Mitch Expects More From Byron And Himself

You know I'm not sure he's ACTUALLY deflecting for Byron. I think Mitch is taking some blame (which he should), but he was still pretty critical of Byron though. He mentioned playing the kids, not letting this be about Kobe, playing the kids, working on rotations/scheme a little, and uh making sure the kids played... He was pretty vocal that this is not what was expected and he's not happy about it.

If he's deflecting for anybody, it's the Busses. He accepted the blame and he shared it with Byron but he didn't mention much about Jeanie and Jim did he? Everyone shares in the blame of this and that includes the Buss kids.

 

Yeah, he's been covering, especially for Jim for a long time. I guess that's part of his job description. Yeah, hopefully he's not covering too much for Byron. I want him fired after this season. But I don't see what part of Byron's terrible coaching is Mitch's fault other than hiring him in the first place which is what I do give him a share of the blame for. He's done a fine job in giving Byron a decent squad to work with.

 

C'mon man. They aren't THAT short. You're making him out to be a T-Rex or something and he's going to have to knock the ball around with his head like a seal in order to control the glass. Are they a little shorter than average? Yes. Kobe's hands are a little small too.

 

I agree, but in situations like this it's important for leadership to have some accountability. Right now Mitch is doing it while Jim sits silently off to the side and Jeanie posts pictures of babies and dogs on her twitter.

Byron should honestly be fired right now, but it would take a strong leadership to make that call. Do they do it? I have my doubts. All I know is it's great to see Mitch step up and say SOMETHING to ease our minds. At least we know he's unsatisfied with what's happening out there. He gives the impression that the Lakers are not purposely tanking AND want to see more from the kids which points to some real incompetence coming from Byron.

 

^^ Good points, realdeal. I'll tell you though, they are saying one thing and letting another thing happen. So I still believe they are ok with tanking, ultimately. Good of Mitch to suggest otherwise, however. At least someone is trying to do their job.

 

This is the second time in the last few weeks he's voiced his displeasure at their record though. I'm not certain he's bluffing there. I'm sure Mitch thought this team would be a LOT better than it is right now.

I do agree though that this is in some ways Mitch trying to put out the fire on Byron's seat right now. He's trying to help, but in doing so he acknowledged a lot of problems we have as fans with the team's direction. So unless changes are made, isn't he accepting those problems? So if he's accepting those problems, then he must be okay with the job Byron is doing... Which means either Mitch is as incompetent as Byron or they're trying to tank. I don't like either conclusion.

 

That wasn't encouraging to me, all talk, all what the fans want to hear, no action.

They got a fine mix of players, much better than I expected after we sat and waited for Aldridge actually. If it's frustrating to the coach and he can't figure it out, maybe find one that can, excuses, nothing but excuses.

Then fire the %&$#ing coach! It's his job to develop them? Is the FO stupid? Blind? Lying? Not able to bring themslelves to fire B0ron because of who he is and what he's done?

That's all you can do?! Shuffle lineups? That's as stupid as anything B0ron has said this season, it's BS and insulting that he thinks fans will buy this. That's not all you can do, that's the last resort of a desperate and clueless coach. It's the absolute LEAST you can do and it points to not doing the right things in every other category. The answer to beginning to fix this is right in front of them, and they won't do it. A few things he said here were good, but not good enough, I don't want to hear this crap I want action. I'd rather he and the FO continued to say nothing than to state all this obvious stuff and try and appease us with BS.

 

Kupchak: I gave Byron all that **** and he doesn't know what the **** he's doing. That is why we are **** right now.

 

I was encouraged by Mitch's comments, @Weezy. It's the first indication from the FO that they are not 100% happy with Byron. Up until now it's all been back patting. Mitch is a very measured and loyal guy. There is no way he would just fire Byron without giving him every opportunity to get the job done. I take these comments as the first public hint that Byron is on notice. I think they see the work Luke Walton is doing and realize how much better he would be at developing the young guns. For the first time I see a glimmer of a light at the end of the tunnel.