Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ third straight win Sunday night, head coach Byron Scott used his postgame chat with reporters to trash second-year forward Julius Randle’s effort and attitude.
A day later, Scott was still going at the young fella through the media, accusing him of immaturity and advising him to quickly grow up.
Julius Randle wasn't exactly a team player last night. "Bottom line is, like I told home before, you've gotta grow up," Byron said.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) January 4, 2016
Byron on Randle: "The main thing I don’t like is when you take him out of games, how he reacts sometimes." Byron called it "immaturity."
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) January 4, 2016
Randle, 21, says he was mad about his limited playing time against the visiting Phoenix Suns.
Per the LA Daily News:
“I played 15 minutes yesterday,” said Randle, who didn’t speak to reporters after Sunday’s game but was made available after Monday’s practice. “I was frustrated when I went out on the court. Simple.” […] With the Lakers’ reserves coughing up a 38-point lead in the fourth quarter against Phoenix, Lakers coach Byron Scott phased his starters back in the game. When Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr entered the game with 4:43 remaining, Randle looked extremely irritated as he went to the bench. Afterwards, Scott said he told Randle in front of the team to “guard your man” after also overshadowing his 12 rebounds and three assists with two points on 0-of-4 shooting in 15 minutes.
“I don’t think there was defense on the court at all in the fourth quarter,” Randle said. “He singled me out but I think it was a team thing.” […] Scott emphasized he had also addressed the Lakers’ entire reserve unit. Scott had talked about Randle individually following Sunday’s win because Scott was specifically asked about Randle’s frustration. But Scott offered a new message to Randle, who has spent the last month as a reserve despite representing the Lakers’ seventh pick of the 2014 NBA Draft.
“He probably took it the worst and he’s going to have to learn from it. He’s got to grow up. Simple as that.” Scott said of Randle. “I think the main thing I don’t like is when you take him out of games, how he reacts sometimes. 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.” […] Scott described Randle’s attitude in Monday’s practice as “okay.” Scott then stressed Randle has “another chance” when the Lakers (8-27) host the Golden State Warriors (31-2) on Tuesday at Staples Center. Yet, Randle suggested handling his frustrations might become easier said than done.
