The Lakers lost their third straight game to open the season, a hat handing by the Dallas Mavericks by the final count of 103-93. Depending on your outlook, the game was either closer or not as close as the final score. I fall more on the latter side.
The Lakers started the game on the wrong side of a 15-0 run — an interesting response to Byron Scott’s criticism that the team was soft and not ready to play after losing to the Kings two days prior. After falling down by so many points early, the Lakers tried to battle back but could never get over the hump. Several times they cut the deficit to 8 points, but never really got closer than that; never really threatened the Mavs in a way to make it seem the outcome was seriously in doubt.
Recapping every detail of the loss is not important. I tell you this not because I’d prefer to avoid typing the words, but more because the reasons for losing are the exact reasons why the team lost the previous two games of the year. Or at least variations of them.
The team cannot defend well. They have droughts of really poor offense. Rather than getting a key stop, the possession instead ends in a foul or an offensive rebound or a perfectly (poorly) timed mental mistake defensively which surrenders the bucket. Not enough players play well — in this case, Julius Randle needed more help — while too many players didn’t just play average, but very poorly.
The last part of the last sentence there is really me pointing my finger at Kobe Bryant. The 20 year veteran is not playing well. In fact, “not well” is generous. He’s been bad. Very, very bad. Don’t take my word for it, though. Take his. From ESPN’s Baxter Holmes:
“I’m the 200th-best player in the league right now,” Bryant said after the Lakers’ 103-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on Sunday, during which Bryant scored 15 points on 3-of-15 shooting from the floor. “I freaking suck.”
Bryant is shooting 31 percent (16-of-51) from the floor in three games, including 20 percent (6-of-29) from 3-point range. He shot 2-of-8 from 3-point range against Dallas.
“I just can’t make a shot,” said Bryant, who was ranked No. 93 in ESPN’s #NBArank project, which counts down the NBA’s top players for this upcoming season.
Kobe later said he’s “getting to his spots”, but just isn’t hitting the shots he’s taking. This, though, isn’t really true. Well, the last part is, but the getting to his spots part is not.
Against the Mavs, Kobe took 8 three pointers to only 7 two pointers. It was the third time in the team’s first three games he’s taken more three pointers than two pointers. Unless Kobe’s “spots” are outside the three point line, he’s not getting to his spots. (Here’s a hint: Kobe’s spots aren’t around the arc.)
There is blame to go around, here. If you want a good take on that, you can read this piece by Kevin Ding where he lowers the boom on Kobe and on Byron Scott for enabling him. This is a tricky path to walk down. We all want Kobe to play well. And he says he is willing to take a step back to help the young players.
Down the stretch of the loss to the Mavs, nary an isolation play was run for Kobe. The coaches were not calling plays for him and the young players were not actively looking for him to bail them out of possessions or to take on a bigger load. Kobe took 4 shots in the 4th quarter, but besides an early clock heave after an offensive rebound late in the game, none stood out as particularly egregious.
So, this isn’t as simple as having him cut back and things changing for the better. There needs to be a shift in the style he’s playing, where he’s making his catches, how he’s operating in the sets the team is running, and how the coach leans on him. More from Holmes:
Scott said he still believes Bryant is valuable on the court even if he isn’t making shots. “You’ve still got to respect him out there, period,” he said. “No matter what.”
Again, this hasn’t really been true. Kobe’s not drawing double teams. He’s not working from the post very often because he has bigger defenders on him as a SF. And even when that’s not the case, his legs are not active enough to drive back smaller players on the low-block like he used to in the past. He’s not creating shots for others because he’s not handling the ball very often. He has become a catch and shoot player who is not making shots.
If you want to pivot, this is where the easiest thing to write is something condemning Byron Scott. I’ve ridden that train for a while and, much like Ding wrote, see one of his biggest failures as his lack of challenging Kobe by coaching him harder or in a way which seeks different results by asking him to do different things. I’ve been saying that for a while now, actually.
But, even that strays from the real point a bit too much. The Lakers are 16th in offensive efficiency and 28th in defensive efficiency. One could argue the offensive number is propped up by late game runs against teams who are no longer playing hard, but it’s still the number for now. The defensive number, though, is real. They are awful on that end and, I believe, will stay that way for the remainder of the year.
I think it’s good to remember that the Lakers were not supposed to be good this year. I don’t care what the players, coaches, and front office people said. It’s their job to say those things. I also think it’s good to remember that the team was supposed to be more fun than this too. As was noted after the loss to the Wolves, this team has some capable stretches in them. Now, though?
Lakers fall to 0-3. Different expectations, but the way they're playing compared to how excited fans were feels like Mike Brown's 2nd year.
— Darius Soriano (@forumbluegold) November 2, 2015
Remember, Brown had Dwight/Nash/Kobe/Pau. This team nowhere near that. But fans were excited heading into the year. Falling flat, though.
— Darius Soriano (@forumbluegold) November 2, 2015
Brown met his fate after 5 games. I do not think that will happen to Byron Scott. But I am interested in seeing how he adjusts and whether his longtime superstar can do the same. Because I think fans can deal with the losing as long as it looks as though they contribute to some larger forward progress. Right now, that’s not the case. And, if nothing else, that needs to change.
Archon says
Does anyone know the last all-time great player that ended his career gracefully? It just doesn’t happen in basketball, expecting anything different from Kobe (of all people) was just fooling ourselves.
Anonymous says
Although not entirely his fault (he inherited a mess of a team), B Scott will not last through Xmas at this rate. Thibbs is still available and has the name recognition and respect the FO would require after their 3rd consecutive coaching failure. I was expecting this to happen around the all-star break, but sooner is just as well for me.
pat oslon says
Our defense has been awful so far this season. We have gotten caught in so many mismatch situations that’s it’s almost laughable. It seems like no one is on the same page.
OG says
You think you want Thibs cause he is a defensive genius, has the name recognition and is available. But if you think Scott isn’t playing the rookies enough and running players into the ground than you better rethink Thibs. He is notorious for running very small rotations in favor of running starters as much as possible. That would destroy player development. I think a better idea would be to hire him as defensive coordinator, have him teach and implement his defense like he did in Boston. I think that would be an ideal fit.
BigCitySid says
– This is the first time in franchise history the Lakers have started 0-3 in consecutive seasons.
– L.A. gave up 40 points in the paint after surrendering a whopping 80 in its 132-114 loss at Sacramento on Friday night.
– Lakers are only averging 18.7 assist per game. Tying them for 24th place w/ the Rockets & Pacers.
– Kobe was 3 of 15 from the field, (2 of 8 from 3 pt range). On the year he’s 16 of 51, .314 (6 of 29 from 3 pt range, .207).
– At his current rate of missed fg’s per game (11.6), in just 18 more games Kobe will become the 1st player in NBA history to miss more than 14,000 field goals.
– For those calling for Scott’s head, let’s remember how long it took the Lakers to hire Scott. Took three interviews I believe. Pretty sure the front office spoke to other candidates. Makes one wonder if Scott didn’t actually win the job, but was the only one willing to accept it under the guidelines of ownership.
– Next up for the Laker on 11/3, rookie pg Mudiay (12.7 ppg/ 5.3 apg) and his 1-2 Nuggets.
Anonymous says
Well, after Jim’s recent (ill-timed) plea for more time in a USA today interview — where he effused praise and support on Byron — there is no way Jim can fire him without making BS look like a scapegoat.
At some point the hammer has to fall on the person who is ultimately responsible. Firing Scott would smack of desperation on Jim’s part. This is Jim’s roster and his coach.
tankyou says
Very much enjoyed the article. Definitely Scott needs to be taken to task for Kobe’s playing time at the very least, if not how much he is allowed to shoot. This same crap happened last year as well, with many 4th quarters it became the Kobe show–which nearly always meant tons of shots with not many of them going in. Last year they had more established offense and defense then this years squad. The only difference is we have the youth movemnt this year, so the “hope” card.
I wasn’t too excited when all kinds of people here were hyped talking about our supposed defensive improvements b/c we picked up Hibbert and Bass. (bunch of folks saying we were 40+ win borderline 8th seed this year) And as Darius points out, we really are worse defensively than the pts given up show, same with our offense b/c we get down so much other teams get to play their bench a ton against us. Lakers are mostly a win and rest your starters a bit type team. I admit I was saying they would could win 30, but honestly, I really don’t see how that happens. They just don’t look like a team that is better than nearly anyone in the west, literally every team in the West is better than us at this point. But everyteam has some bad nights, lets hope they have a bunch of them against us so we can at least win a few. That old statement, nothing breads success like success is often true (especially with free agent recruitment). Teams can start getting used to losing, and again winning a lotto pick again next year–seems unlikely to win us a quality star free agent type.
14.1 says
If we are going to suck another year, I would prefer that we suck with a new coach. At least there’s potential there for player development and hope. Loved BS as player, hate him as a coach. He does not inspire anyone, terrible lineups/rotations, does not bother to coach, and is a terrible leader. #nomoreBSplease.
Kobe should have been amnestied awhile back when he was still on his last contract. Believed it then and still do. Love him, but he needs to retire this year.
The both of them have to go for the real rebuild to begin.
Also, no Thibs please. He would be another in a line of bad coach hires. Wouldn’t want any of our potential rookies and young players hobbling by the time they are in their third year. No more hard stubborn old school heads please.
Anonymous says
Thibs is not a good fit for this team. Thibs is all about winning and not player development. Plus I don’t think he’d want to coach here — trust me, he’ll have his pick of jobs next summer.
With this roster, under this FO — the Lakers are not a desireable job.
MG says
Issue isn’t how good they were supposed to be, nor that we should be patient. Issue is that there should be some kind of incremental stages of improvement in some of the deficient areas and we are seeing none in any. individual development (Randle) yes, but not team development. You have young athletes who can move and there is no movement in the offense. A young point guard who can pass and no one cutting. A Hall of Fame player at small forward with possibly best footwork in the league, lingering on the perimeter, never in the block, everyone jacking up threes. Only Clarkson and Randle thinking about driving to the rim. Stretch forward Kelly often at center when the shot blocker leaves the game, even though the team is better when the shot blocker gets longer minutes. Athletic defensive minded bangers like Black and Nance on the bench. No adjustments or changes, Byron stubbornly sticking with rotations that don’t work, D’Antoni style. no bringing in Metta to change the tempo, to make it chippy, to make a stand and get his guys energized. No admission that long threes create runouts, which is why they get destroyed in paint numbers more than anything else. I could go on, but point is, it’s on Coach, and I love the guy, but it’s his responsibility. Period. They were never a title team. but they are an upgraded roster over the 21 win team. so if they play no better than that team, and 80 points in the paint the other night may even have been worse, believe it or not, then that is on him. he is not getting the energy or performance or consistent effort, on top of his rotation and X/O mistakes. And he does not have, I might add, an older assistant (a Gentry or a Bickerstaff) to moderate and temper him. He should, but he doesn’t. So his ego is holding guys back. How can Russell dish the ball if there is no organized offense for him to run? He can critique the guys all he wants, but if they are doing a lousy job, he is doing a worse one. It’s early, it can get better, but not if Coach is going to be stubborn. Look in the mirror Byron. Mirror.
tankyou says
I’m with the NO Thibs group. He’s a good win-now sorta guy, but clearly we aren’t that team yet.
Someone that has shown the ability to develop young players would be key. I would be more than fine bringing in a new Coach around the All-star break, give them a chance to start working with the young guys–without any real concern about trying to turn the ship around somehow.
But as Anonymous stated, Lakers aren’t a real desirable job currently, unless you are looking to break into the NBA. The FO has to realize that this isn’t turning around real quick, unless KD & Westbrook both decide to leave together to become the new Lakers, but can’t really see that happening.
R says
Anon my thinking exactly. Why would Thibs want to come to the Lakers? As an assistant no less?
Basquiatball says
I’ve prepared myself for this team to lose a lot, but could still find hope if there are sprouts of green that grow into something over the long term. Currently the combination of Byron’s systems and Kobe’s desperate attempts to find the last liquid in his tank are making those sprouts hard to find. Julius and Clarkson look great when they have the raw energy to create things out of nothing but Russell looks particularly confounded by the lack of a coherent system to play to. There is still a lot to look forward to in the youth movement, but I worry they are being raised feral, more like Lord of the Flies than the type of nurturing environment you’d hope. They could probably survive either Byron or Kobe but the combination can’t continue to be this stifling for much longer without repercussions.
R says
The lakers are in a catch-22 situation. They need to show something positive for established stars – players or otherwise – to want to come here. They will need established stars – players AND otherwise – I. order to show something positive. In other words, it seems their best bet is to find people – players AND otherwise, who can be developed. Simple but not easy.
Chris J says
There was one play last night, about five minutes to go in the second quarter, as I recall, that summed up all that’s wrong with this offense. Russell dribbled over midcourt with a guy to his right and left, each beyond the arc, and two others in either baseline corner. He made a pass to the top of the circle and cut to the right side — as basic a set as there is — and then the ball went inside to Kobe with all four other Lakers standing around and beyond the three-point line as the shot went up. There was so little ball movement and even less movement off the ball. No good passing options; no chance to clean the glass on a miss… I played in sets like this in the ninth-grade; there’s no excuse for an NBA team to be so stagnant.
We need to see what Russell can do to break down the defense and penetrate, make kick-outs like the play Darius showcased from the Kings game. Too often he gets the ball 30 feet out and shows no signs of really being willing to attack, and we end up with a long jumper instead. The kid’s clever — let him probe and see what he he sees, much like Randle’s been doing when he faces up. This “Princeton Offense” resembles nothing of the Webber/Divac-era Kings or others that have successfully run those sets; I see no back cuts, no ball movement, no footwork. I don’t know what the coaches are doing but it’s just pathetic.
BigCitySid says
– Really thought our Lakers had a very good chance of being .500 or better thru their first nine games, an incredibly soft schedule considering the possibilities.
– Very disappointed, but a win vs Denver, especially one in which Russell outplays fellow rookie pg Mudiay would be a sweet one.
D. Peterson says
The FO will give Byron enough rope to hang himself. But they’re probably not going to pull the trigger too quickly because – well, who you gonna get to replace him?
Thibs isn’t a good fit, and wouldn’t take the job anyway. There are no obvious choices out there who would take the job at this time. Ollie’s not taking this bad job just as his plush UConn season is starting. He knows there’s a good chance that job or a better one will be available to him next summer. Coach K? No way. Scott Brooks might take the job, but I don’t get the impression he’d survive the LA spotlight for too long. Jeff Van Gundy? His time has passed, and there’s a reason he’s still a commentator. Mark Jackson? He’d probably take the job, and he’d be an upgrade over BS, but he’s not a long-term solution for a franchise that needs one.
R’s analysis is a good one. The FO will most likely need to find their own Brad Stevens type of coach because there’s nothing to lure obvious choices to the job under the current FO. But the FO understands the above analysis, and I think the FO is tired of paying for coaches who don’t coach the team anymore. So they’ll ride BS out for the rest of the year, and go shopping next summer. With any luck, we might just have another top pick to make the job a little more attractive.
Todd says
I think we are seeing an organization that is clearly struggling to do too much and is failing across the board as a result. I noted that the NBA is a hard league when you have one goal: winning. It is a merciless league when you try to win now, develop kids, maintain cap flexibility, defer to an aging face of the franchise, have a mediocre coach and a management team (Jeanie and Jim) that is dysfunctional at best.
Clearly, the FO needs to show improvement by winning. They need to win as Byron and Jim’s job depends on it. But, due to previous moves the FO has painted themselves into a corner. The team has very few desirable moves available to them. That is why we see a ‘Hail Mary’ pass thrown each summer in free agency.
The FO is in a chicken or egg dilemma. To acquire free agents you need cap flexibility. A byproduct of cap flexibility is vets on short term deals and a mishmash of talent. That type of roster is difficult to win with. And you can’t attract elite free agents without winning. Adding complexity to the equation is that elite free agents want to join a team with young emerging talent, which the Lakers may have. However, that young talent needs to develop and it’s hard to give them the minutes they need when you’re trying to win now. It’s a circular argument — but it’s one that the FO created.
Complicating everything is Kobe who was supposed to provide cover for the organization while they figured out what to do going forward. However, his personality, contract and health/production have ended up being an anchor on the rebuild.
I’ve watched all three games or at least enough of them to get a flavor about what’s going on. As I see it, the primary problem is that the foursome of Clarkson, Russell, Bryant and Williams is not working. Russell is tentative, looking to defer — instead of taking the leadership role as the PG. Kobe needs to stop shooting so much. He could score 15+ pts a game more efficiently by being the safety valve hitting perimeter or corner threes — if he would only play that game. Williams’s takes critical developmental minutes from Clarkson (last night) and Russell (first two games) while offering nothing more that volume shooting in return.
This awkward scenario will continue for a while under the cover of, ‘we need to give the guys time to get to know each other.’ But I think we all realize where this is headed. Around January the FO will acknowledge that once again their annual roster makeover has failed. They’ll trade what they can, play the kids and finish the year with about 25 wins. Likely too many to keep our pick and far too few wins to attract a game changing free agent.
Next year looks worse than this one (not discounting the fact that the kids will improve) – no draft pick, no free agents of note – few assets other than cap space to trade for next year’s ‘Roy Hibbert’ — a vet on the ‘outs’ with his current team but attractive to the Lakers because he was once good and hey, there’s only one year left on his deal!
Mark Sigal says
The biggest knock to the Lakers this season so far, is just how disjointed they are. Some of this is not shocking with so many new personnel, especially rookies, but it’s hard to SEE any coaching going on.
In-game, Scott appears to be a statue; you’d be hard pressed to articulate a coherent philosophy or system that the eyes can see on either side of the ball, not to mention a consistent game plan on using his personnel. Over the course of this season or last has there been a half time adjustment?
Plus, there’s no small irony that the guy who is not a believer in the three point shot is enabling a team that defaults into jacking up three after three, with poor results.
Finally, not that any of these guys is a difference maker, but if the effort and results are dicey, why no burn for Nance, Brown or even a few Metta moments?
I come at this from the opposite perspective with Jim Buss. If the clock is ticking on his tenure, how long can HE afford to watch this before he feels the need to shuffle the coaching deck?
Mark
mud says
there’s no crying in base…errr…basketball.
Anonymous says
Kobe has too much clout. Why would a high profile coach want to share power when he can exercise it absolutely some place else.
Luis Alis says
I’m on the No Thibs camp as well.
Also, Lakers management (if you are reading) please consider the fact that everyone basically agrees on what the problems are. A bunch of strangers are all on the same page and hold the same opinion about what’s wrong with the Los Angeles Lakers. That’s quite telling.
Este-BOMB says
All I see is a lot of whinning…start giving solutions… U want coaching, well, so do I… I say mark Jackson. Who else is Out there? I’m so done with this loser b Scott… Even my girl was like why is this Jim Carrey looking fool all animated and our coach doesn’t even blink… He’s a tool!
Anonymous says
The FO can’t fire Byron. The new guy would be 4 coaches in 4 years, that begins to look like a management problem and not a coaching one. Of course, we already know that it is a management problem. However, the FO isn’t aware that we know so they want to make it appear that they have assembled a playoff team and just need the right coach to lead the way.
Additionally, any new coach with guts would tell it like it is. I need three years minimum, because:
– Year 1 is all about the kids on the roster. Their development is primary. Plus your veterans are nothing special and I don’t really want to play them. So don’t expect many W’s.
– Year 2 looks challenging. This is because the summer before that second year looks bleak: the odds are long that we’ll keep our pick and the FA class is slim. So, I’d don’t see how you improve the roster other than organically from the kids. In other words we likely won’t make the playoffs.
– Year Three: the kids should be known entities by now and we should be able to attract a quality free agent or two. This is the year we turn the corner and make the playoffs.
But if the FO goes to a coach and says (like Todd outlined), ‘Here’s what you need to do to get the job: Win now, develop the kids, placate Kobe and do so with a roster built to maximize cap flexibility.’ the answer would be, ‘No!’.
Who in their right mind would take this gig?
KevTheBold says
I’m also against coach options of men are machines Thibs , and Mark Preacher Jackson.
MG & Chris J, Great Posts for anyone complaining about D’Angelo.
For a coach who is wearing the badge of “point guard mentor” Scott seems to be clueless as a 90 year old with an S6 edge.
Robert says
I want him fired now. I am not even wavering on this. We need to take away the excuse from those who think changing the coach will fix everything. I will warn everyone that the “process” surrounding the last three hirings was very flawed. If we do fire Byron now we will be looking at a very slim pool of possible candidates. Remember the “process” that was used to hire Scott? Can you imagine the FO performing that process during the year? This just keeps getting even worse that even I have ever imagined.
Darius Soriano says
We need to take away the excuse from those who think changing the coach will fix everything.
—
Those who think firing the coach will change everything are living in the same dreamworld those who thought Byron Scott was a good coach when he got hired were living in.
To me, this is the strawman argument for wanting to get rid of Jim Buss. Basically, the logic is that if Byron is gone and the team still stinks, this is just another point in the favor of those who want Jim gone.
Robert says
Darius: I both predicted and supported the Scott hire. I never said he was a good coach I said he was a good caretaker during these down years. I thought that would last 2-3 years, but it appears he may need to go now. As to “another point” – that is not needed. Ample evidence already there. The scenario I do not want to see is as follows: We let Byron finish the year; the Lakers fans and blogs blame everything on him; in the off season, the Lakers bring unfortunate coach #4. Of course the team will be bad again, but the coach will be on his honeymoon, which could buy Jim another year with Jeanie. I want the honeymoon to start now and be over at the end of this year. I am also interested to see what the Scott bashers say after losses when Byron is gone.
KO says
Great posts. I was getting blasted on twitter during game for saying the above.
Worst defense I can remember. Kobe, Russell and Williams on court is playing 2 on 5.
No idea what offense they are running. 4 guys standing at 3 point line to throw up crap.
Kelly is worthless. Kobe and his 3 for 15 with 1 assist is embarrising. How long is his giant ego to prove he is not 93rd going to continue. Guessing 193 is closer.
Bryon may be worst coach ever for this team. No adjustments, no lineup changes, no timeouts just stand on sideline with his angry look.
Play Metta, play Brown, play Nance. Dump Kelly and be a man and bench Kobe if he continues to think he can shoot 3 pointers. By Christmas seats will be filled with Stub hub strangers.
Meanwhile Jimmy and Jeannie will net another $100 million for distroying this franchise. Worst Laker team in my 40 years.
Travis Y. says
What the Lakers lack is an identity.
What are we trying to do offensively? It’s all just one on one with a long contested jump shot which leads to transition for the opposition.
What kind of defensive philosophy is BS instilling and why in the world is Ryan Kelly playing center?
Russell was asked if he knew his role…. He surmised, playmaker. BS said no, energy guy and defense.
That is not why we picked up Russell. Can we please play to his strengths? Otherwise why did we draft him? It’s like asking Ryan Kelly to play sf…. Oh that didn’t work last year… How about center…..
He plays freaking pf BS!
He’s over thinking everything and doesn’t know where to start.
Barath says
Archon
>the last all-time great player that ended his career gracefully?
Bill Murray, space jam.
DieTryin says
This season must not be about the win/loss record but the development of Clarkson:/Russell/Randle. Along with determinimg what we have in new players like Brown & Nance and carryovers like Black.
This is the only way to advance the rebuild. But to do this requires that they be given meaningful minutes. This also means not sitting Russell in the 4th quarter. It means taking personal responsibility for team failings. Not blaming the players.
Instead we have an offense that abhors ball movement and the PNR. And one of the most porus defenses in the league. All overseen by a coach who seems determined (cue the defiant arms crossed scowling sideline presence that has evidently forgotten how to call a time out) to fly the plane straight into the mountain. Pull up Byron!
If you are unable andor unwilling to do so then this decision will need to be made for you. Dinasours are extinct. There is a reason.
Scorchee says
Thanks Darius.
We have a terrible team. Firing BS does nothing. In fact winning now and losing a lotto pick does nothing for the Lakers.
BS is a bad coach, but at the very least he is allowing his best 3 young pieces to make mistakes while letting Kobe, seemingly under no pressure, shoot himself into the real world (“wait, maybe I do suck”) while taking the heat away from that young 3.
bluehill says
Coming into this season I was worried the Lakers would be stuck in the middle between a rebuild and kind of win now strategy. As people have mentioned already, it’s a tall order to develop the new guys, integrate Kobe and win. I don’t think those objectives are mutually compatible.
I was kind of skeptical about how much Kobe would be willing to put the development of the new guys ahead of his desire to show that he’s come back from his injuries. It’s not who he is, but it’s also why he became one of the greats. The FO contributed to this problem. Maybe they were being loyal to Kobe or just assumed that Kobe’s determination would help him defeat father time, but if Kobe was going to be a central part of the offense, then they should have picked Okafor. There’s less of a conflict of roles and Byron can run a half-court offense that he seems most comfortable with and believes in.
The FO’s main argument for choosing DLo over Okafor was that DLo has greater upside potential than Okafor even though Okafor was more NBA-ready. If that is the case, then they need to build around and let him succeed or fail now.
Early returns seem to show that DLo can’t play well with Kobe in the game, so if Byron isn’t doesn’t know how or can’t correct this, then he should go with vet lineup and a new guy lineup. Let Kobe play with Huertas, MWP, Hibbert and Williams. Let DLo play with Randle, Clarkson, Black, Kelly. DLo needs to develop with the guys whom he more likely to be playing with in a few years.
drrayeye says
Darius,
The saddest news to me is that this is about what I expected. At least we’ve reached rock bottom. It’s not going to get worse–but it might not get any better.
The only thing that would make any difference for me would be the immediate announced resignation of Jim and Jeanie Buss–replaced by a caretaker management headed by Magic Johnson.
jbn74sb says
Where’s Aaron when you need him? Perhaps this all a great ploy to keep our pick and sign Lebron and Durant for the minimum.
KO says
Another 24 point game for Okofer. Might go down as dumbest wrong pick in Laker history. Mitch should be fired for listening to Jimmy the Bust.
Oldtimer says
How do we remedy this moribund team? Offense is in disarray with too many missed 3 pts. shots, therefore let’s feed on what is working. Feed the big man on the Center and the marauding PF, they seemed to be the highest % shooters. Kobe and Russell becomes wing men as facilitators rather than shooters. Our weakest defense is transition D, Kobe is tentative with his defense always chasing his guard, therefore change it to zone.
On the 2nd unit, there is no 5, Kelly is a weak Center tho’ better than Sacre. These two players should have been dropped from the roster a long time ago. Must we be patient with the scrubs who were ineffective Dantoni players. Might as well sign Upshaw with Bass or Nance, who could spark D on the 2nd unit. When you mix Williams, Young and Huertas, the perimeter defense becomes porous though they have offensive upside. since they love a running game or long range shooting, they need a great support in rebound like a tall Upshaw, Bass or Nance. Lakers need offensive rebounds and more 2nd chance shots in order to be competitive in the 2nd unit. With our present line up, there is no way they will improve no matter who the opponents are?
So far, they met the 2nd tier teams what’s more when they get to the top echelon. Whether Jim Buss resigns or Scott quits now, nothing will change. They have to jumpstart chemistry among themselves and feed the producers.
KO says
Watching Clips/ Suns makes me realize how poor a coach Bryon Scott is. Time outs, subs in final minutes and real coaching.
Scott got lucky with Magic and then Kidd coaching on court. Look at his record since then.
Vasheed says
@Darius,
I think you are stretching a little. I’m ok with our management but, I’ve been patient with BS. I just cannot believe what I’m seeing.
We have alot of guys who are good at passing the ball. It even at times showed its head in bits and spurt durring summer play. Now therre is no ball movement to speak of.
I spent most of last year bemoaning that Kelly was not a SF and the level of criticism against him was unjust. This year we are playing Bass or Kelly at Center not even playing Black and Sacre who we kept over Upshaw but he won’t use them. Okay…
Our perimeter defense has been porous. Yet probably our best perimeter defender A. Brown isn’t seeing any signifiant minutes.
I’d also consider mixing Nance into the lineup but, I would in the short term just want to see Bass play more behind Randle and drop the Kelly/Bass duo. It is an either or proposition.
These are to me obvious adjustments and that is before getting into the system apparently doing more harm than good.
I believed with the Lakers easy early schedule they should play .500 ball in the first 10. With a little bad luck maybe just 3 wins. Still another 7 games to play but, so far it looks really bad. I do believe our roster is more talented than what I’m seeing happening on the court. And that is a coaching problem.
Chris J says
Byron never coached Magic Johnson, nor did he coach Orlando.
KO says
Obvious I know that. I was there. Point was he got experience of watching a floor general. Then coached one in Jersey. Who is that now? One assist a game Kobe, Nick or rookie scared to do anything? Watch end of games as he stands with arms folded with no coaching.
DJ says
There are 2 problems with this team: first, this team was built in the wrong way, second the coach doesn’t know what he is doing. This is the first time, i think Kobe knew he is old, back-to-back night in Sacramento, you look at Kobe’s eyes, it shows that Kobe can’t compete with NBA players any more. I bet you that Lakers want to beat Denver, so they can look like a genius not to draft Mudiay.
rubenowski says
If Aaron were here he would call us naive and say “come on guys its so obvious that this was the original plan when the FO hired Byron. This is an overt tank. It’s part of the plan. Byron is a Laker Lifer and he’d do anything for the team.”
For Aaron.
rr says
Yeah, Aaron is actually probably pretty stoked about the team’s start, although he did have Russell ranked below Mudiay. Aaron also said that Okafor would be a bust.
J C says
In the old days, any three game losing streak was bad for a coach. In this situation obviously Byron has a longer rope than that.
But how much longer is his rope?
Just for fun, let’s imagine the number of games the team would have to lose consecutively to cost him the job.
How about 0-8?
He’s just not clever enough to do all the things that need to be done. Such as, coach offense or defense.
I will be truly shocked if B S finishes this year on the Laker bench.
Devean George Forever says
C’mon D’Angelo, be smart enough to stay away from the Kardashians:
http://www.tmz.com/2015/11/03/kendall-jenner-dating-dangelo-russell/
tankyou says
I know its WAY early and Russell is only 19, but I’m just not seeing it. I just don’t understand how he’s a #2 pick. Despite all the pro scouts being “professional” and all they still get it wrong an awful lot. The whole draft process is so crazy now b/c they basically fixate on youth and guys that have big upside, yet the same applies in reverse a bunch of these 19 year olds don’t amount to much. I’m not saying 4th year guys are where its at, but back in the day there were plenty of Jr’s and Soph’s drafted, not so many 1 year guys.
I hope I’m wrong but I see Russel as maybe really mediocre PG at some point. A guy much like Kendall Marshall, who can pass well, but doesn’t bring a lot more to the table. Randle is basically it as far as I’ve been concerned, and for some reason I just can’t get too excited about Clarkson. Mind you Clarkson looked more like a #2 pick Last year than Russel does, but Clarkson wasn’t 19 either, he had a bit more time to develop before the NBA.
Joe Houston says
Now we know why DAR has been playing subpar. Lakers are in trouble. We blew the 2nd pick.
Kbj says
I don’t think Russell is so bad that he’s going to become Kendall Marshall, although he certainly is playing like him right now. All we can hope for is that he reaches his much-touted potential. Otherwise, Lakers will find themselves rebuilding for the next 10 years.
Anonymous says
C’mon D’Angelo, be smart enough to stay away from the Kardashians…
___
Let’s hope the FO did their due diligence with DAR. All we need is for the most important draft pick since Kobe to be weak enough to get sucked in by the LA lifestyle and lay an egg on the court. I was hoping he was a gym rat and not a party animal.
Does anyone know if this is a real concern?
T. Rogers says
I really don’t see Bryon getting fired before the season is over. The Lakers would add yet another black eye to its already bruised proverbial face. Bryon got a three deal. For him to get fired a year and some change into doesn’t look bad on him. It looks bad on the organization when we take into account the coaching carousel of the last four years.
tau says
How do you know he isn`t a gym rat? I`m sure he is at the gym practicing hard on everything but that doesn`t mean he can`t have fun also.
D. Peterson says
The DAR/Kardashian rumor scares me too. TMZ ran another article a couple of days ago about DAR’s opening night Louie Vitton backback that Jamie Fox procured for him. Now this Kardashian thing. Kid’s head is not in the right place. When new Senators go to Washington D.C. the age old advice is that they do absolutely no national news interviews during their first term, and instead focus on working the state and local reporters. The thinking is that their state constituents won’t look too kindly at a new Senator showing national aspirations so quickly. Rookies in any city – but especially LA – could learn from that kind of concept. DAR ought to have a very low profile while he works on his craft this first year. At a minimum, maybe he should at least win one game before he starts trying to fit in with the A list crowd. I would say that I’m surprised that no one in the Laker organization is appropriately mentoring him, but I’d be lying.
Anonymous says
dating a celeb, interesting hair, talking trash (spoiled fans) – sounds like his mentor is Swaggy P
KevTheBold says
Tankyou, & KO: Unlike Okafor and Mudiay, D’Angelo has not been given the keys to the car.
He’s being driven around in his new bently by his past retirement aged uncle Kobe, and his grandpa Scott.
So even if it later turns out – which I highly doubt – that he’s the bust you think he is, you will have only guessed. Though the negative pressure from all the pre-judgers, will certainly have had an effect.
Look, the deal is done, the selection made, let’s support him and hope for the best.
R says
DAR wouldn’t be the first to enter the bright lights big city black hole, and if he does, he won’t be the last.
rr says
The 837 AM post is pretty funny. I also like the idea that Russell should actually win an NBA game before he dates a celeb. Maybe they should add that to the contracts of all Lakers’ rookies. Heh.
tankyou says
Kendall Marshall is not really a rip for Russell. It’s just not good enough for a #2 Pick. Kendall Marshal shot 40% FG and 39%3 Pointers with 8PPG and 8.8 assists per game!
The guy could pass really really well and drop some dimes, he just wasn’t much of a scorer. But he did nail some of those set shot 3 pointers!
Russel is not nearly as good as Kendall Marshall was for us, he has some work to do to be as good a passer as that guy. So at this point the only reason Russel is deemed by some as good as Kendall Marshall is b/c he has that elusive “upside” but not many PG’s pass better than Marshall does. IF Russell becomes as good as Marshall then he will be a mediocre starter or a really good back-up PG. Everyone certainly hopes he becomes more than that, but at this point I’m just hoping he becomes that good–but he clearly isn’t that good yet. He clearly isn’t going shock the NBA with his rookies season, but let’s hope he looks a ton better by 2016.
Anonymous says
My God. 3 games and we are ready to write off our draft pick. GET A GRIP PEOPLE. We were bad enough to land the #2 pick last season, no way this team becomes a playoff team overnight. WE ARE GOING TO BE BAD THIS YEAR. Most teams that take a top 3 pick are. GET OVER IT. GROUND YOURSELVES IN REALITY.
BigCitySid says
– For those who were taking so much pride in the fact that Kobe has the record for most seasons (20) with the same franchise, I heard another record this morning on ESPN’s First Take. Tim Duncan has the most WINS with one organization, 954. Which would you prefer?
– Calling for Scott’s head? Would you feel differently if he was the only coach willing to take the job given the current situation on the Lakers?
Keith says
My God. 3 games and we are ready to write off our draft pick. GET A GRIP PEOPLE. We were bad enough to land the #2 pick last season, no way this team becomes a playoff team overnight.
—-
Um, Jim promised we would be in the conference finals next year so shouldn’t we at least make the playoffs this year?
bluehill says
Who knows what went on behind the scenes. Just like trying to figure out what happened when we were trying to sign LMA. The FO line was that Okafor was more ready but DLo had more upside potential. I’m not going to be a better judge of talent than the FO, but in retrospect when you think about which pick would fit better with Kobe it would be Okafor.
Clay Bertrand says
The “pick that would fit better with KOBE???”
Yeah, that would be a good criteria to base our #2 pick on…….IF IT WAS 1996!!!!!!!!!!!!
No offense, Kobe has been an icon and has brought us much glory to be sure. BUT the fact that every delusional Kobe fan still thinks he matters and should be any kind of focus of the roster composition at this point in his career is as much part of the problem the Lakers have as the seemingly rudderless FO.
Why are we catering to Kobe and KOBEFANS instead of building THE LAKERS the right way???!!! smh
KevTheBold says
Yes, comparing Kendall to Russell, is a rip, so inapt, and again, totally premature.
As for his upside, I and many don’t find it eusive at all.
The kid can do much more than pass, when given the ok, he can score with the best of them.
Are you telling me that Scott has allowed him to do so with enough regularity to get a rhythm?
Only once was he free to do so, and 21 points was the result.
Passing and scoring however are only the secondary reasons his potential is towering, his instinctual awareness, coolness, confidence, intelligence, floor generalship and ability to make everyone better, are his trump cards.
If you want to totally disregard his college stats, and refuse to do your own research, using instead Scott’s misuse of his gifts, go right ahead,
it’s your logic.
As for me, I don’t see the logic in reasonless disparaging of the key cog in the trio, which has a chance to bring us back into prominence.
Doing so, is like striking the back of your pilot’s head in mid-fight.
bluehill says
No argument from me, Clay. In context, I feel that the FO is trying to walk a line between rebuilding and winning now for Kobe. If that’s what they are trying to do, then Okafor would have been a better pick.
I think they should just focusing on rebuilding. The FO and Byron need to decide if they can help both DLo and Kobe succeed at the same time and if they can’t, then decide whose success takes priority. It’s an easy answer for me, but I’m an armchair coach and I don’t have tell Kobe he’s coming off the bench. I don’t care about wins this season if the vets are the reason we are winning.
rr says
Why are we catering to Kobe and KOBEFANS instead of building THE LAKERS the right way???!!! smh
—
Because the FO gave him a 2-year/48.5M contract, making him the highest-paid player in the game for his age-36 and age-37 seasons.
Archon says
I get Russell is only 19 but boy are there some red flags in his game. I will reserve serious judgment until he transforms his body (although it’s disconcerting that he has the same pudgy look he did in his first summer league game) but he’s a long, LONG, way away from being an NBA point guard much less a superstar in the league.
R says
rr, I pray you are joking !
I’m sure of it – I think …
stats says
As for DAR being a gym rat, LA Times reported the BS has asked him to work LESS. He’s been spending so much time in the gym that they think he might be overdoing it. I actually liked his last game. Took mostly smart shots, but just didn’t have a great shooting night. But he has a nice stroke when he settles down. He’s not gonna flash like Westbrook, but I think he’ll be solid.
I must say that I feel for the kid: he’s 19, supposed to defer to Kobe and also run an offense for which NO ONE has a clue. Tough to look good as a PG when the offense sucks, plain and simple. The question to me isn’t whether he has ability, but rather whether that ability will be ruined. Time will tell… Looking forward to seeing DAR vs Mudiay tonight!
tankyou says
@Archon, I think that’s the problem, DAR looks like a longterm project not some high round guy that’s going to be impactful within a couple seasons. Honestly, I can’t see him being all that good for at least a few seasons and good means–legit starter, by no means a star. Yet the FO publicly states we will be making the playoffs pretty soon. Randle looks good and perhaps he’s a guy that can be really making his mark by 2017. I think the fact we let Okafor go is going to seem a bigger and bigger mistake as time goes on.
I have no confindence the FO can get us back into the playoffs this decade, the Western conference is likely going to be very strong for at least another 3 years bare minimum. So its not going to be any cakewalk and the other up and coming teams like the Wolves and Utah both look like they have a more solid chance of becoming better than us. So we are back to praying for some legit star to come here within the next couple years, or likely the only playoffs we will watch the rest of this decade don’t involve games the Lakers are playing in.
BigCitySid says
– It’s much to early to even criticize Russell, much less write him off. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s 1st meeting between him and Mudiay & his Nuggets.
– At the same time, I’m under the impression the ownership chose Russell over Okafor because they didn’t think an Al Jefferson clone would be sexy or exciting enough as the new face of the Lakers.
Clay Bertrand says
Bluehill, I hear ya. I really don’t care at all about wins this season either. The only thing that FIRING BS sooner rather than later would do would be to ENSURE that the young guys play ALOT all year. Madsen would play the young guys under a mandate from the FO if Scott were “reassigned”. All I want is to play the young guys. I don’t expect wins. I don’t expect close games. I expect improvement from the experience though down the line.
AaronMcKie4MVP, I will admit I am taken aback by what I would say is a largely unimpressive start for DAR. Yes it is very early to judge. That said, I have watched almost every minute that Okafor has played. His offense is polished as is his will to shoot a lot. But he is pudgy, slow as hell, can’t or won’t rebound, and his overall motor idles pretty low. His +/- is worse than every Laker and Philly is the ONLY team that rivals the Lakers in CRAPPY BASKETBALL department.
Okafor doesn’t have Kobe “I SUCK” Bryant heaving every other shot nor does he have ANY volume shooters on his team.
If you all want to see a Rookie you will regret not having, its Porzingis. The guy puts up strong numbers in limited minutes. Whereas Randle had 15 rebounds ALL DEFENSIVE, Porzingis puts up strong Rebound numbers including Offensive boards.
I’ve seen 3 of Mudiay’s games and he ain’t super GREAT. They run more traditional looking offense and they look smoother. It’ll be interesting to see tonight. Either way, Like KevTheBold says, these other guys have been given the full green light to show their games. DAR has yet to be allowed to really play. Its VERY true in Okafor’s case.
KevTheBold, LOVE the post about the Keys to the Car……great analogy. LOL.
D’Angelo is the poor kid whose parents will only let him have sugar free candy and wholesome snacks!!!!! All the other kids are all high on sweet tarts, swizzle sticks and Hot Pockets!!!!!!!!!!
(sorry, my knowledge of the modern candies of the Millennials is admittedly feeble).
Kev The Bold says
Enough already ! Okafor and Mudiay are playing for teams which have given them control and full support that they are cornerstones.
If we had drafted them, they too would be dealing with the
Kobe/Scott situation and you would be complaining about them.
I really have a problem with negative, sky is falling types, they con themselves into believing they are so called “realists”, yet to prejudge, to cast doubt without evidence is not reality, it’s fear and hatred.
Now, I’m not so keen on the front office either, but in the case of our new core, I think they got it right.
I believe the Lakers bar injury are in time, going to reclaim the throne, even without any free agents coming in to suck up the glory and cap space.
All they need is the right coach, patience and time.
A strong and steadfast fan base would be nice, but fickle people are the Bain of Life.
Kev The Bold says
Thanks Clay, much appreciate your posts as well !
All full of logic, wisdom and positivity.
Here’s to a good game tonight, May mudiay’s anger that we passed him by, trip him on his way to the rim.