Byron Scott said in a recent Los Angeles Lakers news and rumors update that the team had no identity last season, while also revealing that superstar Kobe Bryant could have playing-time restriction next season.
In an interview with Basketball Insiders, Scott did not guarantee instant success in the 2014-15 NBA season, but the veteran coach said that the team will have an identity this year.
Scott said in the Lakers news and rumors interview that last year's squad focused on offense. This year, the former coach of the year insisted that they will look to improve on the defensive end of the floor.
"I just didn't think they had an identity," Scott said of last year's squad. "I know Mike D'Antoni's identity really is on the offensive end. In this league, obviously you got to score more points than your opponent. But you have to have some type of system on the defensive end to at least slow people down and not allow them to just score at will as well."
Scott added that his players should expect a much harder training camp this year compared to the past season, insisting that he'll make sure that Lakers players will be in their best possible shape.
"They're tough," Scott said of his training sessions. "A lot of running. A lot of running and a lot of defensive drills. I always believe that if teams are going to beat us, they're going to beat us because they're better that night and not because they're in better shape, not because they're tougher."
The 53-year-old coach also revealed that Bryant will be a big factor next season, but that doesn't mean that he'll play heavy minutes. In fact, Scott said that there will be a point in the season where they will limit the 36-year-old superstar's playing time.
"I think he's probably more acceptable to accept the fact that you can't practice every day," Scott said of Bryant via Lakers news and rumors update on Southern California Public Radio. "There might be some games where you can't play this game or that game."
Bryant, who will be playing in his 19th season in the NBA, played in just six games last season due to a knee injury, and averaged 13.8 points to go along with 6.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds.
The Lakers had one of their worst seasons in franchise history last year after finishing with a measly 27-55 record. They failed to advance to the playoff for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
