Written by Dylan Hernandez at LATimes.com
Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak might not be saying anything about Coach Byron Scott, but the fans are making their voices heard, whether it’s on the radio airwaves or in the comments section under the online versions of Mike Bresnahan’s stories. Their pitchforks are out. They want Scott fired.
The blood thirst is curious, considering how well this season has unfolded.
Seriously.
The team’s 11-47 record? Who cares? Look at the roster. This team never had a chance.
If anything, the historically awful record should bolster Scott’s stealth candidacy for Coach of the Year. Remember, the Lakers’ first-round selection in the upcoming draft will belong to the Philadelphia 76ers unless it falls in the top three, meaning every loss is in fact a win and every win a loss. What looks like the second-worst record in the NBA is actually the second-best, as far as the Lakers are concerned. This draft pick, which could be turned into Ben Simmons of LSU or Brandon Ingram of Duke, is probably their single-most effective vehicle to climb back into contention.
More ridiculous is the criticism directed at Scott and the Lakers for allowing Kobe Bryant’s farewell to dictate their season.
While Bryant’s final months as an active player are being extensively chronicled, what’s been understated is the strangely electric atmosphere at Staples Center. It’s as if Bryant is now a religious figure. Or Donald Trump.
Bryant touches the ball, and the arena buzzes. He knocks down a routine shot, and the fans react as if he sank a buzzer-beater.
Allowing Bryant to showcase what remains of his once-in-a-generation ability isn’t a problem. It’s basic customer service. He’s about the only reason fans are paying as much as they are to watch some really dreadful basketball. Bryant should be permitted to shoot as much as he wants, whenever he wants.
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