With the retirement of Kobe Bryant approaching and the Los Angeles Lakers on a clear road to rebuilding, the Lakers organization has decided that patience is the best virtue at the moment. Byron Scott’s job with the Lakers so far is safe through the end of the season; which is good news seeing that his Lakers team is currently 3-21.
From LA Daily News
“He has also overseen the Lakers’ worst start in franchise history, a 123-122 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday at Target Center marking the team’s fourth consecutive loss as the Western Conference’s worst team.
But Byron Scott still has enough support from Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and vice president of player personnel Jim Buss that he is expected to coach through the rest of the 2015-16 season, according to team sources familiar with the situation. With Scott signing a four-year, $17 million deal last summer, the Lakers plan to evaluate his future once the 2015-16 season ends, according to a team source.
The Lakers are not happy with the persistent losing, obviously. But Kupchak and Buss sympathize with Scott on handling what one team source called “a no-win situation.”
On one hand, Scott has felt pressure to handle Bryant’s workload in his 20th and final NBA season. Scott remains mindful of Bryant’s struggles, averaging 16.2 points per game average on 30.6-percent shooting in 31.3 minutes per game.”
Where the Lakers go after Bryant retires is of course not yet to be known, but Scott is a proven winner and could be the best coach for the long-haul.
