Lakers’ failed LaMarcus Aldridge pitch will change future approach

With the defeat, the Lakers moved to 3-20. Any of us who has a new job defers in the beginning and tries to fit.

Aldridge scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and did not play the fourth quarter in the Spurs 107-89 win over the Lakers on Friday night.

Los Angeles Lakers center Robert Sacre (50) and San Antonio Spurs forward David West (30) battle for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, in San Antonio. Kobe turned the ball over out of the timeout, and Kawhi Leonard made an acrobatic reverse layup with his left hand plus the foul, increasing the Spurs run to 8-0. He made only one more field goal while being closely guarded by Leonard, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, and athletic 6-foot-6 rookie Jonathon Simmons.

Beyond Russell and Lou Williams (19 points), there wasn’t much they could cheer Friday.

This is the first time Bryant took a clear backseat to the budding youngsters as opposed to trying to play the mentor and star role at the same time. Julius Randle had 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Lakers. Had Bryant not announced his retirement, it could be an issue to have a below-average player getting a starter spot for the second year in a row. With Jordan Clarkson out due to a sprained ankle, Russell earned the start and played a game-high 36 minutes.

Scott has already stated that he feels that the front-office has his back, and despite the fanbase’s anger, there’s been no indication that the Lakers are looking to make a change on the bench anytime soon.

Kobe has been selected to 14 All-NBA teams (10 First-Team), and 12 All-Defensive Team (nine times All-Defensive First-Team).

A lack of depth and experience proved too much for the young Lakers to overcome but not before they gave the Spurs a few scares. “We’ll see what the fans and the coaches decide, and then we’ll go from there”. The league is not going to create a special spot for him, so someone who is performing better than him will get snubbed. Scott also expected Clarkson to miss today’s game in Houston.

Clarkson is having a solid sophomore season in the National Basketball Association but he is set to become a free agent after this season so there is some question as to whether the Lakers will keep him but Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times says it is all but guaranteed he is a Laker next season and beyond.

“I’ve always had confidence”, Russell said. Kareem didn’t deserve to make it in his final year at age 41 back in 1989, but coaches added him anyway in his farewell season after Magic Johnson bowed out of the game due to injury. Bryant’s 45 points against San Antonio in the 2001 Western Conference semifinals is a record by a Spurs’ playoff opponent.

“Patty’s been comfortable all year”, Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich said about Mills’ performance. “He’s one of those very few guys who did that”.