Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott wouldn't guarantee a massive improvement in the upcoming season, but the former coach of the year vowed that the team will compete day in and day out.

In a recent interview with the LA Times, Scott said that Lakers fans should expected them to compete every night, adding that he will push his players to play a "tough and physical brand" of basketball on both ends of the floor.

Scott, who was appointed to replace Mike D'Antoni this summer, admitted, though, that next season will be challenge to him. The former Lakers point guard said that he doesn't know his players very well, but he is glad that he has Kobe Bryant to lean on.

"It's going to be a tough road for us. We have a lot of work to do," Scott admitted. "I don't know how good we're going to be. I've got a lot of guys that I don't really know. I've got to get to know these guys and see what makes them tick -- but I've got one guy that I do know what makes him tick and that's a great piece to have."

Bryant only played in six games last season after sustaining a knee injury after recovering from a surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon. Scott is confident that the 35-year-old will return strong next season and said that he doesn't need to motivate the 18-year veteran.

"I don't think Kobe needs anybody to motivate him, because he has a pretty keen sense on what he wants to do and how it wants it done," Scott said. "He has a one-track mind and that's winning championships."

Scott, who became the seventh former Laker to coach the team, is also excited to coach seventh overall pick Julius Randle, saying that the former Kentucky standout has the potential to dominate a few years from now.

"The young kid is very gifted," Scott said of Randle. "Offensively, he can rebound the ball, he can score in the post, he's probably got 15-foot range. He handles the ball extremely well for a big man. I look at him as Zach Randolph but more athletic. I think in a few years he's going to be a monster, once he really learns what the NBA is all about."

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