Lakers' Scott points to defense for lineup change; Boozer, Lin sound frustrated

The Los Angeles Lakers' new starting lineup didn't look any better than it's old starting lineup on Sunday.

With Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin sent to the second unit - replaced by Ed Davis and Ronnie Price - the Lakers once again found themselves on the losing end of things, dropping a 104-87 outing at home against the New Orleans Pelicans. Head coach Byron Scott has pointed to defense as the reason for the switch, but the starting lineup now has only Kobe Bryant who can create offensively.

Scott had to try something, as the Lakers' starters had been by far the league's worst five-man unit that's seen appreciable run. It may be shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic, but they have to try something, especially with the league's worst defense, one Scott says he can't possibly simplify any further.

As for sending Boozer to the bench and citing defense as the reason, the league's foremost advocate of the And-1 isn't on the same page with his coach.

"That's just his opinion," Boozer said. "I have a different opinion. I'm going to keep it to myself ... I don't know if it's the answer. I'm going to do my job."

Lin seemed to be more accepting of the change in role, saying he was told to focus on being in the right place defensively, though he also spoke negatively about the season as a whole.

"This is one of the toughest situations I've been in ever since I've started playing the game of basketball," Lin said.

At 5-16, seven games out of the playoffs and with no obvious way to improve things, that situation is probably going to continue to be tough. The starting lineup change may just shift the issues from defense to offense. But anything is worth a shot at this point, even if it ruffles some feathers.