The Official Byron Scott Coach Thread 2014-2015

He also came here as a coach, known for being lost without a star player.
Is it possible he's worse than Mikes? Brown made us play defense. Pringles got us to score 120 a game. Scott does neither.
Not playing Lin, JC and Ellington... i'll just stop here.

 

He's easily the worst of the 3.

 

"I'm trying to shoulder a lot," Bryant said. "I'm trying to figure out the puzzle of my body and getting it to respond so I can come through."
Unfortunately the answer Kobe is looking for may not exist. He wants to right the season, to come back as a top 5 elite player. He can't do that at this age, with this team and this coach.

"Just give me the ball. I'm always ready to carry the load," Young said.
But this and managing Kobe's minutes is an answer to get the best possible from Kobe for the season. I only see Kobe's (relatively) open dialogue with the media about his health as progress to Kobe letting go of what is a destructive strategy (the you can't guard me Kobe who never rests).

 

I'm done with Byron, don't care if he's a former Laker, he deserves all the criticism that the Mikes got for doing the same thing.

 

The following comments on May 23rd, 2014

"Obviously, if I get the job, the first conversation with Kobe. We have to talk about the future of the Los Angles Lakers. We have to also talk about the type of direction we’re going to be taking and also talk about the type of game that he’s going to be playing, because he’s going to have to change his game a little bit, and I think he knows that. We’ve got to sit down and talk about the minutes and things like that. We’ve just got to come to an agreement. But he knows me. I’m an old-school type guy, old-school type guy. And I want him to understand that, and I think he does understand that. We communicate during the summer by text, and every now and then, I’ll run into him somewhere and we’ll talk a little bit more about basketball. But I think the biggest thing is, No. 1, I respect the hell out of Kobe, and I think he respects me. That’s the first hurdle you’ve got to get past, and then other things, we’ll solve all those little issues.'

The following comments were taken on September 26, 2014

Scott reported Bryant as fully healthy from his left knee injury and looked impressed with his offseason workouts. Yet, Scott said he will have to limit Bryant. He will probably sit out in the second practice of the three two-a-day sessions Scott tentatively has scheduled once training camp begins in three weeks. Bryant will likely skip select regular-season practices so he can receive additional rest and treatment. Scott also conceded the possibility that Bryant will either miss the second night of back-to-back games, or face reduced minutes the first game so he can play the following night.

“The key is our communication,” Scott said. “Kobe knows me pretty well and I know him pretty well. I know how stubborn he is. He knows how stubborn I am. There’s going to be times we’re butting heads. But it’s all because we want to win. But I also don’t want to play a guy like Kobe in game 58 just to get that win and then risk his health for game 82 when we have a chance to go into the playoffs. I have to be real smart that I stick to my guns as far as minutes are concerned even if it costs us a game or two.”

http://www.insidesocal.com/lakers/2...n-hold-firm-on-limiting-kobe-bryants-minutes/

Again the following was said on October 16, 2014

Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott said Wednesday that he and his star have, in fact, reached an agreement on the matter, but Scott declined to reveal the exact figure.

Scott shared no specifics beyond saying the figure would be between 30 and 40 minutes per game.

Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott said Wednesday that he and his star have, in fact, reached an agreement on the matter, but Scott declined to reveal the exact figure.

“His number was lower than mine,” Scott said after Lakers practice. “That surprised me. It helped me as well.”

Scott shared no specifics beyond saying the figure would be between 30 and 40 minutes per game.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports....precedented-minutes-per-game-for-lakers-star/


Serena Winters @SerenaWinters · 43m 43 minutes ago
Byron Scott: "I'm not going to sacrifice [Kobe's] well being for W's" Scott says he may be making decisions in the future Kobe may not like

I posted somewhat of a timeline, and I'm missing out many parts, but I wanted to make a point about this; he's known (Byron) since taking the job back in May that this was going to be an issue; he knew and conceded what he was coming into...the fact that it has come to running Kobe into the ground, having him playing in the high 30's even in the 40's is irresponsible coaching. Even Scott's most loyal supporters have called for weeks to rest Kobe, and now he finally decides to do it while Kobe is killing himself out there...

I finally hope he decides to take a leadership role; this is your team Scott. Do what you have to do in this situation and REST him...

 

Serena Winters @SerenaWinters · 9m 9 minutes ago
Byron Scott on Kobe Bryant: "We've just got to come to the realization that he can't play 38, 39 minutes a game"

Serena Winters @SerenaWinters · 10m 10 minutes ago
Byron on Kobe: "Back to back is an issue we've got to talk about." "Probably going to be some games where he shouldn't play back to back."

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina · 1h 1 hour ago
Byron said he hasn't decided yet about if Kobe will play tomorrow. Plans to have more conversations

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina · 1h 1 hour ago
Byron on Kobe: "He's in agreement with whatever I want to do w/ him as far as sitting him down."

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina · 1h 1 hour ago
Byron said he will overrule Kobe if he protests & even joked he would get Mitch Kupchak involved if needed

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina · 12m 12 minutes ago
Byron said thought process behind giving team chance to end practice early was to save legs for Golden State

Eric Pincus @EricPincus · 36m 36 minutes ago
Byron Scott said he's happy thus far with his lineup change last 7ish games - going to give it another 8-13 games before re-evaluating

 

I was thinking about this. Earlier in the thread Kobe was quoted about his energy level and need for rest. The comments were subtle but indicate he is exhausted.

Kobe and Byron are boys, what if Kobe has been giving it his all because he knows we won't win ANY games if he rests, and Byron is on the hot seat? Is Kobe doing all he can to make the Lakers look competitive because Byron's a** is on the line?

 

I can't see any scenario where Byron loses his job this season.

I must admit though, it is definitely eyebrow raising that he seems to just now be realizing all of this. Never a good sign when all of us message board guys seem to be catching things before the coaching staff does.

 

Are his assistants also seeing all this now or have they known but didn't want to speak up? Because between Byron and them there has to be someone that realizes Kobe is being ran into the ground. I mean everyone with eyes and half a brain can see that.

 

That's 100% correct... whether it's a good thing or not .

 

Kobe is still a game time decision. Scott said he'll cut his minutes back to 32 and won't have him play complete quarters anymore.

Scott also said Kobe has deferred to him to do what he thinks his best...we'll see how it goes from here on out.

I can't post the Mark Medina article; of someone else can, that'd be great. It could confirm what I said with more details...