In the midst of a six-game losing streak that he is not accustomed to, five-time champion Kobe Bryant gave a postgame speech after Friday’s defeat against Portland.
“It was a very heartfelt, passionate speech to us,” Larry Nance Jr. said after Monday's practice. “I just really think everybody took away the same message: 9-37 isn’t alright. We got to do what we can to change that, and I think things started today.”
Head coach Byron Scott said Bryant gave the talk on his own accord, citing that success is expected particularly “in this organization where we only judge ourselves by (winning) banners.”
“The biggest thing that I got from all of the comments that he made was: Don’t blame it on anybody else,” Scott said. “Don’t blame it on the schemes or you not getting your minutes or touches or anything like that. His message was basically: You got to compete every night.”
Meantime, Jordan Clarkson took Bryant’s speech as a call for better effort, saying the team has to be able to keep its focus for the full four quarters.
“Some guys shut down; some guys come in here and they work,” Clarkson said. “It’s a two-way street. Which one are you going to pick? Are you going to shut down or come in here and work?”
Nance Bounces Back
Having missed the last three games due to a sore right knee, Larry Nance Jr. announced his health in a loud way by rising up for a slam dunk during practice that only missed because he was fouled.
“He had one where he went up over Tarik (Black),” Scott said. “So that right there told me he’s OK.”
Nance expects to play on Tuesday against Dallas, and Scott said he will “probably” return to the starting lineup where he spent the previous 22 games.
“I feel 100 percent right now,” Nance said. “My legs feel great; my knee feels great. I’m looking forward to getting out and running a bit tomorrow.”
Ryan Kelly is questionable for Tuesday's game due to gastroenteritis.