At least we know that one important person has yet to join the Byron Scott Pitchfork Parade: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.
Amidst a disastrous 11-45 campaign, the sheer carnage of which has largely been overshadowed by his own oddball retirement tour, The Black Mamba took some time over the weekend to come to his head coach’s defense in spite of the tumult the team has faced this season.
“It’s been very tough for him,” Bryant said of Scott after a defeat to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, per Baxter Holmes of ESPN. “It’s been very tough. I think he’s managing it very well. He’s remaining consistent and continuing to try to bring the best out of these young guys and demanding the best from them. He’s doing the best that he can in the situation.”
Scott has faced more than his fair share of criticism this year for everything from his handling of rookie D’Angelo Russell to his management of Bryant’s own health. The general disdain he sometimes appears to show for his team in the media hasn’t been a great look either. All of it seems to contributes to Scott’s reputation as perhaps the most incompetent head coach in the league today.
It’s refreshing to see that Bryant, the most respected voice in the Lakers organization, have his head coach’s back through thick and thin. But perhaps the 18-time All-Star is just trying to buy time to prevent a Scott firing (which might already be being considered) from happening until AFTER he retires.
H/T theScore
