LA Lakers Still Stuck At The Bottom

Byron Scott decided to bench D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle for the next 5-10 games.

There is a huge problem with this decision and I’ve officially jumped on the fire Byron Scott campaign.

The problem with benching the LA Lakers two recent lottery picks is that fans like myself watch the game to see the future. We don’t watch the game to see Lou Williams play 31 minutes and record zero assists.

Williams is a really good player off the bench, but not starting.

As a matter of fact, the Lakers starting back court combined for 1 assist on 10-26 shooting last night.

That’s 38 percent from the field by the starting point guard and shooting guard a night ago.

In addition, it’s unacceptable that the leader in assists last night was Kobe Bryant, with four, and he’s not known for passing.

Therefore, making that lineup change was appalling by coach Scott.

Randle came off the bench and immediately made hos presence known and his performance should have changed coach Scott’s mind for the next game.

Randle finished the game with 15 points 11 rebounds in only 21 minutes of playing time.

Even when playing that well, Byron should have played him more than Larry Nance, Jr.

Don’t get my wrong, I like Nance, Jr., but he played nearly 10 more minutes than Randle last night.

Furthermore, that was Randle’s fifth double-double in the last 6 games.

Russell also made a positive impact off the bench in his 21 minutes.

He started off slow in the first half but turned it on in the second half scoring all nine of his points making four of his next eight shots.

Russell also recorded three rebounds and two assist off the bench and that’s 1 more assist than Clarkson and Williams combined.

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Once again, just like Randle, Russell was starting to play much better the last few weeks — so it’s understandable why they both were upset.

Moreover, this team has a bunch of dudes that only want to score the ball, and its very frustrating when watching them play.

There needs to be more trust on this team from the younger players.

It’s too much one-on-one mentality, and that doesn’t result into wins in today’s game.

Scott needs to get these young players playing together, and making the right progressions.

I’ve said this since the Las Vegas Summer League that Jordan Clarkson needs to learn how to play with the ball not in his hands.

He needs to be more Klay Thompson than Monta Ellis and right now he is more Ellis than Thompson.

That wont work with a pass-first point guard like Russell.

I fully expect coach Scott to do the right thing and make the changes to Russell and Randle by bringing them back to the starting lineup within the next few games.

Bottom Line: Byron Scott continues to bottom out.

Another thing is that you don’t make a lineup change 21 games into the season after starting is 3-18.

The Lakers have zero chance to make the playoffs in the West after the worst start in franchise history.

It’s just not the right time to be making more poor decisions.