Wmc 15/16: We are finally at the END! BYE BYRON!!!

Russell is already frustrated with Scott, after the Dallas game he says "they run a great offense" after last night's stinker he says to the question on how he can stay on the court " I have no idea". Russell , Clarkson and Randle need to play 35+ min a game period.This Princeton offense is stunting their growth as they try to figure out the league and how to play defense. An offense of reads and react for rookies in the NBA is not smart. Simplify the offense and let them totally focus on defense...oh but wait, the coach will have to be replaced to do that...hmmmmm

 

Completely agreed. A read/react motion offense usually wins championships whereas simple PnR offenses win regular games and fizzle out to better defensive teams in the playoffs. BUT, young rookies (one with incredible PnR skills + court vision) have no business jumping into the deep end of the pool right off the bat. They are confused, frustrated, and overthinking everything. As a result, they are lost and tentative on offense, with no more brain power for defense. Offense and defense are not mutually exclusive, IMO. Feeling confused and frustrated on offense can absolutely spill onto the other end of the court.

 

I'll keep watching. I missed a lot of games last year. I wanna watch every game Kobe plays even though it's difficult to watch it's his last season in all likelihood and I wanna cherish every moment of it.

Also these young kids really get me excited. I HATE losing. Absolutely hate it, but these three young guys give me a lot of hope for the future. Byron is nearly a stop gap. That's all he's ever been. We'll hire a competent coach that will allow the young guns to grow, utilize them, put them in positions to succeed and will have an actual defensive scheme.

I think we have a championship core on our hands. I really do. I think Randle can and will be a dominant big once he develops his jumper and his footwork. I think Russell is gonna be a superstar PG in the mold of Chris Paul and Steph Curry. Once he adapts to the game, adds some core strength, gets more experience and seasoning and develops his three point shot, and understands how he can score at the next level. Clarkson looks like a slightly less athletic version of Westbrook and I mean slightly because he is a ridiculous athlete. He may not quite be at the level of Westbrook, but I see no reason why he can't be a 20, 5, and 5 player in a few years.

 

I don't think they'll get destroyed once they actually get some experience. Russell and Clarkson both have the tools to be solid defenders. They need to be taught how to play defense on this level and have an actual scheme.

Randle will probably never be a good defender, but if he develops that foot work, can shoot the jump shot, and adds a couple of more moves to his post game he can be a dominant offensive force and already looks to be a very solid rebounder.

I think any team with an undersized power forward has to have a legit defensive anchor in place. A guy like Hassian Whiteside could be in play. He's averaging 15 and 11 right now, but Miami doesn't have his bird rights and won't be able to offer him more than another team like the Lakers could.

 

Anytime you give players defined roles with a scheme, it surely does help; watching Byron last year and this year, maybe we forgot what that looks like. By the way, I was reading Pincus, and I really respect him. However, is takes on Byron, just don't jive with me. I can't wait until the wheels fall off even more so and the media can't excuse this crummy coaching.

 

Yep, and it's just normal human behavior to lack some energy when being confused and frustrated. If they focus on defense, causing TOs, disruption, that will lead to high fly fast breaks, easy scores,a moral boost, better energy on D, and yes simplifying the offense won't beat the good teams around the league, but 0-4 against the likes of the Wolves, Kings, Mavs and Nuggets would be halved at worst for 2-2.

 

Regardless of the offense Russell's thrown into, he's going to need to adjust to the size, strength, and speed of NBA players and defenses. So, doesn't it make sense to cater to his strengths (PnR + fast breaks) to build his confidence and swagger to offset his inevitable growing pains adjusting to playing with NBA grown men? Why on earth would you handcuff him in the Princeton while he's in his adjustment phase? Don't get me wrong, I absolutely want him to be a motion offense read/react floor general ONE DAY, but not yet. This is exactly why he looks tentative and lacking aggression as the media is labeling him. he's overthinking the Princeton and afraid to get yanked for any mistake. Great recipe for a creative passing genius, jacka**, Byron!

 

You can't coach what you don't understand

 

I'm going to tomorrow's game, I guess I like to torture myself. First win?

 

I was googling around looking for info about the verbal altercation between lakers players on the bench during the denver game and this is what I found, some sweet notes taken by a fan sitting close to the lakers bench (44TheLogo from LG)

 

I was REALLY looking forward to Laker basketball the entire offseason, but now I almost don't even feel like even watching the next game.

Such is the power of Byron's magnificent coaching.

Hey, but way to spin a verbal altercation into a positive when what they are - is pissed off at your incompetence as a coach.....

Byron = Spinmaster

Byron is a .400 winning coach. For perspective, George Karl has NEVER had a team finish below .500. He is what he is, and he won't suddenly be getting better.

 

Looking at the list of coaches we passed on to hire Byron makes me sad.

 

Soooooo true. He was my last choice (on par with Mike Dunlevy). When the news broke that we're meeting with him for the third time, i knew we're screwed and the FO i clueless .

 

That i don't even remember who it was and still completely agree makes me sad...

 

Haven't listened to this one yet, but these guys have made some solid podcasts in the past.