Oct 30, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert (17) talks to guard Kobe Bryant (24) against the Sacramento Kings in the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 132-114. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
4. Hibbert on the Bench in the Fourth Quarter
In a move that is nothing short of mystifying, in recent games Scott has been playing Bass the entire fourth quarter while keeping Hibbert on the bench. If getting stops is important down the stretch, does it make any sense to keep your best defender on the bench? What exactly is it that Bass will contribute that Hibbert won’t?
Hibbert has been playing well. He is blocking and altering shots. While he is not an offensive juggernaut, though he works hard on offense and is great at the free throw line. It is not his fault that the game plan does not involve working the ball inside to him in the post. Plus, he’s a far better defender than Bass.
The Lakers are better with Hibbert in the game no matter what lineup the opposing team is using, so why has he been on the bench for entire stretches of the fourth quarter in recent games? This is another inexplicable move by the coaching staff.
Next: No. 5 Young Players on the Bench