Hoops Habit
Fansided

Kobe Bryant Is Done … Now What For The Los Angeles Lakers?

By Gerald Bourguet

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers walks towards the tunnel after scoring 60 points against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers walks towards the tunnel after scoring 60 points against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Kobe Bryant
Mar 30, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott at press conference related to guard D’Angelo Russell (1) and forward Nick Young (0) at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

What’s Next For The Head Coach

Byron Scott is the biggest issue the Lakers need to solve this summer. Forget about Kobe’s retirement, luring big names in free agency or the NBA Draft. Even if all three wind up being sore subjects for L.A. fans, the Lakers will still have D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. to build around moving forward.

Unfortunately, that all sounds a lot less exciting if Scott is still at the helm of this ship next season…which could reportedly be the case.

Let’s not beat around the bush here: Scott’s time with the Lakers may be the worst head coaching tenure in NBA history, and not just because the Lakers have gone 38-126 (.232) under his watch. He’s stunted the growth of the players who now serve as this franchise’s foundation, he’s empowered guys like Nick Young and Lou Williams, he’s sent horribly mixed signals to the media by publicly bashing his own players, and he sacrificed an entire year of development in service of catering to Kobe Bryant.

The Black Mamba deserved a proper sendoff, and he certainly got one with that incredibly appropriate 60-points-on-50-shots finale. But even with Kobe no longer around to prioritize over the young talent, is this really the man that should be entrusted with their futures, especially for a franchise that will be rushing to return to the normalcy of a championship-caliber roster?

With a career win percentage of .412, Scott hardly has the resume to cover for his obvious flaws when it comes to dealing with his personnel. His relationship with Kobe and his past playing career with the Lakers were probably his lone saving graces, but they shouldn’t have been enough to keep him on through this season and they certainly shouldn’t be enough to keep him through another one.

Next: What's Next For The Roster

Home/Los Angeles Lakers