Los Angeles Lakers: Byron Scott Thus Far

Byron Scott bleeds the Los Angeles Lakers’ blood through and through. As one of the key components of the “Showtime” era, his gritty DNA and winning ways were evident in his earlier coaching years. Scott was able to transform the New Jersey Nets into an NBA powerhouse. The team won a franchise-record 52 games in his second season, while marching onto the 2002 NBA Finals against the team that he played 11 of his 14 seasons.

More from Los Angeles Lakers

To follow this successful campaign, he made another trip to the Finals, which both unfortunately were losses. The Nets would soon lose the vigor that drove their success. Just one season later, the team decided to part ways with Scott, and soon he found himself turning around the fortunes of the New Orleans Hornets. Scott was able to make them one of the league’s best, as they finished 56-26 during the 2007-08 season. He was also awarded NBA Coach of the Year.

Who would’ve known that the biggest challenges lied ahead for Scott? He took over the Cleveland Cavaliers in LeBron James’ departure in 2010, and results were as expected. Scott lasted only three seasons with a total of 64 wins. Fast forward past the rebuilding Cavaliers and Scott finds himself in an eerily similar situation.

This time around, the team has lost their star to a devastating injury. Kobe Bryant’s torn rotator cuff will keep him out for the remainder of the year, and the team has made it to the All-Star break with 40 losses (13-40). The year is definitely not one that Scott had in mind when signing on the dotted line.

To assess Scott with the minimal talent on the Lakers’ roster isn’t fair, but his performance has paled in comparison to predecessor Mike D’Antoni. The Lakers arguably had less talent during D’Antoni’s tenure, but his free-flowing offense allowed him to maximize player’s abilities. Names like Kendall Marshall, Kent Bazemore, and Ryan Kelly were able to exhibit their effectiveness on a nightly basis. Everyone also remembers the madness of Linsanity under D’Antoni’s helm with the New York Knicks.

Scott has been unable to come close to creating any Linsanity as Jeremy Lin took over some minutes as the starting point guard. It is only year one for Scott, but that shouldn’t stop the team from carving out a niche. Spacing is terrible, no driving lanes exist, and players look uncomfortable on the court. Obviously the lack of high-caliber players limits what the team can do, but the adjustments to use some of their strengths are lacking.

The team relies heavily on iso-basketball, while lacking a legitimate star to enjoy this luxury. Scott could easily utilize Lin and rookie point guard Jordan Clarkson’s driving ability, but there’s no creativity to do so. Both players must assure that ball movement and play-making will help some continuity flow on the offensive end.

Scott’s old-school approach may also need to be dialed back. Aside from Bryant, Ronnie Price and Carlos Boozer, no other Laker that’s played meaningful minutes is over age 30. His recent clash with Nick Young has provided some evidence of a minor disconnect with one of the roster’s well-rounded members.

Times have changed. Just advising players to play hard is not enough. There must be a combination of scheme and a “power with” approach. Scott must get his team to buy in, while recognizing what makes each player effective.

With 29 games left in the season, Scott will have plenty of chances to change things. It seems they are going in full development mode. Jordan Clarkson has started several games, along with fellow rookie Tarik Black. Scott must prepare for the future, and in the process, he has to change with the teams. These changes include new gameplans, trusting players, and hold accountability (even Kobe upon his return).

The time is now to prove why Scott was hired among better candidates, and the ball is literally is his court at this point.

Next: NBA: 50 Greatest Players Of All Time

More from Hoops Habit

Home/Los Angeles Lakers