To the Lakers, the words sounded honest, critical and constructive as Kobe Bryant spoke. Bryant delivered a two-minute speech following Saturday’s loss in Portland, unloading a season-long worth of frustration with the Western Conference’s worst record, the team’s development and their attitude.
“‘Don’t blame it on anybody else,”‘ Lakers coach Byron Scott recalled Bryant saying. “‘You can’t blame it on the schemes or you’re not getting the minutes or touches or anything like that.’ His message was, ‘You have to compete every night.’ You have to come ready to compete like he did when he was 18 or 19 years until he’s 37 years old.