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.

— Have You Seen These LIMITED EDITION “Mamba Strikes Back” T-Shirts? —

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.

[divide]

Kobe Bryant On Lakers Identity Moving Forward, ‘Smashmouth Basketball’


Please enable Javascript to watch this video

You May Also Like

Build Around Or With Jordan Clarkson? Who Cares, Just Build…

PAGES: 1 | 2 The title of the show alone makes the…

Lakers News: Dennis Schroder Discusses Offensive Adjustments For Game 2 Against Suns

The Los Angeles Lakers struggled mightily on offense during their Game 1 loss to the Phoenix Sun…

USA Basketball Announces USA Select Team

With the Olympics inching closer and closer, most of Team USA has…

Kobe Bryant Takes Punch to the Face in ‘The Simpsons’

This past Sunday was the season premiere of the long-running Fox comedy…