Happy Monday, everybody. Here are a few of the best Laker-centric reads, news and notes from around the web:
- NOT SO IMPRESSED: This is the first of a string of Byron Scott and D’Angelo Russell-related links, so be prepared. If you missed any of Russell’s showing on Christmas Day (or would simply like to revisit it), here are his full highlights. Without question it was Russell’s most complete game on both ends of the floor, yet, via Mark Medina of the LA Daily News, Scott didn’t leave overly impressed with the rookie’s performance.
- CHANGE ON IT’S WAY?: Medina also reported postgame that Scott plans to stick with the same rotation for the remainder of the calendar year. Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times offered a bit more detail on the wait for Russell and Randle to re-enter the starting lineup.
- THE LAND OF (LESS?) OPPORTUNITY: It is no secret that Byron has coached young point guards successfully in the past. Chris Paul and Kyrie Irving being chief among them. Nevertheless, there exists a difference between their development under Scott and Russell’s, this is something the folks at L.A. Daily News looked into, finding that much less freedom has been allotted to Russell than both Irving and Paul.
- LAST ONE, I PROMISE: As is also suggested in the piece linked above, part of Scott’s unwillingness to simply throw Russell into the proverbial fire could be attributed to the rookie’s limited knowledge of his playbook. This reasoning is something Harrison Faigen of Silver Screen and Roll takes issue with.
- TO MATCH OR NOT TO MATCH: There are certainly larger issues currently at hand for the Lakers (like winning games and such), but Jordan Clarkson’s impending restricted free agency is a cloud that hangs over any conversation about the upcoming summer. For those interested in gleaning more into his contract situation, the salary cap-savvy, Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times recently explained how the Lakers can benefit from a team extending Clarkson an offer sheet in the offseason.
- KEEPING STEADY: For more on Clarkson, check out Cedelf P. Tupas of the Philippine Inquirer’s piece on how the second-year guard manages to find a silver lining during this rough season.
- TIME FOR REFLECTION: After Sunday’s loss to the Grizzlies, Kobe was asked what advice he would give himself as a rookie. You can check out his response via Baxter Holmes of ESPN.
- THE PROCESS: Recently, Holmes detailed the “all-day process” that is preparing, recovering and maintaining the health of Kobe during what is as physically trying a season that #24 has had to endure in his career. We gave our thoughts on the contents of the article earlier last week but, if you haven’t given it a read already, the entire piece is well worth your time. Now, let’s sing …
- HEY NOW, YOU’RE AN …: All-Star. That’s right, while not yet official, Kobe is highly likely to All-Star game hurrah come January as after the first wave of voting, he leads all players by a very, very wide margin.
- FLASHING POTENTIAL: Larry Nance, Jr. had, by far, the best game of his career in Sunday’s loss to Memphis and Harrison Faigen wrote up a detailed breakdown of the rookie’s performance in that one.
- WELP: Never to be topped by any career-best performance, Nance, Jr. also did this on Christmas. Byron called the play “indicative” of the Lakers’ season thus far. I’d agree, but the ball actually managed to make it in the hoop this time (hey-oh!).
Lakers’ Schedule for the Week:
- The team continues its three-game road swing this week at Charlotte on Monday, December 28th (4 p.m. PT, TWCSN) — our preview for which can be found here — and at Boston on Wednesday, December 30th (4:30 p.m. PT, NBATV and TWCSN). Then, to kick off a three-game home stand, they will face off against the Sixers on Friday, New Years Day (7:30 p.m. PT, TWCSN) and the Suns on Sunday, January 3rd (6:30 p.m. PT, TWCSN).
Enjoy the New Year, folks!
Gene says
Williams with the most minutes yesterday…Not good….
Kbj says
I actually think its much better if Russell and Randle come off the bench. Russell can run the offense better without Kobe and Clarkson. Randle needs to develop a jump shot and a right hand before he starts.
Anonymous says
I actually think its much better if Russell and Randle come off the bench. Russell can run the offense better without Kobe and Clarkson. Randle needs to develop a jump shot and a right hand before he starts.
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Our building blocks are: Randle, Clarkson, Russell and Nance.
– Russell plays better without Clarkson on the floor.
– Randle needs a jumper and a right hand
– Randle and Nance can’t be on the floor together.
Yes, the FO has done a great job of assembling talent for the future. Folks, turning this thing around is going to take awhile.
Anonymous says
From the Faigen article:
It’s still FAR too early for the pie-in-the-sky Draymond Green comparison that some have bandied about, but if Nance, Jr. can continue to hit that jumper, roll to the basket, rebound, defend, and handle the ball like he did tonight he does have the potential to look like a very solid pick, if not even a steal, at 27th overall.
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Wait, I thought Randle was the next Draymond Green?
KevTheBold says
Excellent and interesting selection of posts there Darius ! Thank you ~!
Especially was seeking updates on Upshaw.
Good to see him making progress, I hope he continues on, thus making our future hopeh for Whiteside – which may not pan out – unnecessary.
KevTheBold says
Regarding Russell and the 2nd unit.
I do think that it allows him to run a unit by himself, thus gain valuable experience.
As with Kobe on the floor, the group tends to make him the focus of the offence, leaving Russell as passer that gets buried in the scheme of things on the offensive end.
rr says
Wait, I thought Randle was the next Draymond Green?
—
Faigen is like the rest of that site; he thinks that Byron Scott is an historically awful coach who was somehow hired by a gifted and visionary front office that will eventually silence all its detractors. Green’s development arc and the status that he has reached after being chosen 35th in the draft is more or less unprecedented in NBA history, I think. There has never been a team like Golden State in the entire history of the league in terms of getting to this level and how they got there. That said, I do expect that the Lakers FO was thinking of Kawhi Leonard and Green when they took Nance Jr; his college stats are similar to Green’s in many ways.
KO says
Funny when he shoots outside or dunks I see early Blake with Nance
Mid-Wilshire says
“Randle and Nance can’t be on the floor together.”
For the moment, this is true. However, as I’ve said before, they complement one another by giving defenses a very different look when one subs in for the other. There’s value in that.
The Show Time Lakers had two excellent shooting guards — but very different kinds of players — Byron Scott, primarily an offensive force, and Michael Cooper, a defensive stopper for the ages. They worked very well in their different roles and forced the other teams to constantly adjust to them when they entered the game.
The same thing could evolve ultimately with LNJr and Randle.
Also, over time, Nance may develop an outside shot (he shot well from outside in college) thus making it feasible for both players to play together to a degree. This could force the opposition to adjust once again.
I like the idea of having them both on the same team. I truly do. Now all we need is for them to develop. That, of course, takes time.
Dwight says
When Kobe misses a game or goes down with his impending season ending injury, I’d start Randle/Nance at the forwards and Russell/Clarkson at the guards with Black as the center.
Let the chips fall where they may.
KevTheBold says
@KO, I agree, Nance reminds me of Griffin as well.
Keith says
From the Bresnahan article:
They planned to make next year’s free-agent meetings more basketball intensive, with less emphasis on endorsement and business opportunities in Los Angeles, Scott said.
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This was raised before. Why is Scott making these comments. It should be Mitch or Jim. Scott has one foot in the grave. If he’s the spokesman for organizational changes going forward then there is a problem.
Note to FO Hire a coach that has longevity and is truly a part of the team’s future — then comments like this carry weight. Otherwise, its best that Jim or Mitch make statements such as this.
Who is running this show? Jim seems to want to run and hide, unless he can find a sympathetic interviewer to boost his cause in the media. Mitch seems caught in the middle of doing his job and staying professional while Jim and Jeanie carry out their sibling rivalry.
And this isn’t even addressing the real issue as to why, when wooing elite free agents that represent the key to the Lakers future success (as Jim defined it in his sign two elite free agents strategy) did you talk about everything else but basketball? If you recall Jim didn’t even know if he would attend the Aldridge ‘event’ until the last moment. Plus, he had asked Jeanie, who says she knows nothing of player personnel to run the meeting. The presentation bombed to the extent that the Lakers had to plead for a second meeting to save face.
How do FO supporters continue to defend this guy? Jim designs a bankrupt strategy and even he doesn’t have enough faith in it to lead the meeting and communicate his plan. No wonder elites are staying away — there is no vision — there is no plan.
I’m sorry but this really irritates me. For the most part the Lakers woes are of the worst kind — self inflicted wounds. Yet, there are no consequences for what is shaping up to be the third consecutive historically worst record in franchise history.
This is not how you run an elite basketball franchise.
Dwight says
Nance has an outside shot, its just that he’s not confident with it out to the NBA 3 pt line. I think this will come with playing time.
I believe he’s the right size to play small forward. Nance is 6′ 8.5″ and weighs 227 pounds. in 2011, a study said the average size of a starting SF was 6′ 8″ 225. The key is that Nance has the the lateral quickness to play on the wing.
If the FO drafted Nance to backup Randle then they wasted the pick. They already had Kelly and Black as backups PFs and spent free agent dollars on Bass, also a PF.
No, the plan had to be to run Nance at the SF position. So, I propose that they start running him there now and pair him with Randle.
Problem solved.
Robert says
Kobe Alert: In case you have forgotten, Kobe is the highest paid, the most recognizable, and the leading vote getter in the NBA. That said – Kobes has tied Buck Williams for 13th in all time games, and now pursues Moses for number 12. He needs 27 minutes to take over the 8 spot all time from Reggie Miller and then he will have his sights on John Stockton. As many of his harshest critics know, KB is relentless with the 3 ball. He is currently 13th all time, but has both Predrag and Joe Johnson in his sights. The Bean has move by James Donaldson for 48th in defensive rebounds and needs 11 more to get Terry Cummings for 47th. Just 23 dimes to go for JW and 53 puntos for 33K.
KevTheBold says
Thanks Robert !
Decent game thus far, Nance continuing to shine.
Looking at Madsen on the sidelines, I wonder, that is if the FO is willing to roll the dice with a green pea, how he would do as our coach.
Fern says
What the hell is with Jeremy Lin’s hair?
Fern says
If Larry Nance develops a reliable long range/3 jumper in the future, he would be the perfect compliment to Randle mid/inside game, Randle is a hard worker and im sure he is going to work on his right hand and his mid ranger. If Nance develop that he could be a tall SF. We have 4 players that are the future and still learning to play with each other. As i said a million times already, for the Lakers to move foward Kobe has to go as much as i love the man we need to move on, this Kobe farewell tour circus/lovefest it’s mucking things up more than they already are…
KevTheBold says
We can win this game!
Robert says
Fern: There is a consistency to this. Think about it. Nash comes here and cuts his hair after decades with the long hair (was never the same afterwards). Bynum went off the deep end (was never the same afterwards). And now Lin. I can hardly wait what the future holds for NY and DAR given their starting points.
KevTheBold says
@Robert, I get the Nash and Bynum links, but DAR?
KevTheBold says
Lin, wants revenge.
Lakafan says
Hardly ever watch the games anymore just tuned in to watch the ending,
Saw DAR make a sweet scoop Layup only to be taken out the game. Screw you Scott get lost !!!
Lakafan says
Clogged toilet offense if I ever seen one. Kobe ISO ball throwing up bricks. That’s a wrap, for the Lakers and for me watching even one more minute of Laker ball this year!
KO says
How stupid is Scott. Kobe can’t walk. Missed last 8 last 9shots 5 for 20 with 4 airballs and 3 turnovers and zero defense minus 14.
WORST COACH LAKER HISTORY.
Loser coach and FO.
Bob says
Over the past 10 or more games, Russell has played well, with work still to be done on the defensive end. I like a lot of what I see, but Russell’s biggest developmental enemy is Byron Scott. Scott has done everything he can to take away his confidence, his creativity, and his effective control of the offense from the PG spot. While trailing Williams in FG% over the past 10 games (Russell’s FG% for the season at 40% is higher than Lou Williams’ 39%), his PPG at 14.2 are higher than Williams at 13.4, his rebounds at 3.2 are higher than Williams at 3.1 and his assists at 3.9 are significantly higher than Williams at 2.7, yet his minutes trail both Williams and Clarkson.
Williams will never be a starting PG for the Lakers (or any other team). He is a high volume, poor percentage shooter who is and undersized (6’1″) off-the-bench shooting guard. Russell will be a starting PG for the Lakers. I think Scott is doing a horrible disservice to Russell’s development and to the Lakers’ future. Scott has ensured this season is about a totally unrestrained Kobe to the detriment of the young players and frankly the LA season ticket holders. Get a coach who knows how to develop young talent and can develop a tam that plays consistent defense and has a fluid and disciplined offense. At this stage of the season, the team demonstrates neither of those qualities – and that is on the coach.
Todd says
ESPN speculating that the Warrors FO is open to making the necessary roster moves to get KD on board next summer. Their nucleus would be Curry, Thompson and KD.
ESPN saying this has been heard from multiple competing FOs. Warriors would renounce Barnes and trade Bogut to make room.
My gut says Jerry West is all over this.
Anonymous says
A healthy KD with Curry/Thompson/Green is just sick. That’s a lot of 3s.
KevTheBold says
If the NBA allows the warriors to snag KD on a championship team, but snatched CP3 from the Lakers, then the so called ‘NBA reasons’ are pure proven nonsense !
Fern says
@Todd, i would not care if KD goes to GS, i would grab Barnes in a second…
Todd says
Kev- not a trade. The Wariors would make space to sign KD as a free agent this summer. Barnes is also a free agent and Bogut is expendable.
KevTheBold says
Todd, ahh I see.
Mid-Wilshire says
Tonight Lou Williams played 37:32 and Kobe 32:04. Meanwhile, DAR played 23:06 while Julius Randle recorded only 19:05. And as we know, Anthony Brown played zero minutes and Tarick Black (again) did not even dress and seems to be relegated to permanent exile.
I’ve asked myself what could possibly be going through Byron Scott’s mind with some of these seemingly self-defeating rotations. My thinking is this.
Byron has 3 priorities. They are, in order, as I see it: 1) to win games and save his job; 2) to accommodate Kobe’s farewell tour; and 3) when all else fails, to develop the kids.
If I were to guess how much of a numerical value Byron might assign to these priorities, on a scale of 1-10, I would surmise the following:
1) Win games and save job — 10;
2) Accommodate Kobe’s farewell tour — 9;
3) Develop the young players — 5.
So, if I’m correct, there could be a major disconnect between Byron and (possibly) Mitch Kupchak who, if i recall correctly (I could be wrong on this), has stated that the most important item on the Lakers’ agenda is to develop the young players for the future. Certainly, there is a major disconnect between Byron and the fans.
This is, I believe, the source of most of the fans’ frustration. Byron’s priorities are not ours. It’s as simple as that. And that will probably not change. Clearly, this will not be resolved until either the Lakers start winning (which may not be for another two years) or until Byron is shown the door.
I fully expect Byron to be here for the rest of the year. (Most other FOs would have fired a 5-27 coach by now.) Therefore, we have no choice but to grin and bear it. Such is life.
Happy New Year, everyone.
teamn says
Mid-Wilshire,
I agree with your assessment, although I may quibble and say BS allocates only a 3 or even a 2 against his third priority, but I think the real issue for him is how short-sighted he is. Byron will not get wins as a coach here playing the vets, nor will he develop the young guys with this approach, so what is he proving to future employers? That he can be loyal to a retiring legend? Great.
Unless a miracle occurs and the team improves through better play and better coaching or the young guys really start to play a lot as Clarkson did last year, I just don’t see how Scott makes it past this season. And then, his coaching career is over. He has done nothing to convince anyone that he deserves another chance and done nothing to show any sense of direction, one way or another.
rr says
Bob,
I get it, but again: people who are going to go off on Byron for stuff like Lou Williams’ PT should look back to the summer when the FO signed him. Many posters, IIRC, were pretty happy to be getting the reigning 6MOY, but it was very clear then that Williams’ presence would cut into Russell’s minutes. And we should remember that Williams and BB may both be moved.
Mid,
I expect that Kupchak and Buss are old-school types in the sense that they don’t want to tell Scott who to play and for how long; Kupchak actually suggested as much last time he was interviewed. But if your scenario is right, with the team at 5-27, it would be simple enough for the FO to
a) Order Byron to play the six young guys (seven if you count Kelly) and bench Williams/BB/Young and fire him if he refuses.
or
b) Announce that Byron has the job the rest of the year and will be reevaluated at the end of the year based on development of young guys—not W/L record.
As to Kobe, he has been looking quite a bit better; the issue is still the 3s and going to him too much late if he is in there.
J C says
Mid Wilshire
I like your priority list.
I’d take it a step further. Let’s use percentages.
Byron’s primary goal at this point is probably trying to save his job, by winning games. Sadly this is something he clearly doesn’t know how to do.
I’d put that personal priority at roughly 80%.
Second, accommodating Kobe’s exhibition tour, 15%.
Developing the young players is probably 5%, and only that high because somewhere in the back of his mind he recalls Mitch mentioning its importance, even though he’s fairly sure he won’t be around long enough to see that part come to fruition.
I do feel sorry for Byron. It’s gotta be a nightmare to fail so spectacularly on such a grand stage.
But at least he’ll be able to retire with a few bucks in the bank.
Dwight says
The Warriors potentially adding KD this summer is indeed scary. Maybe it’s a good thing the Lakers rebuild will take the rest of the decade … we’ll finally start peaking when they’re descending.
Anonymous says
My gut says Jerry West is all over this
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Heavy sigh…Jerry West used to be ours.
Mid-Wilshire says
teamn, rr, and J C,
Thanks for your comments.
teamn, I concur. I was a little bit generous in rating Byron’s 3rd priority as highly as I did. I think your evaluation is closer to reality.
rr, excellent suggestions. This really is a conversation that Mitch must have with Byron. I doubt that it will occur though.
JC, I really like your percentages. In fact, I see it as an improvement on my point system. Also, it’s a much better reflection, I think, of the reality of Byron’s mindset.
The bottom line? Byron’s probably running scared. I doubt that he feels that he has the luxury of developing the kids. He’s too busy fighting for his professional life. It’s a battle that he will almost certainly lose at the end of the season.
Until then it’s more of the same.
matt says
Ok i said i was gonna stop blaming the coach but i was just frustrated,
How is lou williams better defensively than russell, i said before it’s the byron scott boot camp and russell is a victim
On a positive note just gotta hope russell has the character to deal with this crap, maybe he’s being groomed in like he needs to, i mean college only plays like 20 games, also he’s learning a whole new aspect of the game from scott and his wack system, maybe it’s all a blessing in disguise
matt says
I like how the l.a.times article mentions the lakers facing, monroe, alderidge, and d.jordan, the guys they missed out on in free agency, give it a break
matt says
Good article on clarkson free agency and the lakers bird rights on him, so it’s best to let him go into free agency,
also lakers have until jan. 10 to waiver mwp, huertas, or tarik.
And bass has a 3.1 mil player option for next year
matt says
Yeah nance is the only reason to watch the first unit, other than kobe’s once in awhile awesomeness
Todd says
Regarding Byron. I think there is a misconception that the FO is united in terms of what BS’s expectations are. In my mind it wouldn’t be inconceivable that Mitch, the basketball guy, realizes given where the Lakers are, developing the kids is the most important goal for the season. It also wouldn’t surprise me that Jim has a different priority. And remember — Jim is the boss.
With Jim, I always follow the money. Kobe has been a money train for the franchise. The wacky extension was a no brainer from a marketing perspective but a very poor basketball one. Jim is pushing the Kobe agenda to it’s ultimate conclusion and has instructed Byron to milk it.
Byron was never going to get another coaching job after falling on his face in Cleveland. The Lakers gig is his last payday. He’s got a four year deal and he’ll likely only have to work two of them to collect the dough. Trust me, he knows this is a mess. But he’s getting paid and if the boss tells him to focus on Kobe and play the vets what does he care.
Byron is not going rogue and making his own decisions. It’s Jim.
LordMo says
Draymont Green is the most overrated player in the league.
Not saying he isn’t a decent player but come on people he has two of the best shooters in the league to space out the floor. No way he would be able to be “the man” or even your number two. But he has become a legit third scorer in their system and small ball works because no legit centers in the league other than undeveloped young ones or defensive types like D. Jordan.
But if Shaq was still in the league he would go for 50 on them and Green would foul out every time.
If I’m the Lakers I’m looking for legit post players. … Small ball is an aberration! We need to get back to Laker ball and quit the perimeter oriented game others play. Post play and Showtime coupled with solid defense… That wins championships period! Other than Dallas and this version of Golden State can’t name a team that has won without some Post presence. You could argue Chicago but two hall of fame perimeter players and defensive Post Presence of Cartwright and Grant. Cartwright nice low post game and Grant high post…same for Pistons with Aguirre and Laimbeer. So forget Golden State we got our own formula and last I checked it has worked pretty well for us!
matt says
Mid Wilshire, good post,
made me think when byron scott is done here he most likely will never be hired as a head coach again, so save face is most likely a top priority to him, but as you posted lou williams played 37 mins. And he’s been terrible, so what is the coach thinking there.
matt says
Lordmo, i agree
People trying to copy golden state is idiotic, the lakers 3 guard system kobe, clarkson, and williams, does not work. They even tryed russell, huertas, and young together it doesn’t work
Most of us have stated why not try a bigger player at small forward, randle on the floor with nance and bass, even kelly out there, but it’s 30 games out we are losing and still no experimenting that makes sense, i hate talking about it because it won’t change things,
I’d like to see these linups.
Bass, randle , kelly, clarkson, and russell,
Hibbert, nance, young, kobe, williams
But if i want that gotta just play the video game
T Rogers says
LorMo,
The league killed traditional post play with its defensive rule changes in the early 2000’s. Players can still thrive in the post. But they need 4 floor spacers and have to operate very quickly. And even then it’s a challenge. The days of scoring 25 points a game by meticulously backing down defenders for 4+ seconds are gone.
Green’s greatest assest is his defensive versatility. He can guard 5 positions effectively. That’s what allows GSW to go small and basically run every other team off the floor.
I don’t think he’s overrated. In fact, I think he and Kwai Leonard are the two best defensive players in league. And it’s no coincidence their teams are the two best teams in the league.