Lakers Year in Review: 4 Things We Learned in 2014
By Scott Asai
Dec 30, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
2015 is upon us and 2014 was a year to forget for many reasons.
Here are 4 of them:
The Buss Family Needs Help.
Dr. Buss may have passed in 2013, but the Lakers started their downward spiral in 2011, post-Phil Jackson. Jim Buss wanted to clear the Lakers organization of anything related to Phil so he fired everyone from the coaching staff to ball-boys.
Talk about insecurity.
Jim hired Mike Brown over Brian Shaw, Mike D’Antoni over Phil Jackson and chose to cater to Steve Nash instead of Dwight Howard. Jeanie called him out in a recent sit-down interview and Jim promised if the Lakers aren’t contenders in 3 years, he’s out. The clock should have started in 2011 which means he should be unemployed at this moment.
Reports of superstars not wanting to play with Kobe and his contract stifling the Lakers cap space is overblown. The real reason free agents are scared away is: lack of leadership. The same reason Kevin Garnett didn’t want to come to L.A. in 2007 (he did us a favor, Pau Gasol was a much better fit) is the same reason ‘Melo and LeBron spurned us this past summer: the roster.
It’s management’s job to put a winning team on the floor.
The Lakers lack direction and that starts at the top.
Byron Scott is the Right Hire.
Was Byron the most accomplished coach available? No.
Is he the best fit for the current Lakers team? Yes.
Byron’s weaknesses are his lack of accountability for Kobe Bryant and offensive sets in the half court. Scott’s strengths are his ability to relate to players, positive presence on-and-off the court and deep love for the purple and gold.
Mike Brown was a pushover. Mike D’Antoni was a jerk. Byron Scott isn’t at Phil Jackson’s level (then again who is), but the Buss family finally got it right on the 3rd try by hiring him. This season’s roster is way less talented than last year’s 27 – 55 team, so this is a true rebuilding year.
Despite the team’s lackluster record, there is minimal uproar the in locker room and there is responsibility taken by players and coach when mistakes are made. This is a work-in-progress and Byron is up to the task.
Better talent makes a better coach. The Lakers aren’t underachieving based on their personnel. They are barely treading water, but at least they’re swimming in the right direction.