Brandon Bass was one of many questionable signings or moves that the Lakers made this past offseason in regards to bringing in veteran players who would expect sizable roles on a team where the bulk of the minutes in the rotation should be utilized in developing the youth on the roster. In that regard, the veteran big man was kind of doomed from the start.
Only further damning him was how miscast he was early on in the year by Byron Scott. Early in the season, Byron was stubbornly trotting Bass out as the backup center when it was obviously ineffective on both ends of the floor, but particularly on the defensive end. Mercifully, Scott has gotten away from that idea as the season has worn on and the Lakers have been better for it.
However, that can’t totally be held to the detriment of Bass as he was put in a role that he never should have been in. That’s partially on the coaching staff for making such a decision. That being said, Bass has been a mixed bag whenever he’s on the floor. Some nights he comes out with impressive energy and showing signs of leadership while other nights he takes the floor looking like he’s just out there to collect his paycheck. It’s complicated grading such a player, but just below average at D+ feels about like the right way to do so.
Next: Tarik Black