Byron Scott Takes Randle, Russell Out of Starting Lineup

Dec 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) dribbles against Toronto Raptors guard Terrence Ross (31) at Air Canada Centre. The game itself was more closely contested than it had any business being, all things considered, and a spurt of vintage Kobe kept them within as close as two points of the Raptors down the stretch.

Russell and Randle need minutes, ideally with Clarkson and without Kobe.

“It’s a unsafe habit”, Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. Center/forward Nerlens Noel also scored 14 points, and he added nine rebounds. Defensively, collectively, we’ve all got to get better.

“I don’t get it”, Bryant said, laughing.

The two lottery-pick rookies (Randle missed all of last season with a broken leg) represent the closest thing to hope on this 3-18 debacle of a team, and now their roles have been diminished.

“This entire process has made me more mature, ” Bryant said about the reception he has received on his farewell tour. “But in terms of comfort or peace of mind, I’m completely fine”. Why is Randle starting on the bench?

The Raptors used a 9-0 fourth-quarter run, highlighted by a Biyombo alley-oop dunk, to pull away. Bryant made about $330 million during his time with the Lakers, and says he would be willing to return in a non-player status, but that he doesn’t plan on being like Magic Johnson, who at one point returned to basketball as a player.

Baxter Holmes of ESPN confirmed that Lakers coach Byron Scott is likely to continue sitting out Young for the next few games despite being healthy. “It seemed like every time we turned it over, they got a layup”.

Auburn Hills – Lions defensive back Darius Slay’s eyes lit up when Kobe Bryant finally emerged from the Lakers dressing room following the Pistons’ 111-91 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night at The Palace.

Bryant shot 50 percent from the field in Monday’s loss, which marked the first time this season the 37-year-old had shot 50 percent or better from the field.

Casey would’ve preferred the pro-Bryant crowd to send some cheers Toronto’s way.

“You know, for him, I’m sure it’s going to be a great time when he can look at the scoreboard and see, ‘Myself, blah blah blah, Michael Jordan under me, ‘ ” O’Neal said. And he was kind of excited about getting my jersey.

Julius ended the night with seven offensive rebounds, pushing the Raptors around in the paint all night as he enjoyed a very impressive “bench THAT” game.

The Hawks are now faring well in the Eastern Conference with a 13-9 records. Embarrassingly, Marcelo Huertas led them in assists with four off the bench in 12 minutes.