Byron Scott: This is How I Would Coach the Lakers – Part 1

Dec 12, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott watches from the sideline against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Byron Scott has done a decent job with the lackluster talent given to him so far.

You can only blame him so much because he had ZERO part in choosing the pieces.

In this article, I’ll focus on the rotations and how to maximize the current talent while building for the future.

Here is who I would play and why:

Starters

PG Jeremy Lin – better offensive player/worse defender than Price, WHEN he penetrates he’s effective

SG Kobe Bryant – still the best player on the team and he needs help badly, shorten his minutes (30 mpg)

SF Wayne Ellington – can spread the floor and hit the open jumper

PF Carlos Boozer – better offensive player/worse defender than Davis

C   Jordan Hill – double, double machine and he’s developing a mid-range shot

Bench

PG Ronnie Price – proven defender, but challenged offensively

SG Jordan Clarkson – athletic & willing learner with huge upside, needs time consistently

SF Nick Young – instant offense off the bench that can create his own shot, #2 scorer

PF – Ed Davis – active defender and rebounder, biggest surprise this season

If Julius Randle were healthy, I’d play him at the 3 or 4 position depending on the opposing team on the floor. Insert Randle and Price loses his spot in the rotation, Clarkson moves to the 1 and Swaggy to the 2. Ryan Kelly has potential, but I’m not sure if he’ll fit in Byron’s system. Wes Johnson is a bust and Robert Sacre has no skills.

This is a balance of firepower and youth. Finish the game with whose playing the best period. This team probably misses the playoffs (unless a couple of trades are made before the deadline), but it becomes a more attractive destination for 2015 Free Agents.

Keep: Kobe Bryant, Nick Young, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, Ed Davis, Jordan Hill (unless the right deal comes around)

Trade: Jeremy Lin, Wayne Ellington, Ronnie Price, Ryan Kelly, Xavier Henry

Waive: Wesley Johnson, Robert Sacre