Truth & Rumors > NBA
Lakers defensive after West blasts D
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08:16 AM ET 01.25 | Jerry West's words -- "The reason you 'can't play defense' is because you can't!" and "I don't think the Lakers will be good for much longer" -- stung the Lakers. Bryant nodded in agreement when informed of the substance of West's criticism and Derek Fisher offered the utmost respect for West, who drafted the veteran guard as a rookie in 1996. ... Bryant went at length explaining how the Lakers' defensive identity relies more on a collective effort, communication and mastering concepts than on athleticism or a lockdown defender. "We're ranked like what, third in the league in defense?"
Kobe Bryant, Getty Images
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Comments (366) Add A Comment
In as much as I respect Jerry West as a great basketball mind he is totally wrong on this. If the Lakers are too old to play defense how do you justify Boston Celtics?
Lostwill
Natick , MA
Total Comments (5255)
Obvious Kobe-hater. He was nodding in acknowledgment of what was said. I don't know if they are third in the league in defense, but if they are in the top 10, then Jerry's comments were off.
skyraker
Green Bay, WI
Total Comments (41)
:) Just kidding about the kobe-hater thing though.
skyraker
Green Bay, WI
Total Comments (41)
The Logo has spoken, Bros.
I Love LA
Total Comments (5564)
West is probably attempting to motivate the team.
brotha68
Total Comments (53590)
True.
brotha68
Total Comments (53590)
I agree.
brotha68
Total Comments (53590)
Drama Like Always....
Ziggy The Fresh…
Total Comments (20861)
I would have to agree with J. West... They need to improve against the bad teams in the NBA and play on the same level as the top teams...
Coast2Coast
Total Comments (13398)
Jerry West always plays these mind games. I remember last season he said Lebron was the best and better than Kobe. He was just pushing Kobe???s buttons to see the fire on him. It worked big time.
He is doing exactly the same now for the whole team. Specially when he compare then to the older Celtics.
He is playing mind games just like PJ does all the time. Gotta motivate this team.
Gugy
La Jolla, CA
Total Comments (15974)
I agree. They should be first with the way they act.
iconwarren
Las Vegas , NV
Total Comments (2726)
That's why it's lovely.
Gugy
La Jolla, CA
Total Comments (15974)
Drama enough to beat the Celtics!
iconwarren
Las Vegas , NV
Total Comments (2726)
Without a lockdown defender, it becomes necessary to play team defense. This is much easier to implement. Personally, I'm not a Laker fan, but I've hated them long enough to know that the road to the championship always goes through LA. Experience tells me they'll have it together when it counts.
Hllywd: Olskool
Columbus , OH
Total Comments (3303)
The Lakers always carry their pre-season half way into the regular season. Then they turn on the afterburners as people start thinking about the playoffs. That is why they are called the "Fakers." West knows all of that as does every citizen in L.A..
L.A.born
Rancho Santa Margarita , CA
Total Comments (1)
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