Lakers News: Randle’s Minute-Management Came From “Above”

We’ve reached the point in Byron’s coaching we haven’t seen since… The last guy. Scott has earned his own hashtag: #BlameByron. So, with frustration mounting both among fans and the player whose minutes are being restricted (Julius Randle), of course much of the backlash fell upon the much-maligned head coach.

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This, via Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times:

Now, part of the issue at hand is we have no effing clue who’s making which decisions. Minutes typically are a coach’s decision, though restrictions like this with Randle should come from management. Randle’s long-term health (he hadn’t played basketball for nine months heading into this past week) is exponentially more important than any kind of production in a series of exhibition games.

So, while it’s frustrating for those of us who would’ve liked to seen more time featuring Randle, Jordan Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell on the court at the same time – or just more time from Randle on the whole – the decision makes sense moving forward.

Back to where frustration might from, though: Until fans can at least somewhat understand which decisions are coming from whom, blame will continue to find the wrong person. As Byron has turned into one of the faces of the unmitigated disaster that’s been the last couple seasons, he’ll continue to be a popular target – however unfairly.

We have no idea, and to a certain extent, the fans are right to show a lack of patience.

I’m obviously not asking for a detailed press release of the exact responsibilities from the top down, just some kind of clarity. Jeanie Buss is in charge of the business side, sure, but business and basketball can often go hand-in-hand. Jim Buss shares the basketball responsibilities with Mitch Kupchak and the rest of the front office, but who makes which call? And, in cases where the basketball decision affects the business – as is almost always the case – does Jeannie get to override anyone? We have no idea, and to a certain extent, the fans are right to show a lack of patience. This is all in vain, though. The Lakers wouldn’t even leak a second-round pick to Adrian Wojnarowski, releasing information on organizational structure simply won’t happen.

Randle should’ve been managed this week. It was the right call. In terms of perception, however, it’d be nice to know heading into such a decision, who is making said call.

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