The Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night announced their decision to decline Byron Scott’s contract option for next season, ended his tenure as Lakers coach after two seasons.
Scott’s contract expiring marks the ending of the worst two-year stretch in franchise history. Under Scott, the Lakers went 21-61 last season and then 17-65 this season, the two worst seasons in team history.
“We would like to thank Byron for his hard work, dedication and loyalty over the last two years, but have decided it is in the best interest of the organization to make a change at this time,” General Manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement.
Though Scott was put in a difficult position of having to guide the team during Kobe Bryant’s final two seasons, his strategies as coach did not make much sense. First off, he did not believe much in three-pointers, which is a major problem in today’s NBA. He also did not play to his players’ strengths, such as not letting Jeremy Lin run pick-and-rolls last season. He also toyed with some younger players like D’Angelo Russell instead of letting them develop.
It’s no surprise then that at least one Laker player thinks the change could be good for the team.
Another Lakers player who wishes to stay anonymous on Byron's dismissal: "Not shocked honestly, but I think a fresh start could be good"
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 25, 2016
Another interesting note is that Scott’s firing was a decision made by GM Mitch Kupchak and team exec Jim Buss, but it does not necessarily mean more changes will come in the future.
Was told Byron Scott's ouster was strictly a Kupchak/Jim Buss decision and that this move does not necessarily foretell front office shakeup
— Bill Oram (@billoram) April 25, 2016
