Los Angeles Lakers hold Thanksgiving-themed practice
The Los Angeles Lakers participated in a light-hearted Thanksgiving-themed practice on Thursday 25 November, an annual tradition known as the Turkey Trot. And with a record of 13-2, the
Lakers can afford to joke around a little bit.
But Lakers coach Phil Jackson told reporters the scrimmage, which pits the Lakers’ big men against their smaller players, gives players an added appreciation of all positions on a basketball
team, not just their own. "We put our bigs at guards and our guards at centres. We let them play roles that they never get to play, but they still have to work it out in the offence.”
The cut-off height for the scrimmage is 6'8''. Players under that height play for the ‘Fairies’ team while those over it play for the ‘Goons’ team, both names that Jackson came up with.
Last year, as per usual, the Goons easily beat the Fairies 145-100.
"Guards always kick their a*s," said 6'6" Kobe Bryant. "They haven't won a game since we've been doing it the last 10 years."
Jackson said the main purpose of the practice is to have some fun in the early stages of what should be a long season for the Lakers, as most people expect them to play into June. "Instead
of having a serious practice, we have a fun practice. We have a practice in which there's a lot of levity, and we still try to get something accomplished."
Shannon Brown, a backup guard for the Lakers, said the scrimmage benefits both groups of players. "The bigs have to learn all the guard spots and see how difficult it is to come off and
find them and at the same time keep the handle. The guards get down there and bang on the post and see why they have a difficult time boxing out and trying to get a rebound."
The Lakers return to business as usual on Friday 26 November when they play a road game against the Utah Jazz (11-5).
Tags: