Lakers News: Byron Scott Thinks Wesley Johnson Lacks Confidence

Coming into this season, one player receiving a lot of praise was Wesley Johnson. Both Kobe Bryant and Byron Scott spoke on his potential as a lockdown defender coming into the season, and he spent a lot of time working out with Kobe this off-season.

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His potential on that end, however, has not manifested itself so far this preseason and according to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters, Byron Scott has an idea of why:

Self-confidence plays a major role in players realizing their potential, and a failure to do so has resulted in many talented players never becoming as good as they could have been. Many lesser talented players have lasted longer in the league than their talent suggests because they have such extreme self-confidence.

Johnson has all of the physical tools that a coach could want in a small forward, but he has yet to put it all together on the court. Confidence issues even plagued him last year as he fell out of favor with former coach Mike D’Antoni down the stretch of the season.

Regardless of everything, Johnson will have every opportunity to turn things around as he is still the only true small forward on the roster. With Kobe and Scott pushing him, chances of Johnson figuring it all out is much better, and his success will play a major role in the success of the Lakers.

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