Byron Scott Discussion 2015-16 - FIRED!!! (PAGE 172)

One reason I really think Ollie would be a good fit is because he is great developer of point guards. As an assistant at UConn, he was instrumental in developing Kemba Walker into a top tier point guard at the college level, which enabled him to lead UConn to a national championship. Once he took over as head coach, he turned Shabazz Napier into the best player in the country, which led to yet another national title. I know there's a big difference between the NCAA and NBA, but he played a huge part in turning those guys into leaders and most of all, winners. I think he would do wonders for D'Angelo here. He would truly flourish under Ollie.

As for Calipari...as a Kentucky fan, I always said the only job I'd be okay with him leaving for would be the Lakers. I think he has definitely improved as a coach and leader since his last stint in the NBA and I think he would be great for these young guys, especially Randle, since he played for him in college, and D'Angelo, because he is great with point guards as well. However, he is a perfect fit at UK and there are guys out there (Ollie, Luke, Messina, Blatt, etc.) who would fit better with the Lakers. Plus, his son just committed to UK not too long ago and will be in Lexington the next four years, so I don't see Cal leaving until he graduates. His name is always linked to NBA job openings, so us Wildcat fans have basically learned to tune the rumors out because they never seem to have any true footing.

When it comes to Luke, I fully understand why most are apprehensive about hiring him where he is so inexperienced. However, we are more than likely going to be a young, growing team the next little bit anyway and I think having him grow as a head coach with the team could pay huge dividends going forward. He has the knowledge, he has the basketball pedigree, and I think he would be a great fit here.

Either way, it seems we may finally nail the hire this time. Let's hope.

 

I think we should go into this coaching search understanding that whoever we hire, he/she will not be some magic bullet. This team has so many woes to address, it's almost overwhelming.

 

No not at all. His complete lack of acceptance of any responsibility, as well as his sympathizers like Magic and M. Thompson, for his horrific coaching record and complete lack of modern communication skills, has earned him this punishment.

 

It's not overwhelming. It's no different than any other rebuilding team. We keep the pick, hire the right coach, use the pick to acquire an All Star, and all of a sudden were an attractive destination again and could potentially attract Durant and/or Whiteside were back in business. If not we still have a great young core to build around and not the worst coach in history holding them back.

 

Pop or Phil, smartly using what Kobe had left and reigning him in for his own and the team's good ......could have possibly squeaked that roster with the season long health into the playoffs. IMO. Knowing they had to maximize the young talent as well. Because they're the two greatest NBA coaches ever.

 

I'm honestly still just so relieved that Byron is gone that I haven't dived into the coaching choices much. I can't shake the feeling that we will bring in Luke and that's why they went and ahead and fired Byron. I like Messina though. I'd also be fine with bringing in Ollie.

 

Way I see it is all the names that have been mentioned would all be good candidates except guys like Jackson and Van Gundy, but it doesn't appear too serious.

 

Agreed. They all sound like guys that could really work well with our young core. I think Jackson and Van Gundy are being floated by their own people. (Actually scratch that, I forgot that was in Woj's original article. I can't see us bringing in either of them though. I think we will go with a fresh face).

 

I'm looking forward to having Byron sit next to me next year. ​

Before the Lakers took on the Portland Trail Blazers, Scott was asked how he is dealing with the negative reaction from the fan base during shootaround according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:

“I block it out,” Scott said. “When you start listening to the fans, you’ll start sitting with them next. I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to fans.”

With Scott blocking out all the negative chatter, he shares why he does not listen to the opinions of fans, via Medina:

“They’re not at practice everyday. They don’t know the preparation and what goes into it. They just see the end product. They have no idea. They have all their opinions. But I don’t put a lot of stock into it. That’s why I don’t go on my Instagram.”

While the Lakers were not expected to make the playoffs, there were expectations Los Angeles would be competitive. With a nice blend of veterans to go along with their young core, fans were hoping their team would take the next step in the rebuilding process.

With 14 games in the books, Scott recently shared the team gets along, but they currently do not trust each other on the court. As nine of the next 10 games are on the road, Scott will have the difficult task of trying to bring the team together in hopes of playing a competitive brand of basketball.

Spoiler: I Win

He does get on social media and he apparently cares enough to block people. #Truthhurts

 

Yea that sounds easy.

 

Seriously dude? When did I say it was easy? I didn't, but it's not overwhelming having to rebuild. It's a process that should've started already. There is plenty of reason for excitement even without a marquee free agent if we manage to hire one of Luke, Ollie, or Messina. That means we'd have an excellent coach that can help our young core grow and won't be wasted them away anymore.

 

I was half joking, chill. Getting the stars to align(keeping draft pick, trading/signing for marquee FAs, excellent coach), seems to me a long shot, maybe that's me being jaded from the past 3 seasons, but I just don't want a situation where we all get hyped up on for example, Luke and then 20 games into the season, when we are 5-15, we're calling for his head and then it becomes Byron pt II.

 

I don't see anyone calling Luke out like he's Byron if the team struggles provided the team is still doing the right things. If they're moving the ball, not isolating a lot, and we have a defensive scheme in place and are at least competive I think everyone understands it's gonna take a young team some time to grow. The most frustrating apart about Byron was he couldn't win or develop. You can't not be able to at least do one.

 

HA!! That's great catching him in a lie as well.

Did Magic or Jeanie ever block you like that?

You clearly sent some raspy stuff to both of them. I think the "choose wisely" illustration near the end of the season with Byron in the dunce hat one choice and Lakers fans the other choice was brilliant.

 

Not blocked by either. They have grit.

 

:Headbang:

 

Messina news makes me very happy.