RealGM

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/scott-703493-worthy-lakers.html



The best quote from the article:

“If I knew that he didn’t know what he was doing,” Cooper said, “I would definitely say that. But I know Byron knows what he’s doing.”

Two years after D’Antoni's departure, fans are once again restless. Many believe another change on the bench could key a reversal of fortune.

There will be critics who agree. And loudly. But Worthy won’t be among them.

“People want to put their process of thinking into our heads,” he said. “And it’s not going to happen.”

If anything the clowns were a bit too critical of D'Antoni. I mean how many times did we get "We want Phil" chants at Staples during his tenure? I can only recall two occasions it happened for Byron but now every internet forum wishes we had D'Antoni offense to groom Russell.

It's funny too because the team is a lot worse under Byron than under D'Antoni.

D'Antonie won twice as many games per season than Scott did. Russell would be rookie of the year under D'Antonie. Marshall was leading the NBA in assists under D'Antonie. Russell is a lot better than Marhsall.

I want Thibbs to be the next Laker coach. I don't care if Worthy and Coop agree. Scott is impeding the development of our young core.

i'm not sure Scott is impeding on their development (Randle, Clarkson, Russell, Nance)

i felt that way about things too, but since i've changed my stance. it's odd but you can see the young guys all playing the right way, not sure if it's because of or in spite of but development is definitely happening. i'm pleased with their development so far, just that Nance being hurt sucks

miggs wrote:i'm not sure Scott is impeding on their development (Randle, Clarkson, Russell, Nance)

i felt that way about things too, but since i've changed my stance. it's odd but you can see the young guys all playing the right way, not sure if it's because of or in spite of but development is definitely happening. i'm pleased with their development so far, just that Nance being hurt sucks

I'd say there's a difference between their current development (rookie basketball stuff that comes with actual playing time: the game slowing down, expanding jumpshot range, reading defenses, etc) with system. IMO, other than lack of PT (which has legitimacy, but also seems like Byron does things arbitrarily or when a guy is getting hot just to keep minutes consistent) what they're actually learning, the system they're refining is what most guys have a problem with when it comes to Byron.

We can see the progress of "oh hey Randle hit a jumpshot!" but, man what kind of defense are they learning to play? Man why are there so few passes, cuts, screens being set? They're developing, and we have to credit Byron for his part in that, and in some ways he has been protecting guys...but in the end it's all just turd-polishing.

They're gonna have to really learn to play the right way later.

crazyeights wrote:

miggs wrote:i'm not sure Scott is impeding on their development (Randle, Clarkson, Russell, Nance)

i felt that way about things too, but since i've changed my stance. it's odd but you can see the young guys all playing the right way, not sure if it's because of or in spite of but development is definitely happening. i'm pleased with their development so far, just that Nance being hurt sucks

I'd say there's a difference between their current development (rookie basketball stuff that comes with actual playing time: the game slowing down, expanding jumpshot range, reading defenses, etc) with system. IMO, other than lack of PT (which has legitimacy, but also seems like Byron does things arbitrarily or when a guy is getting hot just to keep minutes consistent) what they're actually learning, the system they're refining is what most guys have a problem with when it comes to Byron.

We can see the progress of "oh hey Randle hit a jumpshot!" but, man what kind of defense are they learning to play? Man why are there so few passes, cuts, screens being set? They're developing, and we have to credit Byron for his part in that, and in some ways he has been protecting guys...but in the end it's all just turd-polishing.

They're gonna have to really learn to play the right way later.

To this point one of the things Lebron pointed out when he returned to Cleveland was that the players there had learned a lot of bad habits that they were going to have to fix. Most of those players seemingly learned them from Byron's tenure there with some league worst defenses.

The Laker's roster under Mike D was way more suited for Byron, and the Lakers roster under Byron is way more suited for Mike D, neither is going to win a championship though....

Michael Lucky wrote:It's funny too because the team is a lot worse under Byron than under D'Antoni.

Young roster vs veteran squad... D'Antoni didn't have to teach them how to play basketball, he probably should have won more games but the team was injury riddled... That team set records for games lost due to injuries... Scott, not a lot of talent on this team.. it's getting there and the improvement among the kids is clearly evident, it's actually starting to look like a collection of guys who might be able to make a career out of the basketball thing.

That being said I always felt folks were way too harsh with D'Antoni, same with Scott.. seems with some fans ignoring the facts of the situations these guys are trying to coach under and just call for their heads is easier than critical thinking..

I just see us getting the pick this year, and Scott messing the kid's head up - glass both half-full and half-empty at the same time. Byron is just a terrible coach with a mindset that hardened about 20 years ago and is unable to change. Contrast with Pop, who refashions his approach every time the roster changes significantly

JohnVancouver wrote:I just see us getting the pick this year, and Scott messing the kid's head up - glass both half-full and half-empty at the same time. Byron is just a terrible coach with a mindset that hardened about 20 years ago and is unable to change. Contrast with Pop, who refashions his approach every time the roster changes significantly

This.

dockingsched wrote:

crazyeights wrote:

miggs wrote:i'm not sure Scott is impeding on their development (Randle, Clarkson, Russell, Nance)

i felt that way about things too, but since i've changed my stance. it's odd but you can see the young guys all playing the right way, not sure if it's because of or in spite of but development is definitely happening. i'm pleased with their development so far, just that Nance being hurt sucks

I'd say there's a difference between their current development (rookie basketball stuff that comes with actual playing time: the game slowing down, expanding jumpshot range, reading defenses, etc) with system. IMO, other than lack of PT (which has legitimacy, but also seems like Byron does things arbitrarily or when a guy is getting hot just to keep minutes consistent) what they're actually learning, the system they're refining is what most guys have a problem with when it comes to Byron.

We can see the progress of "oh hey Randle hit a jumpshot!" but, man what kind of defense are they learning to play? Man why are there so few passes, cuts, screens being set? They're developing, and we have to credit Byron for his part in that, and in some ways he has been protecting guys...but in the end it's all just turd-polishing.

They're gonna have to really learn to play the right way later.

To this point one of the things Lebron pointed out when he returned to Cleveland was that the players there had learned a lot of bad habits that they were going to have to fix. Most of those players seemingly learned them from Byron's tenure there with some league worst defenses.

Interesting indeed, I still think because we hired Byron over the guys we had spoken to and didn't even give Quinn Snyder or Steve Clifford a look, plus Ettore Messina, my guess is because the tank was always the goal. Build a core of young assets and then decide if you'll keep building around them or flip some for parts/star/etc. I agree with both of you on the defensive end however, and I've mentioned before that Russell's low assist numbers have given me some concern as to how effective he will be in running the offense and making sure guys get touches.

Still though, LeBron went back to Cle wanting to contend immediately. The East was very weak (aka young and raw) still when LeBron went back, because of that I think they looked so dominant in the East but now that teams like the Raptors, Pistons, Celtics and maybe the Hornets (if they keep building around what they have and keep Batum) are becoming legit threats to their easy path to the Finals. I think their mistake is that too many players on that roster aren't ready for a deep playoff run, they get by on LeBron and some talent. I think guys like Irving, Thompson, Shumpert, and Delly are still growing, albeit not all young, they still haven't reached the level where they can really compliment LeBron and make a serious chance at a title.

I don't think Scott will be here next season unless we fail to sign big FAs so while they've learned some bad habits defensively, I don't think it's anything the next coach can't fix, unless it's another disappointing hire of course. Their making solid progress together, but it can't help that we have so many young guys on the team. I think the player to worry about is Russell. I feel Clarkson has a great hold on his personal development plan and is already going to focus on becoming a better defender. Randle is improving incredibly well since starting again and well Nance, Brown and Black are also doing solid for having no more than a season to two under their belt and playing on a losing team.