The Los Angeles Lakers have had 13 different starting line-ups this season, and with eight games left in the season and Wayne Ellington suffering a shoulder injury, there could be even more changes coming. Head coach Byron Scott said his line-up decisions are a combination of putting the best line-up out on the floor and evaluating players.
No rhyme or reason,” Scott said about his line-ups at Thursday’s practice. “Just trying to give a couple of guys some days off and get a good look at the other guys.”
Lakers big man Ed Davis has been out of the rotation for the last three games, his last appearance being in the Lakers game against the Toronto Raptors on March 27th. Though Davis hasn’t been happy about sitting on the bench, he understands the reasoning behind Scott wanting to evaluate other players.
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Davis says he’s confident about what he’s showed to the Lakers this season, and does not think the last eight games of the season will change how he’s viewed around the league. Davis does think he still has a ways to go in developing, pointing specifically to wanting expand his offensive game.
Scott said he will play Davis in at least a few of the last eight games of the season, but he already knows the value of the big man.
Ed Davis has proven this year he’s one of our most valuable big guys. That goes without saying. When he’s not on the court, we’ve obviously missed his presence down there. From a coaching standpoint I know that, but I still want to get a look at other guys.”
Scott also noted that by giving other players 25-30 minutes a game, he’s been able to get a very good read on what they can and cannot do, looking at their negatives just as much as their positives.
If the Lakers lose to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night, it will be their 55th loss of the season, tying the franchise record for the most in Lakers history. Scott though, is not sweating that stat, saying it will only give him more incentive for next year.
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