No one really believed that the Lakers could take the NBA title this year or even the Eastern Conference title. In the same way, no one also expected that their performance would be this poor especially with Kobe coming back. With only 3 wins and 21 losses and on a 6 losing streak, the Lakers is definitely not vying for any title this season.
Some experts and fans believed that the problem should not be solely attributed to the players. According to some reports, the front office of the Lakers and its head coach Byron Scott should be blamed for the team's very poor performance. It has been reported recently that Scott is being criticized with his preference of the veteran players over the relatively new and young players; Russell, Randle, Nance Jr. and Clarkson. Basketball Insider reported that;
"But the disappointment surrounding the franchise's worst start to a season isn't at the core of fans' frustration. Rather, the root of the frustration stems from the Lakers' front office and its head coach Byron Scott." The report also added that, "Scott isn't being judged harshly this season by fans or pundits because of his performance in past seasons or because he chooses to not embrace some modern principles of NBA coaching (though he received a lot of criticism for that last season). Rather, he is being criticized for his failure to develop his young players, and favoring veterans who are unlikely to be with the Lakers past this season."
The preference of coach Byron Scott for veteran players over young players has manifested through the decline game time of the young players. And instead of giving them some insights to correct their mistakes, the players are left without any clear explanation. It is quite clear with the statement of D'Angelo Russell as he was benched or demoted from being a starting player. Russell via Basketball Insider stated that;
"I have no idea [why]. I'm just going along with it," Russell said. "I finally was starting to figure it out and then this happened. ... I didn't expect it to happen like that so if I was the problem, or if I was the change that needed to happen to better the team, then I guess it was worth it."
If Scott would continue to limit the playing time of his young core, then growth of these players would likewise be limited. And this could likewise affect the perception of some young players in the league, thinking Lakers as not a suitable place for young players and free agents. And if this trend would continue then, it would not be too long for fans to request from the Lakers management to fire Coach Byron Scott.
