Andrew Goudelock understands reduced playing time
The competitor in Lakers rookie guard Andrew Goudelock wishes he could remain on the court. Yet, Goudelock maintained a pragmatic view regarding the plan by Lakers Coach Mike Brown to keep him out of the rotation since the postseason awaits in a little more than a month.
“It’s an experience thing,” said Goudelock, who’s averaging 4.4 points in 10.7 minutes a game. “I’m a rookie, obviously. We got a lot of experienced guys on this team and it’s close to playoff time. The knowledge and experience they have is very valuable. That’s the biggest component of it that he expressed to me.”
Brown first told reporters about his tightened rotation before the Lakers’ 103-96 victory Friday over the Portland Trail Blazers. But Goudelock said Brown talked with him privately earlier in the week about his reduced playing time. The rookie hasn’t played in two of the last three games, and his stint in the Lakers’ win Wednesday over the Dallas Mavericks came in garbage time. That’s a far cry from when the Lakers regularly leaned on Goudelock’s 36.2% shooting mark from three-point range earlier in the season.
Instead of bemoaning his demotion, Goudelock said he’ll simply work more on his game. He and rookie guard Darius Morris already arrive early for pregame workouts and stay late after practice to work on ballhandling and shooting drills.
Goudelock plans to elevate that routine by watching more film and working on drills that will improve his ballhandling, pick-and-roll execution, defense and conditioning. He also will monitor a sore right Achilles’ tendon that he said he injured recently, requiring him to ice after games and wear extra padding in his sneakers.
“I understand what’s going on. I just have to keep working hard. Everything will be all right,” Goudelock said. “I just have to stay ready. You can never get too high and never get too low. Things like this happen. We’re winning. I don’t have a problem with it. Everybody loves to play so you want to be out there. But at the same time, you can’t control certain situations.”
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