Advertisement

Byron Scott wants rest for Lakers at All-Star break, but not too much

Lakers Coach Byron Scott stalks the sideline during the second half of his team's 94-85 loss to the Utah Jazz on Jan. 16.
(Rick Bowmer / Associated Press)
Share

The struggling Lakers (13-38) play twice this week before breaking for the NBA All-Star game.

“I’m going to get some rest,” said Coach Byron Scott, in the upcoming midseason vacation. “Hopefully through this All-Star weekend, I’ll get a chance to sleep and not wake up two or three times a night.”

The Lakers have lost 13 of their last 14 games, which can affect any coach’s nightly slumber.

Advertisement

Scott wants his players to get some rest, but not too much.

“I don’t want you to come back and our first practice you’re completely out of shape,” said Scott after practice on Monday. “Have fun and relax, and get basketball off your mind for a little while ... but don’t forget your conditioning.”

The Lakers will be off after Wednesday until they return for a pair of practices Feb. 18 and 19, before hosting the Brooklyn Nets (21-29) on Feb. 20 at Staples Center.

“A week off, they can go to Europe if they really wanted to. That’s my fear, that guys don’t do anything,” said Scott. “With seven or eight days off, I hope guys run two or three times in between those days, just to make sure they come in pretty good shape.

The players should expect a difficult return after the break if they let their conditioning slip.

“Our first day of practice will be a lot like the first day of training camp,” said Scott, who put his players through extensive running drills at the start of the preseason.

The team met on Monday for practice, but forward-center Jordan Hill (hip) will sit out until Tuesday, when the Lakers host the Denver Nuggets (19-32). On Wednesday, the Lakers visit the Portland Trail Blazers (35-17).

Advertisement

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus

Advertisement