Byron Scott on Lakers' Boozer: 'I expect him to play better'
Carlos Boozer's early returns with the Los Angeles Lakers have been poor, which isn't a surprise to anyone who's watched the aging big man over the last couple years.
Except head coach Byron Scott.
“He knows he can play better and I expect him to play better,” Scott said Monday, as reported by the LA Daily News' Mark Medina. “It starts on the defensive end. He has to do a better job against pick-and-roll defense and has to do a better job on guys who are trying to post him up.”
After losing fourth quarter minutes with the Chicago Bulls because of his subpar defense, Boozer is now one of the defensive deficiencies spearheading a Lakers' D that has allowed over 120 points per 100 possessions through four games, all losses.
Boozer is averaging 9.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 25.8 minutes.
“I’m trying to get used to playing with different guys and running a different system. I’ll get used to it," Boozer said.
Given that Boozer has been this player for a while now, it's Scott and Lakers fans who should probably get used to it.