Lakers downplay 'internal matter' between D'Angelo Russell and Nick Young
The media scrum at the Los Angeles Lakers' shootaround Wednesday was double, if not triple, the size it normally is.
The reason was obvious: With an ESPN report breaking Tuesday night that the Lakers are feuding internally over D'Angelo Russell secretly recording Nick Young discussing other women, despite being engaged to Australian rapper Iggy Azalea, there was significant interest in how the team would respond Wednesday morning.
I think it's a record attendance for media at a Lakers morning shoot-around. pic.twitter.com/9JZUSXWVXX
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) March 30, 2016
While neither Russell nor Young addressed the media at shootaround, both will be made available before Wednesday's tilt with the Miami Heat, according to a Lakers spokesperson.
Instead, a surly Byron Scott addressed the media, referring to the issue as an "internal matter" several times.
"Haven't talked to [Russell]," Scott said. "Won't talk to him. That's an internal matter that our guys will deal with, and we're just going to leave it at that."
According to Scott, the video itself isn't necessarily the problem -- or the fact that Young was reportedly unaware he was being recorded -- it's that the video was leaked, breaching an unwritten code and invading the team's privacy.
"The only thing I'm disappointed about is that it got out," Scott said. "We're a family and we try to keep everything in-house. That's the only thing I'm disappointed about."
It took six questions about the incident for Scott to finally snap, threatening to leave the scrum if anyone asked about the matter again.
"It's an internal problem and we'll handle it from in-house," Scott repeated. "If you want to ask me about the Miami game that we're playing tonight, let's talk about Miami and basketball.
"If not, then this interview is basically over."
Once reporters arrived and Scott spoke to the media, the Lakers practice facility cleared out relatively quickly. The lone Laker that remained was none other than Russell, getting shots up for nearly 30 extra minutes.
D'Angelo Russell is the last Laker at shootaround pic.twitter.com/lGQZn02Ukp
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 30, 2016
After he finished his shooting work, Russell walked off the court toward the Lakers' practice locker room. One reporter asked him if he would address the media, who had waited for him, to which Russell replied, "Nope," before pausing and adding, "Nothing to talk about."
The Lakers host the Miami Heat on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. PT. Kobe Bryant (sore right shoulder) is expected to play in his final matchup with Dwyane Wade, according to Scott.
Jovan Buha covers the NBA for FOX Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @jovanbuha.
