Lakers: It’s Time for Los Angeles to Play Anthony Brown
The Lakers must return to their established game plan, developing the youth, prepping for life without Kobe
The Lakers hopes for a winning season have been dead for some time. A broken offense, lazy defense, and terrible rotations have left the Lakers on pace for another historically poor season. Despite this fact, Byron Scott still seems to struggle with devoting the season to developing the young players on the roster.
Although he did decide to close the game with two of his young players last game, he still chooses to play Lou Williams over Jordan Clarkson with regularity. Clarkson should be being groomed as the leader of this young team, and to sit him for a player as mediocre as Williams is simply foolish.
Even more troubling is the fact that it seemingly wasn’t even Byron’s decision to play the young guys, as it has been reported that Kobe actually suggested that Scott do so.
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With a meeting with the front office looming, it would be in Scott’s best interest to demonstrate a rational sense of the situation he is in and the priorities he should have.
A good starting point would be starting as many young players as possible, and giving them consistent burn in games.
However, there is another step that Byron Scott should make that would show he has fully committed to building the Lakers core.
Anthony Brown should start to be worked into the rotation on a consistent basis. This would allow him to build chemistry with the other young Lakers, while he gets important experience at the NBA level.
Despite excelling in the D-League, Brown still needs to adjust to the speed and skill-level of the NBA game, which can only happen if he’s playing.
Additionally, the move may actually help the Lakers on the court. A lanky wing out of Stanford who played a full college career, Brown could become a valuable three-and-D guy fairly quickly.
With playoff hopes long gone, it’s time for the Lakers to commit fully to the youth movement.
A team whose greatest weakness is perimeter defense, the Lakers actually stand to immediately benefit defensively from having a wing with as much length as Anthony Brown, even despite his lack of experience.
It would be fairly difficult to not be a step up on defense from Kobe Bryant or Lou Williams, especially as Brown is capable of playing either position on the wing. Brown could also bring consistent three-point shooting to a team that has struggled from range throughout the season.
Next: Lakers Brass to Meet With Byron Scott About Player Development
With playoff hopes long gone, it’s time for the Lakers to commit fully to the youth movement. This means that the front office must ensure that not only the young players currently in the rotation get increased playing time, but that also players like Anthony Brown slide into the rotation.