By all accounts, Byron Scott has not been one of the best coaches in the NBA this season. Aside from his team (mostly) playing hard throughout a trying season until recently, Scott has had some curious lineup decisions and play calls. The Los Angeles Lakers‘ decline towards a franchise-worst season has not helped his case either.
It is difficult to completely judge coaches who are dealt with a hand like Byron Scott was this season. There is history that points to him being a mediocre head coach, but to judge his competence based on this season, with this roster, is not fair to anyone running the show.
More from Los Angeles Lakers
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
- A surprise LeBron ranking should raise alarm bells for the Lakers
- Surprising Austin Reaves contract detail confirms Lakers got him for a steal
- Instant Grades for the Lakers’ unprecedented Anthony Davis extension
- Report: Lakers have big plans for recent top-10 pick amid roster shakeup
There have been some nice developments under Scott. Jordan Clarkson is developing nicely for a second-round pick. Wayne Ellington established himself as a useful shooter in the NBA. Ed Davis has looked like a piece that the team can use going forward as well.
But there have been enough missteps by the coach that make his recent “foxhole” comments quite embarrassing.
While Byron has made it clear this year that he has no problem criticizing players frequently through the media, it has gotten to the point of comedy between the coach and Nick Young. He’s done the same thing to Jeremy Lin, who actually has been one of the team’s better offensive players recently.
Combine these happenings with his erratic rotations, preference of forcing Ryan Kelly to play small forward, and failing to abandon the Carlos Boozer experiment; it is clear to see how frustration could be building for both fans and his own players.
This isn’t to say there is no time or no place for any of these incidents. Gregg Popovich, the best coach in the game today, experiments with rotations and criticizes players in press conferences. However, with Popovich, there are results and actions taken that make these moves worthwhile. We have not yet seen those results from the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Blue Man Hoop
As an outside observer, it’s quite clear the marriage between Byron Scott and Nick Young will be a rocky one. It’s apparent that Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer, and perhaps even Jordan Hill will be headed elsewhere this offseason. It’s also obvious that he favors lower-talent, higher-effort guys like Ronnie Price and Tarik Black.
The best part? There’s nothing wrong with any of it.
The problem rears it’s head when there’s a lot of talking and little action. It becomes an issue when the coach and an under-performing volume shooter begin to spar via the media. Giving minutes to players that clearly are not in the long-term plan, specifically at this stage of a lost season, is an asinine move that stunts the development of potentially useful pieces in the future.
So, in regards to Byron Scott and his public statement that there are players he doesn’t want around next season, it’s best to remind him that they are only one part of the problem. Questionable decision making and erratic choices have been characteristics of both the players and the coaching staff. Before looking into the microphone, it would appropriate to gaze into the mirror.
It’s clear not all the players are behind Byron Scott in that imaginary foxhole.
Next: Our Latest NBA Mock Draft
More from Hoops Habit
- The 5 most dominant NBA players who never won a championship
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout