Firing Byron Scott is the answer not
It is sad that Byron Scott will be remembered in the record books as the Lakers' coach with the second worst winning percentage ever, only one point ahead of Hall of Fame player George Mikan. Mikan was coach of the Lakers for part of one season, with a dismal record of 9 wins and 30 losses. As a player who spent 11 seasons with the Lakers, he deserved better.
The die was cast well before Byron Scott signed a contract on July 28, 2014, to become the head coach of the Lakers. It was cast when Kobe Bryant signed a two year, $48.5 million contract extension that would keep him with the Lakers until his recent retirement. A feel-good, emotional decision that made many fans happy. A horrible decision from the perspective of the team's future championship prospects. A decision that meant Coach Scott would fail, utterly.
The team's roster is now completely devoid of superstars. Or any player even approaching that status. While it is true that they now have some serious salary cap room to sign a major star in this off-season, what NBA franchise player would want to come to Los Angeles? It will take at least two full seasons of careful and smart moves by Mitch Kupchak and the front office in order to assemble a squad that can compete to make the playoffs, let alone advance beyond the first round. Even if there was a franchise player available during this off-season (and there isn't), they wouldn't have any reason to come to Los Angeles.
Byron Scott did the best he could with what he had to work with. It wasn't his fault.
The die was cast well before Byron Scott signed a contract on July 28, 2014, to become the head coach of the Lakers. It was cast when Kobe Bryant signed a two year, $48.5 million contract extension that would keep him with the Lakers until his recent retirement. A feel-good, emotional decision that made many fans happy. A horrible decision from the perspective of the team's future championship prospects. A decision that meant Coach Scott would fail, utterly.
The team's roster is now completely devoid of superstars. Or any player even approaching that status. While it is true that they now have some serious salary cap room to sign a major star in this off-season, what NBA franchise player would want to come to Los Angeles? It will take at least two full seasons of careful and smart moves by Mitch Kupchak and the front office in order to assemble a squad that can compete to make the playoffs, let alone advance beyond the first round. Even if there was a franchise player available during this off-season (and there isn't), they wouldn't have any reason to come to Los Angeles.
Byron Scott did the best he could with what he had to work with. It wasn't his fault.
posted by me at 8:04 PM
<< Home