Throughout the 2015-16 NBA season, head coach Byron Scott has made a lot of tweaks and changes to the roster for the Los Angeles Lakers. Scott has received a considerable amount of criticism for the decisions he has made this season, but that hasn’t stopped him from continuing to try to figure things out.
As the team approaches the end of the season, it appears Scott is ready to shake things up yet again. The team will likely have a new starting forward in the near future.
According to the Lakers’ Twitter account, rookie Larry Nance Jr. could be the latest player on the squad to start at the small forward position:
Byron Scott says that Larry Nance Jr. may start at small forward in the near future.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 20, 2016
Following Friday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers have only 13 games left in the regular season. Kobe Bryant’s status for the remaining 13 games remains uncertain even though he plans to play in as many as possible.
Bryant hasn’t played since the loss to the New York Knicks at the Staples Center on March 13. Kobe has been dealing with persistent soreness in his surgically repaired right shoulder which has resulted in the five-time NBA champion playing in only 53 games up to this point.
As for Nance, the rookie has played better than expected during his first season with the Lakers. Nance has done everything that has been asked of him and has become a fan favorite while also earning the respect of the coaching staff and his teammates.
Nance, much like Bryant, has played in 53 games this season. The Wyoming product is averaging 5.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 53.8 percent from the floor. Nance’s numbers are slightly higher as a starter at 7.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 55.6 percent shooting in 22 games.