With the Los Angeles Lakers perhaps one of the worst teams this season (the other being the Philadelphia 76ers), one has to wonder if head coach Byron Scott knows what he is up against.
Kobe Bryant is playing out his final year and yet he is out there playing and taking shots as he pleases. Understandably, Scott may be doing it all as a tribute of sorts but will it be essential for the Lakers to ever get back on their feet?
Throughout the year, the Lakers have stood pat that the trio of Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and rookie D'Angelo Russell are the future of the franchise. So far though, the key players have not exactly reaped dividends mainly because they still have to play backup to Bryant and the vets.
Scott may be too focused on trying to win and the development of the young players will have to wait. Question is for how long?
There is no denying that Clarkson, Randle, and Russell have talent. But all that will be nothing if the Lakers cannot properly evaluate if these three guys truly have what it takes to be the core of the Lakers of the future. And seeing them in limited minutes in favor of a retiring Bryant only makes the situation worse.
Such deprives the Lakers from properly deciding if these guys should stay or go. Occasional glimpses of promise is good but is certainly not a security blanket that the Lakers will someday relive their glory days.
So if Scott is at the helm, it seems to indicate that he may be going about it all wrong. Of course, he is the coach and knows better but it doesn't take a genius to know that with the team's long-time superstar leaving, giving others a chance to step up and hopefully shine is not a bad idea, especially if the team keeps on losing.
Scott could be at the right position at the wrong time at the rate things are going. There is no development taking place and a testament to that is that he has not proven himself to be a good motivator as well.
By the end of the season, it remains to be seen if the Lakers will keep their faith in Scott. When the season is over, the Lakers are technically on rebuild mode again. Will Scott still be at the helm despite the fact he has shown little knowledge on rebuilding a team?
