The Lakers are coming off their two worst seasons in franchise history. Consecutive seasons featuring descending wins from 21 to 17 have left the team the butt of jokes and fans anxious about the future of the team. Or, more specifically, the future of the head coach who guided his team to those records.
Waiting is never easy, but waiting is really all we can do. At his exit interview, Mitch Kupchak said he expected to have a sit-down with Scott and Jim Buss within a couple of weeks. That statement came on the heels of reports the team’s top decision makers were either leaning towards keeping Scott on or that fractured ownership and competing agendas would make a change unlikely.
Other reports note the front office is simply trying to decide:
Sacramento just getting started; Lakers deliberating whether to keep Byron Scott; Knicks' focus, for now, remains Kurt Rambis & David Blatt
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 20, 2016
If you ask a vocal subset of Lakers’ fans, they’d probably incredulously ask what is there to deliberate? Scott has the stain of 38 wins over two seasons lording over him. He consistently pointed the finger at his team, and never himself, for the team’s on-court failures. He threw his young players under the bus to the media and jerked around their minutes. He didn’t do an appreciably good job of managing rotations. His schemes were antiquated, ineffective, or both. So, again, what is there to deliberate?
There is validity in that thinking. I’ve had many of those same thoughts in the past few months and, as the season neared its close I thought there was little doubt Scott would keep his job. There just seemed to be too many strikes against him.
Things are never really that straight forward, though.
“I roll with the punches because you guys, they, those guys — they’re not in here every day,” Scott said of his critics. “They don’t see what we’re doing in practice. They don’t see how we’re preparing these guys, so they have no clue … all they’re doing is voicing their opinion, and to be honest with you, I’m much smarter than all of them when it comes to basketball.”
That was Scott at his exit interview, throwing a shot across the bow at anyone who questioned his approach with his team. And while those words can come off as condescending, I can guarantee you that sentiment is part of what creates the need for the front office to deliberate Scott’s future. The fact is, we do only see part of what occurs and we do only get snippets of information — even if we do get them daily during the season.
Further, those who are to decide Scott’s fate are going to take into account the context in which the results were produced.
“I think Byron has done an excellent job under the circumstances he has had to deal with the last two years.”
That’s Mitch Kupchak, speaking very plainly about Scott’s job performance. Remember, the Lakers were ravaged by injuries in Scott’s first year as coach. This past season Kobe’s inconsistent game availability and lack of practicing combined with a roster full of young players who make the mistakes young players make created a situation in which good results were not likely.
As I noted in a podcast I did on Wednesday night, the challenges of this past season were real and any objective view of this season must account for them. That may not be something fans want to hear — in fact, fans and analysts alike will to point back at Scott and his role in helping to foster an environment where those challenges festered — but it doesn’t change that they existed.
I’ve no doubt that some in the Lakers organization feel as though if you give Scott a better team under more ideal circumstances, the results will improve. Improve the talent base enough (max free agent/two impact level players? top draft pick to either add a rookie or trade for a proven veteran?) and tilt the scales in an even more favorable direction and the recent struggles may end up being a distant memory.
Maybe that’s far-fetched, but, again, I can guarantee this mindset exists.
So what now? I have gone on record on what I would do. But what I would do isn’t relevant. As it stands, the Lakers have a coach.
Should fans feel worried that Tom Thibodeau is now running the Timberwolves and that Scott Brooks just took the Wizards job? Should they start to feel upset that candidates who would likely have been interested in the Lakers job were it open are now going to be leading other teams because that opening never came to fruition?
Regardless of whether these things stir up the emotions in you or not, we are nearing (and many would say at) the point where it would be good to know Scott’s future either way. If he’s going to be let go, one has to figure it should happen soon if only to ensure they get the interviews they want with the candidate(s) they would like to hire. If they’re going to keep him, some will go bonkers, but at least the answer is there and everyone can move on and assess next steps for the summer and upcoming season.
It is time to move forward, one way or the other.
Ryan P says
Hopefully Luke wanted to finish the playoffs and the lakers are waiting for that to do something.
Ross Coventry says
Sounds like Jeanie wants one more year of failure so she can blame Jimmy and force him to quit.
R says
Kerr is on record as stating Luke has the green light to interview for HC jobs but that timing is key and (Luke) “is kind of busy right now.”
Luke mentioned that he has spoken with PJ because he “is a mentor of mine” but that no HC job has been offered him by Phil.
And, Luke has unsurprisingly mentioned he is interested in a HC job at some point. His father suggests he should stay put, that he’s in a dream position now, but who ever listens to their old man?
LKK says
What gets me is that despite the worst 3 years in franchise history, the only sense of urgency for improvement is from the fanbase.
karen says
And why, back to my prior post, nba is a business, lakers are selling out, making tons of money, case in point kobe’s last game, they sold more than 1 mil in #24 merchandise alone. They are doing just fine with losing teams. Scott will be retained until there is a reason to ease him out gently . They will bide their time till luke or jackson is available. 2017!!!
TempleOfJamesWorthy says
I’d like to tell a little story about coaching.
In the mid-1980s, the Boston Red Sox were struggling one season and replaced their manager John McNamara with Joe Morgan (NOT the HOF Reds’ 2nd baseman, another guy named Joe Morgan).
The Sox then went on to win 13 out of 14 games and skyrocketed up the standings. There is NO WAY Morgan new more about baseball than McNamara. But somehow the Sox played better after the change.
The story highlights, I think, that the coach/manager is both the most important person on the team and the LEAST important person on the team.
If you have a team that’s motivated, playing the right way, and sacrificing personal goals for team success, it doesn’t really matter who the coach is. And if the team is undermotivated, playing the wrong way, and conflating personal objectives with team goals….then it doesn’t really matter who the coach is.
There is nothing magical about Tom Thibodeau’s strong-side defense. Any other competent coach can watch tapes of how it is played and teach a team how to do it. The question is whether the players will do it, stick to it, and be held accountable when they don’t execute it properly.
I think the Lakers should replace Scott simply because the perception of his shortcomings are as relevant or more relevant than the reality. Even if it really isn’t Scott’s fault, getting canned for 17-65 records is what happens to coaches. But I don’t think, given the Lakers’ talent level (esp. if the 2016 pick goes to Philly), that a coach of Thibodeaus stature will make much difference in the Lakers success for the next year or two. Any decent coach who can get the players playing with effort and cohesion within a system will have a better year than this past one.
Craig W. says
Most of what I see on this blog is people who made up their minds about the coach prior to the season. Ok – you have now had your say. However, the front office is not going to decide without looking at this last season, along with what is going on right now. IMO, Tibs and Brooks were never going to be offered a Laker job, so their status shouldn’t be part of the equation about what we didn’t do. I too think Scott has gotten to the end of his usefulness for this team – therefore I think he should be history next year. That does not mean we should fire him now and then think about what we will do, however.
don ford says
If strictly for theatrical purposes of showing Free Agents a functioning, proactive front office, the Lakers should have spoken to Tibs and Brooks, or at least leaked to media that representatives for each side had preliminary discussions – SOMEthing to make it look like the Laker organization is a moving, acting team. Even if Tibs/Brooks were terrible for the team and the Buss’ had 0 intention of hiring either of them.
Just a PR/positioning-type thought, among all the substantive coaching thoughts flying around.
rr says
Like I said yesterday: There is no obvious reason to deliberate about Scott. It is pretty clear what kind of coach he is and what he brings to the table, just as it was before they hired him. And, Brooks and Thibodeau aside, in spite of all the problems the team has, if you combine the young guys with the cap space and the brand, there will be qualified candidates who would take the gig if it is offered.
Spitfire says
Why do the Scott lovers keep pointing about “Scott does not have a talent” BS. D’Antoni had D-Leaguer starters and yet beat contending teams and better record on Scott. Simple logic, how can you trust a man with a bigger responsibility if he can’t even handle smaller task? Common effin sense. Scott is a terrible coach and his records speak for himself. Unbelievable.
Michael says
Two words Mark Jackson
Anonymous says
Two better words: Luke Walton
Patrick Lanigan says
Byron Scott’s condescending explanation isn’t just BS, it’s the perfect illustration of his incompetence.
He is hard wired to deflect 100% of the responsibility for the team’s failures. Zero personal accountability. Yeah, that’s a great attribute in a coach and a wonderful role model for young players.
The fact that we don’t see what is going on behind the scenes is wholly irrelevant. I needn’t observe a chef’s work in the kitchen to be able to determine if he is a good cook. If the food tastes like crap, the chef sucks. We are all able to see the results of Byron’s efforts; and the results are the worst two years in Laker history. The fact that the talent level is not great has almost nothing to do with the fact that the offensive system is awful, the defense is completely absent, and the players’ effort leaves a lot to be desired. Byron is not developing the talent he has.
To “deliberate” his future is to admit your own incompetence. The answer is and has for a long time been clear: Byron needs to go.
Ty Cobb says
Right on!!!
TempleOfJamesWorthy says
@Spitfire — I don’t think anyone here (or in the broader Laker fan base) “loves” Byron Scott.
The question is, given how truly talent-deprived next year’s Laker roster might be, does it make sense to bring in a big name coach to drag the 2016-2017 roster to 28 wins instead of the 20 wins Any Decent Coach will probably be able to get?
If all the Lakers need next year is Any Decent Coach, B. Scott might be good enough.
I’d rather the Lakers bring in a promising young up-and-coming coach. If they keep Scott, he’ll be booed everytime his name is announced at home games next year. But I don’t think the win total difference between Scott and any alternative Decent Coach will be significant.
Spitfire says
You dont get it man. You are saying that Scott has no talent in his roster?! Oh man, dont get blinded by that. Are the Lakers fans asking for a championship with his roster nor playoffs? Definitely not, Heck even Kupchack said that this years roster are more than capable of winning more games. Does an average coach can win more games than Scott with this roster?! Yes! Definitely. Scott coaching or lack thereoff lost at least 10 or more games by his rotations, decision makings alone. In-game adjustments were non existent, mind boggling substitution patterns, this are only few that can make a difference in winning where Scott has done a terrible job. Like what i cited as an example with D’Antoni, he squeezed every ounce of talent he had prior to Scott hiring, he won more because of his philosophy and system. While taking a ton of backlashes from former Showtime Lakers, who, didnt even bother to call out their buddy about his coaching. And that is hypocrisy at its finest. Scott is a terrible and worst coach of all time and you DO NOT WANT OUR KIDS, The future of this team to learn nothing from a loser coach in Scott. That alone is a valid reason not to support that guy who coaches my favorite team growing up.
karen says
O mi gosh i love you. D’antoni got bashed so badly and a video made by magic and yet not one darn thing mentioned by magic now. Remember when laker commentators bashed mike regarding defense. Scott’s defense this yr was last in the league. I really realjy lost all respect for magic after that.
Anon#1 says
Patrick — I agree with you that the end results support removing BS. What does this say about our management when the facts so clearly point to needing a new coach and indications are that he will be retained?
This is not Lakers exceptionalism — this is either paralysis and discord at its highest level or evidence of management agendas that do not include winning.
Anon#1 says
The Celtics weren’t afraid to bring in a young up and coming coach with a young team destined to lose a lot. Brad Stevens was 25-57 in his first year in Boston. He then went 40-42 and 48-34 this year.
The difference was that Boston was ready to start winning and was willing to rake their lumps doing so. I don’t think Lakers management is ready to win. I think they may want to lose for another year. Byron understands that a new Ciara h won’t appreciate being asked to lose on purpose.
Anonymous says
Jeanie is a snake
Anonymous says
“Like I said yesterday: There is no obvious reason to deliberate about Scott. It is pretty clear what kind of coach he is and what he brings to the table, just as it was before they hired him.”
I’m sure they will take specific circumstances into account as well.
Vasheed says
Mitch before the season had stated his expectation was the team compete for a playoff spot. I’m a little skeptical of the Kobe retirement tour excuse. The retirement tour only came after the team started off terribly. Scott’s pointing the finger at his team and not at himself is just the straw the brakes the camel’s back.
Kaleo Benavides says
I am a bit disappointed as I’m sure a few Lakers fan are. 38 wins over 2 years….that’s pathetic. I know the arguments around the talent they’ve had or lack thereof, but come on, 38 wins???
The Lakers lost their chance at a great coach and I believe will lose out on whoever is left. With Byron of all his methods are outdated, he’s terrible for the young players, his schemes are horrible, but still Mitch is wanting to let the dust settle, take 2-3 days he said at first then it went to a week then to 1-2 weeks??? I’m like “is he for real”? Just make it clear Mitch we’re going with Byron for another 2 years, Laker fans buckle in because we’re going to continue to suck!
Had the Lakers made a run at Thibs or Brooks as someone said earlier – it would have sent a signal that we are wanting to improve and with the right coach at the helm – that’s a start.
Luke isn’t the coach anymore than Byron is. The Warriors are a well oiled machine- with thorough breeds – LA is far from being there – don’t let the win at the end of the year fool anyone.
I say get rid of Byron Scott, R. Kelly, R. Sacre, L.Williams, in addition to Metta, Hibbert, Kobe – well he’s gone and start fresh. Bass ain’t coming back…..bummer he’s a dang good player. Fire the assistants too. Not sure they know what they’re doing either! This process is going to realistically take another 3 possibly 4 years. Players don’t want to play in LA as much as they used to. Fire Jim Buss already too. It’ll be interesting to see if we can keep our pick in this year’s draft!
BigCitySid says
– Not overwhelmed by 2 of the possible Laker free agent targets post season performances thus far.
DeRozen: 3 games/ 34.4 mpg/ 15.0 ppg/ 2.7 rpg/ 3.0 apg/ 1.7 spg/ .304 eFG%
Barnes: 3 games/ 29.5 mpg/ 7.3 ppg/ 4.7 rpg/ 1.7 apg/ .7 spg/ .259 eFG%
As Toronto’s 1st option on offense, DeRozen’s numbers are very unimpressive. Thought Barnes disappointing numbers would be better since Curry has only played a total of 20 mins in Warriors’ 1st 3 games.
– Expecting both to advance to round two, so plenty of opportunity to continue evaluation. At this point neither should be considered a max player by the Lakers.
Anon#1 says
Regarding my post at 10:24 PM: A few glasses of wine and an iPad = too many typos.
JJ says
Big City Sid — I was higher on Barnes than DeRozan as a fit for the Lakers because he has good size for a SF and plays a position of need. Fearing now that he’s a #4 offensive option which makes him a perfect fit in GS and not for the Lakers.
Curious about where you would see the Lakers using DeRozan, if they pursued him. He’s best as a SG but the team seems committed to Clarkson. Would you move Clarkson to a 6th man role or would you slot DeRozan in at SF? My concern is that DeMar is a bit small for SF and he doesn’t have the knock down Three that the Lakers need. Or based on your comments would you pass completely?
Fern says
I loved Byron Scott the player, Byron Scott the coach? Not so much. A lot can happen from here until October. Im just in a holing pattern…
BigCitySid says
– @ JJ, – I’m looking at DeRozen as the starting 2 guard, and offensive option #1 for 2016-17 (unless of course the Lakers can hit an out of the park homerun like Durant). Long term seeing DeRozen as the #2 offensive option. As far as Clarkson, I see him best utilized as a combo guard 6th man. However I’m not as confident as most here that the Lakers are committed to keeping him.
– Envisioned Barnes as the #2 offensive option for next season. With him at the 3, Randle @ the 4, Russell @ the 1, and DeRozen @ the 2 felt this would take pressure off of the younger guys, allowing them to grow with young postseason experienced vets. Also feel very strong that line up can improve the Lakers to their best won loss record in the last 3 years.
– Not overlooking the 5 spot. Just want at least three games to review free agents to be centers Whiteside & Drummond.
– @ Fern, wasn’t that crazy about Scott as a player. I know Showtime won 3 w/ him, but I preferred Norm Nixon who he replaced. Norm helped those Lakers to the 1st two of five titles.
. says
Could the Lakers sign Barnes DeRozan and Whiteside? What’s the max based on length of service under the new cap for all three?
Barnes may need to be overpaid as he’s a restricted free agent and you would want to offer a figure that GS would pass on. DeRozan may take less than the max to come home. Whiteside will take the max because he’ll have multiple max offers and he’s been underpaid during his career.
Anonymous says
They in theory could get all 3: Barnes, Derozan, and Whiteside. They would have to trade Lou and get no salary coming back and then stretch Swaggy’s contract.
. says
BCS: Lakers can’t trade Clarkson this off season since he’s a RFA. If they don’t see him in their plans they’d have to resign him this summer and trade him next December, when teams can move recently signed FAs.
JJ says
BCS: Intrigued by your idea of:
SF: Barnes
PF: Randle
C: Whiteside
SG: DeRozan
PG: Russell
Obviously someone would have to crank the numbers to see if it they all fit. But that’s my question, if they all fit it wouldn’t leave any space for future acquisitions unless the cap continued to go up. Do you think it wise to use all the space this summer in advance of the 2017 FA bonanza? Do you think the above team can, in a few years,become a #1 or #2 seed?
Spitfire says
How about we should ask ourselves first if those players want to play for Scott. I think hell no!
Anonymous says
They could all fit if they trade Lou without any salary coming back and then stretch Swaggy. They would have cap space next year but not enough for a max contract despite it projecting to increase by 16 mil.
Anonymous says
This lineup could definitely compete for a 6 to 8 spot in the west with moving Clarkson to the bench and hopefully getting a top 2 pick in Simmons or Ingram joining him. But not with B Scott at the helm!
Gary says
‘.’ must be the poster formerly known as ‘Anonymous’
barty says
“He did an excellent job under the circumstances” is usually said of coaches who manage to drag their teams into the playoffs despite injuries and setbacks, or finish with a better record than expected. Were the Lakers expected to finish with the worst record in the league and being only the worst in the West is an achievement?
Even if the FO can’t change the reality of where the Lakers are, they can at least change the perception. Sticking with failure does not do that.
But it’s fast becoming a moot point now if prospective coaches have their eyes elsewhere.
Vasheed says
As per Fox Sports I would consider trading for Butler. Then sign 2 of the following 3 Durant, Harford, or Conley. I think we have too many young players and would flip at least one of them for a proven player. With that in place I think the odds would rise of bringing in 2 key free agents.
I think it will be an interesting offseason. I really am expecting the Lakers to do more than nibble around the edges of the roster.
http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/chicago-bulls-jimmy-butler-trade-033116
Anonymous says
Wouldn’t make sense to get Conley unless we truly believe Russell is not the answer at PG. But I’m all for trading Clarkson and the pick if it becomes the 3rd pick. I think Ingram or Simmons will eventually be much better than Butler so I wouldn’t trade the pick if it is top 2. The dream would be to have Butler, Durant, and Horford joining Russell and Randle. That’s a potential top 4 team in the West with the right coach.
JJ says
Butler is a nice player and I thought about the Lakers pursuing him. However, look at his games played — he hasn’t played a full season since 12/13. The last three years he’s missed an average of 17 games per season.
My concern is that it’s hard to build around a player when he’s not there. I think that’s why the Bulls are open to dealing him.
LT Mitchell says
No to Barnes. He’s Golden State’s version of Devean George, a fourth option on a high profile team that someone will overpay for.
A Horse With No Name says
No to Barnes. He’s Golden State’s version of Devean George, a fourth option on a high profile team that someone will overpay for.
Thank you LT! I’m glad you are seeing what is plain as day to me. I can’t fathom how anyone could mistake this guy for a max type player–even in these inflationary times. (I’m not worried about the lakers overpaying for his services though. Their talent evaluation is first rate.)
Kbj says
I agree with LT. I don’t like that the Lakers may have to give Barnes a max contract. Its too much for a player who hasn’t done much and may never do much for the rest of his career. There’s too much risk so I think Lakers should pass.
Besides, if they keep their pick, they can just draft Ingram to take over the SF spot.
Dom says
The Lakers are not like other franchises. They are going to build a base of young talent. They team has very few assets. The Celtics had stock piled a bevy of draft picks so hiring young coach made sense. The Lakers cupboard is bare. Without young talent what coach or FA is going to want to come play for a team that will win 35 games and be out of the play offs in the first round. My believe the FO strategy was to tank this year and hopefully keep the top 3 protected pick and i believe that is the strategy for next year as well. That is why i believe BScott will be back. He is a company man, doing what he is being paid to do lose. That concept is hard for fans to swallow but if it walks like a duck and swims like a duck yada yada yada.
All of us want change losing sucks. But i for one want a roster that can compete for championships not playoffs. Yeah yeah tell me you have to make the playoffs first. Look at Boston and Charlotte. 2 teams with young talent enough to compete for a playoff spot, but 2 teams with no hope of realistically challenging for a title. I b;eive the FO chased titles and lost and now realizes it has to rebuild assets in order to facilitate trades and ultimately attract FA’s.
With that as a back drop i think Bscott is retained and we face another year of trying to get recoup that top 3 protected pick next year. Without restocking in the draft there is no young core, no tradeable assets and no chance any coach worth his salt will want to come here
BigCitySid says
-My bottom line: team can not have another sub 30 game win season like the last three years. They must show improvement this season.
BigCitySid says
– Possible Free agent target focus will be on Andre Drummond tonight. Check out this piece on what makes him a special athlete at his size.
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/15292921/science-andre-drummond-explosive-athleticism
Anonymous says
Highly unlikely Detroit let’s go of Drummond when Van Gundy is building the entire team around him using the same formula he used in Orlando. He’s also a restricted free agent so Detroit will match any offer which will force him to stay.
J C says
Vasheed
Agree on Butler. That sort of acquisition returns us somewhat to being a team making legitimate moves.
Big fan of that player. If we do retain our pick this year that would probably be included in such a deal.
BCS
Haha I thought I was the only one that preferred Norm Nixon. I’ve read that his personality was similar to Magic, in that he was a leader and expected the rock in his hands. If they couldn’t co-exist, obviously the team chose wisely retaining Magic. But I always thought of Byron as a decent-to-good player, and Nixon as an excellent one.
As a coach Byron was possibly better in his first few years – with Kidd, then CP3. Whatever talent for coaching he had is long gone.
Mitch said in his exit interview that many times a coach or a GM is just holding a spot for the next coach, or words to that effect. Then he referenced “the decision makers.” So it sounded to me like Mitch was ready to make a coaching change but was waiting for the Buss family to agree.
stats says
@karen “nba is a business, lakers are selling out, making tons of money, case in point kobe’s last game, they sold more than 1 mil in #24 merchandise alone. They are doing just fine with losing teams. ” I read an interesting factoid in the LA Times today. They surveyed Angelos and asked them what their favorite home team is. Last year, 43% of respondents said Lakers. This year, only 37% said Lakers, and the Dodgers almost caught them by raising to 34 or 35% despite not being on TV for much of the city. A six point drop in one year is pretty substantial, and I hope it scares the FO just a bit.
That said, Clippers only got 9% of votes, so they probably aren’t all that scared. 🙂
Anonymous says
Shouldn’t they have been deliberating two weeks before the end of the season and not 2 weeks after? But then again, what’s there to deliberate? I really wanted Thibs because he developed a 30th pick in Butler into an all star. Mirotic was a runner up ROY. He helped develop Yao. Pau’s career was over but then became an all star again under Thibs. Rose became MVP under him. And the worst thing about Clarkson, Russell, and Randle is their defense which Thibs’ excels in teaching. They could have given him some kind of general manager roll. Disappointing. Very disappointing.
Anonymous says
Butler is injury prone — misses 17 games per season these last three years. I wouldn’t trade a top 3 pick for him. That’s asking for trouble.
LKK says
Good luck trying to pry Drummond away from SVG.
Fern says
The Lakers are not scared about popularity contests. Once the Lakers get back into some sort of decent shape whatever fans “left” will be right back. Thats normal…
LKK says
I find the comparisons of Harrison Barnes to Devean George a little skewed. Barnes starts for the world champs. George may have gotten some starts if someone was injured. If Barnes is a 4th option, George was about a 7th or 8th. I do agree that Harrison is not worth the max. The new salary caps are going to create some severe cases of buyer’s remorse as owners pony up to max out the Whitesides and Derozans of the world. No worries though; the loyal fans will pay through the nose to see a product that is becoming less palatable to this observer as the years go by.
Today, the NBA announced that James Harden’s game winner against the Dubs the other night shouldn’t have been allowed because he pushed off to gain an advantage right before the shot. The GSW will just have to eat it. Things like that really turn me off to a league that has become more about money and marketing than skill, integrity and true competition. It’s about show business. Fans want to see dunks, so refs look the other way when LeBrawn does his “crab step” and takes three or four steps before finishing the dunk. Years ago, I would never watch a baseball game during the NBA playoffs, but that is exactly what I’m doing tonight. Rant over.
@BrotherWalton - Twitter says
So I LOVED the Red Sox story someone posted. I think the team would just respond better under new leadership.
Their situation in LA is deeper than coaching. The team currently has no continuity and now that Kobe is gone, the history is fading mightily.
What’s going to hit them in the head the most is that they believe they can just retool and they are back, but boy oh boy…
I get it! The Lakers must win championships to appease their monumental fanbase, but obviously all this title talk is all about putting a product on the floor to make money. It should definitely be the case, might I add.
But again, I can’t see the Lakers getting one impact free agent over the next two off-seasons. I actually touched on it via Twitter, but I can’t name one player aside from Harrison Barnes or DeMar Derozan that should leave their situation to come to a bare minimum team.
Barnes has good reason because he wants to be the man and wants that spotlight. Oh yeah, he wants loads of money.
Derozan, from my own speculation, would be tempted because of being the hometown guy and such.
Everyone else like Durant, Conley, Horford, Whiteside, etc. have no reason to come play, possibly, under Byron Scott only to have to wait another year for a new coach to come implement his system and bring his staff. It’s too much to deal with.
The best bet is the Lakers being realistic. The Warrios, Spurs, and Cavs run this league. The TWolves, Pistons, Jazz, etc. are all trending in the right direction to get there. If the Lakers don’t get LeBron or KD, then there’s no way they can compete in three years for a title.
I feel like a young and exciting team with a mixture of the right veterans is a great product to sell to fans and future free agents than an attempted super-team. If they get that pick, the growth should start there.
There’s not room for a reload. Good teams build through the draft and THEN go for other moves. Ironically, the Lakers have done it this way. Shaq is the only superstar they’ve signed. Everyone else was obtained via trade of pieces and a veteran or two (Crittenton/Brown for Gasol, Mo Evans/Brian Cook for Ariza, Bynum for D12).
Lakers need to swallow their pride and get with the times. The CBA has changed and the league no longer is waiting for Mitch to wave his magic wand. Build through the draft. Learn from a team like the Blazers or Jazz. Find a young leader that can get the guys to buy in and believe completely.
J C says
Fantasy –
We get Simmons.
Durant comes.
We sign Whiteside.
Whiteside
Russell
Simmons
Durant
Randle
(Position-less basketball)
Lou W and Clarkson off bench.
I don’t think I’d pay max to DeRozan.
He’s a Lou W clone. Gunslinger. Low %.
Nightmare :
Miss out on draft pick.
Lakers sign Horford and Detozan to max deals and extend Clarkson to a hefty contract.
J C says
Wow oops forgot To include
Fantasy – Ollie at the helm
(Now that Thibs is gone)
Nightmare – Byron retained
BigCitySid says
-Truly hoping Clips have a very good post season. Going 7 games w/ GS. Lakers take them (& fans) for granted. NFL returning team to L.A. may make a difference.
Don Ford says
Another Norm Nixon fan here!
Was entranced with his ability to popup for that jumper on a dime, ever slightly falling away. Tried to emulate it (with my -ha- nonexistent jumping ability).
Nixon was also the link from those “not quite” 70s teams with KAJ, Wilkes, Nixon and a bunch of generic nobody lakers (like my fb&g namesake Don Ford).
Was bummed when they traded him, even if BS was really good too.
Jim C. says
Count me as someone who would both go bonkers and lose what remaining tiny shreds of faith I have in the front office at this point if they retained Scott.
I’m speechless that there’s even an actual debate. He’s the worst coach I’ve seen in thirty plus years of watching professional athletics.
24hrx. says
deRozen is not a championship player.
Lakers need to try to Max Whiteside & Barnes – young, playoff/championship experience leadership.
Robert says
I have said before the season was over that Byron was 50/50. It is 10 days after the season, and ordinarily I would be moving these odds up in Byron’s favor. However I am keeping it at 50/50, cause who knows what the FO could possibility be thinking? They could be waiting to see if a FA wants a particular coach, but that can’t be it, cause all the coaches will be gone soon (example Brooks for Durant) – right? Yea – Yea – I know they have some master plan that we fans just can’t comprehend – right? Well – I am tending to doubt that based on the last 3 1/2 years results (Since Jerry died – RIP). That all said – I am reviewing some of the “Fantasy Plans” listed above. Your dreams are about coaches and players, and they do not include foundational change of organization. Here is mine (and mine might actually happen -even though it is a Fantasy).
The Lakers keep the pick and land one of the top three players in draft. We sign very little in FA other than guys who could be used in a future trade (think about a guy like Hibbert and try to sign the exact opposite). We sign no ball stopping shooting guards. We get rid of Nick Young and Lou Williams (and of course Hibbert but that goes without saying). So in other words we get rid of everyone we have signed recently. We keep Byron for 1 more year. We play our young guys next year as a unit to see what they look like. We will still suck but hey – you can’t have it all (and we will be better than this year – we just won’t “surprise” anyone). At the end of next year – we clean house. Byron is gone, Jim is gone, and Mitch is gone. We get Phil (not my favorite but hey I am keeping this in the realm of possibilities. Having Phil there as the top strong man and Ryan West as the details guy might actually work. Then we get Luke. Phil and Luke are reunited. Phil and Jeanie are back on the same coast. And we have the Buss/Jackson/West combo again with a dose of Walton thrown in. It could work.
That is my reasonable Fantasy. If I wanted a total Fantasy – the house cleaning would occur this Summer. Why wait?
However – I am a reasonable guy – and everyone else is being so hard on Jim and Byron so I am coming up with a plan that gives them one more year. Everyone needs to take a step back and realize the full “Context” of the situation. Then you will realize that it is simply your belief in Laker Manifest Destiny that is causing you to want Byron and Jim gone so quickly : )
Baylor Fan says
The “full context” of the Lakers’ situation is what has caused so much frustration among the fans. The FO simply does not have a vision for the team or a master plan. It is clear that Scott is not the answer at coach and building a team around a superstar and his chosen coach has yet to be a recipe for anyone’s success. Kicking all this down the road another year will kill the televised ratings and put a major dent in the bottom line. It will further cement the reputation of the FO as being out of touch with today’s game. After last year’s free agency debacle, can the Lakers really afford another year of incompetence?
clove says
Thanks, BS, for the draft picks. Now, step aside.
J C says
Robert
Fantasies aren’t supposed to be reasonable.
That’s why they’re fantasies!
Pacharo says
Where is ollie?
Anonymous says
At the end of next year – we clean house. Byron is gone, Jim is gone, and Mitch is gone. We get Phil (not my favorite but hey I am keeping this in the realm of possibilities. Having Phil there as the top strong man and Ryan West as the details guy might actually work. Then we get Luke. Phil and Luke are reunited. Phil and Jeanie are back on the same coast. And we have the Buss/Jackson/West combo again with a dose of Walton thrown in. It could work.
_____
Every now and then, Jim Dolan decides it’s time to clean house, bringing in big-name guys like Phil to run the show. Unfortunately that doesn’t always translate into success.
When it comes to your particular scenario, it might also be worth mentioning that Phil and Ryan West’s dad didn’t really see eye to eye. I’m not sure if he would want to work with the son. Or vice versa. Or whether I would want the two to be in the same FO.
J C says
Ollie coaches at univ of Connecticut.
Just like Byron, he’s currently “under contract.”
Anonymous
Good point – I guess if Jeannie’s plans to support Byron are actually an attempt to sabatoge her own brother, she won’t mind if Ryan West suffers some collateral damage.
DieTryin' says
The playoffs are proving to be a welcome distraction from the rudderless meanderings of our FO in these early days of the offseason. Wanted to give some props to Matt Barnes in the SA/MEM series. He is always hustling no matter what the score is in the game. Admire his heart. Watching him play makes me miss him. In truth the entire Memphis team has fought hard against a vastly superior team. Just like Dallas has vs OKC. Grit and heart.
Also, in the Clippers vs Portland game last night Lilard and McCollum had breakout games and powered the Trailblazers to a win but it was only a matter of time until the got going. But Mason Plumlee was a real eye opener for me. He was huge. Only had 6 points but man 21 rebounds and 9 dimes! Very impressive.
Moses Buhay says
It seems like moving screens are compensated by refs calling charged more liberally.
Fern says
BYRON SCOTT FIRED!!!!!!
DieTryin' says
Fern…praise the lord. Let this happen. Let this not be a rumor
Fern says
It’s surfacing on more and more outlets oh Lord let it be true!!Woj is saying it too!!!
Mid-Wilshire says
Yes. It is true. The Lakers have cut ties with Byron Scott. Below is the link from Harrison Faigen of Silver Screen and Roll confirming a tweet sent out by Adrian Wojnarowski less than one hour ago:
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2016/4/24/11412802/la-lakers-fire-byron-scott-news-update
rr says
Another out-of-nowhere, genius move by the Jim Buss FO. 😉
bluehill says
Now the speculating can really begin. I have to believe they already have a short list of replacement choices. My sense from the earlier reported rumors was that there was disagreement within ownership about whether to keep or fire Byron, so I wonder how they reached a decision. Regardless, it’s a big step in the rebuilding process.
Mid-Wilshire says
Scott’s firing is also being reported on ESPN:
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/15317976/los-angeles-lakers-fire-coach-byron-scott-sources-say
Chris J says
“Per Stephen A. Smith” — I can’t trust this until I see it reportedly a non-asshat. But like the old saying about a broken clock being right twice a day… Please let him be right here.
That said, who is next up? They have to get a good coach — not a “name” per se — but someone who an lead this team forward. I honestly don’t have a clue who that will be.
Joel says
FINALLY.
Fern says
So, people been asking for Byron Scott head for a looong time, were complaining that the Lakers “weren’t making a move” that Scott should had been fired in the tunnel after the last game and Scott finally got canned and is an “out of nowhere” move now. You got to be kidding me. Darn if you do and darned if you don’t. Like the Lakers need to give us a heads up or something…
KO says
Scott gone. Fired.
Clay Bertrand says
Wow……..and on a Sunday!?!?!?!?????? Cold Blooded!!! I mean, Chick-Fil-A is CLOSED!!!!!
Fern says
I would not be surprised if this move is because they are planning to throw an ungodly amount of money to Luke and that’s the reason they passed on Brooks. Thibs wanted total control he wont get that with the Lakers. He is a good coach in my opinion not great. He ran an MVP caliber player into the ground and we have experience with that scenario before. Brooks? another good not great coach. I hope they lure Luke Walton back. Please dont brink Jeanie geriatic boyfriend…
Mid-Wilshire says
So…who’ll be on the short list for a new HC? Below is my first shot at a possible top 3 or 4 or 5:
1) Luke Walton
2) Ettore Messina
3) Luke Walton
4) Mark Few / Kevin Ollie
5) Luke Walton
Of course, this is just a guess.
R says
Fern, get your sarcasm detector checked, pronto! It appears to be out of calibration.
Fern says
Clay he is still fetting a ton of money he can wipe the tears with a couple of 100 dollars bills. I thought the Lakers were going to keep him seeing their “wisdom” lately.
R says
What if the commish vetos for basketball reasons?
Tim says
Looks like the Lakers haven taken a step in the right direction. The next coach must be one that will move the Lakers in the right direction with their young core of players and signing potential free agent players.
Ryan P says
Interesting the Scott’s contract had team options for the third year and fourth year based on performance. Surprisingly he did not meet them. So the lakers don’t have to pay him too much next year and none on the fourth year!
Fern says
calibrating now, sorry…
Fern says
That was a good way out of BS contract. Got to give it to them. They learned after Mike Brown’s it seems…
Sald0gg says
Go get Luke. I get the idea to wait to let a free agent like KD pick the coach, but we can’t risk him going elsewhere. GO GET LUKE!
Anonymous says
Missing out on thibodeau stings even more now that BS is out.. FO should have at least interviewed him to show some semblance of competency.
rr says
Scott’s gone, Kobe’s gone, there is over 60M in cap space, and the Jeanie-sabotaging-Jim-for-Phil-via-Byron narrative is dead. So, this really is all about the Jim Buss FO and the decisions they make now (it already was, actually, but camouflage will be much harder to find).
We will see.
Gunslinger says
YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!! Thrilled. Now lets hire the right coach and get back to competitive basketball and then the playoffs ASAP.
I am in favor of Luke Walton ( although I would have liked tibs also ). And can we please bring the genius of Phil back.
rr says
Walton: Given the $ that Brooks and Thibodeau got, the Lakers (or maybe another team) will probably throw enough money at him that it will be tough for him to stay in GS. So, I probably spoke too soon on that issue.