Over at the 76ers blog Philadunkia, I participated in a four question preview (Fo’ with the Foes) for Tuesday night’s game between the Sixers and the Lakers. One of the questions I was asked was about Kobe’s retirement announcement and how I felt about it. This was part of my response:
Now that the announcement is made, I’m most interested in seeing how it impacts the rest of the team and the tenor of the season over the final 60+ games. Let’s face it, the Lakers are a bad team, but now they can be bad and at least have some cover that it’s Kobe’s final year and collect some goodwill that way. But, at some point there will be calls to get the young guys more burn and I’m interested in seeing whether Byron Scott has it in him to hand over the keys to the car while Kobe is still around.
One of the questions I have been asking myself is what impact Kobe’s announcement would have on the approach to the actual games. Remember, before the season, while he hinted he might retire, Kobe deflected direct questions about the subject as much as he could. He said he did not want a farewell tour and implied he simply wanted to play out the year under circumstances as close to normal as possible.
With Sunday’s announcement, that has changed. The farewell tour began that day at home in Los Angeles against the Pacers and took to the road to Kobe’s other home on Tuesday in Philadelphia. And what we saw was the worst case scenario for what a game in Kobe farewell tour would look like.
Forget for a moment the Sixers’ 0-18 record and focus simply on 1). Kobe coming out trying to put on a show for the fans by firing up three pointers and 2). after a brief, hot start and those shots stopped falling, he continued to fire up shots with the team ultimately going down in flames in the process.
When we then remember that the Lakers were playing — by record, at least — the NBA’s worst team and add to it the Lakers having a double digit lead at one point, for this game to end up a double digit defeat makes it all the more terrible.
The loss actualized my biggest concerns about would could go wrong in a season where Kobe, playing on a bad team, and saying goodbye to fans who have adored him for two decades. They want to see a show and it seems the showman in him wants to provide it.
Yes, tonight there were special circumstances due the Philly/homecoming angle and it being the first road game after the announcement. However, the disconnect between the adulation and positivity from a storied career poured onto Kobe regardless of the final result and the frustration in actually losing is wide. That discrepancy, should it continue, will be one of the more fascinating subplots of what remains of this Lakers’ campaign.
I won’t pretend to know what is going to happen, but this game offered the worst of what is possible. At least I hope it did. Because, if it didn’t, this may not be rock bottom yet.
Ahmad says
Would love to see a “Look at the Positives” article from you, as you are one of the few blogs I read with enough merit and clout to look past the sludge that has become our defense and the ISO-heavy offense. You’ve done similar things in the past, and your twitter offers fun, in-the-moment analysis. Breaking down what happened post-game would be awesome though, for example, D’Angelo today, despite mediocre numbers, was a pleasure to watch. His passes, a couple great finishes, and even some defense (for flashes) was great, and I’m rooting for this kid harder and harder every day. Would love to hear what you would say on these things. Thanks! (Great game by the kids again today- JC, Randle, DLo -IMO)
agenbite of says
Actually this was something of a “trap game.” You ask how there could ever be a trap game for a 2-14 team? Glad you did.
You come in after a couple of emotional days to Kobe’s home town where you are the center of a whirlwind and on top of it you are playing the 0-18 Sixers and dag nab it you have already won 2 games this is ours and run into a hungry team that has been sizing you up as the Thanksgiving turkey and you start ok go flat and their intensity beats you.
I’m not kidding, really.
Darius Soriano says
Ahmad,
Yes, I plan to do some of that. A couple of Russell plays stood out to me and I want to write on some of what I’m seeing. Thanks for the kind words, too.
Mark Sigal says
Moral of the story is that Kobe is not a guy that will bench himself for less minutes, or relegate himself to pass first, so the outcome is written in capital, bolded leaders in almost every game until the end of the season, or until the Lakers get a coach, who….coaches.
I can not think of experiencing anything like this in the time that I have been a sports fan.
The ‘scorched earth’ potential is high.
rr says
Cool Vine of DAR to Randle:
https://twitter.com/sbnationnba/status/671866553277763584
Craig W. says
IMO, this year’s team is driven by the offense. The defense will be better if the offense shows some life. I think this is a result of average NBA veterans and very young players. Therefore, I believe the totally unstructured nature of what we are calling offense does not allow our younger players to feel good about themselves and continue to concentrate on defense. This, in turn will harm the young player’s development – never mind that some of them don’t see the court.
It is this analysis that has me saying Bryon Scott has to go now. We simply have to have some offensive structure to allow our younger players to develop. Oh yes, and we have to play those younger players over players like Nick Young and Brandon Bass.
bluehill says
Just posted on this on the prior thread. About getting rid of Byron, I think the least worst option is keeping him. I agree with what you guys are saying, but it still comes back to limiting Kobe’s minutes/shots, and I am skeptical that there’s anyone other Kobe that can do it. Usually a coach can just bench someone if they aren’t listening or performing, who’s going to bench Kobe in his retirement year. I hope I’m wrong and it really is all because of Byron’s coaching.
It’s not surprising that Kobe came out shooting for the Philly game, maybe he’ll be a little more judicious in some of the upcoming cities that aren’t as sentimental.
Jacob says
Craig W.
Pretty sure the team drive is called stealth tanking (however the players are not playing to lose per se)… That is why the worst coach in the league is still employed. He has “Laker Blood” so its ok if he loses. Byron Scott is the best option at keeping the top 3 protected pick. You’ll never see magic or james worthy bad mouth the coaching. Scott seems to have some sort of protection cloak equipped from all those “shoot first ask questions later” fans. If this were D’antoni he would be roasted like chestnuts over an open fire. This is the best chance at turning the lakers fortunes around, even if the gamble is a 60 something percent chance (at best).
bluehill says
Ugh, hope this was a misquote:
Byron Scott on the Lakers living and dying by Kobe’s shot: “There’s going to be some games like that. That this team is just going to live and die with it, and you’re just hoping you don’t die too much…”
https://twitter.com/DrewGarrisonSBN/status/671885125601234944
Guest says
Getting a win would have been better than putting on an exhibition in your hometown. The Lakers were in position to do that. Instead they let the Sixers outscore them by 20 in the second half.
Bryant’s hot start probably gave him a false confidence that encouraged him to keep chucking. He should have facilitated more once the shots stopped falling.
Never mind the records. The Lakers are now the worst team in the NBA.
LKK says
One of the more bizarre games I’ve ever seen. It was a real sorry display. Kobe played like he is mentally ill. I wonder if anyone in that locker room has the stones to call him out. Someone has to.
Archon says
You cannot build an NBA team around the most inefficient player in the league taking a quarter of the teams shots, it’s impossible. So the next question is what coach could the Lakers bring in that would have the gravitas to significantly reduce Kobes minutes and/or shots?
The answer is nobody, so unless Kobe has a “come to Magic” basketball moment this is how it’s gonna be the rest of the year, regardless of coach.
John Corey says
I agree with your thoughts Darius . And it frustrates me that Kobe thinks he is now a 3 point shooter. He never has been. But as his first step is no longer what it was, his arrogance thinks it’s okay for the team to live and die by his shooting.
As much as I have been a vocal fan of his over the years, I really don’t believe that Russell or Randle would enjoy playing with him. He is certainly not helping their development.
I just wonder whether the lure of Simmons has them tanking already? I would love your thoughts on the subject.
Ryan craig says
I love kobe and i love the lakers, but at this point its more entertaining to see the development of our young core than see kobe jack up shots in hopes that one night a majority of them will fall. Not to mention that they are our future and we need to learn and grow as much as possible this year. I want to see our young guys have a chance to lead this team to some wins, and not be sabotaged by kobes putting on a show…of inefficient shooting and no defense. Kobe says he loves the lakers and i believe it so i hope he will begin to play a more complementary role for the young core. Hes trying to put on a show for his fans, but no one is taking enjoyment out of seeing him shoot under 30% on more than 20 shots in a loss. Just seeing #24 out there loving the game and doing whatever he can to help the lakers win is enough for me.
BigCitySid says
Keeping An Eye On The Bottom Line:
– Two records the Lakers are in danger of breaking this year:
– “Lakers all time worst start” and “Lakers all time worst record”.
– This franchise has only won less than 30 games in a season FOUR times in their 68 year history…so far. Unfortunately it’s happened TWICE in the last two years…with a real possibility of three years straight. Some find ways to rationalize and accept this…I’m not one of them.
This is the bottom line thru 17 games of this season and their four worst previous seasons:
2015-2016 thru 17 games: 2-15 (?? win season/ 82 game season, ???)
2014-2015 thru 17 games: 4-13 (21 win/ 82 game season, .256)
2013-2014 thru 17 games: 9-8 (27 win/ 82 game season, .329)
1959-1960 thru 17 games: 6-11 (25 wins/ 75 game season, .333)
1957-1958 thru 17 games: 3-14 (19 wins/ 73 game season, .264)
– They now have the WORST record thru 17 games in Laker history.
– The Buss Kids: worst ownership in Laker history.
BigCitySid says
– Question to all those calling for Scott’s head. Why would ownership fire him? He’s doing exactly what ownership demands, exactly what was required for any coach who wanted the Laker job this season: let Kobe be Kobe.
– It seems many have forgotten how long it took to hire a coach for this season. Scott and Kobe will exist together…and exit together
Hale says
Kobe has a choice to be a basketball player or a “shooting guard” for the rest of the season. I’ve defended him as being basketball-intelligent for awhile but his present decision making is purely dunce-cap worthy this season. Hoisting 3s when it’s not your game nor ability results in long rebounds (more pressure on your transitional defense, less movement when you have the ball, wasted energy attempting to board air balls). Aside from the matador steal attempts his defense is lesser than Huertas. Multiple times, he’s giggling with people while the ball is in transition the other way nor giving a flying snot about secondary rotation. It’s stomach turning to watch how he’s choosing to play this season. Find where you can positively contribute or at least act like you’re not that guy playing pick up. If he can only give a solid 15 minutes, only play him 15 minutes. He isn’t going to go on hunger strike nor ask for a trade and he’s not giving up 24 million over hurt feelings.
I think this franchise had several decent plans that went awry but after Plan A through D collapsed they were overwhelmed and thus far inadequate/incapable to recover. I don’t fully know how the NBA machine works specifically but I can’t believe the bosses can’t mandate certain directives to the coach. Byron is all about Jedi mind tricks when explaining his farcical decisions. Jim with his “turn the corner” garbage is right there with him. Jeanie piping up didn’t help anything as that’s just more bs and bluster. I can take the losses; I can’t stand watching stupid basketball.
macster says
I just can’t watch the Lakers any more. It’s too painful. It would be different if the young guys were playing and getting the burn. But … alas it’s the same old same old.
Question, don’t the fans who are paying big money to attend the games deserve better than this? Why on earth would anyone in their right mind pay big money to see this? Or is this a case of “screw em, they will get what we are giving them.”
Finally, like I’ve been saying Kobe shoots too much.
M~
Anonymous says
I was wrong on my prediction that Byron would be fired by Xmas. It’s so bad now that he may very well resign by that date.
Vasheed says
It seems to me that Kobe’s retirement announcement likely came forth with his last game in his hometown of Philadelphia in mind.
teamn says
Hale,
Nice post. Biggest part of my frustration is that Kobe is too smart for this. That’s what I don’t understand and cannot quite get the motivation / rationale.
rr,
Lots of good posts. I thought this season would be “interesting” for a number of reasons, but not because I thought this team could make the playoffs. Development, trajectory, culture, process — those things interest me at this point in my fandom. Unfortunately, from my perspective, the choices made by the ownership, the FO, the coach, and the star player appear to be undermining any semblance of true progress, which leaves me scratching my head.
I am concerned that the Buss kids are flailing and, through that flailing, are destroying the culture and legacy of this franchise. I get the flailing and I get the focus on the bottom line, but at some point clear headed decisions must be made. First, I completely agree with you that the focus must be on playing the young guys, period. Second, Kobe must be severely limited in his playing time (I would play him 5-6 minutes in the first and third quarters, period). Third, if it appears, as you say, that Byron will not follow direction and/or is harming development, fire him.
This all may sound extreme, but as Darius says, we may not be at rock bottom. If it gets worse, then things have to change (again, in my opinion). I don’t think this roster has worse talent than Philly or a number of other teams, so there is no reason to be this bad other than truly poor decisions on the part of a number of people.
Craig W — good post as well. I originally oppose Byron’s hire as I did not think he could develop the young guys. As you put it, it is clear his “offense” is holding back the young guys.
Fern says
At least the kids played ok, “the bust” made some really nice plays, i take solace in the fact that next season a new era starts, can’t take much more of this, Byron and Kobe will exit the Lakers togheter, and i wonder if anybody in the coaching staff or FO have to the stones to call Kobe out, this is going to he the most selfish farewell tour in the history of sports, look i dont mind Kobe shooting but 26 shots with 16 of tuem 3s and playing over 30 minutes? This can’t go on, im sure he will breakdown before the season is over, I can’t believe i said that, Kobe’s career ended in April 12 2013, all this afterward it’s just a bad dream.
Robert says
bluehill: I see you mentioned poker and Jerry Buss probably folding this year’s hand in the last thread. You are probably correct. I am hoping the FO does the same and does not somehow try to put more into the pot to try for the inside straight.
Fern: “next season a new era starts” I certainly am hoping for the same, but we have been saying this for 4 years now. Hang in there : )
teamn/Craig: “it is clear his “offense” is holding back the young guys.” This was not clear before, but now it is? And if it is “clear” – then – I think you know my next question : )
BCS: “Why would ownership fire him? As an additional incrimination of themselves.
Ryan: “Just seeing #24 out there loving the game and doing whatever he can to help the lakers win is enough for me.” It is all we have.
Sojourner says
Here’s how I believe this went down. The Lakers at the beginning of the season were hoping that they’d have the young guys developing and be safe with whatever Kobe choose, stay or go. They let the fans know ahead of time how they hoped it would go so our expectations would be in check. Then the obvious inability of the coaching staff to execute a balance of Kobe love and young development happened along with very ugly basketball has sent the front office in panic mode. To counter this and obvious ticket price malaise they have Kobe announce his retirement. Ticket prices and a general goodwill towards Kobe go way up. And unfortunately, I believe, this is what we’re stuck with. Unless the retirement show gets old there will be no changes this year. I mean, the Wizards after Jordan’s retirement weren’t any good for years and that may be exactly what’s happening here. It sucks and I’m not happy but unless there are major changes to ownership and front office in terms of vision, this if what we’re stuck with.
Ryan says
I honestly don’t see the problem here. Russell looks a project to me (with a great upside, but he’s only 19), and Randle seems to be coming along good. But we don’t have enough young talent going forward, much less for this year. Aren’t we tanking for Simmons? Isn’t that totally obvious or am I crazy?
Let Kobe do whatever he wants and just enjoy it. Hopefully we go 15-67 or something awful and get the #1 pick. Then Kobe retires, we get predictably spurned by free agents defusing the stupid “no one will sign because they hate Kobe” trope, then we have a true young core to develop (with a new coach) next year, and then in 2017 we get a FA to go with them. Solid plan IMO.
Calvin says
Wow. Very hard to watch. I get that it’s an overt tank job and Kobe farewell tour, but that was just some erratic, thoughtless chucking. To see Kobe play like this isn’t fun anymore. This has become purposeless basketball. Time to tune out and hope for Ben Simmons in June.
Gene says
Scott has mentioned Ball Movement
and “trust”your teammates…When your most famous player doenst do either…your team has serious problems..
George Best says
This season is just Kobe padding his all time stats while we pray ping pong balls keep us in the top three picks. Really what else could have been done. I dont blame the front office for failing to land meaningful free agents. Who was going to come that mattered? Aldridge? We still need to replace Scott with a hot young coach but not this year. We do that when Kobe is gone.
The only issue is that they need to play Russell and Nance more and get rid of old filler like Bass and Swaggy and put young projects on the team and hope they break out. We just have to remain fans or go jump on another teams bandwagon. Real Laker fans wouldnt think of doing that as painful as this year will be.
Gene says
Seeing DAR dunk was the play of the season!!…He is getting better and is starting to show off his skills!!
KO says
West on radio talking Kb now. 570 on dan patrick
Shaun says
You know what I am actually excited for next year … sure this year we will suck … but lets say we keep our pick ….. we then have at least 4 good young players on the team … DAR, Randle, Clarkson, Simmon?…. if we get simmons than we somehow fall into who some are calling the next great prospect … plus with Kobe guaranteed to be not here … a void that some FA might want to fill in LA given we will have what 50-70Mil next year in spending power … plus since hibbert is not doing amazing he will probably only cost between 8-10M per so we would still have a solid big in addition to probably 2 good FAs
Possible gets – Drummond, Whiteside, Harrison Barnes … getting Drummond and Barnes would be my dream gets …. lets everyone evolve into their primes at the same time kind of how GS is doing right now
Todd says
I take little comfort in being right about how the Lakers season would play out. I saw the average vets and the young kids and knew this was not a 40 win team. I’m old enough to have witnessed Elgin Baylor and Jerry West in their last few years and just knew that when Kobe’s Achilles tore it was like a dam bursting with other ailments and injuries soon to follow.
I have been consistent in my criticism of the Jim Buss regime. The kids are a fortunate by-product of the failed ‘sign multiple elite free agent’ strategy. People forget that if Jim’s plan worked we’d be watching Kobe, Melo and Aldridge on the floor. They certainly would be better than this Lakers’ team but would only have had a very short window to compete.
My hope is the FO has enough fortitude and common sense to see this rebuild through the right way: with the kids. So many of the contributors have said the same thing: I’m OK with losing if the kids get needed playing time and experience.
I’m actually in favor of an active tank or a stealth tank. There are a few college players that would move this rebuild forward and one, Ben Simmons, who would accelerate it quickly. The Lakers have four rotational players (Randle/Russell/Clarkson/Nance) and can use another young controllable talent.
This off season should be about finding a new coach who can be the voice of the franchise. Jim and Jeanie have squandered their opportunity and in my mind are net negatives both in front of free agents and interviewers. Next year may be another rough one but the goal is to demonstrate progress and franchise stability in front of the 2016/17 free agent class.
If you haven’t read the Pelton article on ESPN or posted, in a previous thread by Snarky George, then do so. It is a sound road map for getting the Lakers back on a championship track. I sincerely hope Jeanie, Jim and Mitch read it and follow it.
T. Rogers says
At some point you are what your record says you are. Two sub 30 win seasons with another in the making. Actually, the Lakers may not even crack 20 wins this seasons. I said before they could be 3-17 after 20 games. I (wrongly) assumed the 3rd win would be yesterday’s game. So now they will most likely be 2-18 after 20 games. And that is is with the easiest part of their schedule behind them. For example, they haven’t even played the first of their 4 games against OKC.
It is fitting the Lakers lost to Philly. Because like the Sixers the Lakers have become the team of “next year”. On other NBA boards Philly fans are always talking about how they are one more tanked season away from being relevant again. They’ve basically been tanking for 4 years now. They are no closer to being a respectable outfit than they were in 2012. Our Lakers have become the same monster. Now, less than 20 games into the season talk about Ben Simmons is getting heavier and heavier. I guess he’s the next savior. Until the next sub 30 win season.
It’s hard not to rail on the FO. By Jim’s own timeline his tenure is already a failure. Even with an extra year the Lakers are no where near being a player in the West. They won’t be in the time Jim has asked for. We talk about the bad fortune of the Paul trade. But that seems like ages ago now. That excuse is all used up.
Jim C. says
@Shaun
The Lakers are projected to have $83.4M in available cap room from what I’ve seen.
http://www.businessinsider.com/nba-cap-space-2016-2015-4
Worth noting that Jordan Clarkson is a free agent after this season because he was a second round draft pick and therefore his rookie contract is not as long. Some of that cap space will definitely be spent keeping him.
A good rundown of how much he might cost is here: http://capstrategist.com/2015/08/12/jordan-clarkson-2016-free-agency-contract-projection/
“Taking the above into account, the likeliest option A route here is LA attempting to re-sign Clarkson utilizing Early Qualifying Rights, keeping Clarkson’s $2,725,003 QO cap hold on the books and utilizing their remaining cap room to sign free agents before re-signing Clarkson going over the cap. LA could potentially have $57.8M in cap room if Bass exercises his player option and the Lakers renounce all cap holds other than Clarkson (Slightly less if their pick falls inside the top 3 and is not conveyed to Philadelphia, which is very much in play).
That is enough to sign two max players and another impact contributor before going over the cap to re-sign Clarkson. Utilizing cap room to re-sign Clarkson is also very much in play, especially if LA strikes out in free agency (or trades of the Hibbert variety). But LA’s preferred route is likely the early qualifying route. Much the same way that LA used the CBA to get Hibbert to waive most of his trade kicker, LA could utilize the rules again to get Clarkson at discount by pigeon-holing themselves.
Clarkson has little leverage here as most restricted free agents do, but he has even less because the qualifying offer route does not have unrestricted free agency at the end of the tunnel. Clarkson might be able to gain a player option in the 4th year of his new contract as a carrot for sitting back and waiting for LA to make other moves/not signing an offer sheet with another team, but it is hard to see him getting much more than that. A four-year $25,936,714 contract is more than most second round picks see, and that guaranteed money is nothing to scoff at.
This permits LA to have Clarkson at a very manageable salary over three seasons as they pursue free agent targets with a plethora of cap space. It also affords Clarkson a respectable salary for a player that in all likelihood will still have largely unknown or untapped attributes in a year. If Clarkson develops into an above average wing starter this contract is a coup for LA, yet still permits Clarkson to enter unrestricted free agency at 27. A rare potential win-win.”
Mid-Wilshire says
I think that now is a litmus test for Mitch Kupchack and his decision-making abilities. He has every reason in the world to make a change at the head coaching position now (by installing an interim HC now and searching for a full-time, permanent replacement later during the off season).
The team is 2-15. They have just lost to another team that had been 0-18. Their offense is directionless and chaotic. The defense is non-existent. The team is in disarray. Everything is imploding.
There are times in life to make a change. And I firmly believe that that time is now for the Lakers. Mitch is not exactly known for being decisive. But if he doesn’t make a move now, he risks demoralizing some of the young (and still very impressionable) players on the team and thus possibly undermining their self-confidence. If that happens, that would be disastrous. And Mitch would be to blame for not acting.
I truly believe that the time for installing a new, interim Head Coach is now. The ball is in Mitch’s court.
Anonymous says
Ryan craig:
“Just seeing #24 out there loving the game and doing whatever he can to help the lakers win is enough for me.”
———————
Is that what you saw in PHI yesterday? What I saw last night, and often this year, is well-described in Hale’s 12/2 5:11a post:
“I’ve defended him as being basketball-intelligent for awhile but his present decision making is purely dunce-cap worthy this season. Hoisting 3s when it’s not your game nor ability results in long rebounds (more pressure on your transitional defense, less movement when you have the ball, wasted energy attempting to board air balls). Aside from the matador steal attempts his defense is lesser than Huertas. Multiple times, he’s giggling with people while the ball is in transition the other way nor giving a flying snot about secondary rotation. It’s stomach turning to watch…”
T. Rogers says
Jim C,
The cap space the Lakers will have doesn’t inspire much confidence. They just can’t seem net any impact players with it. They always target the wrong players. And while they are doing that the ones they should pursue get taken off the board. The result is restocking the team with a new set of cast offs every summer. All the while waiting for the next big free agent splash.
TempleOfJamesWorthy says
Gosh, Kobe Bryant shooting too much to the detriment of the Laker team?
I’m shocked…SHOCKED!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjbPi00k_ME
(Note: Link is completely safe for work)
Jim C. says
T. Rodgers:
I think there’s reason to be optimistic that the situation might change after this year. We’ve had cap space to make a run at a max level free agent in the past, but never MULTIPLE max level guys. Since we never seemed to be “one guy” away from being a winning/contending team, I’m not surprised that we’ve struck out on free agency.
Think about where we are right now and then go back to last summer’s free agency. Suppose we landed LaMarcus Aldridge. Does that really materially change the state of the Lakers? I would say all it does is take us from a high lottery team to a low lottery team. What impact free agent wants to sign onto that?
Now imagine free agency this coming off season when we potentially have enough money to offer Throw out two max contract offers to, say, Kevin Durant and Hassan Whiteside to join the trio of DeAngelo Russel, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle.If you’re Durant or Whiteside, does this look like a team that could be an annual contender for the next 5-6 years or so?
Coach: Tom Thibodeau
PG: DeAngelo Russell – 35 minutes
SG: Jordan Clarkson – 35 minutes
SF: Kevin Durant – 35 minutes
PF: Julius Randle – 35 minutes
C: Hassan Whiteside – 34 minutes
Leaves 66 minutes to split among the bench.
Bench: Lou Williams – Backup PG/SG – 19 minutes
Bench: Nick Young – Backup SG/SF – 20 minutes (OR Ben Simmons if we get very lucky…)
Bench: Roy Hibbert – Backup C – 14 minutes
Bench: Brandon Bass – Backup PF – 0-13 minutes
Bench: Larry Nance Jr. – Backup PF- 0-13 minutes (Depending on how Nance develops the PF backup minutes could go either way.)
etc.
To me, that’s an appealing team if you assume that our young core are going to turn into above average or better NBA players. Pieces like Lou, Roy, Nick and Bass aren’t bad players. They’re just being used in suboptimal ways. Bass isn’t a center. Lou and Nick aren’t 30 minute per night players. Roy is fine but can’t prop up a defense all by himself. The youngsters will get better on that end and a coach like Thibodeau could accelerate that. But he would be a truly terrific backup center.
KevTheBold says
This is our Karma, come back to bite us.
For all the times we ignored Kobe’s shooting addiction as long as we won, we will now have to watch him chuck shots in until we lose in every one of those stadiums.
I don’t mind paying that cost, but I do mind wasting a year of development for our kids, replaced by lessons in selfishness, in a bizarre circus atmosphere meant to illicit sentiment.
I have never seen nor conceived of a whole NBA season thrown away to honor one player.
Doing so at the expense of the whole team, especially with a #2 draft pick?
I know that Kobe sells tickets, League passes and tons of commercial time, something the league and FO loathes to give up, but this is unprecedented rubbish.
Why could they not simply blend the two into a logical split that allows Kobe to play in the youth development scheme?
Why sacrifice the future income and legitimacy, for a Vegas show today?
I scratch my head and wonder.
DieTryin says
Mid-Wilshire- Agree with your post 100%! And your point about demoralizing the young guys is not an academic one. Deferring personnel decisions when the need to move on is to no one’s benefit. Including Byron’s
RR – you made the same point that Mid did but conditioned it as an if statement as in “if” Byron is holding the development of our young core back. Understandable since none of us know what is really happening behind the scenes. BUT it seems clear just by observing the team that he is. One man’s opinion.
Ryan- Kobe was many things last night. One thing he was not is someone trying to help his team win.
Jimmy says
Everyone keeps calling for Scott’s firing, but no one mentions who can potentially replace him as interim coach? Madsen would be worse than Scott and is too green. We don’t even have capable assistant head coaches who can take over (another sign of poor head coaching hires).
John Corey says
Let’s say we tank very well and end up with Ben Simmons. A long way off but it is possible.
That leaves us with a very young , very talented ‘project’ team.
Byron Scott cannot be left in charge of that young team. He is no Man Manager. He is too hard ass, where his ego insists he must be the top dog and must also show it. We need a coach with a different mindset to Scott. A coach that can create an atmosphere where playing is enjoyable. Where every mistake won’t be punished with a last quarter benching.
That is not Byron Scott.
Ryan craig says
@ anonymous , no i didnt see that in philly at all. What i meant was just seeing kobe out there loving the game and playing a complimentary reduced role would be enough for me. I dont want him to take 25 shots a game and play 35 mins to try and put on a show when he cant do it anymore