When Randy Pfund took over the head coaching duties for the Los Angeles Lakers in May 1992, the organization was at a crossroads after having lost 3-1 in the First Round of the Playoffs to the eventual Western Conference Champion, Portland Trail Blazers and Mike Dunleavy abruptly resigning nine days later.
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Pfund would inherit a roster that scarcely resembled the great teams of Laker past. The exploits of Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were gone and replaced by spare parts such as Doug Christie and Elden Campbell.
The Pfund-led Lakers would finish the next two seasons 39-43 and 33-49, respectively, with the latter year qualifying as the worst season in Lakers history since 1975.
His tenure would help bridge the gap between the glory of Lakers past and what would later become the dominance of the 2000s led by Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and Hall-of-Fame coach, Phil Jackson.
Twenty years later, Byron Scott finds himself in a similar position. Scott, who was hired with the approval of Laker fans and the backing of former players, inherited an organization caught between a storied past and an uncertain future a year ago.
The “Black Mamba” embodies the past 20 years, but the legendary figure is on his last legs. That being said, the team’s future is bright with D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle serving as the building blocks.
Dec 3, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) watches while standing on the sidelines with Lakers head coach Byron Scott (left) against the Washington Wizards in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 111-95. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The difference between Scott and Pfund is that Scott’s primary job with this group is that of a teacher. Pfund inherited a group of journeymen built around an aging James Worthy similar to Bryant, an older star in the twilight of his career.
Scott’s goal is to mold Russell into the next great Lakers point guard and to build back up a culture that seems to have waned in recent years.
The Lakers weren’t good under Scott last year (21-61) in no small part to the massive amount of injuries the team endured. Randle (leg), Bryant (shoulder), and Steve Nash (back) all suffered season-ending injuries.
Other problems included a much to basic, iso-heavy offense early in the season that often resulted in low-percentage shots late in the shot-clock by Bryant. Although offensive flow would improve as the season wore on, the Lakers would finish in the bottom half (19th) of the league in points (98.5) per game.
To his credit, Scott has shown the ability to develop young players. Jordan Clarkson went from a second round pick sitting at the end of the bench to a key contributor for the team by season’s end, averaging 19.4 points and 6.8 assists over the last month of the season.
Clarkson even made the 2015 NBA All-Rookie First Team despite not starting the season in the regular rotation. Scott also has experience mentoring Chris Paul and Kyrie Irving who speak highly of him.
If Scott is able to develop the young pieces on the roster, while successfully overseeing the inevitable retirement of Bryant, the organization can chuck it up as a win-win for both sides.
Next: Bryant on Team USA: 'I Need to Earn It'
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