Back when
“He wouldn’t say anything,” Lakers coach
"Kind of once you were there for a while you expected it, but the first time it used to blow people's minds … if it was their first year with us or whatnot."
Walton said Jackson did that whenever things got chaotic around the team. The subject came up after Walton was asked if he'd considered any unusual tactics to help improve the Lakers' free-throw shooting.
Walton didn't recall Jackson burning sage over poor free-throw shooting, but Jackson did seek help from a free-throw specialist. Walton hasn't ruled that out.
"We're not there yet … but obviously, if this thing continues …. we'll have to look at some other options," Walton said. "Maybe we'll meditate before a game or maybe we'll bring somebody in."
The Lakers rank last in free-throw percentage, having made 70.2% of their free throws, which is actually an improvement from earlier in the year. Walton said he doesn't believe the Lakers' free-throw shooting problems are a matter of a lack of skill or talent. And for now he thinks the right way to fix those issues is the old fashioned way.
"When you work harder you gain confidence in something and you become better at it," Walton said. "So we'll stick to the traditional path for now."
Kyle Kuzma didn't change anything about his routine after a tough shooting night against the Philadelphia 76ers.
"Everybody is going to have tough shooting nights, it's natural," Kuzma said. "I really haven't had too many this year, but I just do what I always do. I don't try to change up anything."
That game was just a temporary blip in Kuzma's season. Two days later, on Saturday, Kuzma scored 12 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for his eighth career double double. The 14 rebounds marked a career high for Kuzma. And to top it off, his plus/minus rating was the best of any player in the game.
Part of what helped Kuzma on Saturday was he played more of his natural position (power forward) than he did against the 76ers.
"It's a lot different when I'm at the three (small forward) …. it's a little bit harder to ball and be in the action a little bit because of in our offense what the three does," Kuzma said. "But you know, when I'm at the four (power forward) I can be in the action, have the ball in my hands. Make plays. Just be around the ball."
Etc.
The Lakers flew to New York after Saturday’s game in Charlotte and took the day off. They’ll practice on Monday and then face the
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