The Lakers are back on the road for a massive road trip which won’t see them back in Los Angles for nearly two weeks. The eight game, 13 day trip is their longest of the year and includes three back-to-backs including the trip’s final games in San Antonio then Houston. As it stands, the team is currently 2-14, but is it possible they return from the trip 2-22?
Anything is possible, I suppose, but that would mean losing tonight, to the 76ers, a team which may not actually be trying to win. The Sixers are winless to start the season, perfectly futile in their 18 games to this point. Actually, let me take that back. The 76ers on the floor are definitely trying to win, they have just been outgunned by teams with more talent — especially late in games where they have been competitive, but have not been able to close.
Really, what the Sixers have is a lack of talent. They have, realistically, three viable rotation level NBA players on their roster. Their coach, Brett Brown, is a fine tactician from the Popovich tree of coaches, but he suffers from a lack of tools on the floor to execute fully. This is somewhat reflected in the team’s “expected” win/loss record where they should already have 3 wins rather than none. (As an aside, the Lakers projected win total is 4 rather than the 2 they have.)
The backdrop to this game, then, is whether the Sixers can get the win they probably should already have this season. If they do not get it, the break the record for most consecutive losses to start a season at 20. It would also be their 24th straight loss dating back to last year, 4 short of breaking the record set by the Cavs when coached by…Byron Scott. So, much like when the Lakers faced the Warriors last Tuesday, history is at stake tonight.
That is not the only storyline, however. After Kobe announced this season would be his last on Sunday, every road game became a chance for the fans to say goodbye to an all-timer. Kobe, of course, is from Philly and is a great history there, winning a state championship his senior year of high school and winning an NBA championship there in 2001. The fans have mercilessly booed him since that series (when he made comments about wanting to rip out their hearts), so it will be interesting to see how they treat him tonight in his lone visit “home” before calling it a career.
The other story is the battle of the rookies. When the Lakers went against many projections by selecting D’Angelo Russell ahead of Jahlil Okafor, many in Philly moaned. They wanted the sweet shooting lefty to pair with Nerlens Noel and (eventually) Joel Embiid, to form the inside/outside attack of an eventual contender. Instead, they ended up with Okafor who is scoring well as the featured offensive player, but creates positional overlap with Noel and will, ultimately, create even more lineup issues whenever (if ever?) Embiid returns.
Just as many Sixer fans wanted Russell, many Lakers fans wanted Okafor. The fact Russell hasn’t yet had a breakthrough performance and is not putting up numbers like Okafor is only makes passing on him harder for those who did not like the pick. Okafor’s recent late night issues may have quelled some of those thoughts for now, but they will pop up again the next time he scores 20 points on 50% shooting.
In any event, while these guys won’t be guarding each other, their performances will be measured against what the other does. Not only tonight, but, maybe, for the rest of their careers.
Tonight, then, should be interesting for all the reasons mentioned above. With history on the line, a departing legend visiting his home town, and the #2 and #3 overall draft picks doing battle, the game is worth watching. The quality of the basketball may not be great, but you can’t have everything we want now can we?
Where you can watch: 4pm start time on TWC Sportsnet. Also listen on ESPN Radio Los Angeles 710AM.
Snarky George says
As requested:
http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14260165/nba-how-los-angeles-lakers-rebuild-kobe-bryant
Six not-so-easy steps to build the next great Lakers team after Kobe
by Kevin Pelton
The Lakers are suffering through their worst three seasons since moving to Los Angeles 55 years ago. But with Kobe Bryant announcing his retirement at the end of the season, the team now has the clarity it needs to prepare for a future without Bryant.
The Lakers guard will be remembered at his peak as a great scorer, tenacious defender and winner. We run through his most impressive numbers.
Since the Lakers’ hopes for a sixth championship with Bryant were dashed by his Achilles injury in April 2013, followed by Dwight Howard’s departure for the Houston Rockets that summer, the franchise has been stuck in an awkward purgatory — caught between trying to stay competitive in Bryant’s golden years and developing young talent to eventually supplant him.
Now, the organization can fully commit to building the next great Lakers team. Here’s what that should entail in six steps, some of them easier than others:
1. Build an offense around the Clarkson-Russell backcourt
On Saturday in Portland, Oregon, a two-play sequence just after halftime illustrated the potential of the Lakers’ young guards. First, Jordan Clarkson drove and dished to D’Angelo Russell, who knocked down a 3-pointer. The next time downcourt, it was Russell who set up Clarkson for a triple.
The two guards have the potential to become interchangeable offensive weapons in a two-guard front, similar to how the Blazers use Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum and the Phoenix Suns use Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight.
Having two proficient pick-and-roll playmakers will allow the Lakers to target the opposition’s weaker defensive guard and utilize both sides of the court, swinging the ball from one pick-and-roll to another to catch defenders out of position.
Clarkson and Russell aren’t at the level of those elite dual-ball handler backcourts yet. Russell in particular still is working to get down the nuances of NBA pick-and-roll basketball, a process slowed by the lack of an effective roll man on the Lakers’ roster. Of course, he’s also 19 and developing right on schedule after a sluggish start to his rookie campaign.
In a couple of years, though, defending Clarkson and Russell could be a difficult task.
2. Mold Julius Randle into a playmaking 4
In what is essentially his rookie campaign — he suffered a season-ending fibula fracture in the first game of 2014-15 — Julius Randle has been predictably uneven. One problem is that Randle isn’t particularly effective as a roll-man, and just 9.5 percent of his plays this season have come off pick-and-rolls, according to Synergy Sports tracking available on NBA.com/Stats — the lowest rate for any L.A. post player.
For the most part, Randle has created his offense by facing up and trying to beat his defender off the dribble. Amazingly, Randle has created more plays out of isolations than Bryant this season, per Synergy.
Though Randle might never become a scoring threat from the perimeter — he’s currently making 36.7 percent of his 2-point attempts beyond 16 feet, per Basketball-Reference.com, and has yet to make a 3 — he can still pose problems for defenses as a “playmaking 4” along the lines of Boris Diaw and Draymond Green. Randle is averaging 2.8 assists per 36 minutes, nearly as many as Green in his second season (3.0).
3. Find a coach whose strength is player development
Current Lakers head coach Byron Scott has admitted that developing his team’s young talent is not his primary goal.
“I’m not always thinking about necessarily developing them,” he said earlier this season. “I’m always thinking about trying to win. The development part comes secondary to that, but in practice and everything is where you really work on the development part.”
Scott’s equivocation is emblematic of an organization caught between two goals. As the vision becomes clear, the Lakers need to prioritize a track record of player development in their next coach to find someone who can grow with their young talent.
Former Laker Luke Walton, a player development coach for the franchise’s D-League team before joining the Golden State Warriors’ coaching staff and taking over as interim head coach, would be a natural choice.
4. Find two-way contributors at small forward and center
The two obvious holes in the Lakers’ lineup of the future are at small forward, currently manned by Bryant, and center, where Roy Hibbert is a stopgap in the final season of his contract. Given the offensive-minded talent elsewhere on the roster, adding two-way players should be a priority for the Lakers.
A 3-and-D wing is a must next to the undersized backcourt of Clarkson and Russell. Barring unexpected development from 2015 second-round pick Anthony Brown, that player isn’t currently on the roster.
At center, the Lakers need quality rim protection because of their difficulty containing penetration from the perimeter. However, they also need a rim runner who can play pick-and-roll basketball with Clarkson and Russell, given that isn’t a strength of Randle’s game.
The 2016 draft could provide solutions in the form of wings Jaylen Brown (California), Brandon Ingram (Duke) or forward/center Skal Labissiere (Kentucky), assuming the
Lakers …
5. Get lucky in the lottery
At this point, the Lakers have no control over whether they keep their 2016 first-round pick, which goes to the Philadelphia 76ers unless it lands in the top three in the draft lottery next May. Even if the Lakers can “catch” the Sixers and post the league’s worst record, they won’t be guaranteed to have a first-round pick.
But good fortune could accelerate the Lakers’ timetable. If they somehow land LSU forward Ben Simmons, their plan would change dramatically, as Simmons’ playmaking ability might make one of the Lakers’ guards expendable.
6. Be patient in free agency
This might be the hardest part of the plan for the Lakers and their fans to stomach. For years the team has looked forward to using its cap space to bring in the next generation of Lakers stars, and meanwhile the fans have endured three especially dismal years.
The temptation will be stronger than ever in 2016. With Bryant’s league-high $25 million salary coming off the books, the Lakers should have enough cap room to make two max offers next summer.
But that doesn’t mean they should do so.
The worst thing the Lakers could do is respond by settling for second-tier free agents who don’t fit their needs and would command max or near-max money, like L.A. native DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors.
Instead, the Lakers should be selective. While the 2016 free-agent crop has only a handful of elite players in their prime — most notably Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, though Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside might also qualify and is an ideal fit for the Lakers’ needs — the 2017 class is loaded. Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook (another L.A. native) will all be unrestricted free agents that summer, and it’s possible Durant will be a free agent in 2017 again.
Unless they can get Durant or Whiteside in 2016, the Lakers must ensure they remain in position to offer two of these players the chance to team up in purple and gold.
The close of Bryant’s career has been a stormy voyage for the Lakers, but given the lure of L.A., they are just a few moves away from potentially vaulting themselves back into contention.
The Lakers will always be in the mix for top free agents, and if they can pair those expensive stars with cheaper talent developed through the draft, the Lakers may find much smoother sailing ahead.
Clay Bertrand says
****Snarky George, HELL YEAH brother!!! Gracias!!! The Snark Man comes thru again!!!
I’m really excited to watch Kobe and see how his hometown of Philly treats him. These are the same people who BOO’d Santa Claus after all………..
Stay Classy Philly.
Ryan says
The actual math behind that expected wins formula seems pretty dubious. And the whole concept behind that stat is questionable IMO.
Snarky George says
I tried to post the Kevin Pelton article on the Lakers but I think it was sent to the moderators. I’ll re-post a summary if it does not appear.
I also posted an interesting comment from a Zach Lowe article on the Knicks. It contained an scary thought about the Lakers being a landing spot for Melo.
If you’ve read both ESPN articles pray that the Lakers FO follows the Pelton blueprint.
Its funny — Jim has done everything wrong and by failing again this year the Lakers may be in a position to draft Ben Simmons. If that happens he would then be a genius. Let’s see if he and the Lakers are that lucky.
Todd says
Jerry West is the most Lakery Laker there could ever be.
—
I hear you…but he is also currently a part-owner and consultant for the undefeated NBA Champion Golden State Warriors.
—
You beat me to it rr. That was the answer I thought of when I read don ford’s post.
Dr Buss did so many wonderful things for the Lakers franchise, however, the mistake of allowing West to leave has grown in magnitude every year since it happened.
KevTheBold says
Much love and respect for Kobe always, but Here we go again:
Will this be a game, to develop our future, or a farewell show?
KO says
Contest
Guess Kobe shot tonight.
KevTheBold says
Great to see Dr. J, the most dynamic, majestic dunker ever !
He was my hero before even Kareem.
KO says
Kobe may shoot 100 times.
Tim says
Kobe putting on one last show in Philly
BigCitySid says
-Darius, you mentioned the 76ers horrible losing streak. I believe if the Lakers lose, this year’s team will be off to the worst start thru 17 games in Laker history.
KevTheBold says
I swear, that Randle and Russell shot better prior to Murray’s meddling.
I personally never did like the form of Murray’s shot. It’s too low and easy to block.
DieTryin says
Kev, interesting take. I think you’re on to something
Anonymous says
Nice start by Kobe — the fear is that he’ll run out of gas in the 2nd half — but keep shooting.
Tim says
Lakers first 1st Q lead since the Pistons game, also the last Lakers win.
KevTheBold says
Yes great start, and I fear the same, but it seems that this season has been sacrificed to the farewell tour.
KevTheBold says
Byron looks nervous tonight. Hmm,..
DieTryin says
He’s worried that he might lose to the only team in the league who has yet to scratch out a win. After all his stint in Cleveland got him conditioned to historic losing streaks.
KevTheBold says
DieTryin – Lol
Gene says
Just looking at skills during this game…I like Russell better the Okafor..
KevTheBold says
It’s amusing to see a team worse than ours. I can finally sit back and smile.
Now watch them make a fool out of me.
KevTheBold says
Me too Gene, on court and especially off court.
Okafor is a knuckle head problem child, we dodged a bullet.
Kbj says
The 76ers give up a lot of 4th quarter leads. Even if Lakers fall behind, they have a good chance to win.
KO says
Ask yourself.
If Jerry West was still here would he sacrifice wins for a year round Kobe farewell? Go back and see his last year.
Used to be winning first and a one game farewell. But it also used to be a team sport and pride.
Things have changed.
DieTryin says
Nice to see a lead. But even better to see crisp ball movement not to mention Kobe hitting 40% (4/10) on threes.
DieTryin says
Russell has only 2pts at the half. But add 2 rebounds and 6 assists in 6 min of play. Not bad. His bullet pass to Randle was sweet. Looks like the guys are now ready and expecting those kinds of passes.
Mid-Wilshire says
Regarding Byron,
Yeah, I think he’s nervous. If he somehow loses this game, he could be history. He’s literally, IMO, fighting for his professional life. I think Kobe senses it, too.
Of course, if the Lakers win tonight, Byron may simply be buying himself time. Barring a miraculous turn around in the 2nd half of the season, I can’t imagine the Lakers keeping him for another year.
KevTheBold says
Mid-Wilshire, so what would you prefer?
I’m torn between the will to taste a win and the chance to get a coach who will develop our kids.
KO says
Kobe shooting them out of game. 12 3 pointers with 17 shots.
Bryon is gutless.
Kobe has become an embarrisment.
I am lossing respect for organization.
No longer about winning. Now its just a circus act. Shame shame shame.
KevTheBold says
Lol, looks like a hockey game.
Gene says
Kobe shooting so much takes everyone out of rhythm…. Worse player this year in the NBA yet he is averaging over 31 minutes…Iam a fan of the Lakers…not just watching Kobe ball hog and not play defense…Sends a bad message to the kids…Play the Right Way…not Kobe’s way…
Mid-Wilshire says
Kev,
I’m kind of torn, too. But I think we need the right kind of coach. That comes first.
KO says
Kobe is becoming a joke. 1 for last 13. Brick after brick
What kind of coach allows this. Not Riley, Phil, Pop. Bryon is disrepecting the team for one guy.
Not the way I learned to play the game.
Gene says
Ko….agree 100% …its embarrassing to the “game”….Williams is also buying into ” bad” Basketball….Nick Young benched?
Joel says
Kobe drives to the basket for a layup. Must be a full moon tonight.
LKK says
I am glad to see DAR dunk the ball… Was wondering if he could! Smile!
This game turned with the altercation… That fired Philly up.
Joel says
Well if Byron survives this he’s officially bulletproof!
Fern says
GTFOH Man this is too effin pathetic… If this dont get Byron fired i dont know what will, he lost this team, really pissed off man…
KevTheBold says
Agree Joel.
And it gives substance to the tank rumor.
Kbj says
Doesn’t matter if Kobe is out or in. Lakers are at a talent and coaching disadvantage.
Joel says
16 3-point attempts… Wowzers.
Tim says
Lakers need to play near perfect basketball and have a few things go their way to win a game.
KO says
This is a slap to the face by Laker owners. Throw the worst % shooter out there with his enabler coach and spend the year celebrating the past. Pay top dollar to watch a clown act the rest of season.
Kobe is horrible. Metta is horrible. Bass horrible, Bryon a weak clown. But spend your money to watch horrible!
40 years a fan. Feel lied to and cheated.
Have some pride Kobe. QUIT NOW YOU ARE EMBARRISING YOURSELF!
Fern says
I want to vomit, I actually feel ashamed to be a Laker fan, i never thought i see the day that happened to me, this is soul crushing…
Shaun says
just looking at the box scpre dont k ow why kobe is taking 16 3s … is that a record for him?
Anonymous says
Mid, Fern:
For some reason, perhaps because due to all of the bizarro dynamics in Lakerland these days, I just don’t see Byron losing his gig anytime this season. There’s quite an elephant in the room, and it’s still eating first. Albeit at a 25% clip tonite, with a -20 in an 9 pt. game at this moment.
Barring another season-ending injury I’m feeling that what we be seein’ is what we be gettin’ til April…
KevTheBold says
Pee Wee Herman, ” I meant to do that!”
The tank is official if Scott survives this.
Anonymous says
Snarky George – Thanks for taking the time to post the Pelton piece, good stuff…
Mid-Wilshire says
Well. This is deflating. Not to mention embarrassing. This loss definitely reflects on Byron’s leadership…or lack thereof. There is no system, no offensive concept, no defensive awareness. This one lands on Byron’s doorstep.
I fully expect a new interim Lakers coach to be named after this game.
The Lakers must do something to stop the bleeding.
Or at the very least, they should TRY to do something.
At this point, there is no reason to keep Byron on any longer. None whatsoever.
If a change is not made, then this will reflect badly on Mitch. The time to make a move is now.
KO says
This is a NBA scam perpetrated by the clown kids Jim and Jeannie.
Pay top ticket prices..
Buy our junk
Watch TW
Celebrate a former great.
In turn we will give you crap.
Nice con Buss. Meet Birney Madoff from Florida. This has become one of worst franchises in sport. All about $$$.
bluehill says
Kobe is going to keep shooting regardless of who the coach is for the rest of the season. In some ways, I’m developing more … respect (?) … for Byron because he seems to willing to sacrifice his career and take a lot of hits to allow Kobe to go out on his terms. On the other hand, I think a more flexible and creative coach could develop an offense or just some plays using the young guys, especially Clarkson, to set Kobe up for some easier shots (i.e. shots closer to the basket).
Tim says
The most 3PA attempted in a game by Kobe is 18, he made 12 on 7 Jan 2003.
Stats says
never thought I’d miss Boozer …
Teamn says
Have to wonder what is going on here. Kobe is too smart to keep doing this. Is Kobe ok with a historically bad season and his worst personal stats?
Not sure how to make sense of this. Fire Byron? Ok, but he seems to just defer to Kobe no matter what. How about letting Kobe start, play a few minutes, then sit? He must know the young guys need to develop without him.
I guess it just comes down to the money for everyone involved. Depressing. And yes, I mean the Busses.
Fern says
In 2015 Kobe should not be jacking up 26 effing shots and Byron Scott is his biggest accomplice and enabler, the worst thing that happened on this game was was Kobe hitting those 3s at the beggining of the game, as much as i love and apreciate everything that Kobe has done this needs to stop and if he can’t contain himself is Scott’s job to police him in, I don’t mind him starting, I don’t mind him shooting at a reasonable volume but 26 freaking shots?at this stage he shouldn’t shoot more than 10 shots and 20 minutes a night, can’t wait for this season to be over already…
Archon says
We just lost to a team in the middle of the most epic tank job in the history of American sports.
The Lakers are the worst team in the NBA and it’s not close, what a disaster.
TempleOfJamesWorthy says
Is it possible that the team is sick of Byron’s nonsense and has quit on him?
If you’re a professional and your coach blames the team’s woes on “guys didn’t play hard enough” and dismisses Kobe’s 7-26 shooting as “Well, there will be nights like that…” do you eventually get tired of the charade?
I wonder…
the other Stephen says
Pretty sad.
KevTheBold says
It’s about selling ads. Kobe sells and his farewell tour sells even more.
Our kid’s development is being sacrificed for this marketing extravaganza.
dxmanners says
All the extra running in training camp will pay off any game now.
Tra says
dont k ow why kobe is taking 16 3s
—
Because with this being his last season – which he admittedly knew all along – he’s playing it safe this year. Hoisting long threes doesn’t take up as much energy as driving to the hole. With his last 3 seasons ending in injury, he’s playing the type of game that lends to the least possibility of injury. He wants to make sure that he’s in uniform and not a suit for the last game of his career.
Sald0gg says
#SuckForSimmons
Robert says
Kev : Whose doing the marketing and sacrificing the development of the youngsters? Kobe? Byron?
Archon: Yesterday you made a different statement about giving the FO a walk until KB retired – and now today – disaster. What has changed? We were just as bad yesterday.
Ko: The con job continues and will continue (until the summer of 2017). Some will believe until the end however.
karen says
I finally heard james worthy say and show disgust and made mention kobe should have gone to being a facilitator after going cold, but no his ego didn’t allow him. Last minute of play he is tripled teamed in the corner and instead of passing he jacked it up. I do not think scott will be fired this season as any new coach is not going to defer to kobe and this season obviously is all about him.
KevTheBold says
Robert, marketing via web and cable viewer ads benefits the NBA, the and thus the FO.
As to the supposed statement from yesterday, do you mind posting it?
Teamn says
Robert,
You’ve mentioned the summer of 2017 and year 0 a few times now. My fear is that the Buss kids have let the winning culture collapse, replaced by a culture of losing. Once that takes hold, it is very hard to change. We may see the re-build, whenever it begins, turn into something much less satisfying.
Keith says
#SuckForSimmons
—
Amen!
KO says
Kobe alert
Last in NBA shooting percentage.
Last in NBA 3 point %
Leads NBA air balls.
65 more farewell embarrisments to go.
Anonymous says
65 more farewell embarrisments to go.
—–
And lose them all.
Robert says
teamn: Indeed. Summer of 17 will be the “start” of the rebuild. It will then take a while as you indicate.
Karen: You could be correct, however the FO may try to use Byron as the scapegoat so he may not last much longer. As to “all about him” – of course it is. We are paying him $24 million – it better be, otherwise it was not only bad basketball – but bad business as well.
Anonymous says
ESPN’s Amin Elhassan wasn’t impressed with the Sixers improving to 1-18: “They basically beat a team that’s just as blind as they are when it comes to trying to find wins.”
—
Ouch!
Anonymous says
KevTheBold:
It’s about selling ads. Kobe sells and his farewell tour sells even more.
Our kid’s development is being sacrificed for this marketing extravaganza.
——————————–
+1
DieTryin says
In the battle for worst team in the League Byron and crew have made a compelling argument for this dubious distinction. This is unarguably a new & bitter low.
Kev, I hope you’re right about this being the tipping point for BS. Not because an interim coach is going to make an enormous difference since the talent deficit on the Lakers looms large. But if for no other reason than to say enough is enough. I don’t believe in the tank theory. I do believe that Byron is inept and has lost this team.
Who knows maybe Kobe kept shooting an absurd number of 3’s and shots in general in an effort to accelerate Mr Scott’s bag packing. After all he can’t very well tell the FO he’s gotta go given his “allegiances”
I fully understand why KO & Fern are in full vent mode. I will say it again. This was a new & bitter low. After Kobe was playing with house money (4 of 5 three pointers to start the game) Byron as any responsible coach would do should have saved him from himself. After all Kobe’s membership in Shooter’s Anonymous is not in doubt.
Mid-Wilshire says
Robert,
If Byron gets the ax (which I am now in favor of), I don’t think he would be a mere “scape goat.” The Lakers are abominable. And I think Byron has a lot to answer for.
The Lakers are in disarray. It’s not just Kobe. He obviously is mismanaging Kobe. He’s not playing Tarik Black (or Anthony Brown). He insists on playing Bass at the 5. The young players are not being adequately developed, especially on D. The defense is non-existent. There’s very little ball movement. And he may have already lost the locker room.
And I haven’t even mentioned the fact that his team is 2-15 and his boss, Mitch Kupchak, has admitted to being disappointed and mystified.
This doesn’t look like the work of a “scape goat.” It looks like the work of someone who is over his head.
I think it’s time for a change.
Byron is a detriment.
Kareeme says
I think that even a favorable take of Byron, playing Bass and Williams to shop them, is untenable right now. The “system” he’s running and the rotations he’s using are making them look terrible. What’s the point of his coaching approach? Limit Kobe’s minutes, play Bass behind Randle and Black behind Hibbert. These are obvious rotations, and Scott’s not making obvious adjustments.
Robert says
Mid: Already said he should go. A scape goat is someone who takes all or too much of the blame. The team is horrible. That is on Jim (turn the corner), Mitch (playoffs), and Byron (man up). Of course Kobe as well, but hey he did not extend himself. Clean house. Anything less is a scape goat.
Craig W. says
This game was simply a very large embarrassment.
The most embarrassed should be Byron Scott.
The 2nd most embarrassed should be Kobe Bryant.
Defense often flows from offense, especially with younger players. At no time did I sense any semblance of any organized offense – none. Regardless the situation, I don’t see how Byron keeps his job for the remainder of the year, if this is a representation of what is coming. What this was was worse than an intentional tank job.
Mid-Wilshire says
Robert,
Okay. We’re in agreement. Let’s see if Mitch makes a move.
Archon says
The idea that a new coach is gonna be able to come in here and reel in Kobe is laughable. And Robert I’m prepared to give the FO a pass on the assumption that Kobe has had a detrimental effect on a rebuild but its still discouraging to lose soundly to a team that has lost 28 games in a row wouldn’t you say?
J C says
Silver lining department:
A loss like this does one of two things, or both –
1. brings us closer to the end of the Byron Scott era, and
2. brings us closer to the possibility of a Ben Simmons era.
Nice to see the outpouring of respect for Kobe,
and yet sickening to see how far our franchise has fallen.
If management doesn’t replace the coach soon, the tank will be out in the open.
rr says
I said a couple of weeks ago that this isn’t all that complicated. The Lakers need to play the six young guys, Kobe needs to go 26-30 minutes a game and mostly stay off the 3-point line, and they need to shop the non-Kobe non-Hibbert (since I think the value of RH’s expiring is greater than anything they might get for him) vets to see if they can get anything for them. The FO should either order Byron to do those things, or fire him and hire someone who will.
That said, one more time: Byron has had some pretty good teams when he has had a HOF PG and an active All-Star level defensive big. When he has not had those things, he has lost consistently and lost big. A lot of the stuff he gets slammed for goes back to Riley and Byron has always been open about that. The Lakers interviewed him multiple times. Putting him and Kobe together, especially with Kobe on a contract of the size they gave him, didn’t guarantee this kind of situation, but it made it pretty likely. That was clear weeks before Byron was hired and from the moment Kobe’s extension was agreed to.
So, while the 16 3s are inexcusable and should not happen again, I don’t think we know whether Byron has lost the locker room, and I am not convinced that his tactics and rotations are as mind-blowingly bad as we are being told hour after hour and day after day, and that he is single-handedly crushing the young guys with his multi-pronged ineptitude. This team simply lacks high-end prime-age NBA talent and is oddly constructed, and I think Byron is a pretty bad coach for that kind of team.
But if the FO thinks that he is hurting the young guys and that he can’t change, then they need to cut ties with him.
R says
On track for 2-22.
lil pau says
Looking at both rosters, i’m really struggling to understand how some think the Sixers have more talent than we do. This is on Byron– our players are not being used properly or, perhaps, at all.
rr says
Looking at both rosters, i’m really struggling to understand how some think the Sixers have more talent than we do
—
If you mean me, I didn’t say that and don’t think it. But I do think, as I said in preseason, that a lot of people talking about the Lakers in preseason confused “reasons for hope” with “talent that will lead to better results short-term” and I think that is one reason Byron is taking so much heat. If people can choose between blaming a bad coach or admitting that they may have been wrong about the talent level on the roster, most people will choose the former—and that includes the people who actually have the power to show Byron the door, as they may choose to do.
KO says
Just got picked on by a certain coach’ s mgr at cigar store for calling Lakers a circus act and Bryon the head clown on Laker talk. Allowing Kobe to put himself ahead of team and shoot 17 3s.
Been Laker fan way before there was a Kobe I guess it is wrong to care about winning. Meanehile ownership only cares about selling tickets and using this as the only reason to come to games.
Talk about bait and switch. Dr. Buss must be rolling over and Phil laughing his head off. Tough to be laughing stock of NBA while people pay to watch this clown act.
Fern says
@DieTriyin Normally i try to keep a more positive aproach despite my ocassional argument with KO lol, focusing on the development of the kids apreciating Kobe ect, and i kept fairly quiet on the Byron Scott situation, tonight i lost it, i think that was the most disgusting Laker game i seen in a long time and what pisses me off more than anything is that despite this team obvious flaws this is not a a 2-15 team and this team is not as bad as the Sixers, this is the 5th game we blown this season, this team could had been 7-10 or 6-11, bad but more respetable and aceptable. The coaching on this team have been ghastly i have a stronger word but it can’t be used here, and i have come around and agree that Byron should be fired NOW, not at the end of the season, Kobe has to be restrained and i come to the conclusion that Byron Scott old school and all is afraid of him, what sealed the deal with me is that after the game he goes and say that the Lakers are “going to live and die” with Kobe shooting the way it is, this man have to go!!!! Im going to get ahead of myself and say that the Lakers should hire Mark Jackson, he built that Dubs juggernaut we have to endure, i read elsewhere about Luke Walton as a possible candidate after the season, he is not doing anything, that team is on automatic, hell i could be the coach and they still be undefeated, thats how solid is the foundation Mark Jackson laid, Steve Kerr got all the credit and the ring but Mark Jackson built that team. Byron Scott has me missing,Mike freaking Brown , thats how disgusted i am. I threw Jackson’s name out there because he proved he could build a team and develop a young core, Steve Kerr got a championship team fall on his lap. Sorry about the long rant, needed to let go some steam…
bluehill says
I think the FO is in a position where the least worst option is to stick with Byron. Now that Kobe’s retirement is official, it creates a lot of options in terms of cap flexibility, and the terrible start to the season and lack of improvement puts us in a realistic position to keep our draft pick. Next year’s team will be very different, so why commit to a new coach now. The choices are more limited because college coaches are just beginning their seasons. Maybe you could get an assistant coach from an NBA team, but the current favorite, Luke, probably won’t leave the Warriors until Kerr gets back or the team loses, which may not happen until then anyways.
For any coach coming in now, they will still have to figure out how to work with Kobe, which may be even more difficult now that it’s Kobe’s last year. They would have to design an offense to develop the young guys and feature a broken-down Kobe while likely having to rein him in and implement the system on the fly. Plus they look at Byron, whom most people thought Kobe supported, or think about Phil’s past comments and it doesn’t seem like an appealing offer. The coaches that might be capable of doing this probably don’t want the job, and we probably don’t want the coaches that would be willing to take the job.
The one scenario that I could see happening is if there is an current assistant coach on the Lakers that Kobe trusts and would be willing to buy into their system. However, I’m skeptical that that person exists.
We’re almost a quarter way through the season and it doesn’t look it’s going to get much better. If this were poker, Dr. Buss would probably fold given his hole cards. The possible cards that haven’t been dealt won’t result in a winning hand, so why continue to throw good money after bad. The real on-going cost in my view is the stunted development of the young guys, but that would mean controlling Kobe and now I’m chasing my tail again.
Ryan P says
Ugh…
65 more games of this….
At least Kobe won’t be in that many of them.
rr says
bluehill,
I wouldn’t hire a new coach now, but if the FO thinks Byron is hurting the young guys, then they could give the team to Pressey or Madsen and order whichever one it was to cut Kobe’s minutes and play the six young guys.
Also, Scott Brooks is probably available right now, and while he has taken a lot of heat for his tactics, he makes sense on many levels.
Kbj says
Tbh, I haven’t seen any problems with the development of the young guys, unless we are talking about the terrible offense. That’s more Byron than Kobe. Jordan is playing good. Russell is receiving more minutes and gaining confidence. Randle looks okay. I don’t know how fast people want these guys to develop. These guys still have a long way to go. I don’t think it matters whether Kobe is there or not.
Kobe does have to rein it in though. 16 3s….smh. I’m a big Kobe fan, but that was ridiculous. Not even Curry would take 16 3s.
rr says
Kbj,
I agree with a lot of that and said something similar a few weeks ago. But Nance Jr, ABrown and Black should probably be playing instead of Metta, Young, (presuming that benching KB is not realistic) and BB. That and KB’s 3s/MPG are the issues with Scott.
Kareeme says
kbj,
Kobe’s usage is detrimental to the development of the rookies. Focusing the offense around him takes the other players out, halts movement, and steals possessions away from the rookies with which they would develop. They do not develop during the 17 Kobe heaves from deep. In fact, if anything, they’re learning about double standards. How long will the rookies, let alone the other veterans on the team, take Kobe’s lack of accountability in Byron’s system. Young’s statements to the press are telling. He loves the Lakers and likely looks up to Kobe. But as a vet he’s got to be aware of how damaging Kobe’s carte blanche is to the team dynamic. If this ‘system’ and these rotations continue, the team will likely implode. How long before Hibbert and Williams and Bass start to sour?
Kbj says
rr, I completely forgot about Nance, Brown and Black. That’s how irrelevant these guys have been. You are right that Byron Scott must play these guys more.
Todd says
Many of us, during the summer saw the average vets and really young talent, and said this was a 25 win team. To see now that we are tracking towards 11 wins puts us into historically bad NBA levels.
If this team fails so miserably into Ben Simmons. Jim will be the most undeserving luckiest man alive.
bluehill says
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 the upcoming cities that aren’t as sentimental.
matt says
I wonder if the management was applauding the loss, they gor their scout out looking at top 3 prospects now, as coach who does this, is he really trying to win, if i was coaching at the ymca youth league as a volunteer would i coach this bad, you see what kobe is doing and he still is top priority in your rotation, this is da ja vu posting above, we are all pissed off meanwhile byrons like good job kobe
matt says
Also i agree with kbj, tarik black looked good last year as a rookie, a.brown will not play good but at least he gets real minutes to develop, and nance well he looks bewildered at the whole fiasco, looks like the lack of vision from the coaching staff got him lost