Lakers Head Coach Byron Scott Benches D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and They Can't Understand Why

The tank, er, roster change is on.

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In an effort to ensure the tank job for the remainder of the season is a success add "more energy" to the starting lineup, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott has decided to bench rookie guard D'Angelo Russell and second-year forward Julius Randle. Rookie Larry Nance, Jr. and Lou Williams started in their place. When asked about the decision, Scott also stressed an importance in finding a starting five that "work well together," which is coach-speak for playing better alongside the shot-happy Kobe Bryant

Byron: "I’ve got to find five pieces at a time that can work and that can work well together. That wasn’t working so far as the first unit."

— Baxter Holmes (@Baxter) December 7, 2015

As you would expect, the move didn't go over well with Randle and Russell. 

D'Angelo: "I was starting to figure it out and then this happened....I've never been in the (back-up) position."

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) December 7, 2015

Julius on demotion: "You're never going to be thrilled about it as a competitor....I don't know, man. It's not my decision."

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) December 7, 2015

While the change didn't result in a win tonight against the Toronto Raptors, there were some positive takeaways. 

Byron liked Randle and Russell on second unit because they didn't have to defer to Kobe: "I thought tonight they played a little more free."

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) December 8, 2015

Russell on 2nd unit: "There's just more ball movement. No disrespect to Kobe, but you know you have more opportunity because of who he is."

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) December 8, 2015

#mambashade

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