Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry:On the loss:
“We didn’t play well enough. We didn’t defend like we have been. They’re a team that struggles offensively and we gave up almost 60 points in the first half. Offensively, I thought we played pretty selfishly. We didn’t move the basketball and we ended up with eight assists in the first half so we weren’t moving the basketball. It’s pretty simple. We didn’t play the type of game we need to play to try to win and it doesn’t matter who it is. It could be the Lakers or Golden State or anybody else. If you don’t play like you’re supposed to and you don’t play the right way by moving the basketball and playing unselfishly and then locking in, then you’re going to have a tough time beating any team.”
On the frustration of the team not playing the way they have recently:
“It frustrates me because we’re in a position now, as we said, where we don’t have any margin for error and so it’s a home game that we lose and we lose it for all the wrong reasons. I think the most disturbing thing to me is that we talked about it before we went out that we can’t play up hill against any team, especially a team that has Kobe Bryant on it who is very capable in close games of making any shot. He’s done it for the last 19 seasons. What happened with us is that when we finally made a run, it was just to get back even, it wasn’t to create separation. We make a good run and now all of the sudden we’re even. Well when that happens, the ‘Kobe Factor’ becomes a possibility and that’s exactly what happened. At the end, he makes two big three-point shots to hold us off and that’s how they win the game.”
Pelicans forward Bryce Dejean-Jones:On trying to overcome a sluggish start:
“I think the game overall slipped away from us in the beginning, and we were trying to fight an uphill battle the whole game that was tough to come back from. I think we made a good push of it in the second half and the end of the game, but I think we have to start the game that way and not try to fight extra hard at the end of the game.”
On climbing back toward the playoff race the rest of the season:
“I think it’s just up to us. We have to decide to start games the right way and play together, and I think we’ll be fine.”
Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson:On the Pelicans’ play down the stretch:
“We gave ourselves a chance to tie. We came down the stretch, we were in the game, we fought our way back. Those little details, the fact is we put ourselves in a position to tie the game, but we shouldn’t have been in that position at all in the first place. We started the game off poorly and just kind of went from there. When we play catch-up basketball like that, it’s just not good for us. We just need to play like we were playing before, moving the ball and imposing our will.”
On climbing back toward the playoff race the rest of the season:
“We just want to move onto the next game. This is one we want to flush; unfortunately this is two against the Lakers, we wanted to flush last game, too. It’s one of those losses that’s just kind of hitting yourself and kicking yourself afterwards, but it’s part of the game and we have to move on and go to the next one and play better. And not let this be a step down, or a step back.”
Lakers Coach Byron Scott:On holding on to win the game:
“Kobe Bryant. It’s no secret with the big three he hit. We still have the same problem with our young guys not understanding that when we have a double-digit lead you can’t relax. We have got to find a way to keep our killer instinct and try to put the game away instead of allowing the other team to come back.”
On gaining momentum after winning the past two games:
“It’s good any time you win. The objective is to win basketball games and we want our guys to keep growing while winning and losing. Hopefully we can continue to play this way through this road trip and, once the All-Star weekend is over with, we can continue to play well.”
Lakers forward/guard Nick Young:On what contributed to the win:
“We executed well, and played great team ball. We did our thing out there. Our execution was really top notch tonight and that’s what happened.
On Kobe Bryant:
“Kobe is a fantastic player. He’s an executioner. He’s wise and very mental. He knows the system and the ins, outs, middles, ups and downs. He performs so well out there.”
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant:On how it feels to hear the fans cheering for him:
“It makes me feel great. It makes me feel like all the hard work I put in through the years has been worth it. Seeing the fans’ reaction and their signs, and getting the chance to talk to them. I even met a kid courtside today and his name was Kobe!”
On playing in New Orleans the past 20 years:
“It’s really special to have played in front of this crowd tonight. I’m looking forward to being able to come back here and play one last time. I had some pretty good games in this building. Tonight felt like I had to exercise my demons a little bit because I kept thinking about the last time I was here and I tore my shoulder. I want to get back out on this court and play well.”