday he didn’t enjoy being singled out by Scott for his poor defense after the Lakers beat Phoenix.
“Me and him have never had issues,” Randle said after the Lakers’ 118-115 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night, seemingly unwilling to go in depth.
Russell, like Randle, was also annoyed last month when Scott demoted him to reserve status. But Russell has played better than Randle in recent weeks.
Scott poked at Russell’s youth Thursday when asked whether the 19-year-old would return to the lineup against Sacramento after sitting out Tuesday’s game against Golden State because of a sore throat.
“No relapse, besides just still playing young and dumb,” Scott said jokingly. “Nah, he’s fine. He had a lot more of a pep in his step this morning than the usual D’Angelo that I’d seen. Wanted to make bets and tell jokes and all that good stuff. So he’s back to normal.”
Bryant still leading
Kobe Bryant continues to dominate All-Star votes, compiling more than Kevin Durant and LeBron James combined in the latest results released Thursday by the NBA.
Bryant has 1.26 million votes in his last season, outpacing James (636,388) and Durant (616,096). Stephen Curry has the second-most votes (925,789).
Voting ends Jan. 18. The game is Feb. 14 in Toronto.
Guaranteed Lakers
The Lakers officially guaranteed the contracts of reserves Metta World Peace, Tarik Black and Marcelo Huertas on Thursday, the deadline to waive players with nonguaranteed deals.
With the news, the Lakers’ roster remained at the maximum 15-player limit.
Despite the Lakers’ poor play this season, team officials like World Peace’s veteran voice in the locker room. He will make $947,000.
Black has rarely played this season and has been sent numerous times to the Lakers’ Development League affiliate. He is making $845,000.
Huertas, 32, is averaging 3.4 points and 2.8 assists while earning $525,000.