Byron Scott: The Worst Coach in Lakers History

WITH THE LOSS TO THE CHICAGO BULLS ON JANUARY 28, 2016, BYRON SCOTT IS NOW THE WORST COACH IN LAKERS HISTORY

Some have said that firing Byron Scott or "mutually agreeing on parting ways" with Byron Scott during the current season does not make sense.  An overwhelming majority including ESPN and Time Warner (Lakers) Broadcaster John Ireland, say this:

"well, what difference does it make, they aren't going to the playoffs anyhow."

This sounds like futility.

Sadly, this seems to be the mantra of the front office in El Segundo as well.

Fans, bloggers, journalists, and broadcasters have all questioned what in thee hell is going on in LA.  It is EASY to look down at (now) 9-39, 

[with the loss to Chicago Bulls on Thursday, January 28, 2016, Byron Scott is tied with George Mikan at .231 career coaching percentage with the Los Angeles Lakers]

and see and say, "the Lakers suck!"

Do they?

In spite of record and performance, at times, there are still games like the recent 2 point loss to the MAVS that make MANY believe they ARE top 8 or even top 6 worthy in a Western Conference that is NOT showing as strong as it did last season.  

There are two games vs Minnesota a last second loss to Orlando and several others that easily add 5-7 wins and more.  How about that loss to Philadelphia?  The worst team (currently) in the NBA now stands at 7-40, a game and a half AHEAD of the Lakers in the ping pong ball race that gives the "winner" the greatest odds at landing the number one pick.

Suns (protected top 3)

PICK WOULD DEFER TO 2017 BECAUSE LAKERS PICK IS CURRENTLY IN TOP 3

Traded • Steve Nash to Lakers for • 2013 first round pick (least favorable of Cavaliers, Heat, Kings (top 13 protected), Lakers (top 14 protected) picks) (#30-Nemanja Nedovic) • 2013 second round pick (protected top 40 in 2013, unprotected in 2014) (#57-Alex Oriakhi) • 2014 second round pick (#36-Johnny O'Bryant) • first round pick (protected top 5 in 2015, top 3 in 2016-17, unprotected in 2018) (?-?) • $3M cash on 2012-07-11

_ pro sports transactions . com 

[Incidentally, the Lakers MUST finish at the bottom of the NBA pile in order to possibly secure a top 3 pick which was part of the trade to get Steve NASH]

The concept of team tank or tanking has now been brought up for the past two seasons with regularity.

But most of us agree:

It is either:

A) Byron Scott is not the right Coach for the job and is not properly conveying and communicating with his young talent.  His tactics are creating more disdain as opposed to unity.

B) The team has a bunch of guys that lack the necessary intelligence, so they are incapable of listening, comprehending and applying what the Coaches tell them to do

C) The Lakers are Tanking to ensure their Top Three protected pick.

One thing is certain there is a very clear breakdown in communication between the head coach/ coaches and most of the players and the tension and animosity appear to be growing.

We are 48 games into the season and the players and Coach Scott are STILL singing the same tune,

"we just have to figure things out."

And, Coach Scott has said NUMEROUS TIMES that his guys aren't listening.

So, forget about opinion.  Forget about "he said, she said" garbage.

The Fact that the troops aren't listening Mitch is the ONLY reason one needs to terminate the employment here.

A change is necessary to change the given culture AND psychology around campus, because ol number 4 ain't doin it.

Maybe Byron needs to listen to what D'Angelo has to say ... 

Tarik Black ?

Nick Young ?

Randle?

[waiting for the "golden handshake" that sends Byron Scott to the same islands tour that Mike D'Antoni went on_

 bring in Kobe Bryant to have control over basketball operations as Executive Mamba In Charge]

You know you really have something special when the players start holding themselves accountable – Scott Skiles

— Coach Quotes (@CoachMotto) January 29, 2016

The Los Angeles Lakers: In the TANK

I have fond memories of Chick Hearn putting Lakers games "in the refrigerator." 



It seems like those years and times for the purple and gold are eons away.  They (the Lakers), now, seem firmly rooted in TEAM TANK

Many jokes have been made and many different memes of either Mike D'Antoni, Byron Scott, Mitch or Jim (Buss) driving an actual tank over the past several seasons.

I am not so sure the Lakers are losing "deliberately" or not but they have definitely lacked effort AND have failed badly (see huge OKC losses).

Here are the Western Conference Standings currently:

This makes me want to vomit.  Not because "my team" is last in the Western Conference and en route to yet another record setting type of season in the worst way, but because I believed this:

"I don't see why we don't contend for a playoff spot," Kupchak said, "but our young players have to grow beyond their years, and we have to stay healthy."

_Mitch Kupchak July 2015

I don't see WHY either Mitch.

Personally, I see an easy five games that SHOULD be in the win column which puts the Lakers currently in the hunt for the 8 seed:

Game One v Minnesota: The Lakers had control for three quarters and then watched the T'Wolves comeback and win during the fourth

They were in Games 3 and 4 Versus the Mavs and Nuggets and then got a dub vs the Nets.

They had the game against the Knicks but lost by 4

Remember game 8 against the Magic?  Yeh, I want to forget THAT one too.  A buzzer beater by Nikola Vucevic sealed the Lakers fate that day..

You can go through the schedule yourself and see that since THEN they have been IN, and have had chances to win games.  But, they have not, including another 1-point loss to the Wolves and close games recently versus the Kings and OKC.

THEY ARE BETTER THAN WHAT THEIR RECORD INDICATES

So...What gives?

The Lakers get Lucky with a win against the Pelicans on January 12, 2016 but did so WITHOUT Pels star forward Anothony Davis.  Davis played the NEXT night and had 24 points and 10 rebounds in a WIN against Sacramento  (109-97).

Hmmmmm.... 

BUT... when I see the Lakers FIRMLY planted at the bottom of the Western Conference and FIRMLY believe they are better than that; I have to then conclude that they ARE tanking with purpose.

This NBA game has QUICKLY passed Roy Hibbert by and Roy has NO BUSINESS starting and playing 25 mins per contest on a TEAM that can go SMALL(er) with the likes of NANCE, BASS, and even Metta or Tarik Black.  YET, "WE" continue to see Roy Hibbert run out there on a daily basis.

It sucks.

It sucks to feel like the Lakers resolved themselves to the fact that they WOULD NOT be vying for spot 8 or even higher in this year's Western Conference and are steadfastly working their record the opposite direction in hope to land themselves some Simmons.

Good LUCK with THAT!

FIRE (in the hole) Mitches

This game is in "the tank,"  The pin is pulled, the grenade is warming and the lid is closed.

BOOM