Lakers: 5 Things Front Office Should Tell Byron Scott
Nov 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard
(1) and forward
(24) on the bench in the second half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
5. Never Have D’Angelo Russell on the Bench Late in Games Again
Virtually everyone can agree that Byron Scott electing to move D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle to the bench is a questionable decision. However, that decision is livable as long as it doesn’t fully stunt the development of both players. What that brings into question, though, is whether or not Scott is going to follow the early-season trend of Russell being on the bench down the stretch of games.
If you’re Mitch Kupchak and whichever members of the Buss family are present for these meetings, there has to be a law laid down that Scott simply must play Russell in these late-game situations. Not only does keeping him on the bench honestly not help the Lakers be competitive in these fourth quarter situation, but it also stunts Russell’s development in the long-run. What value is there in a 19-year-old rookie point guard sitting on the bench in the most crucial moments of a game? The answer is none at all.
Moreover, Russell has proven over the Lakers past few games that he’s more than capable of rising to that occasion. It’s not a coincidence that the rookie has shined when given the opportunity to play late in games and carry the offense in such situations. He’s going to make mistakes as a young player in this league, but he’s a born playmaker who thrives in those types of situations. Thus, the Lakers front office needs to make certain that Scott is allowing Russell to be a part of those situations.
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