Frustration for Kobe Bryant and his young Los Angeles Lakers team appears to be reaching a tipping point at this stage in the season.
The Lakers, currently 9-37, just recently suffered a 121-103 loss to the Portland Trailblazers—also their sixth consecutive loss in a row. Apparently Bryant isn’t having it, especially from the two players drafted to be cornerstones of the team: D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle.
From Inside SoCal.com
“Bryant, who posted 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting and five turnovers in 25 minutes through three quarters, became upset both with the Lakers (9-37) for losing their sixth consecutive game and for some on the team smiling after the loss, sources said. Bryant took particular aim at Lakers rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell and second-year forward Julius Randle and even called them out by name, sources said.
“You know I don’t do the gossip [expletive],” Bryant said in a friendly exchange when asked about the incident.”
The good thing about this whole episode is at least Randle has been reflective about the teams sub-par play and sees the benefit of Bryant’s constructive critique.
“Bryant also expressed his displeasure during a timeout when the Lakers trailed, 93-74, with 1:57 left in the third quarter. That happened after Randle missed two consecutive rebounds before Lillard hit a 3-pointer. The Lakers looked deflated after the play.
“We just weren’t defending,” Randle said about Bryant’s criticisms during the timeout.”
The Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks at home for their next game.
